Wales 51 Scotland 3

Scotland suffered last-gasp heartache as France snatched a 19-17 RBS 6 Nations win after Jean-Marc Doussain kicked the winning penalty at Murrayfield with just 90 seconds left.

Ulster's Chris Henry knows he may well be playing in the biggest game of his career if chosen to start against England in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Ireland captain and talisman Paul O’Connell has been forced out of this afternoon's RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland after suffering a chest infection last night.

Never mind the fast start that is required of all Test rugby teams.

There is much to be said for the power of positive thinking and so upbeat is Scott Johnson in his approach to solving Scottish rugby’s problems that 15 minutes in his company would convince anyone of his side’s potential for success.

Scotland head coach Scott Johnson has made four changes to his side for Sunday’s opening RBS 6 Nations match with Ireland.

Wales captain Sam Warburton has played down the appointment of Irishman Alain Rolland to referee Saturday’s Millennium Stadium showdown against South Africa.

British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has predicted a fierce battle for back-row places in the forthcoming Test series against Australia.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

After months of speculation, the Lion is out of the bag.

Saracens 12 Toulon 24

Saracens 27 Ulster 16

The Scots had a simple explanation for how they managed to secure a result in yesterday’s battle of Murrayfield – smash and grab!

FT: Scotland 12 Ireland 8

Momentum changes so quickly in sport.

FOR anyone unsure about the importance of captaincy in rugby, the build-up to this year’s RBS 6 Nations will have disabused them of the notion that the role is an irrelevance in the modern game.

When Schalk Brits flies past you driving a spray-painted old banger with four large, loud rugby players as passengers, you realise this isn’t your average club.

Saracens forward coach Paul Gustard believes his big-name players are ready to stand up and be counted as they look to end Munster’s Heineken Cup dream this weekend.

George North admits Wales have much soul-searching to do as they try to keep their flagging autumn internationals campaign on the rails.

Scotland 22 New Zealand 51

Edinburgh hooker Ross Ford will captain Scotland into the RBS 6 Nations after Kelly Brown was ruled out of the championship.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson is today set to announce his squad for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations and supplement experience with an injection of youth.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has made six changes and one positional switch for Saturday’s must-win World Cup Pool B clash with England.

Scotland today entered the thick of the World Cup action after arriving in Wellington, where they will bid to qualify for the knockout stages with victory over Argentina.

Scotland 15 Georgia 6

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson today confirmed a 30-man Rugby World Cup squad featuring few surprises and Alastair Kellock as captain.

The Scottish Rugby Union are to conduct a performance review after chief executive Gordon McKie told of his disappointment following “unacceptable” displays this season.

Scotland were today aiming to avoid the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon in their clash with Italy at Murrayfield.

Nick Easter will captain England against Ireland in Saturday’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash after Mike Tindall was ruled out with an ankle ligament strain.

England captain Mike Tindall has been referred to an ankle specialist to determine whether he will be available for Saturday's Grand Slam showdown with Ireland.

England manager Martin Johnson will discover today whether he has captain Mike Tindall and Matt Banahan available for this weekend’s Grand Slam showdown with Ireland.

Back-row forward Kelly Brown was said to be in good spirits after being forced off with a head knock at Twickenham, and will be assessed daily until the visit of Italy.

Max Evans was left to reflect on yet another try in a losing cause for Scotland after England’s Calcutta Cup victory at Twickenham today.

Scotland have made four changes for this Sunday’s Calcutta Cup clash with England at Twickenham.

Andy Robinson knows Scotland’s win over Ireland in last year’s RBS 6 Nations will give their opponents an added incentive at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Scotland 6 Wales 24

RYAN JONES has urged Wales to be “bold, brave and clinical” in their make-or-break RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland today.

Scotland forward Nathan Hines is relaxed about the possibility of returning to his more familiar second-row position if Richie Gray fails to recover from illness in time to face Wales in the RBS 6 Nations tomorrow.

Second-row Richie Gray was absent from Scotland’s eve-of-match training session at Murrayfield today amid fears he may miss tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales through illness.

IRELAND have been warned that life in the Six Nations is not about to get any easier after a clinical French team made a winning start to the defence of their title in Paris.

Head coach Andy Robinson was frustrated as Scotland lost 34-21 to France to suffer defeat on the opening RBS 6 Nations weekend yet again and extend their poor record in Paris.

France 34 Scotland 21