With Leinster the sole province flying the Irish flag in this weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-finals, it’s natural the thoughts of supporters of other teams are already turning to next season.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry will keep faith with the bulk of his Tri-Nations winning-squad when the World Cup favourites pursue glory in France this autumn.

The Irish Cricket Union this morning announced a squad of 13 for their Friends Provident games with Gloucestershire and Essex, which take place at Clontarf on Thursday and Sunday.