The 36-year-old fly-half has won 128 caps for his country and sits atop the all-time points scorers chart with 1,083 – the highlight being a drop-goal that handed Ireland an Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009.

O’Gara’s glittering career has also seen him selected for three British and Irish Lions Tours as well as making 240 appearances for Munster, wining two Heineken Cups and amassing 2,625 points in the process.

But O’Gara will not be able to add to these impressive tallies as he takes up a coaching role at Racing Metro, where he will team up with fellow Irish fly-half Jonathan Sexton who is set to move there after playing for Leinster against Ulster in the PRO12 final on Saturday.

“I have ambitions in the years ahead to coach at a high level and, with this in mind, I can confirm now that I will be joining Racing Metro’s coaching staff in July,” O’Gara told the Irish Examiner.

The 34-year-old made his 60th start in this year’s Six Nations and scored his 26th try in the clash with Wales but his tournament finished on a low when he received a yellow card in defeat by Italy.

But while that was rumoured to be his final appearance for Ireland, he will continue for at least another 12 months following his fourth British & Irish Lions tour this summer.

“I want to thank the IRFU and Leinster for allowing me the time to think about my future and discuss my options with my family,” said O’Driscoll.

“The support my family and the Irish and Leinster fans have shown me over the past few months, and indeed years, has been phenomenal and I am now very much looking forward to one more year playing with Ireland and Leinster.”

Schmidt, who at the end of the season will leave his role at Leinster to become head coach of Ireland, added: “It’s great that Brian has agreed to continue playing. He’s an inspirational player, not only on the pitch, but also on the training ground.

“He’s played well again this season and other players continue to learn from him. I know that every squad of which he is a part will profit from his qualities both as a rugby player and a person.”

The 33-16 scoreline was ever so slightly flattering to Leicester given the dominance Harlequins demonstrated in the first half but it was two Tigers who changed the game in their favour. Lions flanker Tom Croft delivered a virtuoso display, showing his unrivalled athleticism in both attack and defence. In the first half, he somehow scrambled across a ruck to deny Danny Care as he looked to dart over in the corner, showing reckless abandon for his reconstructed neck which kept him sidelined for nearly a year. Had Quins scored at that point, the game could have moved beyond Leicester but such intervention changed the momentum of the game. While his first-half intervention was nothing short of incredible, his try in the second half completely deflated Quins as he raced home from inside his own half, beating three men and shrugging off a desperate covering tackle. Lions head coach Warren Gatland would have been delighted at his contribution as he appears to have come into form at just the right time. Croft’s performance was pure class but he was overshadowed by the barnstorming display his full-back, Matthew Tait delivered. Tait has often been the forgotten man of English rugby as he has battled back from numerous injuries, and while he is in his infancy as a fully-fledged full back, his display suggested international honours are not far off. He was fierce in defence and instigated two of Leicester’s four tries while adding one himself. His ability to find gaps in the Quins defence allowed Leicester to romp to victory and make them favourites for the final in two weeks.

Quins shortcomings exposed

Harlequins travelled to Welford Road with a game plan to stand toe-to-toe with Leicester and beat them at their own game. In the first half, it nearly worked as they led for the majority, declining kickable penalties in order to assert their dominance at the set piece. However, for all their endeavours it was the deviation from the tactical plan that was their undoing. In the last minute of the first half, full-back Mike Brown launched a counter-attack that was classic Quins running rugby but Leicester managed to turn the ball over and send winger Vereniki Goneva over in the corner to give them a 13-9 half-time lead. In the second half, Care was sin binned and the 14 men left on the pitch noticeably tired and conceded 10 points which proved decisive. Quins are blessed with some serious talent but will be losing influential prop James Johnston to Saracens next year and probably need a new centre to ignite their back line. They have a deadly finisher in winger Ugo Monye and any team would benefit from having a fly-half of the calibre of Nick Evans but their midfield lacks any real inventive spark and if they are able to fill these two key areas with real talent then they will be a much more formidable side next season.

Saints shock Sarries

Northampton produced a stunning display as they inflicted Saracens first domestic loss at Allianz Park and booked their first Premiership final place with a 27-13 win. It means they now face their fierce Midlands rivals Leicester in what will surely be a fiercely-contested derby. Northampton simply bullied Sarries as they raced into a 17-0 half-time lead with tries from Brian Mujati and Jamie Elliott. Despite their fly-half Stephen Myler having a wayward day with his boot as he missed two early chances, they overcame his lack of confidence to tear into what was the Premiership’s tightest defence. Northampton’s cause was aided as Saracens missed three of their most influential players through injury as Brad Barritt, Will Fraser and Ernst Joubert were forced to sit out. Without Barritt to marshal the Sarries backline, they looked lost in defence and the absence of Fraser and Joubert at the back of the scrum was felt at the breakdown as newly appointed England captain, Tom Wood had a field day. Northampton went back to basics as they stuck to their strength of physically dominating their opponents, and while it worked against a Saracens side that was clearly not prepared for such a display, they will need to show greater subtlety to beat Leicester in the final.

Saracens end the season empty handed

For all their early season promise and despite the fact they finished the season on top of the table, Saracens will be viewed as the nearly men this season. They narrowly lost to Toulon in the Heineken Cup semi-final but it will be this loss that is most keenly felt. Sarries delivered their worst performance of the season as they couldn’t compete with the physicality of a massive Northampton side. They became only the second side to finish top of the table to not make the final after Gloucester failed to do so in 2008. They have talked of building a dynasty since winning their maiden Premiership title two years ago, but unlike perennial finalists Leicester, they have failed to build on that success. Director of rugby Mark McCall admitted they lacked a punch against Northampton and they have moved to address that with the already confirmed signings of No8 Billy Vunipola and Quins prop Johnston, who will both add size and power to an already formidable pack. While the loss will no doubt be bitterly disappointing, Saracens should take heart from the fact that they were the best team domestically over this season. The play-offs and knock out rugby isn’t about flashy, running rugby but the ability to grind out a victory in any circumstance. They must remember that they have only recently become a top side and all these experiences will stand them in good stead in years to come, especially as the core of their side is relatively young.

The Wales centre admits he has never been as excited before a tour in his life as he is for the trip Down Under with Warren Gatland’s men.

After helping his country to back-to-back Six Nations crowns Roberts is a candidate for a starting berth for the Lions, although faces stiff competition from the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Manu Tuilagi and compatriot Jonathan Davies.

The 26-year-old was named Player of the Series for the Lions on their previous tour to South Africa in 2009, but he is more concerned with emerging triumphant as a team this time around.

“I haven’t been more excited for a tour in my life than I have for this one,” said Roberts, speaking at Twickenham in his role as a spokesperson for HSBC to witness the finalists of the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens do battle.

“It is going to be a pretty special tour, Warren has picked a great squad and certainly a squad that can go down there and win the Test series.

“Australia as a sporting country, it’s a country that really prides itself on its sporting heritage so it is going to be a very, very special tour.

“The ultimate goal for us as a squad is to win a Test series in Australia.”

The 26-year-old’s stellar season was commended at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards on Thursday night – fighting off stiff competition in the form of Danny Care, Steve Borthwick, Christian Wade, Akapusi Qera and Tigers teammate Julian Salvi.

The only player in the 133-year history of the Tigers to have started games at centre and Hooker, Youngs’ successful positional switch has also been transferred to the international stage as England’s first choice no.2.

But saving special praise for throwing coach Simon Hardy, Youngs admits he wouldn’t be anywhere near the player he is today without the help of his fellow professionals and coaches at Leicester.

“I’m over the moon. It has been an unbelievable season for me and I’d like to thank all my teammates and coaches at Leicester who have helped me throughout the year,” said Youngs, who hopes to make the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham.

“And I’d like to thank Simon Hardy my throwing coach who has been fantastic with me for the last three years as I have tried to get back to the Aviva Premiership.

“I didn’t really expect it but it is just fantastic. There are some great players there and to win against some greats is unbelievable – I can’t really put it into words.

“There are some great names who have won it in the past and obviously Chris [Robshaw] won it last year and he is a great bloke and a great mentor of the game and it is great to follow in his footsteps.

“I am very happy at hooker and I wouldn’t go back to centre. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I am now and it has been a fantastic change and I have enjoyed that process a lot.”

Along with brother Ben, the Youngs duo will become only the third pair of siblings to tour together in the last 100 years with the British and Irish Lions after both were selected by Warren Gatland.

And after grabbing his opportunity in an England shirt last Autumn, Youngs insists he is raring to do the same again out in Australia.

“To be called up to the Autumn international side was fantastic,” he added. “Unfortunately Dylan got injured and I got my opportunity to start and it has been an amazing experience which I have really enjoyed.

“And now to go on a Lions tour is unbelievable and it is going to be a massive summer for me. It’s going to be a fantastic experience and one I will cherish.”

Saints back row Wood has been named as captain by head coach Stuart Lancaster, with Harlequins flanker Robshaw rested having missed out on British & Irish Lions selection.

Robshaw captained England throughout the Six Nations, but Wood will step into the role as one of the few senior figures in a young 32-man squad named by Lancaster for the June Tests.

Dallaglio, a former England captain himself who was led by Martin Johnson to World Cup glory in 2003, was replaced as skipper by Phil Vickery for the 2002 tour of Argentina after picking up an injury while playing for London Wasps.

And speaking from that experience, he believes Wood has a chance to make a name for himself as captain this summer.

“Chris Robshaw has got an enormous amount to be proud of with what he has done this season, and could still do as he may well yet go on the Lions tour – who knows what might happen,” said Dallaglio, speaking in his role as founder of the Dallaglio Foundation.

“Tom Wood has had a stop-start campaign and could easily have been England captain [before Robshaw].

“The captaincy is great for Tom but I think he will just want to get back playing in an England shirt and get some consistency in terms of the opportunities he gets. It will be a big responsibility.

“I missed out on an England tour to Argentina in 2002 when I broke my thumb against Bath in the last game of the season and Phil Vickery went on to captain England for that tour and led England to a victory.

“One man’s withdrawal is another man’s opportunity so I am sure Tom will do England proud.”

Ben Ryan’s men have under performed for the majority of the campaign despite winning in New Zealand, but have the chance to make up for it at Twickenham this weekend.

And with a World Cup on the horizon, key try-scorer Sam Edgerley believes England have plenty to prove.

Having claimed third place in Scotland last week, the 21-year-old is confident of going out on a high in London.

“It has been a tough season for us, but we have been working really hard over these last few weeks to put it right,” said the former Esher man, speaking at Wellington College where he passed on tips to the winners of the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School Sevens competition.

“We really want to show our fans at Twickenham that we are great players and we are a great side.

“We are going to do everything in our power to put on a performance for everyone at Twickenham.

“We have got the World Cup coming up as well so it is important for us to get momentum going into that

“Twickenham for me is my favourite tournament with the home crowd and all our family and friends there, and we want to do everyone proud.

“We are going to go all guns blazing but that momentum going into the World Cup is really important.”

For more information on the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens visit: www.rpn7s.co.uk and the HSBC Sevens World Series at www.irbsevens.com

The 26-year-old has played just 52 minutes of rugby, all as a replacement, since making a recovery from an Achilles’ tendon injury he suffered before Christmas.

The outside-half therefore missed the entirety of Wales’ successful defence of their Six Nations title but is now ready to return against Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday evening, with a place in the Pro12 final at stake.

The Scarlets managed to secure the fourth and final play-off spot but tasted defeat in their final league game of the regular season – a 41-17 defeat by Treviso at Parc y Scarlets.

And Priestland, who has made 22 appearances for Wales, insists everyone is determined to bounce back from such a poor performance, knowing any repeat will result in a mauling at the hands of Ulster.

“It’s our job to try and put that to bed [defeat to Treviso]. All we did until quarter to eight last Friday night was put ourselves in a good position,” said Priestland.

“We had played good rugby, winning rugby. We need to use it as a bit of a motivator and show this Friday we are deserving of being a top-four side and of wearing the jersey.

“We mustn’t forget what got us into the position. When all the emotion dies down and the annoyance subsides a little bit, it’s about working on the next game, which is Ulster.

“We can’t afford what happened against Treviso happening again. It was unacceptable in many ways.

“We made poor decisions and that fed Treviso, it certainly didn’t do us any favours. Sometimes you go into a game expecting things to happen and they did not.

“That clearly won’t be the case in Ulster. We have already been there this season and came away with a battering.

“If we are not on the money and not accurate things like that can happen. We have not got to wait until September 6 to play again as a team. We have got a chance on Friday night to put what happened against Treviso right.

“What happened was embarrassing, there’s no hiding from that, but we have to take what we have done right to get there.”

Northampton Saints flanker Wood was one of England’s shining lights in the 2013 Six Nations, starting at No8 in four of the five games due to an injury to Ben Morgan.

And with Stuart Lancaster opting to rest regular skipper Chris Robshaw, the England head coach has turned to Wood to lead a youthful squad into battle against the Barbarians and on their three-match tour to Uruguay and Argentina.

The England squad includes five players who are 21 or under, the youngest of whom is London Wasps No8 Billy Vunipola, who represented England Under 20s last year.

Robshaw isn’t the only England regular to be given a rest with Danny Care, Toby Flood, Brad Barritt and Chris Ashton also not making the journey to South America, while Anthony Allen and James Haskell were not considered on medical grounds.

Lancaster said: “We’re really looking forward to this tour and we’ve selected a young and exciting side which I’m sure will do the country proud in a tough series of matches.

“The key principles in selection were threefold: first and foremost to win the games but also to develop strength in depth and more options in certain positions, and to give one or two players a physical and mental break.

“We feel we’ve got the balance right and have given places to a number of players who have shone in the Aviva Premiership this season, one or two who have been on the fringes for a while, and several players who have been involved over the last year or so. This is everyone’s chance to step up.

“Tom Wood will captain the side and I am sure he will do a fantastic job, as he has the respect of all the players and management and we are looking forward to other leaders developing in the absence of some senior players.

“A few are being rested after a hard campaign but they will, of course, be considered by the British & Irish Lions should they be required.”

England squad

Forwards: Dave Attwood (Bath), Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), David Paice (London Irish), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Henry Thomas (Sale), Billy Vunipola (London Wasps), Rob Webber (Bath), David Wilson (Bath), Tom Wood (Northampton, captain).

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Lee Dickson (Northampton), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Ben Foden (Northampton), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), Jonny May (Gloucester), David Strettle (Saracens), Joel Tomkins (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Marland Yarde (London Irish).

In the wake of Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad announcement, it was perhaps surprising that there weren’t more of the touring party on show in this fixture. Not one of Harlequins championship winning squad will be represented and only Northampton Saints skipper Dylan Hartley was chosen – and even his selection baffled some as he had lost his England spot to Leicester’s Tommy Youngs. With third place riding on the outcome and a few egos looking to prove Gatland wrong, it was Quins scrum-half Danny Care who stole the show with a sharp, incisive display that highlighted exactly what the Lions will miss as his side were 22-19 winners. While he may not be first-choice, Care has played at a consistently higher level than Munster’s Conor Murray, who took the third scrum-half spot over him. Care set up two tries, although the first was the direct result of a Saints’ defensive mistake as full-back Ben Foden dived over a chip through, allowing winger Tom Williams to go over untouched. The second was typical Care as he took a quick tap penalty and Quins kept up the pressure to send Tom Casson over after good work by Rob Buchanan and George Lowe. However, they didn’t have it all their own way as Northampton showed their attacking invention, using bruising inside-centre Luther Burrell, who showed his game isn’t all about power with some deft off-loads and quick feet, with Foden’s ability to create something from nothing. Both set up two of the Saints’ three tries. Quins now face Leicester while Northampton travel to Saracens, and while both sides concede home advantage, if they can cut out the individual errors that have plagued them in recent weeks, this could easily be a Premiership final rematch in a few weeks’ time.

Tigers secure home semi-final

Leicester showed their professionalism as they overpowered a spirited London Irish side 32-20. While their director of rugby Richard Cockerill would have been sorely tempted to rest his bigger names in a bid to keep them fresh for the play-offs, he opted to maintain their momentum and was rewarded with some stellar individual performances. In particular, two of his Lions, Tom Croft and Ben Youngs showed their touring quality as both scored first-half tries. Croft’s contribution in the hour he was on the pitch suggested he could be nearing the 2009 form that made him such a threat on the last Lions tour. Youngs also showed his quality as his wonderful dummy fooled the Irish defence and allowed him to run over unopposed. The victory secured a home semi-final berth and they will now face defending champions Quins, a side they have lost to twice this season. Cockerill is smart enough to know that home advantage can count for nothing if Quins get off to a fast start and will be guarding against complacency next weekend. For Irish, the fixture felt like the end of season meaningless encounter it was. They had nothing but pride to play for and initially it infected their game as they lacked any sort of urgency. However, in the second half they appeared to spark to life with a try for the departing prop, Alex Corbisiero and two long range efforts from wingers Topsy Ojo and Marland Yarde. By then it was too little too late but they will head into next season determined to put this year’s relegation battle behind them.

Exeter and Gloucester serve up a thriller

Much has been said about the pros of moving the rugby season to the summer months in the elusive search for spectacular, running rugby. While that may not happen in the near future, the advocates now have a new champion in the DVD of this game. This wasn’t just an ordinary West Country derby, with Exeter needing a win to secure Heineken Cup rugby next year and Gloucester doing their best to deny them. It was the boot of Exeter’s exiled Irishman Gareth Steenson that secured European rugby for the Chiefs as he notched a last-minute penalty to give them a 40-39 win. Steenson’s boot was the Chiefs’ main weapon as he scored 25 points but the game was more notable for the mistakes made by both sides that allowed such a high-scoring outcome. Exeter started brightly with a gung-ho approach that resulted in two tries in the first 15 minutes but then they threw that away with a series of costly mistakes. Three times they lost possession with dropped passes, and three times they were punished as Gloucester took advantage of their generous nature. The game ebbed and flowed with both sides taking turns with the lead but it was Gloucester who gifted Exeter the points with centre Billy Twelvetrees making a mess of a clearing kick that resulted in an Exeter penalty and Steenson’s season defining moment.

Sarries grind out win over Bath

Following the disappointment of their Heineken Cup semi-final loss to Toulon last week, it was important that Saracens returned back to form at the business end of the domestic season. That was duly achieved as they ground out a 23-14 win over Bath in what was a fairly subdued Allianz Park, despite Sarries ensuring they remained unbeaten at home domestically this season. It was a fairly routine win with an eye-catching performance from surprise Lion prop Mako Vunipola, whose power in the loose was underlined with a superbly finished try. Credit must go to the Saracens coaching staff who have worked hard on making him a more explosive player and conditioned him to use his bulk more effectively, and his Lions call up was a just reward for the endeavours. Sarries never looked likely to lose as Bath seemed resigned to their fate. Providing Exeter lost, they had an opportunity to secure a Heineken Cup spot for next year but they missed out as they just didn’t challenge enough. They scored two tries, one from Rob Webber when Saracens were down to 14 men and one from Horacio Agulla who showed great strength to beat five defenders and go over. If his team-mates showed the same heart and desire then they may have had a better end to a disappointing season. However, with signings in the shape of Jonathan Joseph and George Ford Bath have signalled an intent to challenge for the Europe again next year.