Warren Gatland has revealed that a glowing recommendation from one of world rugby’s outstanding coaches played its part in New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe making an unlikely journey from Super Rugby to potential Wales Test star.

Munster’s personnel issues in midfield have prompted the signing of the young and inexperienced South African centre Pat Howard on a three-month contract from Western Province.

Meet two sets of siblings who are part of the team representing Ireland at the Junior World Championship in kickboxing.

A top international coach has endorsed the nomination of Ireland’s Garry Ringrose for player of the tournament in the IRB Junior World Cup.

David Nucifora cracked two jokes on his introduction to the Irish media yesterday.

Pat Lam has handed Eoghan Masterson his first cap in his team to face the Scarlets tomorrow at the Sportsground (KO: 5pm).

Mark Anscombe has made two changes to the team that beat Montpellier last Saturday for tomorrow night's game against Cardiff Blues at Ravenhill (kick off 19:05).

IRB JUNIOR WORLD CUP POOLS:

Skipper Luke McGrath could this evening become the first man to lead an Irish team to victory over New Zealand in a competitive fixture when they take on the Baby Blacks in the key Pool B game in the Junior World Championship (kick-off 5.45pm Irish time, live on TG4).

Sean O’Brien could soon have some assistance flying the Carlow flag on the international rugby circuit with Ireland U20 centre Tom Daly emerging as a player with serious potential.

Irish U-20 coach Mike Ruddock believes his side can follow up on last year’s stunning opening day victory against South Africa by again laying down an early marker in the opening game of the Junior World Championship against Australia in Vannes this evening (5.45pm Irish time).

Ireland U20 coach Mike Ruddock said he is not concerned their best ever finish at the Junior World Championship last year has not netted them a more favourable draw this season.

Promising Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion knows he will have to be on his toes when Harlequins visit the Sportsground tomorrow evening, but he was fairly busy as well when the English champions visited back in January — checking the tickets of supporters entering the packed ground.

Fifty-cap England fly-half Toby Flood has been warned that he may have to accept a job-share arrangement with rising star George Ford when Leicester’s Aviva Premiership campaign opens on Sunday.

National Olympic canoe manager Karl Dunne has revealed plans are at an advanced stage to develop the sport in Ireland.

Incoming Munster coach Rob Penney was left with an unwanted distinction yesterday after he oversaw New Zealand’s first ever Junior World Championship defeat.

Ireland U20s captain Niall Scannell warned his Junior World Championship giantkillers that this week’s upset of South Africa will count for nothing against England this evening.

IRB Junior World Championship Pool B: South Africa u-20s 19 Ireland u-20s 23

Ireland’s U20 Grand Slam dream died at Adams Park in High Wycombe last night after they failed to fully recover from a strong opening by England.

Coach Mike Ruddock praised his men for maintaining their composure and seeing off the challenge of a weak Scotland side at Dubarry Park last night to set up a Grand Slam decider away to England next Friday.

IRELAND U-20s 24 WALES U-20s 38

SCOTLAND are understood to be ready to join Ireland in withdrawing their Under-20 sides from future Junior World Championships, it emerged yesterday.

The Ireland Under-20 team to face South Africa in the Junior World Championship has been named.

Although the Ireland Under-20s have failed to register a point in Pool C of the IRB Junior World Championship, head coach Mike Ruddock has been pleased with their performances so far.

ENGLAND U-20 33 IRELAND U-20 25

IRELAND U20s captain Niall Annett is in bullish mood ahead of this year’s IRB Junior World Championship, insisting his side can claim the title.

JUST as the nation was celebrating the European Championships silver medal won by Cork runner, Derval O’Rourke, another Irish athlete gave Ireland something to cheer about at the weekend as part of a record-breaking rowing team.

Jamie Heaslip’s five-week ban capped off a sorry weekend in New Plymouth for the Ireland rugby team.

The Ireland U20 Team to play England in their second game of the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina has been named.

Connacht Rugby has appointed Australian Brian Melrose as their backs coach.

IRELAND coach Allen Clark has named his U20 squad for this year’s IRB Junior World Championship in the Santa Fé region of Argentina in June.

IRELAND’S young guns will once again face a test of their physical credentials as they lock horns with Argentina in their opening Pool A encounter at the Junior World Championship in Nagoya, Japan tomorrow (9am, Irish time).

Ireland U20 Coach Allen Clarke has announced his 26-man squad for the IRB Junior World Championship tournament.

Ireland has been drawn in with defending champions New Zealand for the 2009 IRB Junior (under-20) World Championship to be played out between June 5 and 21 across four Japanese cities, with Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka each hosting a pool.

England Under-20 star Joe Simpson has been nominated for the International Rugby Board’s young player of the year award.

Frenchman Sebastien Loeb retained his lead and Colin McRae consolidated third place as the 70th Monte Carlo Rally resumed in the French Alps this morning.