Joe Schmidt has said his Ireland side were "tested on a number of levels" today against Scotland.

The trimming has begun.

Scotland coach Vern Cotter has defended his decision to call up New Zealand-born flanker Hugh Blake for his RBS 6 Nations squad.

Connacht 13 Edinburgh 16

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has named Greig Laidlaw as his replacement skipper for the Dark Blues’ opening autumn international with Argentina at BT Murrayfield on Saturday.

Former Rugby League star, Ben Te’o, makes his Leinster debut in tonight’s Guinness Pro12 clash with Edinburgh (RDS, 7.35pm), as the champions aim to secure back-to-back league victories for the first time this season.

Edinburgh have issued a worrying decree — Munster will have to fight for a productive result in Scotland tonight.

Munster have made 11 changes to the side that lost to Toulon in the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup for their penultimate league game against Edinburgh.

Brian O’Driscoll is in line for one more piece of rugby silverware.

Scotland suffered last-gasp heartache as France snatched a 19-17 RBS 6 Nations win after Jean-Marc Doussain kicked the winning penalty at Murrayfield with just 90 seconds left.

Italy 20 Scotland 21

Scotland forward Johnnie Beattie has rejected the flak aimed at head coach Scott Johnson – insisting the sole responsibility for the Dark Blues’ dismal start to the RBS 6 Nations rests with the players.

Brian O’Driscoll’s ageless defensive exuberance remains a cornerstone of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations power, according to head coach Joe Schmidt.

Munster motored their way to a home Heineken Cup quarter-final as they brushed Edinburgh aside 38-6 at Thomond Park.

RABODIRECTPRO12:

Connacht coach Pat Lam admits his side must put on a repeat performance next Saturday if they want to beat Heineken Cup rivals Toulouse for a second time in a week.

Gloucester 23 Edinburgh 12

Connacht take on Edinburgh this evening desperate to break a losing run of seven RaboDirect Pro 12 fixtures.

Edinburgh 16 Leinster 31

Crisis.

Leinster flanker Kevin McLaughlin is expecting an abrasive showdown between two physical sides when the blues lock horns with Edinburgh at Murrayfield this evening (7.35pm).

Edinburgh 17 Glasgow Warriors 21

Glasgow 23 Edinburgh 14

Connacht 23 Edinburgh 24

Scotland 22 New Zealand 51

Munster 33 Edinburgh 0

Edinburgh head coach Michael Bradley hopes to match Munster’s muscle in Sunday’s Heineken Cup round two clash at Thomond Park.

Rob Penney has been able to name Ireland internationals Donncha O’Callaghan and Mike Sherry in his first competitive squad for Munster’s RaboDirect Pro12 opener at Edinburgh tomorrow night.

Donncha O'Callaghan and Mike Sherry have been named in Rob Penney’s first competitive 23 man squad for the visit to Murrayfield to take on Edinburgh in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Saturday (8pm).

Ulster’s progress today to a Heineken Cup final depends on...

Forget the heroics of 1999, in picking Paddy Jackson to start at fly-half in today’s Heineken Cup semi-final with Edinburgh (5.45pm), Brian McLaughlin could not have sent out a clearer message to the Ulster faithful that his team is ready to write a new chapter in their history.

Flanker David Denton is optimistic of winning his crucial battle with opposite number Stephen Ferris as Edinburgh seek to overcome Ulster on Saturday to secure a place in the Heineken Cup final.

Andy Robinson started a period of introspection over his future as after Scotland collected the Six Nations wooden spoon.

Andy Robinson will take time to reflect on his future as Scotland head coach after a 13-6 loss to Italy left his side with the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon following a seventh successive defeat.

Italy 13 Scotland 6

Centre Nick De Luca has been restored to the starting line-up in Scotland's only change for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon decider with Italy.

Jonathan Sexton and Donnacha Ryan have made a 12-man shortlist for the RBS Player of the Championship.

Scotland wing Lee Jones is making “good progress” following the head injury which forced him from the field in last night’s 32-14 RBS 6 Nations loss to Ireland in Dublin, team doctor James Robson has said.

Ireland 32 Scotland 14

1 THE SECOND ROW

Wales 27 Scotland 13

Scotland have made two enforced changes for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales in Cardiff, with Greig Laidlaw set to make his first Test start.

Andy Robinson has told his Scotland players to do their talking on the pitch in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener with champions England at Murrayfield.

PHIL GODMAN kicked a last-minute drop-goal for Edinburgh last night to clinch victory over Racing Metro and keep them at the top of Pool 2 in the Heineken Cup.