Ulster were the first Irish province in European competiton this season and they started their campaign with a win thanks mainly to the boot of fly-half David Humphreys. David Humphreys led the way for his side and scored all their 21 points through five penalties and two drop goals. Cardiff’s Tom Shanklin got the only try of the night but it wasn’t enough for the visitors.
Mossie Lawlor comes into the Munster side for their first Heineken Cup match in the only change to the team that beat Cardiff Blues last weekend. Lawlor will start on the wing with John Kelly moving into the centres as a replacement for the injured Shaun Payne.
Ulster have recieved a huge boost ahead of their Heineken Cup opening match against Cardiff, with the news that Andy Ward will return early from injury to captain the side. He will also be joined in the back row by Roger Wilson who also returns from injury.
The Connacht side to face French club Narbonne in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup has been named. Connacht face Narbonne in the first leg in France on Saturday evening and coach Michael Bradley will be hoping his side can beat the French side for the third year running.
Alan Gaffney has named a 26 man Munster squad for their opening match in the Heineken Cup On Saturday. Despite yesterday’s news to the contrary both Donncha O’Callaghan and Shaun Payne will miss the match with injury.
Leinster coach Declan Kidney has named his side for Leinster’s opening game of the 2004/2005 Heineken Cup campaign. Kidney has decided to choose Brian O’Meara at scrum half over Irish International Guy Easterby.
Ulster coach Mark McCall has delayed naming his side for Friday night’s Heineken Cup opener against Cardiff at Ravenill until Thursday. McCall plans to give his injury-ravaged squad two further days to recover from numerous problems before announcing his team.
Munster warmed up for their first Heineken Cup match next Saturday against Harlequins at Thomond Park with a comfortable 49 points to 18 victory over Cardiff Blues in the Celtic League.
Following last week’s impressive win away to Llanelli Scarlets, Connacht were looking to beat Edinburgh in Galway, but an impressive Edinburgh put five tries past them to take the victory and a bonus point.
Ulster’s nightmare season continued last night, when they fell to second last in the Celtic League following a 34 point to 20 loss at Hughenden to Glasgow.