
Leinster confirm Croke Park to host URC meeting with Munster
The provinces also went to battle at Croke Park last season - a fixture that ended in a 26-12 win for Leo Cullen's Leinster - in front of a sold-out stadium of over 80,000 supporters.
Ireland international trio James Lowe, Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan - and Springbok RG Snyman, against his old employers - all dotted down inside an impressive first half showing.
Leinster confirmed the Jones Road stadium as the venue for the URC Round 4, October 18 clash (kick-off 5.15pm), with the RDS still under redevelopment.
The interprovincial meeting will be Leinster's first trip back to the stadium since the BKT URC Grand Final against the Vodacom Bulls in June, which Leinster won 32-7.
Both the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park will serve as home venues for Leinster until they return to the RDS for the start of the 2026/27 season.
For new Munster boss, Clayton McMillan, it's another big day in the late-2025 calendar, as his side will also welcome Gloucester to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the Champions Cup on Saturday, December 13.
Tickets for the match will go on public sale on Friday, August 29.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Blessington spring surprise on Avondale in Junior B football
Other Sports Four Wicklow women represent Leinster in Interpro opener Four County Wicklow ladies featured for Leinster during their 37-21 victory over Ulster in the opening round of the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship at Energia Park on Sunday afternoon.


Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Irish Times
Connacht and Munster takes wins in Women's Interpros second round
Women's Interprovincal Championship, Round 2: Connacht 12 Ulster 7; Leinster 22 Munster 33 Connacht delivered a deserved victory in the Women's Interprovincial Championship to maintain their strong record against Ulster at Dexcom Stadium. Having suffered a punishing 44-5 loss against Munster, Connacht were looking for redemption in their second interpro of the season, which they achieved with a superior second-half display despite losing two players to injury and having been 7-0 down at the break. Ulster enjoyed that one-score lead courtesy of a try scored after nine minutes – their physicality making it count, having wrested control from Connacht's early dominance. Taking advantage of two successive penalties to lay the platform, Ulster recycled the ball twice before the powerful Siobhán Sheeran crashed through three tackles. READ MORE Ulster dominated the next 20 minutes, save for a 16th-minute Connacht penalty. The home side failed to capitalise on the incursion into the opposition 22 after the ball was kicked dead from a penalty. It gave Ulster momentum to force their physicality on the game and put Connacht on the back foot. But the hosts' defence kept their visitors out on three occasions with impressive tackling and accurate counter-rucking, and Connacht looked more dangerous following the interval, using the wind advantage well. Camped on the line, a misplaced pass went into touch, costing them a scoring opportunity. Hannah Clarke was always threatening with ball in hand, while No 8 Jemima Adams Verling regularly powered over the gain line, yet Ulster maintained their defensive discipline to keep the home side at bay. Connacht's Jemima Adams Verling in action against Ulster. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Connacht were not helped by the loss of Kayla Waldron, who had just returned from a leg injury that had ruled her out for more than a year. Play was halted for 10 minutes while the Railway Union outhalf was stretchered off the field. On the resumption, good work at the breakdown from lock Poppy Garvey and Adams Verling delivered another opportunity for Connacht, but it was the introduction of Faithe Oviawe that provided the spark. After several attempts, the flanker forced her way over to score a well-deserved try, with Éabha Nic Dhonnacha adding the conversion. It levelled the score 7-7 after 54 minutes before a scrum penalty gave Connacht chance to push for the win. From a kick to touch, they made it count – Oviawe helping prop Roisin Maher to push through for what would become the winning score. Nic Dhonnacha's conversion was inches wide of the uprights. Connacht, now leading 12-7, carved another try-scoring opportunity, but were held up by the Ulster pack. With the breeze behind them, Emer O'Dowd's side continued to dominate possession and territory despite losing Emily Foley to injury, and held on for the hard-earned win. Aoife Corey in action for Munster against Leinster. Photograph: Andrew Conan/INpho In Dublin, Munster put themselves in pole position for a shot at the title following a business-like 33-22 win over Leinster at Energia Park. Playing with a maturity beyond her years, 19-year-old outhalf Caitríona Finn turned in her second player-of-the-match performance in the space of a week as Munster handed the defending champions a rare home defeat. Chisom Ugwueru's try just before half-time, adding to a quick-fire Chloe Pearse brace either side of the 20-minute mark, had Munster leading 19-10 as they proved clinical with ball in hand. Yellow cards for Lisa Callan and Jane Neill hampered the hosts, but that didn't stop Kathy Baker from crossing the line in the 28th minute. However, Matt Brown's charges effectively sealed the result when Kate Flannery and Aoife Corey both touched down inside 12 minutes of the restart. Molly Boyne and Katie Whelan replied late on for Leinster, giving them their own bonus point. With back-to-back bonus point victories, Munster look favourites for the final in Donnybrook in two weeks' time. First though, they travel to Belfast next Saturday to face Ulster (kick-off 4.15pm), while Connacht are at home to Leinster (kick-off 2.30pm).


The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Johnny Sexton and wife Laura have unexpected reunion with Ireland legend's former rival at Oasis concert in Croke Park
Two of Sexton's former teammates were also at the concert BIG NAMES Johnny Sexton and wife Laura have unexpected reunion with Ireland legend's former rival at Oasis concert in Croke Park JOHNNY SEXTON met one of his fiercest former rivals as he and his wife went to see Oasis at Croke Park. The former Ireland and Leinster out-half and his wife Laura were among the swarms of fans who were at the concert at GAAHQ. 2 Johnny Sexton shared a pic with fellow rugby legend Owen Farrell 2 They were both at Croke Park to watch Oasis And amid the tens of thousands of people that made the trip, Sexton just so happened to come across fellow rugby legend Owen Farrell. The son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was also in Dublin for the concert with his wife Georgie. Sexton and Farrell were frequent rivals during the Irishman's playing career. But they put that rivalry aside to share a photograph together which Sexton reshared to his Instagram Story. Rugby personalities were well represented at Croke Park on Saturday night, with Brian O'Driscoll using the experience to aim a dig at Rob Kearney. He was joined at the concert by his fellow rugby legend, who went to the historic show alongside wife Jess Redden. Not only that, but they were seated alongside one another, with Kearney clearly enjoying the acclaimed performance. O'Driscoll shared one pic of his friend to his Instagram Story alongside a cheeky dig at the 39-year-old. He said: "Definitely Maybe was still s****ng his pants when this album came out!" Saturday night's show was the first of two concerts to be held in Dublin, with the second being on Sunday night. Oasis lights up Dublin sky And Kearney's wife Jess whetted the appetite of those lucky enough to have secured tickets for the show. She said: "What a night. If you're going tonight, have the best time - iconic show!" Kearney and O'Driscoll were far from the only sports star who turned out to Croke Park on Saturday night. Former Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch was another one of those. He posed for pics with several people during the show, including a budding musician. Jack Schiavo plays alongside Liam Gallagher's son, Gene, in the band Villanelle, and was "humbled" to be snapped alongside the Premier League pundit. The 44-year-old had made headlines when he left his duty as pundit for TNT Sport DURING their live TV broadcast of a Premier League opener. The former England striker was alongside Joe Cole for Saturday's early game as Aston Villa drew 0-0 with Newcastle. At the end of TNT Sports' live coverage, Crouch could not wait to get off screen and make his way to the airport. He was teased by presenter Lynsey Hipgrave, who said: "That's about all we have got time for, oh sorry, I have just been told we have got more time all of a sudden. We can carry on talking for a bit." Crouch replied: "No, Lynsey, I am going to Oasis tonight, that's not happening. I've got a flight to catch." Joe Cole interjected: "Let the man leave. He's done his job. He's done enough." Crouch then dropped the microphone and hilariously sprinted off camera. Cole responded: "I am so jealous." And Hipgrave then brilliantly added: "Pete, don't look back in anger."