Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall put English rugby’s European failure down to the gulf in the salary cap between the Aviva Premiership and the rest.

Saracens rugby director Mark McCall is hoping his side can push on from the quarter-finals and become one of Europe’s elite clubs.

David Strettle has returned to the England team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations finale against Ireland in place of Charlie Sharples after recovering from a sternum injury.

Ben Foden will always be indebted to France coach Philippe Saint-Andre for spotting his potential as an international full-back.

The 20-year-old landed four penalties and a tough conversion, following Charlie Hodgson’s second charge-down try in as many weeks, as England rallied from 15-6 down to claim their second win of the championship.

Stuart Lancaster confirmed he has applied for the full-time England coach’s job after joining his players in shedding blood in a physical Calcutta Cup win over Scotland on Saturday.

Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt and Phil Dowson will make their Test debuts in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland as part of a new-look and inexperienced England team.

England’s interim head coach Stuart Lancaster will name at least eight uncapped players in his 22-man squad to face Scotland in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup showdown.

England 11 South Africa 21

NICK EASTER will captain England in Saturday’s Investec Test against Samoa after manager Martin Johnson made four changes to the team that beat Australia.

IF ever Martin Johnson was going to dash down the touchline, punching the air in celebration like Jose Mourinho it was at Twickenham on Saturday.

Andrew Sheridan will return to the England front row after a 20-month absence for Saturday’s showdown with New Zealand after recovering from shoulder surger

Munster 19 Sale Sharks 17

IN THE enforced absence of Ireland’s Lions and Churchill Cup internationals, Munster will be giving youth its fling in tonight’s friendly against Sale Sharks at Musgrave Park (7pm).

Sale Sharks have been able to name a strong side for Sunday's Heineken Cup game against Munster at Edgeley Park, despite losing Kristian Ormsby through suspension and remaining without Andrew Sheridan through injury.

Harlequins forward Nick Easter will captain England in next Sunday’s clash against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

England have included 13 capped internationals in a 27-man training squad to prepare for the traditional end-of-season challenge against the Barbarians at Twickenham on June 1.

Steve Borthwick will captain England on their New Zealand tour next month.

ANDY ROBINSON has predicted a “phenomenally tough” game against Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday as England strive to avoid their seventh successive Test defeat.

England boss Andy Robinson has made just one change for Englands' clash against Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday.

PHILIPPE Saint-Andre has challenged English champions Sale Sharks to “kick-start” their Heineken Cup campaign tonight by collecting a maximum points haul against minnows Calvisano.

England head coach Andy Robinson has named seven uncapped players in a 30-man squad for the Twickenham clash against World Cup favourites New Zealand on November 5.

OSPREYS boss Lyn Jones has predicted “an encounter to remember” when his star-studded Welsh challengers tackle English champions Sale Sharks in a mouth-watering Heineken Cup clash this evening.

SALE SHARKS have slammed England’s medical staff after their Lions prop Andrew Sheridan was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc in his neck.

Matt Dawson has been recalled to the England starting line-up for Sunday’s Six Nations Championship showdown against France in Paris.

Scotland international Allister Hogg is aiming to cap a fine personal week with a Calcutta Cup win over England on Saturday.

Lawrence Dallaglio has been named amongst the replacements for England’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales – exactly 17 months after he retired from international rugby.

Munster have named a full strength side with an all-international forward pack taking them into battle with Sale Sharks in the Heineken Cup on Saturday.

Lawrence Dallaglio has been named in England’s RBS 6 Nations training squad - almost 17 months after he quit international rugby.

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have made nine changes from the team that defeated Connacht in last Friday night’s Celtic League clash for tomorrow’s Heineken Cup Pool One match against Sale Sharks.

Leicester lock Louis Deacon will make his England debut in Saturday’s clash against Samoa at Twickenham.

Mark Van Gisbergen was today omitted from the England starting XV to take on Australia on November 12.

Guinness Premiership leaders Sale Sharks will provide Munster with the stiffest of opposition at Edgeley 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.

Leicester prop Graham Rowntree has been drafted into the British and Irish Lions’ midweek side to face Auckland on Tuesday.

Scottish hooker Gordon Bulloch will lead the Lions when they tackle Otago in Dunedin on Saturday.

THE sight of a giant second row with a mop of ginger hair marauding all over the lineout and stealing opposition ball is something the British & Irish Lions are counting on as a major weapon in their armoury during this tour.

The British & Irish Lions today sent out a strong message of intent by naming a powerful side to take on Bay of Plenty in their opening tour match on June 4.

Brian O'Driscoll has been confirmed as captain of the Lions squad to tour New Zealand this summer, with 11 Irish players included but no place for England's Jonny Wilkinson.

ENGLAND boss Andy Robinson has warned his players they will face a Scotland side fuelled by a raw “hatred” of their oldest foes in this evening’s Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.

Martin Corry will captain an unchanged England side in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland at Twickenham.

ENGLAND last night summoned Iain Balshaw from the international wilderness for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy - almost a year to the day after his last Test match appearance.

Iain Balshaw will make his first England appearance for a year when the world champions tackle RBS 6 Nations Championship opponents Italy at Twickenham on Saturday.

Martin Corry will captain England in their RBS 6 Nations Championship game against Italy at Twickenham a week on Saturday.