Brian O ‘Driscoll is to play rugby for another year. The former Ireland Captain has signed a new one year deal with Leinster and has ended months of speculation about his future. He and Ireland had a dismal 6 Nations campaign and he did drop hints that he would play for another twelve months. In his career he was won a Grand Slam 4 Triple Crowns, 3 Heineken Cup and two PRO12 titles. He won 125 caps for Ireland and 172 for Leinster and scored 46 international tries and 59 for Leinster.

Joe Schmidt has been named as the new Ireland Rugby Coach. The New Zealander has signed a three year deal which will take him up to the next World Cup and the Six Nations in 2016. He was widely tipped as favourite for the job after Declan Kidney wasn’t offered a new deal after what was a very disappointing Six Nations campaign.

Schmidt coached Leinster to two Heineken Cup wins in 2011 and 2012 and this weekend they take on Biarritz in the final of the Amlin Cup. They are also in the last four of the PRO 12.

Ulster as expected are into the final of the Pro12 after a comfortable 28-17 win over the Scarlets at Ravenhill. Ulster dominated most of the game and tries from Bowe, Diack and Court made all the difference.

Ulster led 18-3 at the break and there was no coming back for the Welsh side after that. They tried to to the end to be fair and two tries from Gareth Davies and Sione Timani did make it closer but in truth Ulster were always best.

A Heineken cup final appearance last season followed by this shows this is an Ulster side who are certainly on the right track.