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

If Joe Schmidt was anxious in the build-up to his first ever Six Nations encounter as head coach, the close fought nature of the opening two fixtures on Saturday would have done little to ease his nerves in the hours before taking on Scotland.

Irish players must take responsibility against Saracens

Scarlets 12 Ulster 19

Scarlets 12 Ulster 19

Ulster Back row Chris Henry will lead the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds in their game against the England Saxons this Saturday in Exeter.

Luke Fitzgerald and Tomás O’Leary are two of the big names who must be content with a place in the Irish Wolfhounds having missed out on Declan Kidney’s first choice Six Nations squad.

Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin had named his team for Sunday's Heineken Cup quarter-final clash against Northampton Saints at the Stadium:MK in Milton Keynes, kick-off 2pm.

ULSTER head coach Brian McLaughlin has warned his side must not lose focus ahead of their Pool Four showdown with Biarritz next month after their epic 26-22 Heineken Cup weekend victory at Bath.

Bath 22 Ulster 26

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named an extended squad ahead of Saturday’s crucial Heineken Cup game against Bath at the Rec. (kick-off 1.30pm)

Johann Muller will captain Ulster for Saturday’s Heineken Cup game with Bath at Ravenhill (kick-off 1.30pm).

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named an extended squad for Friday’s Magners League trip to Bennetton Treviso at the Stadio Mongio, (kick-off 7.05pm)

The Ireland team to play the Barbarians this Friday night in Thomond Park for the Mastercard Trophy contains four uncapped players.

An Ireland squad of 44 players was today announced for the upcoming 2010 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named an extended 27-man squad ahead of their Heineken Cup game against Edinburgh on Friday night, at Ravenhill.

THE ankle injury that forced Denis Leamy out of Ireland’s game against Fiji on Saturday is not as serious as at first feared and, at this stage, he has not been ruled out of consideration for Saturday’s clash with world champions South Africa at Croke Park.

Ireland have refused to rule Denis Leamy out of next Saturday’s match against South Africa.

Coach Mark McDermott has made three changes to the Ireland U21 team from the side played Argentina last week for the repeat encounter in the IRB U-21 World Championship tomorrow.

Ireland Under 21 coach Mark McDermott has named a squad of 24 players for the opening Six Nations match against Italy in Dubarry Park, Athlone on Friday, February 3 at 7.35pm.

The following 31 players have been selected for the next Ireland Under 21 squad session which will take place in Dublin on Sunday, January 15 – Tuesday, January 17 2006.