Connacht

Connacht moved to the top of the Guinness PRO12 table with an eventful 51-34 victory away to lowly Zebre.

Robbie Henshaw has opted to leave Irish province Connacht for Pro 12 rivals Leinster this summer, on signing his first Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) national contract.

Connacht came from behind to secure a bonus-point 26-21 victory away to Newport Gwent Dragons on Thursday night, a result that sees them move four points clear at the top of the Guiness Pro12.

Connacht boosted their Guinness PRO12 play-off hopes with a 30-17 bonus-point win over the table-topping Scarlets at the Sportsground.

Robbie Henshaw handed Ireland an RBS 6 Nations fitness boost as Connacht thrashed Enisei-STM 47-5 to qualify for the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

A late penalty from Steven Shingler clinched a hard-fought 21-19 victory over Connacht at Parc y Scarlets to send the hosts back to the top of the Guinness Pro12.

Nick Williams' 76th-minute try proved to be the deciding score as Ulster ended Connacht's unbeaten home record this season, winning a closely-fought Guinness PRO12 derby 10-3 at the Sportsground.

Newcastle Falcons put themselves back in contention for the European Challenge Cup’s quarter-finals with a bonus point victory over Connacht on Sunday.

Cardiff staged a stunning comeback to claim a 37-27 bonus-point win over Montpellier to keep hopes of qualifying for the European Challenge Cup's knockout stages alive.

The latest whisperings, murmurs and rumours from the world of rugby union, picking up bits and bobs from the written press, online and social media.

It’s been a grim couple of months for Irish rugby.

European Rugby Challenge Cup champions Gloucester began their defence with a 23-10 win over Zebre while elsewhere London Irish beat Agen, Cardiff Blues thrashed Calvisano, Worcester beat La Rochelle and Connacht beat Enisei-STM.

Two tries from Darren Dawidiuk and Jonny May in the last five minutes of extra time gave Gloucester a 40-32 win over Connacht and a place in next week's Champions Cup play-off final.

Gloucester became the first side through to the European Challenge Cup semi-finals after a 14-7 win over Connacht in a dour game at Kingsholm.

Connacht overturned a 13-point deficit to claim a rare victory over Munster, running out 24-16 victors in a gusty Guinness Pro12 clash in Galway.

There were wins for Cardiff Blues, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester and Stade Francais as the second round of European Rugby Challenge Cup fixtures drew to a close today.

Scotland fly-half Dan parks leads a cast-list of eight Connacht players leaving the Irish province at the end of the season.

Ulster thrashed Connacht 58-12 to claim a bonus point win that puts them right back in the hunt for a RaboDirect Pro12 play-off place.

Leinster's greater strength in depth helped them complete a festive derby double at the Sportsground as they got the better of a youthful Connacht side with a 16-8 triumph.