Paul O’Connell admitted yesterday that Ireland have struggled in the absence of Brian O’Driscoll in years past but believes the current vintage possess the maturity and confidence to cope without their talisman.

LEO CULLEN has ticked most boxes in his 11 years as a professional player.

MUNSTER bid for their fourth successive victory in the A Interprovincial championship when they face Connacht this evening at Thomond Park (6.30pm).

Ulster Rugby have named the Phoenix Ulster Rugby Academy players for the current season.

BRAGGING rights will be at stake as Munster A take on Ulster Ravens at Musgrave Park this afternoon (2pm), but both sides will also be treating the clash as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming British and Irish Cup, which starts the weekend after next.

MUNSTER tyro Ciaran O’Boyle is facing eight weeks on the sidelines with a torn hamstring.

Full-back Bryn Cunnigham will lead Ulster A out against Munster A, at Shaws Bridge, Belfast, on Friday (kick off 2.30pm).

The Ulster recruitment drive continues at pace with the announcement former Ulster and Ireland players Jonny Bell and Niall Malone have both been appointed as Elite Player Development Officers.

Ballymena's Chris Henry, recently, awarded a ful-time contract, will lead Ulster A out against Leinster A at Ravenhill on Friday evening, kick off 6.30pm.

EVEN GUEST speaker Alex Ferguson couldn’t help but smile when James Sandford stood alongside him in the Mansion House yesterday, remarking with a smile that the 6ft 5 inch UUJ student “might do a job” for him in the centre of the Manchester United defence!

JUST a couple of weeks ago, Munster’s second string side went to Shaw’s Bridge in Belfast and crushed a weakened Ulster opposition.

MUNSTER coach Declan Kidney gets a chance to utilise some of his lesser known squad members when the A team take on Ulster A in Temple Hill today, seeking a second victory over their Northern rivals (2pm).

Steve Williams will look to make a few changes for Ulster's tussle with The Ospreys at Ravenhill on Friday night in the return leg of the Heineken Cup.

THE well held view that Malcolm O’Kelly only plays to his full potential when the mood is on him appears to carry some substance.

The All Blacks will play Ireland twice at home and a single test in Argentina, as well as defending their Tri-Nations title in an expanded competition in 2006.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) have confirmed the dates and venues for Ireland's two summer tour Test matches against the All Blacks next June.

Ireland’s Johnny O’Connor has been named in the Barbarians squad for this month’s two-match tour of Britain.

Internationals David Humphreys and Tyrone Howe return to Ulster's fold for the daunting away trip to Neath-Swansea Ospreys in the Celtic Cup quarter-final on Saturday.

Ulster will go with the same side this weel as last week against Llanelli Scarlets at Ravenhill on Friday night.

GARY LONGWELL, who reached the landmark 50th Heineken Cup cap earlier this season, will win his 150th Ulster cap in Friday night’s Celtic League clash with Cardiff.

Ulster Coach Mark McCall has named his side for the Celtic League clash against the Cardiff Blues on Friday night.

Ulster are one point behind Connacht with one game in hand on The Westerners as bottom club The Borders travel to Ravenhill on for Friday.

Munster 21 Ulster 15

Munster 21 Ulster 15

Seamus Mallon has been given the opportunity to make an impression in the centre for Ulster away to Munster in the Celtic League at Musgrave Park on Friday evening.

Ulster Coach Mark McCall has chosen a 26 man squad ahead of Friday's Celtic League clash against Munster in Cork.

Mark McCall has plumped for Adam Larkin at out-half for the Celtic League meeting with Glasgow at Ravenhill on Friday night as David Humphreys will be at Twickenham for the Tsunami Appeal match.

ULSTER’S international players Kevin Maggs, David Humphreys and Tommy Bowe will face the Dragons at Newport when the Celtic League gets back to business tomorrow night.

Fresh from international duty, Kevin Maggs will line out for Ulster against Gwent Dragons in the Celtic League at Rodney Parade on Friday.

Ulster's coach has selected the strongest possible side available to him to meet South African Super 12 outfit The Bulls at Ravenhill on Friday night.

RUGBY legend Jonathan Davies has backed claims by Wales coach Mike Ruddock that England are better off without Jonny Wilkinson.

Ulster could do Munster and Leinster a huge favour if they topple The Neath-Swansea Ospreys in the Celtic League at St Helen's on Friday.

Talisman David Humphreys has recovered from a clash of heads against the Cardiff Blues to prove his fitness for Ulster's the Celtic League clash away to the Ospreys.

Ulster have made six changes to their side for this Sunday's Heineken Cup tie against Cardiff Blues.

Simon Best returns to the starting line-up for Ulster's pivotal Heineken Cup clash with Gloucester at Ravenhill.

Neil Best, Nigel Brady, Paddy Wallace and Jonny Bell have all been added to Mark McCall's 26-man Ulster squad for next Monday's rendezvous with Leinster at Donnybrook.

Mark McCall will give new signing Gavin Pfister his full debut in Ulster’s Celtic League joust with Edinburgh at Ravenhill on Friday.

Ulster coach Mark McCall has named a 22-man squad for their Celtic League meeting with Edinburgh at Ravenhill on Friday.

‘There’s nothing wrong with his eye. We don’t do that stuff.’

Coach Mark McCall will announce Ulster's side on Friday for their meeting with Stade Francais at Ravenhill on Saturday.

Ulster will look to continue their good record against Stade Francais when the two clubs clash in the Heineken Cup on Saturday.

Leinster Schools 16 Ulster Schools 18

Ulster have made one change to their side for Sunday’s Celtic League clash with Llanelli at Stradley Park.

SHE stood before us, a statuesque, 5ft 11 vision of Aryan loveliness.