Joe Schmidt is sweating over his Six Nations front row as Cian Healy and Mike Ross were declared doubts for the opening clash with Wales on February 7.

At some point next year, work will start on the new main stand at the RDS.

Leinster 23 Cardiff Blues 15: It proved a successful competitive home debut for Leo Cullen at the RDS on Saturday evening, as Leinster held off a game display from Cardiff Blues to secure their first win of the Guinness Pro12 season.

Leo Cullen is the type of special character who can make light of his limited coaching experience and succeed in the daunting task of guiding Leinster back to the summit of the Pro12 and European games, according to Jonathan Sexton.

Isa Nacewa has failed in his attempt to bring ‘the next Joe Schmidt’ to Leinster.

Yes says Donal Lenihan

WITH Alan Quinlan, one of the great modern characters and indeed one of the most influential players of the professional era, set to retire from rugby next month it is interesting to take stock of a new trend in the international game and one that is a cause for concern.

ROB KEARNEY admits sentiment is playing a big role in Leinster’s preparations for Saturday’s Magners League decider against the Ospreys at the RDS.

LEO CULLEN’S shoulder injury has given Leinster’s senior statesman, Malcolm O’Kelly, a golden opportunity to wrap up his illustrious career on a high in the Magners League final at the RDS (6.30pm) on Saturday.

BERNARD JACKMAN, forced to retire prematurely due to injury, pledged yesterday to stay involved in the game he graced with distinction for province, club and country over a 15-year spell.

LEINSTER’S injured out-half, Jonathan Sexton, may return to full fitness in time for the province’s Magners League trip to Connacht on Saturday week.

IT SAYS a lot about Leinster this past week or so that, though their backs have scored 10 of their 11 tries in the two games against the Scarlets, it is a forward who has been named as their MVP both times.

LEINSTER coach Michael Cheika has ordered Isa Nacewa to wrap himself up in cotton wool to ensure his availability for Heineken Cup action against Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday week.

AS Leinster bring back some heavy hitters for Friday’s Magners League clash with the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium, it’s fair to assume defence coach Kurt McQuilkin has put the players through the wringer this week.

IT is easy to see why Leinster played so well in Croke Park on Saturday but a lot more difficult to explain Munster’s Heineken Cup meltdown.

MUNSTER and Leinster appear to have completely different priorities as they face into another round of Magners League action this weekend.

Leinster coach Michael Cheika has taken the decisoin to rest most of his frontline players for Friday night's Magners League clash against Edinburgh at Murrayfield (7.45pm).

LEINSTER defence coach Kurt McQuilkin believes the province is ‘in a good place’ in terms of the race for Magners League and Heineken Cup honours.

Leinster defence coach Kurt McQuilkin is determined to have the Leinster players in the correct frame of mind to deal the many threats posed by Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday.

GEORGE HOOK ruffled more than a few feathers after Munster’s narrow defeat to New Zealand last week when he claimed that Leinster would never have been able to produce a similar performance under the same straitened circumstances.

THE Australian arrived at Leinster in the summer of 2005 armed with his three-year plan and intent on annexing world club rugby’s greatest prize.

IRELAND international Shane Horgan has agreed a new two year contract with Leinster.

ALAN GAFFNEY has effectively ruled himself out of the running to replace Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan after confirming he will return to Leinster next season.

Alan Gaffney’s name was today withdrawn from the running to replace Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan when it was confirmed he will return to Leinster next season.

Former Ireland international Kurt McQuilkin has extended his contract as Leinster defence coach for two years.

ROB KEARNEY has promised that the Leinster backs will come out with all guns blazing in today’s do-or-die Heineken Cup clash with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

SHANE HORGAN is poised to equal Reggie Corrigan’s Leinster Heineken Cup record of 61 caps against Toulouse on Sunday.

LEINSTER have reappointed Brian O’Driscoll as captain for the third consecutive year.

Ireland coach Charlie McAleese has rung the changes once more to the Ireland U19 team that will play Scotland in the ninth place playoff in the U19 IRB U19 World Championship tomorrow in Ravenhill.

Paul Burke's sparkling form for Harlequins in the Tetley Cup final underlined the current healthy state of Irish rugby.

Ireland have claimed their first victory of the Sevens World Cup with a comfortable 31-10 success over Kenya.

Paddy Johns has been left out of the Irish training squad which will meet next week ahead of the Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome on February 3.