Ireland prop Jack McGrath admits his World Cup omission has been “pretty painful” and one of the lowest points of his career.

Joey Carbery may not be happy to take the late hits but if it frees up a teammate then he will continue to endure the pain for the Munster cause.

The loss of inspirational skipper Rory Best for tomorrow afternoon’s PRO14 shoot-out against the Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium (kick-off, 3.05pm) will hit Ulster hard, particularly with Ireland lock Iain Henderson also sidelined.

Ulster start rookie tight-head Ross Kane against a fired-up Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium this evening.

Connacht’s slim Champions Cup qualification hopes were ended in Swansea as Kieran Keane’s side were beaten 39-10 by the Ospreys.

Wales are determined to begin a two-year World Cup countdown today by ending their dismal run of defeats against Australia.

THERE will be plenty of tears and celebrations in Bandon tonight, no matter what the outcome of a unique Munster Senior Schoolgirls Cup final at Garryduff this afternoon (2.30pm).

ON to April’s Heineken Cupquarter-finals Leinster go, butwith a nervous stumble rather than a confident swagger.

EDINBURGH coach Andy Robinson has opted to rest captain Mike Blair for tonight’s Heineken Cup clash with Castres.

Captain Brian O'Driscoll has been passed fit to play for Leinster at home to Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup at The RDS on Friday night.

MUNSTER rugby chiefs have released 250 additional ten-year-tickets for their new ground in Limerick.

WITH almost half their first team away in France and a revamped RDS providing the backdrop, this Magners League opener threatened to be a step into the unknown for Leinster.

EDINBURGH are boosted by the return of veteran Scott Murray and Munster by Paul O’Connell for the Magners League game at Murrayfield tonight.

BARRY MURPHY, a revelation for Munster last year, is ready to return to Heineken Cup action.

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.

IN 1998 New Zealander Jason Holland had put all thoughts of playing representative rugby out of his mind.

MARK McCall hopes that Ulster respond to the new Celtic League season with a victory over Edinburgh at Murrayfield today (2.30).

EDINBURGH centre Tom Philip believes an ongoing groin injury was a greater danger to his Heineken Cup hopes than the recent citing with Scotland.

Scotland head coach Matt Williams has added three players to his squad for the RBS Six Nations Championship game against Italy on Saturday, March 6.

Wings Simon Webster and Craig Joiner, openside Simon Cross and tight-head prop Ramin Mathieson are the four players promoted to Edinburgh's starting line-up for this Saturday's Celtic Cup Final against Ulster at Murrayfield.

Connacht 25 Edinburgh 26

Ulster 18, Edinburgh 19