It’s been a whirlwind rise up the rugby pecking order for Robin Copeland, through St Mary’s College, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans and then Cardiff Blues.

“Follow that,” quipped Robin Copeland two days ago as he wrapped up his media duties at Ireland’s team base and breezed out the door past Tommy O’Donnell.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY:

Robin Copeland believes his decision to join Munster is already paying dividends after landing his first Ireland call-up.

Simon Zebo is set to return to action in less than three weeks, with Munster boss Rob Penney targeting the province’s trip to Ulster on January 3 as the Ireland wing’s comeback date.

B&I CUP:

Donnacha Ryan is poised to go straight into Munster’s starting line-up for tomorrow’s must-win Heineken Cup pool game at Perpignan.

Munster may be set to welcome back-rowers Tommy O’Donnell and Donnacha Ryan into the selection pool for Saturday’s make or break Heineken Cup pool clash with Perpignan.

Munster have announced the signing of 26-year-old Cardiff Blues utility forward Robin Copeland.

Munster backline duo Doug Howlett and Felix Jones have been ruled out of action for February after both underwent minor knee scopes last week.

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.

Ian Keatley has been charged with helping lift Munster into the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup after his expected elevation to the team that meets Racing Metro at Thomond Park tomorrow (12.45pm).

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).

Munster A 9 Rotherham Titans 9

Ronan O’Gara will miss Munster’s Heineken Cup game with Edinburgh on Sunday (Thomond Park, 12.45pm).

Paul O'Connell completed his first hour of rugby for Munster since May after lining out against Racing Metro on Saturday and reported no ill effects after the game.

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.

John Hayes may have finished his rugby career this season but younger brother Tommy has no intention of following suit with the news that he will today sign a new two-year deal with Exeter Chiefs in England.

TOM HAYES says he’s focusing entirely on captaining Exeter Chiefs to another successful season, insisting his international aspirations won’t factor in.

THE selection of Donnacha Ryan in Munster’s British and Irish Cup squad confirms Paul O’Connell’s involvement in the Heineken Cup clash with the Ospreys at Thomond Park on Sunday.

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.

They’ve even been preparing with ‘mock-Toulouse’ opponents in training, but that hasn’t prevented Leinster hooker John Fogarty from savouring the build-up to the biggest game of his career. He spoke to Brendan O’Brien

BRICKFIELDS, November 21. A crowd of just over 2,000 has wandered in to Plymouth Albion’s home ground for the British and Irish Cup game against Leinster’s second string.

JAMES COUGHLAN is intent on helping Munster A enhance an unbeaten seasonal record when he captains the team in the opening clash of the new British and Irish Cup against English championship side Coventry at Butts Stadium, Coventry, tonight (7.45pm)

There is an exciting look to the young side coach Colin McEntee has selected to represent Leinster against Plymouth Albion in the opening round of the first British & Irish Cup at Brickfields Recreation Grounds on Saturday (KO: 4.30pm).

The inaugural British & Irish Cup will get underway on the weekend of Saturday, November 21.

Coach Kieran Crowley has named an experienced team to play Ireland in Saturday’s Test Match in Vancouver.

A BRAND new 24-team British & Irish Cup will take place from next season featuring Munster, Leinster and Ulster.

Newcastle today completed the signing of Italian international prop Tino Paoletti.

Leinster will be glad to hear that their Heineken Cup opponents Bourgoin have allowed Augusto Petrilli to join up with Argentina as one of just five overseas based players to make the flight to Buenos Aires for Saturday's international against South Africa.

The Argentine Rugby Union have announced a 25-man squad for their European tour next month.