Chopping and changing amongst the provinces is about to kick into overdrive as the season comes to a halt after both Leinster and Munster were knocked out of the European Cup last weekend.
The major stumbling block is the uncertainty surrounding the coaches in three of the four provinces. Ulster will retain the services of Mark McCall, but with Declan Kidney and Michael Bradley being interviewed for the Munster job today, the other posts are up in the air.
Still, in Leinster, it appears Bernard Jackman and Ronnie McCormack will join from Connacht and Ulster, respectively.
Leinster are set to utilise Felipe Contepomi at outhalf when David Holwell returns to farming in New Zealand this summer.
The province will also lose Niall Treston, Peter Coyle, John McWeeney, James Norton and Gavin Hickie, who are not having their contracts renewed, while Victor Costello is retiring.
Munster must replace the retiring Jim Williams, Jason Holland and Gordon McIlwham.
Gavin Duffy has yet to decide whether to resign for Harlequins or return to Connacht.
Ulster have confirmed Irish qualified scrumhalf Issac Boss will arrive from New Zealand to coincide with Neil Doak's retirement. Justin Fitzpatrick is returning from France and Australian secondrow Justin Harrison is also expected to sign. Andy Ward will quit playing to take the reigns at Belfast Harlequins. Matt Mustchin and Tim Barker move on.
The Irish schools' selectors have made one change for Friday's final game of the season against France at Dubarry Park, Athlone. Michael Ferguson replaces the injured Royce Burke-Flynn at tighthead.
IRELAND (v France): L Fitzgerald (Blackrock); S Hanratty (Gonzaga), M McCrea (Belfast HS), K Earls (St Munchin's), V Artemiev (Blackrock); B Collins (Castlenock College), A Bartholomew (Royal School Armagh); C Healy (Belvedere), C Culleton (Blackrock), M Ferguson (Sullivan US); T Anderson (Rainey Endowed School), C McInerney (St Mary's); R Hamilton (Methodist), W Falloon (Royal School Armagh), D Pollock (Royal School Dungannon, capt). Replacements: D Gilchrist (Belvedere), A Cotter (St Munchin's), N Simpson (Belfast RA), D Keogh (CBC Cork), D Moore (Blackrock), J Shiells (Royal School Dungannon), O McMurray (Methodist).
