Former Australia boss Eddie Jones has been appointed the new head coach of Japan.

Former Australia coach Eddie Jones last night expressed an interest in replacing Martin Johnson as the next England team manager, just hours after Nick Mallett had ruled himself out of contention for the job.

Martin Johnson has urged England to be ruthless in tonight’s RBS 6 Nations showdown and take full advantage of Wales’ desperation for a victory.

ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson did not once seriously consider his position despite criticism prior to Saturday’s win over Australia in Sydney.

England manager Martin Johnson hailed today’s 21-20 victory over Australia in Sydney as “pretty special” and the perfect way to silence the critics.

England 16 Ireland 20

England 9 Australia 18

NEW ZEALAND lock Brad Thorn has warned Danny Cipriani his celebrity lifestyle may thwart his ambition of becoming the next Dan Carter.

Al Baxter’s scrummaging may be in question, but Australia’s much-maligned tight-head prop proved he has the hide of an ox by laughing off criticism of his front-row failings.

JONNY WILKINSON is battling to play again before Christmas after being cut down by another cruel injury blow.

A war of words has erupted in Australia as the recriminations over their World Cup exit begin in earnest.

Brian Ashton looks set to break new ground during his 15-Test reign as England head coach later today – by naming an unchanged team.

England 12 Australia 10

AUSTRALIA expect England to hit them with “rough” tactics in tomorrow’s World Cup quarter-final showdown in Marseille.

Andy Farrell has been recalled to the England side for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Australia at Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

Australia captain Stirling Mortlock says his players are desperate to avenge their extra-time loss to England in the 2003 World Cup final.

England will play for World Cup survival against tournament underdogs Tonga, with captain Martin Corry insisting complacency will not be an issue.

MARTIN CORRY will lead England into their most important Test match since the 2003 World Cup final on Friday night, claiming: “Captaincy is not something I strive for.”

MARTIN CORRY claims England will “draw strength from adversity” when they go into battle as huge World Cup underdogs against South Africa tonight.

England have announced that Jonny Wilkinson will receive intensive treatment over the next few days in his battle to recover from an ankle injury.

Jonny Wilkinson will arrive in Paris on World Cup business tomorrow, admitting he still “can’t bear the idea” of missing a kick.

EDDIE JONES has been confirmed as technical advisor to the South Africa national side until the end of their World Cup campaign.

Jonny Wilkinson has emerged as England's latest fitness concern for their RBS 6 Nations showdown with Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday.

Brian O’Driscoll has hailed Jonny Wilkinson’s return to Test rugby as “remarkable” – but insists the England matchwinner needs more time to recover his best form.

FRANCE Coach Bernard Laporte has made five changes to the team to play Ireland in the Six Nations in Dublin on Sunday from the one that hammered Italy 39-3 on the tournament’s opening weekend.

Jonny Wilkinson has won a shock England recall for next Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Scotland at Twickenham.

WALES face an anxious wait over the fitness of centre Tom Shanklin for their RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Ireland.

England’s return to the scene of their 2003 World Cup final triumph ended in a predictable and painful defeat as Australia sunk them following an error-marred Telstra Stadium showdown.

England have included World Cup winner Mike Catt in their squad for the two-Test tour to Australia.

AUSTRALIA centre Elton Flatley, whose nerveless kicking display forced the 2003 World Cup final against England into extra-time, has retired due to continued blurred vision.

Italy 16 England 31

ANDY ROBINSON and scrummaging guru Phil Keith-Roach attended a pre-Test meeting with referee Joel Jutge to ensure the Frenchman is fully briefed on the ‘tricks’ England expect Australia’s forwards to employ in today’s clash at Twickenham.

ENGLAND fly-half Jonny Wilkinson could make a surprise comeback for Newcastle this weekend against Sale Sharks.

THE Lions and the All Blacks are continuing to assess the intense physical cost that Saturday’s bruising second Test had on their players.

Clive Woodward has taken the drastic action necessary against his first Test flops by naming a radically changed team for Saturday’s showdown with New Zealand at Westpac Stadium.

British and Irish Lions coach Clive Woodward has named three Irish players in his starting 15 for the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch this Saturday.

Jonny Wilkinson is ready to roar with the Lions this summer, with England’s World Cup hero hero declaring: “It will be an amazing tour.”

Fit-again Jonny Wilkinson is ready to battle it out for the British and Irish Lions number 10 shirt.

JONNY WILKINSON’S waiting game ended last night when he was added to the Lions squad for this summer’s tour to New Zealand.

Jonny Wilkinson’s waiting game ended tonight when he was added to the Lions squad for this summer’s tour to New Zealand.

FORMER Ireland skipper Keith Wood has backed former team-mate Anthony Foley to be included in the Lions squad to tour New Zealand.

Lions legend Ieuan Evans today called for an end to the hysteria surrounding Jonny Wilkinson’s fitness.

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney is in a race against time to find a quality replacement for Christian Cullen before the Heineken Cup replacement deadline on Thursday.