Japan 23 Wales 8

Saracens 27 Ulster Rugby 16

Saracens 27 Ulster 16

Irish players must take responsibility against Saracens

Wales 30 Barbarians 21

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall put English rugby’s European failure down to the gulf in the salary cap between the Aviva Premiership and the rest.

Saracens 3 Clermont Auvergne 22

Saracens rugby director Mark McCall is hoping his side can push on from the quarter-finals and become one of Europe’s elite clubs.

Leigh Halfpenny wants Cardiff Blues to take a leaf out of Wales’ book when they face mission improbable against Heineken Cup holders Leinster tomorrow.

Former Wales captain Ryan Jones will take the place of banned lock Bradley Davies in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Millennium Stadium visitors Scotland.

Ireland’s coaching staff are backing Fergus McFadden to comfortably fill the breach created by the late withdrawal of Keith Earls from Ireland’s starting line-up to face Wales tomorrow.

Was it a one-off, that oh-so disappointing World Cup quarter-final defeat to Wales last October, or something altogether more meaningful?

Ireland’s nemesis Mike Phillips aims to return to haunt Declan Kidney’s men at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.

As far as Rory Best is concerned, revenge is a dish best served at home.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has dismissed any notion of him taking a double risk with Jamie Roberts and Rhys Priestland for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland.

Flanker Dan Lydiate has been ruled out of Wales’ RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland on Sunday due to an ankle injury, but centre Jamie Roberts and fly-half Rhys Priestland have recovered from knee injuries and will start, the Welsh Rugby Union have announced.

GAVIN HENSON could be in line for a first RBS 6 Nations appearance since 2009 after being included in head coach Warren Gatland’s 35-man training squad.

Gavin Henson could be in line for a first RBS 6 Nations appearance since 2009 after being included in head coach Warren Gatland's 35-man training squad.

Leinster 43 Saracens 20

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his team for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Saracens at the RDS, kick-off 1.30pm.

Connacht 5 Saracens 22, the Sportsground

Cardiff Blues lock Deiniol Jones and hooker Gareth Williams have been forced to withdraw from Wales’ RBS 6 Nations squad through injury.

Warren Gatland could summon two of Wales’ 2008 Grand Slam stars for the RBS 6 Nations appointment with title favourites France next week.

WALES will go into tomorrow’s RBS Six Nations showdown against England without two thirds of their British and Irish Lions Test front row.

Wales have suffered a second major injury blow ahead of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener against England.

Wales will pile the pressure on England manager Martin Johnson if they win next month’s RBS 6 Nations showdown at Twickenham.

Ulster 9 Cardiff 11

Ulster 9 Cardiff Blues 11

Wales Under-20 James Loxton will make his debut for Cardiff Blues against Ulster in the Magners League at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Cardiff Blues will have to paddle their canoe without eight Wales internationals away to Connacht at The Sportsground on Friday (6.30pm).