MARTIN JOHNSON is not the sort of man who indulges in mind-games, but yesterday he braced himself to face a wounded animal when Ireland head to Twickenham a week on Saturday.

England scrum-half Shaun Perry has undergone surgery to repair a fracture to the cartilage in his windpipe.

BRISTOL secured their third win of the season against Harlequins at the Memorial Stadium yesterday to keep the pressure on Cardiff Blues at the top of Heineken Cup Pool Three.

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

Mike Tindall has revealed his omission from England’s World Cup squad did not come as a surprise.

David Strettle and Mike Tindall could both be ruled out of World Cup contention today when England boss Brian Ashton assesses his casualty list.

England wing David Strettle’s World Cup hopes hang in the balance after he broke a metatarsal bone in his left foot during training.

ENGLAND boss Brian Ashton has hailed Dan Ward-Smith as “an incredibly fit athlete” after the uncapped Bristol forward thrust himself into World Cup contention.

MIKE TINDALL’S hopes of reviving his World Cup dream appear to be fading as England build towards their tournament warm-up Tests.

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

Jason Robinson is to undergo a knee operation next Tuesday - but England insist he is not in danger of missing the World Cup.

London Irish and England captain Mike Catt leads the nominations for the Professional Rugby Players’ Association player-of-the-year award.

World Cup winner Steve Thompson has been ruled out of England’s entire RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign due to a neck injury.

JONNY WILKINSON has been declared “ready and available” to make a startling England comeback in the RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Scotland at Twickenham.

Dan Ward-Smith was stretchered off at Northampton with a serious knee injury that could rule him out of England’s entire Six Nations campaign.

PHIL Vickery will lead England into the 2007 RBS 6 Nations admitting the last 12 months have proven “unacceptable” for the world champions.

Jason Robinson is ready to relaunch his glittering England career during this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship - but fellow World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio finds himself out in the cold.

New England boss Brian Ashton has named a new captain and summoned Jason Robinson from international retirement for this season’s Six Nations Championship.

ANGRY Sale boss Philippe Saint Andre accused Bristol of cheating after they condemned his side to a surprise 10-6 defeat at Edgeley Park.

ENGLAND’S injury problems continue to mount ahead of their Twickenham showdown with World Cup favourites New Zealand on Sunday.