Horgan back in Leinster line-up

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.

Cronin returns to Connacht team

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.

Ross agrees new IRFU contract

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.'

O'Driscoll hits out at 'unforgivable' decision

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has labelled the decision to allow Mike Phillips' controversial try to stand as 'unforgivable' following his side's 19-13 defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

The crucial moment of a hard-fought RBS 6 Nations encounter came with Ireland leading 13-9 in the 50th minute when Wales hooker Matthew Rees took a quick lineout and the scrum-half raced away to score in the corner.

But TV replays showed that Rees had taken the lineout with a different ball to that kicked out of play by Ireland replacement Jonathan Sexton, something which is not allowed under IRB regulation 19.2.

Referee Jonathan Kaplan asked his assistant, Peter Allan of Scotland, whether the ball used was the same as that which left the field and, when he answered in the affirmative, the try was awarded.

Kaplan was not able to call on the video referee to adjudicate as the TMO is only to be used for decisions on the act of scoring.

Wales 19-13 Ireland

Wales claimed a controversial victory at the Millennium Stadium which kept their RBS 6 Nations title hopes alive and ended Ireland's bid for a fifth Triple Crown in eight seasons.

Scrum-half Mike Phillips celebrated his 50th cap by scoring an opportunist try to underpin Wales' first home win since last year's tournament.

But it came after Wales skipper Matthew Rees took a quick throw-in with a different ball from the one that was sliced into touch by Irish substitute Jonathan Sexton, which is against rugby's Law 19.2.

Referee Jonathan Kaplan consulted Scottish assistant official Peter Allan before awarding the score, but the Irish players were furious as television replays confirmed the try should never have been allowed.

Wales rode their luck as fly-half James Hook converted the try and kicked three penalties, while wing Leigh Halfpenny landed a long-range strike, with Ireland creating a Brian O'Driscoll try and Ronan O'Gara booting eight points which took him past 1,000 in Test rugby.

Italy 22-21 France

Italy claimed their first RBS 6 Nations victory over France at the 12th attempt with a 22-21 triumph in Rome this afternoon.

Racing-Metro full-back Andrea Masi scored the only try for the home side and Mirco Bergamasco kicked 17 points as Italy secured their first win in this year's tournament.

France scored tries through Vincent Clerc and Morgan Parra, with the latter kicking three penalties and a conversion.

The Azzurri, who had eight France-based players in their side, punished the French for a sloppy performance at the Stadio Flaminio.

It was the second defeat in succession for Marc Lievremont's side following their 17-9 loss to England at Twickenham, while Italy were finally rewarded for their efforts following defeats to Ireland, England and Wales.

Italy put points on the board after two minutes after being awarded a penalty when France skipper Thierry Dusautoir was caught offside.

Bergamasco converted from close range to bring the stadium to life, but the visitors produced a well-worked try in the 14th minute.