Alun-Wyn Jones believes Warren Gatland's "gamble" on Brian O'Driscoll proves the Wales coach can be the man to lead the British and Irish Lions again in four years' time.

Before this Test series even began, Australia coach Robbie Deans predicted the contest would come down to a battle of wills between his Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions.

Australia head coach Robbie Deans insists having captain James Horwill available for the final Test will not give his side an edge but admits his players have received a massive boost after the skipper’s stamping acquittal was upheld.

Australia captain James Horwill watched the Tour de France during a sleepless night spent agonising over whether he would be permitted to lead the Wallabies in Saturday’s series decider against the British and Irish Lions.

Australia captain James Horwill has responded to an appeal hearing’s decision to clear him to play in Saturday’s deciding Test against the British and Irish Lions by declaring he had been “vindicated”.

Momentum is built on moments, and perhaps the telling one in Australia’s victory in Melbourne came early in the second half when Brian O’Driscoll managed to achieve what the Wallabies had largely failed to do.

Australia 16 British & Irish Lions 15

Australia captain James Horwill today offered a robust defence during extensive questioning over the stamp that could yet see him suspended for the third Test against the British and Irish Lions.

The way Paul O’Connell shook his hand after the Lions’ first-Test victory in Brisbane on Saturday night, Australia prop Ben Alexander did not imagine the Irishman had just fractured an arm.

Brian O’Driscoll believes Australia captain James Horwill is “a lucky boy” after he was cleared to play the second Test against the British and Irish Lions as his citing for stamping was dismissed.

A fractured arm may have sidelined Paul O’Connell from the rest of the Test series with Australia, his place in the second row for Saturday’s second Test going to England’s Geoff Parling, but the British & Irish Lions are desperate to keep their former captain on tour, so important to them is his presence as a leader and mentor.

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree today refused to dwell on Paul O’Connell’s tour-ending fractured arm.

Australia captain James Horwill has been cleared to play the second Test against the British and Irish Lions after his citing for stamping was dismissed.

Australia captain James Horwill has been cleared to play the second Test against the British and Irish Lions after his citing for stamping was dismissed.

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

Veteran lock Nathan Sharpe has agreed to extend his Australia career until the end of the Rugby Championship after skipper James Horwill was ruled out for the rest of the year.

South Africa 9 Australia 11

ON Saturday morning, in our national newspaper, the creatively named The Australian, there was a degree of chest thumping about what was to happen that evening in Auckland.

AUSTRALIA captain James Horwill has targeted their game with the US on Friday as the perfect opportunity to get the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign back on track.

AUSTRALIA captain James Horwill says his side can improve after opening their World Cup campaign with a 32-6 win over Italy at North Harbour Stadium.

Australia boss Robbie Deans today refused to confirm whether James O’Connor would reclaim his spot on the right wing for the World Cup opener against Italy on Sunday.

ROCKY ELSOM insisted he harbours no bitterness towards Australia coach Robbie Deans despite being axed as captain three weeks ahead of the World Cup.

Rocky Elsom has been sensationally dumped as Australia skipper for the World Cup campaign.

Wales 12 Australia 33

ALEX GROVE insists Scotland can now “beat anyone in the world” after helping them end their 27-year losing streak to Australia in just his second Test. Worcester centre Grove, who does not turn 22 until a week today, has enjoyed a dream start to international rugby, with two wins from two matches.

Australia 24 New Zealand 28

Australia 40 France 10

Stirling Mortlock has been named as Australian rugby’s new captain for Australia’s seven-match tour of Europe in November.