News round-up: With the exception of Tommy Bowe, Ulster coach Mark McCall will have his full compliment of Ireland internationals at his disposal for Friday night's Celtic League trip to Edinburgh.
The Irish management have made the four other Ulster players involved in last weekend's defeat in Paris available to McCall, with David Humphreys, who is the subject of continued speculation surrounding his international future, in line to start at Murrayfield.
Ireland's most capped outhalf has responded to a report in this morning's Irish Times, denying a decision had already been made to retire from Test rugby at the end of the current Six Nations campaign.
In a statement released via the IRFU, the 34-year-old maintained he is still keeping his options open.
"Myself and Eddie O’Sullivan had discussed my future plans back in November and prior to the start of the championship. We agreed that we would talk again after the tournament," he said.
"At this point in time I am concentrating on playing for Ireland and Ulster this weekend and will do so until the end of this season."
Munster coach Declan Kidney also named his 29-man squad ahead of the the province’s clash against Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park this Saturday (3.30pm).
Irish international Donncha O’Callaghan, along with Mick O’Driscoll, Tomas O’Leary and Barry Murphy from the "A" internationals are all named in the squad.
The Garryowen pair of flanker Anthony Kavanagh, who impressed in the Development victory last week, as is Conor Kilroy.
Meanwhile, Irish referee Alan Lewis will take charge of the Heineken Cup quarter-final between Biarritz and Sale at the start of April.
The matches between Munster and Perpignan and Toulouse and Leinster will be officiated by Welsh ref Nigel Whitehouse and England's Dave Pearson respectively.
Ulster squad
Forwards: Bryan Young, Justin Fitzpatrick, Simon Best, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, Justin Harrison, Matt McCullough, Rowan Frost, Neil Best, Neil McMillan, Roger Wilson, Stephen Ferris
Backs: Bryn Cunningham, Andrew Maxwell, Andrew Trimble, Paul Steinmetz, Jonny Bell, James Topping, Adam Larkin, David Humphreys, Kieran Campbell, Isaac Boss.
Munster squad:
Forwards: Frank Roche, Tony Buckley, Eugene McGovern, Federico Pucciariello, Denis Fogarty, Damian Varley, Trevor Hogan, Mick O'Driscoll, Donncha O'Callaghan, Donnacha Ryan, Stephen Keogh, John O'Connor, Anthony Foley, John O'Sullivan, Anthony Kavanagh.
Backs: Tomas O'Leary, Mike Prendergast, Mossy Lawlor, Paul Burke, Barry Keeshan, Conor Kilroy, Anthony Horgan, Ian Dowling, John Kelly, Anthon Pitout, Trevor Halstead, Gary Connolly, Barry Murphy, Shaun Payne.
