Bell out with injury

Jonathan Bell is out of the Ireland XV which faces Munster at Musgrave Park tomorrow with a knee injury. The Dungannon centre took no part in the Irish training session in Cork yesterday and was therefore ruled out of the match.

Ireland coach Warren Gatland has brought Bath centre Kevin Maggs into the team to partner Mike Mullins in midfield with Brian O'Driscoll coming into the replacements.

Munster, deprived of their international squad contingent, give several fringe players an opportunity in this match. Preoccupying coach Declan Kidney at present is Cork Constitution centre Cian Mahony (ill) and clubmate Ronan O'Gara (injured).

A late decision will be taken on the players concerned, although both are likely to start. Mick Lynch will deputise should Mahony be ruled out while New Zealand born Jason Holland is ready to wear the number 10 jersey if O'Gara fails to recover.

Ireland under-21 internationals Marcus Horan and Peter Stringer win starting places along with hooker Frankie Sheahan and Shannon flanker Alan Quinlan. Several players will be looking to impress Kidney thereby guaranteeing a competitive fixture.

Munster: (v Ireland XV at Musgrave Park tomorrow): D Crotty; C McMahon, J Kelly, C Mahony or M Lynch, A Horgan; R O'Gara or J Holland, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes; M Galwey capt, J Langford; A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: I Murray, M McDermott, P Bracken, S Leahy, M O'Driscoll, D O'Callaghan, P Neville, U O'Callaghan, S McCarthy, K O'Riordan, J Lacey.

Leinster Juniors: (v Munster at Naas on Saturday): S Beggy (Navan); M Higgins (Enniscorthy), J Sheehan (Naas), L Plunkett (Mullingar), B White (Enniscorthy); T James (Enniscorthy), C O'Neill (Arklow); K Ashmore (Enniscorthy), I O'Brien (Kilkenny), A O'Donnell (Arklow); J Clarke (Coolmine), J Mahon (Ashbourne); N Peavoy (Portlaoise), I Bailey (Enniscorthy), B Brennan (Railway Union). Reps: J Reilly (North Kildare), H Martin (Coolmine), G Byrne (Railway Union), P McLoughlin (Ashbourne), N Lawlor (Athy), P Lynn (Mullingar), D Dempsey (Wexford).

Ailing Scottish club rugby was yesterday boosted by a three-year sponsorship deal from the Royal Bank of Scotland worth more than £20,000 a season. The Royal Bank League competition involving seven of Scotland's top clubs will provide competitive fixtures in the blank weekends caused by the World Cup and other international dates. Boroughmuir, Heriots, Musselburgh, Currie, Glasgow Hawks, Watsonians and West of Scotland will all take part in the league which begins at the end of October.