FLY-HALF Jonny Wilkinson has called for “an enormously committed” England display in tonight’s World Cup eliminator against Tonga.

Mike Tindall has revealed his omission from England’s World Cup squad did not come as a surprise.

Martin Johnson has no ambition to take on the role of restoring the England rugby team to their former glory.

Jonny Wilkinson has declared himself “fully fit and healthy” to spearhead depleted England’s first Test challenge against South Africa in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Clive Woodward is set to name Jonny Wilkinson in his Lions squad to tour New Zealand on April 11 even though the influential fly-half will still be sidelined with a knee injury.

IRELAND will open their 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign against an African qualifier in Bordeaux on September 9.

Ireland will open their World Cup campaign against an African qualifier in Bordeaux on September 9, 2007 where they also play Europe 3, with their key Pool D game against France scheduled for Stade de France and a game against Americas 1 taking place at Parc des Princes.

CLIVE WOODWARD’S reign as England head coach is set to continue for at least one more day following a four-hour meeting with rugby union officials last night.

Graham Henry tonight claimed New Zealand face a task of “Everest” proportions to prise the World Cup away from England in three years’ time.

England’s rugby stars are on the brink of signing a deal to enable them to cash in on last year’s World Cup triumph.

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll and coach Eddie O’Sullivan have given up hope that England might be distracted ahead of their RBS 6 Nations clash at Twickenham.

Clive Woodward has described the demise of Six Nations A international rugby as a “backward step”.

All seven of Leicester’s World Cup heroes are set to feature in Saturday’s squad for the Zurich Premiership clash with Bath at Welford Road.

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO tonight identified England’s fitness as a key ingredient of their momentous World Cup campaign.

FRENCH manager Jo Maso admitted last night that Sunday’s World Cup quarter final against Ireland is the game Les Bleus dare not lose.

Under-strength Wales shook World Cup favourites New Zealand to the core at Telstra Stadium before finally buckling to a gut-wrenching defeat.

Australia’s defensive coach John Muggleton reignited the debate over England’s forward pack by insisting they are too old to cope with the demands of a World Cup campaign.

ARGENTINA coach Marcelo Loffreda has made scrum-half Agustin Pichot captain for the Rugby World Cup after Lisandro Arbizu ruptured knee ligaments in training.