At the halfway point in the season, British and Irish Lions Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith and Tomos Williams are enduring very different emotions.

After a mixed year in 2025, BBC Sport NI looks at what the next 12 months have in store for Ireland's rugby teams.

Ambitious Newcastle Red Bulls re-sign England A full-back Josh Hodge from Exeter Chiefs on a three-year contract.

Exeter attack coach Dave Walder says number eight Greg Fisilau is good enough to win an England call-up.

Exeter return to second place in the Prem as they beat Leicester 24-10 at a sold out Sandy Park.

Tommy Freeman scores a hat-trick as Northampton leapfrog Bath and go top of the Prem with an stellar 41-21 victory.

BBC Sport looks at another tumultuous 12 months for the men's game in Wales with Welsh rugby close to rock bottom.

Glasgow Warriors make it back-to-back wins over Edinburgh with victory in a largely drab affair at Murrayfield to win the 1872 Cup for the fourth successive season.

Leinster hold on to beat Munster 13-8 in a festive United Rugby Championship derby at Thomond Park.

Bristol Bears come from behind to beat Newcastle 36-27 but the Red Bulls score four tries to claim their first point this season.

Ulster come from behind to claim a fifth bonus-point win of their United Rugby Championship campaign against Connacht in Galway.