A last-minute World Cup return by Steffon Armitage would have been “disruptive” for England, according to Jonny Wilkinson.

Six Nations fever is set to grip nation once again at the weekend as Ireland welcome England to the Aviva Stadium in what could be a Championship deciding clash.

Champions Cup round up: Guy Noves’ Toulouse handed Leinster a home Champions Cup quarter-final after blowing the chance to top Pool 4 by squandering a 20-9 lead yesterday.

Jonathan Sexton said winning away to fellow Top 14 semi-finalists Montpellier has kick-started his second season in France in the best fashion possible.

Leinster coach Matt O’Connor has declared that the three-time Heineken Cup champions will be in no way intimidated by the prospect of taking on the tournament holders in the famously daunting surroundings of Stade Felix Mayol.

Dylan Hartley is perhaps the first person to have found redemption in the form of a moustache.

He is a huge competitor.

Leicester 19 Ulster 22

Leicester 19 Ulster 22

HEINEKEN CUP POOL 5:

Leinster have belatedly confirmed Seán O’Brien’s French fact-finding mission but continue to proclaim their confidence that both the Carlow flanker and Jamie Heaslip will be with the province next season.

I was back in Bruff last weekend. Well, its French equivalent.

Gloucester 23 Edinburgh 12

Andre Villas-Boas put Hugo Lloris’ long-term health at risk with his “dangerous” and “irresponsible” decision to let the Tottenham goalkeeper play on at Everton after being knocked unconscious by Romelu Lukaku, according to brain injury charity Headway.

HEINEKEN CUP POOL 5:

Ulster 22 Leicester 16

Harlequins will launch their Heineken Cup campaign tomorrow with rugby director Conor O’Shea admitting his team’s season has started “way too slowly”.

Ireland winger Craig Gilroy will miss Ulster’s opening Heineken Cup tie against Leicester Tigers at Ravenhill tomorrow night due to an ankle injury.

England fly-half Toby Flood was taken to hospital today after a heavy collision during Leicester’s pre-season match against Ulster.

Dylan Hartley could be suspended from the British and Irish Lions tour after he was sent off during the Aviva Premiership final.

Saracens 12 Toulon 24

Toulon 21 Leicester Tigers 15

Joe Launchbury has passed a late fitness test and will start for England in their Grand Slam showdown with Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

England 18 Italy 11

England 18 Italy 11

England 23 France 13

Richard III’s remains may have been discovered in a car park in Leicester earlier this week but Owen Farrell would do well to pay greater heed to Shakespeare’s Henry IV ahead of England’s visit to Dublin this weekend.

1. Owen Farrell (England)

England coach Stuart Lancaster is wary of rushing Manu Tuilagi’s rehabilitation after the Leicester centre was ruled out of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland.

Richard Cockerill last night predicted a Heineken Cup “classic” when Leicester and Toulouse go head to head at Welford Road next Sunday.

Ospreys 15 Leicester 15

Toby Flood will be named in England's RBS 6 Nations squad today after a citing for an alleged tip tackle was dismissed at a Rugby Football Union hearing.

Jonathan Sexton has been annoyed with himself this week.

It was in March of 2011 when I first formed the opinion that the future of English rugby was in safe hands having just witnessed their Under 20 side dish out a 15-46 hammering to Ireland in a Six Nations clash in Athlone.

Owen Farrell will start opposite fellow world player of the year nominee Dan Carter after being confirmed as England’s starting fly-half against New Zealand.

Connacht have launched a drive to hold on to Ireland second-row Mike McCarthy after it emerged Leinster are keen to sign him.

England 15 South Africa 16

England 14 Australia 20

Chris Ashton is back to play Australia after being recalled to the England side for Saturday’s Cook Cup showdown at Twickenham.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has warned Chris Ashton about his discipline after the Saracens wing was suspended from the opening autumn international against Fiji.

England full-back Alex Goode described Charlie Hodgson as the best fly-half in the Premiership after watching him orchestrate Saracens’ 30-13 Heineken Cup victory over Racing Metro on Saturday.

Fifty-cap England fly-half Toby Flood has been warned that he may have to accept a job-share arrangement with rising star George Ford when Leicester’s Aviva Premiership campaign opens on Sunday.

South Africa 14 England 14

South Africa 36 England 27