Sean O’Brien believes a rare chance to bank a full pre-season will allow him hit the ground running when Ireland launch their World Cup bid with an opening pool game against Canada in Cardiff in September.

Dave Attwood insists England must not allow themselves to be "dazzled by the starlight" when they open their RBS 6 Nations against Wales on Friday night The injury-ravaged 2015 World Cup hosts face a side packed full of British and Irish Lions knowing that defeat would leave them with an uphill struggle to claim a first title under Stuart Lancaster.

England’s preparations for the RBS 6 Nations continued to unravel with the news Owen Farrell will miss the entire Championship because of a knee injury.

Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter have the chance to reignite their Test careers in England’s 34-man Six Nations training squad, with Sam Burgess also handed World Cup lift-off.

Joe Schmidt may be only maintaining a watching brief on the North American tour, but no-one should mistake that for not being busy. It seems like he’s going to scan the globe for a forwards coach, while the other vacant position in a reconfigured Irish backroom team would be a skills/kicking coach.

LAST Wednesday’s announcement that Martin Johnson had stepped down as England head coach/manager was not surprising and closed a horrible few months for English rugby after the fallout from their World Cup campaign.

England have delayed any official announcement on Mike Tindall’s availability for Saturday’s Grand Slam decider against Ireland until tomorrow.

Ben Foden tonight insisted the time has come for England to make up for seven years of under-achievement by lifting the RBS 6 Nations title.

Martin Johnson has confirmed that Jonny Wilkinson will not require shoulder surgery - but he remains doubtful for England's clash with New Zealand on November 6.

Jonny Wilkinson has handed England an injury scare on the first day of their pre-autumn international training camp.

AN internal Irish National Stud audit found its former chief executive John Clarke accounted for 60% of the total staff travel expenses bill for most of 2008.

Mark Cueto has become the latest England player to be struck down with a stomach bug.

Martin Johnson warned England’s players their 30-17 victory over Wales on Saturday will be wasted unless they back it up against Italy in Rome on Valentine’s Day.

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.

Simon Shaw will make his final bid for a place in the British and Irish Lion’s first Test tomorrow, but he admits it will take “a huge performance”.

Jamie Noon is ready to answer England’s latest injury SOS and replace Mike Tindall in the team to play Italy at Twickenham tomorrow.

England manager Martin Johnson appeared to provide an early glimpse into his thinking ahead of a demanding autumn Test campaign by making eight players available for EDF Energy Cup action this weekend.

WILL today’s RBS Six Nations game against England at Twickenham be Eddie O’Sullivan’s last in charge of Ireland?

England hat-trick hero Jason Robinson believes that Scotland will be “dangerous” opponents in next Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield.

Clive Woodward today admitted that England are under enormous pressure to perform at the World Cup – but insisted his team would rise to the challenge.

England prop Trevor Woodman has been passed fit to take his place on the bench for Sunday’s Grand Slam decider in Dublin.

England coach Clive Woodward has left the door open for players to earn promotion from the A squad to the senior side after seeing his preparations for the RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy wrecked by injuries.