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2025–26 Leinster Rugby season

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The 2025–26 season was Leinster Rugby's fifth season in the United Rugby Championship (URC), their 32nd season of professional rugby and their 138th season of representative rugby since their foundation. Along with competing in the URC and its Irish Shield competition, both of which it entered aschampion, the club also participated in the 2025–26 European Rugby Champions Cup. Leinster opened the URC season with an away tie at Stormers on 26 September 2025.[1]

Head coachLeo Cullen
Chief executiveShane Nolan
United Rugby ChampionshipChampions
Champions CupRunner-up
Quick facts Head coach, Chief executive ...
Leinster Rugby
2025–26 season
Head coachLeo Cullen
Chief executiveShane Nolan
United Rugby ChampionshipChampions
Champions CupRunner-up
URC Irish ShieldChampions (5th title)
IRFU Women's InterprosRunner-up
Women's Celtic ChallengeChampions (3rd title)
as Wolfhounds
Top try scorerLeague: Joshua Kenny – (9)
All: Joshua Kenny – (11)
Top points scorerLeague: Sam Prendergast – (75)
All: Harry Byrne – (131)
Highest home attendance51,859 (vs Munster, URC Rd 4)
Lowest home attendance9,463 (vs Lions , Quarter-final)
Average home attendance23,274
← 2024–25 2026–27 →
Close

Leinster emerged once again as United Rugby Championship champions, defeating Pretoria Bulls 36-7 in Dublin in the Grand final, in a repeat of the previous years final. They retained the URC Irish Shield for a fifth time, but were runners-up for a record fifth time in the European Rugby Champions Cup, losing to Bordeaux-Begles in Bilbao.

Leinster Women will contest the 2025 IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series as defending champions, opening their season on 10 August 2025 against Ulster Women. They lost the final to Munster Rugby Women. They also fielded the combined Wolfhounds team, with Ulster Rugby in the 2025–26 Celtic Challenge, once more as defending champions, and retained the title.

Leinster Men

Transfers

Main article: Leinster Rugby

Preseason

Leinster's pre-season campaign consisted of a single match, hosting Cardiff at the South Dublin Tallaght Stadium.

13 September 2025 Ireland Leinster 10–31 Cardiff Wales Tallaght Stadium  
18:00 Report[18]

United Rugby Championship

Matches

The full itinerary of matches was released on 21 May 2025.[19][1]

26 September 2025 (1 BP) Stormers South Africa 35–0 Ireland Leinster Cape Town Stadium  
18:00 Try: Ungerer 45'
Roos (2) 63', 68'
Matthee 71'
Con: Matthee (3) 45', 64', 69'
Pen: Matthee (3) 7', 33', 42'
 Report[20] Cards: Deegan Yellow card 63'
T. O'Brien Yellow card 67'		 Attendance: 13,529
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
4 October 2025 (1 BP) Bulls South Africa 39–31 Ireland Leinster (1 BP) Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria  
17:30 Try: De Klerk 4' c
Kriel (2) 16' m, 78' c
Gumede 41' c
Le Roux 58' m
Jacobs 68' m
Con: Johannes (2) 5', 42'
Kriel 79'
Pen: Johannes 35'
 Report Try: Clarkson 30' c
Cooney 44' c
T. O'Brien 46' c
Penny 66' c
Con: Prendergast (4) 31', 45', 47', 66'
Pen: Prendergast 20'
Cards: Connors Yellow card 21'		 Attendance: 6,937
Referee: Adam Jones
11 October 2025 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 31–5 South Africa Sharks Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 Try: Jamie Osborne 12' c
Jimmy O'Brien 23' c
Van der Flier 27' c
Deegan 49' m
Gus McCarthy 71' m
Con: Harry Byrne (3) 13', 23', 28'
Cards: Boyle Yellow card 74'		 Report Try: Hooker 30' m
 Attendance: 17, 549
18 October 2025 Leinster 14–31 Munster (1 BP) Croke Park, Dublin  
17:15 Try: Kelleher 7' c
Penny 79' c
Con: Prendergast (2) 8', 80+1'
Cards: Frawley Yellow card 77'		 Report Try: Gleeson 17' c
Tom Farrell 23' c
Coughlan 37' c
Penalty try 76'
Con: Crowley (3) 18', 24', 38'
Pen: Crowley 49'
Cards: Coombes Yellow card 79'		 Attendance: 51,859
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
25 October 2025 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 50–26 Italy Zebre Parma (1 BP) Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 Try: Kenny (2) 2' c, 27' c
Soroka (2) 7' m, 12' c
Cahir 48' c
Byrne 55' m
Snyman 68' c
Connors 78' m
Con: Byrne (5) 2', 13', 27', 49', 69'
Cards: A. Osborne Red card 30'		 Report
Scoreboard
Highlights		 Try: Belloni 10' c
Dominguez 20' c
Quattrini 32' c
Marco Zanon 73' m
Con: da Re (3) 11', 21', 33'
Cards: Dominguez Red card 37'		 Attendance: 14,128[21]
Referee: Ian Kenny (Scotland)
28 November 2025 Dragons Wales 10–24 Ireland Leinster (1 BP) Rodney Parade, Newport  
19:45 Try: Screech 31' c
Con: De Beer 32'
Pen: O'Brien 47'
 Report Try: Soroka 4' m
Kenny (2) 44' c, 59' m
Snyman 78' c
Con: Byrne (2) 45', 79'
Cards: Mangan Yellow card 29'
Penny Yellow card 38'
McGrath Yellow card 80'		 Attendance: 4,244[22]
Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
19 December 2025 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 24–20 Ireland Ulster (1 BP) Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
19:45 Try: Ioane 27' c
Kenny 54' m
Lowe 66' m
Sheehan 74' c
Con: Prendergast 27'
Byrne 75'
Cards: Ryan Yellow card 59'		 Report Try: Kok (2) 14' m, 34' c
Stewart 38' m
Con: Doak 35'
Pen: Doak 62'
Cards: McCann Yellow card 72'		 Attendance: 22,011
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
27 December 2025 (1 BP) Munster Ireland 8–13 Ireland Leinster Thomond Park, Limerick  
19:45 Try: Kelly 70' m
Pen: Crowley 55'
 Report Try: Van der Flier 6' c
Con: Byrne 7'
Pen: Byrne (2) 53', 59'
 Attendance: 26,000
Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
3 January 2026 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 52–17 Ireland 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 Yellow card 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 Ireland 23–34 Ireland 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 (Ireland)
31 January 2026 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 28–20 Scotland Edinburgh Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 Try: Deegan 13' c
Penny (3) 44' c, 68' c, 74' c
Con: Tector (4/4) 14', 45', 69', 75'
 Report Try: Van der Merwe 20' m
Satala 39' c
Shiel 80+1' m
Con: Thompson 40'
Pen: Thompson 23'
Cards: Hunter-Hill Yellow card 10'		 Attendance: 18,505
27 February 2026 Cardiff Wales 8–7 Ireland Leinster (1 BP) Cardiff Arms Park  
19:45 Try: Davies 54' m
Pen: Sheedy 19'
Cards: Beetham Yellow card 66'		 Try: McGrath 68'c
Con: Tector 68'
Cards: Tector Yellow card 12'		 Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
21 March 2026 (1 BP) Glasgow Warriors Scotland 38–17 Ireland Leinster Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow  
17:30 Try: Duncan 27' c
Hiddleston 31' m
Horne (2) 34' c, 78' m
Rowe 37' c
Smith 69' c
Con: Horne (4/6) 28', 35', 38', 70'
Cards: Hastings Yellow card 78'		 Try: Kenny 17' m
Keenan 41' c
Frawley 73' m
Con: Prendergast (1/3) 42'
Cards: Deeny Yellow card 26'
Kelleher Yellow card 29'
Slimani Yellow card 79'		 Attendance: 7,321
27 March 2026 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 36–19 Wales Scarlets Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
19:45 Try: Ringrose 29' c
Kenny (2) 34' m, 75' c
O'Brien (2) 43' m, 46' m
Deegan 67' c
Con: Byrne (3/6) 30', 67', 76'
Cards: Deeny Yellow card 17'		 Report Try: Roberts 17'
Rogers 57'
Douglas 72'
Con: Hawkins (2/3) 18', 73'
Cards: Roberts Yellow card 23'
Taylor Yellow card 28'		 Attendance: 15,301
Referee: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
17 April 2026 Ulster Ireland 21–29 Ireland Leinster (1 BP) Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:45 Try: Bryn Ward 55' c
Zac Ward (2) 62' , 65' c
Con: Doak (3/3) 56', 63', 66'
Cards: Sheridan Yellow card 46'		 Report Try: Culhane 17' c
J O'Brien 38' m
Henshaw 45' c
Prendergast 51' c
Con: Prendergast (3/4) 17', 46', 52'
Pen: Prendergast 24'
Cards: Deegan Red card 61'		 Attendance: 18,196
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
25 April 2026 (1 BP) Benetton Italy 29–26 Ireland Leinster (2 BP) Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso  
19:45 Try: Garbisi 9' m
Mendy 47' c
Gasperini (2) 61' c, 71' c
Con: Umaga (3/4) 48', 62', 72'
Pen: Umaga 80+3'
 Report Try: O'Tighearnaigh 14' c
Van der Flier 36' c
Gibson-Park 43' m
Frawley 66' c
Con: Byrne (2/3) 15', 37'
Prendergast (1/1) 67'
 Attendance: 6,327
Referee: Ferreira (South Africa)
9 May 2026 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 31–7 South Africa Lions Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 Try: J Osborne 2' c
Clarkson 24' c
Keenan 70' c
Ioane 74' m
J O'Brien 80' m
Con: Prendergast (2/2) 3', 24'
Frawley (1/3) 71'
 Report Try: F. Horn 35' c
Con: C. W. Smith 36'
 Attendance: 16,259
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
16 May 2026 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 68–14 Wales Ospreys Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:15 Try: J McCarthy (3) 4' c, 55' m, 62' c
Deegan 7' c
Van der Flier 20' c
J O'Brien 23' c
Ringrose 44' c
Larmour (2) 53'c, 58' c
Lowe 64'c
Con: Byrne (4/4) 4', 7', 21', 24'
Frawley (5/6) 45', 53', 58', 63', 65'
 Report Try: Owen-Sutton 31' c
D. Edwards 78' c
Con: D. Edwards (2/2) 32', 79'
 Attendance: 15,104[23]
Referee: Ru Campbell (Scotland)

Table

More information Pos, Pld ...
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Glasgow Warriors 18 13 0 5 479 338 +141 72 48 11 2 65 Qualification for the Champions Cup and knockout stage
2 Leinster (CH) 18 12 0 6 515 370 +145 77 51 13 2 63
3 Stormers 18 12 1 5 504 344 +160 63 48 9 1 60
4 Bulls (RU) 18 12 0 6 576 406 +170 82 59 10 1 59
5 Munster 18 11 0 7 396 376 +20 59 51 8 3 55
6 Cardiff 18 11 0 7 353 372 −19 52 52 7 4 55
7 Lions 18 10 1 7 532 473 +59 73 70 9 3 54
8 Connacht 18 10 0 8 442 395 +47 62 56 10 4 54
9 Ulster 18 9 1 8 494 420 +74 72 60 10 4 52 Qualification for the Challenge Cup
10 Sharks 18 8 1 9 467 428 +39 71 57 9 3 46
11 Ospreys 18 7 2 9 376 454 −78 55 69 4 3 39
12 Edinburgh 18 7 0 11 362 439 −77 57 66 6 4 38
13 Benetton 18 6 2 10 327 493 −166 41 71 4 1 33
14 Scarlets 18 4 2 12 361 460 −99 52 63 3 5 28
15 Dragons 18 3 4 11 350 481 −131 46 71 4 4 28
16 Zebre 18 2 0 16 312 587 −275 43 85 3 4 15
Close
Updated to match(es) played on 16 May 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.[24]

Playoffs

The top eight teams in the regular season standings advance to the knockout stage, a single-elimination tournament culminating in a Grand Final to crown the overall champion.

Teams are seeded based on the regular season standings, with teams ranked 1–4 receiving home field advantage in the quarter-final, with 1 playing 8, 2 playing 7 etc. The top two teams in the standings are seeded so as not to meet until the Grand Final.

Home-field advantage for the semi-finals and Grand Final will be awarded to the highest-ranked team in each tie; the top two teams are therefore guaranteed home advantage until the final for as long as they remain in the tournament, and the top ranked team, Glasgow Warriors, in the standings will be awarded home advantage should they reach the Grand Final. In the build up to the final week of the regular season, it was reported that Glasgow Warriors may be forced to play a semi-final and final outside Scotland due to venue unavailability, although they would technically remain the home team. In the week of the quarter-final, it was announced they would, if they progressed, play their semi-final and Grand Final on home soil, at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.[25]

Cardiff and Lions both made the play-offs for the first time. Stormers, Glasgow Warriors, Leinster, Munster and Bulls reached their fifth URC play-off phase from five seasons. Glasgow Warriors became the first non-Irish team to top the regular season table and take the number one seeding since they did so themselves in 2019.

Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
         
1 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 33
8 Ireland Connacht 21
1 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 21
4 South Africa Bulls 22
4 South Africa Bulls 45
5 Ireland Munster 14
2 Ireland Leinster 36
4 South Africa Bulls 7
3 South Africa Stormers 44
6 Wales Cardiff 21
2 Ireland Leinster 20
3 South Africa Stormers 11
2 Ireland Leinster 59
7 South Africa Lions 10

Quarter-final

30 May 2026 Leinster Ireland (2) 59–10 (7) South Africa Lions Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
19:45 Try: Sheehan 10' c
Keenan 15' c
Ryan 40' c
Penny 43' m
Prendergast 46' c
G. McCarthy 55' c
O'Brien 64' c
Lowe (2) 68' c, 80+1' m
Con: Prendergast (7/9) 11', 16', 40+1', 47', 56', 65', 69'
Cards: Clarkson Yellow card 35'		 Report Try: Van Wyk (2) 36' m, 58' m
Cards: Horn Yellow card 54'		 Attendance: 9,493
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Semi-final

6 June 2026 Leinster Ireland (2) 20 – 11 (3) South Africa Stormers Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 Try: Ioane 8' c
Gibson-Park 70' c
Con: Prendergast 9'
Byrne 71'
Pen: Prendergast (2) 18', 24'
 Report Try: A. Smith 28' m
Pen: Matthee (2) 35', 53'
Cards: Ackermann Red card 69'
Zas Yellow card 47'
Moerat Yellow card 70'		 Attendance: 15,346
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)

URC Grand Final

Main article: 2026 United Rugby Championship Grand Final
19 June 2026 Leinster Ireland (2) 36 – 7 (4) South Africa Bulls Croke Park, Dublin  
19:30 Try: T O'Brien 6' c
Ioane 16' m
Conan 27' c
Prendergast 46' c
Byrne 76' c
Con: Prendergast (3/4) 6', 27', 46'
Byrne 77'
Pen: Prendergast 32'
Cards: Lowe Yellow card 58'		 Report Try: Moodie 62' c
Con: Pollard 63'
Cards: Moodie Yellow card 2'
le Roux Yellow card 25'		 Attendance: 39,184
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)[26]

URC Irish Shield

More information Team, P ...
2025–26 United Rugby Championship Regional Shield tables view · watch · edit · discuss
Ireland Irish Shield
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts Pos overall
1Ireland Leinster 6501166120+46231540242
2Ireland Munster 630312691+35161521155
3Ireland Connacht 6204131157–27182122128
4Ireland Ulster 6204131147–16182212119
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[27]
  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

Close

European Rugby Champions Cup

Leinster were drawn in Pool 3 of the European Rugby Champions Cup alongside fellow URC side Stormers (whom Leinster did not play in line with the competition's rules), Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, Bayonne and erstwhile rivals La Rochelle. The full fixture details were released on 15 July 2025.

Pool stage

6 December 2025 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 45–28 England Harlequins (1 BP) Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 Try: Larmour (2) 5' m, 25' m
Ringrose 17' c
Frawley 40' c
T O'Brien 61' c
Conan 65' c
J O'Brien 68' c
Con: Prendergast (2/4) 17', 40'
Byrne (3/3) 62', 66', 69'
Cards: J O'Brien Yellow card 59'		 Report Try: Northmore 12' c
Cleaves 34' c
Penalty try 51'
Beard 78' c
Con: Evans (2/2) 13', 35'
Benson (1/1) 79'
Cards: Evans Yellow card 58'		 Attendance: 22,298
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
12 December 2025 Leicester Tigers England 15–23 Ireland Leinster Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Leicester  
20:00 Try: Radwan 21' c
Hassell-Collins 40' m
Con: Searle (1) 22'
Pen: Searle (20')
 Report Try: Gibson-Park 50' c
Sheehan 72' c
Con: Byrne 51'
Prendergast 73'
Pen: Byrne (3) 15', 32', 61'
 Attendance: 18,061
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
10 January 2026 (1 BP) Leinster Ireland 25–24 France La Rochelle (1 BP) Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 Try: Kenny (2) 2’ m, 8’ c
Van der Flier 66’ m
Henshaw 69’ m
Con: Prendergast (1/3) 9'
Pen: Byrne (1/1) 80+1'
Cards: O'Brien Yellow card 12'
J McCarthy Yellow card 36'		 Report Try: Niniashvili 28’ c
West (2) 58' c, 76' c
Con: Le Garrec (3/3) 29', 59', 77'
Pen: Le Garrec (1/1) 54'
 Attendance: 38,044
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
17 January 2026 Bayonne France 13–22 Ireland Leinster Stade Jean-Dauger, Bayonne  
16:15 Try: Maqala 14' c
Con: Segonds (1/1) 15'
Pen: Segonds (2/3) 23', 59'
Cards: Jantjies Yellow card 49'		 Report Try: Sheehan 55' c
Prendergast 73' c
Deegan 79' m
Con: Byrne (2/3) 56', 74'
Pen: Byrne (1/1) 20'
 Attendance: 14,627
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
More information Pos, Pld ...
European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 3
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Ireland Leinster (3) 4 4 0 0 115 80 +35 16 10 2 0 18 Home Champions Cup round of 16
2 England Harlequins (6) 4 3 0 1 184 86 +98 26 14 3 0 15
3 South Africa Stormers (9) 4 3 0 1 117 125 −8 15 19 2 0 14 Away Champions Cup round of 16
4 England Leicester Tigers (16) 4 1 0 3 118 115 +3 17 15 2 0 6
5 France La Rochelle (11CC) 4 1 0 3 101 114 −13 15 15 1 1 6 Away Challenge Cup round of 16
6 France Bayonne 4 0 0 4 58 173 −115 8 24 0 0 0
Close
Source: EPCR[28]
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.

Knockout stage

Leinster qualified for the round of sixteen when they confirmed a top four finish in Pool 3 in Round 3. They confirmed a top four seeding, a home tie in the round of 16, and a potential home quarter-final, with victory over Bayonne in Round 4 of Pool 3. In the round of 16, Leinster will host Edinburgh as third seeds overall.

Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
            
1 France Bordeaux Bègles 64
16 England Leicester Tigers 14
1 France Bordeaux Bègles 30
8 France Toulouse 15
8 France Toulouse 59
9 England Bristol Bears 26
1 France Bordeaux Bègles 38
4 England Bath 26
4 England Bath 31
13 England Saracens 22
4 England Bath 43
5 England Northampton Saints 41
5 England Northampton Saints 49
12 France Castres 41
1 France Bordeaux Bègles 41
3 Ireland Leinster 19
2 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 25
15 South Africa Bulls 21
2 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 19
7 France Toulon 22
7 France Toulon 28
10 South Africa Stormers 27
3 Ireland Leinster 29
7 France Toulon 25
3 Ireland Leinster 49
14 Scotland Edinburgh 31
3 Ireland Leinster 43
11 England Sale Sharks 13
6 England Harlequins 17
11 England Sale Sharks 26

Round of 16

5 April 2026 Leinster Ireland (3) 49–31 (14) Scotland Edinburgh Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 Try: T. O'Brien (2) 1' c, 8' c
J. O'Brien 24' c
Keenan 36' c
Van der Flier 55' c
Clarkson 62' c
Ioane 64' c
Con: Byrne (7/7) 2', 9', 25', 37', 56', 63', 65'
 Report Try: Shiel 15' m
Thompson (2) 19' c, 27' c
Currie 39' c
Graham 51' m
Con: Thompson (3/5) 20', 27', 40'
 Attendance: 21,491
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Quarter-final

11 April 2026 Leinster Ireland (3) 43–13 (11) England Sale Sharks Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 Try: Sheehan 9' c
Keenan 43' m
Baird 53' c
Ioane 56' c
T. O'Brien 62' c
Osborne 80' c
Con: Byrne (5/6) 10', 54', 57', 63', 80'
Pen: Byrne (1/1) 74'
 Report Try: Wills 68' c
Con: Ford (1/1) 69'
Pen: Ford (2/2) 34', 46'
Cards: D. du Preez Yellow card 36'
McIntyre Yellow card 43'		 Attendance: 18,839
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)

Semi-final

2 May 2026 Leinster Ireland (3) 29–25 (7) France Toulon Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
15:00 Try: Conan 12’
Van der Flier 32’
Ringrose 43’
Doris 66’
Con: Byrne (3/3) 13', 32', 67'
Pen: Byrne (1/3) 48'
Cards: Porter Yellow card 35'
Byrne Yellow card 36'		 Report Try: Tuicuvu 36'
Serin 69'
Drean 75'
Con: Jaminet (2/3) 70', 76'
Pen: Jaminet (2) 15', 25'
Cards: Baubigny Yellow card 43'		 Attendance: 38,555
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Final

Main article: 2026 European Rugby Champions Cup final
23 May 2026 Bordeaux Bègles France (1) 41–19 (3) Ireland Leinster San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao  
15:45 CEST (UTC+02) Try: Lucu 13' c
Uberti 17' c
Bielle-Biarrey (2) 24' c, 35' c
Moefana 41' c
Con: Lucu (5/5) 14', 18', 25', 36', 42'
Pen: Lucu (2/2) 59', 64'
 Report Try: O'Brien 8' c
J. McCarthy 45' m
Ringrose 71' c
Con: Byrne (1/1) 9'
Frawley (1/2) 71'
 Attendance: 52,327
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)

Leinster 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 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.[29]

As in previous seasons the competition also features playoffs and a final.[30][31][32]

Leinster Women returned as defending champions, but lost in the final to Munster Women.

Table

More information Pos, Team ...
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
Close
First match(es) will be played: Unknown. Source: Unknown
Rules for classification: 1) competition points; 2) match points difference; 3) match points for

Matches

10 August 2025 (1 BP) Leinster Women Ireland 37–21 Ireland Ulster Women Energia Park  
14:30 Try: Baker (2)
Brogan (3)
Neill
Gaffney
Con: Caughey (1/7)		 Report Try: Sheerin
Daley
Barrett
Con: Sheerin (3/3)		 Referee: Cian Aherne (Ireland)
16 August 2025 (1 BP) Leinster Women Ireland 22–33 Ireland Munster Women (1 BP) Energia Park  
14:30 Try: Elmes Kinlan
Baker
Boyne
Whelan
Con: O'Sullivan Sexton (1/4)		 Report Try: Pearse (2)
Ugwueru
Flannery
Corey
Con: Finn (4/5)
23 August 2025 (1 BP) Connacht Women Ireland 12–17 Ireland Leinster Women Dexcom Stadium, Galway  
14:30 Try: Dixon
Oviawe
Con: Nic Dhonnacha (1/2)		 Report Try: Burke
Layde
Elmes Kinlan
Con: O'Sullivan Sexton (1/3)		 Referee: John Lillis (Ireland)

Final

30 August 2025 Leinster Women Ireland 15–50 Ireland Munster Women Donnybrook Stadium  
16:30 Try: Whelan (2)
Elmes Kinlan		 Report, 2 Try: Pearse
Nic a Bháird 2
Corey
Óg O'Leary
Finn
Cahill
Con: Finn (6/7)
Pen: Finn		 Referee: Daniel Carson (Ireland)

Celtic Challenge

Main article: 2025–26 Celtic Challenge

The 2025–26 Celtic Challenge was 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 featured a 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.[33][34]

Wolfhounds, a combined team representing Leinster and Ulster, return as two-time defending champions.

Table

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Ireland Wolfhounds (Q) 10 9 0 1 431 127 +304 66 20 9 0 45 Play-offs
2 Ireland Clovers (Q) 10 8 0 2 294 231 +63 48 37 7 0 39
3 Wales Gwalia Lightning (Q) 10 4 0 6 217 212 +5 34 35 5 4 25
4 Wales Brython Thunder (Q) 10 5 0 5 150 218 −68 24 35 2 1 23
5 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 10 2 0 8 154 236 −82 32 49 6 3 17
6 Scotland Edinburgh Rugby 10 2 0 8 152 321 −169 19 37 3 1 12
Close
First match(es) will be played: 20 December 2025. Source: Celtic Challenge[35]
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.

Matches

20 December 2025 (1 BP) Wolfhounds Ireland 34–7 Scotland Edinburgh Rugby Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin  
14:30 Try: Barrett (2)
Daley
Boylan
Higgins
Djougang
Con: O'Brien (2)
 Report Try: Moody
Con: MacRae
Cards: Scarlett Haddow Yellow card 59'		 Referee: Padraic Reidy
3 January 2026 Clovers Ireland 7–24 Ireland Wolfhounds (1 BP) Creggs RFC  
15:00 Try: Adams Verling 40+2' c
Con: Finn 40+3'
 Report Try: Dalton 6' c
O’Connor 37' m
Boylan 64' m
Higgins 69' c
Con: O'Brien (2) 7', 70'
 Referee: Shane Tuohy
10 January 2026 Edinburgh Rugby Scotland 12–50 Ireland Wolfhounds (1 BP) Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh  
15:00 Try: Bell
Tawake
Con: Marlow
 Report Try: King
Daley
Reilly
Dalton
Marley
Boylan
Corcoran
Flood
Con: O'Brien (4)
Moyles
18 January 2026 (1 BP) Wolfhounds Ireland 69–0 Wales Brython Thunder Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
12:00 Try: Marley
Penalty try
Elmes Kinlan (2)
O'Connor (2)
Djougang
Flood
Clenaghan
Gaffney
Smyth
Con: O'Brien (3)
Flood (2)
 Cards: Neumann Yellow card 17' Referee: Rob McGreer (Ireland)
25 January 2026 (1 BP) Wolfhounds Ireland 52–26 Scotland Glasgow Warriors (1 BP) Musgrave Park, Cork  
15:00 Try: Molloy (2)
King
Corrigan
Djougang
Tuite
Óg O’Leary
Elmes Kinlan
Con: Moyles (6/8)
Cards: Tuite Yellow card 61'		 Report Try: Bogan
Darroch
McNamara
Phimister
Con: Warren (3/4)
 Referee: Kevin Coffey (Ireland)
1 February 2026 (1 BP) Wolfhounds Ireland 44–10 Wales Gwalia Lightning Musgrave Park, Cork  
12:30 Try: Boylan
Higgins
Elmes Kinlan
Daley
Tuite
Reilly
Clenaghan (2)
Con: O'Brien
Moyles
Cards: Tuite Yellow card		 Report Try: Thomas-Bradley
Con: Palmer
Pen: Hughes
 Referee: Tomás O'Sullivan (Ireland)
15 February 2026 Glasgow Warriors Scotland 26–42 Ireland Wolfhounds Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow  
14:00 Try: McNamara
Sutcliffe
Coubrough
Warren
Con: Warren (3)
 Try: Corrigan
King (2)
Smyth
Tuite
Reilly
Con: Myles (6)
Cards: Daley Yellow card		 Referee: Murray Oliver
21 February 2026 Brython Thunder Wales 14–0 Ireland Wolfhounds Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli  
12:30 Try: Williams
Picton-Powell
Con: Marshall (2)
 Report
28 February 2026 Gwalia Lightning Wales 7–52 Ireland Wolfhounds (1 BP) CSE, Ystrad Mynach  
13:00 Try: Lewis
Con: Hughes
 Try: King
Corrigan (2)
Djougang
Higgins
Daley
Larn
Flood
Con: O'Brien (6/8)
7 March 2026 (1 BP) Wolfhounds Ireland 43–20 Ireland Clovers (1 BP) UCD Bowl, Dublin  
15:00 Try: Moore
Daley (2)
Marley
King (2)
O'Connor
Con: O'Brien (4/7)
Cards: Clenaghan Red card		 Report Try: Parsons
McGann (2)
Whelan

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. On 28 March, Wolfhounds won their third title, defeating Clovers 50 - 29.

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
 21 March 2026 – Galway
 
 
 Ireland Wolfhounds 36
 
 28 March 2026 – Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh[36]
 
 Wales Brython Thunder 10
 
 Ireland Wolfhounds 50
 
 21 March 2026 – Galway
 
 Ireland Clovers 29
 
 Ireland Clovers35
 
 
 Wales Gwalia Lightning 20
 

Semi-finals

21 March 2026
14:30
Wolfhounds Ireland36–10Wales Brython Thunder
Try: Naoise Smyth
Stacey Flood (2)
Niamh Higgins
Vicky Elmes Kinlan
Robyn O'Connor
Con: Dannah O'Brien (3)		ReportTry: Branwen Metcalfe
Jorja Aiono
Dexcom Stadium, Galway
Referee: John Lillis (IRFU)
21 March 2026
12:00
Clovers Ireland35–20Wales Gwalia Lightning
Try: Beth Buttimer
Béibhinn Parsons
Alana McInerney (2)
Ruth Campbell
Con: Enya Breen (5)		Report, 2Try: Alaw Pyrs (2)
Caitlin Lewis
Con: Carys Hughes
Pen: Hughes
Dexcom Stadium, Galway
Referee: Paul O’Connor (IRFU)

Final

28 March 2026
15:00
Wolfhounds Ireland50 - 29Ireland Clovers
Try: Vicky Elmes Kinlan (2)
Linda Djougang (2)
Erin King (2)
Maeve Óg O’Leary
Caoimhe Molloy
Con: Dannah O’Brien (4)
Abby Moyles		ReportTry: Niamh Murphy
Eilís Cahill (2)
Béibhinn Parsons (2)
Con: Enya Breen (2)
Cards: Ailish Quinn Yellow card
Edinburgh Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Jonny Mackenzie (SRU)

References

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