Rugby Fixtures: December 17-18

Another busy rugby weekend in store – the provinces are in European action again, while 16 clubs from around the country are bracing themselves for the first round of the inaugural AIB Cup.

“GUIDE DOGS FOR ME, ARGENTINA!” – Leinster and Argentinian star Felipe Contepomi pictured with guide dogs Woody and Hattie in Dublin on Tuesday. The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind have received an early Christmas present with the announcement of a EUR30,000 sponsorship deal from ECCO Shoes. Contepomi, the 2005/06 Heineken Cup’s top scorer with 60 points, is back in European action on Saturday as Leinster take on Bourgoin again at the Stade Pierre Rajon.

RUGBY FIXTURES: Saturday, December 17-Sunday, December 18

SATURDAY:

Heineken Cup: Pool 4: Saracens v ULSTER, Vicarage Road, 1.00pm (live Sky Sports); Pool 5: Bourgoin v LEINSTER, Stade Pierre Rajon, 3.00pm (live Sky Sports); Pool 4: MUNSTER v Newport Gwent Dragons, Thomond Park, 5.15pm (live RTE/Sky Sports)

European Challenge Cup: Pool 5: CONNACHT v Worcester Warriors, The Sportsground, 2.00pm

AIB All-Ireland Cup: First Round (kick-offs 2.00pm): Belfast Harlequins v Suttonians, Deramore Park, 2.30pm; Clontarf v Dungannon, Castle Avenue, 2.30pm; De La Salle Palmerston v Buccaneers, Kilternan; Dolphin v Garryowen, Musgrave Park; Terenure College v Malone, Lakelands Park

Friendly: Ireland Under-19 ‘A’ v Australia Schools, Donnybrook, 2.00pm

Ireland Schoolboy Trial: Probables v Possibles, Stradbrook, Blackrock College RFC, 2.00pm

SUNDAY:

AIB All-Ireland Cup: First Round (kick-offs 2.00pm): Galwegians v Cashel, Crowley Park; Shannon v Cork Constitution, Thomond Park