Cardiff Blues' Sam Warburton is 'wise beyond his years' according to the man he replaced as British and Irish Lions captain.

Eli Walker says he's hoping to start next season with a bang after his breakthrough campaign for the region ended as something of a damp squib, surgery on his back ending his season prematurely.

Ulster, who finished on top of the RaboDirect PRO12 table this season, attempt to become only the second number one seed to win the Play-Off final after Munster in 2010/11.

Hooker Sam Parry's call up to the Wales squad can only benefit Newport Gwent Dragons according to forwards coach Rob Appleyard.

Leinster back-row Rhys Ruddock has been handed the captaincy for Ireland's tour to Georgia as part of a 26-man squad that also features teammate Sean Cronin.

Gregor Townsend is confident Glasgow Warriors will be among the contenders for next season's RaboDirect PRO12 title.

The Leinster squad trained in UCD on Monday afternoon ahead of Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 final in the RDS against Ulster (KO: 4.45pm) with several injury concerns for the management to contend with arising from Friday night's Amlin Challenge Cup victory.

Cardiff Blues will take on Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors in August ahead of the first league match of the season.

Samoan international James So'oialo will join the Connacht Rugby squad this summer. So'oialo, who played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, was recently named in the Samoan squad for the upcoming tour to South Africa, where they will face Scotland, Italy and the Golden Lions.

Glasgow Warriors centre Graeme Morrison has announced his immediate retirement from professional rugby on medical grounds.