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Andy Friend, head coach of Connacht Rugby, will lead out the peloton on charity ride for Claire Carpenter: Photo: Inpho

'There is a caring community out there’ – Andy Friend’s fund-raising rides helping others get through the cycle of life

Andy Friend knows all about the power of pedalling. The Connacht head coach first saw it during his time at Harlequins 17 years ago and it has since inspired him to take on Bolivia’s Death Road, cross some of the highest peaks of the Alps and Pyrenees and, when hard times visited his own front door, saw him cycle over 5,000km from the tip to the toe of Australia.

Ireland rugby star Bundee Aki. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty

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‘He’s one of ours now’ – Oranmore locals are sweet on Irish rugby’s Kiwi star Bundee Aki

It’s a long way from his homeplace of Manurewa, Auckland, but Bundee Aki has firmly established himself as ‘a parish man’ in Oranmore, Co Galway.

Mack Hansen of Connacht catches the ball ahead of Jordan Larmour of Leinster

Connacht already looking ahead as province’s season fizzles out

Maybe this is the ending Connacht’s season deserves.

Connacht players celebrate following their side's victory in the 2016 Pro 12 final match. Photo: Sportsfile

No guarantees from Andy Friend on farewell game-time for Connacht’s departing 2016 Pro 12 title-winners

Connacht’s departing 2016 title-winners will bid farewell to their Sportsground supporters this weekend but Head Coach Andy Friend has said there is no guarantees they will do so as part of his team.

Bundee Aki of Connacht in action against the Lions during the URC match in Johannesburg. Photo: Sportsfile

What time, what channel, team news and all you need to know about Sharks v Connacht

Connacht remain in South Africa with Sharks on the horizon in the United Rugby Championship this weekend. Here’s all you need to know about the game.

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Andy Friend looks to next season as he hopes win over Lions is the shape of things to come for Connacht

Andy Friend only brought players to South Africa who will be at the Sportsground next season, but if this is a foretaste of what’s to come, then the new campaign can’t come quick enough.

James Ryan receives medical attention playing for Ireland. Photo: Sportsfile

Leinster’s Champions Cup front-liners to get a rest as James Ryan doesn’t travel to South Africa for URC ties

Leo Cullen has confirmed a fortnight’s rest for all his Champions Cup front-liners for their trek to South Africa after confirming their squad line-up on Monday.

Leinster Rónan Kelleher is set to return against Connacht. Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Leinster’s Rónan Kelleher and Andrew Porter set to return for clash with Connacht

Leinster are set to recall their fit-again Ireland front-row duo, Rónan Kelleher and Andrew Porter, for tomorrow’s second-leg, round-of-16 clash against Connacht at the Aviva Stadium.

Leinster's front three of Rónan Kelleher, left, Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong during Leinster rugby squad training at Energia Park in Dublin. Photo: Sportsfile

Ready to launch: Felipe Contepomi sees chance for Leinster to step up in set-piece side of game

Watching the intricacy of Leinster’s set-piece moves in their recent win over Munster must have felt quite ominous from a Connacht point of view.

Mack Hansen of Connacht catches the ball ahead of Jordan Larmour of Leinster on his way to scoring his side's first try during their URC clash in December. Credit: Sportsfile

Leinster probably should be sh*****g themselves, says Mack Hansen

Connacht winger Mack Hansen says the burden of expectation is firmly on Leinster ahead of the teams’ first European meeting at the Sportsground tonight.

Jonathan Sexton returns to the Leinster side

Sexton back to lead Leinster’s Galway raid as Aki returns for Connacht in Champions Cup showdown

JOHNNY SEXTON will lead Leinster’s charge at the Sportsground in Galway tomorrow night as Connacht recall Bundee Aki for their first Heineken Champions Cup knockout game.

Tietie Tuimauga of Connacht scores a try during the United Rugby Championship win over Benetton at the Stadio di Monigo in Treviso, Italy. Photo by Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile

Late Tietie Tuimauga try saves Connacht’s blushes after letting lead slip at Benetton

Connacht finally stopped the rot in the URC before they turn their attentions to a huge Champions Cup clash with Leinster next Friday.

Connacht out-half Jack Carty is back from international duty. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Jack Carty returns as coach Pete Wilkins looks for Connacht to end slump

CONNACHT senior coach Pete Wilkins wants his men to end their mid-season slump and prevent a fifth loss in a row when they travel to Llanelli this evening.

Michael Bent of Leinster is tackled by Quinn Roux of Connacht at the RDS last year. Photo: Brendan Moran

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Colin Murphy Opinion Rugby must face collisions head-on

Since I was a boy, arguing with my father over whether Tony Ward’s sidestep was more valuable than Ollie Campbell’s right boot, it was rugby — not soccer — that was the beautiful game. The Welsh team of the 1970s (watched on video); the Triple Crowns of 1982 and 1985; the individualistic genius of Serge Blanco and David Campese. Beauty was riven through them.

Alex Wootton of Connacht is tackled by Ngani Laumape of Stade Francais Paris on his way to scoring his side's first try during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool A match between Stade Francais Paris and Connacht at Stade Jean Bouin in Paris, France. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

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Connacht’s odyssey is only just beginning after French despair

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Jack Carty of Connacht during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool B match between Connacht and Stade Francais Paris at the Sportsground in Galway. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

'Leinster, that is what you want' - Connacht's Jack Carty fired up for all-Irish Champions Cup last-16 clash

Connacht captain Jack Carty says his side are relishing the prospect of facing Leinster in the round of 16 of this year’s Heineken Champions Cup.

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland. Photo: Sportsfile

New dates set for Ulster’s inter-pro clashes against Connacht and Leinster

The United Rugby Championship have confirmed that two fixtures from the Christmas and New Year period involving Ulster have been rescheduled.

Leicester’s Hosea Saumaki evades the tackle of Connacht’s John Porch on his way to scoring his side’s winning try at The Sportsground yesterday. Photo: Harry Murphy

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A dreadful start, a first-class comeback and a late collapse - Connacht's Champions Cup heartbreak had it all

Please respect the kicker. Not much chance of that. If you are of the opinion, as we are, that kickers get far too much respect — an example of rugby giving itself an inappropriately precious value — then you could readily understand the reaction from the crowd of just over 3,000 at the Sportsground yesterday.

Connacht head coach Andy Friend during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Munster at The Sportsground in Galway. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Small crowd will have big role against English giants Leicester – Andy Friend

Connacht coach Andy Friend is confident his men can get across the line against Leicester Tigers today and take a big step towards reaching the knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup for the first time.

Connacht defence coach Pete Wilkins. Photo: Sportsfile

Connacht coach Wilkins has taken the long road to find spiritual home in the west

In his desk drawer at The Sportsground in Galway, where Connacht will welcome Leicester Tigers tomorrow, Pete Wilkins keeps a copy of a letter sent to him by the English Rugby Football Union.

Conor Oliver is having a big season for Connacht. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Conor Oliver looks to drive Connacht to play-offs by taming Tigers in Galway

Conor Oliver may be only in his second season at the Sportsground, but he knows how significant it will be if Connacht make it through to the knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup for the first time.

Connacht players applaud their supporters after their recent game against Munster. Photo: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

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Brendan Fanning Opinion It’s a painful limbo dance for Connacht but the story of Ireland’s least supported province is an intriguing one

On a steaming hot day in New Jersey in June 2017 Ireland played a typically ordinary US Eagles side in a low-level summer Test. The Lions were in New Zealand at the time, having taken with them the best this country had to offer. So this was all about looking forward.

John Porch of Connacht on his way to scoring his side's second try during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool B match between Connacht and Stade Francais Paris at the Sportsground in Galway. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Porch hungry to get back to winning ways with Connacht in Belfast

John Porch is relying on his teammate Alex Wootton to cook up a Christmas Day feast that will set them up nicely for the following day’s tough trip to Belfast.

Jack Carty celebrates on his way to scoring a try. The Athlone man scored 18 points during Connacht's loss to Leicester. Credit: Sportsfile

Jack Carty puts hand up for Ireland selection again with eye-catching performance in Connacht loss to Leicester

Jack Carty isn’t exactly renowned for his drop-goal prowess but his quick-thinking at the end of an enthralling contest ensured Connacht didn’t leave Welford Road empty-handed.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

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Tony Ward Opinion I will take some convincing Johann van Graan’s priority will be his current job when his mind is already in Bath

I suppose a sense of calm after the storm of weekend one for Irish involvement in this Omicron-underpinned Champions Cup was inevitable.

Leicester Tigers' Ben Youngs kicks clear under pressure from Connacht. Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Bealham sin-bin proves costly but late Carty drop goal salvages losing bonus point for Connacht at Leicester

For almost an hour of this enthralling contest, Connacht were feeling pretty good about life, only for Leicester to crank up the pressure at scrum time.

Connacht's second row Niall Murray. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Niall Murray has traded pain for progress up the Connacht ranks

So which came first: Niall Murray’s quest to broaden his mind by expanding his French vocabulary, or drawing Stade Francais in this afternoon’s Heineken Champions Cup opener? In a clear choice between chicken and egg he is definitely opting for the chicken.

The Heineken Cup clash between Ulster and Stade Francais back in 2009 that Stephen Ferris will never forget. Photo: Sportsfile

David Kelly Opinion Stade Francais haven’t always been pretty in pink - the good, the bad and the ugly of Connacht’s opponents

Pierre de Coubertin may be the father of the Olympics, but it was rugby that prompted his idealistic masterpiece to seize his visionary mind.

Connacht's Jack Aungier. Photo: Sportsfile

Connacht boost as forwards duo Jack Aungier and Oisín Dowling renew their contracts with the province

Connacht duo Jack Aungier and Oisín Dowling are the latest players to renew their contracts with the club.

N-Pro CEO Mark Ganly, Cistercian College students James Miller, Aaron Moloney and Alejandro Kinsella-Garcia, and former Connacht player Sean O’Brien. Picture by Tony Gavin

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N-Pro wins €2.3m funding boost to develop rugby head protection

Galway sports-tech firm N-Pro has won €2.3m in funding to help it further develop its headgear protection for rugby players.