So, despite Northampton being coached by Ian McGeechan and studded with British & Irish Lions who had helped win a series in South Africa the previous summer, Connacht won 43-13, Willie Ruane (now Connacht Rugby chief executive) finishing off the scoring with a long-range try. Various politicians, including future taoiseach Enda Kenny and former international Jim Glennon, joined the Friends of Connacht march which delivered a petition to the IRFU offices. Connacht memorably won the 2016 Pro12 and have provided plenty of internationals since, including Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen. They were reinforced when reading Paul Hayward’s deep dive in The Observer into Welsh rugby, which is “riven by panic and bitterness” and “in a doom loop”. Rugby and rowing join forces in world record attemptOn March 21st, a group of former Irish rugby players and rowers will attempt a mixed 24-hour world record for over-40s.

Source: The Irish Times January 27, 2026 12:01 UTC