Cameron Hill

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Off the Balls, Rugby Daily.

With Bank of Ireland, a proud sponsor of Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster Rugby.

Never stop competing.

You're very welcome along to Wednesday's Rugby Daily.

I'm Cameron Hill.

Now coming up for you today, how a blitz defence actually works and will it be Leinster's undoing in Bilbao?

The brain injury lawsuit being taken by former rugby players is on the brink of collapse and tributes are being paid to Scotland great Scott Hastings, who's died at the age of 61.

First up today, Ulster are preparing for the curtain-raiser to European finals weekend in Bilbao.

Richie Murphy's side take on Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final at Estadio San Mames on Friday.

He could be able to call upon winger Rob Ballacoon, whose recovery from an elbow injury has gone quicker than expected.

It had been feared that his season was over.

Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and Rob Herring have all been ruled out of the decider, however.

Ulster can claim their first trophy in 20 years and just their second of the professional era this weekend and Murphy's hoping the team can replicate the side that won the European Cup back in 1999.

The province have also confirmed that Clark Dermody will come on board as their forwards coach from next season.

The 46-year-old New Zealander joins from Super Rugby side the Highlanders and will take over from Jimmy Duffy, who's departing at the end of this term.

A loose head prop during his playing days, Dermody earned three caps for the All Blacks, including one against Ireland back in 2006.

He retired in 2012 and began coaching two years later with Southland in New Zealand's NPC before linking up with Jamie Joseph at the Highlanders on a temporary basis initially.