ULSTER cannot be overtaken as Magners League leaders, even if arch-rivals Leinster pull off a victory in the last match at the old Lansdowne Road stadium on Sunday.

BALLYMENA flanker Chris Henry and Belfast Harlequins wing Paul McKenzie have been included in a 24-man Ulster squad ahead of the Magners League derby against Connacht at Ravenhill on St Stephen’s Day.

IT’S OLD for the new as Ulster coach Mark McCall recalls experienced former international prop Justin Fitzpatrick for the recently-capped Ireland loose-head Bryan Young in the only change for the Heineken Cup clash with London Irish tonight at Ravenhill.

ULSTER’S Roger Wilson admits the criticisms endured after Saturday’s Heineken Cup disaster at the Madejski Stadium were justified.

ULSTER’S former London Irish flanker Kieron Dawson has warned his teammates to “beware of the wounded animal” ahead of today’s decisive Pool Five clash at the Madejski Stadium in Reading (3.30pm).

The teams for the upcoming AIB League fixtures have been announced.

ULSTER have received a massive boost with the return of skipper Simon Best ahead of their Heineken Cup opener against French giants Toulouse at Ravenhill on Saturday.

MUNSTER will be without Irish hooker Frankie Sheahan yet again when they take on Ulster in the Magners League at Musgrave Park tonight (7.30pm).

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FORMER Munster second row Trevor Hogan looks set to make his Leinster debut in the Magners League against Edinburgh Gunners at Murrayfield tomorrow night and has been praised by coach Michael Cheika.

MUNSTER may be Heineken Cup champions but they won’t get anything soft in the Celtic League opener against Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park tomorrow night.

NEW Munster rugby signing Tim McGann of Australian provincial side Eastern Suburbs turned down a Super 14 contract with the NSW Waratahs in favour of the Heineken Cup champions.

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THE Ireland A team to play New Zealand Maori in tonight’s Pool B Churchill Cup tie shows four changes from that which defeated USA 28-13 last weekend.

OF all the overseas signings that Ulster have made in recent seasons, Wallaby Justin Harrison jumps out as the one to have made the biggest impact.

MUNSTER heroes captain Anthony Foley, half backs Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer and second-row partners Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan will be at Thomond Park on Saturday, but not on the pitch, as the Heineken Cup champions take on Cardiff Blues (5.30pm).

BRYN CUNNINGHAM will join the list of Ulster centurions when he faces Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park this evening.

Leicester openside Shane Jennings will captain an Ireland A squad containing only four full internationals at next month’s Churchill Cup.

CONNACHT’S strong record against Welsh sides at the Sportsground this season will be under pressure this evening when they entertain the Neath/Swansea Ospreys (6.30pm).

Latest team news fahead this weekend's crunch AIB League action.

SPRINT king Andy Maxwell believes the fractured Celtic League season will not get in the way of Ulster's goal of winning the title.

ANDREW TRIMBLE returns to the Ulster line-up for their trip to Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, the only change to the side that defeated the Dragons three weeks ago.

TOMÁS O’LEARY could line out for Munster as outside centre in the Celtic League game with Llanelli at Stradey Park on Saturday.

ULSTER coach Mark McCall has named a squad of 23 for Friday’s Celtic League top-of-the-table clash with Munster at Ravenhill (7.35 kick-off).

COACH Mark McCall is looking for Ulster to continue their good away form in the Celtic League when they tackle Edinburgh at Murrayfield tonight (ko 7.30).

David Humphreys will play at out-half for Ulster when they take on Edinburgh in the Celtic League tomorrow night.

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Mark McCall has included injury doubts Paul Steinmetz and Matt McCullough in Ulster's 24-man squad for Friday's Heineken Cup tie against Biarritz at Ravenhill.

JAMES Topping will make his 111th appearance for Ulster when he lines out against the Glasgow Warriors at Ravenhill on Saturday.

THIS may well prove a turning point in Connacht’s fortunes.

ULSTER coach Mark McCall has opted to retain Kieran Campbell at scrum-half for Monday’s Celtic League clash against Leinster at Ravenhill (5pm).

ULSTER flanker Neil McMillan has been declared fit for Saturday’s crunch Heineken Cup game against Saracens at Vicarage Road.

BALLYMENA’S Bryan Young could not ask for a tougher Heineken Cup baptism when he lines out opposite former Springbok strongman Cobus Visagie as Ulster take on Group Four leaders Saracens at Ravenhill tonight (7.30 pm).

ULSTER have named an unchanged lineup for Friday’s opening Heineken Cup back-to-back games with Saracens at Ravenhill.

Paddy Wallace has paid for his troublesome stint at full back last Saturday by being replaced by regular incumbent Bryn Cunningham in the only change made to the Ulster side for the clash with Connacht at Ravenhill on Friday night.

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LEADING English clubs are poised for a legal battle with the Rugby Football Union after Twickenham decided to withhold £120,000 (€178,000) in Lions compensation cash.

MUNSTER will be boosted by the return of Lions Ronan O’Gara and Donncha O’Callaghan for Saturday’s Celtic League clash with Glasgow in Scotland.

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