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.

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.

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.

By Simon Lewis, Sydney

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.

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.

The British and Irish Lions may not have sent captain Sam Warburton a “wish you were here” card as they began a two-day break at the seaside ahead of the series-deciding third Test with Australia, but they are desperate to see the skipper return in a red jersey in Sydney on Saturday.

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

Where the key battles will be fought.

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.

Combined 0 British & Irish Lions 64

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.

There can rarely have been a day of such extreme emotions for Cian Healy as he was cleared of a biting allegation and then ruled out of this British & Irish Lions tour because of injury.

Cian Healy’s British and Irish Lions tour could be over in the next 24 hours.

The three key issues that will decide Ireland’s fate

England coach Stuart Lancaster is wary of rushing Manu Tuilagi’s rehabilitation after the Leicester centre was ruled out of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland.

Chris Ashton is back to play Australia after being recalled to the England side for Saturday’s Cook Cup showdown at Twickenham.

England have been forced into a change for this weekend’s third Test against South Africa after prop Alex Corbisiero suffered a recurrence of a knee injury.

There is nothing like a thorough drubbing to focus the mind of a coach and the truly dismal nature of this Ireland performance in London on Saturday will require Declan Kidney to be deep in thought for most of the next couple of months before he sees his players again.

England 30 Ireland 9

Superstitious Wales skipper Sam Warburton has banned himself from talking about the Grand Slam his World Cup semi-finalists are now favourites to achieve next month.

Mike Phillips believes Wales must shut out the external hype and hysteria surrounding their Triple Crown bid today — or risk blowing hopes of a rare Twickenham win.

FLY-HALF Dan Parks kicked 14 points as Cardiff Blues made it two from two in the Heineken Cup with a scrappy win over 14-man London Irish at Cardiff City Stadium.

HT England 34 Romania 3

ANGRY Martin Johnson blasted England for being “sloppy” and warned they will be dumped out of the Rugby World Cup early unless there is an immediate improvement.

England stood on the brink of completing their first Grand Slam since 2003, with Ireland the final obstacle between themselves and European rugby’s most treasured prize.

Mark Cueto will be proud to collect his 50th England cap at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday – but what he really wants is a Grand Slam winners’ medal.

IF things had turned out differently, Alex Corbisiero might have been rivalling Cian Healy for a place in Ireland’s front row rather than opposing him in an England jersey this weekend.

IF ENGLAND wanted to dampen expectations that they will claim their first Grand Slam in eight years in Dublin next weekend then they did rather a good job of it at Twickenham yesterday.

The days when the Calcutta Cup was fuelled was by a “genuine hatred” between England and Scotland players may be long gone.

England manager Martin Johnson has made one change for Sunday’s Calcutta Cup game against Scotland, with Alex Corbisiero replacing the injured Andrew Sheridan at loose-head prop.

ANDREW SHERIDAN will miss the climax of England’s Grand Slam quest after it was confirmed the calf injury he suffered against France will keep him sidelined for at least a month.

England 59 Italy 13

ITALY coach Nick Mallett insists his men head to Twickenham convinced they can make history with a first victory over England.

London Irish prop Alex Corbisiero will make his Test debut in England’s RBS 6 Nations meeting with Italy tomorrow after Andrew Sheridan was ruled out with a back injury.

IF the England Saxons expected to neuter the Wolfhounds at a gale-lashed Ravenhill last night they were in for a big surprise, as they were cut down to size in no uncertain terms.

SARACENS kept the pressure on the Aviva Premiership leaders yesterday, inflicting another defeat on struggling London Irish.

London Irish have secured the futures of rising stars Alex Corbisiero and Tom Homer after the pair agreed to new contracts at Madejski Stadium.

TOULON moved top of Pool 3 with a convincing bonus-point victory over London Irish on Saturday.

Toulon 38 London Irish 17