WITH just over a week to go to season-defining quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup for Munster and Leinster, one could surmise Friday’s eagerly-awaited Magners League clash will resonate more with supporters than the players.

MUNSTER enhanced their unbeaten home record with a deserved Magners League triumph over struggling Llanelli Scarlets at Musgrave Park last night.

DOLPHIN returned to Cork last night convinced they had been the victims of sharp practice after losing 13-12 to Garryowen in a bruising AIB League encounter at Dooradoyle.

MARCUS HORAN and Jerry Flannery will again be absentees when Munster take on Treviso in the Heineken Cup at Stadio Comunale Di Monigo on Saturday.

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan was last night revising his strategy and schedule for the coming week in the wake of another weekend of inactivity for his rugby stars.

THE MUNSTER players and staff enjoyed their Halloween party on Saturday night secure in the knowledge that their Magners League campaign – and perhaps the season – was back on track after victory over Ulster.

MUNSTER team manager Shaun Payne has admitted there is no room for further injuries within the group of front row players available to the province, even though he is not yet in the mood to panic.

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan had little time to savour Saturday’s win over Treviso which sent his side to the top of Heineken Cup Pool One.

MUNSTER have yet to receive a written copy of the IRFU disciplinary committee’s report on the suspension imposed on John Hayes, and will delay a decision on whether to appeal the severity of the six-week ban until they do so.

Ireland prop Marcus Horan and Ireland A lock Donnacha Ryan will make their first appearances of the season for Munster against Leicester Tigers in a pre-season friendly at Welford Road on Friday evening (7.30 pm).

Danny Riordan, Toby Morland and Damien Varley will make their Munster debuts in Friday’s friendly against Sale Sharks, while Julien Brugnaut has been named amongst the replacements.

French prop Julien Brugnaut is struggling to come to terms with the whirlwind change in his career after completing his move to Irish giants Munster.

French prop Julien Brugnaut is struggling to come to terms with the whirlwind change in his career after completing his move to Munster.

Munster have signed French international prop Julien Brugnaut from Dax, subject to medical clearance, on a one-year deal with an option for a second season.

FOR the first time in its history, Munster Rugby will have a French international on its books after Lille native Julien Brugnaut signed on the dotted lines for the two-time Heineken Cup champions yesterday.

VINCENT CLERC was hailed as Moses by team-mate Cedric Heymans following his three-try haul against Ireland.

AT long last, and after they hadput themselves in a situation where another Paris humiliation looked likely, this Irish team finally rediscovered its heart and soul at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Ronan O’Gara feels Ireland have regained some credibility with their agonising 26-21 RBS 6 Nations defeat by France – but he refuses to celebrate failure.

MARC LIEVREMONT insists France are by no means the finished article after making six changes to the line-up that dismantled Scotland for Saturday’s clash with Ireland.

Marc Lievremont insists France are by no means the finished article after making six changes to the line-up that dismantled Scotland for Saturday's clash with Ireland.

NEW-LOOK France got their RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign off to the perfect start with an impressive victory against lacklustre Scotland at Murrayfield.

MARC LIEVREMONT didn’t take long to usher in a new dawn in French rugby yesterday by naming six uncapped players in a much-changed squad for the Six Nations Championship opener against Scotland.