Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for Friday night’s Heineken Cup match against Racing-Métro 92 at the Stade Yves du Manoir, kick-off 8pm.

JONNY WILKINSON lost a battle of the drop kicks as Toulon were beaten in Paris last night but Munster were put on warning ahead of their Heineken Cup showdown in the south of France next Sunday.

LEINSTER flanker Shane Jennings expects a testing afternoon from Racing Metro’s pack in Saturday’s Heineken Cup opener at the RDS.

BIARRITZ ensured hapless Viadana remained winless in Pool 4 of the Heineken Cup as they ran out 25-16 winners at the Parc des Sports Aguilera last night.

Biarritz 25 Viadana 16

United States winger Takudzwa Ngwenya has completed his move to Top 14 giants Biarritz.

Springbok coach Jake White has named his team to face Connacht at the Sports Ground in Galway, Ireland, on August 21.

SPRINGBOK midfielder Jean de Villiers will stay at home when the rest of his team-mates depart on a two-match tour of Ireland and Scotland later today.

ANDY ROBINSON faces the defining few weeks of his career as England head coach, insisting: “I have never ducked a challenge.”

SOUTH AFRICA coach Jake White has handed Currie Cup player of the year Kabamba Floors his debut in a re-jigged Springboks back-row to face England this weekend.

South Africa coach Jake White has handed Currie Cup player of the year Kabamba Floors his debut in a rejigged Springboks back row to face England this weekend.

BELEAGUERED Springbok coach Jake White faces the biggest crisis of his career after the most powerful regional province in South African rugby passed a motion of no confidence in him and called on him to resign.

South Africa coach Jake White has made six changes to the Springboks side that lost 32-15 in Ireland for Saturday’s Test against England.

Dan Carter kicked 25 points as New Zealand inflicted a second successive heavy Tri-Nations defeat on South Africa.

FORMER New Zealand winger Stu Wilson has hailed the performances of the Australia backline ahead of the Bledisloe Cup triple header, claiming the Wallabies are favourites.

DEFENDING champions South Africa go into this afternoon’s Tri-Nations opener against Australia at Loftus in Pretoria as favourites to get their campaign off to a winning start.

AUSTRALIA have made four changes for Saturday’s Tri Nations opener against South Africa in Pretoria, with Matt Dunning, John Roe, Morgan Turinui and Daniel Vickerman coming into the starting line-up.

South Africa coach Jake White has sprung a major surprise by including prop Lawrence Sephaka for Saturday’s second Test against France in Port Elizabeth.

South Africa coach Jake White has made seven changes to his starting XV for the Test against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

New Zealand 23 South Africa 21

Wales captain Colin Charvis spoke of his concern for team-mate Alix Popham after he was stretchered off the field during Wales’ 53-18 loss to the South Africa at Loftus Versfeld.

South Africa 53 Wales 18

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan called for a final flourish from his side as they ended a gruelling international season against South Africa at Newlands today.

Gwent Dragons full-back Percy Montgomery is set to make his long-awaited international comeback following a two-year absence after being named in South Africa’s starting line-up for Saturday’s second Test against Ireland at Newlands.

South Africa 31 Ireland 17

Ireland will be out to record a new landmark in their rich rugby history on Saturday when they attempt to score their first ever Test win against the Springboks in South Africa.

Ireland 26, South Africa 36