Irish people are sticking to money saving measures despite the economic upturn.

Ireland has caught the savings bug. A new survey shows people are taking steps to save money anywhere they can — but still end up dipping into their savings.

Only a call-up to the Emerging Ireland tour to Romania stopped Billy Holland from having a long and miserable summer after a frustrating end to Munster’s season.

The widely anticipated sponsorship deal was confirmed today as the PRO12 fixtures were released.

Economic sentiment among Irish investors has reached a four-year high, according to the latest RaboDirect Investor Barometer.

Economic optimism among Irish-based investors has hit a four-year high, with 82% saying they are confident the economy will continue growing and a similar percentage upbeat about their own financial stability, according to a new survey.

Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has been sacked with Ireland assistant Les Kiss stepping in as interim director of rugby at Ravenhill.

There is nowhere to hide for professional rugby players these days. Every move is covered, every strength and weakness highlighted — all by a video analyst lurking in the background.

Leinster fans will be smiling today with the news of their pool draw for next season’s European Rugby Champions Cup.

Ulster and Ireland back-row forward Stephen Ferris has retired from professional rugby.

Leinster 34 Glasgow 12

Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor believes any replacement for Brian O’Driscoll will have to be a perfect fit, not just on the field but for the environment being generated at the province.

Four-try Leinster overcame the early departure of Brian O’Driscoll to beat Glasgow Warriors 34-12 and become the first team to retain the RaboDirect PRO12 title.

The RaboDirect Pro12 will be approached in a more serious fashion by Munster, and all competing sides from next season, according to Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald.

Leinster 13 Ulster 9

Brian O’Driscoll faces days of uncertainty before knowing whether he has played his last professional game of rugby with Leinster.

Leinster 13 Ulster 9

Leinster Coach Matt O'Connor has made eight changes for the RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final against Ulster in the RDS at 7pm tomorrow.

Which Munster will turn up at Scotstoun tonight?

Leinster skipper Leo Cullen yesterday expressed surprise it has taken so long for Eddie O’Sullivan to find a top coaching job following his departure from Ireland in 2008 and his tenure with USA three years ago.

Although Richardt Strauss and Luke Fitzgerald are out, Leinster don’t have serious injury worries for tomorrow’s RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final clash with Ulster at the RDS.

As Munster players plan their holidays and how to pass the time during the off-season, Niall Ronan is working out what life will be like as a former professional rugby player.

Eddie O’Sullivan has signed a two-year deal to revive the fortunes of Olympique Biarritz in France, according to Seán McCarthy of the Evening Echo.

One of world’s top rugby referees, Nigel Owens, believes the time for tinkering with rules associated with the sport must stop, while the Welsh whistler also said too much interference from the TMO could lead to rugby becoming more like soccer.

Sean O’Brien has received the green light from Leinster medics to continue his comeback from shoulder surgery ahead of Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final against Ulster at the RDS.

With just 14 Tests left to play before Ireland open their World Cup campaign against Canada at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on September 19, 2015, Joe Schmidt will take great care in selecting his squad for the forthcoming series against Argentina.

Ulster will be boosted by the return of some established players when they face Leinster in the second of the RaboDirect Pro12 semi-finals at the RDS on Saturday.

Munster 17 Ulster 19

The Consumer Show is back, and Friday brings the final of the UK version of Masterchef.

Ian Humphreys will return to Ulster in the summer having signed a two-year contract with the province.

The ineptitude of the Edinburgh challenge in front of their home support on Saturday evening highlights one of the biggest challenges facing the Irish provinces in the future.

Connacht’s first All Black signing, Mils Muliaina, has been part of Pat Lam’s future plans for two years.

Connacht 15 Cardiff 22

RABODIRECT PRO 12:

Tomorrow night’s clash between Leinster and Ulster in the recently redeveloped Ravenhill has been given an extra dimension with the return from suspension of full-back Jared Payne to Mark Anscombe’s squad.

James Downey believes Munster’s proud Heineken Cup history can be an important factor behind their bid to reach a fifth European final on Sunday.

Connacht 23 Munster 32

Munster warmed up for their Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulon with a bonus-point 32-23 victory over provincial rivals Connacht.

The Leinster team to face Treviso in the RaboDirect PRO12 tomorrow afternoon (KO: 5pm) has been named.

Seán O’Brien’s season may not be over after all.

Turkish Airlines could be poised to succeed RaboDirect as sponsors of the Pro12 tournament.

Any lingering prospect of Robbie Henshaw moving from Connacht to Leinster has dwindled even further with the latter’s team manager Guy Easterby highlighting the importance of provincial loyalties to the professional game.

Glasgow Warriors skipper Chris Cusiter was well aware of the significance of this result. Apart altogether from it being Glasgow’s first win over Munster in Ireland since 2008, it also propelled them into fourth place in the RaboDirect Pro12 table.

Munster 5 Glasgow Warriors 22