Australia captain James Horwill has been included in Ewen McKenzie’s 28-man squad for the Wallabies’ final two matches of the Rugby Championship in South Africa and Argentina.

New Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has no concerns over playmaker Quade Cooper’s ability to perform under pressure ahead of his likely Test return against the All Blacks next month.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

Sam Warburton has been given a ringing endorsement as he prepares to lead the British and Irish Lions against New South Wales Waratahs tomorrow.

Australia have named Tri-Nations winning captain James Horwill as their skipper for the British and Irish Lions Tour.

Code-hopper Israel Folau is one of three new caps in Australia’s preliminary 25-man squad to face the British and Irish Lions, with in-form Reds playmaker Quade Cooper the most notable omission.

Aidan Murphy beat Brian Wilmot in the last shot at Newcestown to stay toe-to-toe with Martin Coppinger in Pool B of the Munster senior championship.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has brought in five players to an extended squad for the Wallabies’ next Rugby Championship match against South Africa.

Wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner have been included in Australia’s training squad as they prepare for the Rugby Championship.

Australia coach Robbie Deans will blood five new caps in the first of four successive Tests against Six Nations opponents in Newcastle on Tuesday night.

Martin Coppinger beat Aidan Murphy in the last shot of a brilliant three-way Munster championship play-off at Skibbereen on Sunday — with James O’Donovan third.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has indicated that James O’Connor will be given the chance to fill Quade Cooper’s place at fly-half on the forthcoming tour of England and Wales.

ÉAMON Bowen Jnr moved into the quarter-finals of the Munster senior championship when he beat Gavin Twohig by over a bowl at Templemartin.

AIDAN MURPHY won a place in the Munster senior quarter-final when he beat Edmund Sexton by almost a bowl at Baile Bhuirne on Monday evening.

PADDY O’DONOGHUE held on for a good last-shot win against a powerful late surge from John Creedon at Killumney in Pool 4 of the Munster Senior Championship.

JAMES O’DONOVAN beat Christy Mullins in the feature score of the West and Mid-Cork festival at the Clubhouse,but Brian O’Donovan stole the show with a scintillating win over Thomas Mackle.

Australia selectors have named 12 uncapped players in an extended 40-man training squad ahead of the upcoming spring tour of Hong Kong and Europe.

Australia have named former Leinster star Rocky Elsom as the team captain for their upcoming tour of Japan, the UK and Ireland.

Cheltenham and the very best jumping can offer may have only just left us for another year, but attention over the weekend immediately turned to the Flat game.