OSPREYS boss Lyn Jones has predicted “an encounter to remember” when his star-studded Welsh challengers tackle English champions Sale Sharks in a mouth-watering Heineken Cup clash this evening.

Bath prop David Barnes has been appointed tour captain of the newly-named England Saxons in this season’s Barclays Churchill Cup competition.

Hugh Vyvyan will captain England in next Sunday’s non-cap clash against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

London Irish will make their first English cup final appearance for 22 years on Saturday, with rugby director Conor O’Shea declaring: ‘‘We don’t want it to be a flash in the pan.’’