CONNACHT’S European qualification credentials will be tested today when they face Worcester in the first of two back-to-back fixtures at Sixways Stadium (3pm).

Replacement hooker Adrian Flavin has been forced out of the Connacht squad due to illness for the Challenge Cup tie at Worcester Warriors on Saturday.

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ENGLAND coach Brian Ashton has “total confidence” in his players to keep alive their World Cup dream tonight and book a knockout clash against Australia.

FLY-HALF Jonny Wilkinson has called for “an enormously committed” England display in tonight’s World Cup eliminator against Tonga.

Tonga captain Nili Latu is battling to be fit for his team’s World Cup eliminator against England in Paris on Friday night.

The Lions think-tank is expecting a full-on, up-front challenge from provincial side Bay of Plenty when they begin their 2005 tour of New Zealand at the Rotorua International Stadium tomorrow (8.10am).