If you want to be realistic about it, there is little chance of us beating both France and Ireland in the space of five days

Romania were the odd ones out in Pool D at the weekend when they had to sit and watch their four counterparts stretch their legs, but their best foot has been put forward for the meeting with France tomorrow in the form of their most experienced team of all time.

A disastrous start left Ireland with an impossible task when they fell 19-0 behind after just 15 minutes at Stadio Zaffanella last night.

The fastest try in rugby history was scored today by 19-year-old Welshman Dafydd Howells.

An IT worker is hunting for a £4m-plus (€4.8m-plus) digital fortune he inadvertently threw out with the rubbish.

DOROTHY RODHAM, mother of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton’s mother-in-law, has died at the age of 92 after an illness.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg was today facing questions from grassroots party members today regarding his decision to go into coalition with Conservatives.

The UK today accused Israel of undermining Middle East peace efforts after its troops launched a night mission into the Gaza Strip, killing two Palestinians in retaliation for rocket attacks.

Scotland full-back Chris Paterson has left Edinburgh to join Guinness Premiership side Gloucester.

Edinburgh have moved quickly to compensate for the loss of Rob Dewey by announcing the signing of New Zealand-born lock Ben Gissing on a two-year deal.

EDINBURGH supremo Lynn Howells admitted his men had been outplayed by “a much better team” after a 31-14 home defeat by Gloucester.

East Africa is now one of the world's major drug supply routes, with tonnes of cocaine and heroin suspected of being smuggled into Europe, a senior British official said today.

BARRY MURPHY, a revelation for Munster last year, is ready to return to Heineken Cup action.

A senior British diplomat today said Pakistan was not a “source of terrorism,” and praised the country’s role in the international struggle against terror.

Edinburgh Rugby have been boosted by the announcement of Lynn Howells as their new head coach ahead of the visit of Leinster in the Magners League on Friday night.

Edinburgh Rugby have appointed Lynn Howells as their new head coach.

Neath-Swansea Ospreys tonight promised to “move heaven and earth” in assisting the Celtic Warriors if they are disbanded by Welsh rugby chiefs.

Steve Hansen’s preparations for his last match as Wales coach have been disrupted by injury concerns.

Leicester star Austin Healey has billed tomorrow’s Heineken Cup clash against Ulster as a “must-win game”.

Culture minister Kim Howells condemned Robbie Williams today, accusing him of supporting drug and prostitution rackets by saying Internet piracy was “great”.

CONNACHT will be at home in the first leg of their Parker Pen Challenge Cup quarter-final clash against Pontypridd on the second weekend of January.

COLM McMAHON could be pressed into action as a winger for Munster’s Celtic League quarter-final with Connacht at Musgrave Park on Friday.

West Brom 1 Cheltenham 0

FA Cup teams

Liverpool have put on an attacking side against Arsenal today in their fourth round FA Cup tie at Highbury.

Lynn Howells has returned to Pontypridd as head coach after two years at Cardiff.

Wales players have been warned to expect a stiff test on their five-match summer tour to Japan.

The controversy over the Countess of Wessex has taken a new twist with a Government minister saying the Royal Family are "a bit bonkers".

A dispute has erupted in the High Court over reports one of the killers of James Bulger has allegedly been involved in violent incidents while in detention.

Gloucester’s rampant forwards have been backed to cause more Heineken Cup mayhem after they roughed up Cardiff and sent them tumbling out of Europe.

The pool matches in next season's European competitions will not be played in the six-week block many British clubs had hoped for.