Aula Maxima, UCC

Ronny Deila has made three changes to his starting line-up for Celtic's Scottish League Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park.

‘The Birth of Modern Music’ is the programme for the Music for Galway Midwinter Festival, which runs from Jan 17 to 19.

ONE of the world’s most celebrated cellists, Julian Lloyd-Webber, is looking forward to his return visit to Ireland.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall put English rugby’s European failure down to the gulf in the salary cap between the Aviva Premiership and the rest.

The passengers aboard a disabled cruise ship will spend 10 to 12 hours longer at sea than needed because a French vessel towing the ship refused to give way to tugboats from the Seychelles, a Seychelles government minister says.

The disabled Costa Allegra cruise ship is expected to reach the Seychelles’ main port just after dawn tomorrow, an aviation official said today.

ULSTER boss Brian McLaughlin was a man of mixed emotions on Saturday.

DIMITRI YACHVILI has issued a stark warning to semi-final opponents Munster after claiming: we can win the Heineken Cup for the first time.

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont was reluctant to talk up comeback king Mathieu Bastareaud ahead of Ireland’s forthcoming trip to Paris, despite the Stade Francais man announcing his return to the international stage with a brace of tries yesterday.

FRANCE head coach Marc Lievremont admits his team could be embarrassed by Italy on Saturday if they fail to improve on the “mediocrity” they have shown so far in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

France have made four changes in personnel to their team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match against Italy in Rome.

ENGLAND romped to their most emphatic victory over France since the glory days of 2003 as Martin Johnson’s under-fire side enjoyed a staggering return to form at Twickenham.

France flanker Thierry Dusautoir makes England slight favourites going into tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash at Twickenham.

MARTIN JOHNSON has urged England to win back the faith of the Twickenham crowd with a ferocious start and victorious finish to tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations showdown with France.

SEBASTIEN CHABAL will be under orders to smash some holes in England’s much-vaunted defence when he reverts to France’s back row for ‘Le Crunch’ at Twickenham on Sunday.

Sebastien Chabal will return to France’s back row for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship match against England at Twickenham.

Nicolas Mas has been ruled out of France’s RBS 6 Nations match against Wales next week because of a strained left adductor.

France have made four changes to the team which started last weekend’s defeat against Ireland for Saturday’s RBS Six Nations match against Scotland in Paris.

Ireland enter their 2009 RBS 6 nations opener against France today in the unusual position of being favourites for the fixture.

MARTIN JOHNSON watched on as Sale edged a ferocious encounter against Guinness Premiership leaders London Irish thanks to a try created and scored by three players hoping to catch the eye of the England manager.

Leinster captain Brian O'Driscoll has been passed fit for their Heineken Cup game against Castres tonight.

DANNY CIPRIANI and Josh Lewsey produced a neat one-two combination punch to floor Castres as Wasps opened their Heineken Cup campaign with an emphatic home victory yesterday.

England arrive in Paris seeking a first Six Nations victory at Stade de France for eight years today.

NEW-LOOK France got their RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign off to the perfect start with an impressive victory against lacklustre Scotland at Murrayfield.

LIONEL FAURE admits his call-up to the France squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship allowed him to dodge the potentially painful dilemma of switching his allegiance to England.

MARC LIEVREMONT didn’t take long to usher in a new dawn in French rugby yesterday by naming six uncapped players in a much-changed squad for the Six Nations Championship opener against Scotland.

SALE director of rugby Phillipe Saint-Andre insisted his side’s Heineken Cup hopes remains alive after beating Stade Francais at Edgeley Park.

WASPS coach Ian McGeechan believes his side are learning how to “win ugly” after they hung on for victory in their opening Heineken Cup game against Castres at Adams Park.

Leicester 35 Sale 23

Fernando Alonso insists he will not be distracted when he defends his world championship next season, despite the early announcement of his move to McLaren for 2007.

Patrick Fauré has called on Fernando Alonso and Renault to become multiple world champions and prove their success this year was no fluke.

At least six people were killed in violent protests that broke out after the son of Togo’s late dictator was declared the winner of presidential elections, officials said today.

Plans for a breakaway Grand Prix World Championship are still on course and the major car makers will leave Formula One in 2008 as a last resort if a compromise cannot be reached.

Renault must deliver a title challenge this season, according to team president Patrick Faure.

South Africa 72 Uruguay 6

South Africa 36 Uruguay 6