Tom James was on hand to exploit a gap in the Ulster defence and score a try after being set up by Henson. Parks converted to make it 18-11 to the home side. An intentional knock forward saw Ian Humphreys sin-binned in the 65th minute and although Parks...

The Blues’ list of arrivals and departures reads like a who’s who of New Zealand rugby. Any team that managed to lure both Ma’a Nonu and Piri Weepu from the Hurricanes would usually be doing cartwheels to celebrate, but when you’ve had to say goodbye to...

Paddy Wallace, Tom Court and Chris Henry have been released from Ireland duty and they go straight into the starting team along with hooker Nigel Brady, who replaces Andi Kyriacou. Brady, Court and John Afoa form the front row, while Lewis Stevenson...

Simon Danielli is named on the bench following his release from Scotland duty. Regular captain Johann Muller suffered a calf injury in the team run on Wednesday and has been pulled from the team as a precaution. All Black prop John Afoa will take over...

"They've all been working really hard but it shouldn't be too long before the boys that have just joined the team again get up to speed with things and really start getting this thing humming." The Blues have lost players such as Joe Rokocoko, Jared...

With nearly 200 Super Rugby matches worth of experience missing for the opening rounds, the heat will be on the next tier of Blues front row forwards. Charlie Faumuina will start the season as the Blues leading prop, while Tom McCartney and Tevita...