Ulster 35 Ospreys 17: So after a season where more headlines were made off the pitch rather than on it, Ulster, the 1999 Heineken Cup kingpins and forerunners of Ireland’s glorious history in the competition, will still have a place at the top table of European rugby next season.

"Subs have been running roughshod all over the place, like a herd of buffalo".

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

How quickly things change. Back-to-back Six Nations champions Ireland appeared in rude health heading into this World Cup when they dispatched Wales with consummate ease only four weeks ago.

Wales boss Warren Gatland believes that group rivals England are faced with a number of questions that need answering as they head into a World Cup on home soil.

George North returns to rugby’s international stage tomorrow afternoon with Wales coach Warren Gatland underlining that player welfare will always be paramount.

Wales have the attributes to turn an Irish strength into a potential weakness. Here are the three key areas of combat. 

Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones believes New Zealand are "probably 20 minutes ahead of everybody else" after signing off in Europe before next year’s world title defence by serving emphatic notice that they remain a class apart.

Wales’ excruciating agony against the southern hemisphere heavyweights continued in Cardiff as they suffered a 10th successive loss to 2015 World Cup pool opponents Australia.

The new rugby season could hardly have begun in a more contrasting fashion for Anthony Foley and Steve Tandy, the respective head coaches of Munster and Ospreys who renew their rivalry in the Guinness Pro 12 at Thomond Park this evening, kick-off 6.30pm.

Bath centre Gavin Henson has been named in the Probables squad to prepare for Wales’ senior trial match on May 30.

The scale of the task facing Munster’s new centre signing Andrew Smith was made clear yesterday when the man he is set to replace was named in the RaboDirect Pro12 Dream Team for the season about to end.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has billed Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations showdown between England and Wales as a big “psychological” game ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

Reigning champions Wales put their RBS 6 Nations title bid back on track with a Millennium Stadium mauling of France that ended Les Bleus’ Grand Slam hopes.

Three battles Ireland must shade to beat Wales

Wales 23 Italy 15

Welsh rugby has had more peaks and troughs than a roller-coaster ride in recent years. The only saving grace being that the peaks have been pretty constant and extremely rewarding.

Sam Warburton could start Wales’ RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy on Saturday as he prepares to make his comeback from injury.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster insists Chris Ashton remains a wing option against France as he puts the finishing touches to selection for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener.

HEINEKEN CUP POOL 1:

When Jonny Wilkinson won the World Cup for England 10 years ago, Gareth Davies was trying to find his way out of the darker recesses of the Welsh League at Ystrad Mynach.

Northampton 27 Ospreys 16

Brian O’Driscoll is still unhappy with Lions coach Warren Gatland after being left out of the crucial third Test against Australia which secured a first series win for 16 years.

Alun-Wyn Jones believes Warren Gatland's "gamble" on Brian O'Driscoll proves the Wales coach can be the man to lead the British and Irish Lions again in four years' time.

Australia 16 British and Irish Lions 41

Stand-in Lions captain Alun-Wyn Jones was happy to “represent four countries with pride” as the British and Irish Lions hammered Australia 41-16 to take the three-match series 2-1.

Former Ireland captain Keith Wood believes Warren Gatland has “made a terrible mistake” by leaving Brian O’Driscoll out of the British and Irish Lions’ deciding Test against Australia.

With Warburton out, if Deans chooses to recall George Smith to the fray, we could see a sizeable shift in that battle at the breakdown.

Australia captain James Horwill watched the Tour de France during a sleepless night spent agonising over whether he would be permitted to lead the Wallabies in Saturday’s series decider against the British and Irish Lions.

The British and Irish Lions are hopeful that Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Alex Corbisiero will be passed fit for Saturday’s series decider against Australia at ANZ Stadium.

Australia captain James Horwill has responded to an appeal hearing’s decision to clear him to play in Saturday’s deciding Test against the British and Irish Lions by declaring he had been “vindicated”.

Australia 16 British and Irish Lions 15

Rob Howley today laid bare the levels of bravery and desire that will be required when the British and Irish Lions go for Test series glory against Australia.

Australia captain James Horwill today offered a robust defence during extensive questioning over the stamp that could yet see him suspended for the third Test against the British and Irish Lions.

Brian O’Driscoll believes Australia captain James Horwill is “a lucky boy” after he was cleared to play the second Test against the British and Irish Lions as his citing for stamping was dismissed.

A fractured arm may have sidelined Paul O’Connell from the rest of the Test series with Australia, his place in the second row for Saturday’s second Test going to England’s Geoff Parling, but the British & Irish Lions are desperate to keep their former captain on tour, so important to them is his presence as a leader and mentor.

An eventful few hours in the Australia camp began with wing Digby Ioane being issued with an arrest warrant and ended with his injury-enforced withdrawal from the remainder of the Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

An eventful few hours in the Australia camp began with wing Digby Ioane being issued with an arrest warrant.

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree today refused to dwell on Paul O’Connell’s tour-ending fractured arm.

Australia captain James Horwill has been cleared to play the second Test against the British and Irish Lions after his citing for stamping was dismissed.

Australia captain James Horwill has been cleared to play the second Test against the British and Irish Lions after his citing for stamping was dismissed.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland revealed that Alex Corbisiero’s superior scrummaging resulted in his selection ahead of Mako Vunipola for Saturday’s opening Test against Australia.

Paul O’Connell believes there is “savage competition” for places in the British and Irish Lions squad as the countdown continues towards next Saturday’s first Test against Australia.