London Irish sign a deal with Mike Mayhew

The front row has been offered a three-year contract with the club.

The New Zealander started playing for London Irish, on a Loan deal from Newcastle Falcons, earlier in the season..

Mike, 26 from Auckland, was brought in as injury cover for the club and enjoyed four appearances for the club including two Aviva Premiership games.

After joining the Falcons from North Harbour, New Zealand, the hooker played in 30 matches for the club and scored two tries.

Mike, who through his Dad, is qualified to play for England as well as New Zealand, signed for the Falcons along with his brother, Richard. The pair come from a successful rugby family, their younger brother being a regular star performer for Harlequins.

London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith said Mike had made a big impression when he played for his side earlier in the season. “I’m delighted he has bought into our vision for the future of the club.”

Mike fits into the London Irish ‘style of play’ with his size couple with his dynamic ball carrying. Smith also feels confident in his “potential to play test rugby” for England.

Mike “really enjoyed” his time at Sunbury earlier in the year but will also be able to enjoy the new Hazelwood training facilities due to open next year. Describing the London Irish fans he said, “The passionate support was fantastic, I look forward to playing in front of them a lot more next season.”

Leinster Vs Ulster; Preview

Leinster will take on Ulster today to try and regain their place at the top of the Rabo Direct pro 12.

It’s a fragile place at the top of the table, a win for Glasgow last night against Munster put them in the top spot, but a bonus point win for either of the Irish sides in Dublin today would send them downwards.

Ulster had a convincing win against Leinster earlier in the season, but today it will be a very different side that welcomes them. The return of Rob Kearney, Brian O’Driscoll and Fergus McFadden just after Christmas puts the Belfastians in an awkward position.

A bad run of form as brought Ulster from a confortable 14-point lead at the top of the competition, to 3^rd place.

Mark Anscombe has made six changes to the side that lost to Edinburgh last week.

Ireland Internationals Rory Best and Craig Gilroy return after the 6 nations, while Chris Henry and Ruan Peinaar are back after suffering injuries.

As John Afoa is in New Zealand for the birth of his third child, Ricky Lutton will start at tight-head prop.

Cian Healy is one of the 7 internationals to return to Leinsters’ line up. Richardt Strauss will start after recovering from injury, and will be accompanied in the front row by Mike Ross.

Leinster have won their last 7 games since they lost to Ulster in December and are now the best team in the competition.

"It's always special for us playing at the RDS. This is a chance for us to make up for the mistakes we made in the game in Ravenhill too,” said Leinster captain Devin Toner

The Dubliners outstanding record so far in 2013, Ulster will have a huge game on their hands, but nothing is being taken for granted.

"They will want to wrestle back top spot. It's up to us to stop them.” Leinster have the only 100% home record in the tournament and will want to hold on to it.

Kick off at the RDS is at 6:15pm on BBC NI and RTE.

Leinster			Ulster
Rob Kearney	15		Jared Payne
Dave Kearney	14		Andrew Trimble
Brendan Macken	13		Darren Cave
Gordan D'arcy	12		Stuart Olding
Isa Nacewa	11		Craig Gilroy
Ian Madigan	10		Paddy Jackson
Isaac Boss	9		Ruan Pienaar
Cian Healy	1		Tom Court
Richardt Strauss	2		Rory Best
Mike Ross	3		Ricky Lutton
Devin Toner	4		Johann Muller
Quin Roux	5		Dan Touy
Kevin McLaughlin	6		Robbie Diack
Shane Jennings	7		Chris Henry
Jamie Heaslip	8		Nick Williams
Sean Cronin	16		Rob Herring
Jack McGrath	17		Callum Black
Jamie Hagan	18		Kyle McCall
Leo Cullen	19		Lewis Stevenson
Rhys Ruddock	20		Iain Henderson
John Cooney	21		Roger Wilson
Andrew Goodman	22		Paul Marshall
Andrew Conway	23		Peter Nelson

Ireland vs France Half Time

listen to ‘Ireland vs France; Half Time update’ on Audioboo

Ireland vs France with Christian Simmons

listen to ‘Ireland vs France; Christian Simmons' view’ on Audioboo

Ireland vs France Audio Preview

listen to ‘Ireland vs France: Audio Preview’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Scotland Vs Ireland Match Report’ on Audioboo

Paddy Jackson will fill in on Sextons absence

Irelands’ Head Coach has called upon the services of two uncapped Ulstermen to cover for injuries sustained against England.

This weekend’s clash against Scotland in Edinburgh will see both Paddy Jackson and Luke Marshall earning not only their first cap for Ireland, but also their first start for the side.

Simon Zebo and Gordon D’Arcy have been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament while star man Jonny Sexton may see the ‘10 shirt’ again before the end of Irelands’ Six Nations campaign.

The playmaker to be called on is not Irelands highest point scorer, Ronan O’Gara, but Belfast man Jackson

The Ulster out-half captained the Ireland U20 squad last year and has been praised for his recent form for his province.

Declan Kidney said, “Its Paddy’s turn to have a go for a number of reasons and he’s really looking forward to it. We’ve had guys chomping for positions that have always been hard to fill.”

Ronan O’Gara took the news “Like the man he is.” Declan said, “He came to training like it was his first session.”

Declan said the decision was “very difficult, but it’s the best compliment I can give to Paddy that he’s got ahead of him.”

Jackson was “filled with butterflies at first but, after a minuet or two, calmed down and realised I had to get on with it, and just feel the excitement.”

Luke Marshall will play in Gordon D’Arcy’s absence at Inside Centre. Marshall also took part in the elusive Wolfhounds victory over Fiji in November. With Brian O’Driscoll outside him, he’ll have plenty of encouragement in his quest to secure himself the ’12 shirt. “Brian has been good this week helping me to adjust.”

“I’ve been watching Brian play since I was about 9 and I never thought this day would come so it will be nice playing with him outside me.”

Captain Jamie Heaslip praised the youngsters for their professionalism shown in training during the Autumn Internationals and conveys his trust in their abilities.

“Ill try and give them advise regarding the nerves for the first game and the best advice is just go out and play your game, you’ve got 14 other guys with you willing to die for you basically.”

Tom Court will take the field, replacing Cian Healy throughout his ban, joining provincial partner Rory Best in the front row.

With Scotland playing impressively of late, not most their remarkable display against the All Blacks in November, it would be foolish for any Irish fans to take a win for granted.