Leinster Rugby

Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is one of the four professional provincial rugby teams from Ireland. They compete in the domestic league of the Rabo Direct Pro12 and the European championship, the Heineken Cup. The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) Leinster Branch, which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU and is responsible for rugby union throughout the geographical Irish province of Leinster. The province plays in blue and gold and the crest is in the form of a harp. Leinster's traditional home ground was Donnybrook Stadium, in Dublin 4 although the majority of home games are now played at the RDS Arena. Bigger games are played in the Aviva Stadium when the capacity of the RDS Arena is insufficient.

Leinster turned professional along with the teams representing the other Irish provinces in 1995 and has competed in the Rabo Direct Pro12 (formerly known as the Celtic League and the Magners League) since it was founded in 2001, having previously competed in the annual Irish interprovincial championship. Leinster "A" competes in the British and Irish Cup. Leinster have twice been PRO12 champions and three times champions of Europe.

On 19 May 2012 Leinster won a record third Heineken Cup in four years with a 42-14 win over Ulster Rugby in the first final to feature two teams from Ireland. Leinster are currently ranked 1st in the European Rugby Club Rankings.