Isabelle Rondeau, Paris

THIS was never going to be pretty but, by God, was it compelling. With 20 minutes to go and Ireland defending for their lives you could cut the tension in Lansdowne Road with a knife.

England’s retired World Cup heroes look unlikely to be considered by their former boss Clive Woodward for the Lions tour of New Zealand next summer.

England’s World Cup coaching team is set to be reunited for the Lions tour of New Zealand next summer.

ENGLAND boss Clive Woodward handed Olly Barkley his first Test match start, and declared: “I have no fears about him”.

England boss Sir Clive Woodward today handed Olly Barkley his first Test match start, and declared: “I have no fears about him.”

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL can expect a very warm welcome from the world champions when he leads Ireland out at Twickenham today.

Raphael Ibanez today predicted a World Cup semi-final of “enormous intensity” when France and England clash at Telstra Stadium.

England defence guru Phil Larder believes it will be tough for any team to emulate Australia’s remarkable 1999 achievement in winning the World Cup by conceding only one try.

Clive Woodward’s exciting brand of running rugby kicked off the Six Nations in cavalier fashion with six English tries in Cardiff a fortnight ago.