Scrum-half Mike Blair will leave Edinburgh at the end of the season after ten years at the club but maintains his commitment to Scotland is as strong it ever has been.
Wales hooker Lloyd Burns has been forced to retire from rugby just ten months after making his international debut for Warren Gatland's side.
Italy head coach Jacques Brunel insists the disbanding of Italian club side Aironi won't undo the progress made by the national team during the 2012 RBS 6 Nations.
Dan Tuohy last ran out in the green of Ireland two years ago, but the lock is hopeful Ulster's European charge will see that all change.
The exodus of Welsh players overseas could yet benefit Warren Gatland's international side, according to former flanker Emyr Lewis.
Edinburgh have lost both of their encounters with Ulster this season - however head coach Michael Bradley is adamant their Heineken Cup semi-final clash will be an altogether different affair.
Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea insists the experience gained by England hopefuls Rory Clegg, Will Collier and Rob Buchanan in Friday's Amlin Challenge Cup defeat to Toulon will do wonders for their development.
Scotland fly-half Greig Laidlaw insists his Edinburgh side can go all the way in this year's Heineken Cup after seeing off four-time winners Toulouse in the quarter-finals.
James Haskell believes the England national team are back to where it should be after watching Stuart Lancaster's side restore some much-needed pride during the RBS 6 Nations.
Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris believes Ulster's unrelenting defence won the day as his side overcame rivals Munster to reach the Heineken Cup semi-final on Sunday.