France head coach Marc Lievremont is monitoring the fitness of two players ahead of the gathering of his 23-man squad for a week of preparation for the RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland on Saturday.

Brian Lima has been selected for his World Cup swansong on Wednesday - despite a disciplinary cloud hanging over the Samoan centre.

Bath back-row forward Scott Gray will earn his first cap for Scotland in the Staffware Challenge match against the Barbarians on Saturday.

Leinster have cited Sale Sharks' hooker Andy Titterrell for a blatant stamp on the head of Eric Miller and, as expected, Sale have returned this approach by citing Ben Gissing for stamping on prop Andrew Sheridan.

Sale Sharks' young star Charlie Hodgson grabbed 14 points in his side's 44-6 Parker Pen European Shield drubbing of Connacht at Heywood Road.