Here's your morning bulletin.

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann has told his players they have “a serious problem” if they cannot motivate themselves for their crucial clash with Munster.

Mike Haley has a debt of gratitude to Danny Cipriani for the mentoring he provided the full-back as a young professional in the Sale Sharks academy. Now on opposing teams, the Munster full-back knows just how dangerous he will be for Gloucester at Kingsholm tomorrow night, should the fly-half pass a fitness test today.

Over the years, when their backs were firmly pressed against the wall, Munster always found a way to prevail in Europe, writes Donal Lenihan.

Sport retains the capacity to cut even the best of players and teams down to size, writes Donal Lenihan

From the moment pre-season began at Gloucester this summer, there has been a sense something special could be brewing in the West Country.

The opening European home game of the season is upon us and what a fine time it would be for Munster’s developing team and game plan to click into place.

Keith Earls remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

THAT was a game Munster will be glad to have put behind them. Johann van Graan’s side will attack with relish preparations for this Saturday’s visit of Gloucester, after returning home from a daunting, Heineken Champions Cup pool opener, at Exeter Chiefs, with a lot more than expected.

The drain of southern hemisphere stars to lucrative European contracts may be keeping the game’s administrators awake at night but Felipe Contepomi believes those taking the coin can sleep easy with their decisions.

Luke McGrath knew the score before the first question was delivered.

Sale last night announced they will not be signing Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.

James Haskell signed off his final home match for Wasps by lamenting that rugby had become "pathetic" after he was penalised for a high tackle that could have cost his side victory over Northampton.

Wasps 26 - Ulster 7: Wasps ended their European Champions Cup group campaign on a winning note with a convincing 26-7 victory over Ulster at the Ricoh Arena.

James Haskell was sent off for a dangerous tackle as Wasps collapsed to a dramatic 33-28 defeat by Harlequins that all but ends their European Champions Cup quest.

Elliot Daly scored two tries as Wasps kept alive their hopes of progressing to the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 21-3 victory.

Elite sport holds no respect for age.

Chris Ashton and Danny Cipriani have failed to make the cut for Eddie Jones' 45-man provisional England squad for the forthcoming Autumn series.

England rugby player Danny Cipriani was “shocked” to discover he was over the drink-drive limit, despite having had two espresso martinis and a glass of champagne less than an hour earlier, a court heard.

Even at 38, there is simply no stopping Peter Stringer who tonight equals Ronan O’Gara’s record for European appearances.

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of Connacht fly-half AJ MacGinty.

Mavericks. Square pegs for round holes, the luxuries coaches feel they cannot afford. Most team sports have them, a Matt Le Tissier who can delight supporters with his skills but infuriate managers with the risks that inevitably come attached.

Eddie Jones is yet to name his first England captain but insists he will pick his “best player” for the role.

Argentinian’s transformation of Aussie scrum means Welsh pack must up game, says Baldwin...

England head coach Stuart Lancaster will stand or fall on the decision to drop Danny Cipriani from his final squad of 31 for the World Cup, which will be announced today.

Good evening. Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has left out fly-half Francois Trinh-Ducfrom his 31-man World Cup squad, in favour of Frederic Michalak.

Stuart Lancaster admitted England were comprehensively beaten in a 25-20 defeat to France that has set alarm bells ringing just one match before the World Cup begins.

England have selected Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph as their centres for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up against France in Paris. 

Stuart Lancaster insists Owen Farrell must excel during the World Cup warm-up matches if he is displace George Ford as England’s fly-half.

If Stuart Lancaster doesn’t feel let down by his players, then he really should.

England rugby star Danny Cipriani has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving following an early morning car crash.

My memory of a lot of things from my career wouldn’t be perfect, but Ireland v England at Croke Park in 2007 is as clear as it gets.

Eoin Reddan has spent enough time playing with and against English players to recognise a sea change in their attitudes on and off the field.

James Haskell says England must win the forward battle if they are to have any chance of winning next weekend’s Six Nations showdown. 

England 47 Italy 17

England have named Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter on the bench for Friday night’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff.