The New Year has brought a bonus for Ulster Rugby supporters with the news that scrum-halves Ruan Pienaar and Paul Marshall have each signed new two-year contracts, keeping them at the club until June 2014.

LEINSTER’s Rocky Elsom admits he is ‘likely’ to sign for the ACT Brumbies after rejecting offers from the Queensland Reds due to a ‘difference of opinion over the direction of the club.’

Australia scored twice in the final six minutes to stun New Zealand in the second Test of the 2006 Tri-Nations at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

Australia kick-started their 2006 Tri-Nations campaign in emphatic style with a 30-18 victory over reigning champions New Zealand at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

Wallabies coach John Connolly has confirmed George Gregan is likely to be rested from Australia’s eight-match tour of the UK and Europe in November – if he can find three fit reserve scrum-halves.