18 May, 11:09
IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne has issued a statement following confirmation of Ronan O'Gara's decision to retire from playing professional rugby.
Editor

Paul McKenzie, who was a late change for the injured Tommy Bowe, has retained his place in the starting line up. Bowe has returned home after suffering a shoulder injury and he has been replaced in the squad by Andrew Trimble (Ballymena).
Ten of Australia 's squad from last year's tournament have been playing in Super 12 rugby in the past three months. Four of them are still available - hooker Stephen Moore and scrum half Josh Valentine from Queensland, full back Cameron Shepherd and flanker Lei Tomiki from NSW. In fact, the 20-year-old Shepherd is eligible also for next year's tournament.
The Ireland Under 21 team to play Australia Under 21 on Wednesday, 23rd June 2004 in Hughenden Road, Glasgow, Scotland at 7.30pm is as follows:
15 - Andrew Finn (Dolphin) 14 - Richard Lane (UCC) 13 - John Hearty (Blackrock College) 12 - Glen Telford (Dungannon) 11 - Paul McKenzie (Loughborough University) 10 - Gareth Steenson (Queens University) 9 - Tomas O'Leary (Cork Constitution) 1 - John Wickham (Clontarf) 2 - Denis Fogarty (Cork Constitution) 3 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins) 4 - David Gannon (Blackrock College) capt 5 - Shane O'Connor (Cork Constitution) 6 - Brendan O'Connor (Cork Constitution) 7 - David O'Brien (Old Belvedere) 8 - Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University) Replacements: 16 - Conor Geoghegan (UCD), 17 - Keith Doyle (UCD), 18 - Neil McComb (Dundee HSFP), 19 - Oisin Hennessy (Dungannon), 20 - Robbie Shaw (Wasps), 21 - Michael Glancy (Loughborough University), 22 - Breiffne O'Donnell (UL Bohemians).