DIGESTRUGBY: Matt Williams will decide next week whether to remain in the IRFU and Leinster fold or accept a lucrative three-year contract as coach at Saracens, reports Gerry Thornley

Effectively the ball is now in Williams' court, after the conclusion of lengthy discussions between the IRFU and Williams along with his agent John Baker yesterday.

The union's chief executive confirmed as much yesterday when expressing the view that the negotiations of the past fortnight had been exhaustive but both conciliatory and productive.

"I think we're happy enough that we've put our best foot forward and despite what people may think not all of this has been about money. We're trying to deal with a whole range of issues."

Ultimately, though, the decision now rests with Williams.

With Williams' future uncertain, the prospect of a resultant drain on Leinster's playing resources remains and the province now looks likely to lose one of the heartbeats of their team for the past half dozen seasons, Trevor Brennan.

The Barnhall Bruiser came back into the international fold in the autumn, winning three caps under Warren Gatland as a back-rower cum converted lock, and looked a potential World Cup squad member, but he has been unable to nail down a regular place for Leinster and was then pointedly left out of Eddie O'Sullivan's first 43-man squad and every squad since.

Orrell are reputedly favourites to capture him after his contract was revised down from an international deal to a provincial one, and it is also believed that Wasps, Perpignan and Castres have sounded him out.

"I'd love to stay in Ireland and I'd love the chance to play for Ireland again, but I have to think of my future and my family. I have a lot of options but I haven't decided yet."

GOLF: Europe's Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance will undertake a watching brief - as an official match observer - in next month's Seve Trophy match between Britain and Ireland against Continental Europe at Druids Glen, reports Philip Reid. The match takes place on April 20th-22nd. Although the role gives Torrance an official capacity, it is less than the one that was tentatively mooted in the wake of the Ryder Cup's cancellation last September when it was considered inviting Torrance to assume the captaincy of the GB&I team.

On reflection, however, it was felt that move might be divisive given that the Scot would be plotting against players who would form part of the rearranged Ryder Cup match with the United States at the Belfry in September.

While the GB&I team will be at full strength, including three Irishmen - Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, who have qualified in three of the top four places - the continental Europe side has been weakened by the decision of Sergio Garcia and Bernhard Langer not to return from the United States to play.

SCHOOLS' HOCKEY: Royal School Armagh won the All-Ireland schools' title in Galway yesterday at their first attempt, winning all four of their matches and averaging three goals a game, reports Mary Hannigan.

After defeating St Leo's (Carlow) 3-0 in the first match of the day, Armagh clinched the title with a victory by the same scoreline over Salerno (Galway).

Bandon Grammar finished second in the tournament (on seven points), ahead of Salerno (five) and Mount Anville (four).

ALL-IRELAND SCHOOLS FINALS (at Mervue, Galway) - Yesterday: St Leo's 0, Royal School Armagh 3 (K McCallum 2, H Bowe); Mount Anville 2 (C McGowan, C Sexton), Bandon Grammar 3 (V Smith, T Allen, S Kingston); Armagh 3 (K McCallum, D McKinstry, A Speers), Salerno 0; St Leo's 0, Mount Anville 3 (G Davy, C McGowan 2); Bandon 1 (S Kingston), Salerno 1 (S McDonald). Final placings: 1 Armagh, 2 Bandon, 3 Salerno, 4 Mount Anville, 5 St Leo's.