Ireland's second-string saw off Canada 52-21 but most likely failed to sway boss Joe Schmidt's selection for the New Zealand rematch next weekend.

There will be a hint of the GAA on show tonight at Castle Avenue when Clontarf host the world-famous Barbarians in a rugby game commemorating the Battle of Clontarf.

Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony is targeting improvements in this weekend’s clash with Canada.after beating the United States by just three points last time out.

Munster head coach Rob Penneyn has made twelve changes to the starting XV that took on Leinster, for tomorrow night’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Dragons at Rodney Parade (7pm)

Cornish Pirates 9 Munster A 10

Munster forward David Kilcoyne has come a very long way in a very short space of time.

Rob Penney’s men aren’t the only Munster outfit in search of glory across the Irish Sea tomorrow.

Munster A 24 Leinster 17

Having defied medical opinion and returned to match fitness a month earlier than expected, Paul O’Connell sets out this afternoon on a path that could see him feature for Munster in next month’s Heineken Cup quarter-final with Harlequins.

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).

Nothing grates on Munster rugby players more than being told that they are in any way inferior to their Leinster counterparts.

The next generation of Munster rugby stars will be unveiled at Musgrave Park on Friday (5.30pm) when the province contests their second British and Irish Cup final in three years, against Welsh club Cross Keys.

Munster number 8 James Coughlan might miss the RaboDirect PRO12 game against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, after suffering a bone fracture to his left hand during the Heineken Cup quarter-final loss to Ulster.

James Coughlan looks set to miss Munster’s RaboDirect PRO12 game against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday having sustained a bone fracture to his left hand during Sunday’s Heineken Cup defeat to Ulster.

Barry O’Mahony has been plucked from the relative obscurity of club rugby to fill the number seven position for Munster A in the British and Irish Cup semi-final clash with Leinster at the RDS this evening (6pm).

A MEDICAL study claims protective skull caps do nothing to protect against concussion.

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

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.

Munster A 6 Cornish Pirates 10

REVENGE will be on Munster A minds in Clonmel tonight (7pm) as they tackle Cornish Pirates, the team they lost to in the inaugural British and Irish Cup final clash a couple of years ago.

MUNSTER’S new signing, Will Chambers, and scrum-half Tomas O’Leary will both see game time for the Munster A team in the Sportsground, Galway, today against Connacht (kick-off 2pm).

CONNACHT Rugby chiefs have no plans to seek the use of Galway GAA’s Pearse Stadium if they are playing in the Heineken Cup next season.

French club La Rochelle have confirmed the signing of back-row forward Alfie To’oala from Leeds Carnegie.

NEIL BEST believes Ireland coach Declan Kidney hasn’t done enough to track the progress of Irish players plying their trade in England.

ANTHONY FOLEY says Munster would be opposed to any plans to have the British and Irish Cup scrapped.

Connacht Rugby have continued their recruitment drive for next season by securing the services of Harlequins scrum-half David Moore for next season.

MUNSTER A start the build-up to the British and Irish Cup campaign with a game against Irish rivals Leinster at Donnybrook on Sunday (2.30pm) and are boosted by the inclusion of some key figures from the senior squad.

IT IS a game that may have slipped under the radar but regardless of what happens at the RDS tonight, Munster may collect their first piece of silverware this season in the final of the inaugural British & Irish Cup against Cornish Pirates at Camborne tomorrow (6pm, Sky Sports).

MUNSTER will face an old friend when they meet Cornish Pirates in the inaugural British & Irish Cup final in Camborne on Sunday (6pm).

IT was Declan Kidney who said it first, but we would do well to heed his words – recent events notwithstanding, these are special times in Irish rugby.

JEREMY Manning, a player whose season has been ravaged by injury, demonstrated his potential with two smashing tries in Munster’s British & Irish Cup semi-final victory at Thomond Park on Saturday.

HAVING defeated Ulster twice this season in the A Interprovincial Championship, Munster will be fancied to complete the hat-trick as they take on the Ravens in the semi-final of the inaugural British & Irish Cup at Thomond Park this afternoon.

MUNSTER legend Anthony Foley is confident his young side will add further lustre to the province when his Munster A side takes on the Ulster Ravens in the first of a highly attractive double-header at Thomond Park on Saturday next (3.30pm).

Ulster have drawn Munster at home in the British & Irish Cup semi-final which will take place on the weekend of April 23-25.

MUNSTER’s quest to unearth the senior players of the future continues at Musgrave Park tonight (7.30) when the ‘A’ team takes on Scottish side Heriots in their final pool game of the British and Irish Cup.

STADE FRANCAIS prop David Attoub is to appeal his 70-week ban for foul play.

MUNSTER A will set down in another temporary home at Nenagh tonight (7.30pm) for the second of their British and Irish Cup assignments against top English side Bristol.