Ahead of Ireland’s opening game in the World Rugby U20 Championship against Italy tomorrow at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi, Jack Kelly revealed that being released from his original role of team captain has taken some pressure off his shoulders.

IRB JUNIOR WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL:

Ireland, 2014 Six Nations champions, are the only nation in the IRB’s top 20 test sides without a men’s Sevens team.

The two clubs at the bottom of the Division 1B table provided a rousing contest at Kilballyowen Park before Bruff emerged as 22-18 winners over a determined UCC side.

A caretaker who stole more than €28,000 from the school he worked in to pay for his wife’s hospital fees after she miscarried has been given a two-year suspended sentence.

CHILD protection services are “dysfunctional, ineffective and inconsistent” and do not safeguard the rights, welfare and best interests of a child, a former HSE social worker has claimed.

Michael Bradley has rotated his Connacht squad, bringing in eight new players, to prepare for The Scarlets this Sunday in the Magner’s League at Parc Y Scarlets.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made eight changes to his side for the home game with Leinster in the Magner’s League tomorrow evening (7.45pm).

AIB LEAGUE DIVISION 1B:

Coach Michael Bradley has made five changes to his side for the Magner’s League tie wuth The Dragons at The Sportsground tomorrow evening (6.30pm).

Galwegians 17 Ballymena 16

LEINSTER have included internationals Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O’Brien, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan and Jonathan Sexton in their squad for Saturday’s Magners League clash with Scarlets at the RDS (6.30pm).

Galwegians 15 Ballynahinch 12

CONNACHT have gone from underdogs to favourites in just six days to record back-to-back wins over Worcester in tonight's Amlin Challenge Cup fixture at the Galway Sportsground (7pm).

Coach Michael Bradley has gone for the same 15 that inflicted the 26-21 defeat on Worcester for the return match at The Sportsground in the Challenge Cup on Friday night.

Scrum-half Kieran Campbell and hooker Adrian Flavin have been brought back into the the Connacht squad to play Worcester at the Sportsground tomorrow evening (7pm) in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley has resisted the temptation to bring fit-again players back into action and is sticking with most of the squad which defeated Worcester last weekend.

Dolphin 24 Galwegians 10

AIB LEAGUE DIVISION 1B:

Connacht boss Michael Bradley has named his starting line-up for Friday’s pre-season friendly against Harlequins.

St. Mary’s College 38 Galwegians 17

IRELAND hooker Rory Best will lead Ulster in Sunday’s Magners League clash with Leinster at the RDS.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has recalled scrum-half Kieran Campbell and back five forward Micahel Swift ahead of their Magners League clash against Edinburgh in Murrayfield on Friday (kick off: 7.30pm).

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has announced a 22-man squad for their Magners League clash with Edinburgh in Murrayfield on Friday (kick off: 7.30pm).

Ireland 5 Samoa 35

The Ireland Sevens coach Jon Skurr has named a 12-man squad for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup 7s in Dubai.

THE Ospreys maintained their pressure on Munster and Leinster at the top of the Magners League table with comfortable, victory over Connacht at Liberty Stadium yesterday.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has been able to select Ireland international Gavin Duffy in his 25-man squad for the Magners League clash against the Scarlets at The Sportsground on Friday (6.30pm).

Connacht will have to make do without the considerable contribution of Johnny O'Connor for their European Challenge Cup round four pool one clash against Rugby Rovigo at the Sportsground on Friday (6.30pm).

GEORGE HOOK ruffled more than a few feathers after Munster’s narrow defeat to New Zealand last week when he claimed that Leinster would never have been able to produce a similar performance under the same straitened circumstances.

Centre/wing Keith Matthews takes his place in the Connacht squad for the first time since September Connacht for the Magners League clash against Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday night (kick off 7.30pm).

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has decided to introduce some of his younger players, such as David Nolan and John O'Brien, into a 23-man squad to play Portugal at The Sportsground on Sunday (kick off: 6pm).

Connacht have announced a 24-man squad ahead of their Magners League clash with Edinburgh at the Sportsground on Friday (6.30pm).

Connacht have announced a 25-man squad ahead of their European Challenge Cup second-round clash against London Irish at the Sportsground on Friday (7pm).

Connacht have been boosted by the return from injury of utility back Daniel Riordan and hooker Joe Merrigan in a 24-man squad for their opening European Challenge Cup game away to Dax at the Stade Maurice Boyau on Friday.

Connacht have announced a 22 man squad for their Magners League clash with Leinster at the Sportsground on Sunday (kick off: 6pm).

Connacht have announced a 24-man squad for the Magners League clash against Glasgow at the Sportsground on Friday (kick off: 6.30pm).

Connacht have announced a 24-man squad ahead of their match against the Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park on Saturday (kick off: 5.30pm).

Connacht will have to be at their best to resist big-spending Ospreys for their opening Magners League match at The Sportsground on Friday (6.30pm).

Connacht have been able to select Liam Bibo, Michael Roberts and Robbie Morris in a 25-man squad ahead of their final pre-season friendly against the Queensland Reds at the Sportsground on Tuesday evening (kick off: 7.30pm).

Connacht have announced a 25-man squad ahead of their final pre-season friendly against the Queensland Reds at the Sportsground on Tuesday evening (kick off: 7.30pm).

Michael Bradley will get a good view of the rest of his squad by making 11 changes to his side for their third preseason friendly against London Welsh at the Sportsground on Friday (kick off: 6.30pm).

Connacht rugby manager Michael Bradley has made 11 changes and two positional switches to his side ahead of their third pre-season friendly against London Welsh at the Sportsground tomorrow (kick off: 6.30pm).