Those of us with an emotional investment in Scottish rugby have a complex relationship with the concept of hope.

Devin Toner’s World Cup ambitions remain intact with the news that the Leinster second row faces just a 4-6 week recovery period from the knee injury suffered against Munster in last week’s Guinness PRO14 semi-final.

Scott Johnson started work yesterday, as the Australian Rugby Union’s director of rugby, charged with overseeing Wallabies’ coach Michael Cheika and helping to restore the sport and its national team to former glories in an increasingly difficult sporting landscape for the code Down Under.

Ulster may have achieved their goal in leapfrogging Benetton in the chase for a Guinness PRO14 knock-out place, but there was mixed news in the aftermath of Saturday’s win over Southern Kings for coach Dan McFarland ahead of next week’s Champions Cup quarter-final with Leinster.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan reserved special praise for his young players and the experience of scrum-half Alby Mathewson after his team survived a big scare in Newport.

There was a time when the stinginess of the Scottish Rugby Union knew no bounds, when players were given one pair of socks per year and instructions to hand them back with the rest of the kit at the end of the season, writes Peter Jackson.

It says a lot about Connacht under Andy Friend that they were disappointed not to claim a bonus-point win over Top 14 outfit Bordeaux-Bègles as both teams tested the extent of their squads. But the coach left his players in no doubt that they have to improve their discipline or risk being dropped.

Ulster Rugby got the head coach they wanted in Dan McFarland yesterday and the province is now hopeful the former Connacht man will take the reins much sooner than the mid-January date the Scottish Rugby Union are holding him to.

Eddie Jones insists England are "working around the clock" to address the shortcomings exposed by Saturday's Calcutta Cup defeat at Murrayfield.

No disciplinary action will be taken following the alleged tunnel fracas between Scotland and England players before Saturday's 6 Nations match at Murrayfield.

Scotland flanker John Hardie has been suspended by club side Edinburgh and told he will not be selected for next month's autumn Test series amid a Scottish Rugby Union investigation.

Robbie Henshaw is only a week away from a return to competitive rugby with Leinster but the Irish international is allowing himself a sneaky peek at a possible reunion with Bundee Aki come November.

CONNACHT 32 - SOUTHERN KINGS 10: Connacht coach Kieran Keane was the first to admit that facing newcomers the Southern Kings so early in the season was a welcome gift but he feels the bonus point win secured on Saturday night will propel his new side.

Leo Cullen is expecting a Dragons side revitalised under new ownership and the guidance of former team-mate Bernard Jackman when Leinster open their Guinness Pro14 campaign at Rodney Parade in Newport this afternoon (3:15pm).

Andrew Conway was such a superb schoolboy rugby player at Blackrock College that many shrewd judges tipped him to have banked a hatful of Irish senior caps by the time he reached his mid twenties.

Scotland are heading into the Six Nations Championship with the same optimism that usually strikes Caledonia in January but there are reasons to believe this bout will last longer than most examples of the past decade.

Over the weekend, the Sunday’s Well Rebels, Ireland’s only mixed ability rugby team, returned home to Cork after their successful Mixed Ability Rugby World Tournament campaign in the UK.

Vern Cotter has extended his Scotland contract until 2017 in a major show of faith from the Scottish Rugby Union ahead of the World Cup.

Cardiff Blues may be lying ninth in the Pro12 table, but with a pack boasting three British and Irish Lions, as well as a recalled Alex Cuthbert on the wing, Leinster know it won’t be easy at the Arms Park.

France 23 Ireland 13

If I was asked to describe Ireland’s performance against Scotland in one word, it would be efficient.

There was obviously a good reason for this RaboDirect Pro12 game to be handed the same kick-off slot as Ireland-New Zealand tomorrow but, for the life of us, it is impossible to think of one.

Zebre 22 Leinster 41

RABODIRECT PRO12

Munster coach Rob Penney insisted Paul O’Connell had “absolutely nothing to answer for” following the clash which left Leinster’s Dave Kearney suffering concussion in Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 League tie at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Michael Bradley has left his position as Edinburgh head coach with immediate effect.

RBS Six Nations: ENGLAND V SCOTLAND

Scott Johnson has been appointed Scotland interim head coach for the RBS 6 Nations and summer tour to South Africa, the Scottish Rugby Union has announced.

No matter what way Joe Schmidt and the other three provincial coaches look at it, this is one of those weeks where there is no right or wrong when it comes to the troublesome business of team selection.

While most Irish eyes were fixed on the Aviva Stadium on Saturday as Declan Kidney’s side hammered Argentina, one Cork man’s focus was solely on Paris and Samoa’s bid to topple France.

Andy Robinson has resigned as Scotland head coach.

It is almost 40 years since Johan Cryuff reacted to his transfer from Ajax to Barcelona for a record fee by remarking that he was “no longer a footballer, I am an industry.”

Connacht 11 Scarlets 24

Munster 19 Treviso 6

Connacht 9 Cardiff Blues 13

Nottingham’s former Scotland Under-20 international Mitchell Todd has died in a road accident, his club have confirmed.

Steven Shingler is tied to Wales and ineligible to play Test rugby for Scotland, the International Rugby Board’s council ruled in a unanimous decision.

Heard about the Irishman giving Scottish rugby fans something to cheer about? Michael Bradley’s achievements with Edinburgh are gaining notice

Saturday’s game against England at Twickenham will be Ireland’s 14th test game in eight months and will have a defining influence on how that period is judged.