Leinster 23 Cardiff Blues 15: It proved a successful competitive home debut for Leo Cullen at the RDS on Saturday evening, as Leinster held off a game display from Cardiff Blues to secure their first win of the Guinness Pro12 season.

As expected, Munster proved too strong for Cardiff Blues as they sealed another Guinness Pro 12 victory at Musgrave Park tonight and maintained their third place in the table.

Guinness Pro12

Cardiff Blues 13 Leinster 22: Reigning Pro12 champions Leinster believe they have turned a corner in the New Year after coming from behind to claim a bonus-point victory over Cardiff Blues on Saturday.

Cardiff Blues may be lying ninth in the Pro12 table, but with a pack boasting three British and Irish Lions, as well as a recalled Alex Cuthbert on the wing, Leinster know it won’t be easy at the Arms Park.

Newport Gwent Dragons 9 Cardiff Blues 11

Cardiff Blues 24 Munster 28

Connacht 24 Cardiff 24

Leinster 37 Cardiff Blues 23

Guinness Pro12:

Ireland internationals Tommy Bowe and Paddy Jackson both make their first starts of the season for Ulster on Friday in the away match against Cardiff Blues.

RABO DIRECT PRO12:

Connacht 38 Treviso 6

Treviso 3 Ulster 35

There was obviously a good reason for this RaboDirect Pro12 game to be handed the same kick-off slot as Ireland-New Zealand tomorrow but, for the life of us, it is impossible to think of one.

Italy 9 Wales 26

Courtney Lawes is ready to strike fear into the French ‘bully boys’ when he is unleashed from the England back row for the first time.

Leinster 40 Treviso 5

Connacht 18 Benetton Treviso 3

Former Stormer Danie Poolman makes a timely first start for Connacht against Italian visitors Benetton Treviso at the Galway Sportsground today (5pm).

Brian McLaughlin praised the fighting spirit of his team after Ian Whitten’s late try rescued Ulster against Treviso on Saturday.

Andy Robinson started a period of introspection over his future as after Scotland collected the Six Nations wooden spoon.

Italy coach Jaques Brunel has made six changes to the squad that lost against Wales in Cardiff last weekend for their final RBS Six Nations game against Scotland in Rome on Saturday.

IT’S much change for Munster and minimum alterations for Treviso in advance of tonight’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash at Thomond Park.

CONNACHT racked up their eighth loss on the trot, falling to Italian visitors Treviso in the Galway Sportsground last night, once again paying the price for a poor start.

FOR Joe Schmidt, the unhappy memories of defeat to Treviso in September of last year were consigned to oblivion when Leinster hoisted aloft the Heineken Cup.

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood was delighted with the opening day victory away to Benetton Treviso in Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 League clash at Stadio Monigo.

CONNACHT climbed into eighth place in the Magners League table after securing a third successive win at the Galway Sportsground last night.

CONNACHT will be looking to grab this evening’s opportunity at the Galway Sportsground (7.05pm) to again leapfrog Magners League opponents.

SAM WARBURTON believes Wales are turning around their RBS 6 Nations campaign after the “doom and gloom” of an opening day defeat against Grand Slam-chasing England.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made three changes to his side to face Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match at the Stadio Flaminio.

ITALY manager Pierre Berbizier has made seven changes for tomorrow’s World Cup warm-up match against Ireland.

Fly-half Andrea Scanavacca was the most notable absentee from a 40-man squad named by Italy coach Pierre Berbizier today for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.