A competitive debut for Mick Kearney represents one of five changes Eric Elwood has made to the Connacht starting XV for the visit of Leinster to the Sportsground this New Year's Day (5pm).

Connacht Rugby have released a 26-man squad ahead of their first ever Heineken Cup clash away to Harlequins in the Stoop on Friday Night (8pm).

Eric Elwood has made six changes to the Connacht starting XV that will take on Ulster tomorrow evening in Ravenhill (5.35pm) from the team that lost to Cardiff.

After a mounting injury list during the week sparked suggestions of calling up U20 players to the Connacht team to face Leinster in the RDS this Saturday (5pm) Eric Elwood will be relieved he’s only had to make three changes to his starting team.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has made seven changes to his side to play Munster in the Magner’s League at Ravenhill on Friday.

Rugby league recruit Adam D'Arcy retains his place at full-back for Ulster's opening Magners League clash with the Ospreys at Ravenhill on Friday night (KO 7.05pm).

Munster A 34 Heriot’s 7

Ireland’s Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble wil get game time for Ulster against The Scarlets in the Magner’s League at Parc y Scarlets on Friday evening.

Cork Constitution will give an AIL debut to possible Ireland Under-20 second row Brian Hayes at home to UL-Bohemian at Temple Hill tomorrow.

Former Leicester Tigers hooker Gavin Hickie has returned to St Mary's College ahead of their season opener at home to Dublin rivals Clontarf at Templeville Road.

Portstewart's Paul Cutler and Portmarnock’s James Fox fired three-under-par 69s to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at fast-running Baltray.

Hooker Nigel Brady will lead Ulster into their final Magner's League match of the season against The Scarlets on Saturday.

Ulster coach Matt Williams is giving many of the Ulster Academy graduates, such as Ian Whitten and Chris Henry, a chance to show their worth in the Magners League against Connacht at The Sportsground on Friday evening.

Ulster 9 Cardiff 11

Thomas Anderson, the son of legend Willie, has been included in the Ulster side to take on Irish rivals Munster at Ravenhill on Saturday night (7.35pm).

Ulster coach Matt Williams has brought back Carlo Del Fava, David Pollock, Timoci Nagusa and Cillian Willis into his side to take on Harlequins in the Heineken Cup at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday (3.30pm).

Coach Matt Williams has made eight changes to his Ulster side to play Edinburgh in the Magners League at Ravenhill tomorrow night.

There are two changes in Matt Williams' Ulster side set to travel to Cardiff tomorrow.

Forrest Little's Eoin Arthurs romped to a four-stroke win in the East of Ireland Championship at Co Louth today.

Forrest Little's Eoin Arthurs took advantage of perfect early morning conditions to scorch to a six-under par 66 and a two stroke lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at County Louth.

Ulster coach Matt Williams has today named his starting line up to take on Glasgow tomorrow at Ravenhill, kick-off at 3pm.

Ulster coach Matt Williams has made six changes to his side for tomorrow night's Magners League showdown with Munster at Ravenhill.

Matt Williams has stuck to his policy of blooding younger players away from home and has made six personnel changes for Ulster's trip to Cardiff this tomorrow.

Coach Matt Williams has brought Matt McCullough, Isaac Boss, Kieron Dawson and Bryan Young back into the Ulster starting line-up to play the Ospreys in Swansea tomorrow night.

Newlands’ Andrew Hogan defied 40 mph gusts to card a four-under par 67 and grab the silver medal for the leading qualifier in the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

England’s Jonathan Hurst has set his sights on the West of Ireland Amateur Open title after a level-par 71 gave him the first round lead at wind-blown Rosses Point today.

Ulster coach Matt Williams has made eight changes to the side that beat Llanelli for the trip to Munster in the Magner's League tomorrow.

Matt Williams has today named his starting line up to take on Munster in Cork on Saturday evening. Williams has made eight changes to the starting fifteen that defeated the Scarlets at Ravenhill in February.

Rory Best returns to captain Ulster this weekend in Matt Williams 23-man squad against Llanelli Scarlets in the Magner's League on Friday night at Ravenhill.

Stephen Ferris will make his return to the Ulster side in Matt Williams first game in charge of the province against The Dragons in the Magner's League at Ravnehill on Friday.

Ulster Caretaker Coach Steve Williams has added Mark Bartholomeusz and Paul Steinmetz in a 24-man squad for his side's final pool game against Gloucester in the Heineken Cup on Sunday.

Ulster caretaker coach Steve Williams has made no changes to his side for the Heineken Cup tie at home to Ravenhill on Friday night.

Ulster caretaker Coach Steve Williams has named David Humphreys and newcomer Grant Webb in an extended squad to preare for Leinster in the Magner's League at The RDS on St Stephen's Day.

Steve Williams will look to make a few changes for Ulster's tussle with The Ospreys at Ravenhill on Friday night in the return leg of the Heineken Cup.

Ulster caretaker coach Steve Williams has brought in four players, Bryn Cunningham, Mark McCrea, Matt Miles and Justin Harrison, to a 25-man squad for the Heineken Cup tie against the Ospreys at The Liberty Stadium on Friday night.

Ulster caretaker coach Steve Williams has named Rob Dewey to play against his former club Edinburgh in the Magner's League at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell made it a birthday to remember, finishing joint top at the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close at Cork yesterday.

Walker Cup hopeful Jonathan Caldwell staked a strong claim for selection in yesterday's Irish Amatuer Close Championship at Cork, where he shot a five under par 67 to lead the field after day one.

Richard Kilpatrick eagled the last to clinch an impressive eight-shot victory in the East of Ireland Championship at Co Louth today.

Banbridge's Richard Kilpatrick fired a sensational six-under par 66 to scorch into an impressive six-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Louth.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy struggled to a four-over par 75 as Co Louth's Simon Ward led the qualifiers in the Radisson-SAS West of Ireland Amateur Open.

Team news is in for the full schedule of AIB All-Ireland League games this weekend.

Big-hitting Andrew Pitcher led the qualifiers in the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close Championship at the European Club.

Odd couple Rory McIlroy and Adrian Morrow survived the carnage to lead after the first qualifying round of the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close Championship at the European Club.