SOUTH AFRICAN import Steven Sykes makes his Leinster debut in tonight’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Aironi at the RDS (6pm).

Academy outhalf Noel Reid will make his senior debut for Leinster when he takes to the pitch against Aironi at the RDS on Saturday (6pm).

LEINSTER coach Joe Schmidt is worried their Heineken Cup qualification next year could be under threat unless they pick up sufficient results in the RaboDirect PRO12 while their frontline players are away.

LEINSTER’S new prop Nathan White has admitted he is in Ireland on a wing and a prayer after leaving Waikato, the recently defeated ITM finalists.

The Leinster team to face the Scarlets in Saturday evening's RaboDirect PRO12 clash in Parc y Scarlets (6.30pm) sees three changes, all in the pack, from the side that lost to Glasgow Warriors.

THE loss of Ireland international Kevin McLaughlin and openside Dominic Ryan to ankle injuries leaves Joe Schmidt without 23 first choice players for Saturday’s trip to The Scarlets in the PRO12 League.

LEINSTER back rower Dominic Ryan is looking forward to inflicting more torture on Glasgow Warriors at the RDS tonight (6pm) in the first of at least four encounters between the sides this season.

With a host of first team players in New Zealand and an ever-growing injury list Joe Schmidt will be relieved he can call upon the experience and flare of Luke Fitzgerald for his sides meeting with Glasgow Warriors in the RDS on Saturday (6pm).

THIS was more like it.

NEW ZEALAND might be far away in many senses for Darren Cave and Eoin O’Malley right now, but Ireland’s potential future centre partnership have more pressing issues back home.

EUROPEAN kings Leinster made a nightmare start to the RaboDirect Pro12 after being blown away by the Ospreys in Swansea last night.

PREMIERSHIP club Northampton Saints gained a small measure of revenge as they won this Heineken Cup final rematch at Donnybrook last night.

THE problem with dress rehearsals is that people continually fluff their lines. That’s one reason why pre-season friendlies have to be treated with a certain amount of scepticism, especially when coaches make so many changes that at one stage last night, substituted players were coming back onto the field to replace substitutes.

Munster 22 Connacht 6

RONAN O’GARA has warned his Munster team-mates to expect another series of tough challenges tonight against Connacht as the province tries to rebound from the trauma of last weekend’s European defeat to Harlequins.

IT was the Italian hoodoo all over again as Connacht slumped to a 25-13 defeat away to Aironi on Saturday evening for their third Magners League defeat on Italian soil.

ERIC ELWOOD has kept faith with the squad that has racked up five wins on the trot at home as Connacht look to record an away victory over Aironi this afternoon.

CONNACHT are targeting five home wins in a row for the first time since 2005 against Aironi in the Sportsgrounds tonight (7.45pm).

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

WITH only their second try bonus point this season, Connacht produced a five-try blitz to dispose of the Glasgow Warriors at the Galway Sportsground last night.

CONNACHT face second-placed Scarlets in tonight’s Magners League tie at the Sportgrounds (7.35pm).

CONNACHT bid to end their worst losing run since the game went professional over a decade and a half ago when they take on the Dragons at Rodney Parade this evening. (7.35pm).

CONNACHT have suffered another serious injury blow with number eight Ezra Taylor ruled out until at least February after breaking a bone in his hand.

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood is hoping there will be no repeat of last year’s hammering at the hands of Edinburgh when the two sides meet this evening in Murrayfield (7.05pm).

CONNACHT’S young guns denied Manu Samoa a first win on their Northern Hemisphere tour at the Galway Sportsground last evening.

SAMOA open their northern hemisphere tour in Galway this evening when they take on a young Connacht side at the Sportsground (7.05pm).

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood reckons some of the emerging talent in the province will get a glorious chance to prove themselves when Samoa come to Galway next Tuesday.

CONNACHT’S proud tradition in Europe took a beating in Italy on Saturday night, falling to tournament newcomers and underdogs I Cavalieri Estra.

CONNACHT are expecting perfect weather conditions to play some expansive rugby against newcomers I Cavalieri Estra in their opening European match in Italy this afternoon (2pm Irish time).

CARDIFF BLUES knocked Munster off their perch at the top of the Magners League table with a comfortable victory over Connacht.

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood has slammed the “ridiculous” scheduling of their Magners League clash away to Cardiff Blues.

IN a derby fixture in which no side forged ahead by more than three points, a 15-15 draw appeared a satisfactory result.

GAME lost, but another goal achieved.

CONNACHT head coach Eric Elwood is expecting the Scarlets to be smarting tomorrow after an opening-day Magners League loss against Benetton Treviso last weekend.

ERIC ELWOOD had every reason to be “chuffed” about his side’s unexpected demolition of the Dragons on opening day.

CONNACHT’S new coaching director Eric Elwood is sweating on the availability of players before a ball has been kicked in this season’s Magners League.

ERIC ELWOOD will have a final chance to see some of the new signings in action before the real work begins as his Connacht side take on Saracens tomorrow at the Sportsground, Galway (6.30pm).

Munster A 34 Heriot’s 7

Leaders Cork Constitution will have Munster's Jeremy Manning back at out-half at home to old rivals Shannon in Division 1A of the AIB Leagure at Temple Hill tomorrow.

IRELAND prop Tom Court and Scottish winger Simon Danielli have confirmed that they will extend their stay at Ulster until June 2012 following new two-year deals.

Ulster Ravens 21 London Welsh 17