Irish drivers, Keith Cronin, Neil McCance and Daniel Barry took the top three places in the UK Mitsubishi Evolution Ralliart series on the RBS International Manx Rally that ended this afternoon.

Reigning Dunlop National Rally Champions, Aaron MacHale/Killian Duffy (Ford Focus WRC) have won the Castlebar based TF Royal Hotel & Theatre Mayo Rally, the opening round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

Even though they led from the first of the eight stages, Waterford’s, Andrew Purcell (Subaru WRC) and his co-driver, Mick Courtney had to fend off a determined challenge from reigning national forest champions, Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Ford Focus WERC) to win the Sean Conlon Memorial Tipperary Forest Rally.

Increasing their lead over the closing stages, Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh won the Mitchelstown-based Sean Conlon Memorial Forest Rally in their Ford Focus WRC today.

Derry driver Kevin Lynch and co-driver Francis Regan were convincing winners of the Cork Forest Rally which concluded in Mallow this evening.

WALLABIES coach John Connolly have named a 37-man squad for next month’s four-test tour of Italy, Britain and Ireland.

AUSTRALIA captain George Gregan is poised to become the most capped player in Test history after being named in the Wallabies team to face France in Marseille tomorrow.

Gareth MacHale (Toyota Corolla WRC) extended his unbeaten run in the McCauley Trailers Irish National Forestry Championship with a fine victory in the Circuit of Wicklow Rally.

Competing in a World Rally Car on gravel surface for the first time, Gareth MacHale made it a winning debut in the Carrick on Suir Forest Rally, round one of the McCauley Trailers National Forest Championship.

Northern Ireland’s Kevin O’Kane and co-driver Mark Hanna have won the Killarney Forest Rally in their Subaru WRC.

Always having more pace than his rivals, Derryman Kevin Lynch parented by Francis O’Regan (Subaru WRC) won the Midleton-based Moonraker Rally, round four of the McCauley Trailers Irish Forest Rally Championship.

LEICESTER yesterday appointed Pat Howard as their new backs coach – and the former Wallaby has vowed to help the Tigers reclaim the glory days.

Recording a six second victory in the Circuit of Wicklow Forest Rally, Derryman Kevin Lynch and

The Connacht team to play Ulster in the Celtic League on Friday night at Ravenhill (K/O 7.35 pm), in a game which will be televised live by TG4, shows a number of changes from that which started against Harlequins in Sunday¹s Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final.

Connacht will be hoping for the perfect send-off for their Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final against Harlequins on Sunday week when they take on Neath/Swansea Ospreys in the Celtic league at the Sportsground on Saturday (2.30pm).

A dramatic finish to the Sean Conlon Memorial Rally in Mitchelstown resulted in a fine victory for Brian Murphy and co driver Joe Downey (Subaru Impreza), who reeled in early leaders John McCarthy/Dan Maguire (Toyota Corolla WRC) on the penultimate stage.

The Connacht team to play Llanelli at Stradey Park on Friday night In the Celtic League shows four changes from that which defeated Leinster last time out.

Connacht 28 Glasgow 28

TOP Irish clubs could make a radical challenge to the Irish Rugby Football Union at a meeting in Dublin tomorrow.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley and his assistant John McKee have made eight changes to the side to play Glasgow at the Sportsground on Saturday (ko 2.30pm).

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary has no major injury problems as his side look to extend their unbeaten Barclaycard Premiership run to six games at Liverpool – but he may decide to freshen up the side with his small squad facing a third game in six days.

Aston Villa’s leading scorer Juan Pablo Angel has been passed fit for Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Manchester United at Villa Park.

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley has been forced to name a 25-strong squad for Saturday’s Celtic Cup semi-final against Edinburgh at the Sportsground in Galway (2pm).

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has named a 25-man squad for Saturday¹s Celtic Cup semi-final showdown against Edinburgh at the Sportsground in Galway (kick-off 2pm).

Midfielder Lee Hendrie is back in contention for Aston Villa, who are looking to end a five-game run without a win at home to Middlesbrough.

GORDON D’Arcy is back in the Leinster fold after injury to help the former Celtic League champions against the Borders this weekend.

Douglas NS 3-6 St Anthony’s NS 1-8

The Connacht team to play Leinster in the Celtic League at Donnybrook on Friday night (7.30 pm) shows five changes from that which defeated The Borders at the weekend.

Connacht have made four changes to the side that defeated Llanelli at the weekend for Saturday¹s Celtic League clash against The Borders at the Sportsground (kick-off 2.30 pm).

Knockainey 2-10

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney is confident that this evening’s friendly against Connacht at Thomond Park (kick-off 6. 30) will be beneficial where preparations for Sunday week’s Heineken European Cup quarter-final clash with Leicester are concerned.

Pontypridd 12 Connacht 9

Connacht 30 Pontypridd 35

MATT WILLIAMS was in surprisingly upbeat mood at Dublin Airport yesterday given Leinster’s onerous task .

The Connacht team to play Narbonne tomorrow in the first leg of their Parker Pen Challenge Cup tie shows five changes from that which played against Munster in the Celtic League quarter-final at the weekend.

Connacht coach Steph Nel has announced a 22 man squad for Saturday evening's Parker Pen Challenge Cup first leg clash against Narbonne at Parc des Sports et de L'Amitie.

Ireland Development XV 12 Argentina ‘A’ 24

Mont de Marsan 12 Connacht 26

Connacht, the only side in the Celtic League with a 100% record after five games, have made seven changes from the side that defeated Bridgend for Saturday's top of the table clash with Pontypridd at the Galway Sportsground (kick-off 3 pm).

Bridgend 23 Connacht 24

EDINBURGH have made a flying start to the Celtic League campaign, but coach Frank Hadden may be cursing Romania for making their qualification a little bit harder.

Former Scottish captain Eric Peters will make his debut for Connacht in a pre-season friendly against London Wasps at Adams Park in High Wycombe on Sunday (kick-off 3 pm).