Simon Lewis looks at the battle ahead

All the evidence may point to Castres running up the white flag in Limerick today but Munster have plenty of reasons to expect yet another tough challenge on a crucial afternoon of Heineken Cup rugby at Thomond Park.

CHRIS PATERSON will now reflect on a record-filled Scotland career after yesterday announcing his retirement from international rugby.

MUNSTER’S hopes of continuing their winning start in Heineken Cup Pool 1 received an eve-of-game boost yesterday when Castres Olympique rang the changes to their starting line-up for today’s clash at Stade Ernest Wallon.

Castres 21 Edinburgh 16

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe today announced that business process outsourcing firm Stream is to create 425 high-quality jobs in Dublin over the next 12 months.

THERE were times yesterday when Munster were close to their awesome best but in the end workmanlike was the best word to describe their performance in beating Montauban at the Stade de Sapiac.

Montauban 13 Munster 39

PHILIPPE Saint Andre has urged Sale Sharks not to undermine the “massive achievement” of beating French giants Clermont Auvergne, by losing their Heineken Cup showdown against holders Munster.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has chosen Peter Stringer and Alan Quinlan for the opening Heineken Cup game against French side Montauban in Thomond Park on Friday evening (8pm).

Argentina 14 Scotland 26

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has named three new caps in the side to face Argentina on Saturday while Chris Paterson will equal Scott Murray’s record cap total.

Scott Murray could be in line for a sensational return to the Scotland side for the Calcutta Cup clash with England at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter admits the Calcutta Cup clash with England next month will be a huge test for Frank Hadden’s struggling side.

Scott Murray was among four players called into today’s Scotland training session after injuries struck head coach Frank Hadden’s preparations for the RBS 6 Nations campaign.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has challenged his young guns to seize their Six Nations opportunity.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has confirmed back-row forward Jason White as captain for the forthcoming 2008 RBS 6 Nations Championships.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden will today unveil his squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship – with the potential for several surprises.

SCOTLAND head coach Frank Hadden was happy to stick with his tried and tested as his unchanged team look to cement their place in history with a win over Argentina in tomorrow night’s World Cup quarter-final.

FRANK HADDEN may have sprung few surprises when naming his Scotland team for tomorrow’s World Cup eliminator against Italy — but he insisted it had not been such a straightforward selection.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden made 13 changes to the side which defeated Romania for the match with New Zealand in Pool C of the World Cup at Murrayfield.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has made sweeping changes to his team for Sunday’s Murrayfield clash with New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup – but denies he has picked a reserve team.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has made four changes to his team for the World Cup Pool C clash against Romania at Murrayfield.

Scotland will start their World Cup campaign with Dan Parks at stand-off when they take on Portugal in St Etienne on Sunday.

MUNSTER have announced that Paul O’Connell will once again captain the squad this coming season.

THE Scottish Rugby Union have demanded answers from Edinburgh after Scotland full-back Chris Paterson was allowed to leave the club and join Gloucester.

Ulster 16 Edinburgh 10

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

SCOTLAND full-back Hugo Southwell will miss the final game of the Six Nations Championship against France in Paris on Saturday because of a shoulder injury suffered in the 19-18 defeat by Ireland at Murrayfield.

Scotland have dropped Phil Godman and restored Dan Parks to their team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Ireland at Murrayfield.

Scotland 17 Italy 37

Nathan Hines returns to the Scotland team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash with Italy.

GARETH JENKINS reacted to Wales’ 21-9 defeat to Scotland by making seven changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France, including four in a revamped pack.

WITH most of their all-singing, all-dancing back line away on international duty, Leinster will be looking to their oft-criticised pack to lead the way against Edinburgh in tonight’s Magners League tie at Donnybrook.

MARK JONES has recovered from ankle ligament damage and is named on the wing for Wales’ RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has called the Edinburgh trio of Rob Dewey, Phil Godman and Scott Murray into his team to face Wales at Murrayfield in the RBS 6 Nations Championship on Saturday.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has been filled with “so much confidence” in his team by their reaction to Saturday’s Twickenham humbling.

Bristol City staged a tremendous fightback to claim a fourth-round replay at Middlesbrough on February 13.

ALLY HOGG came through 80 minutes unscathed ahead of next weekend’s RBS 6 Nations opener with England as Edinburgh came out on top against Connacht, with Duncan Hodge making up for an early error with a fine kicking performance.

Edinburgh 49 Connacht 31

Edinburgh 7 Agen 19

COCA-COLA League One promotion-chasers Bristol City secured a lucrative FA Cup trip to face Barclays Premiership side Middlesbrough after piling more pressure on Coventry boss Micky Adams with a 2-0 win third round replay win.

Coca-Cola League One promotion-chasers Bristol City secured a lucrative FA Cup trip to face Premiership side Middlesbrough after both won their third-round replays tonight.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has called up four uncapped players for next week’s training sessions at Murrayfield.