Connacht Rugby and BLK Sport have announced a comprehensive four-year official kit supplier agreement for BLK to supply the full range of technical performance apparel for all of Connacht's representative teams and support staff.

The Connacht Academy has been finalised for the 2013/14 season, with Ireland Under-19 captain Sean O'Brien and David Panter, who is currently away with the Ireland Under-20 squad at the IRB Junior World Championship, joining the ranks.

New challenges as well as familiar opponents await Connacht when they embark on their third Heineken Cup campaign in October.

The four Irish provinces have learned today who they will be facing into the pool stages of next season's Heineken Cup. Former Ireland international Shane Horgan hosted the 2013/14 tournament draw which took place at the Aviva Stadium.

The four Irish provinces have learned today who they will be facing into the pool stages of next season's Heineken Cup. Former Ireland international Shane Horgan hosted the 2013/14 tournament draw which took place at the Aviva Stadium.

Leinster Rugby have finalised the make-up of their Academy panel for the 2013/14 season, with Academy manager Girvan Dempsey, the former Leinster and Ireland full-back, overseeing the day-to-day running of the Academy.

Leinster put past disappointments behind them to scoop an elusive RaboDirect PRO12 title in head coach Joe Schmidt's last game in charge.

An Irish province is guaranteed to win the RaboDirect PRO12, but who will be declared champions come Saturday night in Dublin? Will Ulster finish a season that began so well for them with league silverware, or can Leinster complete a famous double in Joe Schmidt's final game in charge?

The four Irish provinces have learned today who they will be facing into the pool stages of next season's Heineken Cup. Former Ireland international Shane Horgan hosted the 2013/14 tournament draw which took place at the Aviva Stadium.

Munster have confirmed that they will play Gloucester and London Irish on successive weekends in August as part of their preparations for the 2013/14 season.

Interim Ireland head coach Les Kiss has confirmed that back rower Peter O'Mahony will captain the squad for the summer tour to North America, following Rory Best's call-up to the British & Irish Lions squad.

Academy Manager Peter Malone today confirmed that nine players will join the Munster Rugby Academy for the 2013/14 season.

Ulster second row Lewis Stevenson will undergo surgery on Thursday to repair a hernia injury that he sustained during Emerging Ireland's IRB Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Ulster have been given the task of toppling familiar foes Leicester Tigers and Benetton Treviso, as well as new opponents Montpellier, as they bid to reach the Heineken Cup quarter-finals for the fourth year running.

The four Irish provinces have learned today who they will be facing into the pool stages of next season's Heineken Cup. Former Ireland international Shane Horgan hosted the 2013/14 tournament draw which took place at the Aviva Stadium.

Ulster's All Black prop John Afoa has undergone surgery today in Auckland to repair a torn tricep tendon in his left arm.