It feels strange for the Millennium Stadium to host a Heineken Cup decider this weekend without an Irish province in sight. Of the 18 finals to date, Cardiff has staged six, including the first two in 1996 and 1997 won by Toulouse and Brive respectively.

Suspensions have been imposed on Clare players Barry Nugent, Alan Markham, Andrew Quinn and Colin Lynch, and Cork’s Sean Óg Ó hAilpín, Diarmuid O Sullivan and Dónal Óg Cusack, the GAA has confirmed.

Cork have named their team for the Allianz National Hurling League semi-final with Tipperary at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday.