The teams for this weekend's round of All-Ireland League rugby matches have been announced.

IN a derby fixture in which no side forged ahead by more than three points, a 15-15 draw appeared a satisfactory result.

SPRINGBOK tight-head BJ Botha could be tossed into the fray quicker than anticipated when an unbeaten Ulster face Edinburgh at Ravenhill on Friday night (8.05pm).

AS EXPECTED, Michael Cheika has taken a wrecking ball to his established first XV for tonight’s meaningless Magners League game against the Dragons but a number of Irish internationals have been afforded another much-needed run-out before the summer tour.

IN THE fall-out from Munster’s Heineken Cup defeat to Llanelli Scarlets, it was felt coach Declan Kidney would begin the process of rebuilding for next season by fielding emerging talent from the provincial academy in the remaining Magners Celtic League games.

LEINSTER go to Rodney Parade tonight knowing that their hopes of claiming the Magners League title will be left on the brink if they can’t reverse their disappointing recent form.

ULSTER managed to hang on to a 14-7 interval lead and keep their Magners League hopes very much alive with a curate’s egg performance against the Newport Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill last night.

LIFIEMI MAFI makes his first start for Munster in tomorrow’s Magners League clash with Llanelli Scarlets in Stradey Park (Setanta Sports, 5.35pm).

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.

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.