FORMER Irish international Conor O’Shea believes coach Declan Kidney is the key to Irish success in the autumn’s internationals.

South Africa captain Chiliboy Ralepelle admits the team’s new players will have to learn the harsh lessons of international tours after their humbling by Guinness Premiership champions Leicester.

ONE last stand. After ten months of high octane rugby encompassing Magners League, Guinness Premiership, Heineken Cup, Challenge Cup, Autumn Internationals and the Six Nations those who have survived to this point with willing hearts and minds must summon their reserves of pride and energy for one last effort.

SOUTH AFRICA coach Peter de Villiers has been forced into a humiliating apology for suggesting rugby players should “get some nice tutus and have a great dancing show” if they didn’t accept gouging was part of the game.

A SECOND British and Irish Lions tour has ended prematurely for Brian O’Driscoll, who returns home today after being ruled out of the third and final Test against South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday.

South Africa have confirmed they will appeal against Bakkies Botha's two-week ban for dangerous charging.

Ronan O’Gara wants his team to “make a statement” when he captains the British and Irish Lions at Newlands tonight.

THE Emerging Springboks bid to heap more misery on the shell-shocked British and Irish Lions at Newlands tonight (6.10pm).

SPRINGBOK prop Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira single-handedly destroyed the British and Irish Lions scrum on Saturday.

WHILE Ian McGeechan will officially announce the Lions side for the opening test in Durban at lunchtime tomorrow, this is the day that will make or break the aspirations and dreams of all within the Lions playing party.

ASSISTANT coach Dick Muir believes South Africa are well prepared for the first Test against the Lions despite the absence of Schalk Burger for the opening match in Durban on Saturday.

FREDERIC Michalak’s omission from the 30-strong France training squad for the Six Nations is neither a surprise nor a shock as the French rugby establishment opt once again to shun his mercurial talents for more predictable playmakers.