New England boss Brian Ashton has named a new captain and summoned Jason Robinson from international retirement for this season’s Six Nations Championship.

Bath prop David Barnes has been appointed tour captain of the newly-named England Saxons in this season’s Barclays Churchill Cup competition.

Andy Robinson has warned that England’s chances of defending the World Cup will be ruined unless he receives the full support of all the Guinness Premiership clubs next season.

Ireland A international front-rowers John Fogarty and Ray Hogan have extended their contracts at Connacht to 2008 and 2007 respectively.

IRISH coach Eddie O’Sullivan has opted for youthful promise in the Ireland A team to meet England in Gloucester on Friday night (7.45pm).

The following is the Ireland A team to play England A in Kingsholm, Gloucester on Friday (19.45).

IRELAND A will take a squad of 28 players to Canada and the US for next year’s Churchill Cup.

INJURY-HIT Cardiff still hope to spring a Celtic League surprise on Munster at the Arms Park this evening (5.30).

Michael Bradley will be the head coach for the Irish A team to play France A next Friday night in Donnybrook.

England boss Andy Robinson has backed rookie prop Matt Stevens to thrive when he is thrown into the Lansdowne Road bear-pit against Ireland on Sunday.

Duncan Bell today appeared on the verge of an England call-up – just three months after being told he could not play for Wales.

Leicester fly-half Andy Goode has been called into England’s 30-man training squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland in Dublin on February 27.

The Ireland A team are scheduled to play their French counterparts in an ‘A’ international in Donnybrook in March.

ENGLAND stars Danny Grewcock and Mike Tindall hope to prove their fitness for next week’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Wales.

England stars Danny Grewcock and Mike Tindall hope to prove their fitness for next week’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Wales.

GARY LONGWELL has been called into the Irish squad for the Six Nations game against England at Twickenham tomorrow week.

England's Wilderspool Stadium has been chosen to host the final of the inaugural European Nations Cup on Sunday, November 16.

Clive Woodward believes that Saturday’s showdown with France at the 60,000-capacity Stade Velodrome is perfect World Cup preparation.

Leicester hooker Dorian West will captain England in their World Cup warm-up clash against France in Marseille on Saturday.

Australia Test player Chris McKenna is set to play for Ireland in the European Nations Cup at the end of the season.

The Ireland A team to play England A on Friday has been announced.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan makes two changes to his team for the RBS 6 Nations clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday.

England coach Clive Woodward has left the door open for players to earn promotion from the A squad to the senior side after seeing his preparations for the RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy wrecked by injuries.

Lawrence Dallaglio has declared himself “100% fit” for England’s RBS 6 Nations opener against France at Twickenham on Saturday after leading Wasps to their 35-11 Zurich Premiership victory over London Irish.

WELSH rugby chiefs last night put the Wales A team into cold storage as part of a major cash-saving exercise.

John Kelly’s elevation to the Ireland senior squad has opened the door to an Irish A start for his Munster team-mate Jason Holland.

Tries from John Kelly and Tyrone Howe condemned England A to a 25-18 defeat to Ireland A at Franklin's Gardens.

England A 18 Ireland A 25

England full-back Matt Perry will line up for the A side in Friday night's clash against Ireland at Northampton.

Bristol players Phil Christophers and Andrew Sheridan have been called into the England A squad for next Friday’s international against Ireland A at Northampton.

Phil Vickery is likely to miss England's opening Six Nations matches against Scotland and Ireland.

Friday's A international between England and Scotland has been switched from Newcastle to Leeds.

Swansea fly-half Gavin Henson will make his debut for Wales A against Ireland A on Friday night.

This summer’s Lions trip to Australia has probably come 12 months too early for rugby league convert Jason Robinson.

Liam Botham is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Jason Robinson by using his England A selection as the springboard to a full international call-up.

The European Shield semi-final between Newcastle Falcons and Harlequins will be played at Headingley Stadium on Sunday, April 22.

Axed Six Nations lock Chris Wyatt will line up for Wales A against their Scottish counterparts in Edinburgh on Friday night.