Munster Academy manager Peter Malone is delighted to see his players getting a chance to impress at British and Irish Cup level and he has been impressed with how they have responded to the challenge.

Champions Munster bid to become the fourth team guaranteed a place in the B&I Cup quarter-finals when they host Plymouth Albion at Temple Hill, Cork, tonight (7pm).

On a weekend when the provinces showed their class in the Heineken Cup, Munster, Ulster and Leinster also had big wins in the British and Irish Cup.

Newport Gwent Dragons 21 Edinburgh 10

ALL I want for Christmas is — world peace?

MUNSTER took the last qualification spot in the British and Irish Cup courtesy of Leinster yesterday.

NEW South African signing Tonderai Chavhanga gave the Newport Gwent Dragons plenty to cheer about in their RaboDirect Pro 12 clash with Ulster at Rodney Parade.

France 46 Canada 19

HT: France 19 Canada 10

Tonga 20 Canada 25

SIXTY years ago, during the sun-splashed summer of 1951, the first of the trucks that would change Cong forever rumbled into town.

Steve Borthwick’s hopes of forcing his way back into the England squad for the autumn internationals have suffered an early setback.

Budget hotel chain Travelodge stepped up its expansion today with the addition of 52 hotels from pubs and restaurant group Mitchells & Butlers.

MUNSTER manager Shaun Payne has backed the province to bounce back from their Heineken Cup elimination in Sunday’s crucial Magners League clash with the Blues at Cardiff City Stadium.

IRELAND U19’s produced a performance of high intensity and immense quality on their way to a comprehensive defeat of Australia Schools in an absorbing international at Cork IT last night.

LACK of game time may be a concern for Ireland U19 coach Allen Clarke but the former Irish international still looks forward to a quality performance from his side in tonight’s clash with the Australian Schools U19s at Cork Institute of Technology’s ground (7.30pm).

CORK schoolboys Simon Hanbidge and David O’Mahony have been paired in the Irish U-19 second row for the PricewaterhouseCoopers sponsored international with Australia to be held at Cork IT under lights tomorrow (7.30 pm).

BRAGGING rights will be at stake as Munster A take on Ulster Ravens at Musgrave Park this afternoon (2pm), but both sides will also be treating the clash as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming British and Irish Cup, which starts the weekend after next.

A BRAND new 24-team British & Irish Cup will take place from next season featuring Munster, Leinster and Ulster.

JAMES HOOK looks set to miss Wales’ Millennium Stadium clash against New Zealand next Saturday after suffering a knee injury during an error-strewn victory over Canada last night.

Wales 34 Canada 13

Newport Gwent Dragons Andy Hall is set to make his 100th appearance in the Celtic league when the region takes on Leinster at RSD Dublin in the Magners League on Saturday.

The Irish Prison Service today hit out at a study which accused jails of making no effort to ensure inmates remain in contact with their families.

Leicester 19 Munster 21

Munster star Peter Stringer believes the Heineken Cup holders face a tougher task trying to retain their European title than when they won it in unforgettable fashion last season.

A CANADIAN man accused of duping girls in England to strip off and perform sex acts over a webcam was last night set to appear in court.

OVER the last few years, alcohol in Ireland has become more available as a result of extended opening hours, increased availability in off-licenses, petrol stations and restaurants, and an increase in the number of special exemptions.

Mike Ruddock’s resignation as Wales coach has stunned planet rugby and left the reigning Six Nations Championship holders in the caretaker hands of Australian Scott Johnson.

Northampton yesterday made two emergency signings in Scotland loose forward Ross Beattie and former Bath prop Simon Emms to bolster their injury-hit squad.

Northampton are set to be without six injured internationals for their Powergen Cup tie against neighbours Bedford.

Bedford Blues chairman Geoff Irvine has slammed a decision to postpone the club’s opening National League One game against Rotherham.

Rotherham’s survival fight continued last night following a “positive and constructive” meeting between potential club rescuers and senior RFU figures.

Irish international wing Darragh O’Mahony has left Saracens by mutual consent.

An unexpected switch of allegiance has given London Irish winger Paul Sackey the opportunity to prove his England credentials at Twickenham on Sunday.

Australian James Pritchard, one of the top scorers in the Rugby Canada Super League (RCSL), has been named to the Canadian side to clash with the New Zealand Maori in Calgary on Saturday.

MUNSTER’S three new signings will all play their club rugby in Limerick this year with Eddie Halvey returning to play his club rugby with Shannon, Dominic Malone teaming up with UL Bohemians and Australian prop Simon Kerr joining Garryowen.

LIONS lock Jeremy Davidson is itching to win back his international jersey.

Coach Alan Solomons has picked a strong side for Ulster's opening game of the season against Bedford at Ravenhill on Friday evening.

TWO former internationals are preparing for a battle to get back into the international scene.

Lawrence Dallaglio admits he could have done more to help Wasps in their season of crisis - but now he is back, the former England skipper is intent on making up for lost time.