Andrew Hore has been named to start against Ireland in what could possibly be his last All Blacks Test.

In the third of the provincial season previews, our rugby correspondent, Daniel Pitcher offers an insight into Leinster. His final preview comes tomorrow when he looks at Munster.

New Zealand have selected uncapped scrum half TJ Perenara ahead of veteran Piri Weepu in their squad for the Investec Rugby Championship.

Wales 12 Australia 14

Flinging mud across the equator at each other has long been a favoured pastime of the rugby media in Britain and New Zealand — but this week you can’t help but wonder if they’re simply looking for a distraction.

New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter will start Saturday’s clash with England at Twickenham after winning his injury battle.

New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore has been banned for five weeks – but just two competitive matches – for striking Wales lock Bradley Davies.

Wales prop Aaron Jarvis will not play again this season after he suffered a knee ligament injury during the 33-10 defeat against world champions New Zealand on Saturday.

Wales have not ruled lock Bradley Davies out of their plans for Saturday’s Test match against Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

Andy Robinson last night bowed to the inevitable by resigning as Scotland head coach.

Wales 10 New Zealand 33

Scotland 22 New Zealand 51

Scotland 22 New Zealand 51

New Zealand 21 South Africa 11

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has drafted in seven new caps for the forthcoming Steinlager Series of three Test matches against Ireland.

New Zealand have announced a 35-player squad to attend two training camps ahead of the three-Test Series against Ireland in June.

Connacht Rugby’s first serving CEO Gerry Kelly, has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

Wales prop Adam Jones has signed a new two-year contract with the Ospreys.

Ospreys coaching director Scott Johnson is to quit his post at the end of this season.

NEW ZEALAND rolled over Canada in their World Cup encounter in Pool A in Wellington but the performance of Dan Carter’s replacement gave the All Blacks cause for concern.

New Zealand 79 Canada 15

New Zealand today suffered a second blow ahead of their final World Cup Pool A clash with Canada after Dan Carter was forced to withdraw.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry praised an impressive showing by Sonny Bill Williams after the All Blacks romped to an 83-7 victory over Japan at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium yesterday.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry praised an impressive showing by Sonny Bill Williams after the All Blacks romped to an 83-7 victory over Japan at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium.

New Zealand 83 Japan 7

A number of New Zealand fringe players have been given their chance to impress along with a solid mix of experience for Friday’s World Cup opener against Tonga.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has announced his 30-man squad for the Rugby World Cup with no place for quintet Sitiveni Sivivatu, Wyatt Crockett, Liam Messam, Jarrad Hoeata and Hosea Gear.

A host of fringe players will get the chance to stake a final claim for a place in New Zealand’s World Cup squad after being named in the starting XV for Saturday’s Tri Nations clash with South Africa.

New Zealand 60 Fiji 14

LEINSTER coach Joe Schmidt might not admit it, but the selection of Luke Fitzgerald before Isa Nacewa at full-back for tonight’s Magners League clash with the Ospreys at the RDS (7.30 pm) was a big call.

New Zealand have restored hooker Keven Mealamu to their starting line-up for Saturday’s potential Grand Slam-clinching clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Wales star Ryan Jones has signed a new long-term contract with the Ospreys.

New Zealand lock Brad Thorn has been ruled out of tomorrow’s match with Ireland having failed to recover from a hamstring strain.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named his side to face Ireland in the 2010 Guinness Series at the Aviva Stadium.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made four changes to his starting XI from the team that beat England last weekend for Saturday’s Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Former rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams has been named in New Zealand’s 30-man squad for their end-of-season tour of the northern hemisphere but there is no place for Aaron Cruden, Robbie Fruean or Colin Slade.

John Afoa, Corey Flynn, Liam Messam and Ma'a Nonu have been recalled to the New Zealand squad for the Tri-Nations series with Australia and South Africa.

IT’S THE same question every year. As sure as Cork and Kerry will produce a draw in the Munster football championship, we speculate as to who from the home nations is capable of producing any kind of a win on the annual summer sojourns to the southern hemisphere.

INJURIES and rich Super 14 form have prodded All Blacks coach Graham Henry into picking three new caps for the starting team for the Irish Test on Saturday, along with three more on the reserves bench.

Israel Dagg, Benson Stanley and Ben Franks will make their New Zealand Test debuts against Ireland on Saturday after being named in a new-look starting line-up for the one-off match in New Plymouth.

A decision on whether Jerry Flannery and Shane Horgan will join the Ireland squad in New Zealand is expected to be made tomorrow.

Shane Williams has been ruled out of Wales’ Tests against South Africa and New Zealand with a shoulder injury.

New Zealand have lost another midfield prospect for their upcoming Test matches against Ireland and Wales with Richard Kahui ruled out for three weeks with a rib cartilage injury.

Hooker Andrew Hore looks set to miss New Zealand’s Tests against Ireland and Wales in June after dislocating his shoulder during the Hurricanes’ 32-16 Super 14 defeat against the Waratahs.