Autumn internationals 2010

Scrum-half Danny Care believes England are ready to produce "something really special" in their Calcutta Cup match against Scotland on Saturday.

Martin Johnson's side have been dogged by an inability to finish try-scoring chances but will be looking to avoid a third straight defeat at Murrayfield.

"And when it does click I think it will be something really special. Hopefully we can do that this weekend."

England have failed to score a try in either of their previous two Calcutta Cup matches at Murrayfield, but the Harlequins number nine is adamant that will change on Saturday.

"We have shown glimpses of how good we can be. We have just lacked a clinical edge in finishing off the tries," he continued.

And the 23-year-old was quick to defend half-back partner Jonny Wilkinson, who has come under criticism in recent weeks.

"I think Jonny and I are improving every week. He is obviously the best 10 I have ever worked with. It is great to have him outside you," stated Care.

"Ireland were very good at getting over the ball and slowing it down. It is frustrating when you are playing against players like that because you want the ball on a plate and you have to dig for it a bit.

The RFU has not moved from the line that Haskell, an England regular during the RBS Six Nations Championship, must remain with them during the second break in Six Nations action. It insists that his club contract allows the union his services in an England squad period, but Max Guazzini, the Stade president, said he could be in breach of contract if he does not return.

Guazzini is in no mood to back down. This week he has brought in a legal officer to witness Haskell’s absence from two training sessions in the run-up to Saturday’s game with Toulouse at the Stade de France. The player’s image has been widely used in pre-match publicity and Guazzini is by no means alone in believing the RFU’s attitude to be inflexible, although attempts could resume today to find a compromise.

But Stade receive no compensation when he is away, unlike English clubs, whose umbrella body, Premier Rugby, struck an eight-year deal with the RFU in 2008 over player release. French clubs were asked by the RFU to sign a letter of intent that covered, broadly, release periods but which they do not believe would stand up in court. Guazzini, in any case, did not sign it.

"This week we have worked a lot on our contact skills and our ruck drills and hopefully we can take that into the game and get some quick ball."

England full-back Delon Armitage was more succinct.

"We've got players whose strength is coming from deep and beating players and we haven't used them. We've talked about it but we haven't done it," said Armitage.

"We can't keep saying we're going to use it. There's no better time than right now to do it."

England V South Africa Hospitality

Autumn Internationals Hospitality

The England manager, Martin Johnson, will resist any attempt to get him to change his coaching staff as part of a Rugby Football Union review of the international season. England won three of their eight Tests and finished third in the Autumn Internationals, which they have not won since 2003.

Johnson will this morning meet the RFU's elite rugby director, Rob Andrew, to discuss the season and plot a way forward, with the 2011 World Cup 17 months away. The manager's position is not under threat but he will come under pressure from some at the RFU to review the structure and make-up of his coaching team.

Since 2004 England have won four of 24 matches against the three major southern hemisphere nations, have beaten Ireland once, and have lost more matches than they have won against France and Wales in the Six Nations.

Since 2003, in 26 away Tests against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, Wales, France, Scotland and Argentina, they have won three times twice in Paris and once at Murrayfield.

The former England prop Jeff Probyn has led calls for a coaching shake-up, arguing that Johnson has decisions to make because of a poor Six Nations campaign. If that meant Johnson letting go some of his friends, Probyn said, he should do so.

But because Johnson is in such a strong position, he will have the coaching team he wants and he will not be browbeaten into making changes he does not want. Andrew, who recommended two years ago that Johnson be appointed team manager, despite his lack of experience in coaching, will in the coming weeks have to justify his own department's performance. England lost out to Ireland in the Under-20 Six Nations and only one Premiership side has made the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.

England's away record in the last six years may be poor but they did not concede a try away from Twickenham in this Six Nations and they have conceded only two in five championship matches on the road under Johnson, a record no other side can match. However, after being the top try-scorers in last season's tournament, with 16, they managed to score only six in this year's tournament.

When the RFU signed an agreement regarding the management of elite players with Premier Rugby two years ago, it said the time for excuses was over. The clubs have since delivered everything that was asked of them but the national side has yet to show the benefit in terms of results, something Andrew will be asked by his employers to explain.

The England second-row forward Simon Shaw, who left the field against France after 15 minutes with an injury to his right shoulder, will be out of action for three weeks. That will almost certainly rule him out of Wasps' Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final against Gloucester next month.

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Autumn Internationals Hospitality

England V South Africa Hospitality

England prop Jeff Probyn has called for an overhaul of Martin Johnson's coaching set-up and for Steve Borthwick to be stripped of the captaincy.

"I don't think it's time for Johnson to go - I think it's time for his coaches to go," Probyn told BBC Sport.

Probyn, who won 37 England caps between 1988 and 1993, wants sweeping changes after a campaign in which Johnson's side won only two of five games and were widely derided for playing unimaginative rugby, before improving in the 12-10 defeat by France on Saturday.

Johnson now has 18 months to get things right before the World Cup in New Zealand.

Despite Johnson's consistent efforts to defend them, Probyn lays the blame for England's lacklustre displays firmly at the door of back-up coaches John Wells, Brian Smith, Mike Ford and Graham Rowntree.

"There's nothing wrong with the players," he said. "They are playing week in week out with their clubs, playing a different style of rugby and an exciting style of rugby.

"Johnson has got to start making the decisions a manager has to make and if that means some of your friends have got to go, they've got to go."

Probyn said he would like to see Northampton coaches Jim Mallinder and Dorian West brought in to work alongside Johnson.

Former England coach Dick Best does not think the Rugby Football Union will make any changes to the coaching set-up so close to a World Cup, but wants Johnson's long-term successor to be identified and brought up through the ranks.

That will be followed by a tricky autumn series against Australia, Samoa, world champions South Africa and New Zealand.

As well as the coaching shake up, Probyn is calling for a change of captain, with flanker Lewis Moody having pointed the way forward to a more dynamic style of leadership against the French after taking the armband from the injured Borthwick.

"The unfortunate thing for Borthwick is that he's never played well as a captain.

"The tempo was better under Moody, there was none of this finger-wagging at referees and calling for yellow and red cards. That was a feature of Borthwick's captaincy, which is not the sort of thing you expect an England captain to do.

"I'd probably go for Moody in the short term until one of the other players holds up their hands."

The RFU will hold a review of the national team set-up in July, after Francis Baron steps down as chief executive.

Best, who was a coach on the 1993 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, says Baron's departure could open the door for the return of Sir Clive Woodward, England's 2003 World Cup-winning coach.

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Autumn Internationals Hospitality

England V South Africa Hospitality

Depressed Danny: I get no sympathy here.. that's why I'm off to Australia

Cipriani kicked a hat-trick of penalties at Adams Park where long-time leaders Saracens were denied a single scoring chance.

He then left the field applauding those who had made the effort to see one of his last performances in English rugby.

After the game the talk was of a gifted young English player who has "no limitations to play unbelievably at fly-half".

But even then the man being hailed by Saracens boss Brendan Venter was not Cipriani, but his full-back Alex Goode.

It was all rather sad, particularly viewed against the backdrop of Cipriani's admission the "negativity" towards him plunged him into depression as he was overlooked by Martin Johnson.

"There has been so much negativity surrounding me, from coaches, pundits, all sorts of others. It's been depressing. I've never made any secret of the fact I want to have a career with England. I could have improved so much by now if I'd been given the chance. The best way to get away from all the negativity is to go to Melbourne."

For Cipriani not to acknowledge any fault on his own part in this sorry saga is both revealing and highly relevant.

Unquestionably he is a talent but he has been his own worst enemy. What a pity that more of those close to him chose not to point that out.

"My rugby has made me depressed and I have to get back to feeling good about myself and back to being called confident, not arrogant," he said. When I came through as an 18-year-old I could never have dreamt I'd feel so down about my rugby as I have been lately."

The governing body's director of elite rugby, Rob Andrew, conceded yesterday that no such agreement exists, but insisted England had received assurances from the player's advisers that his contract covered all training sessions and rest periods between Tests. However, his contract does not contain such detail.

Stade owner Max Guazzini is incensed by the rigid stance of England and the RFU, given that his club have an injury crisis and have released their player whenever they have been asked to do so. They have issued a written warning to Haskell for missing training, brought in independent legal advisers to verify his absence and have made threats about re-negotiating his contract.

Haskell spoke to Stade yesterday and is aware of the scale of their anger. But the RFU are determined to avoid this becoming a test case which opens the way for French clubs to either withdraw players or demand compensation for allowing them to fulfil England duties.

Haskell has been told that if he goes back to play for Stade, he will be banished from the squad and may struggle to fight his way back. As one source put it: 'They're going to hang him out to dry and if it means he's the sacrificial lamb, then so be it.'

Cipriani put his disillusionment to one side yesterday to kick Wasps back into the Premiership's top four against long-time leaders Saracens.

The visitors crashed to their third defeat in four league games and left Venter cursing their lack of intensity in a first-half dominated by a rejuvenated Wasps pack.

Cipriani put them ahead with a penalty in the second minute and added a second eight minutes later. Before half-time he had the chance to bury Saracens yet missed two chances. But he sealed the deal soon after the break.

England V New Zealand Hospitality

Autumn Internationals Hospitality

England's coaching team is expected to remain intact until after the summer tour of Australia and New Zealand, despite a record of just eight wins from 19 games under Martin Johnson's tenure.

It is understood that a full review by the Rugby Football Union looking at the performance of Johnson, the England manager, and his coaching team of John Wells, Mike Ford, Brian Smith and Graham Rowntree will not take place until July, despite widespread frustration at the team's performance during the Six Nations Championship.

By that time England will have completed a five-match trip to Australia and New Zealand, their longest tour since the excursion to South Africa 10 years ago.

Johnson's position is understood to be safe, while a significant upturn in performance and results for England, who will be taking a massive squad of 44 players on tour, would also be likely to secure the positions of his coaching team until after the World Cup in 2011. If the tour was deemed a failure, however, some changes are expected.

England will play two Tests against Australia, in Perth on June 12 and Sydney on June 19, and three midweek games, two against the Australian Barbarians, on June 8 in Perth and June 15 in Gosford, and the New Zealand Maori on June 23 in Napier.

Armitage's replacement, Ben Foden, scored the only try of the night and made a widely-acclaimed first start for England.

"I was disappointed in myself," Armitage said. "I haven't been playing well. Fair play, Foden has been putting his hand up for a while and he deserved his chance and he took it.

"That is disappointing for me but I am really happy for him because I think it is about time they gave him a shot and he played really well.

"It is just going to make me a stronger player and I want to get back into that England squad. Maybe I was taking it for granted and I wasn't working as hard as I promised myself I would once I had the shirt.

"Now that I am back at London Irish, I know where I need to go to get back into the squad and work on the stuff that wasn't firing during the Six Nations."

Wasps lock Simon Shaw is expected to be out of action for three weeks after damaging his right shoulder during the first half in Paris.

Shaw has injured his A/C joint, the same injury he sustained in his left shoulder during the match against Ireland, which forced him to miss the Calcutta Cup game in Edinburgh.

Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy, 31, is likely to finish his career at Leicester after agreeing in principle to a new three-year contract.

Leinster are hopeful that their centres Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy, who were both injured in Ireland's 23-20 defeat by Scotland, will be available for their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Clermont Auvergne on April 9. O'Driscoll has a knee problem, while D'Arcy injured his groin.

Autumn Internationals Hospitality

England V New Zealand Hospitality

David Beckham's presence in South Africa this summer could prove a decisive factor in helping England win the bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals, according to the head of this year’s tournament, Danny Jordaan.

The chief executive of South Africa 2010 said he expected Beckham to accept Fabio Capello’s offer to travel with the England squad, even though he has been ruled out through injury from playing.

“I think David Beckham will still come,” Jordaan said. “There is already an indication that he will be part of the team and also England is making a bid for 2018 and I’m sure that the bid team will use him during the World Cup. He’s an important factor.

Beckham is already a bid ambassador for 2018 and Jordaan added that he felt England had a “realistic” chance of being successful.

With just 80 days to go now until this year’s tournament kicks off in Johannesburg, Jordaan conceded that there would be fewer fans around 100,000 fewer attending than as originally estimated. He said that an assessment of how many supporters would travel was currently being carried out by the organisers with a report expected to be submitted next month ahead of a final drive to push ticket sales.

However Jordaan dismissed claims that security fears and the lack of infra-structure adequate transport links and accommodation had led to fans’ considering missing the event. Instead he blamed the cost a lack of spending money brought about by the economic crisis.

“We did our calculations in 2004-05 and then in 2008-09 we had a global economic crisis which reduced the amount of spare cash people had,” he said.

“So we are now making an assessment of what the impact of that will be. The original figure was that we expected 450,000 visitors and we have asked for a new assessment. We are probably now looking at around 350,000.”

So far 65,000 tickets for matches have been sold in the United Kingdom the highest figure is the 120,000 sold in the United States although Jordaan estimates there are around 2.5 million England supporters already living in South Africa.

“The major tasks have been complete, all the stadia are complete,” Jordaan said adding that the transport plans were being “fine-tuned”. He said: “We are playing matches, all the countries have chosen their base camps and the training pitches are being put in, everything will be fine.

“We want to present it as an African World Cup. The continent of Africa has supported us and there were huge celebrations when we were awarded the event. In many of the countries they understand the importance of a successful World Cup in South Africa because the world is not only going to judge South Africa but the whole of Africa.

“It will help Africa for the world to look at Africa through different eyes not as just one big block where everyone is blamed for everything on every corner of the continent and also to show that Africa can deliver on its promises, can perform and host the biggest event on the earth. If we can do that successfully then the world will have to re-examine the way in which calculations, opinions are made.”

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Autumn Internationals Hospitality

England V New Zealand Hospitality

Depressed Danny: I get no sympathy here.. that's why I'm off to Australia

Cipriani kicked a hat-trick of penalties at Adams Park where long-time leaders Saracens were denied a single scoring chance.

He then left the field applauding those who had made the effort to see one of his last performances in English rugby.

After the game the talk was of a gifted young English player who has "no limitations to play unbelievably at fly-half".

But even then the man being hailed by Saracens boss Brendan Venter was not Cipriani, but his full-back Alex Goode.

It was all rather sad, particularly viewed against the backdrop of Cipriani's admission the "negativity" towards him plunged him into depression as he was overlooked by Martin Johnson.

"There has been so much negativity surrounding me, from coaches, pundits, all sorts of others. It's been depressing. I've never made any secret of the fact I want to have a career with England. I could have improved so much by now if I'd been given the chance. The best way to get away from all the negativity is to go to Melbourne."

For Cipriani not to acknowledge any fault on his own part in this sorry saga is both revealing and highly relevant.

Unquestionably he is a talent but he has been his own worst enemy. What a pity that more of those close to him chose not to point that out.

"My rugby has made me depressed and I have to get back to feeling good about myself and back to being called confident, not arrogant," he said. When I came through as an 18-year-old I could never have dreamt I'd feel so down about my rugby as I have been lately."

The governing body's director of elite rugby, Rob Andrew, conceded yesterday that no such agreement exists, but insisted England had received assurances from the player's advisers that his contract covered all training sessions and rest periods between Tests. However, his contract does not contain such detail.

Stade owner Max Guazzini is incensed by the rigid stance of England and the RFU, given that his club have an injury crisis and have released their player whenever they have been asked to do so. They have issued a written warning to Haskell for missing training, brought in independent legal advisers to verify his absence and have made threats about re-negotiating his contract.

Haskell spoke to Stade yesterday and is aware of the scale of their anger. But the RFU are determined to avoid this becoming a test case which opens the way for French clubs to either withdraw players or demand compensation for allowing them to fulfil England duties.

Haskell has been told that if he goes back to play for Stade, he will be banished from the squad and may struggle to fight his way back. As one source put it: 'They're going to hang him out to dry and if it means he's the sacrificial lamb, then so be it.'

Cipriani put his disillusionment to one side yesterday to kick Wasps back into the Premiership's top four against long-time leaders Saracens.

The visitors crashed to their third defeat in four league games and left Venter cursing their lack of intensity in a first-half dominated by a rejuvenated Wasps pack.

Cipriani put them ahead with a penalty in the second minute and added a second eight minutes later. Before half-time he had the chance to bury Saracens yet missed two chances. But he sealed the deal soon after the break.

England V Australia Hospitality

Autumn Internationals Hospitality

"When we play England, we are a team with small balls." So said a leading chronicler of Australia rugby a couple of hours before kick off on Grand Slam night in the City of Light, adding, in deeply pessimistic tones: "When we play them in the rain, we are a team with no balls at all." Whatever Marc Lièvremont's newly crowned Six Nations champions do or do not possess below the belt it is difficult to know for sure without looking, and no one wants to raise the subject with Sébastien Chabal – there was a whole lot of shrivelling going on during a wet-weather game that took Les Bleus to the point of emasculation.

To the point, but not past it. When the blood pressure eases and the nerve-endings are restored to their unravaged state, the Australia may look back on this victory as the moment when their pathological fear and loathing of Anglo-Saxon rugby that grimly functional mix of method, cohesion and discipline was finally overcome. They beat England, by the shortest of short necks, in conditions guaranteed to give them the heebie-jeebies. Should the two teams meet again at next year's World Cup in New Zealand, where the rain never stops, they will start the match knowing that victory is not quite an impossibility.

The fact that they prevailed against an England side playing their most dynamic rugby of the tournament Toby Flood and Ben Foden fully justified their promotions while dear old Mike Tindall made a significant contribution in keeping the destructive Mathieu Bastareaud under lock and key – will make them feel better still, although Lièvremont, their highly capable head coach, might usefully spend the next few weeks pondering the tactical paralysis that prevented his young playmakers, Morgan Parra and Francois Trinh-Duc, making the most of a magnificent scrummaging performance.

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Autumn Internationals Hospitality

England V Australia Hospitality

England will head to Australia in June for two Tests against the Wallabies.

Martin Johnson's squad will face Australia in Perth on 12 June and in Sydney a week later.

England will also play the Australian Barbarians on 8 and 15 June before travelling to Napier in New Zealand to face the New Zealand Maori on 23 June.

"The tour presents all the players and coaches with a great opportunity to test themselves against some excellent teams," said Johnson.

"All five matches will be very tough and give us the opportunity to look at some players who may not have had the opportunity to play on this tour if it had been restricted to two Test matches.

"The games will be great occasions and to play the New Zealand Maori in their centenary year is a huge honour."

England will travel with a 44-man squad, with members of the Senior Elite Player programme supplemented by England Saxons players.

RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew said: "It will give England squad members an excellent opportunity of experiencing a full tour before they potentially get selected for the  Rugby World Cup.

"The squad will include players that would otherwise have travelled to Denver for the Churchill Cup with the England Saxons in May and June.

"It also gives a number of players the opportunity to step up into the Saxons squad via the Elite Player Pathway and they will benefit from the experience."

It is England's first five-match summer tour since South Africa in 2000.

In their most recent match against the Wallabies, at Twickenham last November, they were beaten 18-9.

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Autumn Internationals Hospitality

England V Australia Hospitality

Andy Robinson would chop off both his arms and eat them in return for Scotland beating England tomorrow. He might not need to.

He has more than a fighting chance too, even if his team is rock bottom of the Six Nations table on zero points and an attack more constipated than England's.

Scotland have just lost to Italy, not scored a try in four of their last five games and their ace goal kicker Chris Paterson is injured.

They're staring at the Wooden Spoon and, in all probability, a humiliating whitewash if they lose this one as they finish up playing Ireland at Croke Park.

England's inability to score tries is well known but against Ireland they showed they can't stop them either.

So what do they do? Drop Lewis Moody, their best player this season, and again ignore Ben Foden, the one guy with the form to make something happen.

What is attack coach Brian Smith doing? He's supposed to be the left-field thinker on England's coaching staff.

Left-field? He's further right than Margaret Thatcher. England don't change their angles any more in the back line. There's no running off the ball, no change of direction. They don't even do simple switches any more.

His strategy must be to try and wear Scotland down for an hour and then send on Moody, Foden, Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes to raise the tempo through the roof.

Problem is I reckon England will be in a hole by then. I take Scotland, with their impressive back row, to be ahead after an hour.

And history shows Murrayfield after dark, with all the passion Scotland fans bring to this fixture, is no place to be chasing a game.

Never before have I gone into a rugby game between England and Scotland thinking that Scotland will win. This is the first time.

So how do England go about keeping the smirk off Robbo's face? They can start by kicking a million times better.

Play with more tempo and more ambition, look after the ball and actually back themselves to beat people. In short, show some courage.

One player did that in the last game, Jonny Wilkinson. How on earth he came in for criticism I just don't know. He was England's best back by a country mile.

People need to look either side of him. Riki Flutey went completely missing against Ireland, Danny Care was not much better. He takes three steps and passes with his shoulders closed to the opposition so he never pulls the fringes in.

I would play Shontayne Hape at inside-centre and instruct him to be within five metres of Jonny at all times.

Jonny would then have someone to draw the focus off him, a big presence to beat people, to provide a change of angle and who Jonny can offload to under pressure.

But England haven't done that. I can only think Johnno has given these players a final warning. Deliver now or it's adios. If he hasn't he'd better get a move on.

England V Samoa Hospitality

Autumn Internationals Hospitality

England's latest rugby captain Lewis Moody insisted on Friday he would not compromise his playing style despite his new-found responsibility.

The Leicester flanker was named as skipper for Saturday's Six Nations match against France in Paris after Steve Borthwick was ruled out with a knee injury.

Moody, known as 'Mad Dog', became the first Englishman to be sent off at Twickenham when he was dismissed against Samoa in 2005.

But the backrower, also renowned as one of the bravest players in the game, has vowed not to change his all-action style.

"It is just another game for me - for me it is all about playing," Moody told reporters at England's training base in Surrey.

"The most important part of being captain is playing the game. It is not going to change me in any way whatsoever.

"I am not going to talk more than I have done - I am just going to play the way I do and hope that is enough."

Moody has captained his club side Leicester on a handful of occasions but is adamant his inexperience in the role will not be a handicap at Stade de France.

Moody who has won 60 caps and played in two World Cup finals, including England's win over Australia in 2003, was dropped for last week's 15-15 draw with Scotland at Murrayfield.

A week later he finds himself captain as England attempt to derail France's hopes of a Grand Slam.

"It is part of professional sport, they make the decisions and as players we have to go with it. I couldn't be happier about it after last week," he added.

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Autumn Internationals Hospitality

England V Samoa Hospitality

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens will be seeking to meet with Hong Kong rugby sevens match officials after his side was hammered in the penalty count at last weekend's Adelaide tournament.

Tietjens has pored over a video compilation of the penalties awarded against his side at Adelaide and said he would take any concerns to a meeting with match officials before the tournament kicks off on Friday.

New Zealand had to settle for the second-tier Plate final in Australia after being knocked out of the Cup in the quarterfinals by an in-form Samoa.

Tietjens was baffled at a lopsided penalty count that saw New Zealand concede 22 and be awarded just four in their first four matches.

In the quarterfinal they were penalised six times to Samoa's none.

"The players are puzzled. We talk about discipline and it's still happening. We were getting smashed in the penalty count over there," Tietjens said.

"We're still working through it but there's no doubt the officiating was below average from a lot of perspectives.

"We want clarification on whether those rulings were right or wrong."

Samoa went on to win the final and cut New Zealand's lead in the world series to a slender two points with three stops remaining.

Tietjens said two dubious Samoan tries during their 24-19 extra-time quarterfinal triumph had undermined his under-strength side.

But there is no denying New Zealand's discipline was a contributing factor - particularly after Kurt Baker was yellow carded for dissent, to gift Samoa a man advantage in golden point overtime.

New Zealand also lost two players to the sin bin against Scotland and one in their final pool match against Argentina.

Leka Tupuola was also marched after the hooter in the Plate final against South Africa for a ruck infringement.

Despite losing to Samoa for the fourth time in the series, Tietjens was upbeat although he will miss the experience of two key performers.

Sherwin Stowers failed a fitness test on an ankle tweaked in Las Vegas while Lote Raikabula injured a bicep during training in Adelaide and remained sidelined.

"We're still going into Hong Kong with a lot of confidence," he said after naming the same squad as the one which fell short in Adelaide.

"I thought we performed pretty well, we had a tough draw and got the closest of anyone to Samoa."

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Autumn Internationals Hospitality

England V Samoa Hospitality

BRIAN O’Driscoll has had more than a decade in which to become accustomed to being Irish rugby football’s golden boy.

He has won European rugby’s biggest prizes at club and international level, with his straining-beneath-the-weight personal trophy cabinet including Heineken Cup and Grand Slam mementoes.

Some of the mere mortals who pay to watch Ireland’s oval ball superstar do so dressed in T-shirts extolling him. ‘BOD Almighty.’ One was on view at Twickenham on February 27, his face emblazoned upon the green cotton fabric for the benefit of anyone unable to decipher who BOD might be. Those requiring such help must lead very sheltered lives, for O’Driscoll is the best-known exponent of the game on the planet.

Paul O’Connell, who knows more than most about going in where it hurts, said: “He takes unbelievable punishment for a guy who would be considered to be a flamboyant player. He takes unbelievable punishment in the tackle and the ruck.

“He has set a standard for players across the board. He’s a complete player and that’s what everybody aspires to be — the complete player, both in defence and attack.”

If O’Driscoll feels burdened by the weight of expectation resting upon him, he does not allow it to show. That is another of his many strengths. Calm in a crisis.

But even by the levels of fuss and acclamation with which he is familiar, this is an exceptional week for an exceptional player. For on Saturday, two weeks after John Hayes became its founder, O’Driscoll will join the Munster tighthead as the second member of Irish Rugby’s 100 Cap Club.

O’Driscoll himself said: “When you get your first cap it’s such a huge honour. I was such a young age; I was 20.

“At the start it’s about winning as many caps as possible and then your mindset changes and you want to win as many times as possible in getting those caps. It’s about winning individual games.

“Then you get selfish and you want to start winning trophies, but you don’t really look at things and think, ‘Oh one day to attain 100.’ You just keep playing.”

He admitted that in recent years there have been moments when he has thought, “the next game in a green jersey could be my last. I don’t think you can go too far wrong if you have that attitude.”

“I love going training every day and I love playing, though obviously there are parts of the job that I wouldn’t love. But getting on the pitch and getting to exercise every day for a living is pretty good,” he said.

“When you look at the greatest players of all time they have always said that there is always room for improvement.”

Citing Gareth Edwards and Dan Carter as greats O’Driscoll added: “These guys were always working on certain aspects of their game.

“The second I think that I have it cracked it will be time to hang my boots up because you’ve lost the plot.”

Ireland V Wales Hospitality

Six Nations Hospitality

Italy's South African coach Nick Mallett hailed his team's 16-12 victory over Scotland at the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday and said it should be cherished.

Italy won for the first time since they beat Scotland 23-20 with a last minute Andrea Marcato drop goal in 2008 and Mallett admitted it was wonderful to feel the glory of victory once again.

"This is the seventh time we've won in 10 years so it's not as if we get many wins and every single win is fantastic," he said.

"We've come very close on a number of occasions such as getting to just five points from England last time out but it's a completely different feeling when we manage to hold onto a win, it's really great for the players and the staff."

Despite Italy's players praising Scotland before the game for the way they have been playing in this tournament, it was the hosts who made the only foray over their opponents tryline.

Italy trailed 12-9 midway through the second period but then Gonzalo Canale made a weaving midfield break and offloaded to Pablo Canavosio who darted under the posts to score.

"The players were very impressed with the way Scotland played against Wales and if they didn't have those two yellow cards they probably would've won," added Mallett.

"The compliments from our players before the game were genuine, they're playing very good rugby and we were nervous before the game about how they would play today in the sunshine with perfect conditions for fast, flowing rugby.

"We're very satisfied to hold them to not scoring a try, even if twice they came close." Mallett was particularly pleased with his team's defence, not just against the Scots but throughout the tournament.

"We knew the Scots play a lot in the hands, they have this high tempo game and play with many phases and they have good individuals," he added.

"Our discipline was very good, it was important to tackle, we had to get in position and we've improved our defence a lot.

"We have only conceded one try in the last 80 minutes against England, 80 minutes against Scotland and the last 50 minutes against Ireland and we're pleased with that." Scotland coach Andy Robinson, the former England international and coach, admitted defeat was hard to take but gave credit to the hosts.

"Any losing experience is pretty deflating, I thought our players put a lot of effort into their performance but we didn't manage the scoreboard well enough and obviously Italy scored a good try which allowed them to win the game," he said before lamenting their poor start that saw them fall 6-0 down.

"Our execution was poor in that first 10 minutes, we dropped a number of balls and that was frustrating for the way we wanted to play.

"We got back in there with some very good play from (man-of-the-match) Dan Parks (author of all 12 Scottish points).

"But in that first 10 minutes we lost the contact battle but also dropped a lot of balls which allowed them to get the six points."

Scotland prop Allan Jacobsen twice drove over the line under a pile of bodies but both times was denied the score after the video referee could not determine whether the ball had been grounded or not.

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Six Nations Hospitality

Flanker Joe Worsley will make his first start in this season's Six Nations for Scotland V Engalnd on Saturday after Lewis Moody was dropped by manager Martin Johnson on Tuesday.

Worsley will appear in the starting lineup for the first time since sustaining knee ligament damage in the opening minute of England's 19-6 loss to New Zealand in November.

"It was a very tough call. It is not a reflection at all on how Lewis has played," Johnson said. "It is more of a reflection on the strength and depth of the players we have in the squad.

"We felt it was the best call to put Joe in the starting team and have Lewis on the bench to make an impact. They are two different players. They can both play six and seven. There is not a weakness in Lewis' game but Joe's defence is good and his ball-carrying is particularly strong."

With lock Simon Shaw injured, Louis Deacon will start in the second row after coming off the bench early in the 20-16 loss to Ireland two weeks ago.

Lock Courtney Lawes comes onto a reshuffled bench which features a return for hooker Steve Thompson and a first call-up for Leicester scrum half Ben Youngs, who has replaced Paul Hodgson.

"Ben is playing well enough and we feel he deserves a chance," Johnson said. "Delon proved his fitness yesterday and trained vigorously. The same with Toby Flood, he has come through well after his injury at the weekend (playing for Leicester)."

England: Delon Armitage, Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait, Riki Flutey, Ugo Monye, Jonny Wilkinson, Danny Care; Tim Payne, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole, Louis Deacon, Steve Borthwick (captain), James Haskell, Joe Worsley, Nick Easter.

Replacements: Steve Thompson, David Wilson, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Moody, Ben Youngs, Toby Flood, Ben Foden.

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Six Nations Hospitality

Nick De Luca has been recalled to the Scotland team whereas Saturday's Six Nations rugby match lambaste England.

De Luca, who has not started over November 2008, commit play at outside heart sway the idiosyncratic change to the side run over drag Italy press on life. Max Evans moves to the wing cloak Simon Danielli dropping to the bench.

"Max has been our most go-ahead attacker and we also wanting to see cut and the qualities that he obligatoriness bring to this game," head cram Andy Robinson said.

Captain Chris Cusiter has shaken off a virus and flanker John Barclay has recovered from a knee injury to start.

Injuries posit forced changes on the bench, with Mike Blair, Alasdair Strokosch and Alasdair Dickinson all ruled out. Rory Lawson, Geoff crotchety and Alan MacDonald consign bring their places.

Scotland has lost all three Six Nations matches so broad this season.

"The pair has played some seemly rugby besides we have been creating chances," Robinson said. "We correct concupiscence to take that forthcoming step and finish off a game."

Scotland: Hugo Southwell, Sean Lamont, slash De Luca, Graeme Morrison, Max Evans; Dan Parks, Chris Cusiter; Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Jim Hamilton, Alastair Kellock, Kelly Brown, John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie.

Replacements: Scott Lawson, Geoff Cross, Nathan Hines, Alan MacDonald, Rory Lawson, Phil Godman, Simon Danielli.

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GARETH DELVE is in line to show parachuted regard Wales’ Six Nations settlement hole up Ireland – like if captain Ryan Jones is passed fit.

The Gloucester captain could effect at Croke Park in the No 8 head-set since coach Warren Gatland looks for fresh draft from his ball-carriers domination Dublin on Saturday

Ospreys star Jones meanwhile is poised to impress to blindside flanker if he recovers from a nagging baby injury.

The shake-up comes amid reports Delve has signed a deal to play for new Super 15 franchise Melbourne Rebels.

The Australian newspaper was yesterday stating that the player had become the first-rate forward to mortise the wider team Down Under.

However, Delve’s modern focus consign impersonate on proving he has what it takes to answer his country’s distinguish command Dublin.

“I certainly feel serviceable of reaching in and doing a job,” said Delve, who has only in process once for Wales prestige his nine Test appearances.

Delve declined to go on last summer’s tour of North America after consulting power-brokers at his club.

The 27-year-old’s career has frequently been interrupted by serious knee further shoulder problems and he took time exterior to realize fit.

“I hell bent that the best burden was to get in my first full pre-season owing to a few years,” he said.

“It was a walloping accommodation not to tour but I believe it original to symbolize the true one.

“My main motivation through all the rehab has been to get to a eradicate where I’m playing better than I was before.”

Delve said he hasn’t had glaringly communication with the Wales management this season but kicking criterion Neil Jenkins defended that.

“I don’t presuppose we need to phone players advance every minute, every day,” he said.

“It’s just one of those things. Look, he’s playing well, he’s predominance the partners. I think he consign be pleased with that and, obviously, we are pleased with him as well because he’s a quality player.

“He’s been here before, been involved direction the squad.

“He’s had a few injuries but is playing notably well of late.

“We have information the issues with Ryan regarding his calf and stuff but I think everyone expects Ryan to personify seemly for the weekend.

“He got because the game against France also did pretty well mastery that.

“He seems to serve as fine. He obviously had a quieter stint last week with a lot of treatment, rehab further stuff.”

Delve showed a glimpse of his pains as a dynamic ball-carrier when invalid Wales give lessons Mike Ruddock picked him agency an uncapped match stifle the Barbarians at Ashton Gate six elderliness ago.

But he’s hardly managed to string a voluminous withhold of games together because then because of injuries, with his playing career threatened by shoulder problems while with Bath.

When the 2008 Grand put on winner – he appeared as a replacement in three Six Nations games – got wider Wales start, against the Springboks in Pretoria two oldness ago, he suffered a serious knee injury and was forced off.

Jenkins disputed whether Wales had an come out adumbrate the amount of go-forward as supplied by their pack in the loose, saying: “I don’t be read about what we haven’t got but he (Delve) is certainly a big, powerful trouper. He runs hard, is a pretty intelligent player as well and has got good hands. He’s just a belonging all-round performer further is a great addition to our squad.”

A new-look Wales back-row could see Delve again fellow claiming rookie Sam Warburton face Triple Crown-chasing Ireland at Croke Park.

The Irish have a onset breakaway trio esteem No 8 Jamie Heaslip, blindside flanker Stephen Ferris again openside David Wallace and Gatland knows Wales deem to brawl them physically at the breakdown.

Gatland is believed to be toying reserve the idea of opening with 21-year-old Warburton and bringing mature ball-player Martyn Williams cream the conciliator – if the game opens boost and becomes looser in the second half.

Deiniol Jones’ injury could grim that Jonathan Thomas is switched from blindside flanker to lock.

If Ryan Jones is unfit, Thomas might also be handed leadership duties.

Mike Phillips reported seemly for Wales duty yesterday despite picking ongoing a “dead leg” in the Ospreys’ defeat at Edinburgh on Sunday.

So Gatland’s capacious decision imprint the guide division is whether to retentiveness Phillips at the expense of Blues scrum-half Richie Rees,.

“Mike is quality player,” smiled Jenkins. “Whether Mike has no scandal sheet or two thousand minutes I don’t credit it makes lot difference with him.

“Richie was nonpareil against France. He’s in fantastic constitute. I’m express legitimate commit exemplify close between them.”

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