Rugby Digest

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP: Connacht outhalf Mark McHugh will face a fitness test in Galway this morning before the team depart to play Bath tomorrow in the European Challenge Cup.

McHugh has been selected in the side to face Bath at The Rec but will undergo a fitness test on a groin injury which forced him to miss last week's 19-18 defeat to NEC Harlequins.

The 28-year-old will not travel if he fails the test, with John Hearty likely to come in and Paul Warwick moving to outhalf. Conor McPhillips has been put on standby to travel.

Winger Matt Mostyn has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

CONNACHT: D Riordan; K Matthews, P Warwick, G Williams, D Yapp; M McHugh, T Tierney; R Hogan, J Fogarty, B Sturgess; D Gannon, A Farley; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacements: A Flavin, B Wilkinson, M Swift, B O'Connor, C Keane, J Hearty, T Robinson.

ALL-IRELAND CUP: Defending AIB Cup champions Cork Constitution received a home draw against Lansdowne in the preliminary round of the competition, on Saturday, November 25th, reports Gavin Cummiskey.

The winners will travel to St Mary's on the weekend of January 12th/13th when all first-round matches will take place. The tie of the round is probably Clontarf's trip to league champions Shannon.

AIL CUP: Preliminary round: Saturday, November 25th: Cork Constitution v Lansdowne. Round one: January 12th/13th: Clonakilty v Greystones; St Mary's College v Cork Constitution/ Lansdowne; Shannon v Clontarf; Ballymena v UCD; Galwegians v Dungannon; Belfast Harlequins v Nenagh Ormond; Garryowen v Buccaneers; Terenure v Malone. JUNIOR CUP DRAW: Round one, Saturday, December 16th: Dromore v Westport; Youghal v Mallow; Ballina v Armagh; Limavady v Sligo; Monivea v Crosshaven; Tullamore v Coleraine; Cobh Pirates v Boyne; Seapoint v Monkstown.

ALL BLACKS: The New Zealand union have confirmed Tests against France and Canada as part of their preparations for next year's Tri-Nations and World Cup.

France, who will be hosting two Tests against the All Blacks next month, will open their tour of New Zealand on Saturday, June 2nd at Eden Park in Auckland, with the second match a week later at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

Graham Henry's men will then host Canada at Waikato Stadium another seven days later.

RUGBY AWARDS: Paul O'Connell has been named the Rugby Writers of Ireland player of the year and will receive his award at a lunch in the Killiney Castle Hotel next Wednesday.

Shannon were once again named club of the year and the Tom Rooney award, for exceptional contribution to the game, has gone to former referee Kevin Kelleher.

A new award, The Dave Guiney (perpetual) Award for team of the year went to Munster. Willie John McBride and his erstwhile Ireland secondrow partner Mick Molloy, were elected to the Hall of Fame.

TAIT INJURY: Mathew Tait has become England's latest injury casualty ahead of their Twickenham appointment with New Zealand on November 5th.

The Newcastle centre will miss tomorrow's European Challenge Cup clash against Brive in France.

Newcastle have described his injury as a minor thigh muscle tear, although they insist he will be fit for the All Blacks clash.