He’s a mummy’s boy. Rhys Ruddock admits it.

GUINNESS PRO12:

How the two teams square off

Connacht 14 Dragons 11

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell makes his return to Munster colours ahead of schedule tonight having been cleared by the IRFU to face Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Wing George North was pleased to see a more clinical Wales performance in their 40-6 win over Argentina at the Millennium Stadium.

Munster coach Rob Penney has resisted the temptation to field his strongest side in response to last week’s second half meltdown at Treviso for this evening’s Rabo Direct clash with the Newport Gwent Dragons.

Damien Varley may be a close friend and Garryowen clubmate of Michael Sherry but intends to fight him tooth and nail as first choice Munster hooker.

Three key areas

Will Genia will cherish a unique moment in his career when Australia and the British and Irish Lions collide in this morning’s series decider at ANZ Stadium.

The teams for Australia versus British and Irish Lions have been decided.

Tommy Bowe wants the British and Irish Lions to batter Australia into submission at ANZ Stadium, drawing on the pain of past failures to triumph in tomorrow’s series decider.

Warren Gatland and his British and Irish Lions think-tank emerged from their night of the long knives convinced they have a match-day squad to win the third and final Test against Australia on Saturday.

Rugby issues are often black or white with the former teacher.

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has sprung one of the great surprises in the tourists’ history by dropping Brian O’Driscoll for Saturday’s series decider against Australia.

Melbourne Rebels 0 British and Irish Lions 35

Warren Gatland has emphasised the need for the entire & Lions squad to stay focused on the Test series with Australia, even if they missed out on a spot for tomorrow’s opener at Suncorp Stadium.

Sam Warburton is ready to lead the Lions into battle in Brisbane tomorrow after overcoming a month of intense competition in the backrow, not to mention a difficult season in the red of Wales.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland revealed that Alex Corbisiero’s superior scrummaging resulted in his selection ahead of Mako Vunipola for Saturday’s opening Test against Australia.

SUDDENLY, Jake White’s prediction of doom for the British & Irish Lions should they lose Saturday’s first Test against Australia possesses extra foreboding.

Act Brumbies 14 British & Irish Lions 12

Brumbies 14 British & Irish Lions 12

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

Warren Gatland has handed new arrival Simon Zebo his British and Irish Lions debut and told the exciting Munster wing he is in a “no-lose situation” to stake a claim for a Test place.

After two false dawns in terms of competitive opposition, the Lions tourists should finally get a taste of what Australian rugby has to offer at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane this morning.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

Cian Healy faces an anxious wait from the medics and a judicial hearing this morning while Conor Murray could also be in disciplinary hot water on an otherwise encouraging night for the Irish contingent in the Lions’ victory over the Western Force.

Brian O’Driscoll will captain the British and Irish Lions against Western Force on Wednesday, but his fellow Ireland international Rob Kearney has emerged as an early tour injury concern.

Ireland lock Paul O’Connell will captain the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s tour opener against the Barbarians at Hong Kong Stadium.

As a three-time Lion, Lawrence Dallaglio knows a thing or two about the opening game on tour but even for a man of his great experience, playing Saturday’s opener against the Barbarians in Hong Kong makes for a unique occasion.

Jamie Heaslip or Toby Faletau?

Former Australian rugby coach Eddie Jones has branded Munster legend Paul O’Connell “a fading star” with nothing more than one Test match performance left in his 33-year-old legs.

Cian Healy did his best to feign, not indifference, but peace of mind at the thoughts of tomorrow’s announcement of a British and Irish Lions touring squad but such equanimity will surely be in short supply come the appointed hour.

RABODIRECT PRO12

Dragons 30 Munster 24

Ulster 31 Dragons 5

Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip insisted Declan Kidney’s future as head coach is out of the players’ hands following a “frustrating” and disappointing RBS 6 Nations championship.

Warren Gatland made it from London to Edinburgh in the nick of time yesterday only to see Ireland lose at Murrayfield for the first time since he last took them there 12 years ago.

France 6 Wales 16

1. Owen Farrell (England)

Connacht 30 Newport Gwent Dragons 11

Gethin Jenkins claims Wales will be a better team for being knocked off “cloud nine” by Australia.

Newport Gwent Dragons 32 Benetton Treviso 33