RACING: Shane Horgan looks certain to miss Leinster's opening Celtic League game against Pontypridd at Donnybrook tomorrow week. The Irish international centre is struggling with an ankle ligament injury and could be out for three to four weeks, writes John O'Sullivan.

Leinster manager Ken Ging spoke to the player yesterday, while Horgan was receiving physiotherapy. "It's a ligament injury to his 'good' ankle and it could take between two to four weeks for it to come right. At this stage it looks doubtful whether he would be ready for the Pontypridd game."

There was more bad news for Leinster after last night's defeat. John McWeeney dislocated a finger scoring the team's only try.

Meanwhile, Welsh rugby chiefs yesterday announced a £1 million (€1.5m) deal with American leisure and footwear company Rockport as shirt sponsors of the national team.

The initial two-year agreement will start with Wales's four-Test autumn programme that features games against Romania, Fiji, Canada and New Zealand.

Rockport's name will be emblazoned across two new-look kits.

Wales's traditional red jersey will now have a black collar and black piping, plus black shorts, evoking memories of the 1970s golden era when Wales were European rugby's dominant nation.

The new away kit consists of a black jersey, with green collar and white shorts.