The Leicester Mercury reports that Tigers chairman Peter Tom addressed the players in the changing room to tell them the news, minutes after the final whistle of their 20-15 Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Bath at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday.

Cockerill's appointment is regarded as just reward for his record since taking over the reins again in mid-February after former incumbent Heyneke Meyer resigned and returned to South Africa for family reasons. His tenure began with a narrow defeat at Wasps, but he has presided over a team who have won seven out of their last eight games and they top the Guinness Premiership table with two rounds of matches left.

"The TV ratings haven't fallen out of bed by any means, but they are soft and not as strong as last year," Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill told The Herald. "No one's ringing alarm bells, but there is a renegotiation coming up and we're not sticking our heads in the sand. Rugby is a very valuable pay TV product, especially as a lot of people only have pay TV because of the rugby. Still, clearly you would like your ratings growing, not plateauing."

SANAZR bosses are set to present their plans for Super Rugby and the Tri-Nations to broadcasters by June 30 with hopes a deal will be finalised by the end of the year.

The 40-year-old's Leeds Metropolitan University side exited the tournament in the first round but the crowd still rose to pay tribute to the legendary player. "For me, the goal was to come to Melrose and it didn't matter if I spent five minutes or a whole day on the field," said Serevi. "This is where sevens rugby started and it is part of my life because sevens has made me the person I am today."

The cup was won by Johannesburg University who beat hosts Melrose in the tournament finale.

Director of Celtic Rugby, David Jordan said, "Congratulations must go to all the teams for their performance over the weekend, a clear reflection of the success that Magners League teams, and their players now enjoy when they transcend into other tournaments.

"With the RBS Six Nations Trophy once more safely secured in Celtic hands, there is now all to play for to ensure that the Heineken and EDF Energy Cups will both be retained by Magners League teams. Good luck to all those taking part."

Munster and Leinster will receive an allocation of approximately 30,000 tickets each which they will distribute through their normal channels. There are approximately 10,000 tickets available to purchase for Croke Park premium seat and corporate suite holders. An additional 1,500 tickets will be sold with official hospitality packages and the remaining tickets will be allocated to European club rugby stake holders and partners.