ENGLAND boss Brian Ashton has backed his squad of “part-timers, plumbers and decorators” to tackle a job their critics believe is mission impossible — challenging the Springboks in South Africa.

Jason Robinson will captain an England squad containing seven uncapped players on the two-Test tour of South Africa.

GLOUCESTER face a fight for their Heineken Cup lives in the south of France tonight, with captain Marco Bortolami admitting: “We have only one chance.”

ENGLAND boss Andy Robinson has warned his players they will face a Scotland side fuelled by a raw “hatred” of their oldest foes in this evening’s Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.

Martin Corry will captain an unchanged England side in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland at Twickenham.

ENGLAND last night summoned Iain Balshaw from the international wilderness for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy - almost a year to the day after his last Test match appearance.

Iain Balshaw will make his first England appearance for a year when the world champions tackle RBS 6 Nations Championship opponents Italy at Twickenham on Saturday.

Martin Corry will captain England in their RBS 6 Nations Championship game against Italy at Twickenham a week on Saturday.

England coach Andy Robinson has made five changes for the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against title-holders France at Twickenham on Sunday.

Barry Coughlan

Newcastle teenager Mathew Tait will make his England debut in the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Wales on Saturday.

JASON ROBINSON admitted he felt “blessed” to have been awarded the England captaincy for Saturday’s Test against Canada at Twickenham.

Gloucester 55 Ulster 13

Neath-Swansea Ospreys have made no fewer than five changes from their first day defeat to Stade Francais for the visit of Munster to The Gnoll on Sunday (3pm).

Hugh Vyvyan will captain England in next Sunday’s non-cap clash against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

ENGLAND international James Simpson-Daniel last night conceded that Gloucester will require “something a little bit extra” to take the sting out of Heineken Cup quarter-final opponents Wasps.

England boss Sir Clive Woodward tonight axed three members of his World Cup-winning squad for next Sunday’s Six Nations championship opener against Italy in Rome.

Wasps centre Stuart Abbott will make his first appearance in an England shirt on Monday after he was today named in a strong side to face the New Zealand Maori.

Andy Gomarsall and Phil Christophers, who both made substitute appearances for England against Wales 10 days ago, will be on A team duty later this week.