Mike Blair is out of contract at Edinburgh.

Scotland and Edinburgh scrum-half Mike Blair is unlikely to be moving to Ulster to replace Isaac Boss who has agreed a deal to join Leinster.

Blair was one of a number of top pivots who were sounded out by Ulster, but it is believed that talks have now ended.

Another Lion, Welsh scrum-half Dwayne Peel, and Springbok utility back Ruan Pienaar have also been sounded out.

Pienaar is currently involved with the Sharks Super 14 squad, but has failed to tie down a regular starting place.

He was on South Africa's autumn tour and over the past few seasons has played both half-back positions.

Pienaar was also part of South Africa's World Cup winning squad in 2007, and has also played full-back for the Sharks.

Meanwhile, Peel, who is out of contract at Sale Sharks, may have a change of mind, now that England international Richard Wigglesworth has moved to Saracens from Edgeley Park.

Peel, who was won 72 Wales caps and was part of the Lions squad in 2005, is believed to be looking a fresh challenge.

He will miss the Six Nations opener against England on 6 February because of a groin injury sustained in a Heineken Cup game two weeks ago.

However, he is expected to return to the Welsh squad for the game against Scotland a week later.

Blair, who is out of contract, has won over 50 caps for Scotland and was called up to the Lions squad as a replacement last year after Tomas O'Leary was ruled out by injury.

When Boss moves to Leinster, he will face a battle for the number nine shirt with another Ireland international Eoin Reddan.

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