Irish Rugby

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Munster (10) 13

Tries: Abrahams Con: Crowley Pens: Crowley 2

Bulls (10) 16

Tries: Coetzee Con: Goosen Pens: Goosen 2, Johannes

Keagan Johannes kicked a late penalty as the Bulls edged past Munster with a gritty 16-13 win in the United Rugby Championship.

After Jack Crowley landed an early penalty, the Bulls scored the first try of the game when Marcell Coetzee flew over the line from close range and Johan Goosen converted.

The Bulls extended their lead when Goosen landed a long-range penalty as the rain began to fall in Limerick.

Backed by their vocal home support, Munster pushed for a score before the break and their pressure was rewarded when Thaakir Abrahams skipped over in the corner, and Crowley curled in a superb conversion to level the game two minutes before the break.

Goosen's penalty nudged the Bulls back in front but the South Africans had Embrose Papier sent to the sin-bin for not retreating 10 metres as Munster looked to take a quick penalty.

Crowley soon levelled the game with a kick of his own and there was nothing to separate the sides heading into the final 10 minutes, as the game was interrupted by a period of 14 against 14 and uncontested scrums after an injury to Munster's replacement prop Stephen Archer.

Referee Andrea Piardi and his officials then deemed it should have been 15-a-side and both teams were restored to their full compliment, with uncontested scrums still in place.

Replacement Johannes pulled a penalty wide as the Bulls missed an opportunity to retake the lead, but he made no mistake at the second time of asking with seven minutes to play after Alex Kendellen's high tackle on Ruan Nortje.

It was a first defeat in 11 home matches against South African opposition in the URC and leaves Munster in eighth place, while the Bulls remain third.

Munster: T Abrahams; S O'Brien; T Farrell, A Nankivell; A Smith; J Crowley; C Murray; J Wycherley, N Scannell, O Jager; J Kleyn, T Beirne; T Ahern, J O'Donoghue, A Kendellen.

Replacements: L Barron, M Donnelly, S Archer, F Wycherley, R Scannell, P Patterson, D Kilgallen, R Quinn.

Bulls: D Williams; C Moodie; D Kriel, H Vorster; S de Klerk; J Goosen, E Papier; JH Wessels, A van der Merwe, W Louw; C Wiese, R Nortje; M Coetzee, J Kirsten, C Hanekom.

Replacements: J Grobbelaar, S Matanzima, M Smith, JF van Heerden, N Carr, Z Burger, K Johannes, S Jacobs.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

Stormers (26) 34

Tries: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3, Roos, Hartzenberg Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3 Pen: Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Connacht (24) 29

Tries: Jennings 2, Oliver, Tierney-Martin, Murphy Cons: Carty 2

Santiago Cordero had a last-gasp try ruled out as Connacht fell to a 34-29 defeat by the Stormers in Cape Town in the United Rugby Championship.

After Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who had earlier scored a hat-trick of tries, sent the Stormers five points clear with a late penalty, Cordero thought he had levelled the game with the clock in the red.

However, a TMO intervention ruled that hooker Dave Heffernan had impeded a tackle earlier in the play and the Stromers held on to win a pulsating fixture.

The win moves the Stormers into the top eight, which would secure a play-off, while Connacht jump into 11th with their try-scoring and losing bonus points.

A week after their 43-40 Challenge Cup defeat by Racing 92, which led to head coach Pete Wilkins leaving his role, Connacht were involved in another high-scoring thriller in Cape Town.

After Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored a superb opening try inside 60 seconds after darting through a gap, Connacht responded as Shane Jennings crossed out wide after good hands from the Irish backline.

The Stormers hit the front when Evan Roos crashed over off the back of a scrum, but Connacht drew level when Conor Oliver bundled over after more pressure in the 16th minute.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu had a stunning opening 40 minutes and grabbed his second try when he made a break and found back row Paul de Villiers, who returned the pass back inside which allowed the sprinting fly-half to score unchallenged.

The best try of the half came moments later when Feinberg-Mngomezulu again found himself in space. He chipped the ball over Piers O'Conor, collected his own kick and scored to complete his hat-trick and secure the bonus point for the Stormers.

However, Connacht refused to go away and Dylan Tierney-Martin rounded off a maul to pull a score back, and Jennings grabbed his second try of the game with the final play of the half, but Carty could only push his conversion wide as the Stormers held a two-point lead at the break.

The scintillating rugby by the Stormers continued after the restart when the South Africans powered into the 22 after a big break by Seablo Senatla, moved it quickly through the hands and Feinberg-Mngomezulu produced a ridiculous no-look pass out the back for Suleiman Hartzenberg to touch down in the corner.

The Stomers pressed for a sixth score but repeated infringements by Connacht near their own line saw centre Cathal Forde sent to the sin-bin.

However, Connacht held firm and it was soon 14 against 14 as Warrick Gelant was shown a yellow card as his attempted intercept went forward.

Connacht's resilience was rewarded when Josh Murphy powered over but Carty could only strike the post with his conversion, and the Stormers led by two points with 13 minutes to play.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu landed a long-distance penalty to move the Stormers five clear, but there was late drama as Connacht came up just short of the line through Sean Jansen and Jack Auinger dropped the ball with the tryline gaping.

That was followed by the final play of the game when replacement Cordero danced over to level the game with a conversion to come, but the TMO ruled that Heffernan had stopped Roos from tackling Carty earlier in the play and the score was chalked off, much to the frustration of the visitors.

Stormers: W Gelant; S Hartzenberg; D Du Plessis, D Willemse; S Senalta, S Feinberg-Mngomzullu; S Ungerer; A Vermaak, AH Venter, S Sandi; S Moerat, R van Heerden; P de Villiers, M Theunissen, E Roos.

Replacements: JJ Kotze, V Matongo, B Harris, JD Schikerling, L Nel, D Fourie, P de Wet, B Loader.

Connacht: P O'Conor; C Mullins; D Hawkshaw, C Forde; S Jennings; J Carty; B Murphy; P Dooley; D Tierney-Martin; F Bealham; O Dowling, D Murray; C Prendergast, C Oliver, P Boyle.

Replacements: D Heffernan, J Duggan, J Augnier, J Murphy, J Joyce, M Devine, S Cordero, S Jansen.

Image source, Getty Images

Women's Six Nations: Wales v Ireland

Venue: Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, 20 April Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru

Ireland fly-half Dannah O'Brien said that her side are "not going to take Wales lightly" in their Women's Six Nations meeting at Rodney Parade.

Scott Bemand's side are third in the table with one win from three games, while Wales are hoping for their first victory under new head coach Sean Lynn after defeats by Scotland, England and France.

The Irish won last year's meeting 36-5 in Cork, but O'Brien believes both sides have made massive strides since that game.

"Wales have a new head coach in, and they are a team that are continuously growing, and travelling away from home is a challenge, so we need to bring our game both sides of the ball," she said.

"We have come up another level and we're not going to take Wales lightly; they have progressed hugely in the Six Nations."

The 21-year-old says that the Ireland squad are familiar with many of the Welsh players having come up against them in the Celtic Challenge.

"We know what they're about, they're a power team, they have a difficult maul, and you can't go round them," she explained.

"They're a good physical team and we know it's not going to be an easy game."

O'Brien also hopes that Ireland can repeat elements from their last away performance, a 54-12 victory against Italy, in Newport on Sunday.

"Italy was a good example of us as a backline being more ambitious and pulling the trigger early in the game.

"You can't do that without a good pack so we want to grow our confidence as a backline and proving we can score multiple tries out wide."

Image source, Inpho

United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Ulster

Date: Saturday 19 April Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Kick-off: 19:35 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Ireland second row Joe McCarthy says he believes Ulster "always raise their game" when they face Leinster as the sides prepare to lock horns again at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

Leinster are heavy favourites for the interprovincial derby and head into the match off the back of a 52-0 win over Glasgow Warriors in the Investec Champions Cup.

Leo Cullen's side lead the United Rugby Championship with 13 wins from 14 matches, while Ulster sit sixth after a recent resurgence in form.

"An interpro like this is great. I always find Ulster really raise their game against us and they will be looking to turn us over.

"We are not short of motivation for this game. We want to put on a performance for the fans and beat Ulster."

Leinster have momentum behind them and Saturday's quarter-final win over Glasgow in the Investec Champions Cup put their aggregate score over their last two-and-a-half European matches to 142-0.

McCarthy says the province's recent defensive record is "class" and Leinster plan to "attack teams with our defence".

"It feels really good that we have a bit of momentum with us, the pleasing thing is the lads are really hungry to get back to training," said the Ireland international.

"We want to rip into that and keep the momentum going. That's the good thing about the group, still hungry to improve.

"There will be no complacency here. We know we will have harder challenges ahead and we will have to be better, teams figure you out a bit more, so you have to be focused on improving."

Image source, Inpho

United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Ulster

Date: Saturday 19 April Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Kick-off: 19:35 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Ulster lock Kieran Treadwell says he is "soaking up everything" in his last few months at the province.

Treadwell, who joined Ulster in 2016 from Harlequins, will return to his former side at the end of the season.

And the 29-year-old wants to savour his last few games in an Ulster jersey and inspire the province to a strong end to the season.

"You soak everything in, after Bordeaux I was like 'wow this is my last European game for Ulster,'" he told BBC Sport NI.

"I'm soaking up everything; the environment, the boys, the wins, the losses and the work we're doing on the training pitch."

Treadwell said that the mood in camp is "good" despite their 43-31 defeat against Bordeaux in the last-16 stage of the Investec Champions Cup last time out.

"We still have disappointment from Bordeaux, we felt like we actually could have put a few more shots together and scored a few more tries," he added.

"I think we are going in the right direction, stringing some good play together, and defensively we are making strides, so hopefully that can snowball into this week."

They face another tough assessment in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday as they face Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, but Treadwell, who starts the game on the bench, believes his side should look forward to the challenge.

"It's a different challenge and they pose different threats, but it is going to be a massive game, these games leading in are really important as the table is really tight and it's effectively play-off rugby now," he continued.

"I'd say they're one of the best, but most of the focus this week is going to be on us and how we can learn from Bordeaux.

"It's an occasion in a massive stadium and something we can be excited for but that we can't let get the better of us."

Image source, Inpho

Women's Six Nations: Wales v Ireland

Venue: Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, 20 April Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru

Ireland captain Edel McMahon's return is one of head coach Scott Bemand's five changes for Sunday's Women's Six Nations game against Wales.

McMahon missed last week's defeat by England through injury, but is recalled to the back row to replace Erin King, who earlier this week announced she will miss the rest of the tournament and the World Cup because of a serious knee injury.

Elsewhere in the pack, Siobhan McCarthy makes her first Test start as she replaces Niamh O'Dowd at loose-head prop.

Ruth Campbell is named in the second row as Fiona Tuite drops to the bench.

Enya Breen, who also missed the England game, returns to partner Aoife Dalton in midfield while Molly Scuffil-McCabe makes her first appearance of the tournament at scrum-half ahead of Emily Lane.

Ulster's Sadhbh McGrath and Claire Boles are recalled to the bench.

Wales have recalled back row Alex Callender following her return from a foot injury.

Ireland are third in the table with one win from three games, while Wales are hoping for their first victory after defeats by Scotland, England and France.

The Irish won last year's meeting 36-5 in Cork.

Line-ups

Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Courtney Keight, Carys Cox; Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender.

Replacements: Carys Phillips, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Catherine Richards.

Ireland: Stacey Flood; Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen, Amee-Leigh; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Siobhán McCarthy, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang, Ruth Campbell, Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan, Edel McMahon (capt), Aoife Wafer.

Replacements: Cliodhna Moloney, Sadhbh McGrath, Christy Haney, Fiona Tuite, Claire Boles, Emily Lane, Eve Higgins, Vicky Elmes Kinlan.

Image source, Getty Images

United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Ulster

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 19 April Kick-off: 19:35 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Fit-again Cormac Izuchukwu and Jude Postlethwaite have been named to start for Ulster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against Leinster in Dublin.

Ireland forward Izuchukwu has been out since February with an ankle injury while Postlethwaite has been sidelined since March.

Izuchukwu replaces Kieran Treadwell in the second row and Postlethwaite returns to partner Stuart McCloskey in midfield after James Hume was ruled out earlier this week because of a back injury.

The only other change from Ulster's Investec Champions Cup last-16 loss to Bordeaux on 6 April sees Nathan Doak recalled at scrum-half, with John Cooney dropping to the bench.

As expected, Leinster have made a raft of changes after thrashing Glasgow Warriors 52-0 in last week's Champions Cup quarter-finals, with only wing Tommy O'Brien, centre Garry Ringrose and lock Joe McCarthy retained.

Caelan Doris, James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park are among those rested by Leinster boss Leo Cullen.

However, Ireland internationals Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong and Sam Prendergast, and South Africa's RG Snyman, are all named on the bench.

A three-match winning run in March moved Ulster up to the play-off positions in sixth spot as they defeated Scarlets, Dragons and Stormers, with the latter 38-34 win coming after the Irish province trailed 17-0 early on.

However, it remains a congested table with 13th-placed Connacht only four points behind Ulster.

Leinster have an eight-point cushion over nearest challengers Glasgow Warriors at the top of the URC table going into the weekend's action, having won 13 of their 14 fixtures to date.

Line-ups

Leinster: Osborne; T O'Brien, Ringrose, Henshaw, J O'Brien; Frawley, McGrath (capt); Boyle, G McCarthy, Clarkson; J McCarthy, Mangan; Soroka, Penny, Culhane.

Replacements: Sheehan, Porter, Furlong, Snyman, Deegan, Gunne, Prendergast, Turner.

Ulster: Lowry; Ward, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Stockdale; Murphy, Doak; Warwick, Herring, O'Toole; O'Connor (capt), Izuchukwu; McNabney, Timoney, McCann.

Replacements: Stewart, Reid, Wilson, Dalton, Treadwell, Cooney, Moore, Matty Rea.

Image source, Inpho

United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Ulster

Date: Saturday 19 April Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Kick-off: 19:35 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber says he is expecting a bit of "spice" in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game with Ulster at the Aviva Stadium.

The URC leaders head into the match in top form after defeating Glasgow Warriors 52-0 in the quarter-finals of the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday.

After a difficult start to the season, Ulster have now won their last three URC matches in a row and have jumped up to sixth place in the table.

"I expect it to be a very hard and physical battle," said Nienaber, who was speaking before the Blues announced New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane would join Leinster next season.

"It's an interprovincial and there is a lot of pride and a lot at stake for the players.

"The two teams know each other and their strengths and weaknesses quite well so I expect it to be tight."

Leinster are set to be without injured Ireland trio James Ryan, Jack Conan and Ryan Baird for the game.

Leo Cullen's side have lost once in 20 matches this season in the URC and in Europe.

Their form has been so strong, the aggregate score of their last three European matches is a remarkable 142-0.

When asked if the games weren't competitive enough for Leinster, Nienaber said "it's a tough one to answer".

"The reality is when the opponent is in front of us, we can't change it, it is what it is," said the World Cup winning coach.

"For me making a comment that we aren't getting tested, what is that going to help? It is what it is and that is our mindset. We deal with it as best we can.

"Glasgow and Harlequins were tough, and we gave them a lot of respect as we will give to Ulster because they are quality sides and if you get it wrong they can put you away."

• 142 unanswered points - who can stop Leinster in Europe?

Image source, Inpho

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand is confident his squad will regroup from losing influential flanker Erin King for the remainder of the Six Nations and the World Cup later this year.

King sustained a knee injury in Ireland's defeat by England last weekend and the full extent of it was made public on Thursday.

"It does affect you, but we understand injuries can happen," said Bemand, whose team play Wales at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

"The group have circled round her really well. Erin doesn't want us moping. She wants us to go out and put in a performance.

"We'll take a bit of Erin energy, we'll bring it to training this week and take it to Wales with us because she's still part of the group and around it."

Squad skipper Edel McMahon could slot back into the back row after missing the England defeat because of a knock, while Enniskillen native Claire Boles will be another option to come in for the unlucky King.

"We can't be reliant on one player. We've got to keep growing the depth. There are girls coming through," added the Ireland coach.

"Edel is back on line this week. Claire Boles has been outstanding through the camp and brings her own unique brand of open-side flanker. We've got some options. We're OK and we'll be able to put a performance out there."

Bemand revealed that King's injury is related to her cartilage rather than cruciate ligament damage, but it is still serious enough to end her hopes of featuring at the World Cup.

"The doctors said to her that they were surprised she could carry on, but she said it was just a niggle," added the Ireland coach.

"It actually deteriorated after the game. So it wasn't like she couldn't run around or move it during the game."

Ireland led early on against England in Cork. While England scored 42 unanswered points in the second half to win 49-5, Bemand felt that his team's first-half shortcomings were just as contributory to the ultimately heavy defeat.

"It's not just about looking at the second half. We've gone pretty hard at the first half because if we get that bit right and we're 15, 17-0 up at half-time, what does that England team talk look like at half-time?" he said.

"We could have had more scoreboard pressure in that first block."

Image source, Inpho

United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Ulster

Date: Saturday 19 April Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Kick-off: 19:35 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Ulster fly-half Jack Murphy says that starting for the province and driving his side on is something he "relishes".

The 20-year-old has established himself at Ulster this year after arriving last summer from Leinster.

Murphy has started Ulster's past six games, scoring his first try against the Stormers last month, and he believes he is growing in confidence with regular game time.

"It's difficult coming in as a young guy, but the lads are really understanding with me, they want someone to drive them on and as an out-half that is your job and that is something I relish," he told BBC Sport NI.

"Getting a run of games has been massive for me, playing at that level in Bordeaux and in URC games, it's a higher level than what I have ever played so to get that experience is really good, and it has helped me grow as a player."

Murphy says that he is "settling in really well" to life in Belfast and is not fazed by being coached by his father Richie Murphy at the province, having worked with him in a professional capacity before.

"In the [Ireland] under-20s last year he was coaching so I got used to that then and it's not a thing really, he is strictly my coach when I'm in here."

The young fly-half is preparing for a return to his former side at the weekend as Leinster host Ulster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) at the Aviva Stadium.

Murphy says that it will be a "special" occasion but that his side are focused on picking up a win which will help them move a step closer to qualifying for the URC play-offs.

"There's loads of teams around eighth, and even down as far as 13th the points are really close, so we know picking up points is going to be vital over the next few weeks as it's really tight," he added.

"It's a good test for me and for the team to go against one of the best teams in the world."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Ireland Under-20s captain Reuben Crothers will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old made the first of seven appearances for Ulster against Connacht in November 2023.

He has featured twice this season, most recently in the victory over the Dragons at Rodney Parade last month.

Crothers was captain of the Ireland Under-20s during the 2022 Six Nations and started all five games at open-side flanker as the side won a Grand Slam under now Ulster coach Richie Murphy.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Wednesday morning served up a startling reminder of the different worlds Leinster and the other Irish provinces currently inhabit.

Merely an hour after All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane announced his shock move to Leinster for the 2025-26 season, Connacht confirmed the departure of head coach Pete Wilkins.

Leinster are living under a cloudless, blue sky. They are top of the United Rugby Championship, are favourites to win the Investec Champions Cup and have an enviable squad that already includes an All Blacks star in Jordie Barrett - who will be gone by the time Ioane arrives - and a two-time World Cup winner in RG Snyman.

The reality for Munster, Ulster and Connacht is quite different. In the past 12 months, all three have parted ways with their head coach mid-season. While Leinster target the biggest prizes, their Irish rivals are scrapping to even qualify for Europe's top competition next season.

Even without the Wilkins news - which comes four days after Connacht's European Challenge Cup exit - the timing of the Ioane announcement is striking.

On Tuesday, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) revealed another significant tweak to their central contract model: from August 2026, provinces must contribute 40% to central deals. Given that the union fully funded these deals up until a 30% requirement was introduced last year, it is significant.

It was said that the IRFU "intends" that the funds generated by the change will be invested into the player pathways of Connacht, Munster and Ulster.

The new model will certainly hit Leinster the hardest. As of next season, Leinster have 11 centrally contracted players, Connacht have two, Munster have one and Ulster none.

Leinster will be contributing a healthy chunk of budget to those 11 Ireland internationals, but with Ioane taking Barrett's place next season, the anticipated increase to their wage bill has clearly not hampered their ability to recruit in the short-term.

As well as Snyman, Leinster already have French prop Rabah Slimani on the books.

With Ioane replacing Barrett next season, Leo Cullen will again be able to name a matchday 23 where reserve scrum-half is the only position not occupied by a current international from one of the game's four highest ranked Test teams.

After losing three Champions Cup finals in three years, it is true that Leinster's change in approach to non-Irish qualified (NIQ) signings has been brought about their quest to win European rugby's biggest prize for a first time since 2018.

But while the moves will draw envious glances from those in other countries trying to compete for the same trophies, there can be little doubt there will be a similar response much closer to home too.

Image source, Inpho

Pete Wilkins has stepped down as head coach of Connacht with "a heavy heart" after Saturday's Challenge Cup defeat by Racing 92.

The French side came out on top in a 43-40 thriller in Galway to book their place in the semi-finals.

Wilkins spent eight years at Connacht, who are 13th in the United Rugby Championship table, and became head coach in 2023.

"During this season, I have been having some very open and honest discussions about my future at the club.," Wilkins said in a statement.

"Although incredibly privileged to have been given the responsibility of leading the rugby programme here, the longer I have spent in the role, the further away I have found myself from the aspects of coaching not only that I most enjoy, but also that allow me to contribute most effectively to the team."

Wilkins joined Conacht in 2017 as defence coach and he moved into the role of senior coach in the 2021-22 campaign.

The following year he became head coach under director of rugby Andy Friend as Connacht reached the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championship and in 2023 he took full control after the departure of Friend.

Connacht say Cullie Tucker will remain as interim head coach for the remainder of the season and the province will begin the process of recruiting a new head coach for next season.

David Humphreys, director of performance at the Irish Rugby Football Union said Wilkins had "contributed an enormous amount of growth of the game" in Connacht.

"Irish Rugby owes him a debt of gratitude for his dedication and commitment to the province," added Humphreys.

"A quality coach and respected figure in Irish rugby, Pete can remember his time in Connacht with pride, and I hope that he will continue to progress his coaching career in the years to come."

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane will join United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup frontrunners Leinster for the 2025-26 season.

Ioane is contracted to the Blues in New Zealand until 2027 but will take a "sabbatical" to join the Irish province on a seven-month contract after the November internationals.

The 28-year-old, who can also play on the wing, made his New Zealand debut in 2016 and has scored 37 tries in 81 caps for the All Blacks.

"It's an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, grow my game and experience something with my family," Ioane posted on his Instagram.

"Will be back refreshed and ready to rock in the second half of 2026."

Ioane is the latest All Black to make the move to Leinster after Jordie Barrett joined the Dublin-based side for the current season.

Barrett has made a big impact at Leinster and was named player of the match as Leinster hammered Glasgow Warriors last weekend to reach the Champions Cup semi-finals.

"Rieko is a world-class, 81-cap All Black who has been operating at the very top level of the international game and Super Rugby for many seasons," said head coach Leo Cullen.

"He is an exciting, versatile outside back who will bring pace, rugby skills and experience to Leinster.

"That experience will add massive value to the group here and our younger players especially will learn so much from seeing how Rieko prepares, trains and plays."

The Blues confirmed the deal just one day after the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced the four Irish provinces will have to contribute 40% to Ireland's national player contracts from August 2026 - as opposed to 30%.

Leinster have by far the biggest number of nationally contracted players and will be the most financially affected by the decision.

Ioane has been an unpopular figure in Irish rugby after a high-profile spat with Leinster and Ireland legend Johnny Sexton.

In his autobiography, Sexton alleged that Ioane ignited a row between the pair by making comments after the final whistle of Ireland's 2023 World Cup exit to the All Blacks, which was the last game of Sexton's career.

When New Zealand beat Ireland in November, Ioane posted 'Put that in the book' on Instagram in reference to Sexton's comments.

• Ioane's move a reminder of Leinster's unrivalled pull

• 142 unanswered points - who can stop Leinster in Europe?

Image source, Inpho

The four Irish provinces will have to contribute 40% to Ireland's national player contracts from August 2026 - as opposed to 30% - the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has announced.

With Leinster having by far the biggest number of nationally contracted players, the Dublin-based team will be the most financially affected by the decision.

The IRFU said that funds generated by this change will be invested in the player pathways of Connacht, Munster and Ulster, overseen by performance director David Humphreys.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy welcomed the move to help the province close the "massive gap" to Leinster.

"We don't have any central contracted players so we are not paying out for them so if there is money coming back in and it comes to us that will have an impact, so it sounds like a positive move for Ulster," he said.

The altering of the funding model comes following an IRFU review into what it described as the "evolving financial landscape of Irish Rugby and the need to maintain the competitiveness of the national and provincial teams".

"Since last year, we have worked tirelessly with the provinces, players, and our various stakeholders to design a funding model that balances the demands of national and provincial success," said IRFU performance director Humphreys.

"This adjustment follows our initial commitment in May 2024 to review the funding percentage, ensuring the model remains equitable and financially sustainable for all parties involved."

The IRFU said that the updated funding model would be monitored "on an annual basis".

The governing body's statement added that it had also "commenced an organisational efficiency review".

"Financial sustainability is a global challenge for the game, and we are not immune to that," said IRFU chief executive Kevin Potts.

"We may not be able to continue to do everything that we currently do and deliver on our strategic ambitions. As stewards of the game, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are managing our resources in a way that secures the future and ongoing success of Irish Rugby."

Image source, Inpho

Centre James Hume will miss Ulster's United Rugby Championship contest against leaders Leinster in Dublin on Saturday (19:35 BST) because of a back injury.

Hume sustained the injury in the Investec Champions Cup last-16 defeat by Bordeaux nine days ago.

He joins Iain Henderson (hamstring), Jake Flannery (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Rob Baloucoune (hamstring), Ben Carson (neck), Ben Moxham (knee), Eric O'Sullivan (knee) and Sean Reffell (calf) on Ulster's injury list.

On the plus side for Richie Murphy's squad, Cormac Izuchukwu (ankle), Werner Kok (hamstring) and Jude Postlethwaite have all recovered from recent injuries and will be available for the Aviva Stadium game.

A three-match winning run in March moved Ulster up to the play-off positions in sixth spot as they defeated Scarlets, Dragons and Stormers, with the latter 38-34 win coming after the Irish province trailed 17-0 early on.

However, it remains a congested table with 13th-placed Connacht only four points behind Ulster.