Munster 22-20 Glasgow.

Ronan O'Gara came to Munster's rescue as his 76th minute penalty denied Glasgow Warriors a famous win at Musgrave Park.

Glasgow outscored the Magners League leaders by two tries to one, and Ruaridh Jackson's drop goal gave them a 20-19 lead inside the final quarter.

But the Scots had Bernardo Stortoni sin-binned as Munster pummelled the visitors' try-line, and O'Gara mopped up with the match-winning penalty.

Jackson's seventh-minute penalty opened the scoring after O'Gara had a kick charged down and John Hayes was pinged for not rolling away after a tackle.

Munster, who brought Denis Hurley in for the injured Doug Howlett (calf), mounted a swift response.

Paul Warwick attacked with vigour and his kick forward was deflected into the path of Johne Murphy, who was brought to ground close to the Glasgow posts. Richie Gray killed the ball at the ensuing ruck and was promptly yellow carded.

Leinster 15-10 Ospreys

Leinster relied on the boot of Jonathan Sexton to see off an understrength Ospreys side at the RDS.

Sexton converted five of his six penalty attempts to decide this scrappy Magners League encounter, and it was a night to forget for his opposite number Dan Biggar.

Biggar kicked an early penalty and converted the only try of the game, before failing with five penalty efforts - four of which were in the second half.

Flanker Justin Tipuric, the region's second youngest ever captain, claimed an opportunist 16th minute try as the Ospreys took a 10-9 lead into half-time.


But, in their 50th competitive at the Dublin venue, Leinster tidied up the mistakes and threatened with ball in hand - albeit with the Ospreys able to soak up the pressure.
Both sides made wholesale changes from their last outings, a flood of Ireland internationals returning on the back of Leinster's bonus point win over Connacht.

Ulster 32-13 Benetton Treviso.

Ulster ended their two-game losing run with a valuable bonus-point win over Treviso to keep them in touch with the top four in the Magners League.

Tries from Ruan Pienaar, Nevin Spence, Adam D'Arcy and Rory Best in an impressive first 34 minutes gave Ulster a commanding position in dreadful conditions.

But coach Brian McLaughlin will hardly be pleased that his charges failed to score a single point in a second-half display which saw them largely on the back foot and conceding a converted try to the Italians.

Returning outside-half Ian Humphreys contributed 12 points with the boot and Stephen Ferris also came through well as a second-half replacement for a win which keeps Ulster sixth in the table.

Connacht sign Ulster duo as Naoupu returns.

Connacht have completed the signings Ulster duo Niall O'Connor and Mark McCrea along with the re-signing of former favourite George Naoupu from Japan.

Scrum-half O'Connor, who played over 50 times for Ulster, and McCrea, who plays on the wing and played 25 times for the northern province will both join on a two-year contract at the end of the season.

And Naoupu will return to the Sportsground for the 2011/2012 season.
 

The 6'5, 115kg 27-year-old backrow joined Connacht in 2009 before moving to the Kobe Steelers in Japan last season.

He appeared 14 times in his six-month spell at Connacht, including scoring a try in the famous victory over Bourgoin in the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final last season.
Naoupu, who has represented New Zealand Schools, U19, Colts and 7's, will rejoin Connacht on a two-year contract.

Newport Gwent Dragons 17-16 Connacht

Newport Gwent Dragons secured revenge over Connacht for an opening day Magners League thrashing in Galway this season by clinching a one-point victory at Rodney Parade.

It was an ugly win but coach Paul Turner saw his side earn a fifth triumph of the campaign which lifts the Welshmen above Glasgow Warriors into ninth spot.

Connacht had the initiative for a rare double before kick-off, having thrashed the Dragons 40-17 in September.

But, as Wales national coach Warren Gatland and his his assistants Rob Howley and Neil Jenkins watched from the stands ahead of their RBS 6 Nations Championships squad announcement later this month, it was vital for the Dragons to fire.

Munster make changes for Glasgow visit.

Munster coach Tony McGahan makes nine changes from the side that started against Ulster for Saturday's clash with Glasgow Warriors in Cork.

Of those changes, one is positional with Ronan O'Gara's return to the side meaning Paul Warwick reverts to full-back in a backline that sees Lifeimi Mafi start at inside centre in place of Sam Tuitupou, who is listed among the replacements.

Johne Murphy coming back onto the left wing with Denis Hurley this time providing the cover.
Up front there are changes aplenty starting in the front-row where Darragh Hurley replaces Wian du Preez at loosehead and John Hayes starts ahead of Tony Buckley at tighthead, who has been struck down with a virus.
 Donncha O'Callaghan returns from his enforced rest to partner the bang in-form Mick O'Driscoll in the second row while James Coughlan is named at blindside and David Wallace at openside in a back-row that again will be led by Denis Leamy.

Two Academy players, Mike Sherry and Dave Kilcoyne fill two of the three front row places on the replacements.

For Glasgow, Scotland number eight Johnnie Beattie will make his return to frontline action. Beattie has been out with a shoulder injury since he returned from Scotland's historic Test series win in Argentina last summer.

Munster team to play Glasgow at Musgrave Park on Saturday at 7.30pm on Saturday, 8 January:

P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, L Mafi, J Murphy; R O'Gara, P Stringer; D Hurley, D Varley, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, J Coughlan, D Wallace, D Leamy capt.

Replacements: M Sherry, D Kilcoyne, P Borlase, D Ryan, N Ronan, T O'Leary, S Tuitupou, D Hurley.

Banned Rees set to miss Six Nations

Wales and Cardiff scrum-half Richie Rees looks set to miss the entire RBS 6 Nations campaign after being handed a 12-week ban by an independent European Rugby Cup disciplinary panel for making contact with the eye of Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley in a Heineken Cup match last month.

Rees appeared before an independent disciplinary hearing in Dublin as a result of the citing complaint arising from the Pool One match against Saints at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, December 19.

The citing complaint made by the citing commissioner for the match, Murray Whyte (Ireland), was for acts contrary to good sportsmanship in contravention of law 10.4(m) in that Rees had made contact with the eye/eye area of Hartley.

Rees pleaded not guilty to the complaint on the basis that any contact had been accidental.
But, after independent judicial officer Pat Barriscale (Ireland) reviewed all the evidence, including several angles of the incident from television footage and medical statements relating to the injuries sustained by Hartley, the Welshman was found guilty.

An ERC statement read: 'The judicial officer determined that Mr Rees was guilty of foul play in contravention of Law 10.4(m) in that he had made contact with the eye/eye area of Mr Hartley.
'The judicial officer found that the contact had been reckless and not intentional.

'The judicial officer found that the offending was at the low end of the level of seriousness for an offence of this type, and having taken into account all aggravating and mitigating factors imposed a suspension of 12 weeks.

'Mr Rees is free to play again on 31 March, 2011.'

Fitzgerald back in Leinster line-up

Luke Fitzgerald has been named at full-back in the Leinster starting line-up for the first time since he injured his knee playing for Ireland during the November series.

The 23-year-old has been out of action since Ireland's defeat against New Zealand on 20 November. He is selected in a back three that also includes Shane Horgan and Fergus McFadden on the wings.

Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy form a familiar centre partnership with Jonathan Sexton and Eoin Reddan at out-half and scrum-half in a high quality Leinster backline.
 In the pack, Leo Cullen will skipper the side from the second row with Devin Toner alongside. Dominic Ryan comes into the back row at blindside with Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip at openside and number eight respectively.

Sean O'Brien is not in the match-day squad after impressing in a series of games over the Christmas period.

The front row consists of propping duo Cian Healy and Mike Ross - both in the hunt for Ireland places - and South African born hooker Richardt Strauss.

The team includes 14 Irish qualified players and one -Strauss - who could play for Ireland in future on residency grounds.
 Isaac Boss, Nathan Hines and Rhys Ruddock are named on a bench which contains a mix of youth and experience.

A decision on the final outside back replacement will be made closer to kick off with either Isa Nacewa or Eoin O'Malley set to fill the spot.

LEINSTER v Ospreys in the Magners League at the RDS, Friday at 7.35pm:
15: Luke Fitzgerald
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Fergus McFadden
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen (captain)
5: Devin Toner
6: Dominic Ryan
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:
16: Jason Harris-Wright
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Clint Newland
19: Nathan Hines
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Eoin O'Malley/Isa Nacewa

Ulster make major changes for Treviso

Ulster have named a much-changed starting XV to play Treviso in the Magners League at Ravenhill this Friday night.

In the back line, Paddy Wallace moves from out-half to inside centre, while Adam D'Arcy replaces Jamie Smith at full-back.

Andrew Trimble, who was rested last week, features on the right-wing and Nevin Spence is recalled to partner Wallace in the centre. Ian Humphreys and Ruan Pienaar form the half-back partnership.

Up front Tom Court and BJ Botha start in the front row with captain Rory Best. Johann Muller returns to action partnered by Tim Barker, while Chris Henry and Pedrie Wannenburg start ahead of TJ Anderson and Robbie Diack in the back row.

Stephen Ferris is the notable inclusion on the bench having recovered from a leg injury sustained in training ahead of the December game against Bath at The Rec.

Ulster XV v Treviso in the Magners League at Ravenhill, Friday at 7.05pm:

Backs: Adam D'Arcy; Andrew Trimble, Nevin Spence, Paddy Wallace, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar.
 Forwards: Tom Court, Rory Best (Captain), BJ Botha, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Chris Henry, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg.

Replacements: Nigel Brady, Bryan Young, Declan Fitzpatrick, Dan Tuohy, Stephen Ferris, Paul Marshall, Ian Whitten, David McIlwaine.

Healy extends IRFU contract

Cian Healy has signed a new deal with the IRFU that will seem him continue to play in Ireland for another two seasons up to 2013.

The Union are currently in the process of contracting Ireland based players and Healy's new contract comes on the back of those recently awarded to Donncha O'Callaghan and Ronan O'Gara with Munster.

Healy has represented Ireland at schools, U-19, U-20, A and full international level and the 23-year-old has already won 13 caps for Ireland.

He made his Leinster debut in the Magners League in 2007 and has appeared for his hometown province on 68 occasions.

Flannery ruled out for six weeks

Jerry Flannery will be out of action for up to six weeks after a scan revealed he had torn a calf muscle during Munster's win over Ulster at Thomond Park last Saturday night.

Flannery came on as a second half substitute and injured his calf in the last minute of Munster's victory.

The hooker had previously only recently returned to action after a calf injury to his other leg.

The Munster man will miss rounds five and six of the Heineken Cup as well as the opening two games on the RBS 6 Nations Championship against Italy and France.

Ahead of the Magners League game against Glasgow on Saturday at Musgrave Park, James Coughlan returns to Tony McGahan's squad after seeing a specialist who confirmed his cheekbone injury was not as serious as first thought.

The Munster team will be announced at 12.00pm on Friday.

Munster squad v Glasgow in Magners League on Saturday, 8 January at Musgrave Park, kick-off 7.30pm:Wian Du Preez, Darragh Hurley, Tony Buckley, John Hayes, Peter Borlase, Mike Sherry, Damien Varley, Billy Holland, Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan, Tommy O'Donnell, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Tomas O'Leary, Peter Stringer, Scott Deasy, Ronan O'Gara, Paul Warwick, Johne Murphy, Sam Tuitupou, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi, Denis Hurley, Doug Howlett.

Steenson open to England future

Former Ulster and Ireland underage out-half Gareth Steenson has revealed he has been sounded out about the possibility of playing for England.

Steenson played for Ireland at under-19 and under-21 levels and has also played in club internationals but he qualifies for England on residency grounds.

The 26-year-old has been playing for Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership and had an eye catching start to the season, notching 69 points in his first six games.

A knee injury has kept him out of action since October but he returned to the substitutes' bench last weekend and came on to land a penalty in the Chiefs' 15-22 home defeat against Leicester.

According to RBS6nations.com, Steenson said: 'When I was playing at the start of the season nobody from the Irish national set up got in touch with me although I did take a call from someone involved with the English set up. 'All the call said was that they were keeping tabs on a few players who had started the season well and I was one of them which was nice recognition to get.'
With the exception of Leicester full-back Geordan Murphy, Ireland have generally not selected Premiership based players. London Irish second row Bob Casey and Northampton centre James Downey are among those playing regularly in the Premiership who have not earned places in Ireland squads.

Steenson added that he had never been contacted by anyone involved with the current senior Ireland squad.

He said: 'I have never spoken to Declan Kidney or anyone involved with the Irish set up but I have in the England camp.
 'Until then I hadn't given it much thought but we will have to wait and see what happens now.
'You never know what could happen in rugby and I could have a choice to make further down the line - but until then there is a lot of rugby to play and I am just concentrating on getting back with the Chiefs.'

RFU set for major changes at top

English Rugby Football Union chief executive John Steele has been given the go-ahead to make significant changes to the organisation's senior management structure.

Steele launched a comprehensive review of the RFU when he took over at Twickenham four months ago and today presented his findings to the board of directors at a meeting in Birmingham.

 

The former UK Sport boss set out to strengthen the RFU in preparation for hosting the 2015 Rugby World Cup and his recommendations were unanimously approved.

 

The RFU will not confirm any details of the changes until tomorrow afternoon, giving Steele a chance to speak to staff directly.

Connacht make changes for Dragons clash

Connacht's team to play the Newport Gwent Dragons in their Magners League clash sees a number of positional changes and two personnel changes.

Sean Cronin, back from an IRFU imposed break (under the Player Welfare Management Programme), replaces Adrian Flavin at hooker in the starting lineup.

Mike McComish has recovered from the illness that ruled him out of last weekend's clash against Leinster and he replaces Shane Conneely on the bench.

The rest of the pack remains unchanged with Academy star Eoin McKeon retaining his place at number 8 following an impressive display last weekend.

The reshuffled backine sees the adaptable Ian Keatley move to fullback with former New Zealand Youths Troy Nathan, who qualifies for Ireland through residency, shift to the wing.

Nathan has 64 caps for Connacht and has shown his versatility having played in every position in the backline for the Province.

Academy graduate Eoin Griffin moves to outside centre and he is joined on the wing by Fionn Carr, with Brian Tuohy providing cover from the bench.

Connacht team to play Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on Thursday 6 January:

Ian Keatley, Troy Nathan, Eoin Griffin, Keith Matthews, Fionn Carr, Miah Nikora, Cillian Willis, Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin,Jamie Hagan, Michael Swift, Michael McCarthy, Andrew Browne, Johnny O'Connor, Eoin McKeon

Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Rodney Ah You, Dylan Rogers, Bernie Upton, Mike McComish, Frank Murph, Niva Ta'auso, Brian Tuohy