Connacht remain rooted near the end of the RaboDirect PRO12 table following a 22-15 defeat to Cardiff, who upped the tempo after the break to see off Eric Elwood's men in the Welsh capital.

Ulster left it late but they sealed a bonus-point win over a determined and dogged Dragons side following a 30-12 win in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Man-of-the-match Isa Nacewa scored a try as part of a 20 point haul as Leinster recorded an impressive bonus point victory over Italian side Treviso in the RaboDirectPRO12 on a wet evening at the RDS.

Brian McLaughlin has moved to clarify his position following confirmation that he is to step down as head coach of Ulster Rugby at the end of the season.

Munster's RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Aironi on Sunday has been postponed before of the freezing temperatures in Italy.

Keith Earls and Denis Leamy have pledged their future to Munster and Ireland by signing a new two-year deal with the IRFU.

Brian McLaughlin is to step down as coach of Ulster at the end of the 2011-12 season, the Irish province has confirmed.

Joe Schmidt is hopeful Leinster can sign World Cup winner Brad Thorn on a short-term contract.

Iconic Wales prop Adam Jones has signed a new two-year contract with the Ospreys and will remain with the Swansea-based club at least the summer of 2014.

Shane Williams will retire from professional rugby at the end of the current campaign to take up an ambassadorial role with Ospreys.