’A’ International

Ireland Wolfhounds 9 England Saxons 18

Gone are the days when these A internationals were mere consolation prizes for those who missed out on Test caps. Tonight’s clash of Irish Wolfhounds and English Saxons at Musgrave Park represents a full-blown RBS 6 Nations audition, writes Simon Lewis.

Ian Madigan endured a tormenting day with the boot for Leinster against Wasps last weekend but the man who knows his kicking abilities best has backed him to bounce back against Italy on Saturday week, says Brendan O’Brien.

Sean O’Brien remains in contention to end an injury-plagued 14 months by making a comeback for the Irish Wolfhounds against England Saxons.

Stuart Lancaster has pledged to “make it absolutely crystal clear” to Dylan Hartley that any more lapses in discipline could blow England’s RBS 6 Nations chances.

Cian Healy and Sean O’Brien could kick-start their fight for Six Nations fitness in Ireland Wolfhounds’ clash with England Saxons.

Stuart Lancaster has pledged to "make it absolutely crystal clear" to Dylan Hartley that any more lapses in discipline could blow England’s Six Nations chances.

Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter have the chance to reignite their Test careers in England’s 34-man Six Nations training squad, with Sam Burgess also handed World Cup lift-off.

Ireland’s director of rugby Eddie Wigglesworth hit back at criticism aimed at the IRFU for participating in the IRB Nations Cup.

England’s lack of depth at tighthead prop will not damage their scrummaging at Twickenham on Saturday, according to Ireland’s Mike Ross.

The first cut is the deepest.

England Saxons 8 Ireland Wolfhounds 14

Ireland call-up Ian Keatley has revealed the collective bitterness at so many of Munster’s players being overlooked for the November Tests has driven the province to Heineken Cup qualification ahead of schedule.

Munster-bound No.8 Robin Copeland has reaped an instant reward for his decision to return to an Irish province next season by being named in Joe Schmidt’s extended Ireland RBS 6 Nations and Wolfhounds squad.

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney backed debutants Paddy Jackson and Luke Marshall to come of age in a green jersey against Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday.

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Conor Murray’s emergence as a candidate for the Lions tour next summer has come on the back of a steady stream of improved performances, culminating in his dominance of Mike Phillips in Cardiff last weekend.

Ireland Wolfhounds 10 England Saxons 14

Munster number 8 James Coughlan has been chosen to skipper the Ireland Wolfhounds against England Saxons in tomorrow night’s clash at the Sportsground (7.35pm).

Munster and Ireland prop David Kilcoyne is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and won’t entertain suggestions that he is already in Warren Gatland’s plans for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Fifty-cap England fly-half Toby Flood has been warned that he may have to accept a job-share arrangement with rising star George Ford when Leicester’s Aviva Premiership campaign opens on Sunday.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney said that he was encouraged by what he saw from the Ireland Wolfhounds’ performance against the England Saxons on Saturday despite the 23-17 scoreline in favour of the Saxons.

London Irish and England full back Delon Armitage has been suspended by the RFU after being arrested in connection with an alleged assault in a nightclub.

Sandy Park in Exeter may seem an odd place to begin the countdown to Ireland’s 2012 RBS 6 Nations campaign but it is there the final pieces of Declan Kidney’s initial championship squad will fall into place as the Wolfhounds take on England Saxons this evening (5pm).

Ulster Back row Chris Henry will lead the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds in their game against the England Saxons this Saturday in Exeter.

DANNY CARE will be excluded from England’s Six Nations squad after he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Danny Care will be excluded from England’s Six Nations squad after being arrested for drink driving, the Rugby Football Union have confirmed.

London Irish prop Alex Corbisiero will make his Test debut in England’s RBS 6 Nations meeting with Italy tomorrow after Andrew Sheridan was ruled out with a back injury.

IF the England Saxons expected to neuter the Wolfhounds at a gale-lashed Ravenhill last night they were in for a big surprise, as they were cut down to size in no uncertain terms.

Ireland Wolfhounds 20 England Saxons 11

WALES’ coaching staff held a “long debate” about handing James Hook the fly-half playmaker’s role for their RBS 6 Nations showdown against England at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow night.

Connacht out half Ian Keatley has been called up to the 22-man Ireland Wolfounds squad to play the England Saxons in Ravenhill on Friday.

Louis Deacon has been recalled to the England squad for the RBS 6 Nations as a replacement for banned Gloucester lock Dave Attwood.

RISING coaching stars Eric Elwood and Anthony Foley have been given the reins of the Ireland Wolfhounds team for two A internationals in the new year.

Danny Cipriani has revealed he considered quitting rugby after being overwhelmed by the “negativity” of the scrutiny surrounding him.

ULSTER back rower Chris Henry has been handed a chance to build on an eye-catching cameo showing by being named as skipper of the Ireland Wolfhounds team to take on Scotland A at Ravenhill tomorrow (7.30pm).

MICHAEL BRADLEY reckons Paddy Wallace is ready to reclaim his Ireland centre jersey in the Six Nations opener against Italy.

DESPITE Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Wales being six weeks away, Warren Gatland has already started the mind games by claiming that Croke Park is not as intimidating as everyone seems to believe.

PREMIER RUGBY has flexed its muscles to deny Ireland access to Leicester winger Johne Murphy for tomorrow’s A game against England Saxons in Bath (2 pm).

DANNY Cipriani has withdrawn from the England Saxons squad ahead of Sunday’s game against Ireland A after suffering a family bereavement.

Munster 12 Northampton 9

FORMER coach Carel du Plessis has hailed South Africa’s series victory over the British and Irish Lions, in which he claims the Springboks did not hit top gear.

FELIX JONES gave a virtuoso performance than suggested Leinster’s loss may be Munster’s gain as Ireland A produced a shock maiden Churchill Cup victory in some style last night.