Rory McIlroy lost his way on the back nine as Czech champion Marek Novy grabbed the first round lead in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

OSPREYS boss Lyn Jones has predicted “an encounter to remember” when his star-studded Welsh challengers tackle English champions Sale Sharks in a mouth-watering Heineken Cup clash this evening.

MUNSTER coach Declan Kidney will name his team to play their final Celtic League game of the season against the Cardiff Blues at lunchtime today, but may have to do without two international greats.

Flying Finn Antti Ahokas beat pal Rory McIlroy in a three-hole aggregate play-off to capture the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Portmarnock.

Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell fired a three under par 69 to grab the first round lead in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Portmarnock.

DECLAN Kidney has named a 27-strong squad from which the side will be selected for the Celtic League game against the Cardiff Blues at The Arms Park tomorrow (7.30pm).

LEINSTER will be aiming to rediscover their winning touch against Cardiff Blues at the RDS today (5.30pm), just a week before they open another Heineken Cup campaign at the same venue.

TALENT is a trait that has rarely been questioned in Leinster. Mental toughness, on the other hand, has. Frequently.

Cardiff Blues will field an unchanged starting line-up when they play their latest Heineken Cup match against Leinster Lions at Lansdowne Road on Friday evening.

Munster 31 Cardiff 10

Cardiff Blues 22 Leinster 3

Cardiff Blues will be without second row giant Craig Quinnell, sent-off for stamping against Glasgow, in their match-up with Connacht at The Arms Park on Saturday.

Wales have named two uncapped players in their side to take on Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday week.

Wales captain Martyn Williams has been passed fit to face New Zealand in Hamilton on Saturday.

Wales coach Steve Hansen beat the IRB 48-hour deadline by minutes as he named his team to take on world champions Australia in Sydney on Saturday night.

Cardiff flanker Martyn Williams will captain Wales in their Lloyds TSB tour game against the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

SWANSEA centre Mark Taylor has a score to settle at Donnybrook this evening (7.35pm).

Matt Williams has named almost a full strength Leinster side for their much anticipated clash with Swansea in the European Cup at Donnybrook tomorrow night.

Tonight's Celtic League teams

SWANSEA coach John Connolly comes to Cork this evening seeking a double over Irish provincial opposition.

Defending champion Tommy O'Connor of Athenry is joint leader with Gar Golden of Westport Golf Club at the end of the first round of the Connacht Veterans' Amateur Open Championship in Loughrea.

Scott Gibbs will not tour Japan with Wales this summer following his shock omission from the Lions squad.

Swansea fly-half Gavin Henson will make his debut for Wales A against Ireland A on Friday night.

Axed Six Nations lock Chris Wyatt will line up for Wales A against their Scottish counterparts in Edinburgh on Friday night.