Versatile back five player Fineen Wycherley is Munster’s only new injury concern as they start preparing for next weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens.

Munster head coach Johann Van Graan hailed his side's second-half display as they secured a 30-5 win over Castres Olympique in their Heineken Champions Cup clash at Thomond Park.

Munster's new head coach Johann van Graan insisted his side have plenty of areas to improve upon despite the dominant nature of their 33-10 Champions Cup bonus point win over Leicester Tigers at Thomond Park.

Donnacha Ryan will join Ronan O’Gara as part of Racing 92’s contingent bidding to conquer fortress Thomond Park in Munster’s first home European fixture of the season, which was announced yesterday.

Cardiff Blues 13 Leinster 16 

Leinster’s South African star Zane Kirchner says Ruan Pienaar has been left “heartbroken” by the IRFU decision to block Ulster’s plans to re-sign the star.

European Champions Cup Pool 2 

Champions Cup: Leicester ended Toulon’s nine-match unbeaten run in Europe as Owen Williams kicked 20 points to see the Tigers home at Welford Road.

Former Rugby League star, Ben Te’o, makes his Leinster debut in tonight’s Guinness Pro12 clash with Edinburgh (RDS, 7.35pm), as the champions aim to secure back-to-back league victories for the first time this season.

Leinster completed this phase of the European Champions Cup unbeaten thanks to their win over Castres in the Stade Pierre-Antoine stadium yesterday.

Guinness Pro12:

Leinster fans will be smiling today with the news of their pool draw for next season’s European Rugby Champions Cup.

Castres Olympique 22 Leinster 29

Forwards coach Jono Gibbes praised Leinster's resilience as they came from two converted tries down to beat Castres Olympique 29-22 at Stade Pierre-Antoine.

Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor felt his side should have made more of their opportunities during the first half of their 19-7 Heineken Cup victory over Castres Olympique.

Leinster 19 Castres 7

LEINSTER V CASTRES

Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has shuffled his backline for his side’s final Heineken Cup Pool 4 match against Castres Olympique at the Stade Pierre Antoine on Saturday (1.35pm) with Ruan Pienaar favoured over Paddy Jackson at flyhalf.

Despite nursing a groin strain full-back Jared Payne has been included in Ulster’s 26-man squad for the province’s final Heineken Cup pool match against Castres Olympique on Saturday (1.35pm Irish time).

An assessment this morning has confirmed that Ulster star Nick Williams sustained medial ligament damage to his left knee in the Heineken Cup Pool 4 win over Glasgow at Ravenhill last Friday.

Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has had to shuffle his pack for tomorrow evening’s Heineken Cup Pool 4 match against Glasgow Warriors at Ravenhill (8pm) after lock Dan Tuohy failed to recover from the calf strain he sustained against Scarlets.

Injury has forced Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe to omit Luke Marshall (finger) and Adam D’Arcy (ankle) from his provisional 27-man squad for Friday’s Heineken Cup Pool 4 clash against Glasgow at Ravenhill (8pm).

As a goal-kicking Test fly-half, it is little wonder Racing-Metro head coach Gonzalo Quesada should give a nod to the most prolific number 10 in Heineken Cup history.

By Ian Cusack

Back row Iain Henderson will make his home debut for Ulster in place of the injured Nick Williams for Friday's Heineken Cup Pool 4 opener against Castres Olympique (8.00pm).

Having returned from international duty with South Africa in the Rugby Championship, scrum-half Ruan Pienaar is included in the Ulster squad for the first time this season, as Mark Anscombe’s team prepare for their Heineken Cup Pool 4 match against Castres Olympique at Ravenhill on Friday (8:00pm).

Ulster flanker Chris Henry believes his side’s 48-19 victory over Cardiff on Friday was exactly what they needed to produce in their first game back after the death of squad member Nevin Spence.

Referees officiating in the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cup competitions will adhere to the law trials in operation in the Aviva Premiership, the Top 14 and the RaboDirect PRO12 competitions.

Leinster Rugby will open their bid for an historic three Heineken Cup titles in a row with a home match against tournament newcomers Exeter Chiefs at the RDS on Saturday, October 13, it was announced today.

Never mind which Irish province will win the Heineken Cup, which of the three Irish coaches still involved in the tournament has the best chance of guiding his side to European glory?

Munster make just one change in personnel to their starting XV, from the one that started against Castres Olympique, for tomorrow's Heineken Cup clash with Northampton Saints (6pm).

Simon Lewis looks at the battle ahead

Perhaps unsurprisingly Tony McGahan keeps faith with the same 23 that delivered the bonus point win last weekend, for tomorrow's crucial Heineken Cup clash with Castres Olympique.

Niall Ronan, who retired injured (knee) in the first half of Munster's win over Treviso last weekend has been included in the provisional Munster squad for the Heineken Cup game against Castres Olympique on Saturday (3.40pm).

Mike Sherry returns to training this week having been out of action since early October when he injured an ankle in a club game.

IRELAND referee Alain Rolland can expect a red-hot reception when he takes charge of the Heineken Cup clash between Scarlets and Northampton Saints next month.

HEINEKEN Cup chiefs have finalised the scheduling of the January pool games.

MUNSTER’S hopes of continuing their winning start in Heineken Cup Pool 1 received an eve-of-game boost yesterday when Castres Olympique rang the changes to their starting line-up for today’s clash at Stade Ernest Wallon.

After snatching a dramatic victory over Northampton Saints, Tony McGahan has opted for the same starting XV for Saturday's Heineken Cup meeting with Castres Olympique in Stade Ernest-Wallon (3.40pm Irish time).

Munster named an unchanged squad for the trip to Toulouse and the Heineken Cup Round Two game with Castres Olympique on Saturday (4.40pm, French time).

With big names like David Wallace, Keith Earls, Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones still ruled out, Tony McGahan will be relieved by Munster’s clean bill of health from last weekend's action as they begin a busy week's training that culminates with matches in the Heineken and British & Irish Cup campaigns in France and Wales respectively.

FORMER Leinster coach Michael Cheika has been fined €20,000, half of it suspended until June 2013, for his conduct on the night of the Amlin Challenge final when his Stade Francais side was defeated by Harlequins.