Joe Elliot’s side project, Down ’n’ Outz, is a sort of tribute to his boyhood heroes, writes Ed Power

Brian O’ Driscoll might be done with rugby but he keeps on bagging the honours.

Ospreys 11 Munster 25

Brian O’Driscoll sat out training today suffering the after-effects of a stomach bug.

Even if you’re buying at the last minute, you can still stay classy, says Carol O’Callaghan.

Brian O’Driscoll’s ageless defensive exuberance remains a cornerstone of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations power, according to head coach Joe Schmidt.

Newport Gwent Dragons gave Ulster a bloody nose at home to send the RaboDirect PRO12 runners-up Ulster packing and avenge a hammering from almost 12 months ago.

Jesus started today signing copies of his book - The Bible - with fans queueing for several hours to meet the omnipotent, immortal, all-powerful god.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes Liverpool striker Luis Suarez may have been harshly treated after being banned for 10 games.

A top Australian sports pundit has suspended his Twitter account over the outrage he sparked by calling Ireland a joke for not teaming up with Britain for the Olympics.

Flanker David Denton is optimistic of winning his crucial battle with opposite number Stephen Ferris as Edinburgh seek to overcome Ulster on Saturday to secure a place in the Heineken Cup final.

GAVIN HENSON was denied a happy return to the Liberty Stadium as the Ospreys continued their home dominance over city rivals Cardiff Blues with a 17-12 victory in a scrappy RaboDirect PRO12 encounter.

Ospreys 17 Cardiff Blues 12

Scarlets 22 Ospreys 14

Rory Lawson is far from complacent about taking his place in Andy Robinson’s 30-man Scotland squad for the Rugby World Cup despite being named as captain for Saturday’s EMC Test with Ireland.

THESE are not golden days for the Scots.

Gavin Henson wants to be regarded as one of the rugby greats.

IRELAND have been handed the keys to unlocking the Welsh defence from the unlikely source of a Yorkshireman working in France.

Back row forward Andy Powell has been removed from the 35-man Wales squad for the RBS 6 Nations with immediate effect, the Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed.

The Welsh Rugby Union will today continue to monitor the progress of a police investigation after Wales rugby star Andy Powell was arrested for driving a golf buggy after defeating Scotland in a thrilling RBS 6 Nations match.

Wales will pile the pressure on England manager Martin Johnson if they win next month’s RBS 6 Nations showdown at Twickenham.

Perpignan 14 Munster 37

Toulouse 23 Cardiff Blues 7

Coach Nigel Davies has opted to bring in Rhys Priestland at full back for the Heineken Cup trip to Leinster tomorrow.

Ospreys 11 Leinster 18

Scarlets 18 Leinster 16

NEW ZEALAND referees boss Lyndon Bray is backing Bryce Lawrence after his actions as assistant referee in the second British and Irish Lions Test against South Africa saw him savaged in the British and Irish media.

Ian McGeechan has announced that former British Lions and Wales fly-half, Neil Jenkins, will join the Lions' tour squad following the conclusion of Wales' North American tour.

The Ospreys today confirmed that they have signed former Ireland Under-20 lock Conor McInerney from Leinster.

GORDON D’ARCY’s slim Lions prospects were eliminated yesterday when head coach Ian McGeechan confirmed he would not be calling up a replacement for the injured Tom Shanklin.

MUNSTER failed to shrug offtheir Heineken Cup hangoverafter crashing to defeat at Cardiff Blues.

Cardiff Blues 20 Munster 12

EAMON MOORE (Letters, April 25) raised understandable concerns about the inclusion of Irish players in what is widely known as the British Lions rugby squad.

IS it not long past time that what passes for the British and Irish Lions rugby team be confined to the colonial dustbin and that a new, modern team comprised of countries which form the Six Nations championship be put together?

I BELIEVE the Irish Examiner, along with many other media outlets, has given a disproportionate amount of coverage to the supposed success of Ireland playing under the symbol of another’s national sports emblem, the British Lion.

THE 14 Irishmen, including the captain of the forthcoming British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, are to be heartily congratulated for bringing such an honour to their country.

EX-ENGLAND coach Dick Best has been heavily criticised by anti-racism campaigners following a remark made on air about Delon Armitage.

LEE BYRNE has taken up camping in a desperate bid to face Munster.

TOMMY BOWE admits he will have to mend the hearts of his Ospreys team-mates after dashing Wales‘ Six Nations hopes.

WARREN GATLAND reckons the grenades he has thrown across the Irish Sea this week have worked a treat after claiming his war of words has had the desired effect.

MARK TAYLOR reckons Brian O’Driscoll will earn the right to regain the British Lions captaincy — if Ireland clinch the Grand Slam tomorrow. Ireland face Wales in a Six Nations decider aiming to deliver their first Slam in 61 years.

Among the thousands of rugby fans descending on Cardiff this weekend is one who has waited longer than most for Ireland to clinch a second grand slam.

Frank Hadden today insisted Phil Godman could handle the pressure of kicking goals for Scotland after gambling on leaving Chris Paterson out of the RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales.

Sale Sharks 26 Clermont Auvergne 17