Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has rewarded the players who produced an impressive 32-24 win over Edinburgh at Murrayfield last weekend by naming an unchanged team for tomorrow’s league meeting with Ulster the Sportsground (7.45pm).

Veteran lock Michael Swift has recovered from injury to take his place alongside Mike McCarthy in the second row for Connacht’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Edinburgh at Murrayfield tomorrow (7.30pm).

Promising centre Dave McSharry is in a race against time to be fit for Ireland’s summer tour in June.

Johnny O’Connor is one of several Connacht players who have recovered from injury in time to stake a claim for a place in Eric Elwood’s starting XV for Saturday’s Heineken Cup game against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop (1.35pm).

Having recovered from a hamstring treatment in Germany, centre Kyle Tonetti has been included in Eric Elwood’s 26-man squad for Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Leinster at the RDS (7.45pm).

Rob Penney might think it strange to be still working his rugby brain in the build up to a day when Santa Claus and kids are king, but he knows he better get used to it.

Connacht Head Coach Eric Elwood has made two changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s meeting with Munster at the Sportsground (5.15pm).

Connacht suffered a setback in their preparations for Friday’s Heineken Cup game against Biarritz with the news that captain Gavin Duffy has been ruled out of action for four to five weeks with a hamstring injury.

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood has made three personnel changes up front for Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO 12 meeting with Edinburgh at the Sportsground (5pm).

Roger Wilson will make his return from injury today as Ulster Ravens kick off their British & Irish Cup campaign against Bridgend Ravens in Deramore Park. Wilson will line out in his familiar number 8 position while former Ireland U20 captain Niall Annett starts at hooker.

Munster A 15 Connacht Eagles 19

Connacht overcame the Newport Gwent Dragons to grab only their second away Rabo Direct Pro 12 victory since their opening day visit to Treviso.

Newport Gwent Dragons 19 Connacht 27

Bruff turned in a workmanlike performance when beating Ballynahinch 13-8 at Kilballyowen Park today, and they came from behind to do so.

John Hayes may have finished his rugby career this season but younger brother Tommy has no intention of following suit with the news that he will today sign a new two-year deal with Exeter Chiefs in England.

It was anything but pretty at the Galway Sportsground but there was immense relief for the 4,189 home supporters when Connacht scraped a late draw on Saturday night.

Connacht 13 Glasgow Warriors 13

Connacht will view this evening’s Pro12 fixture against Glasgow Warriors at the Galway Sportsground (5.30pm) as a must-win if they want to improve on last season’s league finish.

Head Coach Eric Elwood has made just two changes to last week's starting XV for Connacht’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with the Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground on Saturday (5.30pm).

EUROPEAN champions Leinster travel west tomorrow for what, on paper, looks likely to be a New Year ramble at the Galway Sportsground.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood has made three changes for the team to face the Ospreys in tomorrows RaboDirect Pro12 clash at the Sportsground (k.o. 6.30pm).

ULSTER’S All Black World Cup winner John Afoa is relishing his provincial debut in today’s RaboDirect Pro 12 derby clash with Connacht at Ravenhill.

Eric Elwood has made six changes to the Connacht starting XV that will take on Ulster tomorrow evening in Ravenhill (5.35pm) from the team that lost to Cardiff.

Ballymena took the spoils in a rain-hit Division 1B opener against UCC at the Mardyke where centre Alisdair Frazer scored the only try.

IRISH squad member Mike McCarthy returns to Connacht for today’s final pre-season fixture with English premiership side Saracens in London (6.45pm).

SUPPORTERS of Leinster and Munster who think their teams will have a comfortable draw in next year’s Heineken Cup just because they are among the top seeds should think again.

Connacht have continued their recruitment drive for next season by signing former Ireland U20 scrumhalf Paul O’Donohoe from Leinster today.

HOPES that All Black Benson Stanley is moving to Connacht may be premature.

Connacht have continued their recruitment drive for next season by signing ex-Munster flanker Eoghan Grace.

IT was Declan Kidney who said it first, but we would do well to heed his words – recent events notwithstanding, these are special times in Irish rugby.

IN A manner with which all Munster GAA fans will be most familiar, Tipperary have lately forced their way into rugby’s consciousness in the province, to the extent that one of these days we can expect the clamour to begin for the jersey to be changed from the famous red to blue and gold.

St. Mary’s College 16 Shannon 27

Shannon 32 Dolphin 10, Coonagh

EOGHAN GRACE provided the inspiration to propel Shannon into the semi-finals of the Munster Senior Cup after a hard-fought contest in Musgrave Park yesterday.

INTERNATIONAL referee George Clancy was scratched from the Christmas card list of many a Shannon player and supporter after his handling of the final stages of Saturday’s gripping AIB League clash at Coonagh.

Shannon 38 UL Bohemians 19

Shannon 49 Buccaneers 26

Garryowen 12 Shannon 10

AIB LEAGUE DIVISION 1A RESULT: GARRYOWEN 12 SHANNON 10

Billy Holland will lead the Munster A side against Ulster in Shawsbridge on Thursday (3.30pm).

Danny Riordan, Toby Morland and Damien Varley will make their Munster debuts in Friday’s friendly against Sale Sharks, while Julien Brugnaut has been named amongst the replacements.

IF EVER there is a reason to protect and enhance the club structure, the IRFU need look no further than this high quality AIB League final at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Shannon 16 Garryowen 12