URC team news: Johnny Sexton starts derby as Tadhg Beirne misses out
Johnny Sexton and Ciarán Frawley will both start for Leinster in Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship against Munster at the Aviva Stadium, live RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Max Deegan Sport News
Simon Easterby's Emerging Ireland XV named for Cheetahs encounter
Simon Easterby has named his Emerging Ireland line-up for their clash with the Cheetahs on Sunday in Bloemfontein (kick-off 2pm Irish time), with the visitors bidding to wrap to a perfect trip to South Africa after earlier victories against the Griquas and the Pumas.
Crowley takes 10 slot as Emerging Ireland side named
Emerging Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has opted for a half-back pairing of Nathan Doak and Jack Crowley for the opening game of their South African tour against the Griquas in Bloemfontein on Friday evening.
Jackman: Emerging Ireland Tour a 'terrible' idea
RTÉ Rugby analyst Bernard Jackman has branded the upcoming Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa as a "terrible idea", citing both the timing of the venture and the poor quality of the opposition involved.
Robert Baloucoune, Caolin Blade and Shane Daly among 35-man Emerging Ireland squad
A 35-man Emerging Ireland squad has been named to travel to South Africa in late September.
Cian Healy and Jimmy O'Brien doubts for Leinster v Toulouse
Leinster may be without Cian Healy and Jimmy O'Brien for Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse.
URC team news: Internationals return for Interpro clash
Ulster have been able to call on Ireland internationals Nick Timoney, Mike Lowry and Robert Baloucoune for tomorrow's United Rugby Championship Interpro with Leinster (7.35pm kick-off).
Leinster rack up nine tries in Benetton demolition
Leinster reclaimed top spot in the United Rugby Championship with a 61-17 thrashing of Benetton in Treviso. Ulster's big win against Cardiff on Friday night saw them edge ahead of Leo Cullen's men in the overall table but the latter ran in nine tries to claw their way back to the summit with a four-point margin. Max Deegan, Sean Cronin, Jordan Larmour and Ross Byrne earned Leinster a bonus point by half-time, with a single penalty from Rhyno Smith the only response Benetton could muster before the interval. The hosts did touch down twice in the second half but Cronin's second and two tries each for James Tracy and Jimmy O'Brien saw Leinster to a comfortable victory, with Byrne also kicking 14 points. Deegan powered over from close range for Leinster's first try after a totally dominant opening five minutes. Byrne added the extras before Smith got Benetton off the mark with a relatively straightforward penalty seven minutes later. The visitors eventually added their second try when Cronin went over from a driving maul. Byrne's conversion made it 14-3 after 24 minutes and he was on target again when a third try quickly followed - Larmour exploiting a gap in the Benetton defence to go over. Leinster had their bonus point by half-time thanks to a fantastic team try initiated by a rapid counter-attack from Jimmy O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien and Larmour, with Byrne eventually applying the finish and converting for a 28-3 scoreline at the break.