Sam Burgess’ time in Australian rugby league has given him an insight into the mentality the Wallabies will bring to Saturday’s decisive World Cup clash at Twickenham.

The Calcutta Cup at Twickenham is still the most one-sided biennial grudge match in sport.

Shane Horgan believes Brian O’Driscoll may yet continue his love affair with rugby after he hangs up his boots, despite the Ireland centre’s continued assertions he is unlikely to seek a coaching role.

As seismic moments in Irish sport go, the decision to drop Brian O’Driscoll from the Lions squad ranks up there with Roy Keane being sent home from the World Cup in Saipan.

As Munster prepare to meet Harlequins this weekend, Simon Lewis recalls, through the eyes of visiting players Daren O’Leary and Tulsen Tollett, the first European meeting between the clubs, back in 1997/98.

Flanker Tom Croft has labelled speculation over Martin Johnson’s future as England manager “disgusting”.

WILL CARLING has branded certain England players’ behaviour during the World Cup as “an insult to the shirt”.

Mike Tindall insisted England’s World Cup party days are over as they gear up for the business end of the tournament – starting with next Saturday’s showdown with Scotland.

RONAN O’GARA should be handed the out-half jersey for Ireland’s crunch World Cup outing against Australia, according to the Munster man’s former international and provincial teammate Rob Henderson.

Martin Johnson has named a new-look midfield of Jonny Wilkinson, Mike Tindall and Manu Tuilagi for England’s final World Cup warm-up international against Ireland on Saturday.

HARLEQUINS and Munster have a European rugby relationship that goes way back. In 1997, Harlequins arrived to play their final pool match in Thomond Park with a quarter-final place in the bag looking to confirm a home draw.

The days when the Calcutta Cup was fuelled was by a “genuine hatred” between England and Scotland players may be long gone.

THE worlds of sport and politics paid glowing tributes yesterday to the late Moss Keane, with many pointing to his mastery of skills across the codes of rugby and Gaelic football.

Peter Andre has turned down an invitation to appear as a contestant on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

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

Shane Geraghty is convinced England can transform their fortunes in the space of a week and pull off what many fans would view as an improbable victory over New Zealand on Saturday.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry has defended his side’s “attack from anywhere” plan following their 31-19 loss to South Africa in Saturday’s Tri-Nations match at Durban’s Absa Stadium.

SOUTH AFRICA captain John Smit has put his personal milestone aside and vowed to concentrate only on beating New Zealand today as the world champions aim to continue their winning start to the Tri-Nations.

South Africa captain John Smit will become the most capped captain in Test rugby when he leads his side out against New Zealand in Durban.

England will host the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the International Rugby Board have announced.

CAPTAIN John Smit has told South Africa to fulfil their potential against New Zealand in Bloemfontein today in the second match of the Tri-Nations series.

British and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan admitted yesterday’s heartbreaking last-gasp defeat to South Africa was one of the biggest disappointments of his rugby career.

PLAYERS’ chief Damian Hopley yesterday refused to condemn the conduct of England stars during a shambolic fortnight in New Zealand.

Players’ chief Damian Hopley today refused to condemn the conduct of England stars during a shambolic fortnight in New Zealand.

ACTOR and comedian John Cleese said his third divorce “will be worth every penny” after he was ordered to pay his estranged wife £75,000 (€94,351) a month in temporary maintenance, it emerged yesterday.

ENGLAND head coach Brian Ashton will discover his fate today when Rob Andrew presents his RBS Six Nations review to the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) management board.

England head coach Brian Ashton will discover his fate tomorrow when Rob Andrew presents his RBS 6 Nations review to the Rugby Football Union’s management board.

MARTIN JOHNSON believes a bold selection policy is key to a successful Lions tour as competition to lead the 2009 squad to South Africa intensifies.

England 36 Tonga 20

Australia 55 Fiji 12

NEW ZEALAND have recalled their big stars for Sunday’s World Cup Pool C clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

THE Princess of Wales’s appeal was evident from the moment she appeared on the world stage as an awkward, shy teenager in the early 1980s.

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO has rejected the suggestion by former captain Will Carling his presence in England’s World Cup squad might affect team spirit.

BRIAN ASHTON has accepted his England rebuilding job might take longer than initially thought after the world champions’ Croke Park calamity.

Will Carling believes Andy Farrell should be dropped for England’s next RBS 6 Nations clash with France at Twickenham.

Brian Ashton’s appointment as England head coach has already come under fire – less than 24 hours since he officially took charge.

Brian Ashton's appointment as England head coach has already come under fire - less than 24 hours since he officially took charge.

ANDY ROBINSON has had his last game as England coach, according to the BBC.

Gareth Llewellyn hopes to achieve a notable career double against England next Saturday – even if it has been 12 years in the making.

LET us talk of Lions.

ENGLAND skipper Lawrence Dallaglio last night left his players in no doubt what he expects from them when they embark on a second Test salvage mission against the All Blacks.

In the second of our series of interviews celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Irish Examiner/TV3 National Junior Sports Stars, Hugh Farrelly looks back and forward with Munster and Ireland back-row Anthony Foley, an award winner in 1991. This year’s award winners will be announced on March 18.