The Champions Cup returns tonight with Ulster travelling to play the Scarlets needing a victory to keep their hopes of progressing from Pool Four realistic. Rory Best - who will equal Andrew Trimble’s provincial record of 71 European appearances - captains the side in west Wales, with Jacob Stockdale, Iain Henderson and Will Addison all starting. Both Leinster and Munster will name their XVs at midday today as they take on Bath and Castres respectively this weekend, and Gerry Thornley has assessed how the provinces are shaping up ahead of the third round of European action. You can read his pool-by-pool guide here, and you can follow both Leinster’s trip to The Rec (Saturday, 3.15pm) and Munster’s clash at Thomond Park (Sunday, 1.0pm) as they happen via the Irish Times liveblog. Meanwhile Leinster coach Leo Cullen has rejected claims there is a legal painkiller issue within Irish rugby.

Source: The Irish Times December 07, 2018 07:24 UTC