Saracens have cleared the way for Gavin Henson to complete a move to Toulon after releasing the Wales centre from his contract.

Brian O’Driscoll feels more comfortable on the pitch having tackled the recurring hamstring injuries that have hampered his career.

JONNY WILKINSON vowed to continue to put his injury-prone body on the line for England after making a remarkable 20 tackles in last weekend’s defeat to Australia.

IRELAND’s yo-yo Lions tour took another twist last night when Munster prop John Hayes climaxed a season to remember with a call-up to the squad in South Africa.

The British and Irish Lions are sweating on the fitness of one of their potential Test stars only 11 days before tackling world champions South Africa.

In slow motion, it looked like he was treating Cullen’s face like a bowling ball, looking for the holes where he would put his fingers. Even if it wasn’t deliberate – and we will never know what went through Quinlan’s mind in that split-second – it was still a dangerous thing to do.

Tom Shanklin last night became the second player to have his British and Irish Lions dream shattered by injury.

Tom Shanklin anticipates a nervous month in the build-up towards this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour.

JERRY FLANNERY yesterday paid tribute to his front-row partner, John Hayes, praising his longevity as a prop, enduring professionalism and attention to detail in a remarkable career for province and country.

Jason White will quit Sale Sharks at the end of this season after agreeing a two-year deal with French club Clermont Auvergne.

WILL GREENWOOD believes the smart money is on the Ospreys to win the Heineken Cup – and he wasted no time in hunting down the nearest bookies after the quarter-final draw was made.

SIMON EASTERBY has announced his retirement from international rugby only two days after winning his 65th cap for Ireland.

After a limited period in the country Gatland also realised that given the quality of backs available to him, he needed an out-and-out open side to complement the running game he was likely to pursue.

DONNCHA O’CALLAGHAN has won many admirers during this year’s Six Nations Championship — and not only for his striking performances on the field.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL was refreshingly open at the captain’s table in Killiney yesterday — from thoughts on life without Gordon, to candidly relating how the negative reaction to Saturday’s win over Italy impacts upon the squad, and explaining why there is “freshness” in camp despite rumours of players working in a stale environment.

THE ENGLISH RFU and Premier Rugby will formally mark the end of a bitter feud lasting over a decade when they unveil their new eight-year agreement tomorrow morning.

AN AUDIENCE with Ireland star Donncha O’Callaghan is rarely dull, especially when the giant lock forward removes the serious match-day mask as he did at Dromoland Castle this week for the launch of the new adidas tight-fit Munster jersey.

Nick Easter was “gob-smacked” by his shock England call-up for the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Italy.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has warned his pack they must survive Wales’ softening-up process if they are to make a successful start to the RBS 6 Nations.

RONAN O’GARA has lashed out at England’s ‘over-hyped’ rugby stars, claiming that both Munster and Ireland are superior in many key positions.

ENGLAND World Cup winners Lawrence Dallaglio and Phil Vickery could make their first appearances of the season this weekend.

GIRVAN DEMPSEY hopes Leinster’s amazing Heineken Cup progress will help re-launch his international career.

Injured Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll is taking it “week-by-week” while recovering from the dislocated right shoulder which ended his Lions tour in June.

Simon Lewis, Auckland

Munster 24 Edinburgh 14

Clive Woodward has spent the last seven months whittling down his list of over 100 players to just 44 names, who will be announced on Monday as the British and Irish Lions squad for the 2005 tour of New Zealand.

WHEN Clive Woodward was announced as coach of the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand, we all made a couple of assumptions.

THE 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand is expected to cost €8 million, which will be raised in sponsorship and licensing opportunities.

Clive Woodward has opened the door to Martin Johnson for a glorious return to the Test arena with the 2005 Lions.

The British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in the summer of 2005 will consist of 10 matches, including a three-Test series against the All Blacks.

Clive Woodward was today appointed head coach of the 2005 Lions.

CLIVE WOODWARD’S appointment as coach of the 2005 Lions is expected to be confirmed today.