Munster unlikely to change

DIGEST/MUNSTER: Coach Alan Gaffney is expected to keep faith with the Munster team that beat Neath for Saturday's Heineken European Cup tussle against Gloucester at Kingsholm.

John Kelly and Donncha O'Callaghan picked up minor knocks the last day but both are expected to be fit. John O'Neill and Martin Cahill are still not available because of injury concerns. Only 239 tickets remain for the match from a 11,600 capacity. The Munster team will be announced today.

ULSTER: Ryan Constable suffered a concussion the last day and is therefore ruled out of Sunday's game against Northampton at Franklin's Gardens. Coach Alan Solomons must choose between Shane Stewart and Adam Larkin as a replacement for the Australian.

James Topping has recovered from a calf injury and he may be recalled in place of Scott Young on the right wing. Ulster confirm their team today.

LEINSTER: Des Dillon and Aidan McCullen vie for the place vacated by the injured Eric Miller in the back row for Friday night's game against Bristol at Donnybrook. Miller damaged his hand in the victory over Newport. Dillon came on as a replacement that night and is favoured to win the starting jersey.

It is likely to be the only change that coach Matt Williams makes to the starting line-up. Andy Dunne (shoulder), Peter McKenna (back) and Ben Willis (shoulder) are all a week away from resuming.

The team will be announced before lunch-time.

CONNACHT: Steph Nel may have to plan without his former Australian international second row Warrick Waugh for the Parker Pen trip to French side Mont-de-Marsan.

Waugh damaged his shoulder and was replaced before the interval in the defeat by Pontypridd.

Better news for the Connacht coach is that young tyros Gavin Duffy and Johnny O'Connor should be available for selection following injury. Nel hopes to select today but will wait if necessary before confirming a starting XV.

LEINSTER CUP: The Leinster Senior Cup has a new sponsor this year in Leddin Finance. The preliminary and first rounds take place this weekend.

PHILIP QUINLAN CHALLENGE: The schools rugby community will come together on October 18th at Donnybrook in a showpiece encounter to raise funds in aid of the Philip Quinlan Appeal.

Quinlan, a past pupil of Gonzaga, was a keen cricketer, golfer and rugby player until a tragic accident in 1999 that means he will be a wheelchair user for the rest of his life.

Three Jesuit Schools (Gonzaga, Belvedere and Clongowes) will take on the three from the Holy Ghost order (Blackrock, St Michael's and St Mary's) in a specially arranged game. The appeal fund hopes to cover the €1.5 million needed to offset the lifelong medical care that Philip now requires.

VENTER TO RETIRE:The South African and Free State flanker Andre Venter yesterday announced that he will be retiring from the game when his country's Currie Cup season comes to an end later this month.

The 31-year-old, once considered the fittest man in South African rugby, is the third most capped Springbok of all time having represented his country in 66 Tests.