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Connacht Rugby 2026/27 Season Preview, Fixtures, Interpros and URC Prediction

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There is a different feeling around Connacht heading into the 2026/27 season.

For years, supporters have spoken about potential, exciting rugby, dangerous attacking backs, and brave away performances. However, last season showed something more important — resilience. Connacht clawed their way into the URC playoffs with 54 points despite injuries, inconsistency, and periods where qualification looked almost impossible.

Now the challenge changes completely.

This season is no longer about surviving. It is about pushing on.

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With Stuart Lancaster now fully embedded, an improved squad, major depth in the pack, and a fixture list that gives Connacht opportunities to build momentum early, expectations in Galway should absolutely rise beyond merely finishing eighth.

The Road To 55 Points

Last season’s URC table showed just how ruthless the league has become. Munster finished on 55 points, Cardiff finished on 55, the Lions finished on 54, Connacht finished on 54, and Ulster missed out on 52.

One win can completely transform a season.

For Connacht, the first target has to be 55+ points. That should be enough to put them firmly in the playoff conversation again.

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Realistically, 58 to 60 points would mean a comfortable playoff place, while 62 or more could put Connacht in the battle for a home quarter-final.

Connacht’s 2026/27 Home Fixtures

  • Saturday, 5 September — Connacht v Ealing — Pre-season
  • Friday, 25 September — Connacht v DHL Stormers
  • Friday, 23 October — Connacht v Zebre Parma
  • Friday, 30 October — Connacht v Leinster Rugby
  • Saturday, 19 December — Connacht v Edinburgh Rugby
  • Saturday, 2 January — Connacht v Munster Rugby
  • Saturday, 30 January — Connacht v Ulster Rugby
  • Friday, 19 March — Connacht v Cardiff Rugby
  • Saturday, 27 March — Connacht v Lions
  • Saturday, 24 April — Connacht v Dragons RFC

Looking at those fixtures honestly, Connacht should expect to beat Zebre, Dragons, Cardiff, and Edinburgh at home. Anything less than four wins from that group would hurt badly.

Then the key becomes stealing results against Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Stormers, and the Lions. If Connacht can win even three of those five bigger home games, suddenly they are pushing well beyond the playoff line.

How Many Wins By Christmas?

The opening half of the season looks massive.

  • Stormers — home
  • Benetton — away
  • Glasgow Warriors — away
  • Zebre Parma — home
  • Leinster Rugby — home
  • Scarlets — away
  • Edinburgh Rugby — home
  • Ulster Rugby — away

Connacht should be targeting at least five wins before Christmas, with around 24 to 27 points on the board.

If they manage six wins before Christmas, expectations in Galway will explode.

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The Interpros Could Define Everything

Leinster

  • Friday, 30 October — Connacht v Leinster
  • Saturday, 17 April — Leinster v Connacht

Ulster

  • Sunday, 27 December — Ulster v Connacht
  • Saturday, 30 January — Connacht v Ulster

Munster

  • Saturday, 2 January — Connacht v Munster
  • Saturday, 23 January — Munster v Connacht

That January block is brutal. Connacht effectively play Ulster away, Munster home, Munster away, and Ulster home inside five weeks.

Those four games could decide whether Connacht finish fifth or ninth.

Europe Matters Again

  • Round 1: 16–18 October
  • Round 2: 11–13 December
  • Round of 16: 2–4 April
  • Quarter Finals: 9–11 April
  • Semi Finals: 30 April–2 May
  • EPCR Final: 28–30 May

The major difference this year is Connacht finally look capable of rotating properly without the team collapsing. That matters hugely during European windows.

Predicted Strongest Connacht XV

  1. Billy Bohan
  2. Dylan Tierney-Martin
  3. Finlay Bealham
  4. Darragh Murray
  5. Josh Murphy
  6. Cian Prendergast
  7. Seamus Hurley-Langton
  8. Sean Jansen
  9. Ben Murphy
  10. Ciaran Frawley
  11. Shayne Bolton
  12. Cathal Forde
  13. Byron Ralston
  14. Shane Jennings
  15. Sam Gilbert

Key Squad Options

  • Sam Illo
  • Paul Boyle
  • Bundee Aki
  • Harry West
  • Josh Ioane
  • Will Connors
  • Dave Heffernan
  • Niall Murray
  • Sean Naughton
  • Colm Reilly
  • Mack Hansen
  • Jerry Cahir
  • Finn Tracey
  • François VAN WYK
  • Hugh Gavin
  • Caolin Blade

The return of Mack Hansen alone changes the ceiling of the entire side. If fully fit, he remains one of the most dangerous attacking players in the URC.

Will Connors could also become one of the smartest signings Connacht have made in years. If injuries stay away, his breakdown work could completely transform close games.

Final Prediction

Connacht fans should stop thinking like underdogs.

This squad is too talented and too experienced to merely sneak into eighth place again.

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  • Predicted URC finish: 5th–7th
  • Predicted points: 58–61
  • Target: Champions Cup qualification
  • Minimum expectation: URC quarter-final appearance

The biggest difference this year is depth.

Connacht finally look capable of surviving injuries, competing during European weekends, and handling the brutal interpro blocks without collapsing physically.

If Lancaster gets consistency from this squad, and Dexcom Stadium becomes a genuine fortress again, Connacht could become one of the most dangerous teams in the URC by spring 2027.


LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

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Dave Allen makes knockout prediction for Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia: “I put him in the top bracket”

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Dave Allen has predicted how countryman Conor Benn will fare if he ends up facing Ryan Garcia later this year.

The pair are set to lock horns before 2026 comes to a close, yet there has been no date or venue officially announced for their world title showdown.

It was also reported earlier this week that Garcia’s promoter, Golden Boy, has sent a cease and desist letter to Zuffa Boxing and TKO Group, who represent Benn.

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It is alleged that Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing never obtained consent from Golden Boy to pursue a clash between Benn and Garcia, who is reportedly still under contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s promotional outfit.

At the same time, though, White declared at the post-fight press conference for Zuffa Boxing 07 that they are closing in on an announcement for Garcia-Benn, which is expected to take place in Las Vegas.

This would see ‘King Ry’ make a first defence of his WBC welterweight title, which he claimed via a unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios in February.

Benn, meanwhile, is the WBC mandatory challenger at 147lbs, despite having not made the weight since his second-round finish over Chris van Heerden in 2022.

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Irrespective of the weight, though, British heavyweight Allen has predicted on social media that Garcia will be a level or two above his potential opponent.

“On first thoughts, I can’t imagine Conor being good enough to beat Garcia. Conor is a good fighter, don’t get me wrong.

“I think he’s good, he’s really athletic. But [I] just put Garcia in that top bracket. My prediction would be a Garcia stoppage. I think he’s probably a level or two above where we’ve seen Conor. Interesting fight, though.”

Indeed, Benn is yet to establish himself as a world-class operator, even after back-to-back points victories over faded versions of Chris Eubank Jr and Regis Prograis.

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Knicks’ Jalen Brunson named NBA Finals MVP after 45-point outburst in Game 5

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The New York Knicks have won their first championship since 1973 and just the third in franchise history with a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. It caps one of the most impressive postseason runs in history and puts to bed the notion that small point guards — at least ones not named Stephen Curry — can’t lead teams to a title in the modern NBA. 

Jalen Brunson has done just that, finishing off the Spurs with a 45-point masterpiece en route to being named Finals MVP. Brunson, who averaged 32.6 points per game for the series, becomes just the fourth player listed at 6-foot-2 or shorter to win Finals MVP, joining Curry, Isiah Thomas and Tony Parker. 

Brunson, who was selected in the second round at No. 33 in 2018, is also the second-lowest drafted player to win Finals MVP, trailing only Nikola Jokic, who was taken No. 41 overall. 

The word underdog gets thrown around a lot in sports, but Brunson truly epitomizes the word. He was not supposed to be anywhere near this kind of player, let alone on this kind of stage. He was considered too short. Not athletic enough. A defensive liability. When the Knicks signed him to a four-year, $104 million contract in the summer of 2022, he was regarded as a consolation prize, if not an outright disappointment, after the franchise had been striking out on true big-name stars for years. 

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No LeBron James in 2010. The Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire connection never really materialized. No Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving in 2019. Looking back, getting Brunson, let alone on that kind of contract, was indisputably one of the greatest signings in NBA history. 

Brunson will be a New York hero for the rest of time, and he earned every bit of the status. What a player. What a team. What a playoff run and what a Finals. It’s storybook stuff, and no player embodies the grit and heart of the city and fanbase he represents more than Brunson. 

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How to complete Joining the Mercenaries

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In Gothic 1 Remake, mercenaries are the elite combatants of the New Camp. But in order to join their ranks, you will need to progress past Chapter 2. The joining process is tied around a simple quest given to you by Lee, the leader of the Mercenaries.

In this guide, we will break down how to complete the Joining the Mercenaries quest in Gothic 1 Remake.


How to complete Joining the Mercenaries quest in Gothic 1 Remake

If you are planning to join the New Camp, you will have to become a bandit first and work for Lares during chapter 2, named The Minecrawler’s Nest. The quest takes you to the Swamp Camp, where you watch them break apart into two separate groups.

Meet Lee at the New Camp

After you return from the Swamp Camp, you will be greeted by Jarvis near the New Camp entrance, who will inform you that Lee has been looking for you. But before meeting with Lee, report back to Lares and complete the Brotherhood’s Plan quest.

Additionally, learn the better diving skill from Homer in the New Camp.

You can find Lee neat the Mage's quarters (Image via Alkimia Interactive)You can find Lee neat the Mage's quarters (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
You can find Lee neat the Mage’s quarters (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

Afterwards, go and find Lee in the rooms at the back of the camp, near the mage’s quarters. He will only induct you into the ranks of the Mercenaries if you help out the water mage named Myxir.


Find and help Myxir near the lighthouse

Lighthouse location (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Lighthouse location (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Lighthouse location (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

Myxis is located near the right-side path of the Lighhouse, which goes down towards the beach. To find the lighthouse, follow the river to the far east section of the map.

Go right of the lighthouse to find the trail leading down towards the beach (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Go right of the lighthouse to find the trail leading down towards the beach (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Go right of the lighthouse to find the trail leading down towards the beach (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

The path leading to the lighthouse will diverge and go to the right side. Follow it until you locate the path leading downwards. Myxis will be standing near the halfway point down the trail.

Meet up with Myxis (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Meet up with Myxis (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Meet up with Myxis (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

After you meet with Myxis, go down towards the shipwreck on the beach. Be careful in this region, as you will encounter Fire Lizards. There are a total of six Fire Lizards around the shipwreck.

Fire Lizards deal enough fire damage to instantly drain your life (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Fire Lizards deal enough fire damage to instantly drain your life (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Fire Lizards deal enough fire damage to instantly drain your life (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

Do not get caught in their fire-breath attack; stay at a distance and let Myxis freeze them using magic. Once they are frozen, use your bow to deal a decent amount of damage while staying at a distance.

There will be the wreckage of a ship on the beach. Unlock the cabin door to find the following items inside:

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  • Recipe of Seaforest Brew
  • Armor Amulet

The Armor Amulet is especially potent, as it grants you +15 Edge and +15 Blunt stats.


Find the source of Magic for Myxis

Myxir will point you towards the approximate location of the magical item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Myxir will point you towards the approximate location of the magical item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Myxir will point you towards the approximate location of the magical item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

After clearing out the beach, Myxir will ask you to dive down into the sea and find the source of the magic. The only caveat is that the item can be anything (a rune, a tome, a weapon, or a water demon), and it can be anywhere.

The item you are looking for is right under the mast (Image via Alkimia Interactive)The item you are looking for is right under the mast (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
The item you are looking for is right under the mast (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

Here’s how you can find the magical item:

1) Swim towards the submerged mast of the ship.

Open the chest to get the magic item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Open the chest to get the magic item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Open the chest to get the magic item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

2) Once you have reached the spot, dive down towards the upper deck area to find a locked chest.

3) Open the chest and you will find the following items:

  • The old Ways of the Druids
  • Ball Lightning scroll
  • 2x Steel
  • 3x Lockpick
  • 2x lab flask
Return the book to Myxir (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Return the book to Myxir (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Return the book to Myxir (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

The old Ways of the Druids book is the item you are looking for. Simply return to Myxir, who will be near the shore and give him the book to get +300 Experience Points.


Return to Lee

Lee will make you a Mercenary after completing the quest (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Lee will make you a Mercenary after completing the quest (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Lee will make you a Mercenary after completing the quest (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

After giving the book to Myxir, report back to Lee at the New Camp to conclude the quest (and you will also get +700 Experience Points). Lee will officially make you a Mercenary and give you a new set of armor.

If you want to improve the armor, you will need to visit Torlof. He can often be found standing just below the location of Gorn in the New Camp.


Check out our other guides on Gothic 1 Remake:

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