BOXING: The Irish Amateur Boxing Association have named nine men and one woman in their senior team for the Ireland v Russia match which takes place at the National Stadium in Dublin this Friday.

David Oliver Joyce and Eric Donovan were part of an Irish-dominated Four Nations panel which hammered a star-studded Cuban selection (6-2) at the Stadium last year.

Katie Taylor, from St Fergal's Club in Bray, meets Julia Busygina in the only female contest of the night.

Meanwhile, light-heavyweight Ken Egan, who is in the men's panel, will defend his EU Championships gold medal in Hungary, starting on May 22nd.

CYCLING: Mark Scanlon placed 134th on stage three of the Tour of Italy, crossing the line one minute and 12 seconds behind the day's winner, Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner), writes Shane Stokes.

Overnight race leader Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) finished six seconds back and this, plus the bonus Schumacher got for winning the stage, meant the young German took over at the top of the general classification.

Meanwhile, Siobhán Dervan finished a very solid 64th out of 112 starters in the Castilla y Leon round of the women's world cup on Sunday. This marks a rare world cup start for an Irish woman.

RUGBY: Connacht have signed London Irish hooker Adrian Flavin as they strengthen their squad for next season.

The former Ireland under-21, who will be 27 next month, has agreed terms on a two-year deal as he leaves a London Irish club which he joined when he was just five.

"He is a good signing and we are delighted to have him on board," said Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly.

"He is a quality player and will strengthen our squad for next season."

Flavin, who was born in Harrow in London, played under-16 with England before declaring for Ireland.

He was also part of the Brian O'Driscoll-inspired side which won the Under-19 World Cup in 1998.

Connacht conclude their season with home ties against the Ospreys and Glasgow in the Celtic League, and Flavin will link up with them for pre-season in July.

Meanwhile, Australia captain George Gregan has picked up a one-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Highlanders' Richard Kahui during the ACT Brumbies' Super 14 match against Otago on Saturday, Sanzar said yesterday.

The Wallabies scrumhalf will miss the Brumbies' final first-stage match against the table-topping Canterbury Crusaders on Friday. The Canberra-based side need a point to ensure a semi-final place.