Victory in today’s B&I Cup clash at Clifton Lane is essential if Munster A are to have a chance of qualifying for the quarter finals.

Dependent on team selection higher up, Munster A coach Mick O’Driscoll has rung the changes for tomorrow’s British & Irish Cup game with Yorkshire Carnegie in Lockwood Park, Huddersfield.

The IRFU is to provide clubs with up to €400 in grant aid to encourage them travel to the Aviva Stadium for the World Cup warm-ups with Scotland and Wales in August.

Munster look set to lose another back-row forward to Pau with Sean Dougall in line for a move to the French Top 14 hopefuls this summer.

Battling his brother Neville as a youngster gave Robin Copeland the aggressive edge that’s serving him well in his professional day-to-day life.

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.

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

Gloucester have added Meath man Shane Monahan to their Heineken Cup squad for Saturday’s meeting with Munster.

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

Robin Copeland is to join Munster from Cardiff Blues next season in a bid to fulfil his Ireland ambitions.

Robin Copeland fears he will be denied his dream of playing for Ireland. The Wexford No 8 received widespread plaudits after his man-of-the-match performance in Cardiff Blues’ famous Heineken Cup victory over reigning champions Toulon on Saturday.

Munster have announced that current squad captain Doug Howlett will retire from professional rugby at the end of this season.

Ronan O’Gara may be considering his playing future but he is in no doubt about the challenges that lie beyond — he wants to coach Munster.

Second row Ian Nagle and centre Ivan Dineen have committed their immediate futures to Munster, singing one-year and two-year contract extensions respectively.

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).

Signed by an outgoing coach, Munster new boy Sean Dougall had more than most to prove to incoming boss Rob Penney when the New Zealanader succeeded Tony McGahan this summer.

James Coughlan will lead a much changed Munster side when they resume their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign against Connacht in Galway on Saturday (5.15pm).

Rob Penney has made just one change to his starting XV for the return game against Saracens in Vicarage Road on Sunday with Casey Laulala coming into the side in place of the injured Keith Earls.

Munster’s impressive away B&I Cup victory over Rotherham Titans will mean nothing unless there is a performance of even higher quality at Musgrave Park this evening (6.30pm), according to Mike Prendergast.

Munster fans can heave a sigh of relief as the pernickety French referee from Saturday’s win over Saracens will not take charge of this weekend’s return game in Vicarage Road.

Back row trio Niall Ronan, Sean Dougall and Barry O'Mahony will make their return to full training with the Munster squad this week with all three expected to be in consideration for Sunday’s crucial Heineken Cup meeting against Saracens.

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.

Bristish and Irish Cup holders Munster face a major test of character when they take on Rotherham Titans at Clifton Lane this afternoon (2pm) with an experimental side.

Munster winger Simon Zebo admitted the squad was buzzing after Sunday’s 33-0 Heineken Cup victory over Edinburgh in Thomond Park which brought an end a three-match losing streak.

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).

Munster's summer signing Seán Dougall is excited about experiencing the famous Thomond Park atmosphere when they welcome Heineken Cup rivals Edinburgh to Limerick on Sunday.

Sean Dougall has braced himself for a huge battle to make the Munster team this year.

Munster last night put the finishing touch to their squad for next season when the province agreed terms with highly-rated Blue Bulls and South Africa Under-20 flanker CJ Stander.

Cardiff Blues have announced the signing of Dublin born flanker Robin Copeland from the Rotherham Titans.

Munster’s hand has been further strengthened after ten players signed new contracts.

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 A coach Anthony Foley hopes an early season home defeat to Llanelli doesn’t come back to haunt his side as they seek to wrap up a place in the semi-finals of the British and Irish Cup against Bristol at the Memorial Ground tonight (7.45pm).

MUNSTER back-row forward Nick Williams faces at least six weeks out following knee surgery, but the Magners League champions will still have something to smile about for then new season.

Clifden's Tiarnan O'Halloran and Knocknacarra's Eoin Griffin will make their home debuts for Connacht when they take on Rotherham Titans in a pre-season friendly at the Sportsground on Friday evening (kick off 6.30pm).

Connacht will be at close to full strength for their second pre-season friendly when they take on Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday (kick off: 3pm).

Connacht boss Michael Bradley has named his starting line-up for Friday’s pre-season friendly against Harlequins.

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

Connacht will kick-start their three-matche pre-season friendlies against Guinness Premiership club Harlequins at The Stoop on Friday, August 14.

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