Connacht have made a number of changes from the side which played against Munster on Friday night with Mark McHugh, who goes into hospital on Friday for an operation, ruled out.

Munster 39 Connacht 10

LEICESTER yesterday appointed Pat Howard as their new backs coach – and the former Wallaby has vowed to help the Tigers reclaim the glory days.

Connacht have made a number of changes for their clash with title-chasing Gwent Dragons at the Sportsground on Saturday (2.30 pm).

Connacht will be hoping for the perfect send-off for their Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final against Harlequins on Sunday week when they take on Neath/Swansea Ospreys in the Celtic league at the Sportsground on Saturday (2.30pm).

The Connacht team to play Llanelli at Stradey Park on Friday night In the Celtic League shows four changes from that which defeated Leinster last time out.

The Connacht team to play Leinster at the Sportsground on Saturday (2.30pm) shows four changes from that which played The Borders at the weekend.

Connacht will this Friday bid to make it four wins from four visits to Scotland this weekend when they take on The Borders at Netherdale on Friday evening (7.30 pm).

Connacht 28 Glasgow 28

TOP Irish clubs could make a radical challenge to the Irish Rugby Football Union at a meeting in Dublin tomorrow.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley and his assistant John McKee have made eight changes to the side to play Glasgow at the Sportsground on Saturday (ko 2.30pm).

Connacht have been forced to make one change for Saturday's Celtic League clash against Celtic Warriors at the Brewery Field in Bridgend.

Connacht have made seven changes to the side which defeated Narbonne in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup quarter-final for Saturday's Celtic League clash with Celtic Warriors at Bridgend.

Connacht return to the south of France this weekend for the third time in seven weeks for a quarter-final clash with Narbonne in the Parker Pen European Challenge Cup.

Connacht have made five changes for Saturday's Parker Pen European Challenge Cup second leg tie away to Pau (kick-off 7pm French time, 6 pm Irish).

Connacht 0 Munster 3

Connacht have received a timely boost ahead of Friday night's Celtic League clash with Munster as a number of key players have been passed fit.

Connacht 11 Beziers 13 (Agg 29-23)

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley has warned his forwards they must win more possession against Beziers at the Galway Sportsgrounds this afternoon (2pm).

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has warned his charges that the job is only half done as they prepare for their second leg Parker Pen European Challenge Cup tie against Beziers at the Sportsground on Saturday.

Connacht open their Parker Pen European Challenge Cup campaign this weekend in the south of France when they take on Beziers in the first leg of the tie at Stade de la Mediterranee on Sunday (kick-off 2pm Irish time).

Connacht 25 Edinburgh 26

ERIC ELWOOD is back to lead the Connacht challenge for a place in the Celtic Cup final at the Sportsground, Galway, tomorrow (2.p.m.), but there is no place for captain Tim Allnutt.

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley has been forced to name a 25-strong squad for Saturday’s Celtic Cup semi-final against Edinburgh at the Sportsground in Galway (2pm).

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has named a 25-man squad for Saturday¹s Celtic Cup semi-final showdown against Edinburgh at the Sportsground in Galway (kick-off 2pm).

The Connacht team to play Celtic League leaders Ulster at the Sportsground on Saturday (K/O 2.30pm) shows seven changes from that which overcame Neath-Swansea Ospreys at St Helens at the weekend.

Neath-Swansea Ospreys 22 Connacht 33

ULSTER apart, these are vital weeks for the Irish provinces in the Celtic League.

THE selection of the Munster team is no longer a straight forward matter. With players in World Cup action and others injured, coach Alan Gaffney said this week his job was never so difficult, and one of his star young players, Denis Leamy, endorsed that view.

GORDON D’Arcy is back in the Leinster fold after injury to help the former Celtic League champions against the Borders this weekend.

Leinster 21 Connacht 6

A SEASIDE walk on Tuesday ended in disaster for Leinster’s James Norton, when he fell and cracked his hip in Dun Laoire.

The Connacht team to play Leinster in the Celtic League at Donnybrook on Friday night (7.30 pm) shows five changes from that which defeated The Borders at the weekend.

Connacht have made four changes to the side that defeated Llanelli at the weekend for Saturday¹s Celtic League clash against The Borders at the Sportsground (kick-off 2.30 pm).

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney is confident that this evening’s friendly against Connacht at Thomond Park (kick-off 6. 30) will be beneficial where preparations for Sunday week’s Heineken European Cup quarter-final clash with Leicester are concerned.

Pontypridd 12 Connacht 9

Connacht 30 Pontypridd 35

MATT WILLIAMS was in surprisingly upbeat mood at Dublin Airport yesterday given Leinster’s onerous task .

The Connacht team to play Narbonne tomorrow in the first leg of their Parker Pen Challenge Cup tie shows five changes from that which played against Munster in the Celtic League quarter-final at the weekend.

Connacht coach Steph Nel has announced a 22 man squad for Saturday evening's Parker Pen Challenge Cup first leg clash against Narbonne at Parc des Sports et de L'Amitie.

Munster 33 Connacht 3

THE Irish Rugby Football Union face a revolt from within their own ranks if any attempt is made to dump Connacht from their Provincial plans.

The Connacht team to play Munster in the Celtic League quarter-final at Musgrave Park on Friday evening has been announced.

Mont de Marsan 12 Connacht 26