With no hope of qualifying for knockout stages, this will be about performance and pride

Deegan gives best ever showing in a blue jersey against injury-ravaged visitors

James Ryan’s injury a concern as Leinster make easy work of Connacht at the RDS

Conor Fitzgerald and Caolin Blade renew their halfback partnership for crucial match

Godwin and Porch named on the wings for the Irish side, with Farrell coming into midfield

New Ulster signing Bill Johnston makes his competitive debut against Toyota Cheetahs

Andy Friend’s side fail to break duck at Welsh venue as they come home empty handed

The Irish provinces begin their season this weekend, with three in action on Saturday

Leinster flanker making good progress from the knee injury which dashed his World Cup dream

Rory Best says goodbye to the Kingspan as a player, but his Ulster days aren’t over yet

Victory over formidable Premiership outfit Sale would represent a massive scalp

Andy Friend makes sweeping changes to side narrowly defeated by Munster last week

‘We are alive in two competitions and want to reach the knock out stages in both’

Connacht had their 29-12 lead evaporate in dramatic final dozen minutes at the RDS

Connacht go into Challenge Cup encounter with four wins in a row in all competitions

Friend’s squad in confident mood following the successive victories in South Africa

Backs coach Carolan expects province to win but is wary of Italian side’s unpredictability

Kiwi coach’s premature departure comes just as it seems his methods would bear fruit

John Muldoon gets a proper send-off as the province register historic victory over rivals

Captain’s 327th and last game for province ends with stunning 47-10 win over Leinster

Jimmy Duffy: ‘We are looking for continuous improvement and that is the driving factor’

‘I suspect now we will be taken seriously as a club, perhaps as an organisation’

Other Irish provinces now benefitting hugely from numbers going through the system

Green shoots in the province’s development process evident in Challenge Cup games

Bemused coach Kieran Keane looks ahead to ‘build momentum’ for away tie against Brive

Pro 14 preview: Saturday, Galway Sportsground, 7.35pm, Live on TG4

Control of territory and possession against Worcester Warriors not reflected in score

Eoghan Masterson and Matt Healy grab tries at the Sportsground

A fit again Tiernan O’Halloran is back in the side as is Bundee Aki for visit of Worcester

Head coach Bernard Jackman hoping to lead Welsh outfit to a first league victory

Bumper crowd of 3,800 at the Sportsground for pre-season victory

Pat Lam’s side looking for their fourth win in a row when they host Zebre at Sportsground

Meanwhile, injury crisis seems to be easing with a number of players back in training

Connacht head coach receives honorary doctorate at NUI Galway with “heavy heart”

Identifying hidden gems from outside province will remain part of strategy

Those who saw the lock play as a youth knew his Ireland debut would be impressive

Pat Lam also hopes Nathan White will be available for Pro12 clash with Edinburgh

“He’s had a very good season, and is a big loss,” said coach Pat Lam

Head coach Pat Lam hails side’s character after their third straight five-pointer

Provincial selections raise no shortage of questions as Wales game looms into view