England have selected Brad Barritt and Jonathan Joseph as their centre pairing for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up game against Ireland at Twickenham.

Joe Schmidt has said his Ireland side were "tested on a number of levels" today against Scotland.

The trimming has begun.

Glasgow 16 Ulster 14: Glasgow left it late to book a place in the Guinness Pro12 final after a nail-biting 16-14 win over Ulster at Scotstoun.

Ulster head coach Neil Doak has decided that though a win in Glasgow this afternoon is both possible and rich with reward, he’ll put the Top Four play-offs at the top of his list of priorities.

Scotland have endured a bruising campaign in this year’s RBS 6 Nations — but Jim Hamilton insists one win against Ireland will sooth their wounds.

Scotland coach Vern Cotter has handed four Edinburgh players their first call-ups after naming his squad for next month’s RBS 6 Nations opener with France.

RABO DIRECT PRO12 FINAL:

Glasgow 16 Munster 15

Irish Examiner rugby columnist, Donal Lenihan, throws his eyes over the key areas in this afternoon's Six Nations clash with Scotland.

Glasgow 7 Cardiff Blues 9

Tommy Seymour grabbed two tries on his home debut as Scotland saw off the challenge of improving Japan 42-17 following a flurry of second-half action.

The British and Irish Lions have named Tommy Bowe, Dan Lydiate and Ben Youngs in their starting XV for Saturday's second Test against Australia at the Etihad Stadium.

WARREN GATLAND knew in advance of yesterday’s meeting with the ACT Brumbies that he was dicing with death with a back line he was forced to cobble together over the last few days.

Brumbies 14 British & Irish Lions 12

Billy Twelvetrees has been called up by the British and Irish Lions from England’s tour of Argentina to provide back line cover.

Munster and Ireland’s Simon Zebo was last night winging his way from Texas to Australia following his call-up by the British & Irish Lions as injury cover for international team-mate Tommy Bowe.

Ireland star Tommy Bowe underwent surgery in Brisbane on Sunday - but the British and Irish Lions have not ruled him out of their future tour plans Down Under.

The British and Irish Lions have been dealt a third major blow after Ireland wing Tommy Bowe broke a bone in his hand during today’s 22-12 victory over Queensland Reds.

Queensland Reds 12 British and Irish Lions 22

There can rarely have been a day of such extreme emotions for Cian Healy as he was cleared of a biting allegation and then ruled out of this British & Irish Lions tour because of injury.

Leinster 17 Glasgow 15

Leinster 17 Glasgow Warriors 15

The absence of Conor Murray from tonight’s Munster squad for the must-win RaboDirect Pro12 game with Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun has set the tongues wagging — is he out of favour, injured, or what?

Scotland 12 Ireland 8

This must rank as one of the most disappointing defeats for an Ireland side in the Six Nations championship for a long, long time.

Scotland 34 Italy 10

England 38 Scotland 18

Scotland and Edinburgh prop Allan Jacobsen has retired from international rugby, the Scottish Rugby Union has announced.

Holland-born Edinburgh wing Tim Visser is one of five uncapped players included in Scotland’s summer tour squad.

Already a game that was struggling to escape the shadow of next week’s Heineken Cup final, tonight’s RaboDirect PRO12 play-off has been relegated to the margins yet again by yesterday’s injury news concerning Brian O’Driscoll and Rob Kearney.

Glasgow Warriors have today named the side to face Leinster in the RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final at the RDS on Saturday night (kick-off 7.35pm).

Glasgow 29 Aironi 6

Connacht 13 Glasgow Warriors 13

Glasgow 17 Edinburgh 12

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has told his 30-man Rugby World Cup squad to now seize a place in his starting XV.

Aironi 16 Glasgow 17

RUAN PIENAAR was the hero for Ulster at Firhill, his man-of-the-match haul of all 22 points ensuring his side snatched a last-gasp victory against a typically dogged Glasgow side to climb to second in the Magners League.

Glasgow Warriors 19 Ulster 22

Uncapped trio Jon Welsh, Rob Harley and Jack Cuthbert have been named in the Scotland squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship, head coach Andy Robinson announced today.

Munster 22 Glasgow 20

JOHN HAYES will get a chance to stake his claim to the tighthead berth for Munster’s European date with destiny next weekend after a call-up for the province’s Magners League game with Glasgow Warriors in Cork tonight (7.30pm).

Glasgow Warriors have named an unchanged starting side for tomorrow night's Magners League clash with Ulster at Ravenhill (kick-off 7.05pm).

Scotland lock Jim Hamilton will make his long-awaited comeback from injury on Saturday after being named today in the Edinburgh side for the Greaves Sports 1872 Cup decider.

Scarlets 16 Edinburgh 17

Captain Mike Blair and centre Nick de Luca will start for Edinburgh for the first time this season against Leinster in the Magner’s League at Murrayfield on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS Leinster go to Murrayfield tonight in search of Magners League points, but face a huge battle against an Edinburgh team with an impressive home record.

Scotland international lock Jim Hamilton makes a return to the Edinbrugh side to take on Leinster in the Magner’s League at Murrayfield tomorrow night.

Munster 28 Edinburgh 14