JOE SCHMIDT’S European euphoria was dampened last night by confirmation that Leinster will travel to Saturday’s clash against Saracens at Wembley without hamstrung Brian O’Driscoll.

WITH SO much negativity surrounding rugby at the moment, with the plethora of law changes that favour the team without the ball (and the kickfest that has ensued), how refreshing to see so much positive rugby produced by a whole host of teams in last weekend’s Heineken Cup.

Munster 24 Perpignan 23

IT was not the type of preparation any of the Irish sides would have wished for last weekend before resuming their respective European journeys, with all four provinces losing in the Magners League.

LONDON IRISH director of rugby Brian Smith described Mike Catt as a “special player”, after the England veteran defied a back problem to help the Exiles to a 24-16 Heineken Cup victory over Perpignan yesterday.

Perpignan 23 Newport Gwent Dragons 19

A SECOND World Cup victory for Argentina was inevitable, and securing a bonus point by scoring four tries was an immensely satisfying return from a most difficult night at the Stade Gerland in Lyon last night.

ARGENTINE manager Marcello Loffreda has slammed IRB chiefs for forcing his side to play their second game of the Rugby World Cup tomorrow — four days after their sensational victory over tournament hosts, France.

France launched the 2007 Rugby World Cup tonight amid huge expectancy levels in coach Bernard Laporte’s final assignment before he takes up a French ministerial post.

ARGENTINA prop Rodrigo Roncero played down the importance of his side’s 27-20 defeat to Wales on Saturday.

FULLBACK Federico Serra scored 19 points as Argentina beat Italy 24-6 in Mendoza on Saturday in their final home test before the World Cup.

THE ALL BLACKS have been forced to call up the seventh and eighth locks on their pecking order yesterday, after Ali Williams and Keith Robinson joined a growing list of seriously injured middle row forwards.

Argentina inside centre Hernan Senillosa expects tomorrow’s clash with Ireland to be another tight contest.

IRELAND A coach Michael Bradley has warned England A they must be ruthless if they are to have any hope of toppling the New Zealand Maori in Saturday’s Churchill Cup final.

Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has made three changes to his squad for Saturday‘s second Test against Ireland.

French Barbarians 14 Argentina 28

A HIGH-calorie diet combined with life in the cell block — almost around the clock in some cases — is making detainees at Guantanamo Bay fat.

Dan Carter failed to live up to his high standards but still scored 15 points to push New Zealand to a 25-19 Test victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires.

US authorities will review the rules for handling and monitoring detainees at Guantanamo Bay following the suicides of three men there, military officials said.

The US Defence Department yesterday identified the three Guantanamo detainees who committed suicide, saying one had ties to al-Qaida, another fought for the Taliban and a third had been cleared for transfer to another country.

Dozens of Guantanamo Bay detainees have abandoned a hunger strike, lowering the number of inmates refusing food to 18, the US military says.

More Guantanamo Bay detainees protesting against their indefinite confinement joined a hunger strike, raising the number of those refusing food to 89 from 75, the US military said today.

Prisoners wielding improvised weapons clashed with guards trying to stop a detainee from committing suicide at the US prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the US military said today.

France A 20 Ireland A 12

Leeds 21 Perpignan 20

Newport Gwent Dragons 11 Sale Sharks 38

The Argentinian national team have lost three key players for the May 23 duel against the Lions in Cardiff.

The Argentinian national team have lost three key players for the May 23 duel against the Lions in Cardiff.

Heineken Cup Pool 5

Parker Pen Challenge Cup result:

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World Cup Pool A Argentina v Namibia

Ireland U-21 13

Under-21 International

Under-21 International

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International rugby results:

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