Munster coach Alan Gaffney has shifted the focus away from his future and back to the rugby by naming his side for the trip to Cardiff in the Celtic League on Saturday.

Following a meeting on Monday the countries involved in the Celtic League, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have announced that the competition’s future is confirmed until at least 2008. The next three season’s will see the League continue but as many had expected the Celtic Cup will be dropped.

A long, late Percy Montgomery penalty ended a terrible day for the Dragons with a victory over Ulster. Having heard earlier in the day that coach Chris Anderson would be shown the door at the end of the season, the home side trailed 11-10 on 75 minutes but Ulster’s Roger Best held onto the ball in a tackle to give Montgomery his winning penalty shot from 47m.

Llanelli’s charge up the Celtic League table continued when they beat Connacht in Athlone last night. Connacht have been slipping down the table recently and a poor first half performance last night ensured that they dropped more points again. The only upsides for Connacht were that Ulster lost also and the losing bonus point they picked up means that they stay ahead of Ulster by two points.

John Kelly will finally return from injury for Munster on Sunday against Glasgow in Thomond Park. Kelly who picked up an injury while training last October with the Ireland squad has been unable to shake it since then.

Connacht will return to Celtic League action on Friday night when they take on Llanelli. This will be the players first match in 3 weeks since none of the side were involved in the Six Nations.

Ulster will have all their players at their disposal for the Celtic League match away to the Dragons on Friday night. Kevin Maggs who started last weekend against Scotland will return to the side along with David Humphreys and Tommy Bowe who were also involved with the Irish squad.

A thumping seven try victory over fourth placed Newport-Gwent Dragons saw Leinster close to within four points of Munster in the Celtic League. An almost full strength Leinster side, took on The Dragons who were devoid of eight of their starting line-up due to International duty with Wales.

Munster’s chances of claiming the Celtic League title took a huge knock this evening when they lost by 32 points to 17 against Llanelli.


Munster went into this evening in second place 5 points behind the Ospreys but the Ospreys play later this evening and could stretch their lead to 10 points by the end of this evening.

Connacht ended their recent run of poor form with an important win over the Borders last night at Netherdale. Connacht are now back in pole position for the playoff European Cup place thanks to Edinburgh who beat their rivals for that position, Cardiff Blues.