Ulster could be tempted to play Ireland scrum-half John Cooney at fly-half on Saturday evening when they take on Conference A top dogs Glasgow in the extremely faint hopes of a Guinness PRO14 play-off spot.

Bring back Brian McLaughlin, all has been forgiven!

Prop Wiehahn Herbst could be set for a recall when Ulster face Wasps in Sunday’s decisive Champions Cup Pool One game in Coventry.

Ulster Director of Rugby Les Kiss could hardly have been more candid in describing his team’s performance when he responded to a post-match query in Galway on Saturday night after his side capitulated to Connacht in the Guinness PRO14.

Ireland’s summer debutant John Cooney will start his third successive game when Ulster tackle a star-studded Scarlets outfit on an emotional night at Ravenhilll (kick-off, 7.35pm).

Tommy Bowe says he does not want to end his Ulster career without adding to the Celtic League trophy he won 11 years ago.

Italy’s Sergio Parisse will captain the Barbarians against the British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong this Saturday.

Having being omitted from Warren Gatland’s Lions squad, Perpignan fly-half James Hook could line out against the British and Irish outfit, having been named in the provisional Barbarians squad.

Sam Warburton will become Wales’ youngest World Cup captain when he skippers the squad in New Zealand next month.

Wales boss Warren Gatland is braced to lose a third British and Irish Lions Test player for the World Cup opener against South Africa next month.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has made two enforced changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations finale against France in Paris.

Jonathan Thomas has been passed fit to take his place on the Wales bench for tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland in Cardiff.

James Hook will make his second start at fly-half in this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship when Wales face Ireland on Saturday.

James Hook will start at fly-half for Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

WALES’ coaching staff held a “long debate” about handing James Hook the fly-half playmaker’s role for their RBS 6 Nations showdown against England at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow night.

WALES full-back Lee Byrne begs to differ with the bookmakers who have installed England as favourites for Friday night’s RBS 6 Nations opener in Cardiff.

Wales star Martyn Williams was today facing up to the possible end of his illustrious international career.

IRISH fly-half Jeremy Staunton was Leicester’s inspiration as they compounded a miserable week for Sale with a stunning 54-21 Aviva Premiership victory at Welford Road yesterday.

HEAD coach Warren Gatland has warned Wales players plying their trade in England they face missing out on a World Cup spot due to Premier Rugby’s “ridiculous” decision not to release them until August 4, the latest date allowed, next year.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has not named a captain as part of his 33-man squad for their autumn international fixtures against Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand.

JAMES HOOK is ready to face South Africa’s renowned physical approach on Saturday by playing through the pain barrier for Wales. Ospreys midfield star Hook will delay shoulder surgery by a week as Wales target only a second win in 104 years of fixtures against the reigning world champions.

Shane Williams has been ruled out of Wales’ Tests against South Africa and New Zealand with a shoulder injury.

Wales will be without four key players for next month’s clash against world champions South Africa and the two-Test tour of New Zealand.

RECALLED Wales forward Gareth Delve is weighing up the possibility of joining England castaway Danny Cipriani in Australia next season.

Cardiff Blues lock Deiniol Jones and hooker Gareth Williams have been forced to withdraw from Wales’ RBS 6 Nations squad through injury.

RICHIE REES could have been excused a double-take as he prepared to embark on the biggest week of his rugby life.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland looks set to name Sale scrum-half Dwayne Peel in his matchday 22 for the RBS 6 Nations showdown with France at the Millennium Stadium on Friday.

GEORDAN MURPHY has, as expected, been drafted into the Ireland squad to replace Rob Kearney ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with England.

Warren Gatland could summon two of Wales’ 2008 Grand Slam stars for the RBS 6 Nations appointment with title favourites France next week.

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ENGLAND have been forced into a late change ahead of their RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales today after Riki Flutey was ruled out with a dead leg.

Warren Gatland is excited about Wales’ prospects in this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship despite sensing a feeling of “negativity” around his side team’s hopes.

Wales hope James Hook can be the centre of attention at Twickenham on Saturday and end any debate about his best position in Test match rugby.

Wales have suffered an injury blow ahead of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener against England with Lions hooker Matthew Rees sidelined for the Twickenham clash.

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Wales will pile the pressure on England manager Martin Johnson if they win next month’s RBS 6 Nations showdown at Twickenham.

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DWAYNE PEEL is relishing the chance to rekindle one of Welsh rugby’s most prolific half-back partnerships.