University College Dublin won a thrilling Ulster Bank League Division 1A clash with leaders Lansdowne at Belfield on Saturday to maintain their challenge to finish in the top four.

It looks increasingly unlikely that Patrick Cronin will be fit to lead Cork into battle against Clare in Sunday week's Munster SHC semi-final.

Lansdowne 32 Clontarf 25

Conor O’Shea today removed himself from the running to become Ireland’s next head coach by confirming his intention to continue as Harlequins’ director of rugby.

Forget the heroics of 1999, in picking Paddy Jackson to start at fly-half in today’s Heineken Cup semi-final with Edinburgh (5.45pm), Brian McLaughlin could not have sent out a clearer message to the Ulster faithful that his team is ready to write a new chapter in their history.

France U-20 12 Ireland U-20 13

The IRFU has today secured the signatures of Ireland internationals Keith Earls and Denis Leamy which will see them remain with Munster for a further two years until 2014.

The two clubs at the bottom of the Division 1B table provided a rousing contest at Kilballyowen Park before Bruff emerged as 22-18 winners over a determined UCC side.

Lansdowne 55 Blackrock College 13

Two tries from flanker John Shine helped Bruff come from behind to beat Galwegians 21-12 in Ulster Bank League Division 1B today.

The Ireland Under-20 team to face Wales in their final game of the IRB Junior World Championship has been named.

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

The Ireland Under-20 team to play South Africa has been named by coach Mike Ruddock.

Leinster rugby have announced today that flanker Rhys Ruddock and centre Eoin O’Malley have agreed new one-year and two-year deals respectively.

IRELAND’S Under-20 team have followed a similar path to the senior team in their RBS Six Nations battle — wins over Italy and Scotland away and a home defeat to France.

AIB LEAGUE DIVISON 1A:

AIB LEAGUE DIVISION 1A:

LEINSTER will have plenty of experience to help guide them through an expected tough Magners League experience against Cardiff Blues at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday (4pm).

Cork Constitution 15 Garryowen 11

Galwegians 11 UCC 19

LEINSTER’S Lions, Luke Fitzgerald, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney are included in Michael Cheika’s squad for Saturday’s Magners League clash with top-of-the-table Edinburgh in Murrayfield (6.30pm).

Cork Constitution 6 Clontarf 25

Terenure College 11 St Mary's College 59

St. Mary's College 18 Blackrock College 8, Templeville Road

David Pollock will lead a strong Ulster outfit for the first time against a touring Portugal national side at Ravenhill in Thursday evening.

Ireland Under-20 David Kearney is one of 21 players confirmed in the Leinster Academy for the forthcoming season 2008/2009.

Garryowen 34 Old Belvedere 17, Dooradoyle

Blackrock College 17 Clontarf 16, Stradbrook

THERE are three changes and one positional switch from the Ireland Under-20 side that lost to France for tomorrow night’s meeting with Scotland (Dubarry Park, Athlone, 7.30pm).

FRANCE U-20 24 IRELAND U-20 13

Ulster caretaker coach Steve Williams has named Rob Dewey to play against his former club Edinburgh in the Magner's League at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Leinster and Argentina star Felipe Contepomi was crowned the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year at a luncheon at Killiney's Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel this afternoon.

Connacht bring in the quartet of Mark McHugh, John Hearty, Stephen Knoop and Michael Swift to the starting line up for their Magner's League clash with Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground on Saturday.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has named Anthony Horgan in the Munster squad for the first time since January when they travel to Neath-Swansea Ospreys in the Magners League on Saturday.

IRISH youth team manager Gerry Smith has announced the squad of 20 Irish players who will travel to the United Arab Emirates next month for the Under 20 World Youth Championship finals.