Ulster survived intense pressure in the second half to secure victory in the Celtic Cup final. Twenty one points to the good at the end of a rain soaked first half, Ulster ended hanging on for dear life before claiming the Celtic Cup on a 27-21 scoreline at rain sodden Murrayfield.
Edinburgh have named their side for the Celtic Cup final on Saturday. Edinburgh are an in form side who have recently beaten Toulouse and the Ospreys in successive games to go top of their pool in the Heineken Cup.
Jim Williams the Munster captain has been named as the Guinness Draught Can Irish Celtic League Player of the month for November. The Australian received the award despite his team’s below-par performance, which sees them sit ninth in the table.
Yesterday both the IRFU and FAI sought to clarify the reports in the media that a rift had opened over the ownership of a future stadium at Landsdowne Road.
Coach Alan Solomons has sensationally left Ireland second row Gary Longwell out of his Ulster side, and indeed the 22-man squad, for the Celtic Cup final against Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Saturday (2.30pm).
The IRFU and the FAI yesterday met with the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr John O’Donoghue TD to discuss the issue of a new stadium development at Lansdowne Road.
The confirmed and official fixtures, kick-off times and venues for the next
round of Celtic League matches, to be played 27 December and 2 January,
2004, are:
Ulster fly-half David Humphreys will be available for the Celtic Cup final against Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Saturday 20 December.
Next up for Michael Bradley’s Connacht in the second round of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup is French outfit Pau who will travel to Ireland on the second weekend of the New Year for the first leg of the tie with the return taking place a week later in Stade du Hameau.
Former Wallaby Duncan McRae will finally apologise to Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara next month for the outrageous assault he inflicted on the Munster out-half during the Lions tour to Australia two years ago.