Brian O’Driscoll has failed to make the Leinster squad for Sunday’s Heineken Cup clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin (kick-off 3pm).

Samoa have included nine European-based players in their starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with Ireland.

CLERMONT’S defeat to Racing Metro in the all-French Pool Two clash on Saturday is good news for Leinster as they prepare for back-to-back clashes with the Auvergnats.

Racing Metro 16 Clermont Auvergne 9

WALES survived a punishing physical examination by Samoa at the Millennium Stadium – but were made to sweat for victory.

Wales boss John Toshack has named captain Craig Bellamy in his squad for the next two World Cup qualifiers even though he is a serious doubt due to a knee injury.

OLLY BARKLEY believes England must use their heads against the physical Samoans on Saturday.

Michael Jones believes Saturday’s World Cup showdown between Samoa and England is a battle “of two desperate teams.”

SAMOA coach Michael Jones was angry that his side were out-fought by Pacific Island rivals Tonga in their 19-15 defeat in Montpellier.

Samoa 15 Tonga 19

SPRINGBOK coach Jake White has dismissed any prospect of complacency creeping into the South African camp as they prepare for a World Cup showdown with England.

South Africa 35 Samoa 8

Michael Bradley has made two changes, in addition to two positional changes to his Connacht team ahead of their final home match of the season against Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground, kick-off 6.30pm.

Michael Bradley has named a 23-man squad ahead of Connacht's final home match of the season, against Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground on Friday night, kick-off 6.30pm.

Connacht have made four changes to the starting line up for their clash with Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground on Saturday (kick off 6.30pm).

Connacht have announced a 27-man squad ahead of their Magners League clash with Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground on Saturday (kick off 6.30pm).

MALCOLM O’KELLY is named in the Leinster side to face Connacht in the Magners League at Donnybrook this afternoon (5.15pm).

Connacht have made four changes to the side which beat Border Reivers, ahead of their derby clash with Leinster in Donnybrook on Saturday (kick off 5.15pm).

Connacht have announced a 22-man squad ahead of their Magners League derby clash with Leinster at Donnybrook on Saturday, kick-off 5.15pm.

Connacht 20 Borders 17

Michael Swift, Conor McPhillips and Chris Keane have been called into the Connacht side to play Border Reivers at the Sportsground on Friday (kick off 6.30pm).

Michael Bradley brings in Andrew Farley, Brett Wilkinson and Adrian Flavin to the Connacht side to face Border Reivers in the Magners League on Friday (kick off 6.30pm).

Michael Bradley has brought in Conor Muldoon and Andrew Farley as his two changes to the 22-man squad to play Border Reivers in the Magners League at the Sportsground on Friday (kick-off 6.30pm).

Michael Bradley has announced a 22-man squad ahead of Connacht’s match with Border Reivers at the Sportsground on Friday (kick off 6.30pm).

Connacht have announced a 22-man squad ahead of their Magners League clash with the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 5.30pm.

Coach Michael Bradley has made four changes to his Connacht side ahead of their match with Edinburgh Rugby at Murrayfield on Friday night, kick-off at 7.30pm

Connacht have announced their side to take on Harlequins in the European Challenge Cup at the Stoop on Saturday.

Coach Michael Bradley has announced a 22-man squad ahead of Connacht's European Challenge Cup match with NEC Harlequins on Saturday at the Stoop, kick-off at 2.15pm

Connacht have announced their squad ahead of their European Challenge Cup round six match against Bath Rugby at the Sportsground on Friday (KO 7pm).

SUNDERLAND manager Roy Keane praised the character of his side after an impressive 2-0 win at Leicester in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Munster climbed menacingly up to fifth in the Magners League table as they defied the wind, rain and a dogged Connacht pack to secure a win at the Sportsground.

Connacht have today announced their side to play Munster at the Sportsground on New Years Eve (kick off 4pm).

Connacht have announced a 24-man squad for their New Years Eve Magners League clash with Munster (KO 4pm).

Connacht have announced their side to play Ulster in Ravenhill on St Stephen's Day (KO 5.30pm).

Connacht have today announced the squad to face Magners League champions Ulster on St Stephen’s Day.

Former London Irish captain Ryan Strudwick will make his first start for Connacht in a side that shows four changes for the return match with Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup in France.

Connacht have announced their squad ahead of Friday nights European Challenge Cup Pool 4 match with Montpellier in the Stade Sabathe.

Connacht’s hopes of some play-off action ended six weeks ago, but they sent Montpellier packing with a four-try 26-13 win in a wet European Challenge Cup encounter tonight.

Connacht have announced their side ahead of tomorrow night's clash with Montpellier.

Connacht have announced their squad to play Montpellier at the Sportsground on Friday.

There will be five changes to the Connacht side to face Munster at Thomond Park on Sunday.

Connacht have announced a 23-man squad ahead of their Magners League clash with Munster on Sunday at Thomond Park (kick off: 5pm).

The Connacht squad to play Cardiff Blues on Saturday shows two changes to that which played Glasgow Warriors two weeks ago.

Connacht have made two changes for Friday's Magner's League clash with Glasgow Warriors at Hughenden.