Ben Foden’s blistering form for Northampton has been rewarded with a call-up to the elite England squad.

London Irish have made one change from last weekend bringing in hooker James Buckland for a crucial European Challenge Cup round two fixture with Connacht Rugby at The Sportsground on Friday evening at 7pm.

SARACENS continued the English romp through the European Challenge Cup with a clinical 53-3 win over French side Mont de Marsan at Vicarage Road yesterday.

England have made wholesale changes to their back division for Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand.

Steve Borthwick and Mike Tindall are the leading candidates to be named England captain when Martin Johnson’s squad for this summer’s tour to New Zealand is announced today.

Ireland international Bob Casey will lead London Irish into their first Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulouse at Twickenham on Saturday.

Mike Catt is the surprise selection at out-half for London Irish at home to Perpignan in the Heineken Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

London Irish have signed Cambridge University fly-half Ross Broadfoot and scrum-half Ross Blake on short-term contracts.

Danny Care has received a ringing endorsement as he prepares to join England’s training squad – from axed scrum-half Andy Gomarsall.

England boss Brian Ashton has identified the RBS 6 Nations clash against tournament favourites France as “a big, big game” for some of his team.

MUNSTER assistant coach Jim Williams was last night linked with a bid to return to Australia as assistant coach to new Wallaby coach Robbie Deans.

Treviso 11 London Irish 24

Keith Wood believes European champions Wasps probably have the better team heading into tomorrow’s crunch Heineken Cup clash against Munster in Limerick.

London Irish 41 Dragons 24

GLOUCESTER boss Dean Ryanbelieves today’s Heineken Cup showdown against a star-studded Ospreys side “falls right into the top bracket” of European club rugby.

London Irish 42 Treviso 9

There was no dream return to London Irish for England’s Peter Richards as Harlequins, his former club, recorded their second win over the Exiles this season with a narrow EDF Energy Cup victory.

MARK CUETO has reflected on the moment England’s dream of making World Cup history drifted into oblivion, claiming: “It was 100% a try.”

Mark Cueto has reflected on the moment England’s dream of making World Cup history drifted into oblivion, claiming: “It was 100% a try.”

Andy Farrell has been recalled to the England side for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Australia at Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

Andy Farrell will play the biggest game of his Rugby Union career on Friday night when he lines up at fly-half in the World Cup showdown against South Africa.

England believe former Test skipper Martin Corry will be fit and available for their opening World Cup game against the United States in Lens next week.

England World Cup prop Andrew Sheridan has been admitted to hospital after suffering an insect bite.

WORLD CUP winner Lawrence Dallaglio has been backed to “deliver for England” when they defend the Webb Ellis Trophy in France next month.

World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio has been backed to “deliver for England” when they defend the Webb Ellis Trophy in France next month.

David Strettle and Mike Tindall could both be ruled out of World Cup contention today when England boss Brian Ashton assesses his casualty list.

England wing David Strettle’s World Cup hopes hang in the balance after he broke a metatarsal bone in his left foot during training.

England have called Sale scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth into their World Cup training squad as cover for Pete Richards, who is undergoing treatment for acute lower back pain.

England 62 Wales 5

David Strettle has been backed to make a full recovery from his disastrous trip to South Africa.

England began picking up the pieces after a record defeat against South Africa, with scrum-half Andy Gomarsall admitting: “Reality has hit us.”

SOUTH AFRICAN coach Jake White has warned his charges not to become overconfident after their 58-10 thrashing of England in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Gloucester back Iain Balshaw will miss England’s second Test clash against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday due to injury.

England’s battered and bruised squad limped out of Bloemfontein ready for possible further punishment from the Springboks, with pack leader Mark Regan admitting: “We’ve got another tidal wave coming at us”.

South Africa 58 England 10

England’s illness-hit preparations for the first Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein today have claimed two more victims.

England will decide today whether Gloucester flanker Peter Buxton is fit to tour South Africa.

HARRY ELLIS — England’s most consistent performer during the RBS Six Nations Championship this season — could face Twickenham heartache as Leicester crank up their trophy treble bid.

London Irish look poised to make a major swoop in the transfer market by signing England scrum-half Peter Richards.

Sale Sharks wing Mark Cueto will return to action when England Saxons tackle Ireland A in Belfast on Friday night.

England boss Brian Ashton has sprung a major surprise ahead of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Italy by calling up uncapped Harlequins flanker Nick Easter.

Jonny Wilkinson has won a shock England recall for next Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Scotland at Twickenham.

Gloucester 19 Leinster 13

Gloucester 19 Leinster 13