Friday Lunch: Donadea's Will Connors Returns From Injury As Substitute For Leinster V Zebre

Action in the men's JFC this evening

RUGBY

The Irish provincial teams have been named for the opening round of the United Rugby Championship.

Jason Jenkins and Charlie Ngatai are both in line for their Leinster debuts versus Zebre, tomorrow afternoon.

Donadea's Will Connors returns from injury, with a place on the bench.

Malakai Fekitoa will make his Munster debut in tomorrow's game against Cardiff.

The former New Zealand centre has been named to start by new head coach Graham Rowntree.

Having recently returned from injury, Jacob Stockdale is in the Ulster side to play Connacht.

The westerners have handed Offaly's Peter Dooley, Josh Murphy and Byron Ralston their first starts.

The competition begins this evening with Benetton up against Glasgow Warriors.

GAELIC GAMES

In Hawkfield tonight at 8pm, Grangenolvin face Kill in the weekend's first semi-final of the Tom Cross Transport Junior Football Championship.

Tomorrow, Straffan play Robertstown in the second semi-final.

The match throws-in at 2pm, in St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge.

Elsewhere on Saturday Ballyteague meet Caragh in The Auld Shebeen Bar, Athy Intermediate Football Semi-Final.

The game in St. Conleth's Park, throws-in at 4pm.

KFM will have updates on 'Saturday Sportsbeat' with Paul Power.

The second semi-final will be held on Sunday in St. Conleth's Park.

Sallins v Castledermot at 2pm.

Ger McNally will have live updates of that game on 'Sunday Sportsbeat' with Eoin Beatty.

Then at 4pm, in St. Conleth's Park, holders Naas & Celbridge play the first semi-final of the Joe Mallon Motors, SFC.

Ger Mc Nally & Philie Wolfe will have live commentary on 'Sunday Sportsbeat' from 4pm.

SOCCER

In the FAI Cup quarter finals tonight, Waterford host Dundalk, with Treaty United up against UCD.

Cork City will guarantee themselves promotion from the First Division if they beat Galway United this evening.

Both games kick-off at 7.45pm.


In the Premier League this evening, Aston Villa face Southampton, with Nottingham Forest at home to Fulham.

Both games start at 8pm.

Villa arrested a slump by earning a 1-1 draw against Manchester City on their last appearance.

Manager Steven Gerrard is hoping that's a positive sign:

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper says "there's absolutely no truth" in speculation linking him with the vacant Brighton job.

His side are aiming to pick up just their second Premier League win of the season when they host Fulham this evening.


The new Women's Super League season kicks off tonight.

Last season's runners up Arsenal at home to Brighton, from 7.30pm.

Ireland's Katie McCabe is expected to be involved with the Gunners side.

GOLF

On day two of the Italian Open in Rome, England's Matt Fitzpatrick is leading on 10 under par.

Rory McIlroy heads the Irish challenge on 4 under par - he'll tee-off at 1.20pm.

At 1 under, Jonathan Caldwell will tee-off at 2pm.

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Leona Maguire is 3 over par following her opening round at the LPGA Tour's Portland Classic, 10 shots off the pace.

Maguire tees-off just before 4pm.

HORSE RACING

Downpatrick stages 7 races over jumps from 1.50pm.

Dundalk hosts 8 races on the all weather from 4.55pm.