Leinster and Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier will miss the PRO12 play-offs as well as Ireland’s summer tour to South Africa, after he was ruled out of action for the next eight weeks.

The Scarlets won at the third time of asking in the Guinness Pro12 as they grabbed a try bonus point to do the double over Newport Gwent Dragons with a 34-20 victory.

Newport Gwent Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones expects to be on the end of a red-hot reaction from Munster.

Munster boss Anthony Foley has warned of the dangers posed by Ospreys half-backs Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar after the two teams were thrown together for the Guinness Pro12 semi-final in Thomond Park on Saturday.

GUINNESS PRO12:

Dragons 8 Connacht 24

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell makes his return to Munster colours ahead of schedule tonight having been cleared by the IRFU to face Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Leinster will finally get to road test their expensive new flyer tonight when Zane Kirchner makes his first start for the province before checking out again for duty with South Africa.

Munster coach Rob Penney has resisted the temptation to field his strongest side in response to last week’s second half meltdown at Treviso for this evening’s Rabo Direct clash with the Newport Gwent Dragons.

Dragons 15 Ulster 8

Newport Gwent Dragons gave Ulster a bloody nose at home to send the RaboDirect PRO12 runners-up Ulster packing and avenge a hammering from almost 12 months ago.

Gavin Henson looks set to miss the start of the Aviva Premiership season after suffering a suspected fractured cheekbone in London Welsh’s 23-17 friendly defeat against Llanelli Scarlets.

Aviva Premiership newcomers London Welsh have confirmed the signing of controversial Wales centre Gavin Henson today.

The Ospreys have parted company with head coach Sean Holley by mutual consent, the Welsh region announced this morning.

NO ONE should worry that any of Munster’s Grand Slam heroes might not be ‘up for’ tomorrow’s Heineken Cup quarter-final with Ospreys at Thomond Park.

ANYONE questioning the hunger of Munster’s returning Grand Slam heroes for further silverware could rest easy on leaving Thomond Park last Saturday night after another comprehensive win over great rivals Leinster. Suffice to say that Munster coach Tony McGahan must have slept more soundly in his bed afterwards than his Leinster counterpart Michael Cheika.

FORMER Ireland A prop Peter Bracken is hopeful that his career can be relaunched by a mid-season move from Bristol to Harlequins.

New Zealand backs coach Wayne Smith has confirmed he has received an offer to take over at Ospreys.

Gavin Henson is set to miss Wales’ tour of South Africa next month after undergoing ankle surgery.

Wales centre Gavin Henson could be facing 12 weeks on the sidelines if surgery is required on his troublesome ankle ligament injury.

RONAN O’GARA is being wrapped in cotton wool for tomorrow week’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Saracens and misses tonight’s Magners League clash with Ospreys at Musgrave Park.

CHANGING the flight plan from Cardiff to Coventry will be the least of Munster’s concerns as they ponder Saracens’ surprise Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Ospreys.

England international Andy Farrell faces three months on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury in Saracens’ Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Ospreys.

Alan Gaffney hopes his Saracens side can give the Ospreys food for thought in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown at Vicarage Road.

THE Ospreys have been dealt a second injury blow ahead of tomorrow’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens.

WILL GREENWOOD believes the smart money is on the Ospreys to win the Heineken Cup – and he wasted no time in hunting down the nearest bookies after the quarter-final draw was made.

Shirley Bassey is to be a patron of a children’s hospital’s fundraising charity, it was announced today.

Ospreys coach Lyn Jones is looking for inspiration from his Grand Slam-winning players after selecting 13 of his 14 Wales internationals in the squad for Saturday’s EDF Energy Cup semi-final against Saracens.

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan has said he is totally focused on their Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Munster after finding out they face an away trip in the semis.

Bourgoin 21 Ospreys 28

Ospreys 48 Ulster 17

Ospreys 16 Munster 3

BRIAN CARNEY will at last get some game time following his exclusion from successive Irish squads in the World Cup.

The Ospreys have confirmed the capture of former Wales centre Mark Taylor on a two-year contract.

MAGNERS LEAGUE title challengers the Ospreys have confirmed a double swoop for Wales internationals Mike Phillips and Ian Gough.

Ospreys 20 Munster 12

MUNSTER coach Declan Kidney intends using today’s Magners League game against Ospreys to freshen up his side after their exit from the Heineken Cup last weekend.

Munster star Ronan O’Gara believes the European champions need to slash their error-count in Saturday’s Heineken Cup showdown with Leicester at Thomond Park.

Northampton boss Paul Grayson is under no illusions about the task facing his Heineken Cup quarter-final hopefuls in tomorrow’s clash against Border Reivers.

Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones believes his players are ready for the “extra dimension” of a Heineken Cup showdown with French championship leaders Stade Francais.

JONATHON SEXTON has a simple philosophy about professional rugby.

ENGLAND forward Perry Freshwater was on the scoresheet as Perpignan comfortably overcame French rivals Castres in Heineken Cup Pool One last night.

MUNSTER coach Declan Kidney hasn’t given up on his side winning the Magners League.

Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones believes his side’s landmark tour victory over Australia has done Wales a massive favour ahead of Saturday’s Test at the Millennium Stadium.