News: Connacht coach Michael Bradley remains cautious despite his team's superb 18-10 victory over Beziers in France last weekend as they prepare for the second leg of the Parker Pen European Challenge Cup tie at the Sportsground on Saturday (2.0).
It was a monumental effort by the Irish province against a French side that has lost only one match in the French championship this season.
It's hardly surprising Bradley counsels caution given the quality of the opposition. "Eight points is nothing. They had their chances to go into the second leg with points in the bank but our defence was very strong," he says.
"Their pack is formidable in size and we must make sure they don't get either their maul or scrum going. We are in the position we want to be. We have won the away leg, we are playing at home and we know more about their strengths and weaknesses.
"We were efficient in what we did, we kept the pressure on and got the penalties. It was a tough game and we are expecting more of the same on Saturday."
The western province have made two changes for the return leg with Conor O'Loughlin coming in at scrumhalf, while Paul Neville returns from injury and will start at openside forward in place of Matt Lacey.
Once again children will be encouraged to attend the game, admitted free of charge, and with the chance not only to take in the rugby but meet Santa Claus.
The day promises to be memorable for two 13-year-old Galway athletes who have been selected as mascots for this game. Robert Gill from Barna and Roy Murphy from Turloughmore both won medals at the Special Olympics this year and on Saturday will lead the Connacht team out with captain Tim Allnutt.
Meanwhile, Munster have added three players to last weekend's match squad for the Heineken European Cup match against Treviso at Thomond Park on Saturday (5.0). Left wing Anthony Horgan is fit following a hamstring injury, while Colm McMahon and Eddie Halvey are included in a squad of 22.
Ulster coach Alan Solomons is waiting on a couple of players nursing bumps and bruises before confirming his team for tomorrow's game against Stade Francais at Ravenhill (7.30).
Jonny Wilkinson yesterday revealed life was finally beginning to "return to normal" in the wake of his World Cup exploits.
The 24-year-old England ouhalf, who was at Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE from the Queen, conceded he has had to fit "some slight changes" into his life since he kicked the last-minute drop goal which defeated Australia in the World Cup final in Sydney last month.
"Of course, there have been some slight changes and I'm fitting these into my life. But life is beginning to return to normal," he said.
CONNACHT (v Beziers): M McHugh; M Mostyn, D Yapp, T Allnutt, C McPhillips; E Elwood, C O'Loughlin; D McFarland, B Jackman, A Clarke; M McCarthy, D Browne; M Swift, P Neville, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: J Fogarty, F Boiroux, M Lacey, T Carter, M Walls, D Hewitt, T Robinson.
MUNSTER (squad v Treviso): J Staunton, M Lawler, S Payne, M Mullins, J Holland, R Henderson, E Reddan, P Stringer, R O'Gara, A Horgan, J Kelly, J Hayes, M Horan, G McIlwham, F Sheahan, J Blaney, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, D Pusey, E Halvey, D Wallace, J Williams (capt), C McMahon, S Keogh, A Foley.
