Castres 58 Harlequins 13

NEC Harlequins make seven changes to the side that started against London Wasps in the Zurich Premiership last Sunday for the Heineken Cup tie against Castres Olympique at Stade Pierre Antoine this afternoon.

SOMETHING had to give after last week’s disappointing performance and so it’s no surprise coach Alan Gaffney has made four changes, one positional, in the Munster side to tackle Castres Olympique in this evening’s crucial Heineken European Cup tie at Thomond Park.

Castres centre Laurent Marticorena ended Munster’s nine-game winning streak and dealt their Heineken Cup quarter-final hopes a blow, kicking four crucial penalties in a 19-12 Pool 4 win at Stade Pierre-Antoine.

WHEREAS coach Alan Gaffney occasioned little or no surprise when he announced his side to meet Castres in tonight’s Heineken European Cup tie in Castres, his opposite number, Christope Urios, unexpectedly made three changes to his anticipated line-up.

Castres have dropped veterans Yann Delaigue and Richard Dourthe for their home tie with Munster at Stade Pierre Antoine tomorrow evening.

Harlequins 23 Castres 23

Llanelli Scarlets 19 Agen 15

Llanelli Scarlets 19 Agen 15

Ireland's rugby plans, along with those of thousands of supporters have been thrown into disarray as a result of the potentially catastrophic outbreak of foot and mouth disease in these islands.

Keith Wood believes self-belief was the key to Ireland's first victory over France at Lansdowne Road for 18 years.