Connacht have made a number of changes to the side that got knocked out of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup last weekend for Saturday’s Celtic League match-up with Gwent Dragons. Connacht will be looking to bounce back but Gwent Dragons will be no pushover, with Gwent still very much in the running for the Celtic League title.
The Celtic League Association has announced their plans for the future of the competion. There had been a great deal of speculation recently as to the future of the competition with the Irish and Scottish sides, apparently unhappy with the number of games to be played. The new set-up however doesn’t feature a substantial reduction in the number of games to be played.
The Leinster Branch of the IRFU today confirmed that Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll will sign a new 2 year deal with the province. As stated on BBC Sport earlier today the 25 year-old will sign his new contract later this week.
Alan Gaffney has been forced into making a large number of changes to the Munster side which lost to Wasps on Sunday in the Heineken Cup. Gaffney has been forced to make nine changes to the starting line-up.
Alan Solomons has named his Ulster side to face The Borders this Friday night in the Celtic League. Ulster will be looking to win this crucial game to stay on top of the Celtic League and continue targeting a end of season decided with Llanelli on the 15th of May.
Victor Costello will pass the Century mark on Friday night when he earns his 100th cap for Leinster, while Brian O’Driscoll and Peter Coyle will collect their 50th caps in what has to be considered as a strong line-up. Leinster will be looking for a win, having an extremely poor record in the competition so far this year.
Both Connacht and Munster’s dreams of winning European silverware this season have ended. A last-try from Trevor Leoata gave Wasps the edge in Landsdowne Road, while Connacht went out of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup in Galway despite winning the match.
Munster fans will be worried with today’s announcement that flanker David Wallace will miss the crucial semi-final match on Sunday due to a bout of the Chicken Pox.
Connacht have announced their team to face Harlequins in the second leg of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final second leg on Sunday.
Munster and Wasps have both today announced unchanged line-ups for their Heineken Cup semi final clash on Sunday at Landsdowne Road. Both teams had minor injury worries but all the doubtful players have been passed fit.