Friday Round-Up

Former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll believes that his old boss and current Ireland coach Joe Schmidt would inspire the Lions down in New Zealand next year.

Schmidt and Warren Gatland look to go head to head for the job but O'Driscoll has doubts over the IRFU's stance if Schmidt were offered the role.

"He'd do a phenomenal job," O'Driscoll told 'Sport' magazine. "He's a top-class coach. His attention to detail is what makes him stand apart. He's a great thinker and he'd make the Lions very competitive in what is the most difficult environment of all.

"There would be a need for him to give up the Ireland role for an eight-month period. I don't know how much the union would be keen on that. A lot depends on whether he wants to stay on until the next World Cup as well.

"All that talk will happen in the summer, so a lot more will come to light then. They could do a hell of a lot worse than Joe."

Samoa international Ahsee Tuala has agreed a new deal with Northampton Saints for next season.

The 26-year-old has scored six tries in 19 appearances since joining the club in February 2015.

"Ahsee has been a good player for us over the past year and we're delighted that he's agreed to stay with us," said director of rugby Jim Mallinder.

Saints have also agreed contracts for next season with prop Matt Beesley and hooker Charlie Clare, both 24.