AMID ALL THIS talk of auld enemies and Grand Slam dreaming, it is important to remember that the Pro12 returns this weekend.
The Irish provinces will rely on a mix of eager academy players, dogged veterans, unfortunate pros that have fallen out of international favour and a chap that played once for Fiji and nevermore.
Ulster still lead the way after dismissing Scarlets in January but Leinster are back in the top four and will be gunning for the Pro12 title after Heineken Cup elimination.
Here is a provincial run-down to keep you up to speed.
Ulster
The league leaders have completed a smart piece of business by signing up captain and second-row Johann Muller up to a contract extension. The new deal means the 32-year-old will remain at the province until the summer of 2014.
“The contract extension has been in the pipeline for a while now and I’m delighted to get it signed,” said Muller. “I’ve had a great time at Ulster so far, three years have flown by and I’m really looking forward to a fourth year.” He added:
Ulster Rugby has gone through some wonderful times over the past couple of years and it’s brilliant to be part of that… We’re on the right track and hopefully we can keep on going and win some silverware.
“We’ve done brilliantly so far this season but the next eight to 12 weeks is obviously going to define the season. The important stuff is coming up now.
“We’ve got the massive game on 6 April against Saracens, but there’s everything to play for in the Pro12 as well.”
Munster
Coach Rob Penney may be regretting his decision to allow scrum-half Peter Stringer sign up for a short-term loan deal with Bath in the Premiership.
With Conor Murray off on Ireland duty and Stringer settling into life in England for the second Spring in succession, Penney was relying on young Cathal Sheridan to provide cover for Duncan Williams.
Sheridan, however, picked up an injury playing for UL Bohemians at the weekend and, along with winger Luke O’Dea, is a fitness worry ahead of the weekend.
Connacht
The westerners will wave goodbye to defence coach Mike Forshaw at the end of the season. The former dual-code player for Great Britain and England signed on with Connacht in 2010/11.
(©INPHO/James Crombie)
Forshaw commented, “I’d like to thank Eric [Elwood] for giving me the opportunity to work with Connacht for the last three years. I also have to credit the players on their outstanding work ethic. I have nothing but praise for the way they’ve responded to me from day one.”
He added, “I’ve enjoyed my time immensely at Connacht and I believe that there is now a real culture and sense of pride with regards to the team’s defence. It means something to them and is a big part of how they want to play.”
Leinster
The big news from the Leinster camp on Monday was the revelation that coach Joe Schmidt may look abroad to find a replacement for outgoing flyhalf Jonathan Sexton.
The good news came in the form of an announcement that centre Eoin O’Malley is ready to put eight months of injury woes behind him.
O’Malley, if he does play against Cardiff Blues this Friday, will earn his 50th Leinster cap.
