A victory for Cardiff at Dubarry Park made it four defeats from four matches for the Irish provinces this weekend in the Celtic League. Cardiff spent most of the match in the lead and fended off a late Connacht surge to defeat the province by 21 points to 18. This victory see’s Cardiff move into seventh place in the League. Meanwhile Connacht hold on to 6th but now Cardiff only trail them by 2 points.
Ireland’s teams competing in the Celtic League tonight experienced mixed fortunes. Celtic League leaders Ulster lost unexpectedly to bottom club Glasgow. Ulster had appeared to be on course to consolidate their position as leaders of the Celtic League but just before half time Glasgow started a revival that resulted in a 27 points to 25 victory for the Scots.
Alan Gaffney has finalised his starting line-up for Friday’s crucial Celtic League clash with Llanelli. Gaffney’s side will be looking for a win to overtake Llanelli in the league and get revenge for losing to them at home earlier in the season.
Munster coach Alan Gaffney has named an extended squad of 24 players ahead of Munster’s next Celtic League match against Llanelli on Friday night. Gaffney is expected to keep his forwards the same, but changes are expected in the backline.
Felipe Contepomi will start as out half for Leinster on Friday night in their Celtic League match up against Celtic Warriors. Leinster coach Gary Ella has had a limited squad to select from with a long list of players unavailable due to international duties and injuries.
In keeping with the rotation policy that has treated his team so well this season so far, Connacht coach Michael Bradley today announced a side that makes seven changes from the team that beat Edinburgh last weekend.
Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll will make his return to the Irish side on Sunday when his team take on Wales at Landsdowne Road. O’Driscoll returns to the side, and Eddie O’Sullivan has made one other change to the side with Munster second row Donncha O’Callaghan starting the match in place of Malcolm O’Kelly.
Ireland may be missing stars like Geordan Murphy but come Sunday, Wales may be missing a number of their top players.
Soon to be departing Ulster coach Alan Solomons has announced an unchanged starting line-up for their next Celtic League match away to Glasgow on Friday night.
As expected Ulster coach Alan Solomons departure from the province to coach Northampton has been confirmed. Solomons said that the “enjoyed every minute” in Ulster and that he was leaving with “a heavy heart”. Solomons also backed Ulster assistant coach Mark McCall as his replacement.