London Irish out as Sexton strikes late for Leinster

Ireland international Jonathan Sexton struck a late drop-goal as European champions Leinster drew with London Irish to knock the English club out of the Heineken Cup.

Irish will be kicking themselves after surrendering a winning position at a packed Twickenham.

Former Harlequin Chris Malone had minutes earlier sent over a dramatic penalty to give Irish an 11-8 lead and the Exiles were left to rue to other missed drop goal efforts late on.

Leinster had led 8-3 after a try from Isa Nacewa, while Sexton and Malone traded penalty kicks.

The result means that Northampton Saints, who lost against Munster last night, now qualify in place of London Irish.

Ireland x 5 Matches

Ireland shall compete the five for the Grand Slam and Triple Crown on below mentioned dates with their respective time and Venue.

No.	Date	KO(GMT)	Matches	Venue
1	Sat 6th Feb 10	14:30	Ireland v Italy	Croke Park
2	Sat 13th Feb10	16:30	Ireland v France	Stade de France
3	Fri 27th Feb 10	16:00	Ireland v England	Twickenham
4	Sat 13th Mar 10	14:30	Ireland v Wales	Croke Park
5	Sat 20th Mar 10	17:00	Ireland v Scotland	Croke Park

Marcus Horan boost for Ireland coach Kidney

Ireland coach Declan Kidney will be an avid observer of Munster's Heineken Cup clash with Northampton on Friday after prop Marcus Horan was named in the squad for the first time since October.

Horan has not played since Munster's 41-10 Heineken Cup win over Treviso on October 17 but after treatment for a heart problem the 32-year-old is fit enough for a place on the bench.

The Munster prop - who turned out for Shannon in the All-Ireland league last weekend - was included in Kidney's 44-man RBS 6 Nations squad this week ahead of their tournament kick off against Italy on February 6.

But before Horan can dream of 6 Nations glory the 32-year-old has Friday's win-or-bust clash with Saints to contend with.

Northampton beat Munster 31-27 in the tournament opener at Franklin's Gardens in October but the Irish side now lead Pool One by two points going into the all-important final pool game on Friday.

And there is more good news for Kidney ahead of the Italy clash with David Wallace returning to action for Munster after overcoming a calf strain.

Ireland

The Six Nations Championship, held every year in February and March is Ireland's only annual tournament. It is contested against England, France, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Ireland was a member of the inaugural Home Nations in 1883 - with France and Italy joining later to form the Five and Six Nations respectively. Ireland won their first championship in 1894, winning the Triple Crown also. Ireland's first Grand Slam occurred in the 1948 season and their second in the 2009 season. In total Ireland have been champions on eleven occasions.

	England	France	Ireland	Italy	Scotland	Wales
Tournaments	107	77	107	9	107	107
Outright Wins (Shared Wins)	25 (10)	16 (8)	11 (8)	0 (0)	14 (8)	24 (11)
Grand Slams	12	8	2	0	3	10
Triple Crowns	23	N/A	10	N/A	10	19

Kearney in confident mood, as Reddan looks set to miss out

Leinster have refused to comment on reports scrum-half Eoin Reddan is a major doubt for Saturday's crucial Heineken Cup clash with London Irish.

Reddan, who joined the European champions from Wasps last summer, is thought to have picked up a knock in the days following last weekend's 27-10 win over Brive.

The 29-year-old was named in Ireland coach Declan Kidney's bumper 44-man squad for the defence of their RBS 6 Nations crown which begins at home to Italy on February 6.

But with Leinster needing just a point to progress, full-back Rob Kearney is confident his side can reach the knockout stages with our without Reddan.

"If they want to qualify, they have to win. It's as simple as that," said Kearney.

"And it's pretty much the same mentality that we'll be taking into the game, so it's one of those all-or-nothing games and both sides will have to throw everything.

"And whatever side doesn't fulfil their potential probably doesn't deserve to qualify."