Connacht, with captain Tim Allnutt and vice-captain Warwick Waugh out for the rest of the season, have wholesale injury problems as they prepare for Friday¹s Celtic League quarter-final against Munster at Musgrave Park.

Connacht have made five changes to their side to play Glasgow in their Celtic League match on Friday night.

ROB HENDERSON, though facing a six-week injury lay-off, believes Munster are still in a healthy state as they bid to regain their Heineken Cup momentum.

Connacht, for the first time in 11 games this season, have named an unchanged side for the second leg of their Parker Pen Challenge Cup first round tie against Mont de Marsan at Crowley Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

IN a way, a new season starts for Leinster tonight.

Ireland internationals Gavin Duffy and Johnny O'Connor return from injury for Connacht's game against Mont de Marsan in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup this weekend.

Leinster’s struggle in the Celtic League means they must win their clash against Newport tonight at Donnybrook.

Connacht have made several changes to their side for this Saturday’s game against Pontypridd at the Galway Sportsgrounds.

MUNSTER captain Jim Williams is to return for the crunch Celtic League game against Neath in Wales on Saturday.

AMIDST all the recent and highly justified hoopla about All-Ireland finals and Ryder Cups, world titles won in rowing and showjumping, one continuing heroic Irish performance is lost.

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).

MICK GALWEY leads Munster into Celtic League action against Ulster at Ravenhill this evening as Jim Williams is ruled out due to injury.

REIGNING Celtic League champions Leinster haven’t given up on their title just yet, although coach Matt Williams says they have to win all three remaining games to stand any chance of making the top four in Pool B.

The Connacht team to play Bridgend at the Brewery Field on Saturday (2.30 pm) in the Celtic League shows three changes from that which made it four wins from four in the 18-12 win at home to Newport at the weekend.

James Norton, who has played at u21 level for Ireland, will make his debut for Connacht at full-back for their Celtic League encounter against Newport at the Galway Sportsground this Friday.

Connacht have made four changes for their televised Celtic League clash against Leinster at Donnybrook on Friday evening (7.35pm).

Connacht full-back Gavin Duffy has been forced to cry off the side to play Scottish Borders in their Celtic League opener at Selkirk on Friday evening.

Connacht have announced their team to play Borders in their opening game of the Celtic League at Selkirk on Friday evening (7.30pm)

Former Australian lock Warwick Waugh and promising full-back Gavin Duffy are Connacht’s two main injury concerns as they prepare for their opening Celtic League encounter away to new Scottish side Borders in Selkirk on Friday night.

Former Australian lock Warwick Waugh and promising full-back Gavin Duffy are Connacht¹s two main injury concerns as they prepare for their opening Celtic League encounter away to new Scottish side Borders in Selkirk on Friday night.

MUNSTER’S three new signings will all play their club rugby in Limerick this year with Eddie Halvey returning to play his club rugby with Shannon, Dominic Malone teaming up with UL Bohemians and Australian prop Simon Kerr joining Garryowen.

Wasps 33 Connacht 27

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).

Connacht 24, Bristol Shoguns 33

The Connacht team to play Bristol Shoguns at the Galway Sportsground this evening at 6pm will feature six players making their debut at this level

TWO former internationals are preparing for a battle to get back into the international scene.

THE rugby fan who attacked Irish referee David McHugh in Durban at the weekend has been offered free advice from South African lawyers and help to pay his bail.

Connacht have signed ex-Scottish captain Eric Peters.

The Connacht squad announced for the upcoming Celtic League and Parker Pen Shield has an average age of 22.

The Connacht squad announced today (Tuesday, August 6, 2002) for the upcoming Celtic League and Parker Pen Shield contains 24 players who have represented Ireland at underage or schools levels.

CONNACHT have received an enormous boost by securing the services of former Australian international lock forward Warwick Waugh in perhaps the biggest-ever signing made by the province.

Connacht have received an enormous boost by securing the services of former Australian international lock forward Warwick Waugh in perhaps the biggest signing ever made by the province.