Paul McCartney is to play the RDS in June as part of his first ever solo Ireland and UK stadium tour.

NIGEL OWENS will referee his first Heineken Cup final when he takes charge of the clash between Munster and Toulouse at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, May 24(5pm).

CARDIFF’S Millennium Stadium will play host to Munster in a Heineken Cup semi-final if Declan Kidney’s side defeat Gloucester and Ospreys overcome Saracens at the weekend.

If Munster can negotiate the huge obstacle that Gloucester respresent in the Heineken Cup quarter-final on Saturday they will either play The Ospreys at The Millennium Stadium or Saracens at The Ricoh Arena on the semi-finals weekend of April 26-27.

Wales expect captain Gareth Thomas to be fit for the World Cup quarter-finals after a scan indicated his rib cartilage injury is not as bad as first feared.

IN bygone days when the extent of my sporting horizon was confined to whether Cork could win an All-Ireland, the highlight of the year was witnessing the hurlers, or occasionally the footballers, parading silverware through the streets on an open-topped lorry.

SOME people will go to any lengths to follow Munster at the Heineken European Cup final.

CHRIS WHITE will become the first referee to take charge of three Heineken Cup finals when he controls Munster’s match with Biarritz Olympique at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, May 20 (3pm).

A NEW venue could be added to the list of Heineken Cup venues if Sale Sharks defeat Biarritz to qualify for the semi-finals.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has made one change to the team who will face Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

The Pool draw for the 2005/2006 Heineken Cup - featuring Munster, Leinster and Ulster was made in Cardiff today.

Arsenal today confirmed Brazilian midfielder Edu has signed a five-year contract with Spanish giants Valencia.

Six Irish players have been included by Clive Woodward in the Lions side the meet Argentina at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Monday.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan today made wholesale changes to his side for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up with Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

LEICESTER star Austin Healey believes Munster will be a much more potent threat this season than when the sides last met in Heineken Cup final.

New Zealand have named a 26-man squad for their three Autumn Test matches in Europe next month.

Teams for this afternoon's Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff:

Wales have dropped Iestyn Harris for Saturday’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship clash against France at the Millennium Stadium.

Wales coach Graham Henry has made three enforced changes for Sunday’s Millennium Stadium clash against the world champions Australia.