CONNACHT’S young guns denied Manu Samoa a first win on their Northern Hemisphere tour at the Galway Sportsground last evening.

SAMOA open their northern hemisphere tour in Galway this evening when they take on a young Connacht side at the Sportsground (7.05pm).

INTERIM USA head coach Peter Thorburn has named a 28-man squad to face Ireland A in California in the opening game of the 2006 Churchill Cup this weekend.

IRELAND, conquerors of South Africa, aim to continue their impressive momentum against the USA at Lansdowne Road this afternoon, (1pm).

USA coach Tom Billups is under no illusions about the task facing his Eagles as they prepare to face Ireland at Lansdowne Road next month.