Alongside them in the second-tier competition will be Ulster and Connacht, and Ireland’s imprint on that tournament has been minimal. Only Leinster, in 2013, have won it outright and that remains the only time we have had an Irish finalist. LEINSTER:If ever a side didn’t add up to the sum of its parts then it is Leinster this season. Five defeats in their first 14 URC games tell a story that goes deeper than the elite players. All five of their Six Nations players – Prendergast, Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray and Billy Bohan – returned in fine fettle and Lancaster has already given notice of an intent to make it to Bilbao.

Source: Irish Examiner March 31, 2026 09:40 UTC