Ulster Bank League Division 1A

St Mary’s College 20 Lansdowne 38

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.

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.

Munster A 15 Connacht Eagles 19

Ireland’s Under 20s finished on a high to clinch fifth place at the Junior Rugby World Cup in Cape Town yesterday with a comprehensive victory over France in Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium.

Ireland bid to defeat England at the third time of asking this season when the sides faces off in the IRB Junior World Championship fifth place play-off in Western Cape Stadium tomorrow (4pm, Irish time).

Ireland U20s coach Mike Ruddock has rung the changes for his side’s must-win IRB Junior World Championship pool finale against Italy today but a win may not be enough to reach the last four in South Africa.

Ireland’s Under-20s ripped up the script on day one of the 2012 Junior World Championship when they delivered a huge upset with a well-deserved win over host country South Africa.

Irish coach Mike Ruddock has called on his pack to stand up to the most potent physical tests in rugby against Italy, England and South Africa at the Junior World Championships.

Ulster’s Paddy Jackson is named in the Ireland U20 squad for next month’s IRB World Junior Championships in South Africa.

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.

Second-half drop goals from half-backs Luke McGrath and Paddy Jackson against Wales set the Ireland U20s on a Grand Slam journey back in February but the duo are not underestimating the final road block.

Ireland coach Mike Ruddock believes his side must counter the physicality of their English opponents in tomorrow’s RBS U20 Six Nations clash at Adams Park if they are to achieve their grand slam dream.

Coach Mike Ruddock praised his men for maintaining their composure and seeing off the challenge of a weak Scotland side at Dubarry Park last night to set up a Grand Slam decider away to England next Friday.

Ireland wing Tommy Bowe has ended speculation about his future by confirming his return to Ulster on a three-year deal announced yesterday by the IRFU and starting next season.

Mike Ruddock’s Ireland remain on course for an U-20 Six Nations Grand Slam after seeing off Italy at Dubarry Park last night.

Ireland’s U20s captured their share of the headlines on a dramatic weekend for Six Nations rugby in France when they dug deep for a thrilling victory over Les Bleus, surviving a pulsating finale at the Stade des Alpes, Grenoble on Saturday.

A good start against Wales has given Irish coach Mike Ruddock belief in the ability of his U20 team for their meeting with France at Grenoble this afternoon.

Scarcely has a team been so dominant and still have to work so hard in the closing stages to carve out a victory.

Seven players from last year’s squad are included in the Ireland team for Friday night’s U20 Six Nations clash with Wales (Dubarry Park, Athlone. 7.05pm).

A FIRST-HALF penalty try, supplemented by 14 points from the right boot of Scott Deasy, steered the Munster ‘A’ team to a workmanlike 19-3 victory over their Connacht counterparts at the Sportsground last night.

MUNSTER A had to wait until the dying moments to secure a hard-earned victory over a youthful and inexperienced Connacht at Thomond Park yesterday.

IRELAND U20 rugby team coach, Mike Ruddock, says his team are ready to cut England down to size at the IRB Junior World Championships in Italy.

IRELAND U20 coach Mike Ruddock described yesterday’s World Cup warm-up game at Musgrave Park as “a very useful exercise” as he finalises his preparations for next month’s tournament in Italy.

Ireland U20 15England U20 46

IRELAND U20 coach Mike Ruddock’s hand has once again been forced by provincial call-ups, leading him to make four changes to the side that takes on England in their final RBS Six Nations clash with England at Dubarry Park tomorrow (7.45pm).

AFTER consecutive away victories, Darren Edwards has made four changes for Wales U20’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland at Parc Y Scarlets tonight (7.10 pm).

IRELAND’S Under-20 team have followed a similar path to the senior team in their RBS Six Nations battle — wins over Italy and Scotland away and a home defeat to France.

MIKE RUDDOCK’S Ireland U20s will take the field in Inverness tonight (7.30pm) with relative confidence, despite the recent home defeat by high-flying France.

A MASSIVE French pack brought Ireland’s winning start to the Under 20 Six Nations to an abrupt end at Dubarry Park last night.

THREE first-choice players from the Irish team that defeated Italy in Parma last week are out of contention for the second RBS 6 Nations U20 clash against France at Dubarry Park, Athlone, tonight (7.45pm).

MUNSTER have every reason to be pleased with a hard-fought win over a gritty Connacht side in the rain at the Mardyke last night.

A FEAST of running rugby in the Aviva Stadium – unfortunately for anyone hoping for a competitive opening encounter in the O2 Challenge, all of it came from one side.

MARTIN MURPHY never doubted that this day would come. While the Aviva Stadium had its detractors, once planning permission was granted, the stadium director could visualise the gates opening at 1pm as they do today for the O2 Challenge between a Connacht/Munster selection and a team representing Leinster/Ulster (2.30pm).

IRELAND will be bidding to advance to their third FIRA-AER U18 Championship decider in four years when they face Georgia in tonight’s semi-final at Casale Sul Sile, Treviso, (7pm, Irish time).

IRELAND’S young club stars get an opportunity to test themselves against a visiting French region in Ashbourne, County Meath on Sunday (noon).