Irish Rugby

Image source, BBC Sport NI

Ulster's new signing Eli Snyman said the chance to join Richie Murphy's side was "an opportunity I could not say no to."

Snyman joined the province from Italian side Benetton and became general manager Rory Best's first signing in January when he signed a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old will strengthen Ulster's options in the second row which also include Iain Henderson, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Charlie Irvine, Joe Hopes and Matty Dalton.

"I think it is a very proud club," Snyman told BBC Sport NI.

"It was an opportunity I could not say no to, and I am grateful to be and appreciative to be given this opportunity and hopefully I can make the most of it and do well with the boys.

"I just want to help add to the team where I can and help out."

Ulster's United Rugby Championship campaign starts on 25 September when they welcome Edinburgh to the Affidea Stadium.

Synman added that the future is "looking good" for the side who are aiming to bounce back from last season's disappointment when they failed to qualify for the Investec Champions Cup before losing the Challenge Cup final against Montpellier.

"There are a great number of very young, talented players here who are really hungry to play," he continued.

"They are pushing each other, and they are pushing all the older guys every day, so it is really difficult, but it is good.

"I think the future is certainly looking good for Ulster in terms of the number of really talented, young players."

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Munster made it back-to-back Women's Interprovincial Championship titles with a 14-5 win over Leinster at Dexcom Stadium.

Following a handsome win in round one, the defending champions entered the game full of confidence, but were given a much tougher test this time around.

Leinster could have made a dream start when Sarah Delaney seemed set to touch down in the opening minute, but was held up over the line.

Munster were dealt an early blow when Enya Breen was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on but Leinster were unable to take advantage.

With numerical parity restored, Munster hit the front after 21 minutes as Beth Buttimer grabbed her second try of the championship as she squeezed over after a lengthy spell of possession and Caitriona Finn added the extras.

Two minutes before the break, Leinster found a response as from a maul, space opened up and Dannah O'Brien found Kathy Baker for an unconverted try.

Leinster pressed for the go-ahead score early in the second period but couldn't breach the Munster defence, with Erin King then held up when close to touching down.

They couldn't make their opportunities count and with 10 minutes remaining, Munster put daylight between the sides.

From a penalty to the corner, Munster set up the maul and Buttimer rumbled over for her second of the game with Enya Breen converting.

Siobhan McCarthy could have sealed it but was held up over the line, but there was no way back for Leinster as Munster retained their title.

Munster: Aoife Corey; Alana McInerney, Lucia Linn, Enya Breen, Chisom Ugwueru; Caitríona Finn, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Eilís Cahill; Aoibhe O'Flynn, Clodagh O'Halloran; Sally Kelly, Grace Moore, Maeve Óg O'Leary.

Replacements: Emma Dunican, Caoimhe Murphy, Alisha Flynn, Caoimhe Murphy, Niamh O'Mahony, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Andrea Murphy, Katie Corrigan.

Leinster: Stacey Flood; Robyn O'Connor, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins; Vicky Elmes Kinlan; Dannah O'Brien, Katie Whelan; Caoimhe Molloy, Sarah Delaney (capt), Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Kate Jordan; Regan Casey, Kathy Baker, Erin King.

Replacements: Emma Jane Wilson, Hannah Wilson, Hope Lowney, Roisin Kinch, Aoife Corcoran, Nikki Gibson, Alex Connor, Emma Tilly.

Issy Todd
BBC Sport NI contributor

Image source, Inpho

Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship

Connacht (10) 10

Tries: Heaney, Deely

Ulster (24) 29

Tries: McKinley, Clenaghan 2, Marley, Sheerin Cons: Moyles 2

Ulster completed their Women's Interprovincial Championship campaign on a high with a third place finish, following a strong 29-10 victory over Connacht at Dexcom Stadium in Galway.

After a narrow 15-10 defeat by the western province in the opening interpro in August, Murray Houston's side came out determined to rectify the result and two tries by Maebh Clenaghan in the first half, along with scores by Olivia McKinley and Niamh Marley, gave the visitors a strong lead at the break.

Connacht made a flying start when Aoife Heaney raced through multiple defenders to score after just a minute, following a quick pop pass from Anna McGann.

Ulster hit back almost immediately with McKinley crossing from close range after a patient spell of possession to get her second senior try with Abby Moyles adding the conversion.

Houston's side extended their lead through a powerful maul, with Maebh Clenaghan dotting down.

Connacht responded on 13 minutes through Maebh Deeley who missed her own conversion, but they would lose Ailish Quinn to the sin bin after a series of penalties.

Ulster took advantage as Maebh Clenaghan got over for her second try and following a superb 50:22 from Moyles, a fine move off the line-out resulted in Marley finishing to open a 24-10 lead at the break.

It was a scrappier second period with the only score coming five minutes from time as Sheerin collected a crossfield kick by Moyles to cement an impressive victory and a third-place finish for Ulster.

Connacht: Clara Barrett; Aoife Heaney, Anna McGann, Lyndsay Clarke, Clare Gorman; Meabh Deely, Aoibheann Reilly (co-capt); Ella Burns, Stacy Hanley, Lily Morris, Faith Oviawe, Poppy Garvey, Emma Kelly, Ailish Quinn (co-capt), Jemima Adams Verling.

Replacements: Kara Mulcahy, Evie Kennedy, Hannah Coen, Emma Fabby, Roisin Power, Emily Foley, Siofra Hession, Sarah Purcell.

Ulster: Ella Durkan; Katie Gilmour, Caitlin Crowe, Leah Irwin, Niamh Marley; Abby Moyles, Rachael McIlroy; Sarah Roberts, Maebh Clenaghan, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Olivia McKinley, Moya Hill, Rebecca Beacom, Claire Boles (capt).

Replacements: Emily Whittle, Sophie Barrett, Ava Fannin, Ellen Patterson, Stacey Sloan, Georgia Boyce, Siobhan Sheerin, Rebecca Mann.

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Ireland's Mack Hansen will make his long-awaited return from injury in Connacht's pre-season friendly against RC Vannes in France on Friday evening.

The 28-year-old back has been sidelined since November with a foot problem which required surgery.

In addition to missing the second half of Connacht's 2025-26 season, Australia-born Hansen was forced to sit out Ireland's Six Nations campaign and last month's Nations Championship fixtures.

He has been named to start Friday's game at Stade de la Rabine at left wing in a team which also includes the returning Byron Ralston, who starts at centre in his first game since October.

Stuart Lancaster's side begin their United Rugby Championship campaign at home to Stormers on 25 September.

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Munster scored 10 tries as they secured a resounding 62-0 win over Ulster to secure a place in the Irish interprovincial final on 29 August.

Beth Buttimer and player-of-the-match Clodagh O'Halloran scored two tries apiece, with Chisom Ugwueru, Katie Corrigan, Emily Lane, Aoife Corey, Alana McInerney and Andrea Murphy also crossing.

Munster led 31-0 at half-time in Cork and doubled their advantage in the second half to take victory in emphatic fashion.

Enya Breen and replacement Caitriona Finn contributed three conversions each.

Munster will visit Connacht next Saturday, while Ulster host Leinster in Belfast.

Ulster lost 15-10 to Connacht in their opener last week.

Munster: Aoife Corey (capt); Katie Corrigan, Alana McInerney, Lucia Linn, Chisom Ugwueru; Enya Breen, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Eilís Cahill; Jane Clohessy, Aoibhe O'Flynn; Clodagh O'Halloran, Sally Kelly, Grace Moore.

Replacements: Emma Dunican, Tuathla Ryan, Alisha Flynn, AnnaKate Cournane, Ava O'Malley, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Caitríona Finn, Andrea Murphy.

Ulster: Niamh Marley; Katie Gilmour, Caitlin Crowe, Lucy Thompson, Ciara Fitzsimons; Abby Moyles, Rachael McIlroy; Sadhbh McGrath, India Daley (capt), Sophie Barrett; Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Rebecca Beacom; Moya Hill, Christy Hill, Claire Boles.

Replacements: Maebh Clenaghan, Sarah Roberts, Ava Fannin, Olivia McKinley, Stacey Sloan, Georgia Boyce, Leah Irwin, Ella Durkan.

Image source, Getty Images

The Irish Rugby Football Union have awarded four new central contracts for the 2026-27 season.

Forwards Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan, Aoibheann McGrath and Eilis Cahill have all been brought on to deals with the IRFU.

The quartet were involved in the wider squad for the Six Nations this year, while the latter made her Test debut against England in Twickenham during the championship.

Scott Bemand's side will have 31 centrally contracted players for the new campaign with Linda Djougang also returning among the number.

The veteran prop, who won her 50th cap during last year's World Cup, remained first-choice for the national side last season despite stepping away from the full-time programme to focus on other interests.

Ireland's WXV Global Series begins in September with a pair of home games.

They play USA in Dublin on 20 September, before hosting Japan on 27 September in Galway.

The latter opposition will play a second Test outside of the WXV window on 3 October before Ireland travel to South Africa for a pair of matches in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October.

Ireland central contracts 2026-27

Jemima Adams Verling, Sophie Barrett, Ellen Boylan, Beth Buttimer, Eilis Cahill, Ruth Campbell, Hannah Clarke, Amee-Leigh Costigan, Aoife Dalton, Linda Djougang, Caitriona Finn, Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Kate Jordan, Erin King, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Emily Lane, Lucia Linn, Anna McGann, Sadhbh McGrath, Aoibheann McGrath, Alana McInerney, Jane Neill, Dannah O'Brien, Robyn O'Connor, Beibhinn Parsons, Ailish Quinn, Aoibheann Reilly, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Chisom Ugwueru, Katie Whelan.

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster captain Iain Henderson will miss several months of the new season following hip surgery.

The 34-year-old, who won the last of his 86 Ireland caps against New Zealand in November, missed the end of the northern province's season through suspension.

A red card against the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship (URC) resulted in a three-game ban that included the Challenge Cup final defeat by Montpellier in Bilbao.

The second row made his Ulster debut in April 2012 and first appeared for Ireland against South Africa in November of the same year.

A two-time tourist with the British and Irish Lions, he was named captain of his province following Rory Best's retirement in 2019.

Ulster start their URC season at home to Edinburgh on 25 September and Henderson is not head coach Richie Murphy's sole injury concern.

Bryn Ward (shoulder), Juarno Augustus (ankle), and Jude Postlethwaite (knee) have all also had surgery during the off-season and, according to the province, "are currently undergoing a period of rehabilitation".

Issy Todd
BBC Sport NI contributor

Image source, Inpho

Ulster second row Fiona Tuite said her side "need to execute more" after their narrow 15-10 defeat against Connacht in the first round of their Interprovincial Championship.

The two sides were level after a tight first half, but a dominant second period from the Westerners helped them to victory.

Despite the home defeat, Tuite believes there were positives to take for her side.

"That was one of the feistiest Ulster performances we've had, particularly in opening games. Usually we leave it until the final, but that was incredible," she told BBC Sport NI.

"Connacht were brilliant. Their backs throw the ball so well and then Anna McGann just glides through to score tries.

"The girls put in a serious shift and I'm really proud of everything they did today. I'm looking forward to building again for next week."

Next up for Ulster is a trip to Musgrave Park to take on Munster on Saturday, 15 August and Tuite wants her side to be better in a number of areas as they hunt a first victory.

"We need to execute a bit more, particularly our lineout. When we get opportunities down towards the 22, we need to be more clinical," she added.

"Our defence today was incredible. We need to continue that. It's our new standard.

"If we focus on those areas and execute them, keep the defence where it is and play in the right areas, we'll be flying.

"We have wins in us. I think they're coming. We're on the brink of it. We have even more young girls coming through and hopefully our internationals will get a few more minutes next week."

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Ulster have added centre Daniel Hawkshaw and back row Martin Moloney to their squad ahead of the new United Rugby Championship season.

Hawkshaw, 24, played under Ulster head coach Richie Murphy with Ireland's Under-20s and won a Grand Slam in 2022.

He came through Connacht's academy and was also part of Ireland's Sevens programme.

Back row Moloney, 26, most recently had a two-year stint with Exeter Chiefs and came through Leinster's academy before he made the move to England in 2024.

Both players have signed one-year deals with Murphy's side.

Rory Best, Ulster's general manager, said he was "delighted" to welcome the pair to the Affidea Stadium.

"Both are talented players who have shown their potential and ability at club level," Best said.

"Both provide us with more depth options and competition for places as we prepare for the new season ahead."

Ulster start their new campaign at home to Edinburgh on 25 September.

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Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath have confirmed the signing of former Ireland and Leinster wing James Lowe on a two-year deal.

Lowe departed Irish rugby at the end of the 2025-26 season after failing to agree a contract extension with Leinster, for whom he scored a record 71 tries.

The 34-year-old won two Six Nations titles with Ireland, including the Grand Slam, and played at the 2023 World Cup.

The New Zealand-born back also won a Champions Cup and six United Rugby Championship titles with Leinster and played two Tests for the British and Irish Lions in last year's series win over the Wallabies in Australia.

Lowe's contract with the Japanese side until 2028 will seemingly rule him out of making an Ireland comeback at next year's World Cup in Australia.

While Ireland boss Andy Farrell did not shut the door on an international return for Lowe, the Irish Rugby Football Union has not selected an overseas-based player since Johnny Sexton while he was with Racing 92 in 2015.

"To everyone in the Suntory Sungoliath family, my family and I are incredibly excited to begin this new chapter of our lives in Japan. I have some very special memories from playing there," said Lowe, who earned 45 Ireland caps.

"I have always admired the passion for rugby, the respect shown both on and off the field and the pride people take in representing their team. I am looking forward to learning more about Japan and its culture. It is a huge honour to join such a prestigious club.

"I will do everything I can to earn the trust of my team-mates, coaches and supporters. I want to bring energy, physicality and a positive attacking mindset to the team. I can't wait to get stuck in! I can't wait to meet you all! Yatte Minahare [Go for it]," he said.

Lowe joins Suntory as a replacement for South Africa World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe, who has rejoined the Stormers.

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Former scrum half Conor Murray believes Ireland lacked the accuracy to carry out their gameplan against the All Blacks in Eden Park on Saturday.

Andy Farrell's side were beaten 40-19 to conclude their first block of Nations Championship fixtures and struggled with errors throughout a first half that left them 28-7 down at the break.

"When the All Blacks get ahead, especially in Eden Park, it's very difficult," said Murray on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast., external

"The way Ireland want to play and move the ball, we don't have those specimens that they have, so in order to do that we need to be really accurate and make very few mistakes.

"Andy Farrell said about the continuity, about a few balls going into touch, and you really need to click in a game like that to have a chance."

With Ireland winning a Six Nations Triple Crown, but also suffering four double-digit defeats, it has been an uneven 2025-26 for Farrell's side.

Over the next 15 months, huge focus will be on the 2027 World Cup in Australia with Murray believing there is still time for players to force their way into the head coach's plans before the tournament.

"Because Ireland were criticised during the season a little bit, do people on the edge of that see the opportunity? That's only going to be good for provincial teams that lads will want to perform."

Murray won his first Test cap in the months immediately prior to the 2011 World Cup and predicts we could see something similar this time around.

He added: "There'll be someone we're not even talking about and that's the beauty of a World Cup year, someone who gets a shot early in the season with the [current international] lads getting the extended break, and grabs it with two hands.

"For bolters or even guys on the edge of the squad, this season is huge because you know what's happening at the end of the year with the World Cup and lads want to put their best foot forward, naturally."

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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell believes his side are "certainly closer" to the All Blacks than they showed during their 40-21 loss in the Nations Championship on Saturday.

The 19-point reverse in Eden Park was Ireland's heaviest among four consecutive losses to the All Blacks with the visitors hampered by a series of errors in the first half.

The Ireland head coach acknowledged that New Zealand won "pretty comfortably" on the day but added his side must now use the loss as a lesson and build towards the World Cup in Australia next year.

"We're full of pride because of the fight, but we're disappointed with how it unfolded in the accuracy of a few parts of our game," said Farrell after the final game of his side's 2025-26 campaign.

"I think the two sides are certainly closer than that, but I suppose the only thing that matters is how both teams keep on improving over the next 15 months.

"If you look back on it, [it was mistakes from] some of our best ballplayers. That's why I say uncharacteristic really, because it's something you don't see on a daily basis or on a weekend either.

"That's what big matches do to you and that's a lesson that's got to be learned, that's for sure."

Farrell was pleased by the resilience shown by his side to outscore the All Blacks in the second half after finding themselves 28-7 down at half-time.

He added: "These lads have not got it in them to give it up after a poor enough start, especially when things are not going our way.

"The flow of our game is not flowing for many different reasons, whether that be penalties conceded or uncharacteristic poor passing, whether it be [passes] into touch or intercept passing or whatever.

"So, the flow of our game never really got going, but how we stuck at it and kept on fighting is there for everyone."