AS many as nine teams are still in contention for promotion from Division Three following the weekend’s encounters in the AIB League.

Connacht open their Parker Pen European Challenge Cup campaign this weekend in the south of France when they take on Beziers in the first leg of the tie at Stade de la Mediterranee on Sunday (kick-off 2pm Irish time).

The final of the Statoil Connacht Schools Senior Cup takes place tomorrow (March 12) at Corinthian Park (4pm) when Garbally College, Ballinasloe, take on Sligo Grammar School.

Connacht have set up a Parker Pen Shield quarter-final against Pontypridd after beating French side Narbonne yesterday at Corinthian Park.

The Connacht team to play Narbonne in Sunday’s Parker Pen Challenge Cup second round, second leg tie shows three changes from that which went down 42-27 in France on Saturday evening.

Connacht played some good rugby but conceded soft tries saw them go down by 15 points in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup first leg tie at Parc des Sports et de L'Amitie in Narbonne.

MATT WILLIAMS was in surprisingly upbeat mood at Dublin Airport yesterday given Leinster’s onerous task .

The Connacht team to play Narbonne tomorrow in the first leg of their Parker Pen Challenge Cup tie shows five changes from that which played against Munster in the Celtic League quarter-final at the weekend.

Connacht coach Steph Nel has announced a 22 man squad for Saturday evening's Parker Pen Challenge Cup first leg clash against Narbonne at Parc des Sports et de L'Amitie.

THE Irish Schools Interprovincial title is on the line at Temple Hill this afternoon (1pm) when Munster take on Leinster.