Eoin Reddan did not get the finale his glittering career deserved but the veteran scrum-half at least bowed out on his own terms, eager to make his new life in business every bit as successful as the one he enjoyed in rugby.

Leinster 50 Benetton Treviso 19: It’s only two weeks since Ulster sent Leinster retreating down the M1 in disorder, but some in the northern province could be forgiven for harbouring a sense of foreboding ahead of the sides’ next meeting in the Guinness PRO12 semi-final.

It may have been a day of drama and calculators across most of the Guinness PRO12, but Leinster strolled to the most straightforward and expected of victories against a mostly awful Treviso side at the RDS this afternoon.

Joe Schmidt admitted Ireland's nine-try thumping of Italy "released the pressure valve" amid a testing RBS 6 Nations campaign.

Eoin Reddan says Joe Schmidt is spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting the new Ireland captain.

The sense of dread around a hushed Thomond Park had been palpable as Keith Earls lay prone on the turf, surrounded by attentive medics.

“I just hope that people afterwards don’t write off whoever wins.”

Eoin Reddan insists the provinces cannot afford to dwell on the growing financial gap between the Celtic clubs and their French and English counterparts as both Leinster and Munster come to terms with their discouraging European situations.

Conor Murray has prepared himself to play a role in all of Ireland’s World Cup matches, with just two specialist scrum-halves in Joe Schmidt’s squad.

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt toasted fly-half Johnny Sexton after his playmaker helped get his team's World Cup Pool D campaign off to a flying start with a seven-try rout of Canada.

Irish coach Joe Schmidt insisted during the week that places in the World Cup squad were still up for grabs. After yet another defeat to the Barbarians at Thomond Park last night, he will go home for another re-think after a performance he described as “a bit inaccurate.”

Eoin Reddan believes Ireland can be more assured about what they will bring to the table at the World Cup in England later this year than was the case in New Zealand in 2011 or France eight years ago.

It hasn’t been a season to remember for Leinster, but the job of head coach remains a highly attractive one, according to Eoin Reddan, who says the players, the squad and the system necessary for success are all still in place.

Guinness Pro12

Eoin Reddan has warned his Leinster team-mates that the consequences of their final two Guinness Pro12 games could haunt them for all of next season.

Leinster salvaged real pride despite losing after extra time at the Velodrome in Marseille yesterday. 

Dragons 25 Leinster 22: Leinster’s reign as Guinness Pro12 champions appears all but over after Matt O’Connor’s side surrendered a 22-8 lead at Rodney Parade.

With their European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon just eight days away, Leinster coach Matt O’Connor has opted to wrap his star players in cotton wool for the province’s Guinness Pro12 encounter with Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade tomorrow.

Guinness Pro12

The review is over, the page has been turned and only positives remain from the ashes of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations defeat to Wales as Scotland come into the sights of Joe Schmidt’s team.

Joe Schmidt has named Jordi Murphy in Ireland's Six Nations side to face England at the Aviva on Sunday.

Ireland may have got over the line to beat France last time out but forwards coach Simon Easterby believes they will have to make every opportunity count on Sunday against England if they are to continue their RBS 6 Nations campaign unbeaten.

Eoin Reddan has spent enough time playing with and against English players to recognise a sea change in their attitudes on and off the field.

Guiness Pro12

Joe Schmidt finally had some good news to share as he named a trimmed-down Ireland squad for the first two rounds of the RBS 6 Nations, with first-choice scrum-half Conor Murray expected to be fit to face Italy in Rome on Saturday.

Ireland’s concerns over who will occupy the scrum-half berth for the Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome next week appear to be far less acute today with the news from camp both Conor Murray and Eoin Reddan are expected to be fit.

Sean O’Brien remains in contention to end an injury-plagued 14 months by making a comeback for the Irish Wolfhounds against England Saxons.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt’s options at scrum-half for the RBS 6 Nations are still no clearer after Conor Murray and Eoin Reddan received their first medical assessments from the national team’s medical staff.

Ireland chiefs remain hopeful Eoin Reddan will beat his medial knee ligament strain in time to face Italy in the Six Nations opener in Rome.

Dave Kearney and Eoin Reddan are likely to miss the start of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations title defence after suffering injuries as Leinster squeaked through to the Champions Cup quarter-finals at Wasps.

Leinster survived a late Wasps fight back to book their place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals despite a 20-20 draw in Coventry.

Leinster and Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan believes it is far too early to predict that the days of the Irish provinces dining consistently at Europe’s top table are over, despite a worrying run of results in recent months.

Leinster remain on course to qualify from European Champions Cup Pool Two following a 50-8 bonus point thrashing of Castres at the RDS.

A family escaped a Christmas Eve plane crash in Tipperary after their light aircraft fell 9,000 feet out of the sky and into a farmer’s field.

Eoin Reddan expressed his pride in the commitment and focus of his team-mates after yesterday's victory over Georgia in the Aviva.