- Jack O’Donoghue is top turnover king after round two
- ‘Saints’ relegated, Newcastle West can yet lift the MJL1 title
- AIL defeats for Shannon, ‘Munsters’, Bruff and Thomond
- Terrific wins for UL Bohemian and Old Crescent tonight in AIL2A
- Bonus point win as Munster prove too strong for the Southern Kings in Cork
- Kings will need to be in regal form to deprive Munster of home victory
- Important games for Limerick clubs as the AIL resumes action this week-end
- Tension mounts as local clubs feature in second last fence of Munster Junior League 1
- Impressive win for Clonmel on UL pitch keeps them on title target
- Will Joe Schmidt ring the changes for the Scottish game?
- Cancellations a-plenty as Munster Junior Cup gathers momentum
- Henshaw at full-back not really a gamble as Ireland name their team
- Ian excited about exploring new horizons as he plans two moves
- Nine local clubs in Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup action this week-end
- UL Bohemian and Thomond advance in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup
- Abbeyfeale lift the Transfield Cup for the first time since 1977
- Young Munster facing battle to avoid the drop
- Munster fight hard for victory in Rodney Parade
- Bonus point for Garryowen as Shannon fail to build on recent form
- AIL: Shannon win, Young Munster and Garryowen lose today in 1A
- AIL wins tonight for Old Crescent in 2A and Thomond in 2C
- John Ryan for Archer the only change on the Munster team
- Key Euro games for referees Neville, Clancy, Brace and Lacey
- Frank Quinn’s review of the final pools games of Heineken Cup
- Decent Munster representation on Ireland Six Nations squad
- English clubs’ wretched record at Thomond Park: 21 defeats, 2 wins
- A Newcastle view as their side fails to get winning bonus point
- Is the Transfield Cup final to take place in the Markets Field?
- Defeat for Richmond today dents their junior league title hopes
- Brave Garryowen’s late strike gives them ticket to Bateman decider
- Munster march on towards another home Heineken Cup quarter final
- Munster and Gloucester announce their teams for to-morrow night’s game
- All to play for as Munster Junior League division one hots up
- Garryowen keen to avoid their third successive cup defeat
- Munster’s Ian Keatley seems set to join Benetton Treviso
- Leinster are still the favourites to retain the Champions Cup
- Thomond and Bruff advance in cup: Newcastle drop league points
- Munster superb as they hold on for bonus point victory
- Munster’s away form will again be tested in the Showgrounds
- Munster Senior Cup retains its magic as Garryowen seek more glory
- Leinster’s winger James Lowe is suspended for two weeks
- Local referees are included in Guinness PRO14 week-end fixtures list
- St Mary’s, Thomond, Newcastle West, Bruff in league and cup action
- Brilliant Earls try seals victory over Leinster
- Young Munster romp home with comfortable Charity Cup win
- 12 changes as Munster prepare for another Thomond Park epic
- Frank Murphy to referee Munster v Leinster PRO14 fixture
- Full house for Munster and Leinster showdown at Thomond Park
- Christmas 2018 marks a record year for Limerick Rugby website
- Ulster happy with home win while Munster settle for single point
Munster’s PRO14 semi-final qualification is in their own hands
- Updated: 26/08/2020

(Pictured: Joy at Thomond Park as JJ Hanrahan goes over for a Munster try)
CHRISTIAN Cullen comes to mind as Munster’s injury woes continue to mount. The casualties last Saturday, added to the earlier report that Joey Carbery’s ankle problem is causing concern, have been unfortunate and on Sunday the province will be hoping for the required victory over Connacht and a clean bill of health at the final whistle. They will also be keeping a keen eye on the Dragons v Scarlets game the previous day in Rodney Parade with victory for the latter Welsh side making a win over Connacht a necessity if Munster are to qualify for the semi-final and another crack at holders Leinster.
Despite the mishaps Munster look well capable of getting a win over a side that has rarely succeeded in beating them over recent seasons. Unlike previous campaigns when adequate replacements were thin on the Thomond Park ground, there is a room-full of baying replacements drooling at the mouth to get the nod from Johann van Graan before kick-off on Sunday. The number ten jersey, which has been a cause for concern, has been firmly filled this season by former UL Bohemian Kerry man JJ Hanrahan who is currently the league’s top points-scorer with 111 and Munster top the Fairplay league – with just four sin-bins all campaign.
Almost a year after the Guinness PRO14 season began, the curtain is now set to come down on the league campaign this weekend – leaving a sprint to the finish in the Semi-Finals and Final. Leinster, Ulster and Edinburgh are already home and hosed in the last four. Here is a look at what we can look forward to over the coming week-end.
FRIDAY – Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh | KO 19:35 UK | Live on eir Sport 1, Premier Sports 1, DAZN, SuperSport 1, pro14.tv
Friday marks the fourth and final meeting of Scotland’s two clubs and Glasgow Warriors need to win in order to draw that mini-series 2-2.
Edinburgh came from behind in the final quarter last weekend to secure a 30-15 victory and the 1872 Cup, and they have a Guinness PRO14 Semi-Final against Ulster to look forward to.
Warriors are safely third in Conference A but last week’s defeat ended their slim post-season prospects and head coach Danny Wilson has already promised changes to his team. One man who looks set to remain is makeshift full-back Huw Jones, converted from centre to start at No.15 last weekend.
SATURDAY – Dragons v Scarlets
Rodney Parade, Newport | KO 17:15 | Live on eir Sport 1, Premier Sports 1, DAZN, Super Sport 1, pro14.tv
If results go their way, Scarlets could end up in the Semi-Finals and Conference A table-toppers Leinster will surely not fancy a tangle with the Welsh region’s electric attack.
But, before they can sit and scream at the TV urging Connacht to do them a favour on Sunday afternoon, Scarlets must first take care of business against the Dragons – and that is easier said than done.
Dean Ryan’s side showed plenty of spirit to come from behind and draw at Ospreys thanks to a last-gasp try, and have beaten Scarlets in each of their last two meetings – including a 22-20 win in December – but have never won three straight.
In addition to a possible Semi-Final spot, there is plenty on the line for Scarlets winger Steff Evans – who is just two behind the league’s leading try-scorer Rhyno Smith (10).
SATURDAY – Ulster v Leinster
Aviva Stadium, Dublin | KO 19:35 | Live on eir Sport 1, Premier Sports 1, Super Sport 1, DAZN, pro14.tv
Is this a warm-up for the final?
Ulster and Leinster have battled hard all season long in Conference A and both will be getting ready for the Guinness PRO14 Semi-Finals, starting next week.Although both will have to get through those last-four clashes first, this could be the second of three potential meetings this season and if the first is anything to go by, we are in for a treat.
Leinster, victorious in every match this season, obviously prevailed but the contest was as breathless as the 54-42 scoreline suggests. Ulster’s recent record against their rivals is a cause for concern, with just one win in five league meetings, but the shackles are off at the Aviva Stadium.
SUNDAY – Cardiff Blues v Ospreys
Rodney Parade, Newport | KO 17:00 | Live on eir Sport 1, Premier Sports 1, DAZN, pro14.tv
Cardiff Blues and Ospreys don’t do one-sided affairs and we can expect another close battle again on Sunday afternoon.
The last time one side beat the other by more than ten points was in 2017, six matches ago, with the Blues edging this season’s lone encounter by just three points at Christmas.
Both teams are looking up the table, hoping to improve their current position, with Ospreys keen to avoid finishing bottom of Conference with a first win against a fellow Welsh team this season.
A win is imperative for them to put the pressure on Zebre, currently three points above, while the Blues are aiming to pip Benetton into fifth place.
SUNDAY – Zebre v Benetton
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma | KO 19:00 (UK), 20:00 (IT) | Live on eir Sport 1, Premier Sports 2, DAZN, pro14.tv
The two teams that played the first Guinness PRO14 match since lockdown, will also play the last of the regular season.
Zebre were outstanding in their 17-13 win at Benetton last Friday, their first success against their neighbours in six attempts, and will hope to build on that and edge ahead of Dragons into fifth in Conference A.
Benetton no doubt have a point to prove and have Cardiff Blues breathing down their necks in the battle for fifth in Conference B.
SUNDAY – Munster v Connacht
Aviva Stadium, Dublin | KO 15:00 | Live on eir Sport 1, Premier Sports 2, DAZN, Super Sport 1, pro14.tv
Munster’s task is simple on Sunday: win and they are in the semi-finals.
Of course, it’s never easy when you’re playing a derby and especially against an opponent full of beans after such an impressive victory last weekend.
Munster do hold an advantage, winning each of their last four Guinness PRO14 matches against Connacht, but arrive with injury scars after losing new signing RG Snyman for at least six months after he damaged his knee against Leinster.
Connacht, fourth in Conference B, will be underdogs but it will be interesting to see how they cope with Munster at the breakdown.
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