Treviso 15 Ulster 16

Connacht 18 Benetton Treviso 3

Former Stormer Danie Poolman makes a timely first start for Connacht against Italian visitors Benetton Treviso at the Galway Sportsground today (5pm).

Munster 19 Treviso 6

Brian McLaughlin praised the fighting spirit of his team after Ian Whitten’s late try rescued Ulster against Treviso on Saturday.

Much of the talk leading into this tie surrounded the immediate future of Tomás O’Leary, after French TV claimed the Ireland international had inked a deal with Perpignan.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has chosen what can only be construed as a team hell-bent on winning the first of four important RaboDirect Pro12 games away to Treviso today.

IT’S much change for Munster and minimum alterations for Treviso in advance of tonight’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash at Thomond Park.

CONNACHT racked up their eighth loss on the trot, falling to Italian visitors Treviso in the Galway Sportsground last night, once again paying the price for a poor start.

FOR Joe Schmidt, the unhappy memories of defeat to Treviso in September of last year were consigned to oblivion when Leinster hoisted aloft the Heineken Cup.

LEINSTER’S much-vaunted strength in depth served them well earlier this season but it will be put to the test again in their RaboDirect Pro12 clash at the Stadio Comunale do Monigo against Benetton Treviso this afternoon.

ULSTER crashed to their first defeat in any competition to an Italian team and third in succession when they were outplayed by Benetton Treviso at Ravenhill last night.

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood was delighted with the opening day victory away to Benetton Treviso in Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 League clash at Stadio Monigo.

THE excitement of Heineken Cup rugby finally arriving for Connacht this season must take a back seat this weekend when the new Rabo Direct Pro12 League kicks off.

CONNACHT climbed into eighth place in the Magners League table after securing a third successive win at the Galway Sportsground last night.

CONNACHT will be looking to grab this evening’s opportunity at the Galway Sportsground (7.05pm) to again leapfrog Magners League opponents.

LEINSTER head coach Joe Schmidt dismissed questions over his future after his new team’s shock defeat by Treviso at the rain-soaked Stadio di Monigo on Saturday night.

PREVIEW: AIB League Division Three Final

Ireland U20 wing Simon Zebo will start at full-back for Cork Constitution in the AIL Division One final against St Mary's College at Dubarry Park tomorrow.

It will be a question of who has the greater squad depth when Cork Constitution play Dolphin in the AIB League Division One semi-final at Temple Hill tomorrow as Munster have taken a clutch of players from each club.

Ulster Academy prop Paddy McAllister is making a big impression for Ballynahinch as they prepare for their AIB League Division 1B tussle with Dungannon tomorrow.

Cork Constitution will be looking to take revenge over Ballynahinch when they will meet in a an AIB Senior Cup second round repeat of last season’s final at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday.

The match of the day in the AIB Senior Cup takes place at Donnybrook where the tenents Bective Rangers and Old Wesley will do battle.

The match of the day in tomorrow's AIB Senior Cup takes place at Donnybrook where the tenants Bective Rangers and Old Wesley will do battle.

AIB Cup third round team sheets

BRIAN CARNEY gave another glimpse of his rugby union promise with a second try-scoring appearance though it was too late to save Munster’s season from freefall.

MUNSTER coach Declan Kidney intends using today’s Magners League game against Ospreys to freshen up his side after their exit from the Heineken Cup last weekend.

LEINSTER began the business end of their season with a six-try run-out against Treviso at Donnybrook last night.

FORMER Ireland prop Justin Fitzpatrick believes today’s Magners League game against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium could be the turning point in Ulster’s season.

WALES star Ryan Jones has accepted responsibility for conceding a last-gasp penalty that could ultimately cost the Ospreys a place in this season’s Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

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.

Ulster 43 Ospreys 7

OF all the overseas signings that Ulster have made in recent seasons, Wallaby Justin Harrison jumps out as the one to have made the biggest impact.

CONNACHT’S strong record against Welsh sides at the Sportsground this season will be under pressure this evening when they entertain the Neath/Swansea Ospreys (6.30pm).

LEINSTER will be at full strength for their Heineken Cup semi-final dress rehearsal against Llanelli Scarlets in the Celtic League at Lansdowne Road tomorrow night (7.10).

Border Reivers 34 Leinster 35

MICHAEL CHEIKA has challenged his players to prove their dismal show in Wales two weeks ago was a one-off when Leinster take on Connacht in the Celtic League on Sunday.

AFTER the emotional turmoil of Paris and the shock of Mike Ruddock’s departure there may be a temptation to gloss over this weekend’s round of Celtic League fixtures.

MICHAEL CHEIKA reiterated his commitment to nurturing Irish talent in the wake of Leinster signing Australian scrum-half Chris Whitaker from the NSW Waratahs in a two-year deal.

Leinster 62 Borders 14

MICHAEL CHEIKA has dismissed two recent sideline incidents involving himself and assistant coach David Knox as storms in a teacup and claims the Australian pair will not be altering their style of management.

LEINSTER resist the urge to rest key players for Saturday’s Celtic League visit to Stradey Park, despite their fast-approaching make or break Heineken Cup fixture with Glasgow.