Ireland faced the weakest of this autumn’s opposition hoping to end their four-Test losing streak by toppling Samoa at Aviva Stadium.

Declan Kidney believes tomorrow's showdown with Samoa at Aviva Stadium will provide Ireland with a clearer picture of the strength of the team.

Samoa have included nine European-based players in their starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with Ireland.

Brian O’Driscoll has told Ireland to expect some typically ferocious tackling from Samoa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

OSPREYS star Shane Williams has described tomorrow night’s Heineken Cup showdown against in-form London Irish as “the ultimate test”.

Ireland’s Keith Earls will start for Munster against London Irish in the Heineken Cup at Wembley on Saturday evening (5.45pm).

London Irish 11 Leinster 11

London Irish have recalled the twin threat of wings Topsy Ojo and Sailosi Tagicakibau Saturday's Heineken Cup final pool six match with Leinster at Twickenham.

Scarlets 31 London Irish 22

WALES survived a punishing physical examination by Samoa at the Millennium Stadium – but were made to sweat for victory.

WALES captain Ryan Jones has urged his team to “play smart” against the renowned physical threat of Samoa tonight.

GUINNESS Premiership star Seilala Mapusua believes Samoa face a tougher challenge against Wales tomorrow night than if they were tackling Martin Johnson’s England.

London Irish 25 Scarlets 27

London Irish coach Toby Booth has rotated his entire front row for three of the five changes he has made for tomorrow’s opening Heineken Cup fixture with Leinster in Dublin.

Captain Bob Casey will travel, but not play, with the London Irish squad to play Leinster at Donnybrook on Friday.

LEICESTER centre Seru Rabeni is determined to send a powerful message to world rugby by helping the Pacific Islanders complete an historic Test victory over England at Twickenham today.

London Irish have made one change from last weekend bringing in hooker James Buckland for a crucial European Challenge Cup round two fixture with Connacht Rugby at The Sportsground on Friday evening at 7pm.

SARACENS continued the English romp through the European Challenge Cup with a clinical 53-3 win over French side Mont de Marsan at Vicarage Road yesterday.

World Cup winner Mark Regan will captain the Barbarians against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

All Blacks' flanker Jerry Collins is the latest addition to the Barbarians squad for Tuesday's match against Ireland at Kingsholm, Gloucester.

Munster's Frederico Pucciarello, Leinster's Ollie Le Roux and Ulster's Justin Harrison have been named in a 30-man Barbarians squad for games against Belgium, Ireland and England.

Ireland international Bob Casey will lead London Irish into their first Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulouse at Twickenham on Saturday.

London Irish 20 Perpignan 9

Brian Smith is confident London Irish can put a frustrating away day at Welford Road behind them and blow Guinness Premiership form team Sale Sharks off course tomorrow.

Samoa World Cup centre Seilala Mapusua has signed a new three-year contract with London Irish.

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Brian Lima has been selected for his World Cup swansong on Wednesday - despite a disciplinary cloud hanging over the Samoan centre.

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SKIPPER Simon Best wants Ulster to break the French hoodoo during Sunday’s trip to Toulouse to end a dismal Heineken Cup campaign on a high.

London Irish 29 Ulster 13

Munster have added to their arsenal with the signing of Lifeimi Mafi for the Heineken Cup.

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THE All-Ireland League final between Terenure and Dolphin, fixed for Lansdowne Road on Saturday (2pm) is still in doubt.

LONDON IRISH have signed Samoan-born centre Seilala Mapusua from New Zealand province Otago on a three-year deal.

IAN McGEECHAN has insisted Lions flanker Lewis Moody will be available for selection against Otago on Saturday.

Nick Evans will bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on All Blacks selection by making his debut for Otago against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry had one eye on the future when he named the two teams for the All Blacks trial next month.