Jack O’Sullivan and Jed Holloway both made their debuts as part of the Munster pack, with the Waratahs import Holloway lining out in the second row alongside captain Billy Holland.

In the end the margin of victory was just five points, but Munster were the dominant force at the Liberty Stadium as they made it three straight Guinness Pro14 wins.

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.

Australia yesterday lost Michael Hooper, one of their two star opensides, for Saturday’s Pool A encounter with Wales in London, but blindside flanker Scott Fardy doesn’t give the impression of a guy who will lose sleep over the news.

Tommaso Allan knows the routine.

The great and the good had been queuing up all week to predict an England win at Twickenham on Saturday night, among them three captains from World Cups long gone, writes Peter Jackson.

Warren Gatland has urged the pundits to keep writing Wales off as his players prepare for battle with fellow World Cup heavyweights England and Australia.

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering knee ligament damage on Saturday.

The man who guided South Africa to World Cup glory believes Ireland are ready to lift the Webb Ellis Cup this time round.

Jonathan Davies believes mental toughness must be prominent in Wales’ armoury if they are to emerge from the so-called World Cup pool of death.

Three of Welsh rugby’s biggest names — James Hook, Mike Phillips and Richard Hibbard — face uncertain international futures after seeing their World Cup hopes extinguished.

Wales want to put down an immediate marker in terms of their discipline when they face opening World Cup warm-up opponents Ireland tomorrow.

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.

Connacht paid the price for a poor first half when the English favourites Gloucester sealed the first semi-final berth in this year’s Challenge Cup.

Warren Gatland revealed a glowing recommendation from one of world rugby’s outstanding coaches played its part in New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe making an unlikely journey from Super Rugby to potential Wales Test star.

Warren Gatland has revealed that a glowing recommendation from one of world rugby’s outstanding coaches played its part in New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe making an unlikely journey from Super Rugby to potential Wales Test star.

Saracens scrum-half Neil De Kock has called for his side to show better discipline as they prepare to host Munster in London on Saturday.

Wales 28 Australia 33

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.

Former Ulster Director of Rugby David Humphreys yesterday broke his silence about his move away from Ravenhill to Aviva Premiership side Gloucester.

Australian Laurie Fisher, who worked with Munster between 2008 and 2011, is the new head coach at Gloucester.

Manu Tuilagi has been warned to expect an aerial bombardment as New Zealand seek to expose the England wing’s inexperience in his new position.

Bath centre Gavin Henson has been named in the Probables squad to prepare for Wales’ senior trial match on May 30.

Toulon enjoyed the ideal preparation for their Heineken Cup semi-final with Munster with a 46-31 win over Perpignan in the Top 14.

Wales 51 Scotland 3

Wales boss Warren Gatland pulled no punches after dropping scrum-half star Mike Phillips for tomorrow night’s crunch RBS 6 Nations clash against France in Cardiff.

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

Saturday September 24, 1988 at Palmerston North – the first and last time Joe Schmidt bumped into Warren Gatland in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.

Former Munster centre Lifeimi Mafi said there has been a big fallout in Perpignan from Sunday’s loss at Thomond Park and they were fired up for revenge.

Perpignan captain James Hook believes his side can defeat Munster in Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash at the Stade Aimé Giral.

Munster moved to the top of Heineken Cup Pool 6 as they swept past a weakened Perpignan team 36-8 at Thomond Park today.

HEINEKEN CUP POOL SIX:

Wales and Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies has ended speculation about his playing future by agreeing a two-year contract with French club Clermont Auvergne.

Wales’ long wait to claim the major southern hemisphere scalp they crave continues – but only after an heroic display in a ferocious Test match of brutal intensity at the Millennium Stadium.

Perpignan 31 Edinburgh 14

Perpignan 31 Edinburgh 14

Wing Jonny May’s late try gave Gloucester a dramatic Heineken Cup victory as Perpignan had their former Munster centre Lifeimi Mafi sent off.

Rob Kearney has thanked the British and Irish Lions coaching staff for sticking with him during his fightback from injury.

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

Having being omitted from Warren Gatland’s Lions squad, Perpignan fly-half James Hook could line out against the British and Irish outfit, having been named in the provisional Barbarians squad.

After months of speculation, the Lion is out of the bag.