Leinster

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Leinster head coach Leo Cullen spoke to Premier Sports after his side's 24-18 United Rugby Championship win over rivals Munster at Aviva Stadium.

On the performance: "We didn't manage the first 20 minutes particularly well, too many turnovers, little errors in our game. We just allowed Munster too much access into the game.

"I thought they were well on top for that 20 minutes but we grew into the game. I thought they were fatiguing a little bit by half-time so the message was to keep pounding away and we got some rewards."

On experimenting by putting Dan Sheehan at number eight: "I thought Dan was excellent, led from the front. Everything he did, took the fight to Munster.

"I thought he was really, really positive, everything he did. He's a really calm voice for us. We'll see where we go with that one, it's up to the Ireland squad now."

On Joey Carbery's first start: "Joey's good yeah, I think he was nervous in the game. He's been out a long time, only played 10 minutes last week.

"To get through 70-75 minutes today is great for him and it's another step. He's come back after a long time out with his ACL so delighted to see him back where he belongs."

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Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named a completely changed team for Saturday's United Rugby Championship homecoming against Cardiff (19:45 BST).

After suffering back-to-back defeats in South Africa, Cullen is boosted by the return of several Ireland internationals as Leinster return to the Laya Arena (formerly the RDS Arena) for the first time since May 2024.

Dan Sheehan returns to captain an experienced team at hooker, with Alex Usanpov and Tadhg Furlong either side of him in the scrum.

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan return in the second, in front of a back row of Max Deegan, Scott Penny and Jack Conan.

Sam Prendergast returns at fly-half as Caspar Gabriel drops to the bench. Prendergast is joined at half-back by Oliver Coffey, who makes his first senior start at nine after four appearances off the bench.

Jamie Osborne and Garry Ringrose are paired in the centre, while wings Jimmy O'Brien and Joshua Kenny and full-back Hugo Keenan make up the back three.

Leinster: Keenan; Kenny, Ringrose, J Osborne, J O'Brien; Prendergast, Coffey; Usanov, Sheehan (capt), Furlong, J McCarthy, Ryan, Deegan, Penny, Conan.

Replacements: Kelleher, Dooley, Clarkson, Spicer, Ericson, Gunne, Gabriel, Henshaw.

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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.

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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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The 2026-27 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup fixture details have been confirmed.

Munster will open their Champions Cup campaign at home to Racing 92 on 17 October, a day after the 10th anniversary of Anthony Foley's death.

The province said it is in talks with Cork GAA about hosting the fixture at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Munster will also travel to Bristol Bears and holders Bordeaux-Begles before welcoming Gloucester to Thomond Park.

Beaten 2026 finalists Leinster begin their latest bid for a fifth title away to Clermont on 17 October.

They will host Sale Sharks and Pau at yet-to-be confirmed home venues before travelling to Leicester Tigers.

Connacht host Saracens on 17 October and travel to Exeter Chiefs before hosting six-time champions Toulouse in Galway. Their final game is away to La Rochelle.

In the Challenge Cup, Ulster face away games against Bayonne and Dragons and away ties with Zebre and Perpignan, with Richie Murphy's side hoping to go one better after losing this year's final to Montpellier.

Champions Cup fixtures (times BST & GMT)

Munster

17 October - Munster v Racing 92, TBC, 20:00

12 December - Bristol Bears v Munster, Ashton Gate, 20:00

10 January - Bordeaux-Begles v Munster, Stade Chaban Delmas, 16:15

16 January - Munster v Gloucester, Thomond Park, 17:30

Leinster

17 October - Clermont Auvergne v Leinster, Stade Marcel-Michelin, 15:15

12 December - Leinster v Sale Sharks, TBC, 17:30

9 January - Leinster v Pau, TBC, 17:30

16 January - Leicester Tigers v Leinster, Welford Road, 20:00

Connacht

17 October - Connacht v Saracens, Dexcom Stadium, 17:30

13 December - Exeter Chiefs v Connacht, Sandy Park, 13:00

9 January - Connacht v Toulouse, Dexcom Stadium, 20:00

16 January - La Rochelle v Connacht, Stade Marcel Deflandre, 17:30

Challenge Cup fixtures

Ulster

17 October - Zebre v Ulster, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 15:15

12 December - Ulster v Bayonne, Affidea Stadium, 13:00

10 January - Perpignan v Ulster, Stade Aime Giral, 13:00

16 January - Ulster v Dragons, Affidea Stadium, 15:15

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Leinster have confirmed the return of Ireland international Joey Carbery before the 2026-27 season.

Fly-half Carbery, who has 37 Ireland caps, has spent the past two seasons with Bordeaux-Begles in France, where he won two Investec Champions Cup titles.

The New Zealand-born 30-year-old came through the Leinster academy and made 37 senior appearances during his first spell, helping the province win a Pro14 and Champions Cup double in 2018.

He moved to Munster the same year and helped them win the United Rugby Championship title in 2023.

"I am delighted to be returning home to Leinster," said Carbery.

"I am thrilled to be joining in with Leo and the lads, there are some familiar faces and loads of new ones to get to know.

"I am working hard now to get myself fit and ready and contribute to the team as soon as possible."

Head coach Leo Cullen said Leinster "are delighted to welcome" Carbery back to the club.

"Joey and his family have been huge contributors to the province over many years and it certainly feels like a homecoming for Joey," said Cullen.

"He has gained plenty of valuable experience over the last number of years and we are all keen to learn from each other over the coming months as we look to compete in a new season."

Carbery joins Leinster following Ciaran Frawley's departure to Connacht.