Charlie Hodgson and Lewis Moody have been ruled out of England’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship showdown with France in Paris on Saturday.

Neil Back believes a precedent could be set if Rugby Football Union disciplinary chiefs ban England captain Martin Johnson later this week.

Wales v France

Austin Healey will have one word on his mind when England tackle Ireland in the Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship tomorrow - revenge.

England face the prospect of being without their captain Martin Johnson for next month’s crucial Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship clash against France in Paris.

Kenny Logan has been recalled to Scotland's 24-man squad for the Six Nations Championship game against Italy.

If second row master and apprentice Mick Galwey and Paul O’Connell gel as well for Ireland as they so obviously do both on and off the pitch for Munster, then Wales had better beware.

Teams for Scotland versus England, Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship, Murrayfield, tomorrow, 4pm.

Rob Howley, who will become Wales’ most capped scrum-half when he steps out against Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Sunday, has seen many changes in the game, not to mention his country’s line-up, since scoring a try on his Test debut against England at Twickenham in 1996.

Rookie scrum-half Nick Duncombe could become a senior England international on Saturday - less than two years after breaking his neck.

A rib injury will keep Shane Horgan out of the Six Nations clash against Wales.

Wales coach Graham Henry was upbeat after leaving out four top players, including Lion Colin Charvis, for the opening Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship fixture against Ireland in Dublin on February 3.

Wasps Rugby director Nigel Melville is today understood to be stepping up attempts to try and secure the services of former Ireland coach Warren Gatland.

New Zealand centre Tana Umaga believes Ireland are close to breaking into the world rugby’s elite.

Iestyn Harris today moved closer to winning his first Wales rugby union cap when he was named in a 31-man squad for November Test matches against Argentina, Tonga and Australia.

Tyrone Howe, a late call-up for the British Lions in Australia, is the surprise omission from the Ireland squad for the re-arranged Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship match against Scotland at Murrayfield on September 22.

Lions manager Donal Lenihan last night pledged that Ireland’s tour hopefuls won’t suffer as a result of last night’s dramatic decision to postpone the Six Nations Championship until next season.

England are determined that the decision to postpone Ireland’s remaining Six Nations matches until the start of the new domestic season in September will not take the shine off their barnstorming season.

WARREN GATLAND sees light at the end of the tunnel following the decision to allow rugby fixtures continue throughout the country this weekend.