PLEASING and fulfilling as it undoubtedly is to be coach of a squad as magnificent as Munster’s, there are aspects of Alan Gaffney’s job which he could do without — such as having to tell players they aren’t required for a match as big as Saturday’s Heineken European Cup semi-final against Toulouse at the Stadium de Toulouse.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney has chosen to announce a 26-man squad ahead of their make-or-break Heineken European Cup quarter-final at Welford Road on Sunday.

Rob Henderson has been included in the Munster squad for the Celtic League final against Neath at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney has called for clarification on Heineken Cup qualification rules ahead of Saturday's crunch clash against Gloucester in Limerick.

This game could have gone either way with Scruffy's St Pauls and University of Limerick playing some great basketball in the ESB women's superleague.

Shannon will welcome back Munster stars Mick Galwey and Mossie Lawlor when the AIB League champions face GalwegIans at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Munster have made one enforced change to the side beaten by Gloucester for tomorrow’s must-win Heineken Cup clash against Perpignan.

IRELAND’S hopes of an autumn boost came in the form of good news from Keith Wood yesterday.

The availability of the Irish internationals and captain Jim Williams, back from injury, means there are ten changes in the Munster side to play Neath in the Celtic League at The Gnoll on Saturday.

Tonight's Celtic League teams

SWANSEA coach John Connolly comes to Cork this evening seeking a double over Irish provincial opposition.

Flanker Denis Leamy and tight head prop Rob Laffan will make their competitive debuts for Munster in a side that shows nine changes from that which handled Edinburgh last week.

New signings Dominic Malone and Simon Kerr will make their competitive debuts for a much changed Munster side set to entertain Ebbw Vale at Musgrave Park on Friday evening.

Coach Alan Gaffney has decided to opt for Mike Mullins, over Jason Holland, at centre to partner Rob Henderson for Munster's trip to Llanelli in the Celtic League on Saturday.

MUNSTER’S three new signings will all play their club rugby in Limerick this year with Eddie Halvey returning to play his club rugby with Shannon, Dominic Malone teaming up with UL Bohemians and Australian prop Simon Kerr joining Garryowen.

Coach Alan Gaffney has decided to give Dominic Malone, Eddie Halvey and Warren O'Kelly their first starts under his new regime at Munster for the pre-season encounter against Connacht at The Sportsground tomorrow evening.

Leinster, Ulster and Munster have announced their squads for their upcoming fixtures.

Coach Alan Gaffney has included new signings Dominic Malone and Eddie Halvey in a 25 strong squad for Munster's pre-season encounter with Zurich Premiership side Bristol Shoguns at Thomond Park at 7pm next Tuesday.

JIM WILLIAMS has been named as the new Munster rugby captain in succession to Mick Galwey.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan is confident his side can get their Lloyds TSB Six Nations campaign back on track against Scotland at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

Geordan Murphy, Rob Henderson and Keith Wood have all been left out of the Ireland rugby squad due to injury for the Six Nations game against Scotland on Saturday week.

Ireland have made two changes to the squad which beat Wales 54-10 for their next Six Nations match against England.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has delayed naming his starting line-up for Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Stade Francais in Paris.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has named an unchanged team for Saturday’s crucial final Heineken Cup pool game against Castres.

Munster will be without five first-choice players when they face English side Harlequins in the Heineken Cup at Thomond Park, Limerick, on Saturday.

David Wallace is believed to have regained his fitness ahead of Ireland’s clash with New Zealand in Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

The Irish team for Sunday's test game against Samoa has seven changes from the side which beat England in this year's Six Nations Championship. Anthony Foley has been named captain as Keith Wood is among the substitutes.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has brought in rookie second row Paul O’Connell for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Bridgend at Musgrave Park, Cork.

The Irish team to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday has been named.

Ireland have dropped Lions tourist Jeremy Davidson from their squad for next week’s Six Nations Championship clash against Wales in Cardiff.

The Irish team to play Romania in a tour match in Bucharest on Sunday has been named.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has announced a virtually full-strength squad for this weekend’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Stade Francais in Lille.

Ireland’s senior squad session next week, which was originally arranged for Belfast, has been switched to the University of Limerick because of the foot-and-mouth scare and will be held from Monday to Wednesday next week.

There have been no changes made to the Irish squad to face Wales.

Denis Hickie and Brian O'Driscoll return as expected to the Ireland team to play France in Saturday's 6 Nations Championship clash at Lansdowne Road.

The Irish rugby squad for the Six Nations Championship game against France has been announced.

Paddy Johns has been left out of the Irish training squad which will meet next week ahead of the Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome on February 3.