JOHN HAYES looked like he would be happier in front of a firing squad than answering a spate of questions at yesterday’s press conference in Killiney at which the hero of the hour was chosen to play his 100th match for Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

LIMERICK received a tourism boost this week from an unexpected source. Munster’s new prop forward Wian Du Preez launched a one-man public relations campaign for the Treaty city and its surrounds.

Uncapped prop Heinke van der Merwe has been included in the South Africa squad for the clashes with Wales and the Barbarians.

South Africa prop Os du Randt was happy to call time on his distinguished career just moments after joining a select band of players to have won two World Cups.

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

ARGENTINA fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez has shaken off injury concerns and is named in an unchanged Pumas side for tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

South Africa coach Jake White has recalled prop CJ van der Linde for Sunday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Paris.

Francois Steyn is braced for a bone-crunching World Cup clash between South Africa and Fiji on Sunday, admitting: “There are going to be some huge hits.”

South Africa have hit prop problems in the build-up to Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final against Fiji at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

Springboks coach Jake White believes his squad can put the Schalk Burger saga to one side and maintain their concentration for Friday night’s crucial clash against England.

There were few surprise inclusions as South Africa named their 30-man World Cup squad today.

Victor Matfield will captain South Africa in their Tri-Nations clash against New Zealand in Durban on Saturday.

SOUTH AFRICA coach Jake White has handed Currie Cup player of the year Kabamba Floors his debut in a re-jigged Springboks back-row to face England this weekend.

Eddie O’Sullivan has welcomed Ireland’s unprecedented status as favourites to beat South Africa tomorrow but refuses to view the new-look Springboks as anything other than a major threat.

South Africa team to face Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday:

WHEN new Welsh captain Stephen Jones kicked off against Australia at the Millennium Stadium last Saturday he set in motion a 20 game autumn series featuring all the major countries on the world stage.

SOUTH AFRICA coach Jake White has revealed he will stick with his tried and tested players when he names his squad on Saturday for the November Test matches against Ireland and England.

FORMER New Zealand winger Stu Wilson has hailed the performances of the Australia backline ahead of the Bledisloe Cup triple header, claiming the Wallabies are favourites.

WALES boss Mike Ruddock has warned Chris Horsman over his future conduct after the Worcester prop was sin-binned at a crucial time in Saturday’s 33-16 defeat to South Africa.

South African captain John Smit will earn his 50th cap on Saturday when the Springboks face Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

THE IRFU yesterday confirmed its 2006 summer tour schedule which will comprise of three test matches in the Southern Hemisphere.

Springbok coach Jake White made history on Wednesday by naming an unprecedented six black players in his line-up for Saturday's second leg of the Mandela Challenge against Australia.

South Africa 27 France 13

South Africa coach Jake White has sprung a major surprise by including prop Lawrence Sephaka for Saturday’s second Test against France in Port Elizabeth.

Munster and Ireland outhalf Ronan O’Gara has been named in an international team of the year as selected by French sports newspaper, L’Equipe.

SCHALK BURGER, the International Rugby Board’s Player of the Year, will line up for the Barbarians against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

Schalk Burger, the International Rugby Board’s player of the year, will line up for the Barbarians against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

South Africa coach Jake White has made seven changes to his starting XV for the Test against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

ENGLAND coach Andy Robinson last night formally ruled World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson out of his autumn Test plans.

SOUTH AFRICA coach Jake White has recalled the moment when he feared time might have run out on the Springboks’ Grand Slam bid.

Kiwis Reuben Thorne and Justin Marshall were among eight players included in the Barbarians squad to face New Zealand at Twickenham next month.

London Irish back Mike Catt and Sale Sharks forward Chris Jones have been added to the Barbarian squad which will take on New Zealand at Twickenham on December 4.

South Africa 40 New Zealand 26

Gwent Dragons full-back Percy Montgomery is set to make his long-awaited international comeback following a two-year absence after being named in South Africa’s starting line-up for Saturday’s second Test against Ireland at Newlands.

South Africa 31 Ireland 17

South Africa 21 Ireland 14

South Africa 11 Ireland 11

South Africa 8 Ireland 11

Ireland will be out to record a new landmark in their rich rugby history on Saturday when they attempt to score their first ever Test win against the Springboks in South Africa.

Springbok coach Jake White brushed aside injury worries as he handed out three new caps for Saturday’s first Test against Ireland in Bloemfontein.

Welsh star Scott Gibbs has confirmed his retirement from professional rugby.

Ulster prop Robbie Kempson is being courted by SA Rugby officials in a bid to bolster South Africa's recent tight five woes ahead of the Tri-Nations and World Cup, which are to be held later this year.