MARTIN JOHNSON is not the sort of man who indulges in mind-games, but yesterday he braced himself to face a wounded animal when Ireland head to Twickenham a week on Saturday.

England manager Martin Johnson today launched a vigorous defence of Jonny Wilkinson and blasted critics for working to their own agenda.

Martin Johnson revealed England are preparing to take Italy on at their own game after he announced a forward-dominated bench for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations showdown at the Stadio Flaminio.

ENGLAND have been forced into a late change ahead of their RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales today after Riki Flutey was ruled out with a dead leg.

England centre Riki Flutey has been ruled out of tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales after suffering a thigh injury in training.

Rescuers returned to choppy waters off Indonesia’s Sumatra island today to search for 21 passengers still missing after a ferry sank in a storm.

LEINSTER coach Michael Cheika will look to Munster’s Heineken Cup ‘bouncebackability’ as the champions bid to recover from a round one home defeat by London Irish at the RDS.

Wales wing Leigh Halfpenny is anxious for a quick return to duty after what he admitted was a “frustrating” British and Irish Lions debut.

Warren Gatland believes the Blue Bulls’ stunning Super 14 triumph has underlined how tough a task the British and Irish Lions face in South Africa.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL insists he will not be on a mission to right any wrongs when he lines up for the 2009 British and Irish Lions tomorrow.

England captain David Beckham has received a one-match suspension from the Spanish FA following his sending off for Real Madrid last weekend.

England captain David Beckham was told today he should have kept his cool following his red card for Real Madrid against Gatafe last night.

LA LIGA champions Barcelona crashed to a 2-1 defeat away to Atletico Madrid last night.