Holders C & S UCC Demons begin the defence of their National Cup title when they travel to Limerick this evening for a first round, first leg clash with UL Eagles.

As a rather distasteful war of words continues between former Australian international Tim Horan and the Irish management in the wake of Ireland’s 15-6 triumph over the Wallabies, his fellow countryman Matt Burke has been more magnanimous in defeat.

'Taggart' has been axed by ITV bosses after 28 years on air.

Long-running crime drama 'Taggart' has been axed by ITV after almost 28 years.

HE’S worked with Jonny Wilkinson and Luke Donald, and if you want to know why you can’t kick frees in Gaelic football, he can tell you. Michael Moynihan spoke to Dave Alred.

Australian star Matt Burke is in talks with Newcastle about a new contract at Kingston Park.

Former Australia full-back and current Newcastle captain Matt Burke has not ruled out a return to the international arena for this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Australian fly-half Chris Malone clinched a dramatic injury-time European Challenge Cup victory for Bath over Connacht at the Rec today.

The Barbarians will field a team selected from seven countries, including Ireland's David Humphreys and Bob Casey, when they tackle an England XV in Sunday’s Gartmore Challenge match at Twickenham.

Newcastle Falcons 22 London Irish 27

LEEDS secured an invaluable 25-14 win over fellow strugglers Bath yesterday as the leading four clubs all won their clashes to cement their position atop the English Premiership.

Cardiff Blues 41 Newport Gwent Dragons 23

Newcastle boss Rob Andrew has warned Andy Robinson not to risk Jonny Wilkinson for England’s autumn internationals after the star fly-half suffered yet another frustrating injury setback.

New Zealand’s Andrew Mehrtens is heading to Britain after signing a two-year deal with Harlequins.

Ireland’s Johnny O’Connor has been named in the Barbarians squad for this month’s two-match tour of Britain.

Sale Sharks boss Philippe Saint-Andre has described tomorrow’s Zurich English Premiership title eliminator against champions Wasps as “a bonus” for his team.

Stade Francais 48 Newcastle 8

JONNY WILKINSON’S faithful understudy will step into the Heineken Cup spotlight today after firing a defiant message at Newcastle’s European detractors.

Scotland coach Matt Williams today named Simon Taylor in his squad for the RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy after nearly a year on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

Australian forward Owen Finegan has agreed a two-year deal with the Newcastle Falcons.

Newcastle 25 Newport-Gwent 17

Newcastle 25 Newport-Gwent 17

England boss Andy Robinson was tonight reeling from the worst possible blow to his Six Nations plans – losing World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson.

Newcastle were tonight counting the cost of a damaging trip to Perpignan that has rocked their Heineken Cup quarter-final hopes.

Worcester coach Andy Keast has vowed his team will “come back fighting” against London Irish on New Year’s Day after they returned to the Zurich Premiership basement.

Edinburgh 10 Newcastle 13

Neath-Swansea Ospreys 24 Harlequins 7

Newcastle 34 Edinburgh 24

Edinburgh 13 Gwent Dragons 17

Newcastle Falcons recorded a magnificent 19-14 win over French visitors Perpignan thanks to a dominant first-half forward display.

Newcastle shrugged off the absence of England superstar Jonny Wilkinson to grind out a priceless Heineken Cup away win at rain-lashed Rodney Parade.

Newcastle hope to make an overwhelming case for the defence when they tackle Zurich Premiership rivals Saracens at Kingston Park tomorrow.

ROB ANDREW last night allayed the latest injury fears surrounding England captain Jonny Wilkinson, by declaring: “Physically, he’s fine.”

Australian rugby great Matt Burke yesterday finally called time on his illustrious international career.

Morgan Turinui, a try-scorer in yesterday’s 34-13 victory over Scotland, has been dropped from the Australia squad to take on England in next Saturday’s World Cup final rematch.

Scotland will have to brace themselves for the return of Stirling Mortlock and Phil Waugh to the Australia side after Eddie Jones today named his starting line-up for Saturday’s second Test in Sydney.

Scotland will face a new-look Australia side in Sunday’s first Test after Wallabies coach Eddie Jones awarded Clyde Rathbone and Radike Samo their international debuts.

Elton Flatley will play no part in Australia’s two-Test series against Scotland or the World Cup final rematch with England after breaking his arm.

IRELAND centres Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy have agreed to play for the Barbarians on next month's three-match tour of Britain.

The Barbarians have added the Irish centre pairing, the most dangerous centre partnership in world rugby, to their squad for next month’s three-match tour of Britain.

Former World Cup winning coach Bob Dwyer has agreed to coach the Barbarians on their three-match tour next month.

Australia coach Eddie Jones made just one enforced change to his side for Saturday’s World Cup final and then backed his relatively inexperienced forward pack to give England an almighty test.

Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan will miss the Six nations Championship because of surgery on his his injured shoulder.

ALAN QUINLAN is facing the unpalatable prospect of an operation on his damaged shoulder, which would rule him out of the Heineken Cup and Six Nations.