Rugby Fixtures: December 29-31

A relatively quiet final weekend of 2005 on the rugby front, but try telling that to supporters at the RDS and the Sportsground this Saturday?

…Munster lock Donncha O’Callaghan is caught in a sandwich between Leinster number eight Jamie Heaslip and lock Ben Gissing – with Anthon Pitout and Marcus Horan in support – during Munster and Leinster’s last meeting in October. The men in red won 33-9 back then at Musgrave Park, but who will prosper when the sides come face to face again at the RDS on New Year’s Eve?…

RUGBY FIXTURES: Thursday, December 29-Saturday, December 31

THURSDAY:

AIB All-Ireland Cup: First Round: St Mary’s College v Greystones, Templeville Road, 2.00pm

FRIDAY:

Friendly: Ireland Under-21 v Leinster ‘A’, Stradbrook, Blackrock College RFC, 2.00pm

Friendly: Ireland Under-18 v Pres Bray, Presentation College, Bray, 2.00pm

ODM Munster Senior Cup Semi-Final: Shannon v Garryowen, Thomond Park, 7.15pm

SATURDAY:

Celtic League: LEINSTER v MUNSTER, The RDS, 1.00pm (live Setanta Sports); CONNACHT v ULSTER, The Sportsground, 2.00pm

ODM Munster Senior Cup Semi-Final: Dolphin v Cashel, Musgrave Park, 2.00pm