Leinster 37 Dragons 12: Isa Nacewa and Fergus McFadden led by example at the RDS on Saturday, when their combined tally of 27 points helped Leinster to a comprehensive victory over Newport Gwent Dragons in the Guinness Pro12.

Connacht 29 Dragons 23: Connacht opened their Guinness Pro 12 season with a valuable home win, edging a lively encounter against the Newport Gwent Dragons at the Galway Sportsground last evening.

There are few surprises in Pat Lam’s Connacht squad for this evening’s Guinness Pro 12 opener at the Galway Sportsground (7.30pm).

In a return to Kingsholm, injury-hit Connacht go head to head with English Premiership side Gloucester for the chance to play Champions Cup rugby next season.

New Munster head coach Anthony Foley could be forgiven for enduring a few shivers of apprehension after seeing the Gloucester team chosen by his old mate Laurie Fisher for this afternoon’s pre-season friendly at Kingsholm.

Gloucester 23 Edinburgh 12

Ian Madigan laid down a notable marker as Leinster kicked off their season with an impressive victory in the unfamiliar surroundings of Tallaght Stadium on Saturday evening.

Joe Schmidt gets his first chance today to run the rule over the Leinster fringe players who will steer him through the early stages of the RaboDirect Pro12 campaign when they meet Gloucester in a friendly at Tallaght Stadium (5pm).

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood has vowed that a heartbreaking late loss to English Premiership side Gloucester will not break his side’s spirit.

AN improved set piece is essential if Connacht are to have any hopes of overcoming Gloucester on the second of the back-to-back Heineken Cup fixtures and grab that elusive win.

DESPITE being short a host of internationals, Munster continue their rotation policy for tonight’s RaboDirect Pro12 away clash at Edinburgh.

EDINBURGH took the spoils last night to claim their first win of the RaboDirect Pro 12 season at Connacht’s expense who had to settle for an away bonus point.

England 10 Ireland 25

ENGLAND U-20 coach Mark Mapletoft reckons last year’s shock defeat by Ireland provides all the motivation for his side ahead of tonight’s re-match at Kingsholm, Gloucester tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

JONNY WILKINSON is a self-confessed obsessive, so it should come as no surprise that his preparations for facing Jonathan Sexton in Saturday’s clash with Ireland at Twickenham began well before the Six Nations even started.

Full back Jack Wallace, prop Lee Imiolek and No.8 Alex Gray all come into the England starting line-up as their three changes for the RBS Under 20 6 Nations game against Ireland at Kingsholm on Fridey.

THE Six Nations Grand Slam is still within reach for Ireland following an amazing last-gasp victory at fortress Dubarry Park, Athlone, last night.

IRELAND Under-20 coach Allen Clarke hopes his side can produce another never-say-die performance to put fancied England to the sword in tonight’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash at Dubarry Park, Athlone (6.15pm).

ENGLAND will be gunning for revenge against Ireland in tonight’s FIRA-AER U18 European Championship semi-final in Venice (7pm, Irish time).