Connacht Academy players Sean O’Brien and Peter Robb have secured senior contracts with the province.

Munster forward Billy Holland is refusing to get his hopes up for a World Cup spot later this year, but after a ‘short and sweet’ introduction to the Ireland squad, he admits he’d jump at the chance to represent his country.

Munster A 33 Connacht Eagles 13: Munster A showed flashes of brilliance during their comprehensive win over the Connacht Eagles at Thomond Park yesterday.

Keith Earls has given Munster a boost in the build-up to their Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown with Toulouse in three weeks by returning to training for the first time since January.

THE latest young gun to burst on the scene in Connacht can’t wait to see some more action but Jack Carty knows there is stiff competition for the No.10 shirt.

Ulster have confirmed that Ireland’s talented utility back Stuart Olding will be out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

Connacht winger Matt Healy has signed a new two-year contract extension with the province, keeping him at the Galway Sportsground until at least the summer of 2016.

Munster A 20 Connacht Eagles 12

Veteran lock Michael Swift has recovered from injury to take his place alongside Mike McCarthy in the second row for Connacht’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Edinburgh at Murrayfield tomorrow (7.30pm).

Connacht have further bolstered their squad ahead of next season by securing new deals for promising prospects Aaron Conneely and Matt Healy.

Mark McCrea has been released early from his two-year contract with Connacht, moving to Jersey RFC for the remainder of the season and next year.

Familiar stars will be missing as Leinster head into another high risk RaboDirect Pro12 encounter against Connacht at the RDS this evening.

23-year-old Connacht winger Matt Healy will earn his first cap for the province when he lines out in tomorrow’s RaboDirect PRO12 match against Leinster in the RDS (7.45pm).

Rob Penney might think it strange to be still working his rugby brain in the build up to a day when Santa Claus and kids are king, but he knows he better get used to it.

Connacht Head Coach Eric Elwood has made two changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s meeting with Munster at the Sportsground (5.15pm).

Connacht back rower Willie Faloon has been ruled out of the province’s Pool 3 showdown against Biarritz at the Parc des Sports Aguilera on Friday (8pm).

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.

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has made three personnel changes up front for Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO 12 meeting with Edinburgh at the Sportsground (5pm).

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has made just three changes to the team that beat Benetton Treviso 18-3 in round eight for the province’s visit to the Newport Gwent Dragons in Friday evening’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash at Rodney Parade (7pm).

Connacht’s Eric Elwood is once again putting his faith in youngsters with Ireland U20 player Darragh Leader making his debut tomorrow against the Ospreys in Liberty Stadium (2.30pm).

Darragh Leader, 19, will earn his first competitive start for Connacht in tomorrow afternoon’s meeting with defending RaboDirect PRO12 champions the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium (2.30pm).

Dean Richards believes Leinster can become the first side to win the Heineken Cup three seasons in-a-row.

The Connacht squad trained in Galway yesterday ahead of Saturday’s round 2 Heineken Cup clash with Harlequins (6pm), with the medical team reporting some injury concerns arising from last Saturday’s away win in Italy.

Roger Wilson will make his return from injury today as Ulster Ravens kick off their British & Irish Cup campaign against Bridgend Ravens in Deramore Park. Wilson will line out in his familiar number 8 position while former Ireland U20 captain Niall Annett starts at hooker.

Cork Constitution 16 Garryowen 6

Munster A 15 Connacht Eagles 19