Edogbo signs two-year extension with Munsterpublished at 22:58 BST 15 October
22:58 BST 15 October
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Edogbo made his Munster debut in 2022
Ireland international Edwin Edogbo has signed a two-year extension with Munster to keep him at the province until at least 2029.
After becoming the first player from Cobh to earn a place at the Munster academy, Edogbo made his full debut in 2022 away to Dragons.
He would make eight appearances in a season in which the province claimed the United Rugby Championship title.
The 23-year-old second row has gone on to score seven tries in 31 appearances and his performances earned him a call-up to Andy Farrell's Six Nations squad last year, making his international debut in the win over Italy.
"Edwin is a talented young player with a physical profile that is highly sought after in the modern game," said Munster head coach Clayton McMillan.
"He has the size, athleticism and work ethic to make a significant impact at the highest level.
"We're grateful that Edwin has chosen to commit his future to Munster. He has worked hard through some challenging setbacks and is an important part of what we are building here.
"We look forward to seeing him continue to develop and fulfil his potential in the years ahead."
Munster's general manager Ian Costello expressed his delight Edogbo has decided to stay with Munster "despite significant interest from clubs across Europe".
"He is part of an exciting group of emerging home-grown players that are pivotal to the future success of the club," Costello continued.
"Edwin possesses unique qualities, and has the potential to excel at the highest level.
"We look forward to supporting his continued development and seeing him fulfil that potential in both a Munster and an Irish shirt."
Ulster quartet doubts for Zebre as Snyman ruled outpublished at 12:24 BST 13 October
12:24 BST 13 October
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Snyman will not be available this week because of concussion
Four players have emerged as doubts for Ulster's Challenge Cup opener against Zebre in Parma on Saturday.
Prop Eduardo Bell, who did not feature in Saturday's United Rugby Championship draw with Munster, may not be risked after picking up a hamstring injury in training.
Second row Ben Donnell, full-back Ethan McIlroy and hooker Tom Stewart all sustained unspecified knocks in the Munster game.
Eli Snyman, who started alongside Donnell at lock on Saturday, is ruled out with a concussion.
On a more positive note, full-back Michael Lowry has returned to full team training after suffering a concussion in the opening URC loss to Edinburgh on 25 September.
After a defeat and two draws in the URC, Ulster are hunting a first win of the season against Zebre before travelling to South Africa for league games against the Bulls and Stormers.
Ulster need 'honest conversations' after winless startpublished at 08:37 BST 11 October
08:37 BST 11 October
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Tom Stewart captained Ulster in Saturday's thrilling draw with Irish rivals Munster
Ulster hooker Tom Stewart admits "I don't think I've come to the party well enough" and says the squad must have "honest conversations" after an underwhelming start to the season.
Successive draws with Glasgow and Munster after a loss to Edinburgh leaves Ulster winless in the United Rugby Championship before starting their Challenge Cup campaign away to Zebre next week.
Head coach Richie Murphy said he was "bitterly disappointed" after his side were forced to fight back for a 26-26 draw with Munster, while Stewart questioned his own contributions to the game in Belfast.
"From a personal point of view, I'm not happy with my performances about it. I don't think I've come to the party well enough, I don't know if it's my preparation or the mental side to the game," said Stewart, who captained Ulster against Glasgow and Munster in the injured Iain Henderson's absence.
"It's something I really need to have a look at and plan better or whatever it is, but I need to start understanding why that is the case."
Stewart, who marked his seventh Ireland cap with a try against Japan over the summer, added: "From my own point of view, I need to properly watch back my intent in some of the collisions and my actual process around what I'm doing.
"Then I think we need to have some honest conversations this week within ourselves, with the team, players and coaches to see where we're at."
Ulster travel to Zebre on Saturday (15:15 BST) before travelling to South Africa for difficult URC assignments against the Bulls and Stormers.
For Stewart, Ulster "can't shy away" from the shortcomings in their performances as they strive to kick-start their season.
"It's hard, when you have a game like that you don't want to watch it back," added the 25-year-old.
"You don't want to review yourself properly, you don't want to look at the hard stuff, the nitty-gritty that you haven't done well, but that's where you find the fixes, the learnings.
"The hardest stuff you watch will be the most impactful stuff going forward."
Wafer ruled out of Ireland's South Africa Testspublished at 12:16 BST 9 October
12:16 BST 9 October
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Wafer will not travel to South Africa
Aoife Wafer has been ruled out of Ireland's WXV Global Series trip to South Africa later this month.
The two-time Women's Six Nations player of the tournament missed Ireland's back-to-back wins over Japan in Galway and Cork after sustaining what the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) called a "minor injury in training".
However, the 23-year-old Harlequins player will not travel with head coach Scott Bemand's 30-player squad for the WXV contests against the Springbok Women in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October.
Former co-captain Sam Monaghan remains unavailable with an Achilles injury but second row Ruth Campbell returns from an ankle injury to make the squad.
The squad, led by captain Erin King, includes recently capped players Beth Buttimer, Jemima Adams Verling, Kate Jordan, Sophie Barrett and Alana McInerney.
Following a remote training week after the wins over Japan, the Ireland squad will return to the IRFU High Performance Centre on Monday before travelling to Cape Town on Thursday.
Ireland's only previous meeting with South Africa was a 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup match in Canada, which the Irish won 37-0.
Ireland squad
Forwards (17)
Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(2)
Brittany Hogan (Sale Sharks)(46)
Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)(55)
Dorothy Wall (Exeter Chiefs)(44)
Eilis Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(7)
Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(15)(captain)
Leinster change entire team for homecomingpublished at 15:49 BST 8 October
15:49 BST 8 October
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Sam Prendergast returns at fly-half having come off the bench in the loss to the Sharks in Durban
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.
Seven Ulster changes as Beirne makes Munster returnpublished at 14:56 BST 8 October
14:56 BST 8 October
Matt Gault BBC Sport NI senior journalist
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Stuart McCloskey starts at centre for Ulster while Tadhg Beirne returns to the Munster pack
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has made seven changes for Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against Munster, with returning Ireland internationals Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney included in the starting line-up.
McCloskey, who started all three of Ireland's Nations Championship matches in July, returns at inside centre for the Affidea Stadium contest (17:30 BST), forming a new midfield partnership with summer signing Jamie Benson.
It will be 34-year-old McCloskey's 218th Ulster appearance, moving him alongside former captain Rory Best in joint-third on the province's all-time cap list.
Timoney returns to the back row alongside Ireland team-mate Cormac Izuchukwu, who shifts back from the second row, and Juarno Augustus, while recent recruits Ben Donnell and Eli Snyman form a new second row.
The front row of Eric O'Sullivan, captain Tom Stewart and Keynan Knox is unchanged.
Nathan Doak makes his first start of the season at scrum-half, with Jack Murphy retained at 10 following a try-scoring display in last week's 33-33 draw with Glasgow.
Jacob Stockdale will make his 150th appearance on the left wing a week later than planned after being forced to withdraw from the Glasgow game through injury. Zac Ward, who started in the 11 jersey last week, is not involved.
Robert Baloucoune returns on the right wing after missing the trip to Scotstoun because of concussion, while Ethan McIlroy is retained at full-back.
Henry Walker, returning Ireland international Tom O'Toole, Tom McAllister, James McNabney and David McCann provide forward cover on the bench, while Matthew Devine, Jake Flannery and Chay Mullins are the backline replacements.
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Young fly-half Charlie O'Shea (left) is on the Munster bench while back row Gavin Coombes returns to the starting XV
Munster, who earned an impressive bonus-point win over the Bulls last weekend, are boosted by captain Tadhg Beirne's return from injury.
Having missed the end of last season through injury before featuring for Ireland over the summer, British and Irish Lions second row Beirne returns as one of nine changes made by head coach Clayton McMillan.
Props Jeremy Loughman and Kieran Brookes return to join Marnus van der Merwe in the front row, while Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes form an entirely changed back row.
Ben O'Connor and Alex Nankivell return at full-back and outside centre respectively, while JJ Hanrahan is reinstalled at fly-half.
Charlie O'Shea, 20, is named among the replacements after starring on his first against the Bulls last week.
"JJ Hanrahan was excellent against Glasgow in round one and I was really impressed with how he managed the end game against Bulls last week," said McMillan.
"It has been a whirlwind for Charlie O'Shea, it's hard to believe that it's less than two months since he pitched up with us. He hasn't missed a beat and gets another opportunity this weekend as a replacement."
Munster ran out resounding 41-14 winners when the provinces last met at Thomond Park in April, while Ulster won 28-3 in the last meeting in Belfast on New Year's Day.
Munster appoint ex-Hurricanes chief Lee as interim CEOpublished at 12:06 BST 7 October
12:06 BST 7 October
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Lee spent 10 years as Hurricanes chief executive
Munster have appointed former Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee as interim chief executive following news of Ian Flanagan's imminent departure.
Flanagan last week confirmed he will step down at the end of October after seven years in the role following a turbulent period for the province, with Munster saying Lee will take up the position "towards the end" of this month.
New Zealander Lee served as Hurricanes chief executive for 10 years before stepping down last year. During his tenure, the Wellington-based club won the 2016 Super Rugby title.
"I am honoured to be appointed interim CEO of Munster Rugby. This is a province with a proud history, passionate supporters and a strong reputation within the game," said Lee, who previously played club rugby with Clontarf in Dublin.
"While my professional career has taken me around the world, Ireland has been an important part of my own rugby journey. I spent nearly a decade living here, including playing club rugby, and I developed a deep appreciation for the game's place in Irish communities and the unique connection between rugby clubs and their supporters.
"There are important challenges ahead but I firmly believe there is also tremendous opportunity. I am excited to work alongside our players, coaches, staff, volunteers, partners and supporters as we build on Munster Rugby's strengths and shape a successful future.
"My message to everyone connected with the province is simple: we are stronger when we stand together. If we unite behind a shared ambition and a commitment to excellence, I am confident Munster Rugby can achieve great things in the years ahead."
Munster chair Ger Malone said Lee impressed the board during the interview process with "both the breadth of his rugby experience and his clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing professional sports organisations today".
"He brings strong leadership credentials, significant rugby expertise and a collaborative approach that we believe will be hugely valuable to Munster Rugby," added Malone.
"The Board has every confidence that he will provide strong stewardship of the province and we look forward to working closely with him in the months ahead."
Ulster 'need to put together 80 minutes' - Timoneypublished at 10:27 BST 7 October
10:27 BST 7 October
Richard Petrie BBC Sport NI Journalist
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Ireland back row Timoney has yet to play for Ulster this season
Nick Timoney says Ulster "need to put 80 minutes together" against Munster on Saturday to try and secure their first victory of the United Rugby Championship season.
The Irish province suffered an opening weekend defeat to Edinburgh in Belfast and then drew with Glasgow in a dramatic encounter at Scotstoun.
The Ireland back row sat out both games but is raring to go for this weekend's interprovincial meeting at the Affidea Stadium.
"Lots of glimpses of amazing rugby we have been playing, and lots of impressive performances, we just haven't probably put it together for 80 minutes just yet," Timoney said of Ulster's first two games of the new campaign.
"The Glasgow game was closer to that but we probably left a couple of chances out there to try and win the game. It felt like an improvement from the week before.
"We're striving to get better in a lot of areas and bits of that are coming through.
"It's just about putting it together for 80 minutes on the pitch and if we can do that we will be in a good place."
The Ulster forward added that the squad are keen to make up for the disappointment of last season when they finished outside the top eight in the URC and went down heavily to Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final.
"Last season tailed off a bit and didn't end the way we wanted it to and we just want to rectify that really and I want do the best I can for the team.
"It starts with being the best individual rugby player I can be."
Timoney knows the visiting Munster team will pose a significant challenge.
"There's an intensity to them [interpros] that's a little bit different. We know them a bit better and they know us a bit better than the other teams.
"When this place gets rocking, there is no better atmosphere and there is no better team than Munster to play in that context."
Ward ruled out of Munster game but trio returnpublished at 16:01 BST 6 October
16:01 BST 6 October
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Bryn Ward was injured in Ulster's defeat by Glasgow Warriors
Ulster back row Bryn Ward has been ruled out of Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against Munster because of a knee injury.
Ward sustained the problem in last weekend's dramatic 33-33 draw with Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun.
Scrum-half Matthew Devine is a doubt for the interprovincial encounter at the Affidea Stadium, which has a 17:30 BST kick-off.
The former Connacht player is carrying a shoulder injury and his fitness for selection will be assessed later this week.
On a more positive note for Ulster head coach Richie Murphy, Jacob Stockdale has returned to full training after overcoming the hip injury which forced him to withdraw from the starting line-up for the meeting with Glasgow.
Similarly, Scott Wilson (ankle) and Robert Baloucoune (concussion) have are both fit for selection after injuries.
For Munster, Diarmuid Kilgallen (hamstring), Michael Milne (ankle) and Fineen Wycherley (shoulder) are all unavailable.
Kilgallen and Milne both left the field during the first half of the win over the Bulls, while Wycherley was a late withdrawal before the game.
Brian Gleeson and John Hodnett both passed HIAs on Saturday and are available for selection.
Diarmuid Barron, Jack O'Donoghue and Alex Nankivell are completing the return-to-play protocols.
Ulster are still aiming to secure their first URC win of the season after an opening weekend defeat by Edinburgh in Belfast was followed by a draw in Glasgow.
Munster beat the Bulls in Limerick on Saturday after losing to Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park seven days earlier.
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