Wales lock Ian Evans feared his World Cup hopes were over after he dislocated his shoulder in December – but he refused to believe it.

Australia 29 Wales 23

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has urged his side to give him a World Cup selection headache by performing as he believes they can to claim a historic victory at Telstra Stadium, Sydney on Saturday.

THERE are a few permutations to juggle with as the chase for the Magners League title takes the bell this weekend, but the bottom line is simple: win with a bonus point in Cardiff tonight and Leinster will be champions.

Munster 12 Cardiff 19

SHANNON and UL Bohemians will mark the end of an era at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has defended his decision not to select in-form loose forward Colin Charvis for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

GARETH JENKINS reacted to Wales’ 21-9 defeat to Scotland by making seven changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France, including four in a revamped pack.

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has made seven changes to the Welsh starting line-up which lost to Scotland nine days ago their clash with France at Stade de France on Saturday.

MARK JONES has recovered from ankle ligament damage and is named on the wing for Wales’ RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

Mark Jones has recovered from ankle ligament damage to be named on the wing for Wales’ RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

WALES wing Shane Williams will miss the February 4 Six Nations opener against Ireland because of a hip injury. Williams, injured in the Ospreys’ win at Sale, joins Mark Jones — also a first choice wing — on the sidelines.

LEICESTER are hurtling towards a Pool Four decider against European champions Munster in Limerick tomorrow week, but they cannot allow such an enticing prospect to overshadow their Welford Road appointment with Cardiff Blues this afternoon (3pm, Sky Sports).

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins rang the changes for Saturday's clash with the Pacific Islands.

Gavin Henson has withdrawn from Wales’ two-Test summer tour to Argentina in order to regain full fitness ahead of next year’s World Cup.

New Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has named Ospreys prop Duncan Jones as captain of a youthful 28-man squad for this summer’s two-Test tour of Argentina.

Newport-Gwent 13 Cardiff 18

Newport-Gwent 13 Cardiff 18

IT has been a truly memorable two weeks for Irish sport.

Wales 16 France 21

Wales 18 Italy 18

Wales 18 Italy 18

ALTHOUGH it’s being portrayed as a straight swap between Donncha O’Callaghan for the injured Paul O’Connell in Ireland’s second-row, Eddie O’Sullivan hinted strongly during the week that the Cork Con man would have been chosen no matter what.

Robert Sidoli admits skipper Gareth Thomas will be hugely missed when Wales run on to Lansdowne Road to face Ireland in Sunday’s Six Nations Championship clash.

FT: Wales 28 Scotland 18

GARETH THOMAS is determined Wales can overcome a debilitating injury list and prove they are one of the "great, great teams" by repeating last year's Grand Slam heroics.

New Zealand superstar Jonah Lomu’s rugby comeback is underway, and the former All Blacks wing admitted: “It was almost a surreal experience.”

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have delayed naming their team to face Munster amid a catalogue of injuries ahead of the Heineken Cup clash.

DECLAN Kidney has named a 27-strong squad from which the side will be selected for the Celtic League game against the Cardiff Blues at The Arms Park tomorrow (7.30pm).

All Black Xavier Rush and Lions openside Martyn Williams have been included in Cardiff's side to play Leinster at The RDS on Saturday.

Conor McPhillips’ snappy second-half try helped Connacht kickstart their Celtic League campaign with a win over Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground.

Australian Andrew Farley will captain Connacht for the second year in a row this season.

England and Wasps lock Simon Shaw has been called onto the Lions tour of New Zealand as a replacement for the injured Malcolm O’Kelly.

Cardiff Blues 33 Borders 12

FRANCE coach Bernard Laporte admitted yesterday that he was puzzled by the clearing of Italy prop Salvatore Perugini of a dangerous tackle on Christophe Dominici during last weekend’s Six Nations match.

Alan Gaffney will have to do without Paul O’Connell - suspended for two weeks for punching Robert Sidoli - and Trevor Hogan has been given the nod ahead of Australian international Tom Bowman to partner Donncha O’Callaghan against Llanelli at Rodney Parade on Friday evening.

IRELAND and Munster second row forward Paul O’Connell will be available for the Heineken Cup quarter-final joust with Biarritz — despite being suspended for two weeks.

Ireland lock Paul O’Connell was a relieved man tonight after the Six Nations disciplinary committee left him free to play in Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Biarritz.

Ireland's Paul O'Connell is facing an IRB disciplinary hearing in London today after being cited for allegedly punching Wales forward Robert Sidoli in last Saturday's Six Nations clash at the Millennium Stadium.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney is still mystified why Paul O’Connell was cited for allegedly punching Wales’ Robert Sidoli during Ireland’s Six Nations match in Cardiff.

Ireland second-rower Paul O’Connell has been cited for allegedly punching Wales lock Robert Sidoli during the RBS 6 Nations match in Cardiff on Saturday.