British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland believes England flyhalf Owen Farrell can recover from his recent dip in form, ahead of the summer tour of Australia.

Having being omitted from Warren Gatland’s Lions squad, Perpignan fly-half James Hook could line out against the British and Irish outfit, having been named in the provisional Barbarians squad.

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.

Sexton made right call to go to France.

Jonathan Sexton’s move to French moneybags Racing Metro, bankrolled by Jacky Lorenzetti, may have come as a surprise to some, but there is method to the madness.

No one will blame Munster and their red army of supporters for thinking tomorrow’s match against Racing Metro is already won, the points safely stowed away.

Ireland and Leinster flyhalf Jonathan Sexton may be on his way out of the province after this season with the Dubliner being linked with a move to French side Racing Metro.

AUTHOR Paul Kimmage has paid tribute to the life-affirming struggle of Matt Hampson, the English rugby player whose paralysis and rehabilitation is told in the book ‘Engage’ which was yesterday voted the williamhill.com Irish sports book of the year.

SO here we are; another season over, another champion crowned, and another 31 teams licking their wounds.

MUNSTER’S James Coughlan has dismissed suggestions the current playing squad are past their prime.

THE chief executive of Connacht Rugby Gerry Kelly said he is delighted their Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final against Toulon will be accommodated in the Sportsground.

Regardless of the sport, there’s no such thing as a meaningless game between Ireland and England.

KEEN rivals in their days at Crescent Comprehensive and PBC, David Wallace and new Irish captain Ronan O’Gara have since become teammates and buddies, having enjoyed many great days together with Munster and Ireland.

Ramiro Pez believes Italy will have a tough task on their hands when they meet a resurgent England in the RBS 6 Nations this weekend.

ENGLAND flanker Lewis Moody is “devastated” to be missing the rest of the RBS 6 Nations Championship through injury.

IN A GAME awash with sub-plots, none will be more central to the story-line than the duel between Ronan O’Gara and Stephen Jones at the Millennium Stadium next Sunday.

Former England manager Clive Woodward has criticised the current English side for making excuses after poor performances in this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

KEITH WOOD was as surprised as anyone but still insists that Eddie O'Sullivan's decision to give Paul O'Connell the captaincy for Ireland's Six Nations clash in Paris on Saturday is a risk worth taking.

England rugby hero Johnny Wilkinson was involved in a car accident yesterday as he returned home to Newcastle after the London victory parade, his agent confirmed today.

England began preparations for their opening tour game against the New Zealand Maori expecting a ferocious clash of Test match intensity.

England's Johnny Wilkinson admitted their performance was far from perfect despite a personal haul of 35 points in the 80-23 victory over Italy in their Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

England are currently behind at Twickenham against wooden spoon favourites Italy.

England are being held to a draw at Twickenham against Six Nations wooden spoon favourites Italy.