Leinster fall again as Munster march on

Connacht and Ulster will meet in Galway tomorrow both bidding to challenge the normal order. If one of the leading pack is going to be knocked off their perch, it is becoming increasingly likely tol be Leinster. They fell to their third defeat of the season, losing 32-24 to an Edinburgh side claiming their first win in seven matches.

Another defeat in Scotland, but its the same story from Joe Schmidt, after losing to Glasgow in week one he cited a lack of hunger in his team. And on Friday night he again seen more desire in the opposition:

"I take my hat off, Edinburgh were a bit more desperate. They had three defeats in a row and I thought they got on top and bullied us a little bit. It's something we're going to have to rebound quickly from with Munster next weekend"

Leinster had again taken a lead into half time. Isa Nacewa was proving unerringly accurate, slotting three penalties in addition to Rob Kearney's monster effort from 55 metres. But that was largely the range Schmidt's side was working from.

"We didn't really get a platform in their half." Said the Kiwi, "It was very very hard to maintain the ball from a few set-pieces we let slip, then we couldn't really get momentum in the game. Then it felt like we were back peddling for a heck of a lot."

They were on the back foot from half time until the Scots were out of sight. The bonus point came through tries from Tim Visser, Mark Robertson and David Blair, added to Geoff Cross' first half touch down, put them 29-12 ahead with 15 minutes to play. 

A telling moment was when, the 32-year-old, Chris Paterson broke through a crowded midfield and was able to sprint all of 60 metres before eventually being caught by Rob Kearney. That was not the only time the defence was shred apart, a fact which made the former Clermont coach visibly uncomfortable

"It's disconcerting, I think they just got forward momentum and we couldn't get round the corner very quickly. They looked after the ball pretty well."

"Probably then, we gave them too much space to play the way they like to play and if you do that I think they're dangerous."

Indeed, any team given that space would be dangerous. But to Leinster's credit they battled back, replacement Jamie Heaslip and then Kearney touched down to put them within a kick of a losing bonus point. The angle, however, proved too tough for Ian Madigan, even if he had struck it well.

Meanwhile across in Glasgow, Munster romped to a 43-29 win over the Warriors. And there will be plenty of worried faces around South Dublin at the prospect of Munster arriving at the Aviva Stadium next weekend.  

The southern province claimed a bonus point win thanks to tries from Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy and two from new signing, Johne Murphy. Ronan O'Gara put to bed some criticism of his early season kicking, registering 20 points from nine successful efforts off the tee.

With 18 points Munster could arrive in Lansdowne road as league leaders, while their hosts languish in the bottom four. That gap Schmidt says, must be reduced by a much greater effort from whatever 15 he puts in the firing line:

"We've really got to roll our sleeves up and give an account of ourselves that we can be a little more proud of."

The first serious game of rugby at the new ground, the embattled coach will know that the result, will have a serious bearing on his tenure.

Lose: The pendulum will have swung back to Munster and provinces north and west will be snapping at their heels.

Win, and five defeats from six is suddenly forgotten, dissipated like cigar smoke outside Kiely's front door.

Magners League Preview: Gameweek 4

Edinburgh v  Leinster

Last season's runner-up will want to bounce back after being comprehensively beaten in by Treviso last week. Murrayfield would not have been Joe Schmidt's chosen venue for redemption but they face an Edinburgh side who have lost their last seven matches.

Jonathan Sexton will finally make his first appearance of the season at the helm of a back-line which is made up entirely of Irish internationals. However, they will need that firepower as the pack is still not as strong as it could be. Leo Cullen is still one week away from a return, while Cian Healy and Jamie Heaslip take up a seat on the bench.

Warriors  v  Munster

Munster are also Scotland bound this weekend, and they will welcome back stalwarts David Wallace and Denis Leamy into the back row. Lifemi Mafi also makes his return, from a shoulder injury, to line out at centre. That move allow's Johne Murphy to take up one of the vacant wing slots after the names Ian Dowling and Felix Jones were added to the injury list. 

If the Magners league is low in the list of Priorities for Ireland's top sides, then this week constitutes the last warm up game. Next week Munster will meet Leinster at the Aviva before the Heineken Cup begins with a double header. A trip to London Irish is first up for Munster before returning home a week later to face Toulon.

Connacht  v  Ulster

The clash of the weekend, and not just from an Irish standpoint. The provinces, west and North, both occupy a position in the top four after some terrific early season performances. Eric Elwood's side have surprised and impressed everybody this season, only falling to defeat to an 86th minute try in Llanelli.

Ulster meanwhile have been equally impressive, felling the Ospreys, and Edinburgh at home whilst beating Aironi on their home league debut.

Paul Marshall is able to continue at scrum-half as new signing Ruan Pienaar is injured. Niall O'Conner, who has been near flawless in piloting the red hand province has been replaced by the experienced Paddy Wallace. He will pit his wits against Ian Keatley, who is fast becoming the most exciting prospect on the island after scoring 57 points in his three games so far.

Leinster (v Edinburgh): R Kearney, S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald, J Sexton, E Reddan, H van der Merwe, R Strauss, M Ross, E O'Donoghue, D Toner, D Ryan, S Jennings (capt), S Keogh . Replacements: J Harris-Wright, C Healy, S Shawe, M Galarza, J Heaslip, I Boss, I Nacewa, E O'Malley

Munster (v Glasgow): P Warwick; D Howlett, L Mafi, S Tuitupou, J Murphy; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; M Horan, D Varley, T Buckley; D O'Callaghan, D Ryan; D Wallace, N Ronan, D Leamy (capt). Replacements: S Henry, W du Preez, Darragh Hurley, M O'Driscoll, J Coughlan, P Stringer, S Deasy, D Hurley

Connacht (v Ulster): Gavin Duffy; Troy Nathan, Niva Ta'auso, Keith Matthews, Fionn Carr; Ian Keatley, Frank Murphy (capt); Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan, Michael Swift, Bernie Upton, Michael McCarthy, Ray Ofisa, Mike McComish.

Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Rob Sweeney, Andrew Browne, Shane Conneely, Cillian Willis, Miah Nikora, Darragh Fanning.

Ulster (v Connacht): Jamie Smith; Paul Emerick, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Andrew Trimble; Paddy Wallace, Paul Marshall; Bryan Young, Rory Best (capt), Tom Court, Tim Barker, Ryan Caldwell, Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry, Pedrie Wannenburg.

Replacements: Andi Kyriacou, BJ Botha, Paddy McAllister, Dan Tuohy, Willie Faloon, Ian Porter, Niall O'Connor, David McIlwaine.

Leinster eventually claim the spoils

Jennings opens the scoring

Leinster coughed up another healthy half time lead, but this week it did not cost them as they battled on for a 34-23 bonus point win over the Cardiff Blues at the RDS.

Jonathon Sexton  was a late absentee due to injury and Ian Madigan was drafted in to operate at fly-half. It looked as if Sexton would not be missed as the hosts took a lead of 14 points inside 10 minutes, thanks to tries from Captain, Shane Jennings and the Virtuoso man of the match Isa Nacewa.

After taking some stern criticism from his coach midweek the kiwi winger was evidently out to impress. And he did that in spades, demonstrating brilliant athleticism to chase, catch, tackle and score expertly.

Despite trailing 20-6 at the break, the Blues could have snatched victory, with a solidified scrum they battled back to lead the game 20-23 with less than 20 minutes to run. But scores from Fergus McFadden and Madigan ensured the hosts earned maximum points.

Improvisation from |saac Boss carved open the defence inside just three minutes, he released his captain to race to the line before Chris Czekaj could smother him.

The fullback was left frustrated again minutes later when Nacewa lined him up and hit him with a powerful square tackle to drive him backwards.

It was thanks to the former Auckland Blue that Leinster were under the posts again minutes later. Bustling play on the left from Richardt Strauss, whose perfect, back handed, offload unleashed Luke Fitzgerald. And the fullback made no mistake in allowing Nacewa finish.

As the first half wore on, Dan Parks had clawed the visitors back into contention with a pair of penalties. Casey Laulala was sniffing out chances to test Brian O'Driscolls fitness. He proved that fitness on 30 minutes, flying through the air performing an awe inspiring tackle, forcing Sam Warburton to hold on for a penalty. 40 metres out and that man again, Nacewa, dispatched it perfectly.

Tom Davies was coming under serious pressure in the scrum from Mike Ross and Leinster's wing was able to add another three before the break. Davies, meanwhile was substituted minutes before halftime. Fearing, after a warning from Andy McPherson, that he would be sin binned on the impending scrummage.

Nacewa was at it again after the break, sliding to mark Tom James' chipped kick, he did however slice his clearance, the only blot on his copybook for the night.

The welsh scrum , which threatened to derail them in the opening period was a much firmer base thanks to Tau Filise's introduction. The hosts battered at the door in the third quarter but just could not increase the lead.Instead they gave it up.

First, Bradley Davies bundled over the line and before the hour, the Blues were level. Thanks to a scintillating burst from Richard Mustoe, who then fed Richie Rees to touch down under the posts.

With Brian O'Driscoll substituted and the visitors resolve growing, it was difficult to see where winning scores would come from. But driven on by a raucous crowd of 15,890, concerted pressure paid, and Fergus McFadden broke the resistance to spark jubilant scenes in the South stand.

Then as 80 minutes approached, the celebrations were repeated when Madigan raced clear to seal the bonus point

LEINSTER: L Fitzgerald; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, F McFadden, I Nacewa; I Madigan, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, M Ross, N Hines, E O'Donoghue, S O'Brien, S Jennings (capt), J Heaslip. 

Replacements: J Fogarty (R Strauss '55), C Healy (H Van Der Merwe '60), S Shawe (M Ross '66), M Galarza (E O'Donoghue '78), D Ryan (S Jennings '60), E Reddan (I Boss '53), D Kearney (S Horgan '49), E O'Malley. (B O'Driscoll '60)

CARDIFF BLUES: C Czekaj; R Mustoe, C Laulala, D Hewitt, T James; D Parks, R Rees; T Davies, T Rhys Thomas, S Andrews, B Davies, D Jones, M Paterson, S Warburton, X Rush (capt). 

Replacements: R Williams, J Yapp (S Andrews '49), F Filise (T Davies '39), J Down, B White (S Warburton '72)), L Williams, C Sweeney, G Evans (C Laulala '72.) 

Referee: Andy Macpherson (SRU)

Magners League Preview: Gameweek 2

He's back!

Three out of four wasn't bad, except that the missing piece was well within grasp. As the provinces marched to victory, Leinster collapsed in the second half against Glasgow, conceding up a huge number penalties in the process, this week however, the big boys are back.

The same cannot be said for Munster, who retain much the same line-up that handed Aironi Rugby their first defeat. The only change is the omission of second row Billy Holland. Donncha Ryan will take his position and allow Alan Quinlan to take his place in the back row.

Paul Warwick and Peter Stringer continue at half back but lying in wait are international pair Ronan O'Gara and Tomas O'Leary. Marcus Horan, John Hayes and Donncha O'Callaghan are the other big names being eased back into the action from the bench.

A win in Edinburgh would be hard fought, the southern province lost the corresponding fixture 12-7 last season, not one for the purists, with the home side winning thanks to four Chris Paterson penalties.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has now lost four out of four games this season, and he has named a strong team to change that. Brian O'Driscoll, Jonathan Sexton and captain Shane Jennings all come into the starting XV to give it a much more threatening look.

The elite internationals may not have been rushed back for this game had the team not coughed up a 10 point half time lead last week.

The Blues will arrive in D4 in bullish mood. Coach Dai Young had said that Welsh sides no longer fear travelling to Ireland, but as the prospect draws nearer he has taken back that statement somewhat now saying: "Anyone who starts to write the likes of Leinster and Munster off are foolish."

Ulster have the dubious honour of being the first visitors to Stadio Zaffanella. Aironi are unchanged from defeat against Munster. But at time of writing Ulster have not named their starting XV. Niall O'Conner should start in Viadana after his supreme accuracy in the 27-26 win over the Ospreys last week.

If we have learnt anything about Italian Rugby since they entered the Six Nations, it's that they start extremely strong. With that in mind, Ulster are unlucky to be the first visitors to what is sure to be a fired up Italian outfit, desperate to prove that they belonged in this league all along.

Connacht will travel to Parc y Scarlets in confidence this weekend after their 40-17 win against the Dragons last week. The only change from that side is down to the injury of Ezra Taylor, who is having surgery on his injured knee. 

Ian Keatley will add to last weeks performance which saw him overtake the record points tally for a Magners League game. The 23 year old notched  25 points, overtaking Paul Warwick's 21 point haul.

MUNSTER XV (v Edinburgh): F Jones; D Howlett, J Murphy, S Tuitupou, I Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley; D Ryan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Leamy (capt). 

Reps: D Fogarty, M Horan, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Mahony, T O'Leary, R O'Gara, D Barnes.

LEINSTER (v Cardiff): L Fitzgerald; S Horgan, B O'Driascoll, F McFadden, I Nacewa; J Sexton, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, M Ross, N Hines, E O'Donoghue, S O'Brien, S Jennings (capt), J Heaslip. Reps: J Fogarty, C Healy, S Shawe, M Galarza, D Ryan, E Reddan, I Madigan, E O'Malley

Ulster squad (v Aironi)Tom Court, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, Neil McComb, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Chris Henry, Ryan Caldwell, Willie Faloon, TJ Anderson, Robbie Diack, Pedrie Wannenburg,

Adam D'Arcy, David McIlwaine, Nevin Spence, Tommy Seymour, Jonny Shiels, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Paddy Wallace, Ian Humphreys, Niall O'Connor, Ian Porter, Paul Marshall, Jamie Smith

Connacht XV (v Scarlets) G Duffy, T Nathan, N Ta'auso, K Matthews, F Carr, I Keatley, F Murphy (capt.) B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan, M Swift, B Upton, M McCarthy, R Ofisa, M McComish.

Reps: A Flavin, R Loughney, R Sweeney, D Nolan, S Coneely, C Willis, M Nikora, T O'Halloran

White ready to take old job back "next week"

I htink thats Jake White on the right

Former South Africa coach Jake White is keen to retake the reigns as he "can't bear" to watch his team continue down the path which Peter DeVilliers is leading them.

DeVilliers has overseen a horrendous Tri-Nations campaign, encompassing five defeats, including Saturday's 41-39 home loss to Australia. And his confrontational persona has done little to reassure the watching public that he knows how to remedy the situation.

White claims he has already spoke with the the South African Rugby Union (SARU) about the possibility of taking back the blazer on a short term basis, until the end of next years World Cup.

"I'm ready to do a hospital job and coach the Springboks to the World Cup in 2011 if the SARU wants me.

"I'm saying I'm available because what we've seen with the Springboks in the past 10 months is worrying.

"I've already made contact with SARU president Oregan Hoskins but he keeps telling me he has to run the idea past the executive council."

White led the Springboks to their 2007 World Cup win in France and he is a man lamenting, what he sees as, the dismantling of his hard work:

"We were the strongest defensive team in world rugby a short while ago, now suddenly we are conceding 22 tries in a Tri-Nations season," he said. "That is unacceptable, and there are such elementary mistakes that are being made. It's extremely frustrating to watch it happen and it saddens me to see it."

Even as the Boks disastrous season was in its embryonic stage DeVillier was courting controversy, accusing SANZAR of conspiring with match referees to favour New Zealand to boost interest in the 2011 showpiece. 

Even less tact was shown at the end of last month when he staunchly defended Blue Bulls prop Bees Roux after he was accused of murdering a Police Sergeant.

It is White, who speaks for the Bokke nation, saying: "I can't bear to watch the Springboks playing like this any more."

He has given his backing to Western Province coach Allister Coetzee to take the job on a long term basis. But feels it would be unfair for any new coach to take over in such circumstances. Instead, he has volunteered himself and Eddie Jones, who was also part of the '07 coaching team:

"Neither myself or Eddie are in contract with anyone at the moment, we can start next week if SARU want us to. The players we have in this country are good enough to win a World Cup, they just need guidance."

Schmidt: New prop "doing a bloody good job"

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt, cited a 'lack of hunger' and naivety as the reason for his sides second half collapse in Glasgow last Friday. But the Kiwi had nothing but praise for his new recruit from amateur rugby, prop Simon Shawe.

The eastern province led the Warriors 16-6 at the break but conceded a host of penalties in the third quarter, eventually leading to a 3 point defeat and Schmidt was clearly unhappy with the manner of the turnaround:

"I thought we were naive, in that we probably didn't look after the ball as much as we needed to. We were not well enough disciplined, we gave away penalties that were a bit naive, I think we gave it up to easily.

The former Clermont Auvergne coach, standing next to a soaked training surface in UCD added:

"Glasgow really out-hungered us in the end, they chased harder, they were more proactive on the ball. And I think that's a disappointing thing when we led by 10 points at half time.

One man who is not about to go hungry is Shawe. After moving from the amateur game he is trying to bulk up, in order to cope with the demands of the continental competition. Schmidt was visibly enthused by what he has seen so far of the prop:

"Simon Shaw is just still eating a lot, staying big ,and holding the scrum up and he's doing a bloody good job of it." 

"We're really delighted that Simon came down from Ballymena. There's a big difference between playing AIL (division) two, to suddenly going out in the Magners League and having to front up against guys who've played international footie." Adding: "We're really happy with where he's started and we hope we can push him on a bit together.

The crowd gathered close under sodden umbrellas, desperate for more information on Shawe. Had the man been close by, his face may have turned bright red with embarrassment: "what's he like? Where does he live? What's his phone number?" Schmidt laughed off the inquisition:

"Top man, he's a dead solid fella, I could tell you literally (he is) still an amateur, he's come along and joined us just because he wants to play footie."

And his whereabouts?: "I don't know if I can give you a specific address... he's commuting, staying either with other players or in a hotel during the week.

How much tactical advice could be given to an amateur new to the team? A simple answer from the coach:  "Push harder."

When the Cardiff Blues visit the RDS on Saturday the eastern province are likely to be able to introduce some more Irish internationals to the fray. And the Kiwi's criticism of stand in fly-half Isa Nacewa's kicking from hand, could signal a call for one of Leinster's up and coming 10's. Provided Jonathan Sexton is still held back.

"Isa (Nacewa) kicked one into touch on the full, missed a penalty, when he was going for touch and I think Lukey (Fitzgerald) kicked one out on the full aswell." Said Schmidt, before admitting:

"We toyed with the idea of going with Ian Madigan or Ian McKinley, one of the younger guys. But we just thought, mostly for organisation, Isa's been around for a number of years some of the other guys are young. 

"We sort of lost shape in the second half against Leicester and Wasps so we thought that might give us more organisation - and less kicking."

Leinster fall to defeat in Magners opener

Difficult return for Fitzgerald

Leinster got their Magners league season off to a disappointing start, falling to a 22-19 defeat to the Glasgow Warriors at Firhill on Friday night.

Duncan Weir proved the hero for the hosts, he replaced the misfiring Ruaridh Jackson after an hour and managed to kick 8 points, consisting of a penalty a conversion and a drop goal in that time.

Leinster will be most disappointed by the fact that they were in so much control in the first half. Asserting authority at every set piece. Dominic Ryan and Isaac Boss scored tries which had the visitors leading 16-6 at half time.

But the hosts got their act together after the break, and would have won by more had Jackson taken more than one penalty opportunity in the third quarter, but Weir arrived in the frame with his side trailing by seven and constructed the try for DTH Van Der Merwe before adding his own points.

The visitors got the scoreboard rolling thanks to the boot of Fergus McFadden. But Luke Fitzgerald failed his first real test as a fullback, dropping Jackson's high ball, and conceding a penalty which the fly-half converted to level the game.

Dominant at the set piece, it was only a matter of time before the visitors crossed the try line. It was Jamie Heaslip, peeling off the back of a lineout, who fed his back row partner, Ryan. The flanker showed tremendous pace to finish the score from 30 yards. 

 A comedy of errors stretched Leinster's lead further. After another scrum overwhelmed the Warriors, Isaac Boss caused havoc down the right wing before chipping a kick, which after landing on the foot of Max Evans, went sideways in the dead ball zone where Federico Aramburu's attempted clearance hit the prostrate Jackson and allowed Boss to get a vital fingertip to score a try on his debut.

McFadden missed both of his conversion attempts so the dominant side led by just 10 points at half time. It should have been enough, but the hosts provided more resistance in the second half.

The gap was erased on 68 minutes when the Warriors finally turned dominance into a Van Der Merwe try. Evans making up for his first half errors by manufacturing good go forward ball before Weir invited his winger to touch down in the corner.  then Weir really put the game into gear when he took over kicking duties,dissecting the posts from a difficult touchline conversion.

With the home side in the ascendancy and Jamie Heaslip substituted, last years runners up were hanging on. And when Weir hit what Paul O'Connel may have called a' manky drop goal' the writing was on the wall.

The extent of the Warriors dominance was such that, even when Isa Nacewa leveled the score with three minutes to go, the result was not in doubt and the hosts trundled right up the other end and won an unmissable penalty 25 metres out.

A late drop goal attempt from Nacewa would have leveled the game but it went right and wide of the posts, to give victory to the better side.

Leinster: L Fitzgerald; S Horgan, E O'Malley, F McFadden, N Morris; I Nacewa, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, S Shawe; N Hines, E O'Donoghue; D Ryan, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.

 Replacements: J Fogarty, J McGrath, B Prescott, M Galarza, S Keogh, P O'Donohoe, I Madigan, E Sheridan. 

Glasgow Warriors: B Stortoni, DTH van der Merwe, M Evans, G Morrison, F Aramburu, R Jackson, H Pyrgos, J Welsh, F Thomson, M Low, T Ryder, R Gray, R Wilson, C Forrester, R Vernon

Substitutes: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Ed Kalman, 18 Ryan Grant, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Rob Harley, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Hefin O'Hare, 23 Peter Murchie

Fahey gets Ireland's Euro 2012 hopes off the ground

Goal hero Keith Fahey

On a sticky night in Yerevan, Ireland did the job they arrived to do. A 1-0 win courtesy of substitute Keith Fahey's well taken, 76th minute goal. It was just reward for a performance which, on another night, could have yielded a larger winning margin.

The signs looked ominous for the visitors before Fahey struck. Dominating possession, territory and doing everything but score. But with the game level, Armenia's counter attacks carried an increasingly worrying threat. The heat clearly hampering the Boys In Green the longer they were subjected to it.

Robbie Keane created the most danger, a dis-allowed goal and a strike against the woodwork sandwiched a stonewall claim for a penalty. It was Keane who created the pivotal chance for Fahey, cutting inside Robert Arzumanyan, who did enough to muddle the situation. However, the ever superb, Kevin Doyle was on hand to toe the ball back to Fahey who, with the composure of a man with 50 international goals, coolly side footed his first into the corner.

The only down side on the night, was a poor showing from Paul Green. Dropped into the side to sink or swim, he unfortunately did the former. Criminally gifting possession to the opponents, mistakes which against slightly better players will cost his team dearly.

Ireland began brightly and had a great chance to take the lead via route one in the eighth minute. Doyle flicked on Shay Given's goal kick, but Keane could not find the angle to beat Roman Berezovsky.Shortly after, Keane was the centre of attention again, going down a little easily under pressure from Arzumanyan, whom he tormented all night. Not least when he hung out a leg to trip the Spurs striker shortly before half time, somehow, no penalty was given. 

On the counter attack, Armenia were threatening, never more so than when Green gifted them possession when he was one of just three green shirts on the halfway line. The host's two serious attack's in the first half came directly from Green's mistakes, and perhaps the step up in standard is too drastic for a man midway through his career.

As the first half had worn on, Armenia, were slowly gaining a foothold in the game thanks to the searing heat. There were worrying signs five minutes into the second half as the Boys In green desperately sought water during an injury stoppage.

As the hour mark approached, Irish hearts were in mouths again: Artur Edigaryan sneaked into the right side of the six yard box. A first time shot was called for but he rolled back to Henrik Mkhitaryan, who pulled all the stings for his side, then picked out Yura Movsisyan to crash a right foot shot against Kevin Kilbane.

Mkhitaryan was finding increasing amounts of space, and in another flowing attack tested Given with a low shot to the bottom left corner. But the most worried Ireland's back four looked was when Richard Dunne powered a kamikaze header towards Given's top right hand corner. 

Luckily the ball cleared the bar, and after Fahey calmly took his opportunity, Ireland, in true Trapattoni style, held on for the win.

Next up, Andorra at the Aviva.

ARMENIA: Berezovski; Hovsepyan, Arzumanyan, Mkoyan, Arthur Yedigaryan ( Manoyan 68); Artak Yedigaryan ( Manucharyan '70) ), Mkrtchyan; Mkhitaryan; Pachajyan, Movsisyan, Manucharyan.

IRELAND Given, O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Kilbane, Lawrence, Whelan, Green, McGeady (Fahey '68), Doyle, Keane (Keogh '85)

Rugby Returns

Heaslip brings out 'the good china'

A Fresh start, Irish Rugby has exactly 13 months to erase the disappointments of their post Grand Slam glow. From now, the start of the Magners League season, until the end of the 2011 World Cup.

Leinster, the most successful of the provinces last season will turn over the new leaf in Glasgow on Friday night. 

Coach Joe Schmidt is still without a win after heavy pre-season defeats to English opposition. But if you have to travel to face the Warriors, a warm September evening is preferable. 

The Eastern province have managed to name five Irish internationals in the starting line up, chief among them being Jamie Heaslip, who had the shortest summer tour due to an early red card against the All Blacks.

Luke Fitzgerald and Shane Horgan will bring some real try-scoring know-how to the table. When combined with the half pack pairing of Isa Nacewa and new recruit, Isaac Boss, the visitors are sure to run the ball if they can get on the front foot.

Despite the presence of these core elements, the Leinster XV has inexperienced look to it. Sean O'Brien will captain the side while debutantes, Ed O'Donoghue and Heinke Van Der Merwe (along with Boss) could need some time to bed in. 20 year old prop, Jack McGrath is amongst a youthful look bench.

Defending Champions, the Ospreys will travel to Ravenhill. Ulster may expect a much improved season this time around but the Welsh side will still be feeling the confidence of lifting the trophy last May.

The hosts have named Stephen Ferris in the pack, and by that virtue have a real chance of winning  Rory best is available to captain the side from hooker but Tom Court and Paddy Wallace will start from the bench.

Australian trialist Adam D'Arcy continues at full back, after the league convert impressed in pre-season run outs. But the summers big signings; Springbok's BJ Botha and Ruan Pienaar remain with their country. Niall O'Connor faces a rough ride in the cockpit as he pits his wits against last years star out-half Dan Biggar.

Former All Black Jerry Collins will captain the visitors in a pack containing Ian Gough, Marty Holah and Johnathan Thomas. Shane Williams and Lee Byrne are deemed fit enough for the replacements bench.

On Saturday, Munster will be the first opposition for the newly formed Aironi Rugby.

The Italian outfit have been able to bring in some big names to help further the cause. Including Munster old boy, Nick Williams at number eight. Italian internationals Fabio Ongaro, Salvatore Perugini, Carlo Del Fava and Quintin Geldenhuys. Former France international fullback Julien Laharrague will also feature.

Munster, like the other provinces will have a mixed bag available, the experienced half back pairing of Peter Stringer and Paul Warwick should guide them to victory despite a light looking backline. The pack will be solid with captain Denis Leamy, Niall Ronan, Mick O'Driscoll and Tony Buckley all present and correct.

Buckley and his fellow prop Wian du Preez are not likely to be required for 80 minutes because legends; John Hayes and Marcus Horan will be waiting in the wings.

Connacht are facing down the barrel as they welcome the Newport Gwent Dragons to Galway. 

The entire squad are on one year contracts and, as a result, the whole province is shifting uncomfortably as they ponder whether IRFU cutbacks could spell the end for a professional structure in the west.

John Muldoon and Johnny O’Connor are ruled out through injury, so the arrival of new number eight, Ezra Taylor will give the back row a much needed fillip. Another boost will come with the return of Internationals Sean Cronin and Gavin Duffy to the starting positions, scrum half Frank Murphy will captain the side in Muldoon's absence.

A good omen for Elwood is that Welsh sides seem to hate travelling to The Sportsground. Connacht have won their last five games against Welsh opposition and the Dragons will be out to end a run of defeats along the Atlantic coast stretching back to 2004.

Leinster XV (v Glasgow): L Fitzgerald; S Horgan, E O’Malley, F McFadden, N Morris; I Nacewa, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, S Shawe; N Hines, E O’Donoghue; D Ryan, S O’Brien, J Heaslip. Replacements: J Fogarty, J McGrath, B Prescott, M Galarza, S Keogh, P O’Donohoe, I Madigan, E Sheridan. 

Ulster XV (v Ospreys): A D’Arcy; T Seymour, D Cave, I Whitten, D McIlwaine; N O’Connor, P Marshall; B Young, R Best (Capt), D Fitzpatrick, J Muller, T Barker, S Ferris, W Faloon, P Wannenburg. Replacements: N Brady, T Court, P McAllister, R Caldwell, R Diack, I Porter, P Wallace, J Shiels.

Munster XV (v Aironi: F Jones; D Howlett, J Murphy, S Tuitupou,  I Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley, M O’Driscoll, B Holland; D Ryan, N Ronan, D Leamy capt. Replacements: D Fogarty, M Horan,  J Hayes, A Quinlan, P O’Mahony, D Williams, S Deasy, D Barnes 

Connnacht XV (v Dragons) G Duffy, T Nathan, N Ta’auso, K Matthews, F Carr, I Keatley, F Murphy (Capt). B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan, M Swift, B Upton, M McCarthy, R Ofisa, E Taylor. Replacements A Flavin, R Loughney,R Sweeney, D Nolan, M McComish, C Willis, M Nikora, T O’Halloran.