The man who drove Diana, Princess of Wales, and her lover Dodi Fayed on the journey on which they were killed knew he should not have been at the wheel, a court heard today.

HE may have been as sturdy as an oak tree at full-back in Leicester’s recent sacking of Thomond Park, but Geordan Murphy is willing to accept any role in an Irish team tipped to make a big shot at the Grand Slam.

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan has described the recruitment of rugby league star Karl Pryce as a “significant addition” to his squad.

Gloucester have confirmed the signing of Bradford Bulls rugby league star Karl Pryce on a three-year contract.

England’s new director of elite rugby Rob Andrew warned today that Andy Robinson’s job as head coach is not guaranteed through to next year’s World Cup.

IT says something about the competitive nature of this year’s Heineken Cup that entering the final round of group matches only three teams - Sale, Toulouse and Bath - have secured qualification to the knock-out phase.

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

FORMER Great Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell yesterday answered criticism over his cross-code switch by declaring: “If I was a betting man I’d back myself.”

Ireland's Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign got off to a disappointing start as they were overturned by Pool A rivals USA in Hong Kong.

Wigan have told the Rugby Football Union they had until the end of this week to complete the cross-code transfer of Andy Farrell.

Leeds Tykes 15 London Irish 6

Martin Corry will captain England in their RBS 6 Nations Championship game against Italy at Twickenham a week on Saturday.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has warned his RBS 6 Nations favourites to ignore England’s wretched form as they prepare for Sunday’s clash at Lansdowne Road.

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.

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.

THE International Rugby Board has reached agreement with the northern hemisphere unions over the formation of the North team to take part in the IRB rugby aid match, ‘Rebuilding After the Tsunami’.

Andy Farrell, Wigan and Great Britain’s record-breaking rugby league captain, is poised to claim a place in history by becoming the first high-profile rugby league forward to make the switch to union.

Olly Barkley will be England’s centre of attention when the world champions tackle a RBS 6 Nations salvage job against France at Twickenham on Sunday.

England coach Andy Robinson has made five changes for the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against title-holders France at Twickenham on Sunday.

LIONS boss Clive Woodward yesterday spent the day with the Scottish squad as they continue preparing for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations meeting with Ireland at Murrayfield.

Henry Paul today won an England recall when coach Andy Robinson added reinforcements to his squad to face France in the RBS 6 Nations Championship on Sunday.

Barry Coughlan

Newcastle teenager Mathew Tait will make his England debut in the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Wales on Saturday.

Scrum-half Matt Dawson today gave England their latest injury scare ahead of next Saturday’s RBS Six Nations Championship opener against Wales in Cardiff.

England’s midfield injury jinx has struck again – with Wasps centre Stuart Abbott set to miss the entire RBS 6 Nations Championship.

England boss Andy Robinson was tonight reeling from the worst possible blow to his Six Nations plans – losing World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson.

PHIL Vickery last night rallied Gloucester for their make-or-break Heineken Cup mission against Ulster, and vowed: “We will hit them with everything we’ve got.”

Worcester coach Andy Keast has vowed his team will “come back fighting” against London Irish on New Year’s Day after they returned to the Zurich Premiership basement.

Will Greenwood tonight joined his England midfield colleague Mike Tindall in facing a race against time to make the world champions’ RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Wales.

Cardiff Blues 16 Gloucester 23

THE International Rugby Board has put in place a global “Out of Competition” testing programme in a further effort to keep rugby free from drugs.

England 32 South Africa 16

World Cup winner Mike Tindall claims tomorrow’s Twickenham clash against Canada provides a “perfect start” to the international season for new-look England.

Gloucester 55 Ulster 13

Gloucester 55 Ulster 13

MANCHESTER United star Wayne Rooney’s dream week continued yesterday after a court overturned a driving conviction.

Wasps and England forward Simon Shaw was today named Zurich Premiership player of the season.

England rugby star Henry Paul today pleaded not guilty to failing to give a breath test after being stopped by police.