Australia have reunited Quade Cooper and Will Genia at half-back for tomorrow’s non-cap international against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika is hot favourite to take over as Wallabies coach following Ewen McKenzie’s shock resignation.

Australia foiled New Zealand’s bid to win an historic 18th consecutive Test as the Bledisloe Cup rivals played out a 12-12 stalemate at the ANZ Stadium.

Limerick is hosting Ireland’s first ever rugby World Club 7’s event, with a feast of rugby taking place in Thomond Park over the weekend.

Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is fit to return and take a seat on the bench for Australia in their autumn international clash against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Robbie Deans has been sacked as Australia head coach following the Wallabies’ Test series defeat to the British and Irish Lions, according to reports in the Australian press.

The teams for Australia versus British and Irish Lions have been decided.

Flanker George Smith has been recalled to the Australia team to face the British and Irish Lions in the third and final Test in Sydney.

At last the hype is over and the British and Irish Lions are back in business.

Australia have picked James O'Connor at fly-half for Saturday's opening Test against the British and Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium with Kurtley Beale included on the bench.

Jake White has seen his Australian Super Rugby rivals try to unsettle the British & Irish Lions on this tour and earn plaudits for doing so, yet the Brumbies coach knows the bottom line is that all of them have failed.

Australia coach Robbie Deans today refused to provide the British and Irish Lions with any ammunition ahead of Saturday’s series opener by distancing himself from Bob Dwyer’s accusation that the tourists are “cheats”.

Christian Wade has been called up by the British and Irish Lions and withdrawn from the England side to play Argentina in Buenos Aires today.

But there are concerns over centre Jamie Roberts as tourists beat NSW Waratahs 47-17

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

Australia have named Tri-Nations winning captain James Horwill as their skipper for the British and Irish Lions Tour.

The British and Irish Lions insist they will not be “drawn into silliness” tomorrow after being promised a physical welcome by opening Australia tour opponents Western Force.

Ewen McKenzie could be prepared to shelve his stated ambition of coaching Australia if the opportunity arose for him to take charge of Ireland.

Controversial fly-half Quade Cooper returned to the Australia squad with coach Robbie Deans naming a large 49-man training group ahead of the Test series against the British and Irish Lions in June and July.

Wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner have been included in Australia’s training squad as they prepare for the Rugby Championship.

Australia coach Robbie Deans will blood five new caps in the first of four successive Tests against Six Nations opponents in Newcastle on Tuesday night.

AUSTRALIA centre Rob Horne yesterday withdrew from the Wallabies team to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium today (2.30pm) due to a hamstring injury.

The British and Irish Lions will play Test matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney when they tour Australia in 2013.

Australia full-back Kurtley Beale has been ruled out of the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand with a hamstring strain.

Australia will give full-back Kurtley Beale every chance to prove his fitness for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans admits the Wallabies’ injury crisis has forced him to be “creative” in his team selection for tomorrow’s World Cup clash with Russia (3.30am Irish time).

Australia have named number eight Radike Samo on the wing for Saturday’s World Cup clash with Russia in Nelson.

ROCKY ELSOM may wear Australia’s colours at Eden Park on Saturday but Denis Leamy credits him for having a profound impact on Ireland’s back row.

MUNSTER have turned to Tadhg Kennelly’s trainer with the Sydney Swans to knock them into shape for the new rugby season. Australian Bryce Cavanagh has been appointed Munster’s new strength and conditioning coach and takes over from the late Paul Darbyshire.

Melbourne Rebels say they have “lost confidence” in Danny Cipriani following the England international’s latest disciplinary breach.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has made just two changes to his starting XV for the Wallabies’ final Test of 2010 against France on Saturday night.

AUSTRALIA’S comprehensive defeat by England at Twickenham on Saturday has added spice to tomorrow night’s clash of the Wallabies and Munster at Thomond Park.

Australia have made three changes to their team to take on South Africa in the Tri Nations at Bloemfontein on Saturday with Stephen Moore, Mark Chisholm and Ben McCalman drafted in.

Quade Cooper has returned to the Australia starting line-up for Saturday’s Tri Nations encounter against South Africa in Pretoria in the only change made by coach Robbie Deans.

Connacht Rugby has appointed Australian Brian Melrose as their backs coach.

IT didn’t take Chris Whitaker long to recognise that playing for Leinster against Munster was more special than any other game, and nothing has changed since moving on to manage the Heineken Cup champions.

Australia today made just one change to their starting XV for Saturday’s autumn international against Scotland.

Openside David Pocock gets the nod over George Smith as the only change to the Wallabies starting side named today for Sunday’s Test against Ireland at Croke Park.

NEW Leinster second-row Nathan Hines has pinpointed the province’s progression from nearly men to European kingpins as a deciding factor in his decision to join from Edinburgh.

ROCKY ELSOM will return to Australia from Ireland after agreeing to terms with the Australian Rugby Union, according to a report in today’s The Australian.

Al Baxter’s scrummaging may be in question, but Australia’s much-maligned tight-head prop proved he has the hide of an ox by laughing off criticism of his front-row failings.

Australia coach Robbie Deans tonight insisted Twickenham “holds no baggage” for the Wallabies despite their poor recent record at the ground.

The IRFU announces the appointment of Les Kiss, formerly of the New South Wales Waratahs, as the new Ireland defence coach.