This coming weekend of Super Rugby is a historical one, as we'll watch the first ever game played outside of the Tri Nations countries, on Sunday. For now we'll have a quick look back at some of the best tries from the last round.
Possibly the biggest story of round 5 was the massive upset that the Waratahs suffered at the hands of the Cheetahs, a side that had never won in Australia in the history of the tournament. They fronted up, played percentages, and dominated the breakdown. A few cameos off the bench didn't hurt them either.
If offloading in the tackle was the main feature of previous week's best tries, this round could probably be slapped with the theme of speed, as we saw some tries scored at tremendous pace. That's not necessarily one-on-one pace, but the way that the ball is shifted through the hands to counter attack, or score off first phase possession even.Rfu.com for more info and to find out how to get tickets. It's a great cause, should be a fantastic match, and you'll get to see top All Blacks and Springboks in action.
Munster grabbed a rare win in Wales to keep them top of the Magners League and put a dent in Cardiff Blues' ambitions of a top-four play-off place at the end of this season. Fly-half Ronan O'Gara, who had a mixed night with the boot, landed the vital penalty midway through the second half to secure Munster's first win on Welsh soil in six visits and only Cardiff's second home defeat in the league all season.
Munster, though, were well worth their win over a Blues side who never really got going but did rally when Scotland fly-half Dan Parks put them ahead with a trademark drop goal before O'Gara, who had missed four earlier penalties, had his say.
David Young, the Blues coach, knows this defeat keeps his side in fifth place as the race for the Magners League Grand Final hots up and the side from the Welsh capital have a mountain to climb as most of their remaining games are away from home.
Ruan Pienaar was the hero for Ulster at Firhill, his man-of-the-match haul of all 22 points ensuring his side snatched a last-gasp victory against a typically dogged Glasgow side to climb to second in the Magners League. A self-converted try and five penalties, the last of which came in the final seconds, were enough to see off the Warriors, whose sole try came from Ryan Grant.
Scotland fly-half Ruaridh Jackson booted 11 points, while his replacement Duncan Weir set up a tight finish with a late penalty.
The hosts held the upper hand in the opening exchanges, an early Jackson up-and-under causing havoc in the Ulster ranks.
From the ensuing pressure, the home stand-off notched the game's first points, converting a straightforward penalty after Pedrie Wannenburg was penalised for a short-armed tackle.
Parity was restored in the 12th minute when Ulster fly-half Pienaar slotted a 40-metre penalty resulting from a front-row infringement in the scrum. Moments earlier, he had failed with a more challenging attempt from the touchline after Glasgow prop Moray Low had been penalised for a cynical block on Scotland colleague Simon Danielli.
The kick-off times have been confirmed for Ireland's Guinness Summer Series matches against France and England at the Aviva Stadium.
France travel to Dublin on Saturday, 20 August with the match having a 5.00pm kick-off. A week later on Saturday, 27 August, the English are back in town with that clash set for a 2.30pm start.
Ahead of the World Cup in New Zealnad, Declan Kidney's side will play four matches in August, with away trips to Scotland (6 August) and France (13 August) in Bordeaux, also confirmed.
Shane Horgan returns to the Leinster team for their Magners League trip to meet the Dragons at Rodney Parade.
Horgan is back after a two month injury lay-off due to a knee injury.
The winger makes his 18th appearance this season and joins Luke Fitzgerald and Isa Nacewa in the back three for Sunday's game.
Eoin O'Malley partners Fergus McFadden at centre, with Isaac Boss linking up with Jonathan Sexton at half-back.
Leo Cullen leads the team and starts at second row alongside Devin Toner, with ex-Gonzaga College SJ duo Kevin McLaughlin and Dominic Ryan joining Rhys Ruddock in the back row.
Internationals Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines and Eoin Reddan are named amongst a replacements bench which features a mix of youth and experience.
Leinster XV v the Dragons in the Magners League, Sunday, 2.30pm: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Eoin O'Malley, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Isaac Boss, 1 Heinke van der Merwe, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Stan Wright, 4 Leo Cullen (cpt), 5 Devin Toner, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 7 Dominic Ryan, 8 Rhys Ruddock.
Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Jack McGrath, Simon Shawe, Nathan Hines, Jamie Heaslip, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Dave Kearney.
Sean Cronin returns to the Connacht starting XV to face Aironi this Saturday in the Magners League.
The Limerick native appeared in all of Ireland's Six Nations matches this year, bringing his number of international caps to 12.
Mike McCarthy continues his successful partnership with Michael Swift in the second row.
McCarthy recently signed a new two-year deal with the province and the 29-year-old's superb form this season saw him called into the Irish squad and earning his first cap for the Ireland Wolfhounds against the English Saxons.
Miah Nikora's knee injury rules him out of contention.
Connacht XV to face Aironi in the Magners League at Stadio Zaffanella, Saturday, 4.30pm:
1 Brett Wilkinson, 2 Sean Cronin, 3 Jamie Hagan, 4 Michael Swift, 5 Mike McCarthy, 6 Andrew Browne, 7 Johnny O'Connor (cpt), 8 Ray Ofisa, 9 Frank Murphy, 10 Ian Keatley, 11 Fionn Carr, 12 Troy Nathan, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 14 Brian Tuohy, 15 Gavin Duffy.
Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Rodney Ah You, Bernie Upton, John Muldoon, Cillian Willis, Keith Matthews, Shane Monahan.
Mike Ross has agreed a new IRFU contract which will see him remain with Leinster up to the end of the 2013 season.
Ross, who has won seven caps at tight head for Ireland since making his debut against Canada in 2009, has also made 39 appearances for Leinster since moving from English premiership side Harlequins in 2009.
Ross said: 'It's been an enjoyable couple of months for me and I am delighted to be able to have my new contract agreed and to remain playing for Leinster.
'Since coming back to Ireland, Leinster really has become my home and hopefully I can continue to maintain my performance levels to help keep the team successful and also keep me in the frame for selection for the Ireland team.'
Ireland coach Declan Kidney said: 'The IRFU's policy of keeping as many players in Ireland as possible is an important part to helping Irish rugby challenge for success in competitions at all levels.
'The news that Mike has made the decision to carry on his career in Leinster is good news for everybody concerned as he has continued to progress well and is a valued member of the international squad.'
