Connacht paid the price for a shocking first-half display as they were beaten 21-8 by the Dragons in Newport.

Tori Amos at Cork Opera House - 4/5

It took a while in coming, but this was a more than decent start to the new Guinness Pro14 season for Leo Cullen’s Leinster as they emerged deserved winners over the Dragons.

Australia cruised to a 12th successive victory over woeful Wales as they ran their hosts ragged at the Principality Stadium.

Ulster 17 Dragons 15: A Paddy Jackson penalty two minutes from the end of the game catapulted Ulster to the top of the Guinness PRO12.

Warren Gatland wants rugby to “do the talking” when he sends his Wales team into a World Cup showdown against host nation England tomorrow night.

Dragons 25 Leinster 22: Leinster’s reign as Guinness Pro12 champions appears all but over after Matt O’Connor’s side surrendered a 22-8 lead at Rodney Parade.

Newport Gwent Dragons 26, Ulster 22: Ulster suffered a blow in their charge for the Guinness Pro12 play-offs after strugglers Newport Gwent Dragons claimed a 26-22 victory at Rodney Parade yesterday.

Newport Gwent Dragons 25 Connacht 30: Connacht maintain sixth place in the Pro12 after seeing off 14-man Dragons at Rodney Parade yesterday.

Midfielder Angel di Maria is back in training following his pelvic injury and could feature for Manchester United against Stoke on New Year’s Day.

Guinness Pro12

All the team news from around the grounds ahead of Week 16 in the Premier League - more to follow as it comes in.

Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo may be back to provide a huge boost for Manchester United against Hull on Saturday.

Manchester United have a shortage of centre-backs for Saturday’s home game against Crystal Palace.

“Hurling? It’s like baseball with a goalie”.

All the team news from around the grounds ahead of Week 3 in the Premier League - more to follow as it comes in.

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling and midfielder Ander Herrera will have their condition assessed ahead of Tuesday’s Capital One Cup tie at Sky Bet League One outfit MK Dons.

Robin van Persie returns to the Manchester United starting line-up as manager Louis van Gaal goes in search of his first Barclays Premier League win at Sunderland.

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal handed debuts to Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett as he looked to start his reign with a win over Swansea.

Re the upsurge of brutal Israeli violence towards the Palestinians, it is remarkable how so many commentators and writers of letters in your paper seem unaware of the historical context.

For Tori Amos, spending time in Co Cork has provided both refuge and inspiration, writes Ed Power.

Defender Phil Jones (shoulder) and striker Wayne Rooney (groin) are out of Manchester United’s final game of the season at Southampton.

Manchester United are hopeful that striker Wayne Rooney will be fit to face Hull tomorrow night.

Under-pressure Manchester United manager David Moyes welcomes captain Nemanja Vidic back from suspension for today’s must-win match against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Around 300 more people have been evacuated from besieged rebel-held neighbourhoods of Syria’s third-largest city, Homs, a Syrian Red Crescent official said.

Two trucks carrying food and medical supplies into rebel-held neighbourhoods in the central Syrian city of Homs turned back under heavy fire, leaving four paramedics wounded as a ceasefire faltered.

David Moyes faces a tricky selection dilemma ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Tottenham.

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has been ruled out of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Newport Gwent Dragons 19 Leinster 23

Manchester United’s experienced central defensive pair of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are in contention for Barclays Premier League returns at Fulham this weekend.

Manchester United manager David Moyes will assess the fitness of his international stars before settling on his line-up for Saturday’s Old Trafford encounter with Southampton.

Robin van Persie was missing from the Manchester United squad for the eagerly anticipated derby against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Man United 2 Crystal Palace 0

Wayne Rooney was included in Manchester United’s starting line-up to face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford this afternoon – with Alex Ferguson expected to watch him.

Alex Ferguson is set to ring the changes for Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final replay at Chelsea tomorrow.

Manchester United have received a triple injury boost ahead of their Premier League trip to Sunderland.

Robin van Persie will be in the Manchester United squad for tomorrow’s Premier League encounter with Norwich.

Wayne Rooney is set to miss Manchester United’s trip to basement boys QPR.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has confirmed he will make changes for Monday’s FA Cup fifth round tie with Reading at Old Trafford.

A three-year-old British girl has joined Mensa after taking an IQ test in Russian.