Gloucester prospect Jack Adams is unlikely to play again this season after suffering a serious knee injury.

IT has been difficult to escape the name Jonny Wilkinson in these parts since the Lions arrived in New Zealand a week ago; even less so when you happen to be another fly-half in the camp.

Saracens 24 Gloucester 16

Gloucester and England centre Henry Paul will not play again this season because of a knee injury.

Gloucester 0 Stade Francais 27

Cardiff Blues 16 Gloucester 23

THE MOST influential player the Heineken Cup has seen since its inception in 1995/96?

Gloucester 55 Ulster 13

Gloucester 55 Ulster 13

SO, the Aussies go back to Australia “with their pride restored”, according to Colm O’Rourke, following Sunday’s improved performance in the second leg of the International Series? I don’t think so.

RONAN O'GARA is never far from the headlines whether he's playing for Munster, Ireland or the Lions. Remember the furore when Aussie Duncan McRae tried to punch his head off in that infamous clash down under in 2001?

HENRY PAUL yesterday signed a new three-year contract with Gloucester and vowed to see out his rugby career at Kingsholm.

Nigel Melville tonight claimed Gloucester will relish the “cut-throat business” that awaits them in their quest for European and domestic honours this season.

Bourgoin 18 Gloucester 37

IN THE modern era, international rugby operates in four-year cycles, coinciding with the Rugby World Cup. It is inevitable therefore that its conclusion signals the end of many international careers.

IN sport, the opportunity for redemption rarely comes so quickly. In the aftermath of Munster’s defeat in Kingsholm, the team, and the forward unit in particular, were seething.

MORE than 12,000 fans will pack Thomond Park on Saturday for the return Heineken European Cup game between Munster and Gloucester.

AS a consequence of the events in Limerick last season, this was always going to be a difficult assignment for Munster, and so it proved.

NIGEL MELVILLE and Dean Ryan have sent out a clear warning to Phil Vickery and Chris Fortey — don’t think you are going to walk back into the side for Saturday’s game at Thomond Park.

Gloucester 22 Munster 11

IT isn’t just wishful thinking that leads me to believe that Alan Gaffney and Munster can fly out of England’s west country tonight with a major scalp in the cargo hold.

GLOUCESTER’S worst fears have been realised with the withdrawal yesterday of England World Cup-winning tight head prop Phil Vickery from their side to meet Munster in the Heineken European Cup at Kingsholm tomorrow.

Donal Lenihan has questioned the timing of former Australia international Duncan McRae’s recent apology to Munster fly-half Ronan O’Gara.

CONVENTIONAL wisdom suggests Munster should fare better in Saturday's Heineken Cup tie at Kingsholm, because the season is more advanced this time.

DUNCAN McRae says he remains humbled and embarrassed by the 2001 incident with Ronan O’Gara in Sydney and admits it has cast a shadow on his career.

Irish legend Donal Lenihan has questioned the timing of former Australia international Duncan McRae’s recent apology to Munster fly-half Ronan O’Gara.

Duncan McRae tonight admitted the infamous Ronan O’Gara punching incident left a “black mark” on his rugby career.

WHEN one reflects on 2003 most people’s thoughts and images focus on the Rugby World Cup.

Gloucester 49 Bourgoin 13

FORMER Wallaby Duncan McRae will finally apologise to Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara next month for the outrageous assault he inflicted on the Munster out-half during the Lions tour to Australia two years ago.

Gloucester 49 Bourgoin 13

Lions hooker Keith Wood is expected to be fit for next Saturday’s first Test

Austin Healey has branded New South Wales full-back Duncan McRae’s savage attack on Lions team-mate Ronan O’Gara as ‘cowardly’.

New South Wales full-back Duncan McRae has been banned for seven weeks as a result of the punching incident that left Ronan O’Gara battered and bloodied.

Lions 41, NSW Waratahs 24

Waratahs full back McRae has been red carded for punching Ronan O'Gara on the floor.

Simon Taylor was today confirmed as the Lions’ latest injury casualty.

Saracens have pulled off a major coup by signing French international lock Abdelatif Benazzi on a two-year deal.

Duncan McRae will relaunch his rugby career against the Lions tomorrow after firing a parting shot at Premiership under-achievers Saracens.

Suspended England skipper Martin Johnson is set to lead his country in the Six Nations Championship opener against Wales on February 3.

England captain Martin Johnson will have an appeal against his 35-day ban for foul play heard by a three-man panel on Thursday.