RUGBY: Connacht and Ulster have followed the route of Leinster and Munster by naming extended squads for their respective Celtic League derbies on December 27th, reports Gavin Cummiskey.
Ulster named a 26-man squad, in turn welcoming back Paddy Wallace from injury and flanker Neil Best from suspension.
Wallace's return is timely as a doubt surrounds David Humphreys' availability due to a damaged toe. Should Humphreys not make it, Adam Larkin would be expected to start with Wallace on the bench for the trip to Donnybrook.
Coach Mark McCall will hold off until the deadline of noon on December 26th before releasing his match-day 22 to give his talisman the total allotted time to recover.
Connacht coach Michael Bradley has named a 25-man squad, with injury doubts still surrounding Matt Lacey and Darren Yapp, both with shoulder problems.
ULSTER SQUAD: B Cunningham, T Bowe, A Maxwell, T Howe, P Steinmetz, K Maggs, J Bell, A Larkin, P Wallace, D Humphreys, N Doak, K Campbell, R McCormack, S Best, R Moore, P Shields, R Best, N Brady, R Frost, M McCullough, G Longwell, M Mustchin, G Pfister, N Best, C Feather, R Wilson.
CONNACHT SQUAD: M Mostyn, J Meagher, N O'Brien, D Yapp, T Robinson, C McPhilips, J Downey, P Warwick, E Elwood, T Tierney, M Walls, C Keane, A Clarke, R Hogan, B Jackman, J Fogarty, S Knoop, P Bracken, P Myburgh, C Short, A Farley, J Muldoon, M Swift, M Lacey, J O'Sullivan.
CRICKET: As part of Ireland's preparation for the ICC Trophy in July next year, the national side will play the current England county champions, Warwickshire, in a one-day match next April, James Fitzgerald reports.
The match will be played at the Test ground, Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Sunday, April 24th, and according to the Irish Cricket Union, Warwickshire have undertaken to select a strong side for the game consisting of "first 11 players and players on the verge of selection".
MOTOR SPORT: Dutch driver Christijan Albers will race for Minardi in Formula One next season, the Anglo-Italian team announced yesterday. The 25-year-old will be the first Dutchman to race in Formula One since Jos Verstappen left Minardi at the end of the 2003 season.
