LEICESTER boss Richard Cockerill watched the injury-ravaged Tigers earn a pulsating Heineken Cup draw with the Ospreys and hailed: “You can buy a team but you can’t buy spirit”.

Leicester 32 Ospreys 32

Leicester Tigers coach Richard Cockerill recalls Alesana Tuilagi and Martin Castrogiovanni to the team for Saturday's Heineken Cup Final against Leinster at Murrayfield.

Leicester’s Scott Hamilton is after a rare double of Super 14 and Heineken Cup medals in consecutive years. He compared rugby in both hemispheres with Edward Newman

YOU gotta hand it to this competition.

Cardiff Blues 26 Leicester 26 (Leicester won 7-6 on penalties)

TOBY FLOOD believes Leicester’s presence at the business end of the Heineken Cup has more than justified his move from his beloved Newcastle Falcons.

Leinster and Munster have taken up the option of announcing two players and one player, respectively, to add to their official Heineken Cup squads for the knock-out stages of the tournament.

World Cup winner Mark Regan will captain the Barbarians against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

Ireland's southern hemisphere tour squad will be reinforced later today by the arrival of their Heineken Cup-winning Munster contingent.

Ireland 39 Barbarians 14

All Blacks' flanker Jerry Collins is the latest addition to the Barbarians squad for Tuesday's match against Ireland at Kingsholm, Gloucester.

Munster's Frederico Pucciarello, Leinster's Ollie Le Roux and Ulster's Justin Harrison have been named in a 30-man Barbarians squad for games against Belgium, Ireland and England.

TOULON believe they have reached an agreement that will see Daniel Carter play six months for the Mediterranean club if they gain promotion.

NOT FOR the first time, an Irish touring party has departed New Zealand without the rewards of test victory. That said, in the context of a two test series, none have done better.

ALL BLACK coach Graham Henry yesterday reiterated his opinion that Ireland are the best team in Europe.

Ireland have a worry over full-back Geordan Murphy ahead of Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand in Auckland.

South African-born lock Greg Rawlinson has been called into the New Zealand squad ahead of their Tests against Ireland and Argentina.

THE All-Ireland League final between Terenure and Dolphin, fixed for Lansdowne Road on Saturday (2pm) is still in doubt.

WAIKATO flanker Marty Holah will make his first start for the Junior All Blacks when they take on Australia A in the second and final international in Sydney tomorrow.

Otago 19 Lions 30

The Lions arrived at New Zealand rugby’s infamous “House of Pain” today, knowing history was against them emerging unscathed.

AS a consequence of their first defeat on tour to the Maoris last Saturday, it has been a difficult week for the Lions.

IAN McGEECHAN has insisted Lions flanker Lewis Moody will be available for selection against Otago on Saturday.

Nick Evans will bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on All Blacks selection by making his debut for Otago against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

England arrived at the All Blacks’ Eden Park fortress today knowing they faced a huge task to regain their self-esteem.

JOE WORSLEY wants to leave New Zealand on Sunday with his head held high and answers at the ready for England’s many critics in All Blacks country.

Joe Worsley wants to leave New Zealand on Sunday with his head held high and answers at the ready for England’s many critics in All Blacks country.

Northampton coach Wayne Smith has rung the changes for tomorrow’s Zurich Premiership clash against leaders Gloucester in the wake of the pre-Christmas Powergen Cup shocker at Second Division Orrell.

Newcastle Falcons 16 London Irish17

Powergen Cup holders London Irish scored two tries in injury time to snatch a 17-16 win at Newcastle after looking dead-and-buried at half-time.

New Zealand retained their Commonwealth Games sevens crown by defeating arch rivals Fiji 33-15 in the final.