OSPREYS star Shane Williams has described tomorrow night’s Heineken Cup showdown against in-form London Irish as “the ultimate test”.

All Black Casey Laulala returns to the centre for Cardiff Blues against Connacht in the Magner's League tomorrow evening (7.05pm) at Cardiff City Stadium.

Leinster 34 Cardiff 23

Gavin Thomas’ exile from international rugby will end on Saturday after he was named in Wales’ starting line-up for the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin.

Wales 31 South Africa 34

Warren Gatland believes Wales’ daunting June Test match programme is perfect preparation for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

JAMES HOOK is ready to face South Africa’s renowned physical approach on Saturday by playing through the pain barrier for Wales. Ospreys midfield star Hook will delay shoulder surgery by a week as Wales target only a second win in 104 years of fixtures against the reigning world champions.

Shane Williams has been ruled out of Wales’ Tests against South Africa and New Zealand with a shoulder injury.

Cardiff coach David Young brings in Scott Andrews as his only change to the side to play Munster in the Magner’s League on Sunday.

Cardiff Blues coach David Young brings back Jaimie Roberts and three others for the clash with Ulster in the Magner's League tomorrow.

THE BATTLE for the top-four places in the Magners League intensifies this weekend with Munster requiring four points from their visit to Wales this evening to maintain their challenge.

Cardiff Blues will have the controversial Andy Powell on the bench in what looks like an extremely strong side to play Leinster in the Magner’s League in Wales on Sunday.

IRELAND have been handed the keys to unlocking the Welsh defence from the unlikely source of a Yorkshireman working in France.

Cardiff Blues lock Deiniol Jones and hooker Gareth Williams have been forced to withdraw from Wales’ RBS 6 Nations squad through injury.

Wales 20 France 26

FRANCE will bid to enhance their place at the top of the RBS 6 Nations Championship table when they play Wales on Friday night.

Warren Gatland could summon two of Wales’ 2008 Grand Slam stars for the RBS 6 Nations appointment with title favourites France next week.

Wales will pile the pressure on England manager Martin Johnson if they win next month’s RBS 6 Nations showdown at Twickenham.

OSPREYS coach Scott Johnson is keen for his side to get into a positive frame of mind ahead of a month that will shape their season.

Cardiff Blues have been severely handicapped by the call-up of seven first-team players by the Welsh national team ahead of the Magners League clash with Leinster at The RDS on Saturday.

RIVAL coaches Tony McGahan and Dai Young have laid their demands on the line prior to this evening’s Magners League clash of Munster and Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park.

THERE was a time when Munster was the last place a promising young back-row forward would have looked when it came to forging a career as a professional rugby player.

Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young has decided to move Australian signing Sam Norton-Knight down to the replacements for Friday's Magners League trip to face Munster at Thomond Park.

Munster will be without captain Paul O'Connell for the penultimate Manger's League match of the season due to a back problem.

Wales Under-20 James Loxton will make his debut for Cardiff Blues against Ulster in the Magners League at Ravenhill on Friday night.

AS THE gap widens between Connacht and those above them in the Magners League, every game is becoming more critical, and few more so than a home fixture against the Welsh team immediately above them.

Cardiff Blues will have to paddle their canoe without eight Wales internationals away to Connacht at The Sportsground on Friday (6.30pm).

Second-row Deiniol Jones, number eight Xavier Rush and scrmu-half Richie Rees all return from injury for Friday night’s Magner's League clash against Connacht at The Arms Park (7.05).

Out-half Rhys Jones will make his first start for the Cardiff Blues when they take on Munster in the Magners League at The Arms Park this Saturday.

Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel will start in the half-backs against Italy a week on Saturday after Wales head coach Warren Gatland made six changes to the side that beat Scotland.

SHANNON and UL Bohemians will mark the end of an era at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Cardiff Blues won their eighth successive Magners League game in the Arms Park today. They met Ospreys, who were a point ahead of the Blues before the match.

ANTHONY HORGAN, who had to withdraw from last Sunday’s game at the Arms Park at the 11th hour because of an Achilles problem, remains Munster’s only serious injury worry prior to Saturday’s return Heineken Cup clash with Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park.

Munster have been hit with the withdrawal through injury of John Kelly and Barry Murphy ahead of their Heineken Cup joust with Cardiff Blues at The Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

A KEY position, in Government efforts to improve youth work structures, has been filled three years after being planned.

Ospreys 18 Cardiff Blues 16

Ospreys 9 Cardiff Blues 28

All Black Xavier Rush and Lions openside Martyn Williams have been included in Cardiff's side to play Leinster at The RDS on Saturday.

Australian Andrew Farley will captain Connacht for the second year in a row this season.

Ulster 30 Cardiff Blues 14

Wales captain Colin Charvis spoke of his concern for team-mate Alix Popham after he was stretchered off the field during Wales’ 53-18 loss to the South Africa at Loftus Versfeld.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock has made three changes to the side that beat Argentina in Buenos Aires last week for the final Test of the summer tour against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday.

Perpignan 6 Wasps34

Calvisano 26 Celtic Warriors 28