IT could be the most important decision he makes this season so it was no wonder yesterday that Michael Cheika refused to reveal who would wear Felipe Contepomi’s vacant shirt for the Heineken Cup encounter with Pool Two leaders Agen on Saturday.

IT’s amazing how success at international level and by club sides in Europe tend to go hand in hand. In the years when France and England dominated the Six Nations championship, their clubs invariably won the Heineken Cup.

TASESA LAVEA’S switch from the Blues to the Chiefs was the surprise move as the five New Zealand Super 14 franchises were announced.

London Irish centre Seilala Mapasua has been named by Manu Samoa coach Michael Jones for the Pacific Five Nations campaign.

FRENCH rugby club officials are probably wondering right now why former All Black Andrew Mehrtens hasn’t returned their calls.

MUNSTER have signed Scottish international prop Gordon McIlwham. The 33-year-old former Glasgow and Begles Bordeaux prop will join Alan Gaffney’s squad at the conclusion of Scotland’s World Cup campaign, until the end of the current season.

The continuing misfortunes of Andrew Mehrtens and Jonah Lomu continue to dominate the build-up to New Zealand’s Tri-Nations clash with Australia on Saturday.

THE final two places in the Munster squad have been finalised with the announcement last night that tight head prop Mike Storey and centre Jason Jones-Hughes have signed contracts with the Celtic League champions. The formalities were completed over the weekend.