The growing Munster contingent in Pau is settling into life in the top flight in France and showed at the weekend they have what it takes to cut it amongst the best in the richest rugby league in the world.

Former Munster assistant coach Simon Mannix said he played no part in Paul O’Connell’s move to France and has denied he ever tried to sign the Irish captain for Pau.

Another of the early front runners for the Leinster job has withdrawn himself from the race with Jono Gibbes committing himself to Clermont Auvergne until 2018.

Paul O’Connell won’t be the only Munster player making his last appearance in the red jersey at the Kingspan Stadium tomorrow night.

If individual awards — Player of the Month, Man of the Match and the like — are an indication of the impact made by James Coughlan in his first season playing French rugby, then the boy has done well.

Guinness Pro12

Guinness Pro12

Back rowers Paddy Butler and Sean Dougall are leaving Munster at the end of the season, but versatile back Denis Hurley has signed on for another season.

Munster look set to lose another back-row forward to Pau with Sean Dougall in line for a move to the French Top 14 hopefuls this summer.

British and Irish Cup

Glasgow Warriors and Munster are in the same frame of mind going into today’s top of the table Guinness Pro 12 encounter at Scotstoun, kick-off 2.40.

Anthony Foley has made eight changes to his starting 15 as Munster travel to Scotstoun Stadium to face the Glasgow Warriors in the PRO12.

Munster A are fighting for their lives in today’s British and Irish Cup tie with Moseley at Billesley Common (2pm).

If CJ Stander brings even half his fiercely competitive nature to bear on Munster’s journey into the lion’s den at Stade Marcel Michelin today, then the province should have nothing to fear from Clermont Auvergne.

CJ Stander wants to stay at Munster well beyond his current contract in a bid to make a similar impact on the province as Doug Howlett.

Munster coach Anthony Foley is still praying for a miracle that one of his international loosehead props can recover for this weekend’s crucial weekend trip to Clermont Auvergne.

Munster ‘A’ 23 Nottingham Rugby 16

Rory Best will start for Ulster against Munster in tomorrow's match at Thomond Park while Munster coach Anthony Foley has named a strong squad bolstered by a number of returning internationals.

GUINNESS PRO12:

GUINNESS PRO12:

Munster head coach Anthony Foley has made seven changes to his starting 15 for their trip to Wales on Friday night.

Ulster Bank League Division One A points will be of huge importance to both sides in tonight’s Cork derby at Musgrave Park given, after five series of matches, home side Dolphin currently prop up the table and Cork Constitution are down in seventh.

Senior flanker Sean Dougall returns to active service with Munster’s A’s tonight facing Nottingham as Mick O’Driscoll’s men look to bounce back from last week’s defeat by Worcester.

Finbar Galvin Motors has unveiled its latest signing: Munster rugby star Sean Dougall, who has been announced as SEAT brand ambassador.

ANOTHER league game, another rave review, but CJ Stander is taking nothing for granted when competition for places in the Munster back-row places is so intense ahead of Saturday’s European opener at Sale Sharks.

Munster head coach Anthony Foley is expecting this week’s training to crank up several degrees as his players’ attentions turn towards the European Rugby Champions Cup and an opening game at Sale Sharks.

Munster captain Peter O’Mahony is desperate to get up to speed with his province after admitting he needs more game time following his return to action last weekend.

Even though Anthony Foley was far from optimistic about Keith Earls’ prospects of being given the all clear at his consultation with a top Swedish consultant in London on Monday next, the Munster head coach has included the Ireland and Lions centre in his 38-man European Champions Cup squad.

Paul O’Connell was named amongst the starters as Anthony Foley made seven changes to the Munster starting 15 to face Zebre.

Anthony Foley has named his starting 15 for Munster’s game against Benetton Treviso on Friday and handed Felix Jones the captaincy for the first time.

As much as Munster could do with the help of their international brigade following their opening-day Guinness Pro12 home defeat, Ian Costello has warned supporters not to expect the entire cavalry to come charging to the rescue this weekend.

Munster coach Anthony Foley has included three debutants as he named his starting side for their opening PRO12 fixture.

The venue is unfamiliar, some of the faces new and the job descriptions changed, but Anthony Foley has demanded some timeworn rugby essentials from his Munster players against London Irish this evening in Waterford (7.30pm).

For those Munster supporters and possibly players who believe their province exists purely along the N20 between Cork and Limerick, tomorrow evening’s pre-season friendly with London Irish offers an opportunity to take something of a rare detour.

After the injury fall-out from a midweek victory over Uruguay, Neil Doak is expecting an even more intense physical challenge from Romania in tomorrow’s IRB Nations Cup decider.

Eight Munster players have been included in the Emerging Ireland team to play Romania in the IRB Nations Cup clincher in Bucharest on Sunday.

Leinster scrum half Luke McGrath is on his way home but second row Michael Kearney has been retained in the Emerging Ireland squad after both sustained concussion in the IRB Nations Cup victory over Uruguay on Wednesday.

Emerging Ireland 51 Uruguay 3

Ireland’s director of rugby Eddie Wigglesworth hit back at criticism aimed at the IRFU for participating in the IRB Nations Cup.

Rotation is clearly the policy within the Irish squad participating in the IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest and, in advance of Wednesday’s clash with Uruguay.

RABO DIRECT PRO 12:

Glasgow 16 Munster 15

Damien Varley retains the captaincy for Munster's PRO12 semi-final against Glasgow Warriors on Friday night at Scotstoun Stadium, ko 7.35pm.

Munster 17 Ulster 19