Rugby: Leinster recorded a fine 32-20 win over Bridgend in Wales last night in a game in which the lead changed hands five times. Leinster scored four tries, two in each half, with prop Gary Halpin clinching the win. But Eric Miller got a bad shoulder injury in the first half, and will not play in Saturday's match against Swansea.
Scorers: Bridgend 20 (J Funnell, H Harries, try each; G Cull, 2 cons; P Williams 2 pens). Leinster 32 (N Turner, L Toland, V Costello, G Halpin, try each; G Dempsey, 2 cons, pen; M McHugh, con; N Turner, dropped goal.
Rugby: South Africa have named their team for Saturday's Test against New Zealand, but coach Nick Mallett gave centre De Wet Barry more time to prove his fitness for the crunch Tri-Nations match at Ellis Park. Robbie Fleck, dropped from the squad after the disastrous away Tests in Australia and New Zealand, will take the place outside outhalf Braam van Straaten if Barry fails his fitness test.
South Afri Fleck or De Wet Barry, B Paulse; B van Straaten, W Swanepoel; R Kempson, C Marais, C Visagie, A Venter, M Andrews, J Eramus, C Krige, A Vos (captain). Replacements: J Smit, O le Roux, A van den Berg, W Brosnihan, J van der Westhuizen, J van der Westhuyzen, P Montgomery.
Cycling: National criterium champion Paul Healion used his speed to good effect last night when he forced Clare to victory in the Leinster championships. Healion was part of a six-man group which broke clear of the start of the 28-mile race in Dunboyne.
Healion broke clear with eight miles to go, crossing the line 49 seconds ahead of Robbie Looby and Shane Baker.
Tennis: Germany-based Kevin Sorensen, a son of former Irish Davis Cup player Sean, is poised to put in an interesting challenge for the East of Ireland Senior Open championship at Londonbridge Road this week. The talented teenager got through to the quarter-finals by ousting Fiachra Lennon in straight sets last evening.
But there can be little doubt about the winner of the event, for Owen Casey is expected not to drop even a set en route to Saturday's final.
