Kearney commits to Leinster
Leinster and Ireland back Rob Kearney has agreed a new two-year contract with the IRFU which will see him remain with the province until the end of the 2014-15 season.
Leinster and Ireland back Rob Kearney has agreed a new two-year contract with the IRFU which will see him remain with the province until the end of the 2014-15 season.
Ulster have been boosted by the news that influential captain Johann Muller has signed a one-year contract extension which will keep him at the club until summer 2014.
A French rugby ban on announcing signings until April seems the likely reason for uncertainty over whether Jonathan Sexton's Racing Métro deal has gone through.
Jonathan Sexton is to sign for Racing Metro after rejecting a new contract offer from the IRFU.
Connacht have announced the signing of lock Aly Muldowney on a three-year contract from English Premiership club Exeter.
Former Connacht favourite Fionn Carr will return to the province next season after a two-year spell at Leinster.
Pat Lam will join Connacht in April to work alongside current head coach Eric Elwood for the remainder of the season.
Richardt Strauss returns to the Leinster line-up for Saturday's crucial Heineken Cup clash away to Exeter Chiefs.
George Naoupu, Jason Harris-Wright, Mick Kearney and Eoin McKeon have all signed contract extensions with Connacht.
Mata Fifita and Kyle Tonetti are both expected to be available for Connacht's Heineken Cup clash with Harlequins on Saturday 12 January.
Munster have confirmed that Paul O'Connell's surgery to correct a bulging disc that was pressing on a nerve in his lower back went successfully.
Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt has indicated that Brian O'Driscoll, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald may be in line for a return to action against Edinburgh in the RaboDirect PRO12 on 4 January.
Leinster captain Leo Cullen believes that his squad are facing into an exciting, but season defining few weeks, starting with the visit of Connacht in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Saturday.
Connacht have responded to comments made by Leinster coach Joe Schmidt regarding the Westerners' displeasure at the impending switch of Mike McCarthy between the provinces.
Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt insists claims that the province has persistently targeted Connacht's best players are false.
Ulster centre Darren Cave has agreed a new two-year contract with the province that will see him remain at Ravenhill until the summer of 2015.
Dan Tuohy has agreed a contract extension to remain at until until June 2015.
Connacht Rugby has announced contract extensions for Ronan Loughney and Brett Wilkinson.
Manager Nigel Carolan has bolstered the Connacht academy to 18 with the addition of four new players.
Ulster have strengthened their long-term front row options with the news that Callum Black and Rob Herring have signed contract extensions keeping them at the club until 2015.