A round-up of today's other Rugby stories in brief...
Kidney seals Munster's win
A PENALTY from Kevin Kidney with the last kick of the game secured an 18-17 victory for Munster over Leinster in yesterday's under-19 interprovincial clash at Clonmel RFC in Ardgeeha.
Slick handling from an impressive Leinster backline helped the visitors into a 12-7 lead at the interval as Munster were left to rue three missed penalty opportunities.
Leinster added another try 10 minutes into the second half to extend their lead to 17-10 before Munster captain Patrick Butler powered over for an unconverted try. However Kidney's dramatic kick sealed the home side's victory at the death. Leinster gained some compensation when they recorded a 21-6 win in the under-18 clash.
• SHANNON will host Garryowen under floodlights on Friday, October 17th (7.30pm kick-off) in the first All-Ireland League game to take place in the newly-redeveloped Thomond Park. The night-time initiative is intended to attract improved crowds for the Limerick derby.
Wasps coach unfazed by Cipriani-Lewsey bust-up
WASPS HEAD coach Shaun Edwards insisted the bust-up between Danny Cipriani and Josh Lewsey was nothing out of the ordinary and declared: "We always have a fight in Heineken Cup week."
The two England internationals came to blows on the training ground after Lewsey had criticised Cipriani for missing tackles during a defensive drill.
Cipriani (20) arrived at training yesterday with a cut just above his lip but director of rugby Ian McGeechan confirmed neither player will face disciplinary action.
Wasps have suffered five defeats from six matches and cranked up the intensity of their training as they head into European action against Castres on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Worcester have fined and banned their Wales international prop Chris Horsman ahead of his RFU disciplinary hearing in Bristol tomorrow. The 31-year-old was cited for allegedly kicking Harlequins prop Mike Ross during Worcester's Premiership defeat at Sixways last Thursday.
Six Nations may need new backer
THE SIX Nations may be forced to look for a new backer because of the growing economic crisis. The current sponsorship deal with RBS, which is worth about €5 million a year, runs out at the end of the season and there are no indications when, or if, a new deal will be struck.
RBS, which is among the banks pressing the British government for a €63 billion rescue deal to revive the financial markets, has sponsored the Six Nations since 2003, when Lloyds TSB, which had paid €38 million over five years, pulled out citing a lack of media recognition for its backing.
"We have had discussions with RBS, but this is the wrong time to say anything on the subject," said the Six Nations committee chairman, David Pickering.
"It is a case of waiting to see what happens and we are not going to put a timescale on this.
"These are difficult times economically and sport is not immune to what is happening, but we are reasonably confident."
