Connacht’s decline after winning the PRO 12 title in 2016 started immediately in the first game of the defence of the crown when they fell to a record 41-5 loss to Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground.

Tadhg Beirne hopes back-to-back titles with the Scarlets can help him cement his place in the Ireland squad to tour Australia this summer.

There was some degree of befuddlement in UCD earlier this week when Ross Byrne and Ross Molony found themselves being quizzed on the possibility of featuring in a Rugby World Cup in Ireland in 2023.

Glasgow Warriors 35 - Connacht 24: This time last year Connacht fans were holding their breath in anticipation. Sitting pretty at the top of the table, having only lost five times all season, Connacht were working their way to a first Guinness PRO12 trophy and Champions Cup rugby.

Munster A must beat London Scottish today to remain in the hunt for the British and Irish Cup quarter-finals.

Munster A - champions in 2012, begin their challenge for a second B & I Cup title when they take on London Scottish at the Athletic ground in Richmond, London tonight (7.45pm).

A winner-take-all clash with New Zealand is Ireland’s prize for Saturday’s four-point victory (24-20) over Scotland in Saturday’s World Rugby U20 Championship Pool game in Calvisano.

Scotland U20 17 Ireland U20 10 

Nigel Carolan has asked his Irish U20 side to finish their campaign positively in Netherdale tonight by returning to the full-throttle game which has been suffocated by two defeats in a row.