Differing contests in so many ways yet equally compelling.

It’s a dozen years since our columnist was manager of the Lions tour heading into a decisive final test in Sydney. He’s been facing his demons this week.

Off-field scandals continue to plague Australian mainstream sport

Last Saturday’s victory in Cardiff was a moment and a spectacle to savour for Irish rugby but the stakes will be even higher in the Aviva on Sunday, a win and Ireland will not only be favourites for the championship but can dream of another Grand Slam.

Edinburgh will look to give Scottish rugby a timely boost when they entertain Heineken Cup opponents Racing Metro tonight.

At last, something positive and heartwarming to savour.

The 27-year-old Edinburgh hooker was one of five Scotland players withdrawn from club service after the Six Nations, but will pack down for tomorrow’s EMC Test at Murrayfield for his first action since the victory over Italy on March 19.

PETER STRINGER will have turned 34 when his current contract with Munster ends in June of 2012: it’s an age when most rugby players would be thinking of retirement, but Ireland’s record-breaking scrum-half has no notion of calling it a day any time soon.

ENGLAND head into tomorrow’s crunch clash with Ireland with echoes of 2003 all around them.

France defence coach Dave Ellis has revealed plans are already in place to stop Chris Ashton in Saturday’s clash with England at Twickenham.

Mark Cueto has warned Chris Ashton he must be prepared for life as a marked man - starting in England’s crunch showdown with RBS 6 Nations title rivals France.

Mike Brewer has been sacked as the head coach of the Sale Sharks, the club have announced.

GIVEN that it was Brian O’Driscoll’s 100th cap last Saturday, and all of a sudden everybody has a Brian O’Driscoll story, we thought we’d share ours.

TWO of the great names of Irish and English rugby led legends onto the field last night for a major fundraising game for injured players.

ENGLAND like to bully teams. It’s their modus operandi. Throughout international rugby history, successful English sides have usually been aggressors.

MATHEW TAIT is determined to make up for lost time and prove he can be England’s answer to Brian O’Driscoll.

THE accolades continue to accumulate for Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning captain Brian O’Driscoll, who was yesterday named as the RBS Six Nations Player of the Championship for the third time.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL is relishing the prospect of playing for the Lions in SA in eight months’ time despite his nightmare experience as captain in New Zealand.

Ian McGeechan is expected to be confirmed as head coach of the 2009 British and Irish Lions later this morning.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL insists the new British and Irish Lions coach must not repeat the key mistakes made by Clive Woodward on the 2005 tour to New Zealand.

Former England star Jason Robinson has claimed that Brian Ashton’s recent ousting as head coach of the national team was “harsh”.

DANNY CIPRIANI has made no secret of his desire to become “the best in the world” when he lines up for England on Saturday against Scotland.

AT least there’s one feel-good story to lighten the moodduring these dark days for Irish rugby.

ENGLAND warrior Mark Regan is expecting a battle in today’s RBS 6 Nations opener, claiming: “There is never a friendly with the Welsh.”

Three home wins is the least beleaguered Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan requires from the Six Nations.

January 18, 2003. Pool Two: Munster 33 Gloucester 6

Martin Corry has announced he is to retire from international rugby.

Martin Corry has declined Brian Ashton’s offer of a place in England’s squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

A Stormont Assembly member today expressed shock that Northern Ireland international football player David Healy was omitted from the UK's New Year’s Honours List.

CLARE-BORN broadcaster Des Lynam joined pop princess Kylie Minogue, veteran chat show host Michael Parkinson and actress Julie Walters on Queen Elizabeth’s new year’s honours list published yesterday.

Barbarians 22 South Africa 5

England hooker Mark Regan has been included in the Barbarians team to face South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

MARK CUETO has reflected on the moment England’s dream of making World Cup history drifted into oblivion, claiming: “It was 100% a try.”

Mark Cueto has reflected on the moment England’s dream of making World Cup history drifted into oblivion, claiming: “It was 100% a try.”

JASON ROBINSON keeps trying to push thoughts of World Cup celebration out of his mind as he prepares to bring one of rugby’s most brilliant careers to a close.

Jason Robinson is calling for “one last push” as England go for glory in Saturday’s World Cup final against South Africa.

South Africa coach Jake White this morning named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday’s World Cup final against England.

PHIL VICKERY has underlined England’s determination to complete one of the greatest comebacks in sport, declaring: “This team is here to make its own history.”

Mark Cueto will replace the injured Josh Lewsey in England’s team to play South Africa in the World Cup final on Saturday.

Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss could today be handed a place in England’s World Cup final team – barely two months after making his Test debut.

BEN KAY could become a double world champion on Saturday night and he believes it would mean more to him than four years ago when England conquered the rugby planet.

England 14 France 9

ENGLAND captain Phil Vickery has called for “a sacrifice of body and soul” from his players when they target a second successive World Cup final appearance tonight.