The story of Connacht Rugby began on the 8th of December 1885 when six fledging clubs came together in Corless’ Burlington Dining Rooms, 27 Andrew Street and 6/7 Church Lane, Dublin after the first interprovincial match between Connacht and Leinster. The six clubs represented at that meeting were Ballinasloe, Castlebar, Galway Town, Galway Grammar School, Queen’s College Galway and Ranelagh School Athlone.
Dr. Richard Biggs, Headmaster of the Galway Grammar School was invited to become the first President of the Connacht Branch of the IRFU.
Their ambition? To grow the game of Rugby in Connacht and to provide a platform for our best talent to shine at local, provincial and ultimately international level. Since then little has changed in terms of the aim of everyone involved in rugby in Connacht, only the rugby landscape itself has changed.
In the early days, the growth of the game in Connacht was driven by a handful of schools who were playing rugby. As the decades progressed, some competitions had to be abandoned during World War I and also during the War of Independence. Post Civil war is pinpointed as the era when the game really began to take off in the West. Henry J. Anderson was the first Connacht person to play for Ireland in 1903. Later, he became President of Connacht Rugby and in 1927, opened a new sports facility called ‘The Sportsground’ – which remains the home of Rugby in Connacht today.
The Interprovincial Championships were first played in the 1946/47 season. The competition was very successful for the mindset it built up in the provinces, and for the opportunities it offered good club players to make themselves known on a national stage. There were also occasional games against teams from Fiji, Canada, Western Samoa, Argentina, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand held at The Sportsground.
When the game turned professional in 1995, supporters, crowds and the numbers participating in the game began to grow – as did the number of clubs opening and thriving across the province. Today there are 26 clubs affiliated with Connacht Rugby.
There have been highs and lows throughout the rich history of Connacht Rugby, ranging from the Club risking near extinction in 2003, to an ultimate high of Connacht Rugby winning the PRO 12 Trophy in 2016. One thing that has remained a constant is the unwavering support of our fans, schools, clubs, players and partners.
Latest News From Connacht Rugby
- Another busy weekend of Adult matches across the Province and beyond with the Bank of Ireland Men's and Women's Leagues continuing along with the AIL and JP Fanagan U20s competitions. The Adult games this weekend in our Bank of Ireland Competitions and the AIL are as follows: Saturday, October…
- A 28-player Ireland XV Squad, _sponsored by Vodafone_, has been named ahead of next month’s clash against Fiji ‘A’ at Virgin Media Park. Coached by Mark Sexton, the Ireland XV squad will return to action for the first of three matches during the 2026/27 season when they welcome…
- The Ireland U18 Clubs side has been named for Saturday's international fixture against Italy U18 at Rugby Badia in Rovigo, with Head Coach Andy Wood's squad looking forward to the opportunity to test themselves on the international stage. Naas RFC and Leinster Rugby second row Aidan Tamming will…
- Head Coach Scott Bemand has named the Ireland Match Day Squad, sponsored by Vodafone, for Saturday’s second WXV Global Series clash against South Africa in Cape Town (Kick-off 1pm Irish time). Following last weekend’s victory over Springbok Women at Athlone Stadium, Ireland go in search…
- Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has named his matchday 23 for tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship interpro against Leinster at Dexcom Stadium. Roscommon native Niall Murray is due to make his 100th appearance for his home province, with the lock named among the replacements….
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- +353 91 447 751
- info@connachtrugby.ie
- www.connachtrugby.ie
- Dexcom Stadium College Road, Galway H91 H340, Ireland
