Leinster 30 Treviso 5

LEINSTER coach Joe Schmidt has admitted that the next fortnight will be crucial to his team’s hopes of reaching the Magners League play-offs.

LEO CULLEN will become only the fifth player in Leinster’s history to reach the 150 cap mark when he leads the side out for tonight’s Magners League clash away to third-placed Cardiff Blues at the Cardiff Park Stadium (kick-off 6.30pm).

LAST season’s British and Irish Cup finalists Munster made a bright start to the new season when they proved too good for Leinster in yesterday’s A Interprovincial at Donnybrook.

MUNSTER A coach Anthony Foley expects the sternest test of the season in tomorrow’s clash with Leinster A at Donnybrook (2.30pm).

A MISSED drop goal on full time by Leinster out-half Isa Nacewa helped give Glasgow victory in a match dominated by the Irish province, but conceded to a home side that grew in confidence after the break.

LEINSTER shipped five tries in a friendly defeat by English champions Leicester at Welford Road last night. There was little in it at half-time after Ian McKinley’s try had helped keep the visitors within six points at 20-14.

MUNSTER will crank up their preparations for the new season with the introduction of several senior players for the friendly with Gloucester at Musgrave Park tomorrow (7pm).

FAR from a bright beginning for new Leinster coach Joe Schmidt as his side were given a lesson in organisation, intensity and clinical finishing by Shaun Edwards’ London-based boys in a friendly at Donnybrook last night.

IRELAND put up a brave display against New Zealand at the IRB Junior World Championship yesterday before two second-half tries from the champions proved decisive in a physical battle in Nagoya, Japan.

CIARÁN RUDDOCK has been installed as captain for the Ireland U20s’ pivotal Pool A clash against holders, New Zealand, in the world junior championships at Nagoya, Japan today (11am Irish time).

MUNSTER and Leinster appear to have completely different priorities as they face into another round of Magners League action this weekend.

Wales U20 6 Ireland U20 9

JUST like their senior counterparts, ‘Grand Slam’ is not a term being used loosely around Allen Clarke’s Ireland U-20 camp.

IRELAND U20 coach Allen Clarke has given a vote of confidence to the team which started in the victory over England for tomorrow night’s Six Nations clash with Scotland (McDiarmid Park, Perth, 7.30pm).

THE Six Nations Grand Slam is still within reach for Ireland following an amazing last-gasp victory at fortress Dubarry Park, Athlone, last night.

IRELAND Under-20 coach Allen Clarke hopes his side can produce another never-say-die performance to put fancied England to the sword in tonight’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash at Dubarry Park, Athlone (6.15pm).

ANDREW BURKE gets a chance to prove his credentials as a potentially top-class out-half when he makes his first appearance for Ireland U-20 against France at Dubarry Park tonight (7.30pm).

DANNY CIPRIANI is one of six capped players named in the England Saxons side to face Ireland A at Donnybrook. The Wasps fly-half was sent down to the Saxons by Martin Johnson earlier this week in the hope of him rediscovering some of his form, away from the pressures of the 6 Nations.

Team news for this weekend's AIB League games

The teams for this weekend's AIB League fixtures have been announced.

Ireland 45 Tonga 27

EOIN O’MALLEY reckons Ireland can bounce back from their All Black mauling by beating Tonga in the IRB U20 World Championships today.

England U20 43 Ireland U20 14

IRELAND Under-20 coach Eric Elwood has made two changes from the side that beat Scotland for tomorrow night’s clash with Wales at Dubarry Park (RTÉ Two, 7.30pm).

FORMER Scotland and Lions international winger Roger Baird will have plenty reason to cheer the Scotland Under-20’s at Dubarry Park tonight (7.30pm).

THERE are three changes and one positional switch from the Ireland Under-20 side that lost to France for tomorrow night’s meeting with Scotland (Dubarry Park, Athlone, 7.30pm).

France U-20 24 Ireland U-20 13

ONE for the rugby fans and history buffs in Dooradoyle this afternoon when Clonakilty and Garryowen clash in the AIB Cup semi-final (2.30pm).

Teams for this weekend's AIL Division Two and Three matches have been named.

Former Ireland Schools international Andrew Trimble will join Huw Jones in the centre for Ballymena’s Ulster derby with Dungannon in Division One of the AIB League at Eaton Park on Saturday.

Here are the teams for this weekend's Division Two fixtures.