Today's other stories in brief
Century for Farley
Lock Andrew Farley (26) will become the quickest player to chalk up a century of appearances for Connacht when he lines out against Munster on Sunday.
The Australian, virtually ever-present since he joined Connacht over three years ago,will become the sixth Connacht player to reach 100 caps, following in the footsteps of Eric Elwood, Dan McFarland, Darren Yapp, Matt Mostyn and, more recently, Michael Swift.
Born in Brisbane, Farley represented Queensland and Australia as a schoolboy and played for the Australian under-19s.
As for Sunday's game, he had this to say: "Connacht have never defeated Munster in the professional era. I can't think of a better way to celebrate 100 caps than to defeat the European champions."
That indeed would be just perfect.
Hughenden the venue
Glasgow Warriors have confirmed their Magners Celtic League match against Ulster on Saturday, January 6th (kick-off 5.30pm), will be played at Hughenden.
Glasgow Warriors coach Sean Lineen said: "We've now had six home wins in a row at Hughenden and want to capitalise on that home advantage as the match against Ulster will be exceptionally tough."
Dragons shock Blues
Newport Gwent Dragons improved their lowly position in the Celtic League with a scrambled 14-13 victory over an understrength Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade yesterday.
Wales centre Ceri Sweeney put the Dragons ahead with a sixth-minute penalty, and eight minutes later scrumhalf Gareth Cooper chipped ahead for Nathan Brew to dive on the loose ball for a try.
Before half-time, the Cardiff number eight and captain, Xavier Rush, muscled his way over for an unconverted try.
Sweeney added a second penalty just before the interval and a third 16 minutes into the second half to make it 14-5.
Ben Blair replied with a penalty, and with just eight minutes left Blues flanker Ben White crossed in the corner. But Blair pushed his attempted conversion wide, handing the Dragons a much-needed victory.
Women's squad named
Ireland's 36-player women's squad for the 2007 Six Nations has been named, and new faces include Leinster wing Louise McKeever and Munster flanker Paula O'Connor.
The Interprovincial winners - Munster - supply 13 to the squad. Leinster have 10.
IRELAND SQUAD: Marie Barrett (Highfield), Louise Beamish (UL Bohemian), Sarahjane Belton (UL Bohemian), Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemian), Rachel Boyd (Cooke), Orla Brennan (Blackrock), Lynne Cantwell (Richmond), Debbie Clarke (Blackrock), Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemian), Grace Davitt (Blackrock), Sinéad Delany (Boyne), Chris Fanning (Highfield), Jeannette Feighery (UL Bohemian), Nicole Fitzgerald (UL Bohemian), Suzanne Fleming (Cooke), Amanda Greensmith (Shannon), Laura Guest (Clonakilty), Germaine Healy (Rathdrum), Shannon Houston (Blackrock), Mairéad Kelly (UL Bohemian), Jessika Limbert (Cooke), Jean Lonergan (Clonmel), Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemian), Kerry Maxwell (Cooke), Louise McKeever (Dundalk), Caitríona Nic Caba (Newbridge), Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock), Deirdre O'Brien (UL Bohemian), Paula O'Connor (Shannon), Kate O'Loughlin (Clonmel), Eimear O'Sullivan (Clonakilty), Joanne O'Sullivan (Richmond), Janet Reid (Cooke), Tania Rosser (Blackrock), Sinéad Ryan (Navan), Deirdre Scannell (Clonakilty). Head Coach: John O'Sullivan. Manager: Mark Andrews.
