Despite last season ending on a cliffhanger that could hardly have been more dramatic, the Ulster Bank League will be decidedly differently this year.

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE:

As it turned out, Doug Howlett’s last act on a rugby pitch was to do what he did best during an illustrious career for the All Blacks and Munster — scoring a try.

Munster have announced that current squad captain Doug Howlett will retire from professional rugby at the end of this season.

Clontarf 26 Dolphin 31

Dolphin 24 Cork Constitution 27

Dolphin 23 Young Munster 10

Champions Munster bid to become the fourth team guaranteed a place in the B&I Cup quarter-finals when they host Plymouth Albion at Temple Hill, Cork, tonight (7pm).

Bristish and Irish Cup holders Munster face a major test of character when they take on Rotherham Titans at Clifton Lane this afternoon (2pm) with an experimental side.

Leinster ‘A’ 12 Munster ‘A’ 18

The remaining big challengers for the Ulster Bank title will have sat bolt upright after taking stock of Dolphin’s clinical bonus point victory at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

Dolphin 32 St. Mary's College 14

Shannon 13 Dolphin 31

Shannon 13 Dolphin 3

A tough day at the office for Munster’s youngsters, who fell heavily to French second division outfit Stade Rochelais at the Stade Marcel Deflandre in searing heat last night.

Doug Howlett could be set for his first outing in a Munster jersey in more than eight months having been named in a 32-man squad for the province’s opening pre-season friendly.

Munster boss Tony McGahan believes the arduous process of developing Test-standard props for Ireland is being hampered by restrictions limiting contracted players’ involvement for their Ulster Bank League clubs.

Tom Croft has revealed how a radical shift in the attitude of the England squad since the World Cup debacle has helped take his game to new heights.

The Ulster Bank Club International Team to play England Counties in Preston Grasshoppers RFC on Friday (kick off 7.30pm) has been named today.

Dolphin 12 St. Mary's College 8

Felix Jones and Christy Condon were today added to Munster's Heineken Cup squad.

MUNSTER took the last qualification spot in the British and Irish Cup courtesy of Leinster yesterday.

BRITISH and Irish Cup rugby heads to the Kingdom today with Tralee RFC hosting Munster’s clash with Ayr (2pm).

Old Belvedere 13 Dolphin 20

Dolphin 17 Blackrock College 10

WITH the stakes so high, one team hunting a top-three finish and the other fighting for survival, it was probably inevitable this clash at Musgrave Park yesterday would go to the wire.

The Ireland Club team to play England Counties in the Ulster Bank Club International at Anglesea Road on Friday evening has been named.

The Ulster Bank Club International team to play Scotland Clubs in Netherdale on Friday March 11 has been named.

DOLPHIN 14 GARRYOWEN 3

Dolphin’s Sam Cronin will captain the Ireland Club against the Scotland Club side in the AIB Club International in Donnybrook on Friday evening.

Coach David O'Mahony has selected players from 12 different clubs for the Ireland Club international against England Counties in Stourbridge on Friday night.

GARRYOWEN strenuously deny they were guilty of sharp practice at a crucial stage of Sunday’s AIL game against Dolphin at Dooradoyle.

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.

MUNSTER A stretched their unbeaten run to three games and provided themselves with a perfect boost ahead of their British and Irish Cup clash against Coventry on November 21.

MOST of the drama was crammed into the final few minutes of this AIB League 1A derby at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

Galwegians 14 Dolphin 29

St. Mary's College 19 Dolphin 11

UL Bohemians will take in the Christmas break in third place in the Division One table after this impressive dismissal of Dolphin.

UL Bohemians 34 Dolphin 7

Dolphin 23 Galwegians 22

CORK CONSTITUTION director of Rugby Paul Derham believes matches under floodlights could revitalise the AIB League.

ALL that was missing on a day of joyous celebration for Waterpark was the AIB League Third Division trophy.