John Carver, the latest in a long line of men to be handed the ticking time bomb that is the job of manager at Newcastle United, has been fielding questions about his players’ choice of footwear for some weeks now.

It’s almost ten days on, but the sense of relief has yet to flush fully from Ian Madigan’s system though his attention has long turned towards the Champions Cup quarter-final with Bath.

Michael Cheika described it at the time as the biggest result in his four years at Leinster. Jamie Heaslip, one of the few survivors from that momentous afternoon who plays tomorrow, labelled it only two days ago as a major turning point for the province.

Munster Rugby chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald is confident the province is making the right moves towards emerging from the economic downturn and staying competitive on the European stage despite the greater riches being enjoyed in France and England.

Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald is confident his province will have two meaningful competitions to play in next season, despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the futures of both the Heineken Cup and Celtic League.

Scarlets’ head of conditioning coach Brad Harrington has been given a 12-week touchline ban for abusing a match official in their victory over Ulster back in October.

European competition appears set to disintegrate further with England’s clubs confident the Welsh regions will join them next season.

Familiarity may well breed contempt, but when Leinster meet Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium this week it will mark a rare Heineken Cup venture to Wales for a side otherwise well acquainted with the Principality.

European Rugby Cup (ERC) chief executive Derek McGrath has urged rebellious English and French clubs to return to the negotiating table in an effort to save the Heineken Cup, insisting there is still time to thrash out a new accord to continue the prestigious European club competition.

RABO DIRECT PRO12:

The Irish Rugby Football Union has paid tribute to Ronan O'Gara as an "iconic figure'' as he announced his playing retirement in order to take up a coaching role with Racing Metro.

It’s European rugby alright, just not as we know it.

A rugby referee of 20 years says he is “astonished and disappointed” after being banned for 12 weeks for a comment he made on Twitter.

European rugby suffered another divisive blow last night after England’s Premiership clubs announced a new television deal with BT that included the sale of British broadcast rights to its own Heineken Cup matches.

As the last step along the road to a Heineken Cup final, this was not the procession many believed Ulster would enjoy against Edinburgh on Saturday.

Miracles do happen, though rarely.

With a narrow defeat to South Africa the only blemish in Wales’ World Cup 2011 campaign thus far, Paul O’Connell expects an intense challenge against Warren Gatland’s men in the quarter final.

THE Celtic League are at an advanced stage in negotiations with prospective new sponsors for the four-nation, 12-team tournament.

MARTIN JOHNSON tackled the reality of top-flight rugby after his England side made hard work of defeating Samoa at Twickenh am on Saturday.

The former Scotland and British & Irish Lions international full-back Andy Irvine will become Celtic Rugby’s first independent Chairman.

CELTIC RUGBY, the organisers of the Magners League, last night confirmed the competition will not be expanded to include two Italian teams, comprised of home-based players, next season.

IRELAND and Munster have been rocked by the news that No 8 Denis Leamy is to miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

FOUR months ago Jerry Flannery was in pole position to start for the Lions against South Africa, the best hooker in northern hemisphere rugby.

MAGNERS Irish Cider has extended its title sponsorship of the Magners League for two years until May 2011.

THIS weekend 48 AIB League teams will kick-off the new club season but issues away from the pitch continue to overshadow events on it.

WALES lock Ian Evans believes the Magners League is hampering Welsh rugby and he has demanded a wholesale change in attitude towards the competition.

Edinburgh Rugby owner Bob Carruthers claims the Scottish Rugby Union are determined to take the club back into their ownership again.

ONE of Munster’s brightest young stars, Darragh Hurley, has accepted a two-year full-time contract.

FORMER Welsh skipper Ieuan Evans believes Ireland can win the RBS Six Nations Grand Slam, but he is more inclined to back them for a title win than to record a perfect season.

LET’S get the obvious out of the way first; this weekend, for the final round of pool games in the Heineken Cup, Trevor Hogan should be preparing for Munster’s massive game against Leicester in Thomond Park.

“YOU don’t beat Munster twice in the same season,” has long been a mantra of the European champions and it’s one that will be put to a severe test at Thomond Park this afternoon (3pm, Setanta Sports) when Leinster make their first visit in nine years to the famous Limerick venue for an eagerly-awaited Magners League tie.

Peter Stringer has demanded Ireland prove their underdog mentality has been consigned to history by sealing a clean sweep of victories from their autumn series.

THE 2007 World Cup may still be ten months away but Ireland’s preparations begin in earnest at Lansdowne Road this evening.

MANY Irish supporters weren’t convinced Andrew Trimble represented Ireland’s best option on the left wing.

“HOW do you pronounce the name of that new signing?” Munster coach Declan Kidney was asked recently.

As the Heineken Cup kicks off, concern is growing at the number of injuries and player fatigue. Simon Lewis investigates.

JOHN KELLY has no fears of leading inexperienced troops into battle against Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park tonight (7.10).

Celtic Rugby has signed a deal with Magners (which trades as Bulmers in Ireland) to become the first title sponsor of the Celtic League.

Connacht 33 Glasgow Warriors 7

MUNSTER’S European success may strengthen their financial muscle, but CEO Garret Fitzgerald has indicated that the Heineken Cup trophy sitting in their cabinet will not herald a litany of high-profile foreign signings.

Connacht 16 Edinburgh Gunners 22

MUNSTER will be hoping Cardiff Blues see off Ulster at Ravenhill this weekend as the Heineken Cup finalists want to surpass Ulster and finish at least second placed of the Irish teams in the Celtic League.

DENIS HICKIE and his Leinster team-mates return to Lansdowne Road this Saturday for another round of the Celtic League against Ospreys.