Richie Gray made the decision to opt out of World Cup selection with Scotland, according to assistant coach Danny Wilson.

Blair Kinghorn will make his first start for Scotland on Saturday after being named in Gregor Townsend's side for their pivotal NatWest 6 Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin.

Scotland lock Tim Swinson expects sparks to fly when Gregor Townsend's unstoppable Dark Blues force collides with the immovable object of Ireland in Dublin next week.

Munster’s Lions trio are set for their seasonal debuts on Saturday with Tommy O’Donnell believing Peter O’Mahony has returned from the New Zealand tour a better captain.

Glasgow Warriors 35 - Connacht 24: This time last year Connacht fans were holding their breath in anticipation. Sitting pretty at the top of the table, having only lost five times all season, Connacht were working their way to a first Guinness PRO12 trophy and Champions Cup rugby.

Glasgow cruised into the European Champions Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history after humiliating Leicester 43-0 at Welford Road.

Conor Murray has welcomed Champions Cup organisers’ formation of an Untoward Incident Review Group (UIRG) to investigate the handling of his collision with Glasgow’s Tim Swinson.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have launched an inquiry into Munster’s handling of a head injury to Conor Murray during Saturday’s Champions Cup win over Glasgow Warriors.

Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend believes his side will have to play even better against Racing 92 if they are to repeat last week’s historic win.

Winger Tommy Seymour ran in four tries for Glasgow in a 33-25 victory over Leinster on Scotstoun's new artificial pitch.

They will need to close the blinds and put away the breakables when Connacht sit down to review this one at the Sportsground today. It will not be pleasant viewing, least of all for a squad who pride themselves on looking inward and taking responsibility.

Not the start the defending champions would have wanted.

Simon Lewis looks at how both teams match up.

Tommy O’Donnell, Donnacha Ryan and James Cronin return to action for Munster in tonight’s Guinness Pro12 clash with Glasgow Warriors on the 4G pitch at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock.

England have selected Brad Barritt and Jonathan Joseph as their centre pairing for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up game against Ireland at Twickenham.

Scotland have endured a bruising campaign in this year’s RBS 6 Nations — but Jim Hamilton insists one win against Ireland will sooth their wounds.

Scotland were left facing their fourth wooden spoon in 11 years after a late collapse handed Italy a RBS 6 Nations win at Murrayfield.

Glasgow’s Peter Horne has been given the nod to replace suspended stand-off Finn Russell for Scotland’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy tomorrow.

Scotland coach Vern Cotter has handed four Edinburgh players their first call-ups after naming his squad for next month’s RBS 6 Nations opener with France.

Glasgow Warriors 39 Connacht 21

Glasgow Warriors 39 Connacht 21

Robbie Henshaw will make his 50th appearance for Connacht when he starts for them against Glasgow Warriors on Friday night.

South Africa have beaten Scotland 55-6 in their Test in Port Elizabeth.

Scotland 17 France 19

Scotland suffered last-gasp heartache as France snatched a 19-17 RBS 6 Nations win after Jean-Marc Doussain kicked the winning penalty at Murrayfield with just 90 seconds left.

Leinster coach Matt O’Connor has made 10 changes for tonight’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Glasgow Warriors at the RDS (8.30pm kick-off), where the Blue Army will be hoping to continue the excellent form that has helped them remain unbeaten in 2014.

Three games, 12 tries. And none conceded by Ireland.

Scotland lock Tim Swinson insists his side will have no problem living off scraps against Ireland in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

Scotland head coach Scott Johnson claims full-back Stuart Hogg has timed his return to form perfectly as the Dark Blues gear up for their RBS 6 Nations opener.

Scotland head coach Scott Johnson has made four changes to his side for Sunday’s opening RBS 6 Nations match with Ireland.

Tommy Seymour grabbed two tries on his home debut as Scotland saw off the challenge of improving Japan 42-17 following a flurry of second-half action.

Glasgow 20 Exeter 16

The absence of Conor Murray from tonight’s Munster squad for the must-win RaboDirect Pro12 game with Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun has set the tongues wagging — is he out of favour, injured, or what?

Glasgow 20 Ulster 14

Glasgow Warriors 22 Zebre 19

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend is aware of the threat posed by Eric Elwood’s Connacht outfit who visit the Warriors new home Scotstoun Stadium on Friday night (7.35pm).