Keith Earls insists Ireland's backline are ready to explode into life when they face Russia in Rotorua on Sunday.

IT is not often that a forward pack which has held its own against the All Blacks and Springboks in recent weeks receives a schooling, but that was the impression left on the Australians after feeling the benefits of an Irish scrummaging education at Eden Park.

Stephen Ferris reflected on Ireland’s stunning upset of Australia by promising it is only the beginning of their World Cup campaign.

IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll has urged his players to recapture the intensity that helped end England’s Grand Slam dream earlier this year for their World Cup Pool C showdown against Australia on Saturday.

MATT GITEAU’S chances of playing in a third Rugby World Cup have suffered a major blow after he was left out of Australia’s squad for Saturday’s Tri Nations opener against South Africa in Sydney.

Matt Giteau's chances of playing in a third Rugby World Cup have suffered a major blow after the veteran playmaker was left out of Australia's squad for Saturday's Tri Nations opener against South Africa.

GREG FEEK has earned his crust since leaving New Zealand and his post with the Hurricanes by moving to Dublin to find a cure for Leinster — and then Ireland’s — ailing scrums.

WE HAVE a lot to be grateful to Scotland for. Had they not beaten South Africa in Murrayfield last Saturday week, both the Springboks and New Zealand would return home from their respective tours of the four home unions with a clean sweep.

Wales will target their first win of the autumn internationals against Fiji next Friday night, and flanker Martyn Williams admits: “It is a massive game”.

Wales 25 South Africa 29

Wales suffered a double injury blow ahead of today’s Millennium Stadium clash against world champions South Africa.

TONY McGAHAN won’t shed any tears when Advance Australia Fair rings out across Thomond Park on Tuesday night. Instead, he’ll be hell bent on figuring out a way to put one over on his native country.

South Africa will mull over making changes to their backline to face Wales on Saturday after Francois Steyn joined up with the Springbok squad yesterday.

Victorious South Africa captain Victor Matfield cited the absence of Paul O’Connell as a crucial factor in his team’s victory over Ireland yesterday.

Wales 16 Australia 25

IT IS somewhat unfortunate that the ongoing saga about the IRFU ticketing policy has overshadowed the return of international rugby to its traditional home in Lansdowne Road.

WALES could face the full might of Australia’s All-Blacks destroyers in Cardiff on Saturday.

IF you are one of those who buy into the concept that international rugby now operates on a four year cycle — the time frame between World Cups — then Declan Kidney is fast approaching the maturity date for the development of his squad.

Shane Williams admitted he felt “pretty good” after scoring a wonder try that underpinned the Ospreys’ 27-16 Heineken Cup victory over London Irish tonight.

CLAIMS by South African coach Peter de Villiers that the All Blacks are receiving favourable treatment from referees have been backed by former Australian coach Bob Dwyer.

NEW ZEALAND centre Conrad Smith believes New Zealand are putting the foundations in place for their latest tilt at ending their recent World Cup hoodoo.

SOUTH AFRICA lock Bakkies Botha has apologised to his team-mates after being banned for his head-butt on New Zealand scrum-half Jimmy Cowan.

Argentina today moved a step closer to competing in an expanded Four Nations tournament with Australia, New Zealand and Australia after the International Rugby Board changed a regulation on player availability.

ARGENTINA are set to join the Tri Nations in 2012 after International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset confirmed the body would provide a crucial funding package.

AUSTRALIA’S gamble on rugby league converts Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri to help them retain the World Cup faces an All Black examination in tomorrow’s Bledisloe Cup match.