Joe Schmidt has lauded Isa Nacewa for his contribution to Leinster on and off the field after confirmation the 30-year old is to retire from rugby and return home to New Zealand at the end of the season due to family reasons.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has made just one change in personnel, from the side that started the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final against Brive, for tomorrow afternoon’s semi-final match against Harlequins at Thomond Park Stadium, kick-off 1pm.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has named his side for Saturday’s Magners League match against the Scarlets at the Parc Y Scarlets, kick-off 6.15pm.

MUNSTER’S favourite prop stepped into the history books in the only way he knew how — quietly.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has named his team for tomorrow's Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final clash against Brive at the Stade Municipal, kick-off 2pm.

Conor O’Shea isn’t inclined to look back to Bloodgate nor forward to a possible role in the Irish set-up. For the moment, it’s all about Wasps tonight at The Stoop. Harlequins’ director of rugby spoke to Simon Lewis

RONAN O’GARA may be battered and bruised, but he’s ready to face-up to the fierce physicality Brive will bring to Saturday’s Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final at Stade Amedee-Domenech.

LEICESTER prop Marcos Ayerza will miss this weekend’s Heineken Cup quarter-final clash against Leinster after being given a two-week suspension by the Rugby Football Union.

MUNSTER skipper Paul O’Connell believes team-mate Felix Jones is the perfect inspiration for every injury-struck rugby player in the country.

MUNSTER will be without international scrum-half Tomás O’Leary for the province’s Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final with Brive on April 9.

LEINSTER will have Welsh referee Nigel Owens in charge of their Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Leicester, following the latest round of appointments for next month’s European Rugby Cup matches.

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley expects to know the extent of the knee injury picked up by outside centre Niva Ta’auso later today but he is confident the Samoan will be fit for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final next month.

Top seeds Connacht have been handed French opposition in their Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final.