2025–26 Leinster Rugby season

Leinster Rugby
2025–26 season
Head coachLeo Cullen
Chief executiveShane Nolan
← 2024–25 2026–27 →

The 2025–26 season is 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 will enter as champion, the club will also participate in the 2025–26 European Rugby Champions Cup. Leinster will open the URC season with an away tie at Stormers on 26 September 2025.[1]

Leinster Women will contest the 2025 IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series, branded the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship for sponsorship reasons, as defending champions, opening their season on 10 August 2025 against Ulster Women. They will also field the combined Wolfhounds team, with Ulster Rugby in the 2025–26 Celtic Challenge, once more as defending champions.

Leinster Men

Transfers

Main article: Leinster Rugby

United Rugby Championship

Matches

The full itinery of matches was released on 21 May 2025.[17][1]

26 September 2025 Stormers South Africa v Ireland Leinster Cape Town Stadium  
18:00
4 October 2025 Bulls South Africa v Ireland Leinster Loftus Versfeld Stadium  
17:30
11 October 2025 Leinster Ireland v South Africa Sharks Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30
18 October 2025 Leinster Ireland v Ireland Munster Croke Park, Dublin  
17:15
25 October 2025 Leinster Ireland v Italy Zebre Parma Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30
28 November 2025 Dragons Wales v Ireland Leinster Rodney Parade  
19:45
19 December 2025 Leinster Ireland v Ireland Ulster Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
19:45
27 December 2025 Munster Ireland v Ireland Leinster Thomond Park  
19:45
3 January 2026 Leinster Ireland v Ireland Connacht Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30
24 January 2026 Connacht Ireland v Ireland Leinster The Sportsground, Galway  
17:30
31 January 2026 Leinster Ireland v Scotland Edinburgh Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30
27 February 2026 Cardiff Wales v Ireland Leinster Cardiff Arms Park  
19:45
21 March 2026 Glasgow Warriors Scotland v Ireland Leinster Scotstoun Stadium  
17:30
28 March 2026 Leinster Ireland v Wales Scarlets Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30
17 April 2026 Ulster Ireland v Ireland Leinster Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast  
19:45
25 April 2026 Benetton Italy v Ireland Leinster Stadio Comunale di Monigo  
19:45
9 May 2026 Leinster Ireland v South Africa Lions Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30
16 May 2026 Leinster Ireland v Wales Ospreys Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:15

URC Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Benetton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualifies for home URC quarter-final;
Qualification for the 2026–27 Champions Cup
2 Bulls 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Cardiff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Connacht 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Dragons 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualifies for URC quarter-final;
Qualification for the 2026–27 Champions Cup
6 Edinburgh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Glasgow Warriors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Lions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the 2026–27 Challenge Cup
10 Munster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Ospreys 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 Scarlets 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 Sharks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 Stormers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15 Ulster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 Zebre Parma 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: unknown. 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.[18]


URC Irish Shield table

2025–26 United Rugby Championship Regional Shield tables
Ireland Irish Shield
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP Pts Pos overall
1 Ireland Connacht — — — — — — — — — — — — —
2 Ireland Leinster — — — — — — — — — — — — —
3 Ireland Munster — — — — — — — — — — — — —
4 Ireland Ulster — — — — — — — — — — — — —
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[19]
  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

European Rugby Champions Cup

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

Pool Standings

European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 3
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 France Bayonne 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Home Champions Cup round of 16.
2 England Harlequins 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 France La Rochelle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Away Champions Cup round of 16.
4 England Leicester Tigers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Ireland Leinster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Away Challenge Cup round of 16.
6 South Africa Stormers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Source: EPCR[20]
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.

Pool matches

6 December 2025 Leinster Ireland v England Harlequins Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 UTC
12 December 2025 Leicester Tigers England v Ireland Leinster Welford Road, Leicester  
20:00 UTC
10 January 2026 Leinster Ireland v France La Rochelle Aviva Stadium, Dublin  
17:30 UTC
17 January 2026 Bayonne France v Ireland Leinster Stade Jean Dauger  
15:15 UTC

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 currently 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.[21]

As in previous seasons the competition also features playoffs and a final.[22][23][24]

Leinster Women return as defending champions.

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Munster Women (Q) 2 2 0 0 77 27 +50 13 5 2 0 10 Qualified for Interprovincial final
2 Leinster Women 2 1 0 1 59 54 +5 11 8 2 0 6
3 Connacht Women 2 1 0 1 17 49 −32 3 9 0 0 4 Qualified for third/fourth place final
4 Ulster Women (Q) 2 0 0 2 26 49 −23 4 9 0 1 1
First match(es) will be played: Unknown. Source: Unknown
Rules for classification: 1) competition points; 2) match points difference; 3) match points for
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Matches

10 August 2025
2:30pm
(1 BP) Leinster Women Ireland37–21Ireland Ulster Women
Try: Kathy Baker (2)
Emma Brogan (3)
Jane Neill
Jade Gaffney
Con: Nikki Caughey (1/7)		ReportTry: Siobhán Sheerin
India Daley
Sophie Barrett
Con: Sheerin (3/3)
Energia Park
Referee: Cian Aherne (IRFU)
16 August 2025
2:30pm
(1 BP) Leinster Women Ireland22–33Ireland Munster Women (1 BP)
Try: Vicky Elmes Kinlan
Kathy Baker
Molly Boyne
Katie Whelan
Con: Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton (1/4)		ReportTry: Chloe Pearse (2)
Chisom Ugwueru
Kate Flannery
Aoife Corey
Con: Caitríona Finn (4/5)
Donnybrook
23 August 2025
2:30pm
Connacht Women IrelandvIreland Leinster Women

Finals day

31 August 2025
2:30pm
v

Celtic Challenge

Main article: 2025–26 Celtic Challenge

The 2025–26 Celtic Challenge will be 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 features a full 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[25][26].

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

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Wales Brython Thunder 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 qualifies for home semi-final
2 Ireland Clovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Scotland Edinburgh Rugby 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 qualifies for semi-final
4 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Wales Gwalia Lightning 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Ireland Wolfhounds 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Source: celticrugbycomp.com
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.

Notes

References

  1. ^ a b Glennon, Michael (21 May 2025). "Leinster to start 2025/26 URC campaign in South Africa". rte.ie.
  2. ^ "Larmour, Slimani & Gunne Sign New Contracts With Leinster". IRFU.ie. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  3. ^ a b "James Lowe and Jamie Osborne pen new deal as Leinster continue contracts process". Independent.ie. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Lowe latest to sign new deal with Leinster". RTE.ie. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
  5. ^ "Leinster Announce New Deal For O'Brien, McKee & Cooney". irishrugby.ie. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
  6. ^ "Sam Prendergast pens new deal with Leinster while Alex Usanov signs first professional contract with the province". Independent.ie. 25 March 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
  7. ^ "RG Snyman pens new Leinster deal after stunning first season since controversial Munster move". Independent.ie. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  8. ^ "Rieko Ioane to join Leinster in bombshell move". Rugby Pass. 16 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  9. ^ Thornley, Gerry (15 April 2024). "Jordie Barrett will join Leinster on short-term contract next December". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Munster: Irish province sign front-rowers Michael Milne and Lee Barron from Leinster on two-year deals". BBC Sport. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  11. ^ "'A real statement of ambition' - Gloucester Rugby confirm signing of Irish international Ross Byrne". Gloucesteshire Live. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  12. ^ "Cian Healy: Retiring Irish prop grateful for 10 extra years after neck injury". BBC Sport. 1 March 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  13. ^ Nolan, Lawrence (7 May 2025). "Jordie Barrett farewelled as Leinster confirm list of nine end-of-season leavers". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  14. ^ "Ulster Rugby Academy confirmed for 2025/26", Ulster Rugby, 4 June 2025
  15. ^ "Leinster leaver joins Pro D2 club, Racing 92 issue Szarzewski statement". Planet Rugby. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  16. ^ O'Connor, Rúaidhrí (11 June 2025). "'I honestly can't wait to get started' – Leinster's Rob Russell to join Ross Byrne at Gloucester next season". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  17. ^ Wright, Jared (21 May 2025). "Full 2025/26 United Rugby Championship fixture list confirmed as Stormers v Leinster kick-off the new season". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Competition rules – United Rugby Championship". United Rugby Championship. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  19. ^ League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Pool Tables | Investec Champions Cup". www.epcrugby.com. European Professional Club Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Women's Interprovincial Series". www.irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  22. ^ "Leinster ladies win first Interpro crown". www.irishexaminer.com. 26 November 2005. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  23. ^ "Women's: Leinster End Munster's Grip On Interpro Title". www.irishrugby.ie. 29 November 2005. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  24. ^ "Munster Women Make It Three-In-A-Row". www.irishrugby.ie. 27 October 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  25. ^ Challenge, Celtic (13 August 2025). "New Look Celtic Challenge Finals Reflect Rising Women's Rugby World Cup Influence - Celtic Challenge". Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  26. ^ "2025-26 Celtic Challenge to feature knockout rugby as competition revamped". BBC Sport. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.