SIMON SHAW and Mathew Tait have both been included in the England squad for Saturday’s final Investec Challenge showdown with New Zealand at Twickenham.

England 9 Australia 18

Coach Steve Meehan and captain Michael Claassens will plot the way forward for Bath against Ulster in the Heineken Cup at Ravenhill tomorrow night.

Bath 3 Toulouse 3

BATH boss Steve Meehan has thrown down the gauntlet to French giants Toulouse ahead of tomorrow’s s Heineken Cup showdown, declaring: “They should be very concerned.”

Guinness Premiership leaders Leicester will underline their enviable squad strength by parading the big guns against Madejski Stadium opponents London Irish on St Stephen's Day.

ENGLAND hooker Steve Thompson is a doubt for the November internationals — adding fuel to concerns raised by Twickenham medical chiefs today over the “unprecedented” number of injuries.

ENGLAND head coach Andy Robinson faces a potential front-row crisis for the summer tour of Australia following the loss of Matt Stevens.

Leicester 12 Bath 15

BATH coach Brian Ashton hopes to spoil Shane Horgan’s celebration of his 50th Heineken Cup appearance at the Recreation Ground tomorrow.

England 39 Italy 7

England 39 Italy 7

ENGLAND last night summoned Iain Balshaw from the international wilderness for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy - almost a year to the day after his last Test match appearance.

Iain Balshaw will make his first England appearance for a year when the world champions tackle RBS 6 Nations Championship opponents Italy at Twickenham on Saturday.

London Irish are ready to hit the high spot of their season tomorrow after what coach Gary Gold admits has been a “rollercoaster” ride.

England boss Andy Robinson has backed rookie prop Matt Stevens to thrive when he is thrown into the Lansdowne Road bear-pit against Ireland on Sunday.

ENGLAND boss Andy Robinson last night backed rookie prop Matt Stevens to thrive when he is thrown into the Lansdowne Road bear-pit against Ireland on Sunday.

THERE’S something about the English arriving at Lansdowne Road that stirs the passion. With the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, this is likely to be their last game in this stadium, as we know it.

DUNCAN BELL’S elevation to the senior England squad completes a full circle the uncapped Bath prop admits he never dreamed possible.

England coach Andy Robinson today confirmed Duncan Bell has been called up for squad training ahead of Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations showdown against Ireland.

Duncan Bell yesterday appeared on the verge of an England call-up - just three months after being told he could not play for Wales.

Duncan Bell today appeared on the verge of an England call-up – just three months after being told he could not play for Wales.

England’s injury jinx returned with a vengeance tonight just eight days before the faltering world champions tackle RBS 6 Nations title favourites Ireland in Dublin.

Bath 23 Leinster 27

Bath 47 Treviso 7

Skipper Jonathan Humphreys will be on board for Bath’s date with Leinster at Lansdowne Road tomorrow evening (5.15pm) The Welshman has mended from a shoulder strain and his front row colleague Duncan Bell is also included.

Montferrand 38 Bath 22

Bath coach John Connolly was left to rue a disastrous first-half performance as he watched his side get knocked out of Europe at Stade Marcel Michelin today.

London Irish 20 Bath 21

MATT STEVENS could hardly have asked for a tougher RBS 6 Nations baptism - filling the boots of an England legend at Twickenham.

London Irish face a testing Parker Pen Challenge Cup trip to Narbonne tomorrow, with coach Gary Gold admitting: “We have made life a bit difficult for ourselves.”

Leinster31 Pontypridd 18

Leinster give a competitive debut to Christian Warner at number 12 for Friday's Celtic League opener against Pontypridd at Donnybrook.