Before looking forward to the inaugural Champions Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday, I feel compelled to examine the implications of an announcement last week that attracted minimal attention on this side of the world.

Greg Feek made no bones about it yesterday.

Thomond Park plays host to rugby of a slightly different variety this weekend when 12 teams battle for the inaugural Limerick World Sevens.

Connacht’s biggest signing of former All Black Mils Muliaina is one step — albeit a big one — in Connacht’s development, insists coach Pat Lam.

Former Munster forwards coach Laurie Fisher and ex-Australian fly half Stephen Larkham helped broker Andrew Smith’s move from Brumbies to Munster next season.

Connacht captain Craig Clarke has been sidelined ‘indefinitely’ after suffering his tenth concussion in 22 months.

Even for a coach as experienced as Joe Schmidt, international rugby represents a whole new canvass for the affable New Zealander.

Connacht 7 Ulster 18

New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter will take a six-month sabbatical following the All Blacks’ European tour in November.

Ireland have appointed John Plumtree as their new forwards coach, the Irish Rugby Football Union has announced.

Ladies Gaelic Football Association chiefs have announced an exciting innovation for this summer’s TG4 All-Ireland championships as RefCam will hit TV screens from July 27.

Australian rugby chiefs are to fire national coach Robbie Deans and replace him with Queensland’s Ewen McKenzie following the Wallabies’ series loss to the British and Irish Lions.

Graham Rowntree has ordered the British and Irish Lions to empty the tanks against Australia tomorrow in what he regards as the biggest match of the players’ lives.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

The IRFU have wasted no time in beginning their search for a new national team head coach, bringing in a headhunter to pinpoint a “world-class” candidate to replace Declan Kidney, with Australian Ewen McKenzie a short-priced favourite with bookmakers.

Jamie Heaslip is desperate for Jonny Sexton to stay at Leinster despite admitting he himself has looked into the possibility of leaving the province and playing in Japan.

Connacht have announced that Pat Lam will replace Eric Elwood as their coach.

Heineken Cup Pool 3: Harlequins V Connacht

Brent Pope has called for a rugby world cup club tournament which would see the top teams in Europe compete against the top teams in the Super 15.

The three key battles that will decide the Guinness Series opener

Munster’s hopes of versatile back-rower CJ Stander arriving early in Ireland have been dashed as his Blue Bulls side have secured a Currie Cup semi-final spot in South Africa.

Brian O’Driscoll yesterday revealed he considered a move to Super Rugby in the southern hemisphere last year.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has confirmed utility James O’Connor will miss at least the first two Tests of the Rugby Championship through injury, while Quade Cooper is doubtful for the tournament opener against New Zealand on Saturday week.

Wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner have been included in Australia’s training squad as they prepare for the Rugby Championship.

New Zealand international Sonny Bill Williams has confirmed he will join Japanese side the Wild Knights side for 12 months after this year’s Super 15 competition.

Munster have signed former SA Schools captain and U-20 wing forward CJ Stander, it was announced today.

Munster last night put the finishing touch to their squad for next season when the province agreed terms with highly-rated Blue Bulls and South Africa Under-20 flanker CJ Stander.

By Rory Keane, Auckland

By Rory Keane, Auckland

It is possible New Zealand legend Brad Thorn could be back in Leinster colours next season.

The All Blacks side to tackle Ireland in a three-test series will be named on June 3.

Any of us watching rugby over recent months will have noticed the scrum has become such a negative influence on the game.

World Cup winning-coach Wayne Smith said Munster is just one of a long list of teams his name seemed to be linked with, but admitted he would be tempted by another overseas job.

MUNSTER plan to finalise a shortlist of candidates to replace coach Tony McGahan by the end of this week.

There have been no emails this week to the respective coaches but Ireland coach Declan Kidney is confident his players can get on the same page as RBS 6 Nations debutant referee Chris Pollock at Aviva Stadium today.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has indicated that James O’Connor will be given the chance to fill Quade Cooper’s place at fly-half on the forthcoming tour of England and Wales.

HE only arrived in the country last month on a short-term contract and after being cut by the Queensland Reds.

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan yesterday moved to separate the fact from the fiction in terms of the province’s reasons for not splashing the cash on a pre-World Cup Hollywood signing.

Quade Cooper has been ruled out for at least six months after Australian Rugby Union confirmed he requires a knee reconstruction.

Tomas O’Leary and new signing Will Chambers have both been included in the match-day squad for Munster A’s clash against Connacht A in Galway on Friday (2pm).

WILL CHAMBERS, Munster’s latest signing, arrived in Ireland yesterday and is likely to make his debut for the RaboDirect Pro12 champions in an A game against Connacht in Galway on Friday week.

Ulster have been dealt a serious setback with the news that summer signing Jared Payne is likely to be out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

ITALY coach Nick Mallett isn’t holding out much hope for victory against Australia tomorrow.

Italy coach Nick Mallett believes his side have been handed the toughest opening assignment of any team at the World Cup as they prepare to face Tri Nations champions Australia in Pool C on Sunday.