Jack O’Sullivan and Jed Holloway both made their debuts as part of the Munster pack, with the Waratahs import Holloway lining out in the second row alongside captain Billy Holland.

Joey Carbery may not be happy to take the late hits but if it frees up a teammate then he will continue to endure the pain for the Munster cause.

Allen Clarke believes leaving Irish rugby can help take him to the next level as a coach.

The Welsh Rugby Union revealed today that the Swansea-based Ospreys will be his destination.

If Leinster could be forgiven for straining one eye forward to next week’s appointment with Saracens, then their hosts today will bring a one-track mind to proceedings as they seek to rescue their season.

Ulster 17 Leinster 13: Thankfully it wasn’t all about the game itself on a bright summer’s day at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday. At least two stand-out moments came from the two Ulster players who were bidding farewell to a venue they had graced on numerous occasions.

The Ospreys have announced former Ireland international hooker Allen Clarke's appointment as their new forwards coach.

Ulster are expected to announce the signing of a southern hemisphere backs coach within a week or so following the news that they have whisked former Leinster forwards supremo Jono Gibbes away from Clermont Auvergne to take over from departing head coach Neil Doak at the end of the season.

Ulster hope to be able to call on Ireland’s Iain Henderson for Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 date at Cardiff Blues, though the shoulder injured in the win over Australia is still to be fully assessed.

Leinster’s South African star Zane Kirchner says Ruan Pienaar has been left “heartbroken” by the IRFU decision to block Ulster’s plans to re-sign the star.

Ulster’s young international star Iain Henderson has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring tear.

Ulster’s assistant coach Allen Clarke believes last week’s postponement of the Champions Cup opener in Oyonnax will not compromise the side’s psyche in the lead up to Friday’s big clash with Premiership leaders Saracens at the Kingspan Stadium.

Georgia 12 Emerging Ireland 45: Billy Holland had to discard his crutches to lift the trophy at Avchala Stadium after succumbing to a captain’s curse in Tbilisi.

Having watched the opening two games from a distance, Irish coach Joe Schmidt is due in Georgia today to run the rule over remaining candidates for Ireland’s World Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland 33 Uruguay 7: Rhys Ruddock’s hopes of taking part in the World Cup rest upon the results of an x-ray after damaging his right arm just two months after surgery.

Tbilisi could prove the unlikely stepping stone for several players aiming to play their way into Joe Schmidt’s World Cup plans.

James Cronin and Stephen Archer will get their opportunity to show national coach Joe Schmidt that they can be relied upon for the World Cup after both Munster props were selected for the Emerging Ireland squad.

Ireland’s Tommy Bowe looks set to be available for a low-in-confidence Ulster side that will change their priorities ahead of a difficult away trip to Treviso this Sunday, according to assistant coach Allen Clarke.

Ulster and South African scrum-half Ruan Pienaar is suspected of rupturing the medial ligament in his right knee during the narrow Rugby Championship defeat against the All Blacks at the weekend.

GUINNESS PRO12:

Shane Logan and David Humphreys are overseeing a radical overhaul of Ulster rugby and its future ambitions — the physical manifestation of which is a €40m refit of Ravenhill, writes Rod Nawn.

TBILISI CUP:

Richie Murphy admits he would be interested in continuing his working relationship with Joe Schmidt when the Kiwi takes over with Ireland next season but insists he will continue to clock in at Leinster regardless of what may happen.

Roger Wilson will make his return from injury today as Ulster Ravens kick off their British & Irish Cup campaign against Bridgend Ravens in Deramore Park. Wilson will line out in his familiar number 8 position while former Ireland U20 captain Niall Annett starts at hooker.

Ulster's new coach Mark Anscombe has said that the players are training hard as he looks to develop the fundamentals.

The IRFU made no response yesterday following London Irish head coach Brian Smith’s assertion that they “hung out to dry” his new signing Tomás O’Leary.

NEW Ireland Under-20 boss Mike Ruddock admits that development of young talent and the creation of a winning culture are his key objectives in the new role.

Former Wales coach Mike Ruddock has been named as the new coach of the Ireland under-20 team, replacing Allen Clarke, the previous coach and current High Performance Manager.

Ireland Under-20s 53 Scotland Under-20s 23

Ireland Under-20s 37 Samoa Under-20s 10, Parana

Ireland U-20 Captain Rhys Ruddock has cut short his involvement in the Junior World Championships in Argentina after being called up to join the Ireland tour squad in New Zealand following injury to John Muldoon and Jamie Heaslip’s suspension.

Argentina Under-20s 24 Ireland Under-20s 21

Ireland U20 captain Rhys Ruddock has been called up to join the Ireland touring squad in New Zealand.

IRELAND’s U20s have two jobs to do tomorrow (8.10pm Irish time): silence the crowd and secure a first win at the IRB Junior World Championships.

IRELAND’S U20s could do little to stop an English side boosting their World Championship credentials in Rosario as their hopes of claiming a semi-final spot were blown away.

Ireland U-20 21 England U-20 36, Rosario

IRELAND Under-20 coach Allen Clarke has made four changes to his side as they look to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to France against England this afternoon.

IRELAND’S U20s face an uphill struggle to qualify for the semi-finals of the IRB Junior World Championships after suffering injury-time heartbreak in their opener against France in Rosario.

IRB Junior World Championships