Joey Carbery will make his first start at full-back for Leinster in their Guinness PRO12 visit to Dragons tonight.

Connacht 14 - Dragons 9: Connacht coach Pat Lam says Kieran Marmion is fit to make his first start in the Six Nations next Saturday against France if called into action.

Defeat is painful and Munster have been hurting all week as they prepare to right the wrongs of last weekend’s home stumble to Cardiff Blues in their Guinness Pro12 trip to Newport Gwent Dragons today (5:15pm).

Munster’s charge towards the top four of the Pro12 hit a speed bump as they slipped to a 37-28 defeat at Cardiff Blues.

“It’s like every game we play from here on, we’re in cup final mode.”

Plastic pitches, 3G surfaces, artificial turf.

Munster 35 Cardiff Blues 27: Five tries, five match points and their place at the top of the Guinness Pro12 table was the prize for Munster at Musgrave Park on Saturday, but the most avid home fan would admit that Cardiff were unlucky not to even take home a losing bonus point.

Leinster 23 Cardiff Blues 15: It proved a successful competitive home debut for Leo Cullen at the RDS on Saturday evening, as Leinster held off a game display from Cardiff Blues to secure their first win of the Guinness Pro12 season.

As expected, Munster proved too strong for Cardiff Blues as they sealed another Guinness Pro 12 victory at Musgrave Park tonight and maintained their third place in the table.

Guinness Pro12

Robin Copeland’s return to the BT Cardiff Arms Park where he enjoyed two highly successful years before linking up with Munster this season and the first appearance of Argentine international Luis Gonzalez Amorosino on the wing for Cardiff Blues adds considerable interest to this evening’s Guinness Pro12 clash.

Connacht 15 Cardiff 22

With European Cup qualification out of the equation, Connacht are still intent on a best-place finish to this season’s Pro12 when they entertain Cardiff Blues in their final home game of the season this evening (5pm).

Munster resume RaboDirect Pro12 duty tonight boosted in their bid to maintain momentum at the top of the table by the return of several Ireland squad members.

Leinster 34 Cardiff Blues 20

Ireland were celebrating last night after clinching the Boys’ Home Internationals title &for the first time since 2010 after a gripping final day at Forest Pines in North Lincolnshire.

Connacht 9 Cardiff Blues 13

None of Connacht’s new big-name signings feature in today’s opening RaboDirect Pro 12 clash against Cardiff at the Galway Sportsground (5pm).

Scarcely has a team been so dominant and still have to work so hard in the closing stages to carve out a victory.

CARDIFF BLUES boss Dai Young is expecting a stern test from Ulster in tomorrow’s Magners League clash at Cardiff City Stadium (3.45pm).

THE story of Leinster’s season so far seemed to be repeating itself at the RDS on Saturday evening.

Ireland U-20 24 Wales U-20 17

IRISH U20 coach Allen Clarke is preparing himself for a difficult but exciting night at the office in Dubarry Park, Athlone, tonight (7.30) when Wales come in search of glory.

IRELAND’S women golfers were fuming last night at throwing away a golden opportunity to open their Home International campaign at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire with a victory over champions England.

DECLAN Kidney has named a 27-strong squad from which the side will be selected for the Celtic League game against the Cardiff Blues at The Arms Park tomorrow (7.30pm).

LEINSTER will be aiming to rediscover their winning touch against Cardiff Blues at the RDS today (5.30pm), just a week before they open another Heineken Cup campaign at the same venue.

Cardiff Blues have made four changes from last weekend with half-backs Dean Dewdney and Nick McLeod given the responsibility of applying some control to their back play at home to Connacht.