Munster A coach Ian Costello has the luxury of being able to name what is arguably his strongest team for today’s British and Irish Cup clash with Aberavon in Tralee (1pm).

There are four Irish coaches responsible for the fortunes of non-Irish teams in this season’s Heineken Cup and, by a quirk of fate, three of them will be plotting the downfall of Irish teams in round two this weekend.

Aside from a few cuts and bruises, the Leinster medical team have reported no new injuries ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with the Scarlets in Wales (1.35pm).

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.

At the third time of asking, Ireland finally triumphed over arch-rivals England in the Junior World Cup in Cape Town yesterday, a victory that puts them into a final play-off for fifth place against France later this week.

Ireland U20s captain Niall Scannell warned his Junior World Championship giantkillers that this week’s upset of South Africa will count for nothing against England this evening.

Good times for Leinster on and off the pitch.

Leinster have today announces details of 18 contract extensions and two new signings.

Leinster played some sparkling rugby when they spanked Cardiff in the Heineken Cup quarter-final on Saturday, but, according to out-half Ian Madigan, there’s even better to come.

Ireland’s U20 Grand Slam dream died at Adams Park in High Wycombe last night after they failed to fully recover from a strong opening by England.

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

Newport Gwent Dragons have signed Samoa international centre Andy Tuilagi on a two-year contract from Sale Sharks.

USA head coach Eddie O’Sullivan last night said he believed he had picked his strongest available squad for the World Cup.

Connacht Rugby have today completed the signing of rugby league legend Henry Fa’afili.

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.

Donal Lenihan looks at the Irish powerhouses and sees one squad primed to build on European success, while the other requires major surgery as cracks start to show.

Wasps have signed Leeds Carnegie’s World Cup winner Steve Thompson for the 2011-12 Aviva Premiership season.

Northampton 23 Perpignan 7

Wasps have suspended their international forwards Andy Powell and Tim Payne.

Conor O’Shea believes his Harlequins team will face the standard-bearers for English club rugby tomorrow.

Nick Easter will captain England against Ireland in Saturday’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash after Mike Tindall was ruled out with an ankle ligament strain.

England manager Martin Johnson has made one change for Sunday’s Calcutta Cup game against Scotland, with Alex Corbisiero replacing the injured Andrew Sheridan at loose-head prop.

JULIEN BONNAIRE has promised there will be no fear in the France ranks when Marc Lievremont’s troops run out at Twickenham tomorrow.

Lewis Moody’s hopes of captaining England against France at Twickenham on Saturday have been wrecked by a recurrence of his knee injury.

England manager Martin Johnson has named an unchanged team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham.

England captain Lewis Moody is likely to be sidelined for six weeks after suffering a knee ligament injury.

Ospreys coach Sean Holley has billed tomorrow’s Heineken Cup clash against struggling London Irish as a season-defining game.

Louis Deacon has been recalled to the England squad for the RBS 6 Nations as a replacement for banned Gloucester lock Dave Attwood.

LONDON IRISH boss Toby Booth struggled to mask his frustration after Bath’s late show at the Madejski Stadium consigned the Exiles to a ninth successive defeat.

Only two points separate all four teams in Pool Three ahead of tomorrow’s games between London Irish and Toulon at the Madejski Stadium and Munster’s Thomond Park appointment with the Ospreys.

LONDON IRISH head coach Toby Booth will be dealing with a virtually full deck when he selects his matchday squad to face Munster on Saturday in their Heineken Cup opener in Reading.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has named Keith Earls in an extended Munster squad for the Heineken Cup tie with London Irish at the Madejski on Saturday (kick off: 5:45pm).

LONDON IRISH stayed top of the Aviva Premiership with a 40-24 win over Leeds Carnegie, but Heineken Cup opponents Munster will have seen plenty of weaknesses to exploit in a shaky defensive display as they prepare to visit the Madejski Stadium.

THE bonus point Munster secured by finishing within seven of Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night keeps them in Magners League pole position, but their Heineken Cup aspirations have taken a battering.

Toby Booth has distanced London Irish from any realistic prospect of recruiting unsettled Wales star Gavin Henson.

Ulster 19 Leeds Carnegie 16, Ravenhill

Stephen Ferris will start for Ulster in Thursday's friendly game against Leeds Carnegie at Ravenhill (7.30pm).

Leeds Carnegie's New Zealand-born back-row Daniel Browne has declared his interest in playing for Ireland.

Harlequins 24 Ulster 0

South African recruits Johann Muller and Pedrie Wannenburg will make their debuts for Ulster in a pre-season match against Bath at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Ireland internationals Alan Quinlan and Malcolm O’Kelly will face their countrymen as part of the Barbarians line-up for Friday’s non-cap international at Thomond Park in Limerick.

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock has resigned from his post at the Guinness Premiership club with immediate effect.