Somebody told me once never to pass remarks on an alligator’s teeth until you’ve crossed the river bank. 

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.

What a difference a year makes.

Few men epitomise their club as Steve Diamond does Sale Sharks.

If the French president Francois Hollande has been sweating under the pressure of public scrutiny over the last couple of weeks, it is nothing to that felt by Phillipe Saint-Andre.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admitted it has been a “crazy season” after his side pipped Manchester United to the Barclays Premier League title with a last-gasp 3-2 victory over QPR.

Steve Borthwick’s hopes of forcing his way back into the England squad for the autumn internationals have suffered an early setback.

Wigan Athletic midfielder Charles N’Zogbia has been cautioned by Greater Manchester Police for getting someone else to sit his driving test theory paper, following a joint investigation between the force and the Driving Standards Agency.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez claims Charles N’Zogbia made a “naive mistake” which resulted in the midfielder’s arrest yesterday.

A Premier League footballer has been arrested on suspicion of getting someone else to sit part of his driving test.

MUNSTER and Leinster might have their own domestic duties to focus on today, but they will keeping one eye on the action across the water, as their respective Heineken Cup pool rivals meet in the Guinness Premiership.

MUNSTER may learn by Sunday if their bid to sign Springbok centre Jean de Villiers has been successful.

Munster will face fellow double European champions Leicester in a pre-season fixture at Welford Road on August 28.

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo will not face any charges after writing off his Ferrari sports car in a crash, police said today.

JOHN HIGGINS swept into a 6-2 lead over struggling Mark Allen as the pair began their battle for a place in the final of the World Championships.

John Higgins has pinpointed Jamie Cope and Mark Allen as the men who hold snooker’s future in their hands.

A Canadian woman is being treated for suspected swine flu in the UK.

MANCHESTER United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo yesterday walked away uninjured after writing off his £200,000 (€221,785) Ferrari sports car in a crash.

Damien Enright on late hatchlings that can’t make migration.

AT least there’s one feel-good story to lighten the moodduring these dark days for Irish rugby.

France have named an experimental squad for the two-Test tour of New Zealand.

Police have launched an inquiry over claims that Barclays Premiership footballer Lee Hendrie yelled abuse at a disabled fan during a match, it was revealed today.

Hearings for the 56 people rounded up in a recent anti-terror sweep in Morocco scheduled for this week have been postponed to an unspecified date, judicial officials said today.

Castres Olympique 9 Munster 46

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have made nine changes from the team that defeated Connacht in last Friday night’s Celtic League clash for tomorrow’s Heineken Cup Pool One match against Sale Sharks.

DECLAN Kidney didn’t believe Munster’s clinical 33-9 demolition of Leinster at Musgrave Park yesterday was the ideal dress rehearsal for the first outing in the Heineken European Cup at Sale on Saturday week.

ABOUT 250 properties associated with two Manchester-based businessmen were yesterday being investigated by Assets Recovery Agency officials in the North as part of a probe into IRA links.

MUNSTER have suffered another major Heineken Cup blow, with Peter Stringer ruled for four weeks with a knee ligament injury.

Munster have confirmed the signing of former Great Britain rugby league full-back Gary Connolly ahead of the Heineken Cup registration deadline.

MUNSTER’S Celtic League clash with Llannelli, fixed for Thomond Park on September 23, will be moved to Cork as the Limerick venue has been deemed unplayable for at least a month after 3000 sods of turf were dug up by vandals.

Newcastle Falcons coach Rob Andrew has criticised Clive Woodward for his treatment of Jonny Wilkinson on the Lions tour to New Zealand.

Ferdy Murphy is targeting Europa at the totesport Wigan Chase at Aintree on October 24.

Ferdy Murphy is targeting Europa at the totesport Wigan Chase at Aintree on October 24.

England’s Six Nations destroyer Dimitri Yachvili is determined to ruin another title dream when he tackles Welsh giants Llanelli tomorrow night.

Leinster coach Gary Ella was naturally happy with his side’s 24-19 Heineken Cup win in Cardiff, but admitted he had been worried in the closing stages.

The Coolmore partnership who struck at the double over the weekend at the highest level on the Flat with Landseer in America and Hold That Tiger at Longchamp played up their earnings at the first session of the Orby Sale at Goffs.

Keith Wood is losing his fitness fight for Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales.

Former Wales international Adrian Hadley has admitted taking drugs before a Six Nations victory over Scotland in 1986.

This summer’s Lions trip to Australia has probably come 12 months too early for rugby league convert Jason Robinson.