Munster props James Cronin and Brian Scott, Connacht second-row Quinn Roux and Leinster’s Jordi Murphy make their first starts in the famous colours of the Barbarians who face Tonga at Thomond Park tonight (7.30pm).

UUJ 1-7, Maynooth 4-23: A wonky Sat Nav and crazy five-hour bus journey didn’t upset the rhythm of Maynooth, who duly hammered University of Ulster to keep alive hopes of making the knockout stages of the Fitzgibbon Cup.

Munster 35 Cardiff Blues 27: Five tries, five match points and their place at the top of the Guinness Pro12 table was the prize for Munster at Musgrave Park on Saturday, but the most avid home fan would admit that Cardiff were unlucky not to even take home a losing bonus point.

Charleville 3-14 Argideen Rangers 2-10: After a relatively poor first half performance, hot favourites Charleville finally pulled away to secure a comfortable Cork IHC victory over gutsy Argideen Rangers at Coachford last night.

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

Newport Gwent Dragons 9 Cardiff Blues 11

Cork Church of Ireland 4 Bandon 1

Bandon Grammar 5 St Clement’s College 17

Cardiff Blues 24 Munster 28

Robin Copeland’s return to the BT Cardiff Arms Park where he enjoyed two highly successful years before linking up with Munster this season and the first appearance of Argentine international Luis Gonzalez Amorosino on the wing for Cardiff Blues adds considerable interest to this evening’s Guinness Pro12 clash.

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.

Munster resume RaboDirect Pro12 duty tonight boosted in their bid to maintain momentum at the top of the table by the return of several Ireland squad members.

RABO DIRECT PRO12:

It is 12 years since Connacht came away from Cardiff Arms Park with a win, and coach Eric Elwood says that needs to change when the sides meet this evening in the RaboDirect Pro12 (7.30pm).

RaboDirect PRO12: Cardiff Blues v Leinster

Kilworth 2-14 Argideen Rangers 0-16

Argideen Rangers 1-12 Meelin 0-13

Argideen Rangers 1-15 Meelin 2-12

A total of 119 days separated Fermoy’s first game in this year’s Cork County IFC and their second, but they showed few ill-effects of the lay-off as they beat Cloyne by 11 points at Lisgoold on Saturday evening.

Argideen Rangers shocked a fancied Kanturk in a thrilling Cork IHC first round clash at Coachford on Saturday.

Louth put up a spirited display to beat Longford in last night’s Leinster U21FC quarter-final at Haggardstown.

GRAHAM HENRY will take charge of his 100th All Blacks Test match when New Zealand conclude their World Cup Pool A campaign against Canada in Wellington tomorrow (3.30am Irish time).

O’MOORE PARK was a scene of delight as much as it was a vista of dejection last night as Wexford celebrated their first Leinster U21 FC title at the fifth time of asking.

A STRONG finish to both halves enabled Longford to bridge a five-year gap when edging out Westmeath — who finished with 14 men — in last night’s Leinster Under-21 FC semi-final clash at Páirc Tailteann.

AFTER ousting reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin, Meath were dumped out of the Leinster U21 FC quarter-final at Navan last night.

IN a season of shock results this one might just slip under the radar, but Longford’s minor footballers achievement in claiming a Leinster title deserves tremendous credit.

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.

BANDON will be glad to see the back of Cork Harlequins after the Farmers’ Cross outfit handed them final heartbreak for the second time this season at Garryduff yesterday.

Canada coach Ric Suggitt has added a physical edge to his side for Sunday’s World Cup clash with Fiji by including lock Mike Burak and fly-half Ryan Smith.

IRELAND’S senior men’s hockey squad face a demanding but exciting programme over the coming months in preparation for the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Chanzhou, China, from March 12 to 23 next.

Ulster coach Mark McCall has gone for Kieran Campbell instead of Neil Doak to provide the link between his forwards and David Humphreys in the Heineken Cup Pool 6 opener at home to Cardiff Blues tomorrow night.

Munster 49 Cardiff Blues 18

Cardiff Blues have made four changes from last weekend with half-backs Dean Dewdney and Nick McLeod given the responsibility of applying some control to their back play at home to Connacht.

Australia 3-10-8 (56) Ireland 1-10-10 (46)

New Zealand 68 Canada 6

Daniel Carter insisted the changes to the New Zealand line-up for tomorrow’s World Cup clash against Canada will have no effect on the All Blacks’ thrilling, attacking gameplan.

Canada, resigned to a hefty defeat at the hands of the All Blacks, have decided to rest the majority of their first-choice players for Friday’s Pool D game against New Zealand.

Veteran lock Al Charron will mark a “miracle” return from injury by captaining Canada in their opening World Cup clash against Wales.

Wales 40

Francis Cummins, who has already represented England and Great Britain, will tonight complete a remarkable hat-trick when he makes his debut for Ireland.

Swansea fly-half Gavin Henson will make his debut for Wales A against Ireland A on Friday night.