Cork Constitution 31 Lansdowne 13: The relief in Cork Constitution ranks was palpable as they picked up a valuable first home win of the Ulster Bank League season to lift themselves clear of the bottom at Temple Hill on Saturday.

“Once the scrum goes unopposed it’s like a game of rugby league. I’m an old fashioned boy from the Welsh coal-mining towns so the scrum was the platform and that differentiated the game more than anything. I would like to see a directive that you’d have two specialist props and a hooker on the bench.”

Ireland will head into this month’s Rugby World Cup on the back of consecutive Test defeats to Wales and England, but according to former Grand Slam-winning Welsh coach Mike Ruddock, they shouldn’t be overly concerned.

Silverware seems to follow Joe McSwiney everywhere he goes, the latest accolade an Ulster Bank League medal with his new club Lansdowne, who beat Clontarf (18-17) in Saturday’s final at the Aviva Stadium.

Lansdowne 18 Clontarf 17: Scott Deasy’s nerveless conversion of a difficult 66th minute penalty sealed victory for Lansdowne over champions Clontarf in Saturday’s pulsating Ulster Bank League final at the Aviva Stadium.

LANSDOWNE 23 YOUNG MUNSTER 19: Lansdowne came through a huge test of their Ulster Bank League title credentials as they edged out Young Munster 23-19 in an absorbing Division 1A semi-final that went to extra-time on Saturday.

Munster ‘A’ 23 Nottingham Rugby 16

Lansdowne 28 Young Munster 21

Cork Constitution 33 Lansdowne 16

DOLPHIN suffered a galling defeat at the hands of arch city rivals Cork Constitution in the Ulster Bank League at Musgrave Park last night.