He has taken Irish, European and world rugby by storm but Sean O’Brien won’t be forgetting his background any time soon. Terry Reilly paints a revealing portrait of the Leinster leader

RACING METRO’S English international full-back Dan Scarbrough predicts Leinster can claim their second Heineken Cup in May.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for Friday night’s Heineken Cup match against Racing-Métro 92 at the Stade Yves du Manoir, kick-off 8pm.

Saracens have released former South Africa full-back Brent Russell to join French giants Clermont Auvergne.

David Strettle and Mike Tindall could both be ruled out of World Cup contention today when England boss Brian Ashton assesses his casualty list.

England captain Jonny Wilkinson insists his side's tour of South Africa could prove useful despite a weakened side taking a heavy beating for a second week running today.

Saracens blew a string of scoring chances but still had enough power to overwhelm London Irish today and take a step closer to the Guinness Premiership play-off places.

Saracens 47 Narbonne 20

Biarritz 43 Saracens 13

Saracens kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals with victory over Ulster but the vast error count turned the clash into a huge disappointment

SARACENS face a crucial Heineken Cup clash against Ulster in Belfast tonight, with rugby director Steve Diamond admitting: “We don’t need to motivate the players for this game.”

Saracens face a crucial Heineken Cup clash against Ulster in Belfast tomorrow night, with rugby director Steve Diamond admitting: “We don’t need to motivate the players for this game.”

Newcastle boss Rob Andrew has warned Andy Robinson not to risk Jonny Wilkinson for England’s autumn internationals after the star fly-half suffered yet another frustrating injury setback.

Newcastle hope to make an overwhelming case for the defence when they tackle Zurich Premiership rivals Saracens at Kingston Park tomorrow.

England flanker Richard Hill has given his backing to Saracens’ new recruits by insisting their international ambitions can only be beneficial to the club.

Saracens today announced a mass player clear-out with Scottish international hooker Robbie Russell among those leaving the Zurich Premiership strugglers.

Saracens today continued their extensive rebuilding program by adding Ireland’s defensive kingpin Mike Ford to the Vicarage Road coaching staff.

Wasps 46 Calvisano 13

Toulouse 19 Leeds Tykes 3

ARGENTINA winger Octavio Bartolucci snapped his Achilles tendon in a club match at the weekend and is out of the World Cup.

Veteran prop Jason Leonard led out England’s World Cup hopefuls at the Millennium Stadium this afternoon for the first of three warm-up Tests which will help Clive Woodward finalise the make-up of his 30-man squad.

FORMER Irish international Mark McCall has been appointed coach to the Ireland Under-21 rugby team.

Leeds’ full-back Dan Scarbrough and Wasps’ centre Stuart Abbott will make their Test debuts when England’s World Cup warm-up campaign begins against Wales in Cardiff next Saturday.

England will field five international rookies in today's non-cap fixture against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

ENGLAND will field five international rookies in next Sunday’s non-cap fixture against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

England coach Clive Woodward today threw down the gauntlet to his fringe players to stake their claims for a place in his World Cup squad.

England will field five international rookies in next Sunday’s non-cap fixture against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Leeds face a mission improbable against Zurich Premiership wild card opponents Saracens tomorrow in what should be their last game of an impressive season.

Ireland A 24 England A 21

Leeds 26 Leicester 13

Leeds director of rugby Phil Davies believes the Tykes’ 24-6 victory over Bristol at Headingley yesterday was just reward for their hard work over the last few weeks.