England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler was last night banned for two games after his “gypsy boy” slur against Wales forward Samson Lee during last month’s RBS 6 Nations Championship game at Twickenham.

Warren Gatland has targeted “another step up” from his players on Friday night when they chase a victory over France that would send them top of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Wales recorded their ninth successive victory over Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship to stay firmly among this season's title contenders.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has sprung the first surprise of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship – by naming his team to face England 48 hours early.

The Ireland coaching staff has named a 38 player squad for the first two rounds of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Warren Gatland revealed a glowing recommendation from one of world rugby’s outstanding coaches played its part in New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe making an unlikely journey from Super Rugby to potential Wales Test star.

Italy will have four new faces in their squad when they face Ireland in their RBS 6 Nations Championship opener in Rome next month.

Ireland international lock, Dan Tuohy, has agreed a three-year contract extension with Ulster that will keep him at Kingspan Stadium until at least the summer of 2018.

Wales 17 Fiji 13

Scarlets 32 Connacht 30

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has named a team showing one enforced change for Friday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff.

France 30 Italy 10

Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien could miss the entire RBS 6 Nations championship after Leinster warned he faces a long lay-off with a dislocated shoulder.

Ireland lock Paul O’Connell will captain the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s tour opener against the Barbarians at Hong Kong Stadium.

Saracens 27 Ulster 16

The IRFU have confirmed that no appeal will be lodged with the Six Nations regarding the suspension of Brian O'Driscoll.

Wales star Jamie Roberts hopes to sample more of what he describes as “the ultimate” rugby union experience later this year.

Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip insisted Declan Kidney’s future as head coach is out of the players’ hands following a “frustrating” and disappointing RBS 6 Nations championship.

France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre will abandon tradition and gladly settle for the most tedious of victories against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss the rest of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship after being banned for insulting a referee.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss the rest of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship after being banned for insulting a referee.

There are two new caps in the Ireland team to play Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship in Murrayfield on Sunday, February 24th (kick off 2pm).

So much for three days off. When Ireland returned to training camp on Thursday, the physical pain and mental anguish caused by last Sunday’s 12-6 Six Nations defeat to England was still lingering.

Ireland Centre Gordon D'Arcy has been ruled out of the remainder of the RBS 6 Nations Championship with a foot injury.

Italy 23 France 18

Simon Zebo and Craig Gilroy will join Rob Kearney in an exciting back three when Ireland run out at the Millennium Stadium to face Wales in their first Six Nations clash on Saturday (1.30pm).

A 33-man Ireland squad has been announced for training this week as preparations continue for the opening game against Wales in Cardiff next Saturday in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Olly Kohn tonight reflected on the “surreal” feeling of being called up by Wales for this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Munster fly-half Ronan O'Gara has been suspended for a week following his citing for kicking Edinburgh lock Sean Cox in a Heineken Cup fixture four days ago.

Jamie Heaslip will captain Ireland for the RBS 6 Nations Championship after leading the side during the Guinness Series in November.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney today unveils his initial squad for this year’s RBS 6 Nations Championship and is expected to confirm Anthony Foley as acting defence coach.

South Africa-born forward Andries Pretorius has been named in the Wales squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

South Africa-born forward Andries Pretorius has been named in the Wales squad for this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Ireland wing Tommy Bowe is set to miss this season’s entire RBS 6 Nations Championship after undergoing knee surgery.

Scott Johnson has been appointed Scotland interim head coach for the RBS 6 Nations and summer tour to South Africa, the Scottish Rugby Union has announced.

There will be no Irish staff in the backroom team for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia next summer.

Wales and Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland has suffered a devastating injury blow that will rule him out for the rest of this season.

Ireland are examining their options at full-back after Rob Kearney was ruled out of the autumn series with a back problem.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has named four uncapped players for the 2012 Guinness Series games against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.

Isaac Boss has become the second player to be ruled out of Ireland’s New Zealand tour through injury.