AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP FINAL:

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell believes England still boast the strongest scrum in the RBS 6 Nations, even with a mini injury crisis at prop.

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

It’s funny the things you remember.

In the ever-changing world of professional rugby, very little can be taken for granted. With just four months left in the European club season, no side can say with any degree of certainty who and in what tournament they will be playing in next season.

London Irish are set to announce a takeover of the club by a group of Irish businessmen today.

Maybe that agonising defeat to New Zealand has a legacy after all. At least in determining a starting point for what proved an extraordinary weekend for the Irish provinces in Europe, the All Blacks surely played their part.

HEINEKEN CUP POOL ONE:

England emerged comfortable 31-12 winners against Argentina at a subdued Twickenham, but another patchy performance in the QBE Internationals posed as many questions as answers.

Munster’s double-header with Perpignan in December looks like being the key to qualification from the pool stages of the 2013/14 Heineken Cup following the release of the official fixture list yesterday.

Agony or ecstasy, there really is nothing in between. So said Warren Gatland an hour after Saturday night’s captivating third Test in Sydney, and how right he is.

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It was just one of those nights for the Wallabies.

By Simon Lewis, Sydney

Three key areas

Warren Gatland and his British and Irish Lions think-tank emerged from their night of the long knives convinced they have a match-day squad to win the third and final Test against Australia on Saturday.

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has sprung one of the great surprises in the tourists’ history by dropping Brian O’Driscoll for Saturday’s series decider against Australia.

British and Irish Lions team manager Andy Irvine has defended Warren Gatland’s decision to take the tourists to a beach resort ahead of the must-win third and final Test against Australia in Sydney.

The British and Irish Lions are hopeful that Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Alex Corbisiero will be passed fit for Saturday’s series decider against Australia at ANZ Stadium.

Brian O’Driscoll looks set to end his British and Irish Lions career by captaining the tourists in a Test series decider.

Australia 16 British & Irish Lions 15

Australia 16 British and Irish Lions 15

Rob Howley today laid bare the levels of bravery and desire that will be required when the British and Irish Lions go for Test series glory against Australia.

The British and Irish Lions have named Tommy Bowe, Dan Lydiate and Ben Youngs in their starting XV for Saturday's second Test against Australia at the Etihad Stadium.

As the British & Irish Lions prepare to fill a Paul O’Connell-shaped hole in their pack for Saturday’s second Test at the Etihad Stadium, Australia prop Ben Alexander is focusing on another likely change, to the tourists’ front row.

Melbourne Rebels 0 British & Irish Lions 35

James O’Connor wants to continue at fly-half when Australia attempt to haul themselves back into their series against the British and Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree today refused to dwell on Paul O’Connell’s tour-ending fractured arm.

Lock Paul O’Connell has been ruled out of the remainder of the British and Irish Lions’ Test series against Australia with a fractured arm.

An arm injury sustained in the first-Test victory over Australia has placed Paul O’Connell’s Lions tour in jeopardy.

Ireland prop Tom Court has been called into the British and Irish Lions squad.

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Where the key battles will be fought.

Warren Gatland has emphasised the need for the entire & Lions squad to stay focused on the Test series with Australia, even if they missed out on a spot for tomorrow’s opener at Suncorp Stadium.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland revealed that Alex Corbisiero’s superior scrummaging resulted in his selection ahead of Mako Vunipola for Saturday’s opening Test against Australia.

WARREN GATLAND knew in advance of yesterday’s meeting with the ACT Brumbies that he was dicing with death with a back line he was forced to cobble together over the last few days.

Brumbies 14 British & Irish Lions 12

Christian Wade has been called up by the British and Irish Lions and withdrawn from the England side to play Argentina in Buenos Aires today.

Warren Gatland has handed new arrival Simon Zebo his British and Irish Lions debut and told the exciting Munster wing he is in a “no-lose situation” to stake a claim for a Test place.

Billy Twelvetrees has been called up by the British and Irish Lions from England’s tour of Argentina to provide back line cover.

Munster and Ireland’s Simon Zebo was last night winging his way from Texas to Australia following his call-up by the British & Irish Lions as injury cover for international team-mate Tommy Bowe.

Ireland star Tommy Bowe underwent surgery in Brisbane on Sunday - but the British and Irish Lions have not ruled him out of their future tour plans Down Under.

The British and Irish Lions have been dealt a third major blow after Ireland wing Tommy Bowe broke a bone in his hand during today’s 22-12 victory over Queensland Reds.

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