It’s not easy to create a stir when your panel extends to 42 names, but Joe Schmidt’s first Irish squad announcement yesterday did at least throw up a handful of interesting talking points.

Joe Schmidt may be only maintaining a watching brief on the North American tour, but no-one should mistake that for not being busy. It seems like he’s going to scan the globe for a forwards coach, while the other vacant position in a reconfigured Irish backroom team would be a skills/kicking coach.

Rory Best will captain a senior Ireland squad featuring six uncapped players for the summer tour of the USA and Canada.

Richard Cockerill last night predicted a Heineken Cup “classic” when Leicester and Toulouse go head to head at Welford Road next Sunday.

Ospreys 15 Leicester 15

Leicester Tigers back Niall Morris has agreed a new contract with the Aviva Premiership club.

GEORDAN MURPHY reckons Leicester team-mate Niall Morris is on the fast-track to the Ireland side — and has tipped the youngster to show why against Ulster this evening.

Richard Cockerill admitted his frustration after Leicester failed to secure the bonus point against Aironi in northern Italy.

Aironi 12 Leicester 28

Northampton boss Jim Mallinder believes Munster will be “under pressure” to deliver a result in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup clash between the teams at Thomond Park.

THAT’LL do. Leinster last night recorded a perfunctory win to keep their Magners League play-off hopes firmly on message while Jonathan Sexton came through a useful 80 minutes unscathed.

Leinster 26 Scarlets 15

JONATHAN SEXTON returns to the number 10 jersey at the RDS tonight for Leinster’s Magners League clash against fellow play-off contenders the Scarlets (7.35pm).

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for Friday’s Magners League clash with the Scarlets at the RDS (kick-off 7.35pm).

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for tomorrow night’s Magners League match with Benetton Treviso at the RDS, kick-off 7.10pm.

Cardiff Blues 11 Leinster 3

LEO CULLEN will become only the fifth player in Leinster’s history to reach the 150 cap mark when he leads the side out for tonight’s Magners League clash away to third-placed Cardiff Blues at the Cardiff Park Stadium (kick-off 6.30pm).

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for Saturday’s Magners League game against the Cardiff Blues at Cardiff City Stadium (kick-off 6.30pm).

LIKE Ireland in Rome last Saturday, Leinster found out last night that it is one thing being expected to beat Italian opposition but quite another to actually do it.

Leinster 21 Aironi 16

Ireland international Rhys Ruddock leads Leinster for the first time against Aironi in tomorrow night's Magners League tie at the RDS (K.O. 7.05pm).

Blackrock College 16 Dolphin 32

SEAN O’BRIEN’s rich vein of form could be interrupted this week with the Leinster flanker rated as doubtful for the province’s meeting with Ospreys at the RDS on Friday evening.

Leinster 30 Connacht 8

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for Saturday’s Magners League derby with Connacht at the RDS. (kick-off 5.30pm)

Young Munster 14 Blackrock College 15

Blackrock College 23 Cork Constitution 31

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL, Shane Jennings and Jonathan Sexton have all been named in the Leinster side to face Cardiff Blues tomorrow evening, as the drip-feed return of internationals continues.

Jamie Heaslip makes his competitive return to the Leinster team for their opening Magners League game away Glasgow Warriors on tommorow night (KO 7.05PM).

Jamie Heaslip is the surprise inclusion in the Leinster squad to play the Glasgow Warriors in Friday night's Magners League opener at Firhill Stadium (kick off: 7.05pm).

Leicester Tigers 37 Leinster 14, Welford Road

Former Ulster lock Ed O'Donoghue could make his Leinster debut from the bench in a pre-season match against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Friday night (KO: 7.30pm).

Leinster 6 London Wasps 41, Donnybrook

Fit-again Sean O'Brien will captain Leinster against London Wasps in Friday's pre-season friendly in Donnybrook (KO: 7pm).

Ireland international Luke Fitzgerald returns to the Leinster squad for the first time since last November for their pre-season warm-up against London Wasps on Friday at Donnybrook (KO: 7pm).

CARDIFF BLUES are set to pay as much as €100,000 compensation to Ulster after Xavier Rush completed his transfer U-turn. The former All Black signed a two-year contract with the Irish province back in February but has now opted to stay at Cardiff.

Stephen Keogh will captain Leinster against Newport in Friday's British & Irish Cup clash in Donnybrook (kick off: 6pm).

Ireland internationals Trevor Hogan, Malcolm O'Kelly and Mike Ross and Girvan Dempsey will start for Leinster against Exeter Chiefs in Saturday's British & Irish Cup clash in Sandy Park (KO: 3pm).

IRELAND internationals Girvan Dempsey, Trevor Hogan, Bernard Jackman, Malcolm O’Kelly and Mike Ross have been named in the extended Leinster squad for Saturday’s British & Irish Cup clash against Exeter at Sandy Park on Saturday (3pm).

Ireland internationals Girvan Dempsey, Trevor Hogan, Bernard Jackman, Malcolm O'Kelly and Mike Ross have been named in the Leinster squad to play the Exeter Chiefs in Saturday's British & Irish Cup clash in Sandy Park (KO: 3pm).

MUNSTER bid for their fourth successive victory in the A Interprovincial championship when they face Connacht this evening at Thomond Park (6.30pm).

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 6 DOLPHIN 12

Prospective Ireland U-20 back rowers Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan will make their Magner's League debuts for Leinster against The Dragons at Rodney Parade on Sunday (kick off: 5pm).

Leinster coach Michael Cheika will have to make do without his frontline Ireland internationals for the Magner’s League trip to The Dragons on Sunday.