Ulster 35 Ospreys 17: So after a season where more headlines were made off the pitch rather than on it, Ulster, the 1999 Heineken Cup kingpins and forerunners of Ireland’s glorious history in the competition, will still have a place at the top table of European rugby next season.

Connacht lacked so much ‘attitude and commitment’ according to coach Kieran Keane who bristled with frustration as his side lost for the third time in four PRO14 games on Saturday.

Wallaby fly-half Christian Lealiifano played the most important role since his comeback from a bone marrow transplant after he contacted Leukaemia just over 12 months ago when he helped Ulster to a dramatic victory over defending champions Scarlets.

Former Ireland boss Michael Bradley has been named head coach of Italian side Zebre ahead of the new Guinness PRO12 season.

Leinster 31 Glasgow Warriers 30: A youthful Leinster side had to deal with a second-half Glasgow power surge and a floodlight failure, the latter coming only 90 seconds out from the final whistle, before securing a 10th straight Guinness PRO12 win last night.

Leinster 31 Ospreys 19: Watching Leinster sure ain’t dull this season.

Leinster will hope that a seasonal debut for Jonathan Sexton can inspire a more consistent 80-minute performance tonight as they welcome Guinness PRO12 table-toppers Ospreys to the RDS.

Conor O’Shea says he is “honoured, humbled, and excited” to have been appointed Italy’s new head coach on a four-year contract that will incorporate the 2019 World Cup.

Fear is Italy’s best friend for today’s clash, suggests Donal Lenihan.

Italy’s rugby bosses have brokered a deal to end the players’ strike and set their World Cup preparations back on track.

Guinness Pro12

Ospreys 26, Munster 12: Anthony Foley was left scratching his head after seeing his Munster side blow the chance to return to the top of the Pro12.

Coming off the bench after 20 minutes (against England), I was thinking, ‘okay, I’ve done this before’.

Italy have confirmed they will bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023 – the first nation to cement their opposition to Ireland.

Leinster 18 Ospreys 12

Leinster 42 Scarlets 12

RABO DIRECT PRO12:

Italian club Benetton Rugby have decided not to compete in the RaboDirect PRO12 after this season, citing the uncertainty of the tournament.

Italian club Benetton Rugby have decided not to compete in the RaboDirect PRO12 after this season, citing the uncertainty of the tournament.

Leinster 45 Newport G’went Dragons

Motherwell 4 Inverness 1

Tommy Bowe could miss Ireland’s tour to New Zealand this summer.

The Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR) has today announced that is has revoked the Aironi licence to participate the RaboDirect Pro12, due to financial pressure.

Motherwell 1 Celtic 2

CONNACHT grabbed a losing bonus point on their second away RaboDirect Pro 12 fixture this season with the last kick of the match against the Ospreys in Wales last night.

EDINBURGH took the spoils last night to claim their first win of the RaboDirect Pro 12 season at Connacht’s expense who had to settle for an away bonus point.

Motherwell 1 Hearts 0

Perpignan coach Jacques Brunel is to take charge of the Italian national team after the World Cup in New Zealand.

Nick Mallett’s tenure as Italy coach will come to an end after this year’s World Cup, the Italian Rugby Federation has announced.

DECLAN KIDNEY will seek further clarification from International Rugby Board referees’ manager Paddy O’Brien following a day of frustration in Rome at the whistle of French referee Romain Poite.

Neil Lennon will meet with Freddie Ljungberg’s representatives this morning to hopefully thrash out a deal for the former Arsenal star, who has been training with the Hoops this week.

SPRINGBOK Ruan Pienaar could not have wished for a better start to his Ulster sojourn when he scored all of his side’s points in a none-too-exciting affair at Ravenhill last night, against a stubborn Glasgow side who deserved at least a loser’s bonus point for their efforts.

Jamie Heaslip fears embittered Italy will be galvanised by their failure to join the Magners League when they face Ireland on Saturday.

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.

Celtic Rugby Ltd and the Italian Rugby Federation have not been able to conclude a satisfactory agreement for the addition of two Italian teams into the Magners League in September 2010.

Derek Young believes Mark McGhee should be Aberdeen’s new manager because of his management CV – not his history with the club.

The Celtic Rugby Board have agreed in principle for two Italian teams to join the Magners League, it was announced today.

Celtic defender John Kennedy has agreed to join Norwich on loan until January.

The Italian Rugby Federation is planning a bid to host either the 2015 or 2019 World Cup.

Rangers chairman David Murray believes Fir Park’s postponed matches should be switched to Hampden Park.