When Johnny Sexton reported for autumn international duty with Ireland last month, new head coach Joe Schmidt was on tenterhooks.

Leicester Tigers fly-half Jeremy Staunton is not sure where — or if — he will be playing next season.

Bob Casey announced today that he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season.

ENGLAND World Cup hopeful Manu Tuilagi looks likely to miss the English Premiership final with Saracens after a “thuggishness” attack on Northampton winger Chris Ashton.

HE’S been called the forgotten man of Irish rugby, the one that got away, the one who slipped through Leinster’s net, but Leicester Tigers’ Irish winger Johne Murphy, isn’t looking back in anger.

FATE, eh? Leo Cullen signed for Leicester Tigers four years ago hoping to further his career, and now his old muckers are all that stand between him and the European club game’s highest honour.

GEORDAN MURPHY may have been born in Leinster but there will be no hint of split loyalties when he leads Leicester into battle in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup final.

ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson admits he is playing a game of “double-jeopardy” as the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup reach their climax.

Ireland back three player Geordan Murphy is preparing for a colossal challenge as his Leicester Tigers face London Wasps in the Guinness Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday.

Leicester 9 Wasps 25

Bradford Bulls star Lesley Vainikolo will switch codes this summer after signing a three-year contract with Gloucester.

Former England hooker Phil Greening has retired from rugby with immediate effect.