Even for a coach as experienced as Joe Schmidt, international rugby represents a whole new canvass for the affable New Zealander.

France will take several positives from their 23-13 defeat by New Zealand on Saturday.

Andrew Trimble knew when Declan Kidney hadn’t pulled him aside for a quiet word on Tuesday he stood a better-than-evens chance of being named on the wing to face Wales.

Leicester's disappointing European campaign came to an end with a comfortable but far from convincing 33-6 win over a battling Aironi at Welford Road.

IT was meant to be tight, it was meant to be edgy. It was nothing of the sort.

Ulster 41 Leicester 7

England’s new assistant coach Andy Farrell is excited about the prospect of working with Chris Ashton, who followed his foot-steps in switching codes and moving from Wigan to a career in rugby union.

Northampton wing Chris Ashton last night received a four-week ban after being found guilty of dragging Leicester's Alesana Tuilagi off the pitch by his hair in Saturday's fiery east midlands derby.

Northampton wing Chris Ashton tonight received a four-week ban for dragging Leicester’s Alesana Tuilagi off the pitch by his hair.

Northampton and England wing Chris Ashton has been cited for an act contrary to good sportsmanship, the Rugby Football Union have announced.

Leicester 20 Ulster 9

Richard Cockerill admitted his frustration after Leicester failed to secure the bonus point against Aironi in northern Italy.

Aironi 12 Leicester 28

England captain Lewis Moody will be fined £4,800 if he is found to have worn a branded mouthguard in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat by France, the IRB have said.

INCENDIARY tweets, guerrilla gum shields and mean-spirited old farts – kind of makes you yearn for the innocent pleasures of dwarf throwing and bungee jumping doesn’t it?

WARREN GATLAND accepts there will be “no second chances” for Wales if they fail in their World Cup victory mission against Samoa early tomorrow morning.

ENGLAND prop Andrew Sheridan and French fly-half David Skrela hobbled home from the World Cup just as Samoa entered the fray with a resounding win and New Zealanders fretted about the back of prized asset Dan Carter.

Samoa 49 Namibia 12

SAMOA, marshalled by dynamic Crusader’s half-back Kahn Fotuali’i, is a world-class unit that combines the qualities of raw power and unbridled flare that has characterised Pacific rugby for decades.

There are more Samoan, Tongans and Fijians living in New Zealand than in their home islands — but that’s not what makes them dangerous.

England number eight Nick Easter failed a fitness test on his tight calf shortly before today’s World Cup warm-up clash with Ireland.

Paul O’Connell fears England will be fired up by their Grand Slam failure when they meet Ireland at Aviva Stadium this afternoon.

SAMOA produced one of their most memorable victories in international rugby yesterday, dealing a damaging World Cup blow to Ireland’s key group rivals only two months out from the tournament.

Australia have made a disastrous start to their World Cup preparations after suffering a shock 32-23 loss to underdogs Samoa at ANZ Stadium.

FOR some time now, the fortunes of the Irish rugby team can be directly aligned to the wellbeing of Munster and Leinster.

IRELAND’S incredible record of achievement in the Heineken Cup is set to continue with Leinster being offered a tantalising opportunity to reverse last years painful semi-final defeat at the hands of mighty Toulouse.

IT used to be all too easy to chide Leinster for their dependence on the south Dublin hinterland — on and off the pitch — but Saturday’s win wasn’t just forged on the fields of Blackrock or Clongowes.

OPINION was divided afterwards, more or less along lines of partiality.

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill last night offered no excuses for the Tigers’ Heineken Cup demise after they lost a titanic quarter-final against Leinster.

Leinster 17 Leicester 10

Donal Lenihan on where the three Irish teams can prosper

AS ALWAYS with the Heineken Cup, the cream tends to rise to the top when the knockout stages come calling in April.

Leicester 62 Treviso 15

LEICESTER’S director of rugby Richard Cockerill claimed Heineken Cup referees are allowing cheats to prosper after Perpignan snatched a 22-22 draw at Welford Road.

Perpignan 24 Leicester 19

A WIN may be a win, to adapt anoft-used sporting truism butlike the Aviva Stadium announcer ridiculously heralding a record crowd, there is more to the story than just the bare facts.

Ireland 20 Samoa 10

Ireland 13 Samoa 7

Ireland faced the weakest of this autumn’s opposition hoping to end their four-Test losing streak by toppling Samoa at Aviva Stadium.

Declan Kidney believes tomorrow's showdown with Samoa at Aviva Stadium will provide Ireland with a clearer picture of the strength of the team.

SAMOA yesterday named a strong team to face Ireland tomorrow, including nine players based in England and France.

Samoa have included nine European-based players in their starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with Ireland.

Brian O’Driscoll has told Ireland to expect some typically ferocious tackling from Samoa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Leicester 46 Scarlets 10