Irish Rugby

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

European Challenge Cup quarter-final

Montpellier (26) 45

Tries: Penalty try, Tolofua, Haouas, Miotti, Cadot, Price, Welsch, Cons: Miotti (2), Vincent (2)

Connacht (8) 22

Tries: Tierney-Martin, Naughton, Aungier Cons: Gilbert (2) Pens: Gilbert

Montpellier ended Connacht's six-game winning run as they picked up a 45-22 victory at the Septeo Stadium to progress to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

Stuart Lancaster's side trailed 26-8 at the break in France with ill-discipline contributing to the deficit as Connacht received three yellow cards in the first half.

Montpellier capitalised by scoring four first-half tries and they added three in the second period to ease to victory.

They will now face the winner of the quarter-final between Zebre and Dragons in the last four in May.

Montpellier too strong for Connacht

Image source, Inpho

Sam Gilbert kicked an early penalty to put Connacht ahead on three minutes before Montpellier hit back when they were awarded a penalty try three minutes later following a five-metre maul.

Things went from bad to worse to Connacht when they were reduced to 13 men for a spell as both Dylan Tierney-Martin and Shamus Hurley-Langton were shown yellow cards.

Montpellier took full advantage and added a second try on 14 minutes through Christopher Tolofua.

Returning to full complement, Connacht battled back and reduced the deficit when Tierney-Martin finished off a free-flowing move in the corner.

Mohamed Haouas and Domingo Miotti then crossed before the break with Shayne Bolton also shown a yellow card for Connacht, as Montpellier went in with a comfortable half-time lead.

Sean Naughton then cut the gap for Lancaster's side soon after the restart as he crossed under the posts, but again Montpellier responded to re-establish their healthy advantage.

Auguste Cadot scored the pick of the tries for the hosts on 52 minutes as he weaved his way through a number of challenges before racing over with Ali Price adding a sixth by diving over the line from close range to all but secure the win.

Jack Aungier scored a late consolation try for Connacht before Valentin Welsch rounded off the scoring with a last-minute score for Montpellier.

Montpellier: Banks; Taofifenua, Cadot, Anyanwu, Echegaray; Miotti, Price; Erdocio, Tolofua, Haouas, Verhaeghe, DuGuid; Camara, Becognee, Vunipola (capt)

Replacements: Akrab, Forletta, Welsch, Tauleigne, Nouchi, Rates, T Vincent, A Vincent

Connacht: Gilbert; Bolton, Forde, Aki, Mullins; Naughton, M Devine; Bohan, Tierney-Martin, Illo; Joyce, Murray; Prendergast (c), Hurley-Langton, Boyle

Replacements: Victory, Dooley, Aungier, J Murphy, O'Brien, B Murphy, Carty, J Devine

Image source, Getty Images

Hooker Dan Sheehan will captain Leinster for their Investec Champions Cup quarter-final against Sale Sharks at Aviva Stadium on Saturday with Caelan Doris ruled out of the game.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen makes three changes in total from the team which started last week's 49-31 last-16 victory over Edinburgh.

With Andrew Porter also out, 20-year-old academy prop Alex Usanov will make his first start in the Champions Cup after coming on for Porter at half-time on Sunday.

James Ryan returns from a calf injury to play in the second row alongside Joe McCarthy while Garry Ringrose is also back and partners Jamie Osborne at centre.

As a result, Rieko Ioane, who started at centre against Edinburgh, shifts to left wing, while Ryan Baird moves to lock and Jack Conan switches from blindside flanker to number eight in the absence of Doris.

On the bench, Ronan Kelleher, Jerry Cahir and Scott Penny are recalled to the matchday squad.

Leinster: Keenan: T O'Brien, Ringrose, Osborne, Ioane; Byrne, Gibson-Park; Usanov, Sheehan (capt), Furlong; McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: Kelleher, Cahir, Clarkson, Deegan, Penny, McGrath, Frawley, Henshaw.

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland scrum coach Denis Fogarty said the side must "not let the games go past us" during the Six Nations.

Ireland's first fixture is against hosts England at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday [14:25 BST] with over 75,000 tickets sold, a tournament record.

World champions England are aiming to secure their eighth successive title and a fifth consecutive Grand Slam.

"One goal for us is to win all our home games, the last couple of years we have only won two games in the Six Nations. It didn't feel right, we felt we were better than that," Fogarty said.

"We looked at the occasion, I think it is important that we make our mark in these games and not let the games go past us, even at the back end of the games.

"Especially against England and France, we want to turn one of those teams over and that is our mindset going into it. Obviously, the home games will be really important for us overall."

Last year, England were the comfortable 49-5 victors against Scott Bemand's side at Virgin Media Park in Cork for their 12th successive victory over Ireland.

Fogarty also acknowledged that the side struggled with scrums during that match and it "has definitely hurt" him.

"We have spoken about it and the area has probably lingered around for quite some time, it has definitely hurt me and the players," he continued.

"Even prepping for the World Cup and the World Cup, we have moved that forward, we knew we needed to.

"This week, they have really gone after this area to make sure we don't let it happen again as it did have a big impact in the game. They have prepped really well and we are confident it will not happen again."

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster winger Jacob Stockdale said Friday's Challenge Cup quarter-final against La Rochelle is a chance to "create a statement for ourselves" [20:00 BST].

Richie Murphy's side defeated Ospreys 28-24 at the Affidea Stadium to advance to the last eight.

La Rochelle won the Champions Cup in 2022 and 2023 and were the victors against Newcastle Red Bulls to set up the tie in Belfast.

"It's an exciting game as they are a big French giant. I feel like we do play well whenever big French teams come to town, so, I'm really excited about it," Stockdale told BBC Sport NI's Mark Sidebottom.

"I think there's an opportunity to put in a massive performance and hopefully create a bit of a statement for ourselves.

"We need to focus on ourselves, just bring the best version of ourselves, and hope that that's enough and I think it will be."

Despite playing four times against La Rochelle during his career so far and Ulster only winning one of those matches, Stockdale believes that the side can take confidence into the game after the Ospreys win.

The home side trailed 17-14 before Stockdale and Nick Timoney crossed the line in the second half to secure Ulster's quarter-final spot.

"It was frustrating on the pitch but, looking back and reviewing it, it's quite encouraging because we were able to beat a good Ospreys in a tight encounter, but actually leave a lot on the pitch," he continued.

"We felt like we weren't really anywhere near our best and the best we've shown so far this season.

"So that's exciting that we can hopefully right those wrongs this week and put in a big, big performance on Friday."

Image source, Getty Images

Massimo De Lutiis has ended speculation of a move to Ireland by signing a three-year contract with Australia and the Queensland Reds.

The 22-year-old tight-head prop was linked with a move to Ulster but has committed his future to Australia until the end of the 2029 season.

De Lutiis, who weighs 126kg, said his family and the chance to represent Australia at a home World Cup next year were key factors in his decision.

"I had a lot to weigh up. I spent a good week or two going through it and it was a bit stressful," said De Lutiis, who is yet to make his Test debut for Australia.

"I definitely feel like a weight has been lifted with this decision. Now I'm locked in, I can focus on the next three years in Australia."

Sydney-born De Lutiis played nine Super Rugby Pacific games for the Reds last season but has not featured this term because of a hamstring injury.

"Despite challenges with injury, he's a committed professional and he's only going to get better and better," said Reds coach Les Kiss, who will replace Joe Schmidt as Wallabies boss later this year.

"He's an important and respected figure in the Reds locker room."

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland full-back Stacey Flood said "a performance is really important" for Scott Bemand side against England in their opening Women's Six Nations game.

The Irish face the world champions at Twickenham on Saturday in front of what is set to be a tournament record crowd as more than 67,000 tickets have already been sold, all but guaranteeing an improvement on the existing record crowd of 58,498 set against France in 2023.

It will be a tough ask for Ireland to start with a victory given the Red Roses have won seven straight Six Nations titles and last lost a game in 2018, but Flood is relishing the chance to play in such a big occasion and potentially cause an upset.

"They're coming off the back of winning a home World Cup which is extraordinary, ticket sales are so good and we'll hopefully beat the record in Twickenham," she told BBC Sport NI.

"They'll want a big game but we want a big game too. A performance is really important to start our Six Nations well."

Centre Eve Higgins added that the game will be a good chance for Ireland to assess where they are in comparison to the world's best side.

Ireland held England to a 7-5 scoreline at half-time in Cork in last year's championship only for England to blow them away in the second half to win 49-5.

"I always want to play the best teams in the world, I get up for them," she said.

"They're the best in the world for a reason and you want to see how not only you as a player, but as a team play against them, so really looking forward to it.

"I was part of the team that played them in 2024 at Twickenham [when England won 88-10 in front of 48,778 fans] and to see those crowds again will be cool.

"They're top of the game with crowds and the World Cup was special so it will be a cool experience."

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster have confirmed that Rob Herring and Nathan Doak are injury doubts for Friday's Challenge Cup quarter-final against La Rochelle (20:00 BST).

Herring (calf) and Doak (ankle) both picked up injuries in Saturday's 28-24 victory over Ospreys at the Affidea Stadium.

Scrum-half Doak made his international debut in the Six Nations and has been influential in Ulster's impressive form this season.

"We are still waiting on both of the guys," Ulster defence coach Willie Faloon told BBC Sport NI.

"They both took part in some parts of training and we will see where we are at the weekend."

Stewart Moore (knee), Rory McGuire (shoulder), James McNabney (knee), Michael Lowry (groin) and Robert Baloucoune (elbow) will remain sidelined this weekend.

Richie Murphy's side face La Rochelle for a spot in the Challenge Cup semi-finals with the northern province unbeaten in their past two games.

This weekend's visitors defeated Newcastle Red Bulls 26-18 to reach the last eight and have won three of their past four fixtures.

Montpellier host Connacht, Benetton welcome Exeter Chiefs and Zebre face Dragons in the other quarter-finals.