Italy 22 Ireland 21: Munster’s Calvin Nash ran in a couple of tries, but Ireland’s hopes of reaching successive World Rugby U20 Championship finals took a nosedive as Italy pipped them at the death in Georgia.

The Ireland Women’s management team has confirmed a 48-strong training panel to prepare for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Dublin and Belfast in August. 

Ulster Bank All-Ireland League: Lansdowne will enjoy the festive period that little bit more than their Division 1A rivals after defeating Young Munster 30-24 in a supercharged top of the table clash on Saturday.

The ultra-competitive fare in Ulster Bank League Division 1A has seen Old Belvedere edge their way to the summit.

A look ahead to today’s action in Divisions 1A and 1B...

The Six Nations league table may not reflect his views, but Jamie Heaslip believes Ireland weren’t far off the pace in this year’s championship.

DIVISION 1A

Cork Constitution brought Ballynahinch’s two-match winning run to a shuddering halt by hammering the hosts 38-3 at Ballymacarn Park in this Ulster Bank League Division 1A clash.

Ulster Bank AIL review: Division 1A leaders UCD had the measure of local rivals Old Belvedere for the third time in recent weeks, as a three-try salvo steered the students to a terrific 23-6 Ulster Bank League victory at Anglesea Road.

This year’s Ulster Bank League Division 1A campaign gets under way on September 11 with the clash of Old Belvedere and Terenure College, while last year’s beaten finalists Clontarf face UCD.

Jack Coonan, the highly-promising Leinster back-row forward and Connacht prop Nathan White, are the only uncapped players in the extended 46-strong Ireland squad announced yesterday by head coach Joe Schmidt. 

Dolphin 12 Young Munster 11

Terenure College’s mid-season slump continued at Lakelands Park on Saturday as they were outgunned 33-24 by UCD in an eight-try Ulster Bank League thriller.

Dolphin 18 St. Mary’s College 27

Stephen O’Neill’s first-half try was the difference at Lakelands Park as Terenure College’s dream start continued in Division 1A with a 14-9 win over champions Clontarf.

Cork Constitution enjoyed their first league success as tries from Rob Jermyn and Tomás Quinlan saw them beat Ballynahinch 23-16 at Temple Hill.

Despite last season ending on a cliffhanger that could hardly have been more dramatic, the Ulster Bank League will be decidedly differently this year.

The IRFU stuck to their guns last night — as expected — by naming number ten Jonathan Sexton in Joe Schmidt’s extended squad ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations meeting with Italy in Dublin.

UL Bohemians 15 St Mary's College 3

Results, teams and scorers from this afternoon's league action.

Old Belvedere 25 St Mary's College 13

Ulster Bank League results

Paul O’Connell took another big step in his bid to be fit in time for Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter final against Harlequins.

Lansdowne 35 St. Mary’s College 6

St Mary's College 25 Garryowen 15

Ulster Bank League Div 1A: St. Mary's College 20 Dolphin 18

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

Cork Constitution 12 St. Mary’s College 30

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE: RESULTS:

Ulster Bank League Division 1A: CLONTARF 17 ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 19

Ulster Bank League Division 1A

Results, scores and scorers from today's Ulster Bank League ties

Ulster's Andrew Trimble and Tom Court will join Leinster players Luke Fitzgerald and Isaac Boss in a match-squad of 23 players for the Ireland Wolfhounds when they take on the England Saxons in Galway this Friday evening at 7.45pm.

Monaghan 1-13 St. Mary’s College 2-6

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 16 CLONTARF 3

Garryowen 28 St. Mary’s College 20

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE RESULTS: Division 1A and 1B