Ian Madigan knows Leinster must not take any level of complacency into their return Heineken Cup fixture with Northampton at the Aviva Stadium this weekend.

Leinster kicking coach Richie Murphy insists the province cannot rest on their laurels after their latest Heineken Cup win at the weekend.

Leinster captain Leo Cullen is relishing a repeat of the 2011 Heineken European Cup final, when Leinster clash with Northampton Saints in the next round of pool games this weekend in Franklin's Gardens.

On a weekend when defeat for all four Irish sides in Europe was not beyond the bounds of possibility, a return of three from four with a losing bonus point procured from the only defeat was exceptional considering the quality of opposition faced.

In-form Ulster winger Craig Gilroy must be content with a place on the bench as head coach Mark Anscombe made wholesale changes for Friday’s crucial Heineken Cup meeting with Northampton Saints in Franklins Gardens (8pm).

Soul II Soul.

The quality of rugby in the opening rounds of the Heineken Cup hasn’t been superb but that will be corrected with December’s pivotal back-to-back contests.

Munster’s new midfield signing James Downey has been around the houses, flitting between Munster, Leinster, Connacht, Calvisano and Northampton Saints before his return to Ireland.

PAUL O’CONNELL’S decision to commit to Munster until the end of the 2013/14 season is about the only bit of good news to come the province’s way over the last few weeks.

HE stops short of describing himself as a reformed character, but Neil Best admits the last couple of years have certainly changed him.

DRAMA and Ronan O’Gara appear joined at the hip these days with the Corkman once again delivering the final blow with Saturday’s Pool 1 cliff hanger deep in injury-time.

Castres lock forward Matthias Rolland tells Ian Moriarty why the French side are no longer prepared to make up the numbers at Europe’s top table

ALL rational thinking suggests that only the Thomond Park factor can save Munster from a second Heineken Cup defeat at the venue when Northampton Saints come calling on Saturday.

WHILE both Leinster and Ulster could afford to sit back and savour early quarter-final qualification in the Heineken Cup, their last eight opponents were not confirmed until the final whistle blew yesterday at Adams Park, where Wasps were entertaining champions Toulouse. What a sting in the tail that proved to be.

MUNSTER will be hoping an early Christmas present arrives when Paul O’Connell’s appeal against a four-week ban is heard today.

SO THAT’S what Purgatory feels like. Forget about the weather – two weeks into the New Year and practically no rugby.

MUNSTER’S error-ridden performances against Leinster and Northampton over the last couple of weeks and Benetton Treviso’s sensational victory over French champions Perpignan mean there should be little danger of complacency in the home camp ahead of this afternoon’s Heineken Cup clash at Thomond Park.

Northampton Saints have selected three Irishmen in centre James Downey, flanker Neil Best and number eight Roger Wilson in their side to play Munster in the Heineken Cup at Franklins Gardens on Saturday.

Tony McGahan is taking no chances in naming a 27-strong squad for Munster's opening Heineken Cup game against Northampton Saints in Franklins Gardens on Saturday.

MUNSTER manager Shaun Payne has laughed off claims that new South African signing Jean De Villiers has had a change of heart about joining the province.

Connacht will travel to Northampton Saints for the European Challenge Cup quarter-final at Franklins Gardens on Saturday, April 11, at 3pm.

Northampton number eight Roger Wilson has been cited for an allegedly dangerous tackle during last weekend’s Guinness Premiership clash with Harlequins.

NORTHAMPTON boosted their hopes of earning a quarter-final place in the Heineken Cup with a solid bonus-point triumph over struggling Borders in a match switched from storm-lashed Netherdale to Murrayfield at short notice.

Border Reivers 19 Northampton Saints 29

Mark Tompkins is hoping Franklins Gardens can return to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since May 2005 in tomorrow’s David Wilson Homes Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket.

Sergeant Cecil, who made history last year by being the first horse to win the Northumberland Plate, Ebor and Cesarewitch, is among 14 horses confirmed for the £140,000-added Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup on Friday.

Hughie Morrison’s evergreen stayer Alcazar bids for back-to-back victories in the Hesmonds Stud Sagaro Stakes at Lingfield tomorrow.

Distinction will have a full body scan when he returns to Britain later this week after his disappointing effort behind Makybe Diva in Tuesday’s Emirates Melbourne Cup.

MAKYBE DIVA carved her name into the annals of Australian racing history by claiming a remarkable third consecutive Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington yesterday.

Vinnie Roe is making a good recovery after enduring a nightmare journey to Australia for the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Connections of Emirates Melbourne Cup challenger Vinnie Roe face an anxious couple of days after the Irish raider suffered a nightmare journey to Australia.

Yeats has been all the rage with the bookmakers ahead of Saturday’s Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh.

FOUR-TIME Irish Field St Leger winner Vinnie Roe heads 17 horses confirmed at the five-day stage for the Curragh Classic on Saturday.

Goodwood Cup winner Distinction heads a list of 24 British entries for the Emirates Melbourne Cup in November.

Papineau and Westerner look set for a fascinating rematch after both were confirmed for next Thursday’s Gold Cup at Royal Ascot at York today.

“Faugh-A-Ballagh”

Hughie Morrison has yet to decide whether Alcazar will take his chance in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup or wait for other opportunities.

Franklins Gardens is set to kick off his season with a run in next month’s Dubai Irish Village Stakes at Newbury.

Westerner’s status as Europe’s top stayer was confirmed at Longchamp today with a second successive win in the Prix Royal-Oak, the race known as the French St Leger.

WESTERNER will start a warm favourite to confirm his status as the best stayer in Europe when he bids for back-to-back victories in the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp tomorrow.

ST PETERSBURG found just one too good for him on his seasonal bow at Doncaster, but he showed the way home under Philip Robinson in the Pontefract Park Handicap yesterday and is set to step up in class.