Ulster

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The fixture details for this year's Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup matches involving the four Irish provinces have been revealed.

Ulster will begin their Challenge Cup campaign with a home game against Racing 92 at the newly-named Affidea Stadium in Belfast on Friday 5 December (20:00 GMT).

Richie Murphy's side will then travel to face Cardiff away on Saturday 13 December (20:00), before taking on the Cheetahs at a European venue still to be confirmed on Sunday 11 January (15:15) and concluding with a home match against Stade Francais on Saturday 17 January (13:00).

In the Champions Cup, Leinster host Harlequins on 6 December (17:30), with the venue to be confirmed, with Munster away to Bath on the same day (20:00)

On Friday 12 December, Leinster are on the road to take on Leicester Tigers at Welford Road (20:00), with Munster hosting Gloucester at 17:30 on 13 December.

Leinster entertain La Rochelle on Saturday 10 January (17:30), then Munster are away to Toulon on 11 January (13:00).

In the final round of pool games, Leinster face Bayonne away on Saturday 17 January (15:15) and Munster play Castres at Thomond Park at 17:30 on the same day.

Connacht's Challenge Cup campaign commences with a trip to Ospreys on Sunday 7 December (15:15), followed by games at home to Black Lion (Saturday 13 December, 20:00), away to Montpellier (Sunday 11 January, 13:00) and home to US Montauban (Saturday 17 January, 20:00).

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Jacob Stockdale has been ruled out of Ireland's match with Portugal after suffering a shoulder injury in Saturday's win in Georgia.

The Ulster wing was forced off late in the first half of the 34-5 win with his left arm in a makeshift sling using his shirt.

In a squad update issued on Monday, Ireland confirmed that the 29-year-old will be absent for the final game of the summer tour in Portugal on Saturday (19:00 BST) and will see a specialist in Ireland next week.

It is the latest blow for Stockdale in an Ireland jersey, who was forced off with a hamstring injury in his previous international appearance against Fiji in November.

With 16 Ireland players on British and Irish Lions duty, Stockdale was the most experienced international in interim head coach Paul O'Connell's squad.

Cian Prendergast has recovered from illness and will be available for selection after missing the win against Georgia.

Stockdale's Ulster team-mate Scott Wilson has also returned home after the prop was called up as injury cover.

O'Connell has no further injury concerns and will name his team for the game against Portugal on Thursday.

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Ulster Rugby's home ground has been renamed the Affidea Stadium after a "long-term" sponsorship agreement with the healthcare company.

The Belfast ground, originally known as Ravenhill, had been called Kingspan Stadium since 2014.

An Ulster statement said the new deal will provide "a strong platform to invest in the development of players, facilities and fan experience".

"Together, we will continue to invest in elite and grassroots rugby, and we look forward to seeing the Affidea Stadium become a beacon for sport and community pride in Ulster," said the province's chief executive officer Hugh McCaughey.

Ulster's 11-year naming rights deal with construction firm Kingspan concluded at the end of last month, while the association went back to 1999.

The commercial relationship with the Cavan-based company had been questioned in the wake of the firm's links to the Grenfell Tower fire.

Seventy-two people died in the fire in London in 2017 and Kingspan's business practices were criticised during an inquiry.

The company, however, said its products made up only 5% of the insulation at Grenfell and that they were used without its recommendation.

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Leinster and La Rochelle have again been paired together in the draw for the Investec Champions Cup pool stages.

The four-time champions and former Irish fly-half Ronan O'Gara's side have met six times in the past five seasons, including twice in finals won by the French outfit.

The other sides in Pool Three are English pair Leicester Tigers and Harlequins, Top 14 side Bayonne and United Rugby Championship (URC) rivals the Stormers, although Leinster will not play the latter given that they are in the same domestic competition.

Munster have also been handed a familiar opponent and will play Castres of the Top 14 for the 20th time in this competition.

The southern province, who will be under new head coach Clayton McMillan next season, will also play Bath, Toulon and Gloucester with Edinburgh the other URC representative in Pool Two.

Ulster will start the season in the Challenge Cup for the first time in their history and have been paired with Cardiff, Exeter Chiefs, Cheetahs, Racing 92 and Stade Francais.

They faced Exeter in last season's Champions Cup, and Racing the season before that, although have not faced Stade Francais since 2009 or the Cheetahs since they departed what was then the PRO14 in 2020.

The Challenge Cup does not have the same rule against playing teams from your own league so Ulster could face Cardiff given they will play four opponents from their six-team pool.

Former England coach Stuart Lancaster will guide Connacht in the second-tier competition with the western province handed a more varied draw than their Irish rivals.

They are in Pool One along with Montauban, promoted to the Top 14 this season, and Georgian side Black Lion.

URC duo Ospreys and Zebre, as well as French side Montpellier, are also in the group.

Full fixture dates, times, and locations will be confirmed at a later date.

EPCR pools involving Irish sides

Champions Cup Pool 2: Bath Rugby, RC Toulon, Munster Rugby, Castres Olympique, Edinburgh Rugby, Gloucester Rugby

Champions Cup Pool 3: Leinster Rugby, Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, La Rochelle, Bayonne, DHL Stormers

Challenge Cup Pool 1: Ospreys, Zebre Parma, Montpellier, US Montauban, Black Lion, Connacht Rugby

Challenge Cup Pool 3: Toyota Cheetahs, Cardiff Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Racing 92, Stade Francais, Ulster Rugby

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Ulster back row James McNabney is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 22-year-old had been named in the Ireland squad as a training panellist, but will now miss their summer tour and is likely to a considerable portion of next season's United Rugby Championship campaign with Ulster.

He has been replaced in interim head coach Paul O'Connell's squad by uncapped Munster back row Brian Gleeson.

His fellow uncapped Munster team-mates Diarmuid Kilgallen and Evan O'Connell have also been called up as a training panellists.

Kilgallen comes in as cover as wing Calvin Nash is managing an ankle injury.

Ireland face Georgia and Portugal in two Tests on 5 and 12 July.

Ireland squad

Forwards: Tom Ahern (Munster), Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Munster), Max Deegan (Leinster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Alex Kendellen (Munster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Paddy McCarthy (Leinster), Michael Milne (Munster), Darragh Murray (Connacht), Tom O'Toole (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Stephen Smyth (Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ulster), Nick Timoney (Ulster).

Backs: Shayne Bolton (Connacht), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Nathan Doak (Ulster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Connacht), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Ben Murphy (Connacht), Calvin Nash (Munster), Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster), Tommy O'Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).

Training panellists: Brian Gleeson (Munster) Diarmuid Kilgallen (Munster), Evan O'Connell (Munster), Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster), Zac Ward (Ulster).

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New Ulster signing Juarno Augustus has been named in an extensive 54-man South Africa squad for the world champions' first four internationals of 2025.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has retained 31 of his 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, with 27-year-old back row Augustus - who has joined Ulster from Northampton Saints - one of nine uncapped players included.

In addition to Augustus, Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe, forwards Neethling Fouche and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, flankers Renzo du Plessis and Vincent Tshituka, utility forward Cobus Wiese and Sharks centre Ethan Hooker are hoping to feature at Test level for the first time.

Backline talent Ntokozo Makhaza, who has recently signed for Toyota Cheetahs, has also been included.

The Springboks face the Barbarians in Cape Town on 28 June, followed by Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on 5 July and 12 July before a 19 July match against Georgia in Nelspruit.

In a busy year, the Springboks will also play Tests against Italy, France, Ireland and Wales as part of their European tour in November.

"We are excited to have the luxury of announcing a squad with so much depth and talent," said Erasmus.

"Having an expanded squad will not only afford us the opportunity to have productive training sessions, but it will also bode well for the younger players in the group to learn from the senior players, many of whom are Rugby World Cup champions.

"With a few more talented youngsters in this group, we hope that they will learn valuable lessons and stake a strong claim for places in what will be a challenging, yet exciting season."

South Africa squad

Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (both Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (both Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).

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India Daley says it will be an "incredible honour" to captain Ulster in the 2025-26 season.

The hooker takes over the role from Irish international Kathryn Dane.

"Representing my home province has always meant a lot to me, so to now lead the team is something I'm really proud of," the 24-year-old told the Ulster Rugby website.

"I feel lucky to be part of such a special group who are building year on year."

Two seasons ago, Ulster secured their first interprovincial victory since 2012, but last season finished bottom of the table with one draw and two defeats from their three matches and were then beaten by Connacht in the play-offs.

"We've got so much talent and potential in this squad, I want us to back ourselves every time we step onto the pitch," Daley added.

"We know that we are capable of more than what we have shown in recent seasons, and we want to prove that in the upcoming interpro campaign."

With the Women's Rugby World Cup to take place in England during August and September, Irish internationals will not feature for their provinces this season.

In their absence, there are eight newcomers to the Ulster panel as they build towards their opener against Leinster on 10 August.

Forwards Cara McLean, Ruby Starrett and Sophie McAlister, and backs Erin McConalogue, Farrah Cartin McCloskey, Georgia Boyce, Katie Gilmour and Siobhan Sheerin, are all included for the first time.

Ulster squad 2025-26

Forwards: Aishling O'Connell, Ava Fannin, Brenda Barr (vice-captain), Bronach Cassidy, Cara McLean, Christy Hill, Ellen Patterson, India Daley (captain), Katie Hetherington, Keelin Brady, Lauren Maginnes, Maebh Clenaghan, Megan Simpson, Moya Hill, Rebecca Beacom, Ruby Starrett, Sarah Roberts, Sophie Barrett, Sophie McAlister, Stacey Sloan.

Backs: Abby Moyles, Catherine Martin, Erin McConalogue, Farrah Cartin McCloskey, Georgia Boyce, Katie Gilmour, Kelly McCormill, Lauren Farrell-McCabe, Lucy Thompson, Niamh Marley, Paige Smyth, Rachael McIlroy, Siobhan Sheerin, Sophie Meeke, Tara O'Neill.

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Ulster announced further contract news and revealed their finalised squad for the 2025-26 season on Thursday.

Following on from Wednesday's announcement that Australian prop Angus Bell would be joining the province later this year, the Irish province have confirmed contract renewals for Conor McKee, David Shanahan, Robert Baloucoune, Ethan McIlroy and Ben Moxham.

Fly-half Jack Murphy, 20, moves onto a senior contract from the Academy following his impressive performances during the 2024-25 campaign.

Scott Wilson, Lorcan McLoughlin and James McNabney all progress as senior players, after their year as Development players.

Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes progress from the Ulster Rugby Academy into the senior side as they begin the season as development players.

The 43-strong squad for next season will consist of 41 fully contracted senior players and Irvine and Hopes as development players.

Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Richie Murphy, said: "After a difficult 2024/25 campaign, we are looking forward to starting afresh and focusing on our pre-season preparations.

"With new players being added to the group, and players becoming more experienced, we feel there is a good platform for us to build on.

"Mark Sexton [new backs coach] will bring new energy and ideas to our backline and Willie Faloon will benefit from getting time this summer to focus in on our defence and contact work.

"I'm confident in the ability of this squad to make sure we compete well in both the URC and the Challenge Cup next season."

Ulster squad for 2025-26 season

Forwards (25): Iain Henderson (capt); John Andrew, Juarno Augustus, Angus Bell, Sam Crean, Matthew Dalton, Joe Hopes, Charlie Irvine, Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, James McCormick, Rory McGuire, Lorcan McLoughlin, James McNabney, Bryan O'Connor, Eric O'Sullivan, Tom O'Toole, Marcus Rea, Sean Reffell, Callum Reid, Harry Sheridan, Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Scott Wilson, Rob Herring.

Backs (18): Rob Baloucoune, Ben Carson, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, James Hume, James Humphreys, Werner Kok, Michael Lowry, Stuart McCloskey, Conor McKee, Ethan McIlroy, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham, Jack Murphy, Jude Postlethwaite, David Shanahan, Jacob Stockdale, Zac Ward.

Coaching staff: Richie Murphy (head coach), Jimmy Duffy (forwards coach), Mark Sexton (backs coach), Willie Faloon (defence and contact skills coach), Dan Soper (development and transition coach).

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The quarter-finals of the 2024-25 United Rugby Championship season have yet to be played, but already the fixtures for the 2025-26 campaign have been released.

The Irish provinces learnt their URC schedule for the new term on Wednesday.

The opening round of fixtures will take place on the final weekend of September, with eight-time league winners Leinster taking on DHL Stormers on the opening evening of games on Friday 26 September.

Ulster will host the Dragons on the same day, with Munster travelling to play the Scarlets on Saturday 27 September and Connacht at home to Benetton on the same day.

The second round of matches will include Edinburgh v Ulster on Friday 3 October and Bulls v Leinster, Munster v Cardiff and Connacht v Scarlets on Saturday 4 October.

The festive derby games will see Leinster face Ulster on the run-up to Christmas on Friday 19 December, then on Saturday 27 December Connacht are at home to Ulster and Munster host Leinster.

On Friday 2 January, Ulster face Munster, while Leinster are at home to Connacht the next day.

The competition will follow the same format as recent years, with the top eight teams contesting the quarter-finals on the final weekend of May, followed by semi-finals on Saturday 6 June and the final on Saturday 20 June.

You can view a full list of the fixtures here, external.

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New Zealand-born fly-half Aidan Morgan will leave Ulster this summer "by mutual consent".

Morgan joined Ulster from Super Rugby side Hurricanes on a two-year-deal last year following Billy Burns' departure to Munster.

The 23-year-old, who previously played for the New Zealand Under-20 team, is qualified to represent Ireland through a Belfast-born grandfather.

Morgan made 17 appearances for Ulster, including 12 starts, and scored tries in his first two games.

However, Morgan featured mainly from the bench in the closing stages of the season with Jack Murphy - head coach Richie Murphy's son - preferred in the 10 shirt.

"I want to thank Ulster Rugby fans, the players and staff for the the part they have played in welcoming me in since joining last summer," said Morgan.

"I have enjoyed my time here in Belfast with Ulster, learning and growing as a player and a person.

"Thank you for the great memories and I wish everyone all the best for the future."

Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham described Morgan as the "consummate professional", but said releasing the player from his contract was "in the best interests of both parties".

"We thank Aidan for all his efforts over the past season and wish him and his partner all the very best for their next chapter," said Cunningham.

"Going into the 2025-26 season, we will have three fully contracted fly-halves -Jack Murphy, Jake Flannery, James Humphreys - between 21 and 26 years of age, all of which we need to continue to develop and get the very best out of in the seasons ahead."

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Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu says the Irish province's players were "massively heartbroken" after ending their United Rugby Championship season with a 47-17 defeat away to Edinburgh.

It was a fifth straight loss in all competitions for the visitors and ultimately condemned them to 14th place in the table after the final round of games.

Ulster's hopes of qualification for the quarter-final play-offs and Champions Cup rugby next season had been ended by a defeat to Munster last week.

However head coach Richie Murphy and his players had indicated before their trip to the Scottish capital a desire to give a winning send-off to the squad members who will depart from the club at the end of this season.

Long-serving forwards Kieran Treadwell and Andrew Warwick were handed starting roles for their swansong appearances.

They are two of eight players leaving the northern province, along with John Cooney, Alan O'Connor, Reuben Crothers, Corrie Barrett, Michael McDonald and Matty Rea.

In the event, Edinburgh put Ulster to the sword, scoring seven tries on their way to ensuring their passage to the last eight of the URC.

"We're massively heartbroken. It was a pretty poor performance to give the lads who are leaving. They deserved so much better and not an ideal way to top off a tough season.

"It's hurting massively. There are boys in there who have been playing for us for 10 years and going out and giving them that send-off hurts me too. It's something we've got to live with.

"I thought we had moments in the game when we were good but we found it hard putting those together and the game got away from us."

Izuchukwu hopes a youthful Ulster squad can take lessons into next season.

"The lesson today we take was just a loss. Hopefully next year we can use that to fuel us to kick on.

"I think for us, especially with having a squad that is so young, it's just about having the appetite to turn up and give 110%.

"We don't have massive depth now but hopefully next year we can keep blooding lads, keep building a squad and keep moving forward."

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Iain Henderson says Ulster's slow start and mid-season struggles left them with too much to do to secure a United Rugby Championship (URC) play-off and a Champions Cup spot for next season.

Last Friday's defeat by Munster at Thomond Park meant there will be a premature end to Ulster's campaign as they also dropped into the second-tier European Challenge Cup for next season.

But Henderson says the damage had been done earlier when they lost four of their opening seven URC games.

That included them squandering a 19-0 lead against Cardiff, and the subsequent damaging home defeat by Zebre in January which was followed by a further reverse against Benetton in Italy.

"When you are leaving it to the last game or two of the season, it's probably a bit late," the Ulster captain told BBC Sport NI.

"Although we're feeling incredibly cut up about it [last weekend's defeat by Munster] now, it's probably our mistakes earlier on in the season that have led to us feeling like this."

On the face of it, an Edinburgh side still chasing a play-off spot should have more motivation for Friday's concluding regular season game but Henderson says he and his team-mates must aim to give a winning send-off to the squad members who will depart from the club at the end of this season.

These include Ireland internationals John Cooney and Kieran Treadwell.

"It's only right that the players get another opportunity and try and right some wrongs for the last few weeks, to be able to give the guys leaving a proper send-off and hopefully one they remember fondly," added Henderson, who returned to action in last weekend's Munster contest following a three-month injury lay-off.

Despite the current sense of gloom around the team's fortunes, Henderson believes the emergence of young talents such as James McNabney and Jack Murphy should give Ulster fans hope for the future.

"A lot of young fellows are coming through the ranks very impressively and after an impressive under-age experience, and I think there is definitely a wealth of knowledge and talent in there to hopefully make next season brighter and with more prospects than we've had this year," said Henderson.

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Ulster boss Richie Murphy has made four changes for the province's final game of the season away to Edinburgh on Friday evening (19:35 BST).

Kieran Treadwell returns to the second row for his final Ulster appearance. Andy Warwick, who is retained in the front row, will also line out for his farewell game.

Treadwell is set to return to Harlequins after nine years at Ulster while 34-year-old Warwick is set for his swansong 11 years on from his debut.

Warwick and Treadwell, who have made a combined 389 Ulster appearances, are two of eight players leaving the club this summer.

Ireland prop Tom O'Toole returns at tight-head prop, replacing Scott Wilson, while David McCann is recalled in the back row. Cormac Izuchukwu shifts from lock to the back row as Matty Rea and James McNabney drop out.

There is one change to the backline that started last week's defeat by Munster as Werner Kok starts on the right wing, replacing Robert Baloucoune.

Last week's 38-20 reverse at Thomond Park ended Ulster's hopes of securing a United Rugby Championship play-off spot and qualifying for next season's Champions Cup.

Edinburgh, however, can still finish in the top eight. They are currently 10th, two points off the top eight.

Ulster: Lowry; Kok, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Stockdale; Murphy, Doak; Warwick, Herring, O'Toole; Treadwell, Henderson (capt); Izuchukwu, Timoney, McCann.

Replacements: Stewart, Reid, Wilson, Sheridan, McNabney, Shanahan, Morgan, Moore.

Listen to Edinburgh v Ulster live on the BBC Sport website from 19:15 BST on Friday, 16 May