IT has been a long journey but a worthwhile one for Mike Ross as Declan Kidney named him in the Ireland team to face Italy in the RBS 6 Nations opener in Rome on Saturday.

BRICKFIELDS, November 21. A crowd of just over 2,000 has wandered in to Plymouth Albion’s home ground for the British and Irish Cup game against Leinster’s second string.

Darren Albert, Super League’s exciting capture from Australian champions Newcastle Knights, is bracing himself for his first St Helens-Wigan derby.