Ulster Rugby have announced that Ireland scrum half John Cooney has signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him at Kingspan Stadium until the summer of 2022.

Munster Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed the short-term signing of New Zealand scrum half Alby Mathewson ahead of the start of the new season.

Ulster Rugby have announced that Stuart McCloskey has committed his future to the province, putting pen to paper on a three-year contract extension that will keep him at Kingspan Stadium until 2022.

The Irish Rugby Football Union and Scottish Rugby have reached an agreement to allow Ulster's incoming head coach Dan McFarland to begin working with the province tomorrow (Monday).

TV3 has announced its live pool matches for this season's Heineken Champions Cup. Nine games will be broadcast on the free-to-air channel, which will be re-branded to Virgin Media One on Thursday, August 30.

Leinster, who last season became only the second team in history to win Europe's blue riband club tournament for a fourth time, will begin the defence of their Heineken Champions Cup title with a mouthwatering opening clash with Wasps at the RDS on Friday, October 12.

Leinster's new adidas home and alternate jerseys for the 2018/19 season have been revealed today, ending months of supporter speculation about the new kit.

Ahead of the start of the 2018/19 season, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has confirmed that Jonathan Sexton will captain the province for the upcoming campaign, with fellow Ireland international Rhys Ruddock the vice-captain.

Ulster have confirmed that Australian international back Henry Speight has agreed to join the province on a short-term contract.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne spoke to Irish Rugby TV about the positive financial results for the 2017/18 season and the challenges ahead for Irish Rugby.

A historic year for Irish Rugby on the pitch has resulted in a quicker-than-forecast return to profit for the Irish Rugby Football Union, who will report a 1.2 million euro surplus for 2017/18 at today's Annual Council Meeting in the Aviva Stadium.

Connacht Rugby have announced the signing of back rower Colby Fainga'a from Australian Super Rugby side the Melbourne Rebels. He will join up with the Connacht squad on the conclusion of the Rebels' Super Rugby season.

Ulster Rugby have confirmed that Gloucester's Irish-qualified out-half Billy Burns will join the province this summer on a two-year contract.

Ireland forwards coach Simon Easterby will provide coaching support at Ulster in the interim period before the arrival of the province's new head coach, Dan McFarland.

Leinster have confirmed that former Leinster and Argentina out-half Felipe Contepomi has been appointed as the province's new backs coach, subject to being granted a work permit.

The four provinces now know who they will come up against in the pool stages of next season's Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, following today's tournament draws in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Leinster have confirmed the signing of 17-times capped Australian back Joe Tomane, who played for Montpellier against the province during the pool stages of the 2017/18 Champions Cup.

Leinster, Saracens and Castres Olympique will be guaranteed top seedings when the pool draw for the Heineken Champions Cup takes place in Lausanne, Switzerland on Wednesday week (June 20).

EPCR has announced that Heineken is to return as the title partner of the European Rugby Champions Cup tournament from the 2018/19 season.

Joey Carbery will be playing in the red of Munster next season after his move from Leinster to Johann van Graan's side was confirmed today. The 22-year-old out-half is currently preparing for Ireland's summer tour to Australia.