2025–26 Connacht Rugby season

Connacht Rugby
2025–26 season
Head coachStuart Lancaster
Chief executiveWillie Ruane
Highest home attendance12,482 (v Leinster, Rd 10 URC)
Lowest home attendance3,928
Average home attendance5,150
← 2024–25 2026–27 →

The 2025–26 season is Connacht Rugby's fifth season in the United Rugby Championship, their 32nd season of professional rugby and their 138th season of representative rugby since the foundation of the Connacht Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. Along with competing in the URC and its Irish Shield competition, the club will also participate in the 2025–26 EPCR Challenge Cup.

In the women's game, Connacht will compete in the 2025 Vodafone Inter-Provincial Championship.[1]

Connacht Men

Senior men's squad

Connacht Rugby senior squad

Prop

Hooker

Lock


Back Row


Scrum-Half

Fly-Half

Centre

Winger

Fullback

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
ST denotes a short-term signing.
L denotes a player on loan at the club.
Players and their allocated positions from the Connacht Rugby website.[2]

Transfers

Main article: Connacht Rugby

United Rugby Championship

Matches

27 September 2025 (1 BP) Connacht 26 – 15 Benetton The Sportsground, Galway  
19:45 Try: Ioane (8')
Sean Naughton (19')
Tierney-Martin (46')
Jansen (73')
Con: Forde (9', 47', 74')
Cards: Mullins 26' to 36' 		Report Try: Louis Lynagh (41')
Garbisi (81')
Con: Umaga (82')
Pen: Umaga (16')
Cards: Fekitoa 8' to 18'
Lamaro 44' to 54' 		Attendance: 3,928
Referee: Christopher Allison
11 October 2025 Cardiff 14 – 8 Connacht (1 BP) Cardiff Arms Park  
19:45 Try: Bowen (14', 75')
Con: Sheedy (15')
Lloyd (76')
 Report Try: O'Connor (80'+2)
Pen: Forde (11')
 Attendance: 7,092[10]
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
17 October 2025 (1 BP) Connacht 27 – 28 Bulls The Sportsground, Galway  
19:45 Try: Ioane(10')
Blade(45')
Naughton (68')
Hansen (79')
Con: Ioane (11', 46')
Pen: Naughton (74')
Cards: Murphy  19' 		report Try: de Wet (13', 54')
le Roux (20')
Con: Johannes (21', 55')
Pen: Johannes (63', 72')
Drop: Johannes (43')
 Attendance: 3,928[11]
Referee: Mike Adamson
25 October 2025 Munster 17 – 15 Connacht (1 BP) Thomond Park, Limerick  
19:45 Try: O'Donoghue (15' m, 67' m)
Kilgallen (33' c)
Con: JJ Hanrahan (33')
 Report Try: Ralston (20' m, 28' m)
Boyle (42' m)
 Attendance: 16,512[12]
Referee: Andrea Piardi
29 November 2025 (1 BP) Connacht 44 - 17 Sharks The Sportsground, Galway  
19:45 Try: Boyle (17' c)
Mullins (31' c)
Gavin (58' c)
Devine (72' c)
Illo (79' c)
Con: Naughton (19', 32', 58', 73', 80')
Pen: Naughton (8', 27', 42')
 Report Try: Mbatha (15' m)
Mapimpi (66' m)
van Heerden (75' c)
Con: Jordan Hendrikse (75')
Cards: Jenkins 28' to 38' 		Attendance: 3,928
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
20 December 2025 (1 BP) Dragons 48 – 28 Connacht (1 BP) Rodney Parade, Newport  
19:45 Try: Burrows 17' c
Hope (2) 25' c, 61' c
Rosser 32' c
penalty try 40'+4
Dyer 51' c
Con: O'Brien (5/5) 18', 26', 33', 52', 62'
Pen: O'Brien (2/2) 43' , 46'
 Report Try: Gilbert 0' c
Prendergast (2) 66' c, 74' c
Jansen 80+2' c
Con: Gilbert (4) 1', 67', 75', 80+3'
Cards: Boyle  40'+5 		Attendance: 4,188
Referee: Ruairidh Campbell (SRU)
27 December 2025 (1 BP) Connacht 24 – 29 Ulster (1 BP) The Sportsground, Galway  
17:30 Try: Treacy 24' c
Jansen 66' c
Devine 77' c
Con: Gilbert (3) 25', 67', 77'
Pen: Gilbert 31'
Cards: Aki  43'
Joyce  51' 		Report Try: Zac Ward (2) 34' c, 41' m
Kok 47' c
penalty try 53'
Con: Jack Murphy (2/3) 34', 48'
Cards: Jack Murphy  16'
McCloskey  43' 		Attendance: 3,928
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
3 January 2026 (1 BP) Leinster 52 – 17 Connacht Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 Try: Sheehan 4' c
Tector (2) 8' c, 62' c
Prendergast 39' m
Deeny 44' c
O'Brien (2) 52' c, 67' c
Kenny 75'
Con: Prendergast (6/8) 5', 8', 45', 52', 63', 67'
Cards: Joe McCarthy  26' 		Report Try: Tierney-Martin 19' c
Bealham 36' c
Con: Gilbert (2/2) 20', 37'
Pen: Gilbert 28'
 Attendance: 21,422
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
24 January 2026 Connacht 23 – 34 Leinster (1 BP) The Sportsground, Galway  
17:30 Try: Tierney-Martin 12' c
West 48' c
Con: Gilbert (2/2) 13', 49'
Pen: Gilbert (3) 23', 33', 67'
 Report Try: Gunne 8' c
RG Snyman 57' c
Tector 60' c
Frawley 70' c
Con: Byrne (4/4) 9', 58', 61', 71'
Pen: Byrne (2) 27' 31'
 Attendance: 12,481
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRE)
31 January 2026 Zebre Parma 15 – 31 Connacht (1 BP) Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma  
15:00 Try: Garcia 56' m
Stavile 74' c
Con: Martin Roger 75'
Pen: Roger 26'
Cards: Garcia  60'
Zanon  80+10' 		Report Try: Joyce 41'
Jansen (2) 50' c, 61' c
McCormack 80+11'
Con: Gilbert (4/4) 42', 51', 62', 80+12'
Pen: Gilbert 78'
Cards: Mullins  73' 		Attendance: 2,545
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
28 February 2026 Connacht v Glasgow Warriors The Sportsground, Galway  
15:00
13 March 2026 Connacht v Scarlets The Sportsground, Galway  
19:45
20 March 2026 Ulster v Connacht Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:45
28 March 2026 Connacht v Ospreys The Sportsground, Galway  
14:15
18 April 2026 Stormers v Connacht Cape Town Stadium  
17:15
25 April 2026 Lions v Connacht Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
15:00
9 May 2026 Connacht v Munster The Sportsground, Galway  
19:45
15 May 2026 Edinburgh v Connacht Edinburgh Rugby Stadium  
19:45

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Glasgow Warriors 12 9 0 3 320 170 +150 47 23 7 2 45 Qualifies for home URC quarter-final;
Qualification for the 2026–27 Champions Cup
2 Ulster 13 8 0 5 371 274 +97 53 38 7 3 42
3 Stormers 12 9 0 3 316 204 +112 39 26 5 0 41
4 Leinster 12 8 0 4 308 242 +66 45 32 8 1 41
5 Cardiff 13 8 0 5 247 250 −3 36 35 5 3 40 Qualifies for URC quarter-final;
Qualification for the 2026–27 Champions Cup
6 Munster 13 8 0 5 248 270 −22 36 37 5 2 39
7 Lions 13 7 1 5 379 359 +20 46 57 6 2 38
8 Bulls 13 7 0 6 363 309 +54 54 44 6 1 35
9 Connacht 13 6 0 7 315 312 +3 43 44 7 4 35 Qualification for the 2026–27 Challenge Cup
10 Ospreys 13 5 2 6 279 304 −25 42 47 4 1 29
11 Sharks 13 5 1 7 301 333 −32 45 43 6 1 29
12 Benetton 13 5 2 6 247 300 −53 30 40 3 1 28
13 Edinburgh 13 4 0 9 255 307 −52 40 46 3 4 23
14 Scarlets 13 4 1 8 242 311 −69 34 44 1 2 21
15 Dragons 12 2 3 7 227 286 −59 29 43 2 4 20
16 Zebre Parma 13 2 0 11 214 401 −187 29 57 2 2 12
Updated to match(es) played on 14 March 2026. Source: UnitedRugby.com
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won 2) The difference between points for and points against 3) The number of tries scored 4) The most points scored 5) The difference between tries for and tries against 6) The fewest red cards received 7) The fewest yellow cards received.[13]


2025–26 United Rugby Championship Regional Shield tables
Irish Shield
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts Pos overall
1 Leinster 5 4 0 1 137 99 +38 19 12 3 0 19 4
2 Ulster 4 2 0 2 96 77 +19 13 11 1 2 11 2
4 Munster 4 2 0 2 59 70 –11 8 9 1 1 10 6
3 Connacht 5 1 0 4 105 151 –46 14 20 1 2 7 8
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[14]
  1. number of matches won
  2. the difference between points for and points against
  3. the number of tries scored
  4. the most points scored
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against
  6. the fewest red cards received
  7. the fewest yellow cards received
Green background indicates teams currently leading the regional shield. Upon the conclusion of the regular season, these teams win their respective regional shields.

(S) : URC Shield champion

Challenge Cup

Pool matches

The fixtures for the EPCR Challenge Cup were released on 15 July 2025.[15]

EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 1
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Montpellier (1) 4 4 0 0 119 77 +42 18 10 4 0 20 Home round of 16
2 Zebre Parma (5) 4 3 0 1 99 81 +18 12 11 2 0 14
3 Connacht (8) 4 2 0 2 179 71 +108 26 11 3 2 13
4 Ospreys (14) 4 2 0 2 102 97 +5 16 12 3 2 13 Away round of 16
5 Black Lion 4 1 0 3 58 132 −74 8 20 1 0 5
6 Montauban 4 0 0 4 81 180 −99 11 25 1 1 2
Source: EPCR[16]
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
7 December 2025 (1 BP) Ospreys 24–21 Connacht (1 BP) Dunraven Brewery Field, Bridgend  
15:15 Try: Deaves 42' m
Cokanasiga 57' c
R. Smith 67' c
Hopkins 75' m
Con: Edwards (3/4) 57', 68'
Cards: Ratti  17'
Phillips  28' 		Report Try: Bealham 11' c
Jansen 17' c
Aungier 23' c
Con: Naughton (3/3) 12', 18', 24'
Cards: Buckley  67' 		Attendance: 3,311
Referee: Evan Urruzmendi (France)
13 December 2025 (1 BP) Connacht 52–0 Black Lion Dexcom Stadium, Galway  
20:00 Try: Boyle (3) 1' c, 9' c, 29' c
Blade (2) 17' m, 54' c
Illo 33' m
Bolton (2) 40' c, 67' c
Con: Gilbert (6/8) 2', 9', 29', 41', 54', 68'
 Report Cards: Aptsiauri 6' to 16' Attendance: 3,928
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
11 January 2026 (1 BP) Montpellier 33–31 Connacht (2 BP) GGL Stadium, Montpellier  
14:00 Try: Darmon 7' c
Akrab 17' c
Rates 65' c
Bernadet 68' m
Welsch 74' c
Con: Coly (2/2) 8', 18'
Hogg (2/3) 66', 75'
 Report Try: Murphy 10' c
Tierney-Martin 21' c
Treacy 33' c
Gilbert 46' c
Con: Gilbert (4/4) 11', 22', 34', 47'
Pen: Gilbert (1/1) 41'
 Attendance: 8,648
Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
17 January 2026 (1 BP) Connacht 75–14 Montauban Dexcom Stadium, Galway  
20:00 Try: Boyle (2) 7' c, 40' c
Prendergast (2) 19' c, 34' c
Gilbert 25' c
Penalty try 29'
West 31' c
Devine 35' c
Jansen 44' m
Jennings 65' c
Tierney-Martin 80' c
Con: Gilbert (7/7) 8', 19', 25', 32', 35', 36', 41'
Naughton (2/2) 66', 80+1'
Cards: Aungier  73' 		Report Try: Seux 21' c
Vallée 73' c
Con: Bosviel (1/1) 22'
Fortunel (1/1) 73'
Cards: Greyling  28'
Asaeli  29'
Pomponio  64' 		Attendance: 3,928
Referee: Ben Connor (Wales)

Knockout stage

Connacht qualified for a home tie in the round of sixteen when they confirmed a third place finish in Pool 1 in Round 4 with a massive 75-14 victory over Montauban of France. Connacht were guaranteed at worst the eighth seeding following the match, securing a knockout tie at home. Further results elsewhere confirmed an eighth-place seeding, and a home last 16 tie against fellow URC team, Sharks. The tie will be the first European competition match played at the Dexcom Stadium following its full redevelopment.

Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
            
1 Montpellier
16 Perpignan
 
 
8 Connacht
9 Sharks
 
 
4 Stade Français
13 Dragons
 
 
5 Zebre Parma
12 Pau
 
 
2 Benetton
15 Cardiff
 
 
7 Exeter Chiefs
10 Munster
 
 
3 Ulster
14 Ospreys
 
 
6 Newcastle Red Bulls
11 La Rochelle
Round of 16
3/4/5 April 2026
Connacht (8)v(9) Sharks
Dexcom Stadium, Galway

Home attendance

after Round 9 of URC, and end of EPRC Challenge cup pool stage:

Domestic League EPRC Challenge Cup Total
League Fixtures Total Attendance Average Attendance Highest Lowest League Fixtures Total Attendance Average Attendance Highest Lowest Total Attendance Average Attendance
2025–26 United Rugby Championship 4 28,194 12,482 3,928 5,639 2025–26 EPCR Challenge Cup 2 7,856 3,928 3,928 3,928 36,050 5,150

IRFU Interprovincial 'A' Championship

The IRFU introduced the A Championship as part of its professional pathway in 2024–25 to coincide with the union's 150th anniversary. This season sees the competition return as a six leg home and away round robin.[17]

Fixtures

21 November 2025 (1 BP) Ulster 'A' 28 – 22 Connacht Eagles (2 BP) Palace Grounds, Armagh  
15:00 Try: Matthew Dalton (2)
Ethan Graham
Bryn Ward
Con: Jake Flannery (4)
 Report Try: Oisin McNicholas
Finn Treacy
Matthew Devine
Shane Jennings
Con: Seán Naughton
19 December 2025 Connacht Eagles postponed Ulster 'A' Dexcom Stadium  
2: 00
3 January 2026 Leinster 'A' postponed Connacht Eagles Belfield  
13 February 2026 Connacht Eagles 19 - 63 Leinster 'A' Dexcom Stadium  
Connacht Eagles v Munster 'A' Dexcom Stadium  
8 May 2026 Munster 'A' v Connacht Eagles  

Connacht Women

IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series

Main article: 2025 IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series

The 2025 IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series is being contested by women's teams representing the four provincial rugby unions of Ireland, under the same branding and uniforms as the senior men's teams in the United Rugby Championship. The competition currently uses a single round-robin format, similar to the one used in both the Six Nations Championship and the Women's Six Nations Championship. Each team plays the other three teams once. The following year the fixtures are reversed.[18] As in previous seasons the competition also features playoffs and a final.[19][20][21]

Matches

10 August 2025 (1 BP) Munster Women 44-5 Connacht Women Virgin Media Park  
2:30pm Try: Gráinne Burke
Chisom Ugwueru (3)
Aoife Corey
Stephanie Nunan
Kate Flannery
Brianna Heylmann
Con: Caitríona Finn (2/8) 		Report Try: Ava Ryder Referee: Euan O’Riordan (IRFU)
16 August 2025 Connacht Women 12–7 Ulster Women (1 BP) Dexcom Stadium, Galway  
4:30pm Try: Oviawe
Maher
Con: Nic Dhonnacha (1/2) 		Report Try: Sheerin
Con: Sheerin
23 August 2025 (1 BP) Connacht Women 12- 17 Leinster Women Dexcom Stadium, Galway  
2:30pm Try: Orla Dixon
Faith Oviawe
Con: Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (1/2) 		Report Try: Kelly Burke
Katie Layde
Vicky Elmes Kinlan
Con: Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton (1/3) 		Referee: John Lillis (IRFU)

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Munster Women (CH) 3 3 0 0 115 44 +71 18 5 3 0 15 Qualified for Interprovincial final
2 Leinster Women (RU) 3 2 0 1 76 66 +10 14 10 2 0 10
3 Connacht Women 3 1 0 2 27 66 −39 5 12 0 1 5 Qualified for third/fourth place final
4 Ulster Women 3 0 0 3 43 87 −44 7 15 0 1 1
First match(es) will be played: Unknown. Source: Unknown
Rules for classification: 1) competition points; 2) match points difference; 3) match points for

Finals day

Third-place final
30 August 2025 Ulster Women 30–37 Connacht Women Energia Park  
2:30pm Try: Tara O’Neill
Abby Moyles
Sophie Barrett
India Daley
Con: Moyles (2/4)
Pen: Moyles (2)
 Report Try: Hannah Clarke (2)
Éabha Nic Dhonnacha
Ava Ryder
Grace Browne Moran
Jemima Adams Verling
Con: Nic Dhonnacha (2/6)
Pen: Nic Dhonnacha
 Referee: Andrew Cole (IRFU)

Celtic Challenge

Main article: 2025–26 Celtic Challenge

The 2025–26 Celtic Challenge will be the fourth season of the Celtic Challenge, a cross-border women's rugby union competition with teams from Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. The six team tournament features a full double round robin fixture series, with each team playing the others both home and away. For the first time, the competition will include a finals series with semi-finals and a grand final.[22][23]

Clovers, a combined team representing Munster and Connacht, return for a third season.

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Wolfhounds (Q) 10 9 0 1 431 127 +304 66 20 9 0 45 Play-offs
2 Clovers (Q) 10 8 0 2 294 231 +63 48 37 7 0 39
3 Gwalia Lightning (Q) 10 4 0 6 217 212 +5 34 35 5 4 25
4 Brython Thunder (Q) 10 5 0 5 150 218 −68 24 35 2 1 23
5 Glasgow Warriors 10 2 0 8 154 236 −82 32 49 6 3 17
6 Edinburgh Rugby 10 2 0 8 152 321 −169 19 37 3 1 12
First match(es) will be played: 20 December 2025. Source: Celtic Challenge[24]
Rules for classification: Four points for a win, two points for a draw. One bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match; one bonus point for losing by a margin of seven or less.

Clovers fixtures

20 December 2025
11:30
(1 BP) Clovers 35 – 31 Gwalia Lightning (2 BP)
Try: Sadhbh McGrath (2)
Niamh Murphy
Jemima Adams Verling
Aoibheann McGrath
Con: Caitríona Finn (5)
Cards: Caoimhe Murphy  79'		ReportTry: Evie Hill
Courtney Greenway
Maisie Davies (2)
Tilly Vucaj
Con: Carys Hughes (3)
Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Dermot Blake
3 January 2026
15:00
Clovers 7 - 24 Wolfhounds (1 BP)
Try: Jemima Adams Verling 40+2' c
Con: Caitríona Finn 40+3'		ReportTry: Aoife Dalton 6' c
Robyn O’Connor 37' m
Maggie Boylan 64' m
Eve Higgins 69' c
Con: Dannah O'Brien (2) 7', 70'
Creggs RFC
Referee: Shane Tuohy
11 January 2026
12:00
(1 BP) Brython Thunder 12 – 15 Clovers
Try: Amy Williams
Gwen Crabb
Con: Hanna Marshall		ReportTry: Emily Foley
Lucia Linn
Con: Caitríona Finn
Pen: Caitríona Finn
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
18 January 2026
15:00
(1 BP) Clovers 57 - 31 Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Try: Alana McInerney (2)
Caitríona Finn
Anna McGann
Sadhbh McGrath
Niamh Murphy
Katie Whelan
Aoibheann McGrath
Aoife Corey
Con: Caitríona Finn (6)		ReportTry: Briar McNamara
Nicole Flynn (2)
Emily Coubrough
Holland Bogan
Con: Ceitidh Ainsworth (3)
Cards: Nicole Flynn  9'
Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast


25 January 2026
12:00
(1 BP) Clovers 29-12 Brython Thunder
Try: Siobhán McCarthy
Annakate Cournane
Emily Lane
Niamh Murphy
Aoife Corey
Con: Caitríona Finn 2		ReportTry: Jess Rogers
Rhian Bowden
Con: Ffion Williams
Cards: Hannah Bluck  15'
Musgrave Park, Cork
Referee: Paudie Sheehan (IRFU)
31 January 2026
14:00
(2 BP) Glasgow Warriors 31 – 38 Clovers (1 BP)
Try: Emily Coubrough
Holland Bogan
Millie Warren
Penalty try
Briar McNamara
Con: Millie Warren
Briar McNamara		ReportTry: Faith Oviawe
Aoibheann McGrath (2)
Katie Whelan
Anna McGann
Síofra Hession
Con: Caitríona Finn (3)
Síofra Hession
Cards: Chisom Ugwueru  68'
Faith Oviawe  71'
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Referee: Ciaran Stark (SRU)
14 February 2026
13:00
(1 BP) Gwalia Lightning 14 - 19 Clovers
Try: Courtney Greenway
Evie Hill
Con: Carys Hughes 2		ReportTry: Aoife Corey
Alana McInerney
Niamh Murphy
Con: Siofra Hession 2
CSE, Ystrad Mynach
21 February 2026
12:30
(1 BP) Clovers 31-7 Edinburgh Rugby
Try: Aoife Corey
Jemima Adams Verling
Chisom Ugwueru (2)
Beth Buttimer
Con: (3/5)		ReportTry: Hannah McMahon
Con: (1/1)
The Sportsground, Galway


28 February 2026
13:00
(1 BP) Edinburgh Rugby 26-43 Clovers (1 BP)
Try: Cat Moody
Bethan Mathieson
Scarlott Haddow
Adelle Ferrie
Con: (3/4)		Try: Beibhinn Parsons
Beth Buttimer (2)
Ruth Campbell
Eilis Cahill
Anna McGann
Aoibheann McGrath
Con: (4/7)
Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh
7 March 2026
15:00
(1 BP) Wolfhounds 43-20 Clovers (1 BP)
Try: Grace Moore
India Daley (2)
Niamh Marley
Erin King (2)
Robyn O'Connor
Con: Dannah O'Brien (4/7)
Cards: Maebh Clenaghan 		ReportTry: Beibhinn Parsons
Anna McGann (2)
Katie Whelan
UCD Bowl, Dublin

Play-offs

For the first time, the Celtic Challenge will have play-offs to crown a champion, with the top four teams in the regular season advancing to semi-finals, followed by a grand final. With their 52-7 victory of third-placed Gwalia Lightning in round 9, Wolfhounds ensured that both Irish franchises would have a home nation semi-final; both matches were fixed for the Dexcom Stadium, Galway, while the final will take place in a preselected venue, Edinburgh's Hive Stadium.

On 21 March both Irish franchises defeated their Welsh semi-final opposition to set up an all-Ireland final for 28 March, guaranteeing a fourth consecutive Irish champion of the Challenge.

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
 20/21/22 March 2026 – Galway
 
 
 Wolfhounds 36
 
 27/28/29 March 2026 – Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh[25]
 
 Brython Thunder 10
 
 Wolfhounds
 
 20/21/22 March 2026 – Galway
 
 Clovers
 
 Clovers35
 
 
 Gwalia Lightning 20
 

Semi-finals

21 March 2026
14:30
Wolfhounds 36 – 10 Brython Thunder
21 March 2026
12:00
Clovers 35 – 20 Gwalia Lightning
Dexcom Stadium, Galway

Final

28 March 2026
15:00
Wolfhounds v Clovers
Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh

References

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  2. ^ "Connacht Rugby | 1st Team Squad". Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Connacht sign one-time All Black hopeful Sam Gilbert as uncertainty surrounds Puma star Santiago Cordero". www.independent.ie. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Devine, Treacy and West sign Pro contracts". Connacht Rugby. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  5. ^ "JJ Hanrahan signs two-year contract with Munster". The Irish Examiner. 22 February 2025. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
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  7. ^ "Edinburgh sign utility-back Piers O'Connor". The Offside Line. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  8. ^ Ashbee, Max (28 July 2025). "Conor Oliver Joins Ealing Trailfinders - Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club". ealingtrailfinders.com. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Santiago Cordero hará su regreso a Regatas este sábado ante CUBA". ESPN.com.ar (in Spanish). 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Cardiff Rugby 14 Connacht Rugby 8". Cardiff Rugby. 11 October 2025. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  11. ^ Fallon, John (23 September 2025). "Connacht will have fewer than 4,000 fans for home games for half the season". The 42. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  12. ^ Kennedy, Ciarán (25 October 2025). "Munster come out on top of tight tussle with Connacht". The 42. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  13. ^ "Competition rules – United Rugby Championship". United Rugby Championship. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  14. ^ League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Champions Cup & Challenge Cup: Irish provinces discover fixture details for European campaigns". BBC Sport. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Pool Tables | EPCR Challenge Cup". European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Irish Rugby | Men's Interprovincial 'A' Series Kicks Off This Weekend". Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  18. ^ "Women's Interprovincial Series". www.irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  19. ^ "Leinster ladies win first Interpro crown". www.irishexaminer.com. 26 November 2005. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  20. ^ "Women's: Leinster End Munster's Grip On Interpro Title". www.irishrugby.ie. 29 November 2005. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
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  22. ^ Challenge, Celtic (13 August 2025). "New Look Celtic Challenge Finals Reflect Rising Women's Rugby World Cup Influence - Celtic Challenge". Retrieved 14 August 2025.
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