Ulster start rookie tight-head Ross Kane against a fired-up Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium this evening.

Munster face their first serious test of the new season when they travel to Swansea’s Liberty Stadium todayto face the Ospreys in the third round of the Guinness PRO14.

Previous World Cups, in soccer and in rugby, have demonstrated the dangers of bigging up teams during the pool stages, but Michael Cheika and the Wallabies have certainly earned the praise.

Sometimes being given more questions than answers from an exercise can be a good thing.

Warren Gatland rarely fails to take an opportunity to rile Ireland and even before a so-called warm-up game — and the mischievous side in him could still play a trick or two on Wales’ rivals.

Wales have announced the team to face Ireland in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up Test at the Millennium Stadium.

Gloucester 40 Connacht 32 (AET): It had all the hallmarks of past heartbreaks. Connacht, punching above their weight, looked set to close in on the ultimate prize, only to be denied at the bitter end, whether by their own hand, or by questionable refereeing decisions.

In a return to Kingsholm, injury-hit Connacht go head to head with English Premiership side Gloucester for the chance to play Champions Cup rugby next season.

A first home semi-final is the prize for Connacht if they overcome this evening’s Challenge Cup quarter-final opponents Gloucester at Kingsholm.

Gloucester 45 Munster 8

New Munster head coach Anthony Foley could be forgiven for enduring a few shivers of apprehension after seeing the Gloucester team chosen by his old mate Laurie Fisher for this afternoon’s pre-season friendly at Kingsholm.

Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips has been relegated to the bench for Friday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against France in Cardiff.

Captain Sam Warburton will return to the Wales starting line-up for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin.

Sam Warburton could start Wales’ RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy on Saturday as he prepares to make his comeback from injury.

British & Irish Lions 59 Barbarians RFC 8

Hong Kong’s intense heat and humidity may be “hellish”, in Conor Murray’s words, but British & Irish Lions assistant coach Rob Howley believes conditions for the opening game this weekend will stand his players in good stead for the three-Test series with Australia.

Italy’s Sergio Parisse will captain the Barbarians against the British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong this Saturday.

Italy 9 Wales 26

Courtney Lawes is ready to strike fear into the French ‘bully boys’ when he is unleashed from the England back row for the first time.

Sam Warburton has been named on the Wales replacements’ bench for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy in Rome.

South Africa-born forward Andries Pretorius has been named in the Wales squad for this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Jamie Roberts believes it is “hugely important” that Wales make a statement when they tackle the world’s top team on Saturday.

Warren Gatland has made five changes to the Wales team for Saturday’s Millennium Stadium clash against world champions New Zealand.

Gethin Jenkins claims Wales will be a better team for being knocked off “cloud nine” by Australia.

Wales will head into the first of their three Tests against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday with 11 of the starting XV that clinched Grand Slam glory against France in March.

Matthew Rees believes France will attempt to “bully” and “irritate” Wales as they attempt to claim the Grand Slam.

Wales are optimistic captain Sam Warburton will be fit to lead his team’s RBS 6 Nations title bid against France next Saturday.

Sam Warburton has recovered from injury and will captain Wales when they bid for the Triple Crown against RBS 6 Nations title rivals England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Wales captain Sam Warburton admits it is time his RBS 6 Nations title contenders avoided any further outbreaks of the yellow peril that threatened to lay them low in Dublin last weekend.

Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts started Wales’ RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland at Aviva Stadium despite concerns over their fitness.

Flanker Dan Lydiate has been ruled out of Wales’ RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland on Sunday due to an ankle injury, but centre Jamie Roberts and fly-half Rhys Priestland have recovered from knee injuries and will start, the Welsh Rugby Union have announced.

Gavin Henson could be in line for a first RBS 6 Nations appearance since 2009 after being included in head coach Warren Gatland's 35-man training squad.

WALES were left kicking themselves after suffering their third narrow defeat of a World Cup campaign that could easily have seen them contesting tomorrow’s final against New Zealand.

THE International Rugby Board is to review Warren Gatland’s claim he considered cheating in Wales’ defeat by France in the World Cup semi-finals.

WALES’ World Cup squad have rallied behind their suspended skipper Sam Warburton after he was sent off during an agonising semi-final defeat against France on Saturday.

ADAM JONES may be a pivotal part of Wales’ bid to make history this morning (9am Irish time) by reaching their first World Cup final.

Rhys Priestland has lost his fitness battle for Wales’ World Cup semi-final clash against France at Eden Park on Saturday.

Leigh Halfpenny – and not James Hook or Lee Byrne – will be the Wales full-back in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Ireland.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has named an unchanged team for Sunday’s World Cup clash with Samoa in Hamilton.

WALES coach Warren Gatland has tipped history-maker Sam Warburton to leave a lasting impression on the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Rhys Priestland has been handed the Wales fly-half role for Sunday’s World Cup Pool D clash against South Africa.

ON A night short on inspiration,a young New Zealand-born,Tralee-raised centre showed Thomond Park that blond-flecked hair aren’t the only highlights Danny Barnes can bring to the Munster cause.

TONY MCGAHAN could not have asked for better preparation for Munster’s Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final than this dramatic victory at the Ospreys.

TONY McGAHAN has made 14 changes to the Munster team for this evening’s Magners League clash with the Ospreys.