Are England right to drop Lewis Moody?

www.guardian.co.uk - The Leicester flanker started the Six Nations being billed as one of England's few world class players. Now he's not even one of England's starting XV. Is Martin Johnson right to ditch him for the Scotland match? More... (Rugby union)

Jonny Wilkinson says he and England learned from last Scotland defeat

www.guardian.co.uk - Fly-half says 2008 loss was 'massive learning curve' Says England will need 'inner strength' on SaturdayJonny Wilkinson has said that England's defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield two years ago was one of the most painful experiences of his career. The England fly-half broke the world record for Test points that afternoon but England, who had been World Cup finalists five months before, were poor. They were beaten 15-9 and Wilkinson was replaced with 11 minutes to go.Wilkinson was then dropped for only the second time in his Test career, as the then England coach, Brian Ashton, turned to Danny Cipriani for a home victory over Ireland. Cipriani is now bound for Melbourne's new Super rugby franchise and Wilkinson is heading back to Murrayfield."The most painful lessons are often the most powerful and for me that is definitely the case," said Wilkinson. "That was a big experience and it has done the world of good for me. I have spent much of the time since then injured on the sidelines but that doesn't change the fact that you have to take heed of those lessons."The game a couple of years ago was a massive learning curve and it taught us that you need to go out there to play. You can't expect to just build a game solely from what you have planned on paper."We tried that against Scotland with the conditions and the weather and they did a great job of smothering us. We didn't push the situation hard enough to earn the right to win that game. We played a game that was stifled and we ended up losing the game and quite rightly so."I have learned it is all very well to know it on paper but I have got to put it into practice on the field."Many would argue England have not moved on from the one-dimensional game they played at Murrayfield that day. Wilkinson has seen former team-mates claim he is not a natural playmaker and decision-maker and question whether he is the man to release England's backs.Matt Dawson, Wilkinson's scrum-half in the World Cup-winning side of 2003, said: "He can play in the way that has been planned on a flip chart in team meetings but if it comes down to him to work out on the hoof what options to take, more often than not he will kick, and miss opportunities to attack."Wilkinson does not dismiss criticism - "They must see it to say it, or have a reason for saying it," he said - but he is confident that his relationship with Riki Flutey, England's inside-centre, is developing well."One of the big things for us is communicating what we see of the whole field," he said. "We missed some chances against Ireland, which we didn't realise until we watched the video."The structure is still a bit new to myself as well and maybe I am a bit tied in to seeing what I am doing and likewise for him [Flutey] so we are trying to make sure we see more of the field. But he knows what I am looking for now and I am trying to understand every day what he is looking for. We have had a couple of good chats this week."England travel to Murrayfield with their Six Nations title hopes alive. Scotland have suffered three defeats.Wilkinson knows what to expect from a Scotland side coached by the former England coach Andy Robinson, and it is not all fire and brimstone."He played the way he coaches. There is no facade," said Wilkinson. "He was physical, he was intense, he was skilful and he mixed it every time he went out there. As a coach he does exactly the same thing but this time he is able to impart a huge amount of that rugby brain and experience over many years and that is why he is a good man for the job."We need to go in with a level of inner strength that is capable of dealing with everything on the field - and off the field."Jonny WilkinsonEngland rugby union teamSix Nations rugbyRugby unionguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

New Zealand forward Sione Lauaki charged with assault

www.guardian.co.uk - Back-rower accused after incident in Hamilton bar Omitted by coach from Waikato Chiefs Super 14 matchThe New Zealand forward Sione Lauaki has been charged with assault following an incident in a bar in his hometown of Hamilton last week.Lauaki, a back-rower who has played 17 Tests for the All Blacks, was charged today after an investigation by Hamilton police. He will appear in the District Court in Hamilton on 23 March.The 28-year-old was due to return to the Waikato Chiefs side for their Super 14 match against the Canterbury Crusaders on Friday, ending a two-week suspension for a dangerous tackle. But the Chiefs coach Ian Foster said Lauaki would now be omitted from the team."Sione and I have decided that in light of the week that he has had, the right thing to do is not play him in this game," Foster said. "We will fully support Sione over the next few weeks."New Zealand rugby union teamRugby unionguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

France drop Mathieu Bastareaud to bench for Italy match in Six Nations

www.guardian.co.uk - Stade Français centre is replaced by David Marty Marc Andreu brought into side in place of Julien MalzieuMathieu Bastareaud will be on the bench for France's Six Nations match against Italy on Sunday. The powerful Stade Français centre has impressed in the tournament to date but has been replaced by Perpignan's David Marty in one of two changes by coach Marc Lièvremont.The other sees Marc Andreu replace Julien Malzieu on the right wing, while a third change on the bench sees the half-back Dimitri Yachvili replace the injured Frédéric Michalak.Marty, 27, has scored five tries in his 13 Six Nations outings to date, though four of those appearances have come from the bench - including in all three of this season's games. He has scored two tries in the Top 14 this season and will now have the opportunity to make an impact for his country from the outset.Andreu, more usually a left wing, won his maiden cap as a last-minute replacement for Clément Poitrenaud during the win over Wales two weeks ago.France will be expected to win comfortably despite Italy's battling displays this year and close in further on the grand slam.France team to play Italy on SundayC Poitrenaud (Toulouse); M Andreu (Castres), D Marty (Perpignan), Y Jauzion (Toulouse), A Palisson (Brive); F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), M Parra (Clermont Auvergne); T Domingo (Clermont Auvergne), W Servat (Toulouse), N Mas (Perpignan), L Nallet (Racing Métro), J Pierre (Clermont Auvergne) T Dusautoir (Toulouse, captain), J Bonnaire (Clermont Auvergne), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz). Replacements D Szarzewski (Stade Français), J-B Poux (Toulouse), S Chabal (Racing Métro), A Lapandry (Clermont Auvergne), D Yachvili (Biarritz), M Bastareaud (Stade Français), J Malzieu (Clermont Auvergne).France rugby union teamItaly rugby union teamSix Nations rugbyRugby unionguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Lewis Moody's demotion sends warning to England veterans

www.guardian.co.uk - Joe Worsley replaces World Cup-winning flanker Louis Deacon replaces the injured Simon ShawThey say life begins at 40, even for someone like Martin Johnson who has already achieved more than most people do in their full allotted span. The craggy birthday boy was reluctant to dwell on such peripheral issues yesterday - "Ask me on Saturday night and I'll tell you" - but his removal of Lewis Moody from the starting line-up to face Scotland did much of the talking for him. Should England underperform again, the longevity of several other Test careers may well be in jeopardy.That, at least, appears the subtext of a team announcement notable as much for the clutch of thrusting wannabe replacements as a first XV featuring Joe Worsley and Louis Deacon, for Moody and the injured Simon Shaw respectively. By promoting the uncapped Ben Youngs to the bench and inviting the Northampton pair of Courtney Lawes and Ben Foden to make an eye-catching second-half impact, Johnson has put the onus firmly on the incumbents to step on the gas.He could, of course, have gone the whole hog and catapulted the likes of Foden and Youngs straight into the maelstrom of a Calcutta Cup encounter. His failure to do so is not simply a reflection of innate English conservatism, more an acknowledgement that a passionate Murrayfield is not the best place for casual experimentation following a disappointing home loss.The teamsheet, even so, was the product of the lengthiest selectorial meeting of his tenure, a "marathon" discussion spread over several days. "Discussions are ongoing about a lot of positions," confirmed Johnson. "You're not doing your job properly if you're not exploring every possibility of improving the team. We're making progress but we're impatient for it to be quicker and better."That impatience has prompted the inclusion of Worsley whose mission will be to tackle the Scotland back row to a standstill and, in the absence of Shaw, carry a bit more ball than Moody has done to date. Worsley was England's best forward in last season's Six Nations but, once again, the squad's other specialist openside, Steffon Armitage, must wonder what he has to do to persuade England to trust him.As for Moody, his decision to move from Leicester to Bath this summer has had repercussions. Coincidence? Johnson enjoyed the joke but offered a more mundane reason: "Players don't like to hear it, but we've got to pick a team that's right for Saturday at 5pm. It might be different for another game at another time."There is a balance to be struck, though, between blind loyalty and enlightened man-management. By continually picking a battered Delon Armitage - who has passed a fitness test on his ribs having kicked off the championship with a bad knee - rather than a buzzing Foden there has to be a danger of depressing a singular talent. Danny Cipriani has already suffered for daring to be slightly different and Foden's lack of conformity should be regarded as a plus by a side striving for less predictability in attack.The electric Saint put a brave face on things yesterday, admitting only to being "pretty disappointed", but privately he must be gutted, as must Gloucester's Olly Morgan. The management, though, are happy to make people wait years, if necessary, for their chance. "It's the England team," stressed Johnson. "You don't take turns, you have to force your way in."Youngs, at just 20, has done exactly that with some consistently impressive performances for Leicester this season. He is now on the brink of following his father, Nick, into Test rugby and looks destined to have a longer and more fruitful international career than his dad, who won six caps in 1983 and 1984. His promotion at the expense of Paul Hodgson - a "harsh call", according to the team manager - took him by surprise; when Johnson approached him to tell him he was on the bench he replied: "No I'm not, Leicester haven't got a game this weekend."It took fully five seconds before he realised Johnson was referring to Murrayfield. "Things have accelerated far quicker than I ever imagined," said Youngs yesterday.The same could be said about the bushfire which blazed around James Haskell last week when Stade Français demanded, in vain, that he return for their game against Toulouse. "I can't go into details about my contract but I'm very confident I've got everything covered," he said. "Obviously there is some ambiguity and when I get back to Stade I'm going to sit down and make sure we iron things out."That might be trickier if England happen to beat France next week but first they must conquer Murrayfield, a ground where they have been beaten on the past two visits. "It's a huge game for them," said Johnson. "After three defeats [for Scotland] they'll be desperate to win this one."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.Six Nations rugbyEngland rugby union teamMartin JohnsonRugby unionLewis MoodyRobert Kitsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Bill McLaren: the bonny spirit that haunts Scotland v England | Frank Keating

www.guardian.co.uk - The late and lauded commentator is the ghost of Calcutta Cups past and futureThe friendly ghost so fondly whisping around the rafters of every stadium through all the Six Nations matches so far has been, of course, that of Bill McLaren, the BBC's late and lauded rugby commentator who died at 86 just weeks before the 2010 tournament began. Remembrance of Bill will be particularly potent on Saturday: the Calcutta Cup match between Scotland and England was always the good old boy's beloved annual feast day.The McLaren eulogies are launched tomorrow with a tribute evening at Murrayfield itself where a male voice choir and the inevitable pipe-band do the honours alongside such luminaries as Chris Paterson and the British Lions manager Gerald Davies in celebrating the life of the broadcasting legend.No man can have witnessed more Calcutta matches, home or away. If truth be told, the worrypot perfectionist in McLaren had him increasingly het-up in the week of any international match. A sure way to calm him was to evoke his recall for distant Calcutta Cup contests. The more faraway in the mists, the warmer the memory for Bill.Bill's father was the rugby-mad manager of the Braemar Knitwear factory in Hawick. Local heroes were Willie Welsh and Jock Beattie, stalwarts of Scotland's barnstorming pack of the early 1930s. Bill was seven when he was taken to Murrayfield to see the two bonny boys help Scotland clock up the then highest score against England (28-19) in 1931. By 1938 at 14, Bill was down with half the town at Twickenham - £6 overnight railway excursion - for a famous Scottish victory (21-16) which was, with symbolic aptness for the boy, the first rugby match ever covered live by television - and the following Monday's News Chronicle gurgled in wonder at the writer being "mesmerised by the tele‑visual picture‑quality which actually enabled watchers at home to see so clearly the lines of the groundsman's mowing machine on the pitch".Deep down, I know McLaren was none too generous about the development since then of rugby's broadcasting. His first live radio commentary was in 1953, his first for television in 1960. Just him and (sometimes) an inter-round summariser: no waffle, no flummery, no swank. Transmission began precisely a minute before kick-off and at half‑time teams would simply change ends while sucking a slice of lemon - certainly no box full of pontificating ex-player "experts" taking it in turns to be complacently banal or turgidly simplistic. In production terms much recent BBC rugby presentation has, I'm afraid, been an unmitigated, unrewarding mess.Something special brewing for Murrayfield this weekend? History shows the inaugural Calcutta Cup match of any decade comes up with surprising goods one way or the other. I reported first for these pages from Murrayfield in 1970 and we had our big story (oh, innocence!) with Alistair Biggar joyously dapping down for Scotland's winning - and all-time one-hundredth - championship try.Ten years on and up with England again. I was (almost) of an age with that imperishable England XV of 1980. I toured with them: they were friends: most of them read the Guardian. On the morning of the game England's captain and vice, Bill Beaumont and Roger Uttley, went down Princes Street to buy for a couple of pounds a celebration tankard for Tony Neary, who that day was breaking the all-time English record (you've got to believe it) with 43 caps - and two of us journos went as well and bought "Nero" a pair of cufflinks from us writers. Then England went out and played like gods, five tries and a 30‑point record and their first Grand Slam in yonks.The turn of the next decade saw Scotland's historic 1990 victory by 13-7 - the decisive try by Hawick's Tony Stanger, coached as a primary schoolboy by McLaren himself. You couldn't tell from the commentary. "It was a day for ever to be engraved in the minds of any Scot", said Bill in his reverie. Tom English this month published his 260-page book The Grudge (£12.99) to commemorate the golden day. True tales: great stuff. Then followed, as usual, a decade of dire defeats for Scotland - till 2000 and the new millennium at Murrayfield, where an operatic thunderstorm unforgettably helped them swamp the English strutters. Next morning, strolling up Princes Street nursing a morning-after head I came across old Bill, his rheumy eyes glistening as he enjoyed the score on a bold, bonny newspaper billboard which decorated the pavement: "BATTLERS 19, BOTTLERS 13".Omens, omens. Ten years on and another Calcutta Cup decade sets forth at Murrayfield.Scotland rugby union teamEngland rugby union teamSix Nations rugbyRugby unionFrank Keatingguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Andy Robinson banks on Scotland pack to provide his sweetest victory

www.guardian.co.uk - Scotland coach looks to Nick De Luca for midfield strength Robinson not surprised at flak received by Johnson's EnglandAndy Robinson prepared for his first Calcutta Cup match as Scotland's head coach by talking up England ahead of Saturday's encounter at Murrayfield. Any inside knowledge gleaned from his Twickenham days, he insisted, will be irrelevant if the visitors are allowed to play with pace and freedom and are not stopped at source by a hungry Scottish pack.It will be the first time that Robinson has sent out a side against England, with whom he played a prominent role in the 2003 World Cup triumph and was head coach for 22 games, winning nine, until his departure in 2006. Victory this weekend would rank among the sweetest of his career but he is acutely aware rugby matches are primarily won by the deeds of players rather than by coaches with a score to settle."I can communicate about the [England] players but it's still about going out there and delivering," said Robinson, having picked Edinburgh's Nick De Luca at outside centre to stiffen the midfield defence with Max Evans switching to the wing in place of Simon Danielli. "There are a number of very good players who play for England. They have a very good forward pack, they're very good at attacking through Danny Care, they have got pace so they are a dangerous team. But if you get in their faces and stop them from playing, you ask real questions of them."Defence, in other words, will be crucial if Scotland are to complete a hat-trick of home wins over England for the first time since the early 1970s and avoid a potential wooden spoon. "It's about taking the opportunities we create and stopping England scoring," Robinson said.There is not a great deal of love lost between Robinson and Martin Johnson, who was among those critical of England during the ex-Bath flanker's latter days in charge. Robinson, though, is all too familiar with the pressures of the England job and has not been surprised at the flak Johnson's team have been receiving despite their current Six Nations record of two wins from three games: "If they had won three out of three, Martin Johnson would have been criticised. I can remember working with Clive Woodward and Clive was always criticised for what he was doing."When asked if World Cup-winning captain Johnson showed coaching potential when he was a player, however, Robinson's response - "He understands the game very well from the second-row position" - was not exactly dripping with reverence. Johnson, in contrast, suggested Scotland's driving game "has improved since he's been up there" and is anticipating "a typical England/Scotland encounter" of considerable intensity and few frills. The Scots have had to reshuffle their bench, with the scrum-half Mike Blair and the prop Alasdair Dickinson both ruled out through concussion and Alasdair Strokosch sidelined with an ankle injury. Rory Lawson, Geoff Cross and Alan MacDonald have all been named in the matchday 22.Six Nations rugbyScotland rugby union teamEngland rugby union teamRugby unionRobert Kitsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Wales turn to Gareth Delve and give him food for thought over future

www.guardian.co.uk - No8 would put World Cup before Melbourne move Matthew Rees and Luke Charteris also backGareth Delve is prepared to turn down what he describes as a once-in-a-lifetime move to the new Super 15 franchise, Melbourne Rebels, if he feels he has more than an outside chance of playing in next year's World Cup. The Gloucester captain will replace the injured Wales captain, Ryan Jones, at No8 against Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday for his first Six Nations start, seven years after he first made the squad.The 27-year-old has not been involved with Wales since turning down the chance to go on last summer's development tour of north America because he wanted to work on his fitness. Jones's calf injury, coupled with the exile of Andy Powell after he was charged with drink-driving, gave him an unexpected opportunity to add to his nine caps."I have been talking to the Rebels, but I have not signed a contract," said Delve. "I have also spoken to other sides, but being called up by Wales changes things. I am leaving the negotiations to my agent because I want to concentrate on Wales, but I know a decision has to be made sooner rather than later and it will be."Delve has also attracted the attention of Cardiff Blues, in the city of his birth, as his days at Gloucester, the club he joined from Bath three seasons ago, look to be drawing to an end, with the Kingsholm club unable to match offers from elsewhere."Melbourne presents me with a great opportunity, one I will never get again, but now that I am back in the Wales set-up, the World Cup becomes a factor and that makes it all the more difficult a decision to make. I look upon Saturday as a great opportunity for me, but it is no more than that yet. The World Cup is a huge draw, all the more so because injury ruled me out of the previous two tournaments, but I cannot look too far ahead. I talked to Danny Cipriani about his move to the Rebels after Gloucester's game at Wasps on Sunday and I think he is making the right move."He is on the periphery of the England squad and he will be playing in a tournament that involves the countries ranked one, two and three in the world. He will match himself against the best around and that can only improve his game, but the World Cup is at the top as far as your career is concerned and I have a lot to think about."The Wales coach, Warren Gatland, said he hoped Delve would return home. "We have been watching Gareth for a while: he is an accurate player who does not make many mistakes. I would like to see him in Wales and he has a lot to play for in the next 18 months. We considered bringing back Andy Powell but Gareth offered more in terms of what we were looking for."The flanker Martyn Williams will captain Wales in the absence of Jones, as he did at Murrayfield last year. He will be winning his 95th cap, beating Colin Charvis's national record for a forward. Matthew Rees returns at hooker after missing the first three matches with a calf strain, Luke Charteris is back in the second row and Dwayne Peel is on the bench after Mike Phillips suffered a shin injury in his second game back for the Ospreys on Sunday.Brian O'Driscoll will be winning his 100th cap for Ireland, 11 years after Gatland gave him his first. "I am proud of my association with him," said the Wales coach, drowning the Irish in compliments a year after, when stirring was his forte, saying his players did not like their Irish counterparts. "He showed his leadership qualities with the Lions in South Africa last year, when he brought the best out of Jamie Roberts, he understands the game incredibly well and he deserves all the accolades that come his way."O'Driscoll becomes the 14th player to join the ranks of rugby's centurions, one match after John Hayes became the first Irishman to reach the landmark. "At the start you want to get as many caps as possible, but you never look and hope to attain 100," he said. "I've always approached it like the next game in a green shirt is my last. With that policy you can't go far wrong. And it's not over yet."The head coach, Declan Kidney, has decided against making any changes to the starting line-up that edged England in a brutal Test at Twickenham. Rob Kearney has recovered from the knee injury sustained against France but Kidney has opted to retain Leicester's Geordan Murphy at full-back. Kearney is included among the substitutes, however, with Andrew Trimble dropping off the bench in the only change to the 22.Six Nations rugbyWales rugby union teamIreland rugby union teamRugby unionPaul Reesguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Brian O'Driscoll fit to win 100th Ireland cap against Wales

www.guardian.co.uk - Captain has recovered from bang to the head against England Coach Declan Kidney has named unchanged sideBrian O'Driscoll will win his 100th cap for Ireland in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations match against Wales at Croke Park. The Lions captain took a blow to the head in the 20-16 victory over England but has been passed fit to lead the defending champions for a 63rd time.O'Driscoll is the 14th player to join the ranks of rugby's centurions, one match after John Hayes became the first Irishman to reach the landmark. The 31-year-old said: "At the start you want to get as many caps as possible, but you never look and hope to attain 100. I've always approached it like the next game in a green shirt is my last. With that policy you can't go far wrong. And it's not over yet."The head coach, Declan Kidney, has decided against making any changes to the starting line-up that edged England at Twickenham. Rob Kearney has recovered from the knee injury sustained against France but Kidney has opted to retain Leicester's Geordan Murphy at full-back.Kearney is included among the substitutes, however, with Andrew Trimble dropping off the bench in the only change to the 22. Kidney said: "I thought Geordan went well against England to warrant a second go. Rob has worked hard to get back but we've decided to go with Geordan."The No8 Jamie Heaslip incurred an ankle injury against England but has been given the green light to take his place in an all-Lions back row that also features Stephen Ferris and David Wallace. Jonathan Sexton, who impressed at Twickenham, continues at fly-half with Ronan O'Gara included on the bench.Ireland have beaten Wales in eight of their last 10 meetings, including last season's 17-15 victory at the Millennium Stadium when they completed the Grand Slam. They currently sit third in the table, behind leaders France and second-placed England with fixtures against Wales and Scotland to come.Ireland rugby union teamSix Nations rugbyRugby unionguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Argentina to join Tri-Nations from 2012 thanks to £1.3m IRB funding

www.guardian.co.uk - South Africa, Australia and New Zealand agree move "It will help build professionalism within Argentinian rugby'Argentina is likely to join the Tri Nations in 2012 after the International Rugby Board chairman, Bernard Lapasset, confirmed the body would provide a crucial funding package for the project.Lapasset confirmed that the IRB had agreed to support Argentina's initial introduction into the tournament with a one-off financial contribution of around $2m (£1.3m).The financial support is expected to be ratified by the IRB Council on 12 May, removing the one remaining significant obstacle to Argentina joining the tournament, which includes South Africa, New Zealand and Australia."It is done," said Lapasset at the Global Sports Forum in Barcelona. "The principle is to support the cost of the introduction of Argentina into the Tri Nations. It will be a one-off payment of around $2m. The principle is agreed, and we just need the IRB Council to confirm at the next meeting. It will be done so Argentina can enter in 2012."We have an agreement with South Africa, New Zealand and Australia for the financial programme that is now in place, and the three existing nations are supportive."Argentina's third-place finish at the 2007 Rugby World Cup highlighted the need for the team to engage in regular matches against top-quality opposition.In September 2009, SANZAR, the board representing the national rugby unions of the existing Tri Nations teams, tabled a conditional invitation to Argentina to join the competition.Aside from being geographically stranded on the global rugby map, the fact that most of Argentina's best players are based in Europe has also counted against bringing the South American country into the fold."The challenge now is to organise the travel arrangements between the countries," admitted Lapasset, who sits on the IRB Council. "However, it is fantastic. It started with the World Cup in 2007 and we realised the importance of creating a symbol in South America. It will help to build professionalism within Argentinian rugby."Argentina rugby union teamTri-NationsRugby unionguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Captain Ryan Jones out of Wales team to play Ireland in Six Nations

www.guardian.co.uk - Martyn Williams to lead the side at Croke Park Warren Gatland makes three changes to starting XVThe Wales captain, Ryan Jones, has been ruled out of the Six Nations match against Triple Crown-chasing Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.The Ospreys No8 is nursing a calf muscle injury and will be replaced by Gloucester's Gareth Delve as one of three changes from the side beaten 26-20 by title favourites France last time out.The flanker Martyn Williams will lead the side in Jones' absence, while there are starts for the hooker Matthew Rees and the lock Luke Charteris.Rees, who makes his first start of this season's Six Nations after recovering from injury, replaces Huw Bennett and Charteris takes over from the injured Deiniol Jones.On the bench, Dwayne Peel provides scrum-half cover for Richie Rees after Mike Phillips suffered a knock during Ospreys' Magners League defeat against Edinburgh two days ago and was not available for selection.And there is a place among the substitutes for the experienced Ospreys lock Ian Gough as Wales look to revive their Six Nations campaign after recording one win from three starts.In-form Delve, meanwhile, wins a first Wales cap since the 2008 South Africa tour, and Williams captains Wales for the seventh time in his long Test career.Wales coach Warren Gatland said: "Ryan has been managing his calf, but it has hampered his involvement in training. He needs to get it right for his own sake, as well as for his region, who have some big matches of their own coming up, and for the sake of the national cause as we count down to the World Cup."But it is an opportunity for Martyn, who is one of our key leaders, to captain Wales again and rise to that challenge after doing a good job against Scotland last year when Ryan was again forced to withdraw."This is a great opportunity for Gareth Delve, who we have been keeping a close eye on and who is also a leader himself. We feel we have a loose forward trio here who will be competitive."Ireland are an impressive and experienced side with a pack of players who have been around for a long time and who are tough players. We know we need to improve, but we do think we have the talent and ability in this squad to match any squad and are confident we are good enough to win this match if we can get things right on the day."Wales team to play Ireland in the Six Nations at Croke Park L Byrne (Ospreys); L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys) J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets), R Rees (Cardiff Blues); P James (Ospreys), M Rees (Scarlets), A Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Cardiff Blues, captain), G Delve (Gloucester). Replacements: H Bennett (Ospreys), R Gill (Saracens), I Gough (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), D Peel (Sale), A Bishop (Ospreys), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues).Wales rugby union teamSix Nations rugbyRugby unionguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Defeat and James Haskell row leave bitter taste for Stade Français | Eddie Butler

www.guardian.co.uk - Stade are struggling in seventh place in the Top 14 as the fixtures and the sub-plots come thick and fastThe Guinness Premiership and the Magners League pause for breath as the Six Nations resumes this weekend. Not so the Top 14, where round 22 of the club championship overlaps stage four of France's grand slam, against Italy.Stade Français are by now accustomed to doing without their internationals, or at least James Haskell, but the 29-0 defeat by Toulouse at the Stade de France will have left a bitter taste in their mouth. Presumably that was all part of the plan when Martin Johnson, the manager of England, refused to allow the back-row forward to return to Paris at the weekend.It wouldn't be the first time rugby folk from other countries have run into the brick wall of England's mightiest:"Martin, would you mind moving for the Irish president?""Yes.""Grand. This way, please.""Yes, I'd mind moving."That was when he was captain. It seems little has changed now he's a manager:"Monsieur Martin, would you mind sending James back to Paris?""Yes.""Is that yes a non?""Oui."Stade are struggling in seventh place in the Top 14, with places in the play-offs for the top six. An away game next in Brive is not exactly designed to calm the nerves, although Brive will be without a qualified Englishman of their own, Riki Flutey. It's all part of the congestion of fixtures and sub-plots at this stage of the club season.Even Toulouse had to pay a price in their emphatic away victory in Paris, Frédéric Michalak's season coming to an abrupt halt with a knee injury. Clermont, too, suffered as they beat Perpignan, with arguably the best all-round team in Europe losing Martín Scelzo, one of their ferocious Argentinian front-row forwards, with a broken hand. The Leinster scrummagers, due to face Clermont in the Heineken Cup quarter-final in April, will not be distressed.Were it not for the international incident, there would nevertheless be a certain serenity to the French league, if only because their relegation battle lacks the rabidity of the dogfight in England. Albi are doomed and Montauban have dropped into the second slot for the chop, thanks to their defeat at Bourgoin and fellow strugglers Bayonne beating Albi.Bayonne's cause is helped by a healthy tally of 11 bonus points, compared with Montauban's five, and the measly two for the two teams above them, Bourgoin and Montpellier.Worcester's precious pointOn such little accumulations might survival depend across the continent. Worcester, for example, had every reason to temper their disappointment at losing at Harlequins with the satisfaction of taking the bonus point that keeps them a couple of points above Sale, now the bottom club. It's an agonising business, trying to the very last bead of sweat to extract something from every game. This is dentistry without the anaesthetic.The basement BluesEven in the Magners, never previously associated with overly dramatic conclusions at the bottom, the Welsh regions now have to wrestle with the reality that the lowliest of their number in the final table will not qualify for the Heineken Cup. Not unless the Ospreys win the thing.With three Welsh teams in the bottom five, there is an urgency to the run-in for the Scarlets and the Blues in particular, with the Blues looking the more vulnerable in terms of momentum and confidence. The way they managed the closing minutes against Leinster did not suggest they are at ease with this basement-battle stuff.And at the top there is a rare old thing in the Magners, called a ding-dong for the play-offs. Munster are fifth, three points behind Glasgow and only one point ahead of the Dragons, who beat them in the last round. Leinster, Edinburgh, the Ospreys and Glasgow at the top are separated by all of one point.Wasps suddenly in the mixFinally, at the top of the Guinness Premiership it was plain sailing for four clubs for much of the autumn and winter, with Saracens unbeatable in their own peculiar way, pursued by London Irish, Leicester, and Northampton. Now, however, the two Exile clubs (London Irish for the Irish plus others, and Saracens more exclusively for South Africans) are wobbling, and Wasps, more adept at these late surges than any other team in any other league, have popped into the mix.The closing weeks for everyone bar the tiniest handful caught in mid-table limbo will be riveting. But whether the various issues will be settled on good surfaces is doubtful. The cold winter has taken its toll on the pitches of the lands, with Headingley in Leeds and Edgeley Park in Stockport looking particularly brown.Sharing a stadium might be hard on the grass, although it must be said that Wembley and the Millennium Stadium, much less used, have cut up too. Even Murrayfield, once the billiard table of surfaces, looks a little threadbare. Is it Mother Nature or have the groundsmen's budgets, like their swards, been trimmed a little too hard?Elsewhere on guardian.co.ukLewis Moody dropped from England team to play ScotlandNick De Luca recalled by Scotland for Calcutta Cup clash with EnglandSix Nations rugbyStade FrancaisRugby unionEddie Butlerguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Lewis Moody dropped from England team to play Scotland in Six Nations

www.guardian.co.uk - Joe Worsley comes in for trip to Murrayfield Louis Deacon replaces the injured Simon ShawLewis Moody has been dropped for England's Calcutta Cup game against Scotland on Saturday. The Leicester flanker, who was withdrawn after just 55 minutes of England's Six Nations defeat to Ireland last month, is replaced at openside flanker by Joe Worsley for the trip to Murrayfield.Worsley, 32, returns to the starting XV for the first time since suffering knee ligament damage in the opening minute of England's 19-6 defeat to New Zealand in November.England manager Martin Johnson has made just one other enforced change to the starting XV, with Louis Deacon replacing the injured Simon Shaw in the second row.Northampton's versatile lock Courtney Lawes comes onto a reshuffled bench which features a return for the hooker Steve Thompson and a first call-up for the uncapped Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs. The 20-year-old has replaced Paul Hodgson, who he played against on Saturday in Leicester's 35-19 Guinness Premiership victory over London Irish. Youngs' father, Nick, won six caps for England at scrum-half between 1983 and 1984.Scotland, coached by the former England boss Andy Robinson, return to Murrayfield on the back of a defeat to Italy in Rome and chasing their first victory of the tournament.But England have lost on each of their last two visits to Murrayfield and Saturday's game marks the 20-year anniversary of Scotland's 13-7 Grand Slam-clinching victory.England team to play Scotland in the Six Nations at Murrayfield D Armitage (London Irish); M Cueto (Sale), M Tait (Sale), R Flutey (Brive), U Monye (Harlequins); J Wilkinson (Toulon), D Care (Harlequins); T Payne (Wasps), D Hartley (Northampton), D Cole (Leicester); L Deacon (Leicester), S Borthwick (Saracens, captain); J Haskell (Stade Francais), J Worsley (Wasps), N Easter (Harlequins). Replacements: S Thompson (Brive), D Wilson (Bath), C Lawes (Northampton), L Moody (Leicester), B Youngs (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester), B Foden (Northampton).England rugby union teamSix Nations rugbyRugby unionguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Nick De Luca recalled by Scotland for Calcutta Cup clash with England

www.guardian.co.uk - Edinburgh outside centre is only change to side beaten in Italy Max Evans to be played out of position on the wingNick De Luca was today recalled to the Scotland team for Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield.The 26-year-old Edinburgh centre is the only personnel change to the side beaten in Italy 10 days ago. Max Evans moves to the wing, with Simon Danielli dropping to the bench.De Luca, who will win his 16th cap this weekend, has not started for Scotland since the victory over Canada at Pittodrie in November 2008, although he did come off the bench in Rome. The Scottish captainm Chris Cusiter, has shaken off a virus and the flanker John Barclay has recovered from a knee injury to start.Injuries have, however, forced changes on the bench, with Mike Blair, Alasdair Strokosch and Alasdair Dickinson all ruled out. The Edinburgh scrum-half Blair and the Gloucester prop Dickinson both suffered concussion playing for their clubs on Sunday, while Strokosch suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury. That means substitute roles for Rory Lawson, Geoff Cross and Alan MacDonald.The Scotland head coach, Andy Robinson, who has lost all three of his RBS 6 Nations matches in charge ahead of this weekend's meeting with his former employers, said: "The team has played some good rugby and we have been creating chances. We just need to take that next step and finish off a game."Of Evans playing out of position on the wing, he added: "Max has been our most potent attacker and we also want to see Nick and the qualities that he can bring to this game."Scotland team for Six Nations match against England at MurrayfieldH Southwell (Stade Francais); S Lamont (Scarlets), N De Luca (Edinburgh), G Morrison (Glasgow), M Evans (Glasgow); D Parks (Glasgow), C Cusiter (Glasgow, captain); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), E Murray (Northampton); J Hamilton (Edinburgh), A Kellock (Glasgow); K Brown (Glasgow), J Barclay (Glasgow), J Beattie (Glasgow). Replacements: S Lawson (Gloucester), G Cross (Edinburgh), N Hines (Leinster), A MacDonald (Edinburgh), R Lawson (Gloucester), P Godman (Edinburgh), S Danielli (Ulster).Scotland rugby union teamSix Nations rugbyRugby unionguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)