Munster props James Cronin and Brian Scott, Connacht second-row Quinn Roux and Leinster’s Jordi Murphy make their first starts in the famous colours of the Barbarians who face Tonga at Thomond Park tonight (7.30pm).

From a Munster Schools Senior Cup winning back row to a Waikato Premier A front row, Jack Dineen admits his life in rugby has taken the road less travelled.

Carl Hoeft, a key member of the Maori All Black management team preparing for Friday’s sold-out clash with Munster at Thomond Park, is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting his side.

Joe Schmidt isn’t the only one looking forward to seeing his charges face the best side in the world twice over the next few weeks.

Connacht and Ireland Prop Nathan White has been forced to retire.

The referee for the opening test between Ireland and Argentina last weekend says he has fond memories of a season he spent playing for Highfield in the All-Ireland League.

In a market that is set to become even more competitive given increased revenues from their domestic and European broadcast deals, the English and French clubs are set to make life a lot more difficult for the Irish provinces.

Jonno Gibbes has refused to be drawn on whether or not he is interested in succeeding Joe Schmidt at Leinster if the latter’s coronation as Ireland’s head coach is given the expected thumbs up by the IRFU.

Warren Gatland limped into London’s historic Ironmonger’s Hall yesterday morning, a wounded Lions head coach but one which the team’s chairman Gerald Davies insisted was “fit for purpose” for next summer’s trip down under.

Connacht have boosted their front-row options with the signature of experienced prop Nathan White, who joins from Leinster.

Connacht Rugby have secured the services of tighthead prop Nathan White for next season.

Munster have announced a new signing to replace outgoing centre Will Chambers after former Waikato and Chiefs outside centre/wing Save Tokula signed a contract to remain for the rest of the current season.

Waikato and Chiefs outside centre/wing Savenaca Tokula will be joining Munster for the remainder of the current season, it was announced today.

AS a New Zealander, it’s been hard these past 24 hours to concentrate on anything but the tournament-ending injury suffered by Dan Carter at training on Saturday. The photos of him lying on the ground in obvious agony had already warned New Zealanders that the news would not be good.

After coming through last weekend’s victor over the Dragons relatively unscathed, Munster coach Tony McGahan has picked an identical 26 man squad for Friday’s visit to Glasgow.

KEVIN McLAUGHLIN admits it was difficult to put his World Cup rejection behind him but insists he is focused on the job at hand here at home with Leinster.

Canterbury tight-head Peter Borlase is set to arrive in Ireland next week to begin a two-year stint with Munster.

NOVEMBER could prove an explosive month on and off the field.

Fly-half Dan Carter returns to the New Zealand side for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia but there is no place in Graham Henry’s 22-man squad for Sonny Bill Williams.

Former rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams has been named in New Zealand’s 30-man squad for their end-of-season tour of the northern hemisphere but there is no place for Aaron Cruden, Robbie Fruean or Colin Slade.

GRAHAM HENRY expects his New Zealand side to face a much-changed South Africa one when the two countries meet in the Tri-Nations on Saturday.

New Zealand fly-half Stephen Donald is facing up to four months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a torn chest muscle.

THE New Zealand Maori squad has been named for next month’s Centenary series — which includes a clash with Ireland — with former All Blacks Corey Flynn, Hosea Gear, Tanerau Latimer, Luke McAlister, Liam Messam and Isaac Ross all named.

MUNSTER and Leinster have commenced their ticket sales for next month’s glamour Heineken Cup ties.

SIMON SHAW and Mathew Tait have both been included in the England squad for Saturday’s final Investec Challenge showdown with New Zealand at Twickenham.

Dan Carter has been called into the New Zealand squad for the remainder of the team's Tri-Nations campaign.

New Zealand hooker Keven Mealamu is to undergo surgery on a ruptured chest muscle and will be out of rugby for at least four months.

Connacht 12 Ulster 14

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named seven new players in his 35-man squad for the autumn tour to Hong Kong and Europe.

WELLINGTON prop Jacob Ellison looks set for a long spell on the sidelines after dislocating his elbow during Friday’s 64-7 win against Counties-Manukau.

Leinster have confirmed the appointment of Jonno Gibbes as their new forwards coach.

ALL BLACK hopeful Kieran Read has failed to make Graham Henry’s 26-man squad for the Test series against Ireland and England and the Philips Tri Nations.

FORMER Irish out-half Ollie Campbell yesterday praised the timing of Eddie O’Sullivan’s resignation announcement and predicted that Declan Kidney would be the next head Irish coach.

Warren Gatland has criticised Irish rival and former colleague Eddie O’Sullivan for a lack of loyalty just days before the two coaches go head to head at Croke Park.

WARREN GATLAND is determined his own personal duel with Irish rival Eddie O’Sullivan does not overshadow Wales’ Triple Crown challenge at Croke Park on Saturday.

Warren Gatland is determined his own personal duel with rival Eddie O’Sullivan does not overshadow Wales’ Triple Crown challenge at Croke Park on Saturday.

Warren Gatland will meet some old friends, confront some old foes and square up to the country that sacked him seven years ago.

Jonathan Thomas has called on Welsh rugby to give new national coach Warren Gatland time to turn the game in the country around.

WARREN Gatland has admitted he is “very interested” in taking over as the coach of Wales.

Warren Gatland has admitted he is “very interested” in taking over as the coach of Wales' national rugby team.

NEW ZEALAND will monitor Dan Carter’s fitness closely after selecting him for Saturday’s World Cup clash with France in Cardiff.