The never-ending saga of France-Wales in Paris generated scenes of such absurdity that it really needed Inspector Clouseau with his white mac and magnifying glass to complete the farce to complete the farce.

MUNSTER SELECTION

England forwards coach Graham Rowntree has been in regular contact with Dylan Hartley to ensure he would be ready if needed during the World Cup.

Courtney Lawes will make his England return in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland emboldened by a glowing reference from forwards coach Graham Rowntree.

England won’t lack for confidence when they arrive in the Aviva Stadium tomorrow, says Donal Lenihan.

Mike Brown is still suffering concussion symptoms and faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the pivotal RBS 6 Nations clash between Ireland and England in Dublin.

Wales star and qualified doctor Jamie Roberts believes the fallout from the George North concussion controversy will contribute towards making rugby union a safer sport. 

England have named Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter on the bench for Friday night’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff.

Forwards Tom Croft and Christian Day have been called up to England’s RBS 6 Nations training squad as injury cover, the Rugby Football Union has announced.

Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter have the chance to reignite their Test careers in England’s 34-man Six Nations training squad, with Sam Burgess also handed World Cup lift-off.

European Champions Cup

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It is a sign of England’s growing maturity that the talk in the gym ahead of their game against New Zealand today has been of ‘Dad Strength’.

Brian O’Driscoll has outlined how being overlooked for the 2009 IRB Player of the Year was one of the biggest disappointments of his career, while the Grand Slam win that year was one of the highlights.

It’s funny the things you remember.

With Warburton out, if Deans chooses to recall George Smith to the fray, we could see a sizeable shift in that battle at the breakdown.

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Howley warns players against thinking about anything other than their jobs today

LIONS TOUR - SECOND TEST: Australia v Lions

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.

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British and Irish Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree today refused to dwell on Paul O’Connell’s tour-ending fractured arm.

Lock Paul O’Connell has been ruled out of the remainder of the British and Irish Lions’ Test series against Australia with a fractured arm.

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The British and Irish Lions eased concerns over the fitness of Tom Croft and Jonathan Davies after they missed the final training session before tomorrow’s first Test against Australia.

Sam Warburton is ready to lead the Lions into battle in Brisbane tomorrow after overcoming a month of intense competition in the backrow, not to mention a difficult season in the red of Wales.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland revealed that Alex Corbisiero’s superior scrummaging resulted in his selection ahead of Mako Vunipola for Saturday’s opening Test against Australia.

Australia have turned to Wallaby greats such as Nick Farr-Jones and Joe Roff for advice on what to expect from the British and Irish Lions during the looming Test series.

More than a few questions asked by the Waratahs on Saturday here in Sydney, the majority answered emphatically by the tourists — but at what cost?

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But there are concerns over centre Jamie Roberts as tourists beat NSW Waratahs 47-17

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

Sam Warburton has been given a ringing endorsement as he prepares to lead the British and Irish Lions against New South Wales Waratahs tomorrow.

Warren Gatland has handed new arrival Simon Zebo his British and Irish Lions debut and told the exciting Munster wing he is in a “no-lose situation” to stake a claim for a Test place.

Warren Gatland today put an emphasis on rest and recovery for players like Brian O’Driscoll and George North ahead of next week’s first Test against Australia.

When Simon Zebo hopped into an ice bath with his phone in his pocket on Friday, the young Irish rugby star wasn’t to know that the Lions would be trying to get through to him within 24 hours.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

Cian Healy faces an anxious wait from the medics and a judicial hearing this morning while Conor Murray could also be in disciplinary hot water on an otherwise encouraging night for the Irish contingent in the Lions’ victory over the Western Force.

Warren Gatland knows there will be tougher days than the one his British & Irish Lions faced in Western Australia yesterday, starting this Saturday in Brisbane, yet you could not blame the head coach for feeling a little pleased with the ruthless way his team dispatched their opponents.

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Brian O’Driscoll will captain the British and Irish Lions against Western Force on Wednesday, but his fellow Ireland international Rob Kearney has emerged as an early tour injury concern.

The official line from the Lions camp in Carton House yesterday was that Sean O’Brien continues to make progress with the knee injury that is threatening his participation in Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 final against Ulster.

Warren Gatland has absorbed much advice over the last 12 months in relation to what he should and shouldn’t do on the 2013 Lions tour to Australia.

Stade Francais’ Jerome Fillol looks set to become the first professional player to be cited for spitting at an opponent.

I am finding it increasingly difficult to get my head around the player welfare programme and the current state of the provinces.

Joe Launchbury has passed a late fitness test and will start for England in their Grand Slam showdown with Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Toby Flood will be named in England's RBS 6 Nations squad today after a citing for an alleged tip tackle was dismissed at a Rugby Football Union hearing.

As a tough Six Nations campaign ends, Ireland can finish it on a high