Compiled by JOHNNY WATTERSON

Ravenhill redevelopment to go ahead

WHILE LEINSTER'S ticket sales are thriving - and given Saturday's result that is unlikely to change - Ulster's have fallen by between 15 and 20 per cent. The resultant revenue drop is causing some concern up North.

Unsure of whether the economic climate or the team's poor performance is to blame, Ulster will, nonetheless, carry on with their redevelopment of Ravenhill Road.

The "White Knights" have put phase one of the redevelopment out to tender. Subject to obtaining a successful tender at an affordable price, Ulster's intention is to be on site from January 2009 for completion in August 2009.

Ulster now have up to 17 players coming to the end of their contracts.

While the Ireland backrow Stephen Ferris has already committed his future to Ulster, the province will shortly be conducting the first of a series of steps to finalise the 2009-2010 squad.

Once they have confirmed those current players who will be committing to Ulster for a further contract, Matt Williams will then move to look at overseas players.

The IRFU is keen that each province can avail of four high-class foreign signings. However, the cost of these players will be borne by the individual provinces, and not by the IRFU themselves.

O'Driscoll finds his cutting edge

BRIAN O'DRISCOLL'S Gillette promotion early last week can't have done him much harm. Razor-edged once more, the Ireland captain grabbed two tries against Wasps - his effort against Edinburgh the previous week having been described as his first Heineken Cup try for 18 months. Saturday's injury aside, the famine seems over.

Game still struggling for universality 

RUGBY IS looking for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games. But according to the Beauchamps Solicitors sport update, there is a list of criteria on which sports are judged and one of those is universality.

In the context of Rugby Sevens being included in the games, the main obstacle appears to be that aspect of the sport. Reports indicate that 97 per cent of the 33 million who watched the Rugby World Cup 2007 on television reside in just eight countries - Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa - although viewing figures are growing in Asia, Africa and Spanish-speaking countries.

Eddie working on biography

ALL EYES will turn to Eddie O'Sullivan next spring, when his biography is expected to hit the shops. The former Ireland rugby coach has engaged journalist Vincent Hogan to assist in writing the book, which is expected to address many of the issues during his tenure and leading up to his resignation following this year's Six Nations Championship.

Hogan's last book was the critically acclaimed and candid biography of the former republic of Ireland and Manchester United star Paul McGrath. It is also expected that O'Sullivan will soon begin to write a regular rugby column for an Irish daily newspaper.

• THE current credit crunch has not yet hit Wasps. Whereas most clubs book one or two nights when playing away Heineken Cup matches, the English side spent three nights in Dublin last weekend.

Wasps arrived on Thursday and stayed in the Mount Herbert Hotel, also the hotel of choice for 18 Sky Sports personnel. After the evening match, the Wasps crew, hardly in the best of moods, headed into Dublin city centre to meet up with fans and sponsors before flying home yesterday.