Munster's Frederico Pucciarello, Leinster's Ollie Le Roux and Ulster's Justin Harrison have been named in a 30-man Barbarians squad for games against Belgium, Ireland and England.

Danny Care has received a ringing endorsement as he prepares to join England’s training squad – from axed scrum-half Andy Gomarsall.

England boss Brian Ashton has identified the RBS 6 Nations clash against tournament favourites France as “a big, big game” for some of his team.

Sale Sharks scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth will make his first England start in the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against France next Saturday.

Shane Geraghty’s hopes of forcing his way into England contention for the RBS 6 Nations clash against France next Saturday could be dashed by injury.

Jonny Wilkinson looks set to clear a second major hurdle tomorrow by keeping his place in the England team for next Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy.

MUNSTER assistant coach Jim Williams was last night linked with a bid to return to Australia as assistant coach to new Wallaby coach Robbie Deans.

RICHARD HILL believes his Bristol team will encounter “a different animal” when they target an unlikely Heineken Cup double against French champions Stade Francais tonight.

Fabien Pelous hopes Leicester will feel the heat when they take on Toulouse in a crucial Heineken Cup clash tomorrow.

Harlequins 13 Cardiff Blues 13

England 6 South Africa 15

England 14 France 9

AFTER one of the most amazing weekends in the history of the World Cup we are left with semi-final pairings that few would have predicted.

France head coach Bernard Laporte has expressed his admiration for the English mentality ahead of the World Cup semi-final against Brian Ashton’s men on Saturday.

ENGLAND boss Brian Ashton has led the tributes to “remarkable” Jason Robinson, after handing him his 50th cap in a World Cup semi-final.

ENGLAND have started dusting themselves down for part two of their World Cup-defining Polynesian double header, with Jonny Wilkinson declaring: “exactly the same rules will apply.”

MARTIN CORRY has declared England’s record World Cup defeat against South Africa must not be a “a terminal hammer blow” for the struggling Webb Ellis Trophy holders.

England have received a timely double boost ahead of their crucial World Cup clash against Samoa in Nantes next Saturday with Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley both returning to the starting line-up.

Andy Farrell will play the biggest game of his Rugby Union career on Friday night when he lines up at fly-half in the World Cup showdown against South Africa.

Jonny Wilkinson will not be involved in England’s crunch World Cup clash against South Africa in Paris on Friday night.

Wales will attempt to succeed where England failed when they tackle World Cup hosts France at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

England coach Brian Ashton was fuming with his players for blowing their chance to record a morale-boosting victory against France on their Twickenham farewell before the World Cup.

England 15 France 21

England have called Sale scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth into their World Cup training squad as cover for Pete Richards, who is undergoing treatment for acute lower back pain.

England 62 Wales 5

Lawrence Dallaglio has been included in England’s 47-man World Cup training squad.

England began picking up the pieces after a record defeat against South Africa, with scrum-half Andy Gomarsall admitting: “Reality has hit us.”

South Africa 58 England 10

England’s illness-hit preparations for the first Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein today have claimed two more victims.

England will decide today whether Gloucester flanker Peter Buxton is fit to tour South Africa.

Connacht kept the pressure on Worcester in Pool 5 with an impressive 43-10 win over Montpellier.

London Irish boss Brian Smith wants the Exiles to “steal a win” when they tackle Guinness Premiership rivals Newcastle at Kingston Park tomorrow night.

England boss Andy Robinson has named five uncapped players – including New Zealand-born Wasps star Mark Van Gisbergen – in his 30-man squad for the autumn Tests.

Worcester flanker Pat Sanderson will captain England in Saturday’s clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham.

England’s Harry Ellis is relishing the chance to be working alongside – rather than in the face of – his scrum-half rival Matt Dawson.

Barry Coughlan

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

Scrum-half Matt Dawson today gave England their latest injury scare ahead of next Saturday’s RBS Six Nations Championship opener against Wales in Cardiff.

England boss Andy Robinson today admitted Matt Dawson’s recent form had made it impossible to overlook the veteran Wasps scrum-half for the RBS 6 Nations.

England 19 Australia 21

Jason Robinson will captain England in their autumn Test series opener against Canada at Twickenham next Saturday.

PETER STRINGER has welcomed the availability of rival scrum-halves Rob Howley and Bryan Redpath for next summer’s Lions tour.

Ireland’s Peter Stringer has welcomed the availability of rival scrum-halves Rob Howley and Bryan Redpath for next summer’s Lions tour.