The two-time All Black has made 96 appearances since joining them four years ago from Japanese side Toyota Verblitz and could make his final bow in Friday's league showdown with the Dragons.

"I'm not saying goodbye, I'll be stepping up the coaching role that I started last year and taking that to another level," he said. "This role that I've been doing as a player-coach will now become a full-time coaching role so hopefully I can continue to make a positive contribution to the Ospreys. Retiring is a word that players don't like, you never get accustomed to saying it, but for me it's the right time I think.

"It will be good to end with a bit of success, with some silverware. I've been fortunate enough to have been part of a team that has enjoyed league and cup success since I joined the Ospreys, and I want to go out on a high."

Leicester Tigers will play their home semi-final at 4pm on Sunday 16th May at Welford Road. The other semi-final, which will be hosted by either Northampton Saints or Saracens will kick off at 1.30pm on Sunday 16th May. The Leicester Tigers match will be the first rugby union match to be broadcast in 3D by Sky Sports.

"Ma'a and I met and discussed the incident and he acknowledges that he has let himself down on this occasion," Sorensen said in a statement. "As a result, we have found that his conduct constitutes a breach of our collective employment agreement and while I'm disappointed in Ma'a's behaviour, he has fronted up well and taken responsibility for his actions, including making a full public apology."

England will field a side under the 'Help for Heroes' banner while Scotland and Wales will also compete in advance of the Commonwealth Games in October. The British Army will again be fielding a strong side and further invitation sides will be announced shortly.

A statement on the Ospreys website read, "We are disappointed at the RFU's reaction to the proposed partnership between the Ospreys and London Welsh Rugby Football Club Ltd, but would like to reiterate our continued commitment to working closely with London Welsh in a relationship that would be a positive step forward for both organisations as well as Welsh and English rugby in general. We will continue to discuss all possibilities with London Welsh, and would hope that both the RFU and the WRU are able to share our foresight and identify the many benefits that such a working partnership has for all parties."

The partnership between the Championship semi-finalists and the Magners League outfit is set to continue but in a scaled back format. The Welsh region are looking for their younger players to gain experience in the Championship while helping the Exiles to raise their playing standards.