AUSTRALIA’s rugby superstars have been asked to consider pay cuts and cheaper hotel rooms as part of a wide-ranging strategy to improve the finances of the Australian Rugby Union.

NEW Ireland manager Paul McNaughton believes the Croke Park crowd can play a major part when it comes to beating New Zealand for the first time in 22 meetings of the countries.

Ulster coach Matt Williams has signed Queensland Reds pair Clinton Schifcofske and Ed O'Donoghue on two-year deals.

WITH the preliminaries against Wales and Fiji out of the way, Australia’s World Cup preparations begin in earnest with next Saturday’s Tri-Nations opener against South Africa in Cape Town.

Junior All Blacks captain Daniel Braid has called on a number of ousted New Zealand internationals to prove their worth in the team’s IRB Pacific Nations Cup title defence.

Coach Michael Bradley has made five changes to the Connacht side to play Cardiff Blues in the Magner's League on Saturday at The Arms Park.

DENIS HICKIE’S experience this week shows how a player can be one injury away from an international cap.

WALLABIES coach John Connolly have named a 37-man squad for next month’s four-test tour of Italy, Britain and Ireland.

THE Lions and the All Blacks are continuing to assess the intense physical cost that Saturday’s bruising second Test had on their players.

WAIKATO flanker Marty Holah will make his first start for the Junior All Blacks when they take on Australia A in the second and final international in Sydney tomorrow.

ALL BLACKS coach Graham Henry insists he is taking little notice of the Lions’ low-key start to their New Zealand tour.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry had one eye on the future when he named the two teams for the All Blacks trial next month.

Australia coach Eddie Jones wants his side to match England’s physicality at Twickenham on Saturday and vowed: “We will be brutal.”

KEITH GLEESON is fortunate he is available to play for Ireland against world champions Australia at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Injury worries forced Australian selectors to name an expanded 26-man squad for the opening Tri Nations clash with New Zealand in Christchurch on July 13.

World Champions Australia will fly home later today with coach Eddie Jones insisting that they will take positives from a disappointing European tour.

Lawrence Dallaglio today put a brave face on his Lions injury agony and admitted: ‘‘The right decision has been made.’’

Darren Morris tonight underlined the Lions’ determination to erase memories of a disastrous week by declaring: ‘‘This is a squad of winners - not losers.’’

Andy Robinson today defended the Lions from stinging criticism fired by Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen and New South Wales boss Bob Dwyer.

The Lions lost their unbeaten tour record Down Under following an undisciplined display against Australia A at North Power Stadium.

The Lions are defeated by Australia A in their first loss of the tour.

Mike Catt will make his belated Lions tour entrance against Australia A tomorrow, admitting: ‘‘It’s one step at a time.’’

Lions coach Graham Henry today set his sights on a showdown with Super 12 semi-finalists Queensland Reds, and claimed: ‘‘We are going to be really tested.’’

British and Irish Lions chiefs have drawn up a provisional list of 67 players who have been asked to confirm their availability for this summer’s tour to Australia.