Connacht continued their remarkable start to this season’s Guinness Pro12, grabbing a fifth win on the trot at the Galway Sportsground last evening. And following Leinster’s win over the Scarlets, Pat Lam’s side have now taken top spot.

“Business as usual” was the message yesterday as Matt O’Connor and Jamie Heaslip discussed Leinster’s Guinness PRO12 meeting with Benetton Treviso tonight, but the reality is that no-one can recall when the balance sheet looked so grim.

Jordi Murphy and Dave Kearney make their first starts of the season in Leinster’s Guinness Pro12 clash away to Benetton Treviso at Stadio Monigo tomorrow (2.30pm).

Connacht’s seasonal ambitions could well come down to games such as this evening’s in Italy at Stadio Monigo (7pm, Irish time).

Connacht 38 Treviso 6

Benetton Treviso 12 Ulster 14

Ulster 48 Benetton Treviso 0

There was obviously a good reason for this RaboDirect Pro12 game to be handed the same kick-off slot as Ireland-New Zealand tomorrow but, for the life of us, it is impossible to think of one.

RABODIRECT PRO 12:

Former Stormer Danie Poolman makes a timely first start for Connacht against Italian visitors Benetton Treviso at the Galway Sportsground today (5pm).

Ospreys 38 Benetton Treviso 17

Munster coach Tony McGahan has chosen what can only be construed as a team hell-bent on winning the first of four important RaboDirect Pro12 games away to Treviso today.

THE excitement of Heineken Cup rugby finally arriving for Connacht this season must take a back seat this weekend when the new Rabo Direct Pro12 League kicks off.

IN A snakeskin monokini and pink denim hotpants, Lea T emerges from a faux tropical portico and saunters into the bright lights.

TWO tries for the second game running from Craig Gilroy helped Ulster to victory away to Benetton Treviso in their Magners League clash at the Stadio di Monigo last night.

Ospreys 32 Benetton Treviso 16

British irports operator BAA today announced the sale of its World Duty Free business in a deal worth £546.6m (€719m).

Property tycoon Vincent Tchenguiz is today reportedly considering a bid for UK roadside restaurant chain Little Chef.

The Little Chef roadside restaurant chain could be bought by Italy’s wealthy Benetton family, it was reported today.

Renault boss Flavio Briatore has today described Ayrton Senna as “the complete man” as the motor-racing world prepares to pay its respects to a legend this weekend.

Perpignan 6 Wasps34

Llanelli Scarlets 19 Agen 15

Munster 51 Treviso 0

Mika Hakkinen blasted Michael Schumacher off the top of the time-sheets during practice for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo today.