From the touchlines: Bonus points

Shaun Edwards, who along with Warren Gatland has spearheaded Wales' revival, thinks it's time to introduce bonus points to the Six Nations, as has been done in other competitions.

Edwards suggests that one bonus point should be awarded for four or more tries scored, and another for losing by seven points or fewer. He would also like to see the value of a win doubled from the present two points to four.

On the face of it, his case is compelling. Open, attacking rugby would be rewarded, and there would be less incentive for sides to grind out drab wins by using stifling and negative tactics. The English Premiership has already benefited from the bonus system, and Edwards believes the Six Nations would be similarly enhanced.

But there are strong arguments against his proposal. For a start, the Six Nations is a much shorter tournament in which teams play each other only once, leading to an unfair imbalance between home and away matches. Such distortion would be unavoidable, unless the format were to be expanded to include home and away fixtures between all sides.

More worryingly, under the proposed bonus scheme a team could do the Grand Slam and still not win the championship. Take 2002, when France won all their games, beating England in the decisive encounter. Had Edwards' bonus scheme been in operation, their positions would have been reversed with each side finishing on 21 points. England, with five bonus points, would then have won the title on a superior try count, as well as points difference. This clearly would have been ridiculous, and embarrassing.

Last year, Ireland, not France, would have won the title, which went to Les Bleus on a marginally better points difference.

The introduction of points difference to settle the title has been a success, but a bonus system would threaten a venerable old tournament which has stood the test of time - and is heading for a thrilling climax this season.

Is Shaun Edwards right? Is it time to introduce bonus points to the Six Nations? Which team would lose out or benefit most? We want to hear your views...

From the touchlines: Danny's the boy

Lawrence Dallaglio has made a timely call for his Wasps team-mate Danny Cipriani to be included in England's starting line-up, not in place of Jonny Wilkinson at 10 but at full-back.

Dallaglio's suggestion makes a lot of sense, especially as England's next game on 8 March is at Murrayfield, where Scotland will no doubt launch their usual barrage of high bombs.

Ian Balshaw has been shaky under the high ball in this season's Six Nations campaign, and he appears to have lost some of the zip needed to launch rapid counter-attacks from full-back.

As Dallaglio says, Cipriani has that X-factor and running ability which might make the Scots think twice about relying too much on their usual kicking game.

With Wilkinson back to somewhere near his best following the introduction of Richard Wigglesworth at scrum-half, there is no way that Cipriani could come in at fly-half.

But by switching the 20-year-old to 15, Brian Ashton can add a new dimension to England's game, at the same time giving one of his rising stars the chance to shine.

So what do you think? Should Cipriani replace Balshaw? Or is it a gamble not worth taking? We want to hear your views...

 

Football infighting... Your view

Henk ten Cate has admitted a pre-Carling Cup final bust-up with Chelsea captain John Terry. The story was initially denied, but these things have a habit of leaking into the public domain.

The news got us thinking of previous scraps between team-mates and between managers and players. We've picked our favourites which you can read about here.

But we also want your view. Have we missed any out? Which were your most memorable? Send in your thoughts using the boxes below.

From the touchlines: Woe for Hadden

Matters surely can't get much worse for Scotland. A trio of Six Nations thumpings leave Frank Hadden's men in line for a second successive wooden spoon. And now they've had to contend with a drugs scandal.

Well, it was a scandal for a few hours. After the initial shock of seeing Scott Macleod's name alongside the words "failed drugs test", the reality of events was soon revealed and Macleod escaped punishment for his asthma medication oversight. But it's a scenario Scotland (and the player) could have done without.

Dissatisfaction with Hadden's leadership of Scotland is beginning to turn ugly. Phone-ins and blogs have called for his removal (even Matt Williams didn't win two wooden spoons on the trot) and Andy Robinson continues to lurk in the background. Another failure against a rejuvenated England side a week on Saturday will increase the doubters.

But what would Robinson or anyone do with the current Scotland backs, who make England's look as dazzling and creative as the most stylish of French sides. Scotland dominated Ireland up front and dominated possession, yet they did nothing with it. Only crabs move sideways with more eagerness.

Do you think time is up for Frank Hadden? Is this the worst ever Scotland side? Should Macleod have been banned? We want to hear your views...

From the touchlines: Ashton gets tough

Brian Ashton's threat to show no mercy on anyone who failed to cut the mustard in Paris worked a treat as England revived their Six Nations title hopes with a 24-13 win against France.

By dropping Andy Gomarsall, Ashton had sent out a long-overdue message to his players: under-performance will not be tolerated in future.

Richard Wigglesworth came in for Gomarsall and promptly forged a tidy partnership with Jonny Wilkinson, who seemed to gain a new lease of life as a result. And the young Sale scrum-half capped an impressive first start by scoring the match-clinching try in the final seconds.

Ashton's harsh pre-match words were not lost on Phil Vickery. The skipper has been written off as a spent force by some, but when Le Crunch came on Saturday, he led from the front, tackled like a Trojan and galvanised his team when they came under pressure early in the second half.

The back row, too, at last looked the part, giving away fewer penalties and restricting France's atttacking options.

The question that must be asked is this: why didn't Ashton get tough with his squad earlier in the competition - if not before it began? Had he done so, England might not have been so complacent in the second half of their ill-fated game against Wales.

Do you think Ashton, until now, has been too soft on his players? Can England go on to lift the title? Have your say below...

Carling Cup just the start of Ramos revolution

There may have been more than a touch of good fortune about Jonathan Woodgate's extra-time winner but there is no doubt that Tottenham were worthy winners over lacklustre Chelsea in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.

Spurs played with pace, hunger and swagger from the first whistle and were unfortunate to trail at half time through Didier Drogba's free kick, which owed much to Paul Robinson's poor positioning.

As Chelsea looked set to strangle the life out of the game in the second half, Wayne Bridge's careless handball gave Spurs a lifeline, Dimitar Berbatov slotted home the spot kick and Juande Ramos' men were back in business.

The game entered extra time and Woodgate profited from a lucky rebound as the ball ricocheted off Petr Cech's fist on to his head and bobbled into the net. Tottenham's victory ended nine years without a trophy and gave Juande Ramos his first piece of English silverware just four months after succeeding Martin Jol. The role of his assistant Gus Poyet must not be overlooked either. He has a significant presence on the touchline and clearly enjoys the players' full respect.

While Ramos' White Hart Lane revolution has been nothing short of extraordinary, there will be justified criticism of his Chelsea counterpart Avram Grant. His decision to drop Joe Cole and Michael Ballack certainly contributed to his side's insipid display. Nicolas Anelka, in an unfamiliar left-sided role, was almost a spectator.

Grant also took the chance to have a bitter post-match moan about the penalty award and the fact that referee Mark Halsey (who had an outstanding game) blew the final whistle as Chelsea were attacking. His complaints will fall on deaf ears in the Tottenham camp as they celebrate long into the night.

By Mike Dale

What was your view of the Carling Cup final? Tottenham, Chelsea and fans of all persuasions can have your say by using the boxes below.

Wenger's fury at Taylor horror tackle

Martin Taylor's horror tackle which left Eduardo's leg hanging at a sickening right angle was so X-rated that Sky Sports decided not to show replays it as it was so harrowing.

But the sight of William Gallas petulantly confronting members of the St Andrews crowd and Arsene Wenger's contention that Taylor "should never be allowed to play football again" will hardly help diffuse an emotive and horrifying situation.

Taylor was visibly devastated at the obvious consequences of his challenge. Some Arsenal players looked close to tears and even members of the medical staff were reported to be shaken at what they'd seen.

It's fair to say Wenger may not have been so livid had referee Mike Dean not awarded an extremely contentious 92nd-minute penalty that enabled ten-man Birmingham to somehow rescue a 2-2 draw. Gallas' reaction was plain bizarre. He walked to the halfway line to watch the penalty go in then confronted members of the home crowd and had to be pulled away by stewards. He then sat alone in the centre circle and stared into space for two minutes after the final whistle and had to be ushered back to the dressing room by his manager.

It was an extraordinary start to the day's action in the Premier League.

What did you make of the amazing events at Birmingham? Give us your views on this and all of Saturday's football action by using the boxes below.

From the touchlines: Crunch time

England coach Brian Ashton has repeatedly made it clear this week that England players who fail to perform against France in Paris on Saturday will follow the same fate as Andy Gomarsall.

Late on Thursday, captain Phil Vickery reiterated that message - not that it was needed - claiming his spot in the side isn't assured either if he fails to perform to the highest standards. So the message is clear: mess up and you're out.

It's a high-risk strategy by Ashton which could go two ways. There's a chance it could make his players raise their game as they did at the World Cup and exceed expectations. However, it could make the players so nervous in the build-up in the French capital that they fluff their gameplans altogether and completely capitulate.

Ashton's plan is a bold one and should shut up the doubters who argue he's not tough enough. However, if it all backfires - and it could hideously so - then questions will be asked. Let's see what happens...

How do you think England will fare in Paris and has Ashton got his tactics right? We want to hear your views...

From the touchlines: Regan ready

From the Touchlines went to England's training base in Bath yesterday (Wednesday) and found the forwards smarting for a fight in Paris...

England hooker Mark Regan has given some indication of what to expect when England take on France at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday night. Ahead of the game, he was his usual understated self, telling reporters he was planning to be his "usual horrible self". Regan also warned France had picked a "front five for a fight" and that England would be up to the challenge.

It'll be intriguing to see what'll happen. Most recently, England easily won the front five battle between the two sides when they last met in Paris in the World Cup semi-final and the likes of Regan will be relishing the chance for a repeat. If France had any sense, they'd get the ball out to their talented young backs as quickly as possible, taking the attack to England in an area where they've clearly got the edge.

Can England win the match solely with that front-five platform and bullying France out of the game? We want to hear your views...

From the touchlines: Gomarsall's gone

England coach Brian Ashton fired a telling warning on Tuesday when he announced his line-up for Saturday's game against France. There weren't the wholesale changes some had expected but there was one telling omission, Andy Gomarsall, who was removed from the entire match-day 22 having started the two Six Nations openers.

Gomarsall may feel hard done by as England's scapegoat but there's no denying he had failed to live up to the high standards he set in the World Cup. In dumping him, Ashton admitted as much: "I was hoping the stimulus of international rugby would help Andy get back to where he was but he hasn't quite made if unfortunately."

But the move is wider reaching. Those players living off their World Cup reputations now know that, should they fail to deliver against France, Ashton will have no qualms about axing them altogether from the squad.

Which England players do you think deserve the axe - who's lucky to have kept their place in the side against France? We want to hear your views...

F1 gossip column... Your view

Orange's F1 expert has the latest rumours and news from the pitlane including sneaky tactics from Renault and concerns over Nelson Piquet Jnr's lack of speed. To find out more, click here.

We also want your take on these rumours. What are Renault up to? Have they blundered in giving a drive to Piquet? Use the boxes below to send in all your views.

The best of Britain in Europe

Liverpool and Chelsea are the two British sides in European action tonight as the Champions League knock-out stages kick-off. There are a total of five Brit teams in the final 16 of the competition.

That quintet have some way to go to be crowned kings of the continent with the likes of AC and Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona among the top teams still to beat. And as the competition hots up, we pick out the best British sides of all time in Europe.

But do you agree with our hotlist or have we got it completely wrong? We want to hear your views...

From the touchlines: Six Nations gossip

The Six Nations is back on the agenda this week ahead of another weekend of action. We look at the latest gossip in our blog, "From the Touchlines"...

Former England coach Andy Robinson is being lined up to take over as Scotland coach after the Six Nations. Robinson, who was dumped as England boss after a series of woeful displays, has restored his reputation since taking over Edinburgh at the start of the season. And Scottish Rugby Union officials believe the former Bath and England back-row forward is the right man to replace Frank Hadden, who has failed to ignite the Scots in the 2008 tournament.

Wasps look set to completely transform their transfer policy in time for next season in the wake of the current Six Nations. The tournament has seen the team's squad massively depleted because of international call-ups and injuries. As a result, Wasps boss Ian McGeechan is reportedly on the verge of scrapping home-grown talent and instead bring in more foreigners. At present, their squad consists of just three foreigners - France's Raphael Ibanez, Eoin Reddan, of Ireland, and Samoan Daniel Leo.

Heard any transfer rumours or Six Nations gossip? We want to hear from you below...

Don't write off Rafa just yet

Brian Howard's last-gasp winner for Barnsley at Anfield has sparked a predictable response from many Liverpool fans: Rafa out.

But as the vultures gather over Stanley Park, maybe the Reds' sensational FA Cup defeat to the Tykes is a blessing in disguise for the beleaguered Benitez. If nothing else, it will put his players in a do-or-die mood for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

Even the most rabid anti-Benitez fans will find forgiveness somewhere in their hearts if the in-form Serie A leaders are toppled. And that might not be such a big 'if'. Rafa's record in crunch Champions League games is good - and they don't come much crunchier than this after an FA Cup exit that could leave Liverpool trophy-less this season.

His players will know that their manager's job will be on the line if they go out to Inter at this time of trouble and turmoil both on and off the pitch at Anfield. Stars like Steven Gerrard, confined to the bench for much of the game against Barnsley, will need no greater motivation to prove all the knockers and Merseyside moaners wrong.

And if Benitez does go, those same players will know that they too could be shown the exit door when the new man in charge takes over.

So while the stakes on Tuesday couldn't be much higher, it could turn out to be another glorious European night at Anfield when Benitez, the master-Euro-tactician, escapes from the condemned cell.

Do you agree that Rafa really can turn things round? Now's the chance to have your say - before it's too late!

Orange Future of Football...Your view

'The Orange Future of Football Report 2008' produced in conjunction with 'The Future Laboratory' predicts revolutionary changes that are set to take place over the next 10-15 years.

Holographic fans, futuristic pitches, chameleon kits, robotic linesmen and television monitors at your match-day seat could all be set for 2020.

Can you imagine Wayne Rooney unleashing a verbal assault on a robot over an offside decision? Or how about popping to do the groceries at your club’s stadium which is where you are now residing? It sounds crazy but these are the ground-breaking plans that are set to change football forever.

Click here to read all about it and have you say on these wacky creations by adding your comments below. Do you have any mind-boggling thoughts on other ways that football will change the future?

From the Touchlines: Six Nations gossip

This weekend sees a break from Six Nations action but there's still plenty of rugby gossip doing the rounds - check it out in our latest tournament blog, "From the Touchlines"...

England could be in for a dramatic overhaul for the game against France following their poor second-half showing against Italy at the weekend. Brian Ashton might go for broke and name both Jonny Wilkinson and Danny Cipriani in the starting XV, with Cipriani handed the No.15 shirt where he originally played for club side Wasps. Pressure is mounting on Ashton to put faith in Cipriani despite the 20-year-old's wayward kick which allowed the Azzurri back into the game in Rome.

The World Cup runners-up could yet have a further depleted pack with reports that stand-in captain Steve Borthwick is struggling to shake off a knee injury in time for the France game. Andrew Sheridan also remains a doubt. He missed the Italian game because of a heel injury but it now transpires he is having difficulties with his immune system and had to have an operation this week to clear up an infection in his ankle. Centre Mike Tindall is already out of the tournament after puncturing his lung and bruising his liver but it now seems he will be out for the remainder of the season.

Speculation is mounting over the Lions tour to South Africa and who will coach the team. Prior to the World Cup, Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan was the runaway candidate to take charge of the team. But following a dire display at the tournament and a mixed showing to date in the Six Nations, O'Sullivan is now believed to have fallen down the pecking order. Instead, Wales coach Warren Gatland is the new favourite for the role with Lions officials having backed down from their insistence on a British and Irish only coach.

One coach unlikely to be in the running on current form is Brian Ashton and the Rugby Football Union has even held talks about a possible successor to the Lancastrian following two woeful second-half performances in their opening two Six Nations matches.

Do you think Ashton's right for the chop, is Gatland the right man to lead the Lions and should Cipriani start for England? We want to hear your views and any gossip you might have...

Football's foreign legion... Your view

Giovanni Trapattoni's appointment as Republic of Ireland coach has increased the legion of men in charge of a country different to their own nationality.

We've picked out a host of other examples from the successful - Ernst Happel - to the disasters - Berti Vogts. You can read about all these chaps by clicking here.

But does the proliferation of cases around the world seems to contradict the whole idea of international football? Should football associations be banned from appointing men from outside their borders? Whatever your views, we want to hear them. Using the boxes below, send in your thoughts.

F1 gossip column... Your view

Orange's F1 expert has more juicy stories and gossip from the pitlane with the revelation that Eddie Irvine is being linked with a move to Super Aguri. To find out more, click here.

We also want your take on these rumours. Is Irvine past it? Have Ferrari got problems? Use the boxes below to send in all your views.

From the Touchlines: Six Nations gossip

All the latest from our Six Nations blog, "From the Touchlines", and we want to hear all your news, views and rumours...

With the Six Nations now on hold until the weekend after next, attention has turned back to the Guinness Premiership and the latest transfer rumours. We'd mentioned before that Leeds captain Stuart Hooper was off to Bath next season and that deal remains on the cards. But it transpires Bath are also set to sign Australian lock Justin Harrison, who was once branded as a "plod and a plank" by Austin Healey, in time for next season.

Staying at Bath, Olly Barkley's court case for actual bodily harm will be heard on Thursday. The England star had been due in court on Monday following an altercation with a Sky Sports producer but the case was adjourned. He is expected to plead not guilty to the charge.

Also in the transfer market, Leicester are making a surprise bid to bring Biarritz scrum-half Julien Dupuy in time for next season. The Tigers are concerned about Harry Ellis's immensely slow return from injury so have acted quickly to ensure top-quality distribution at number nine regardless of Ellis's progress. Dupuy, 24, boasts plenty of Heineken Cup experience with Biarritz, having played for the club in European ties against Glasgow and Saracens earlier this season.

That's all the gossip we have for now. We want to hear your gossip so please post your comments below...

Sporting villains... Your view

Dwain Chambers' convincing win in the World Indoor trials on Sunday, ensured his inclusion for the championships next month. But officials and pundits alike would rather the former drug cheat was not involved. One even asked the Sheffield crowd to boo him!

The controversy got us thinking of the most vilified sportsmen and women in sporting history - we've put together our top ten which you can read here.

We're also keen to get your input. Are there any 'villains' we've omitted? Should any of our ten not made the final cut? Using the boxes below, you can tell us your top ten or add in any of your own views.

From the Touchlines: Six Nations team of the week

It was another stunning weekend of action from the Six Nations, with a string of match-winning performances across the differing teams. After the weekend's three games we pick out our team of the week...

15 Lee Byrne (Wales): The Welsh full-back appears to have the ability to pop up at just the right time and his link-up play with Shane Williams posed the biggest threat for Scotland.

14 Vincent Clerc (France): The orange-booted French flyer was in superb form from the kick-off running in a hat-trick of tries and making the Irish look like a rabbit in headlights.

13 Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland): There were few superstars at outside centre over the weekend so O'Driscoll just about sneaks in in terms of his presence and leadership.

12 Damien Traille (France): The old man of the French side seemed to have it all - great defence when Ireland surged back into the game and the insight to send his quicker team-mates on breaks throughout the match.

11 Shane Williams (Wales): He might be small but he's incredibly quick and fleet-footed as the Scots found to their detriment. Apart from Clerc, he was the form wing of the weekend.

10 Jonny Wilkinson (England): During his hour of action, he was back to top form. He played a role in both of England's first-half tries and he missed just one spot kick - impressive considering the pressure he was under.

9 Simon Picone (Italy): France's Jean-Baptiste Elissalde is a tad unlucky to miss out but Picone's industry when he came off the bench for Italy, not to mention his try, see him just sneak the No.9 shirt.

1 Marcus Horan (Ireland): One of the few Irish players to put in a top performance throughout. He might not be all around the park in open play but he and his fellow front-row forwards helped turn the tide of the match.

2 Dimitri Szarzewski (France): He was like a virtual Energizer bunny all match. While technical not the best hooker, his work round the breakdown, which created at least one Clerc try was like having an additional back-rower on the field.

3 Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy): The Leicester prop might have only lasted an hour but he certainly made his mark against England's Tim Payne in some bull-dozing early battles in Rome.

4 Carlo del Fava (Italy): A strong weekend for Italy, perhaps most notably from their captain who tried to disrupt England at every opportunity - enjoying a fair few run-ins with referee Alain Rolland in the process.

5 Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland): Probably the lock of the weekend, he added massive force to Ireland's pack, rarely put a foot wrong in the line-out and added superb support play. You couldn't really ask for more.

6 Martyn Williams (Wales): You can understand why new Wales coach Warren Gatland pleaded with Williams to come out of international retirement. The ginger-haired scrapped was arguably Wales' best player.

7 David Wallace (Ireland): Italy's Mauro Bergamasco is worthy of a mention but he loses out to the youngest of the talented Wallace brothers who carried the ball in wave after wave of attack and was duly rewarded with a try.

8 Sergio Parisse (Italy): A truly world-class talent, Italy's captain was omnipresent, acting like a back at times with his deft try-earning tap kick and show awesome stature as Paul Sackey found to his detriment as a tackler.

We want to hear your team of the week - do you agree with our XV?

From the Touchlines: Ashton out?

England came within a whisker of one of the biggest banana skins in Six Nations history against Italy in Rome. They looked to be sauntering to victory come half-time - somewhat similar to Twickenham and the Welsh a week previously - but then it all went horribly wrong.

Italy came to life and, for the second successive weekend, England fell apart in the face of the remotest pressure. What chance now for the rest of the Six Nations? Scotland, France and Ireland will all be licking their lips at the prospect of coming up against England.

Brian Ashton knows the pressure will be on him more than ever after his side ran out of ideas for the second straight match. The two-week gap until the next game might be the perfect tonic for Ashton to settle things down, to get some of his key men back and to save England's championship and his own job.

Do you think he's up to the task? We want to hear your views so post your comments below. Also, we'll be posting our Six Nations team of the weekend on Monday so let's have your thoughts...

From the Touchlines: Six Nations gossip

All the latest gossip from the Six Nations as England's injury-ravaged squad takes a further blow late in training on Thursday...

England captain Phil Vickery is the latest England player to break down in training, suffering a calf injury that might yet rule him out at the weekend. The irony is that Bristol's Jason Hobson has been brought into the squad as back-up, a player who knocked out Vickery during a Guinness Premiership match earlier in the season. The other irony is that Jonny Wilkinson looks set to captain the side should Vickery fail to recover from the knock - just after Brian Ashton told Wilko's rival for the No.10 shirt, Danny Cipriani, that he'd very nearly ousted the World Cup winner at fly-half for Sunday's game against Italy.

We want to hear what you make of England's side for the weekend and the other Six Nations sides. Also, we want to hear any club transfer gossip you might have. Just post your comments below.

Premier League moves abroad

Exorbitant wages, pay-per-view matches, rising ticket prices, random kick-off times, predatory agents, WAGs, 'roastings', foreign mercenaries, prawn sandwiches and now it's come to this. The English game is being taken further from its traditional fanbase than it has ever been before.

Some may view the move towards each Premier League club playing one match per season abroad as taking the game to the fans. The top flight is, after all, a globally popular brand.

Others may see this as the latest example of rampant greed by the domestic game's governing body whose every decision seems to be made with dollar (or Yen) signs flashing before its eyes.

It's become a modern-football cliche, but this is simply another avenue through which the biggest clubs will get ever richer and the rest will be left to wither and die.

Don't believe me? Ask Bournemouth and Luton fans what they think of all this nonsense. Their clubs are on the verge of extinction right now. But, hey, if the worst does happen they'll at least have the consolation of tuning in to Bolton v Portsmouth live from Beijing on Sky Sports at 3 o'clock in the morning.

The big clubs will love all this, of course. Their dominance over the rest will become even greater. But for the rest of us (who have already accepted that our clubs have no chance of winning anything ever again) it will make our national game even more soulless and dispiritingly predictable.

Do you agree? Can taking the Premier League out of England be good for the game? Let us know your views by leaving your comments below.

By Mike Dale

From the Touchlines: Six Nations gossip

"From the Touchlines" headed to England's training camp on Wednesday following Brian Ashton's team announcement to face Italy and found an England squad brimming with confidence despite the defeat to Wales last weekend...

Bath flanker Michael Lipman will line up at the back of England's scrum against the Azzurri in Rome on Sunday to earn his fourth international cap. But it could have been a very different situation for Lipman. Born and brought up in Australia to Anglo-Australian parents, he climbed through the Australian junior ranks even going as far as to represent the under-21s down under before opting to head back to England, where his dad Colin originated. The Aussie twang's still in evidence for Lipman Jr and find out later in the week what he had to say about his reasons for the switch.

Elsewhere in the Ireland camp, bald-headed hooker Bernard Jackman will make his full Test debut at the weekend almost exactly a decade after he was first selected for Ireland. It transpires Jackman has another follicly challenged hooker to thank for his rise up the ranks - he's been working with ex-Ireland captain Keith Wood to improve his technical skills.

Let us know your Six Nations gossip and your predictions for this weekend's games. Do you fancy more shocks on the cards?

From the Touchlines: Six Nations gossip

England coach Brian Ashton announced his England side to face Italy earlier this morning with a raft of changes from the Wales defeat, most because of injury. We find out the latest in our Six Nations blog, "From the Touchlines"...

Jamie Noon, as expected, has been recalled in midfield for England after Mike Tindall was ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations with a bruised kidney. Ashton and his squad believe the like-for-like replacement of Noon will bring the least disruption to an already riled England backline. The other major changes are in the back row where Tom Rees and Lewis Moody are missing with respective injuries. A back-to-fitness Nick Easter looks a certainty to return at number eight, with Michael Lipman tipped for the remaining back-row berth alongside James Haskell. Tim Payne, meanwhile, joins fellow Wasps prop Phil Vickery in the front row.

In today's transfer gossip, Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan has rejected the advances of Irish side Leinster and will instead stay at Wasps next season. Leinster had been keen to snap up Ireland's star performer from the Six Nations opener against Italy but Reddan believes London side Wasps offer him the best chance of developing his game still further.

Staying in Ireland, there look set to be a plethora of moves at Ulster after former Scotland coach Matt Williams took over this week. Williams, who worked wonders in a previous role at Leinster, looks likely to turn to the land of his birth, Australia, to snap up new recruits. He'll need to shop fast, with reports suggesting flanker Neil Best is off to Northampton while Julian Harrison is set to put pen to paper on a deal to join Bath next season.

Get in touch with your news, views and general rugby gossip. Also give us your preferred England team for Sunday's game against the Azzurri.

F1 gossip column... Your view

Orange's F1 expert has more juicy stories and gossip from the pitlane with the revelation that Michael Schumacher is starting his own team. To find out more, click here.

We also want your take on these rumours. What do you think of Schumacher's plan? What does the future hold for Jenson Button? Use the boxes below to send in all your views.

From the Touchlines: Six Nations gossip

World Cup runners-up England were surprisingly derailed by Wales at Twickenham at the weekend in a shock result on the first weekend of the Six Nations. Find out the latest behind-the-scenes England gossip in our tournament blog, "From the Touchlines", and send us in your own...

England coach Brian Ashton is reportedly toying with axing Jonny Wilkinson at No.10 before the end of the Six Nations as he builds his side long-term for the 2011 World Cup. Ashton and his coaches are increasingly worried that his ever-expansive style of play does not suit Wilkinson's more defensive and kicking-minded strategy. As a result, Wilkinson, who will start against Italy, could either be dropped before the tournament end or instead be moved to inside centre.

Wasps wonderkid Danny Cipriani is predictably in line to step into the No.10 shirt after coming on against Wales. But it now appears Shane Geraghty, overlooked for the initial England squad, is the number-one candidate for replacing Wilko after a man-of-the-match performance for the England Saxons where he controlled play from start to finish.

Ashton, meanwhile, has reportedly angered his Rugby Football Union bosses after taking off captain Phil Vickery during the shock loss to the Welsh. The "Raging Bull" was replaced by Matt Stevens after which England increasingly capitulated without their leader on the field. Ashton is said to have endured some heated exchanges with RFU boss Rob Andrew since the match but is adamant he will readily replace Vickery in future matches.

Away from the Six Nations, there's been some more transfer news, most of it focusing on Northampton fly-half Carlos Spencer. A host of clubs - most notably in France where there is no wage cap - have been battling over the former New Zealand No.10's signature for next season. But despite a season wallowing in National League One and no hope of European rugby at Franklin's Gardens next season, "King Carlos" will stay put at the club, signing another two-year deal.

We'd like to hear all your Six Nations and other rugby gossip. Also, we'll be heading to the England training camp tomorrow so let us know if you have any questions for the players. Post your comments and questions below.

Bitter Fergie

Surprise, surprise. Manchester United are knocked off top spot after failing to beat Spurs and so Sir Alex Ferguson decides to throw his toys out of his pram and vent his spleen at referee Mark Clattenburg.

It’s like using a get out of jail free card by blaming the man in the middle if your side fail to win. If it’s not Sir Alex, it’s Arsene Wenger or Rafa Benitez or another moaning manager.

The United boss was furious that seven of his players were booked during the 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane which could lead to a fine for the Red Devils.

“For Manchester United it's not right. There is something wrong when Manchester United get seven bookings,” Ferguson said. This coming from a man whose team concede a penalty once in a blue moon at Old Trafford.

It’s not the first time Fergie has had a run in with Clattenburg. The Scot was charged by the FA with “using abusive and insulting words towards an official” following a half-time altercation with the ref earlier this season at Bolton.

The ironic thing is that not too long ago, Ferguson claimed that Clattenburg was one of the Premier League’s best referees. Goodness knows what he thinks of the others.

Do us a favour Fergie. Keep your mouth shut, accept that your team didn’t deserve the win and accept the fact that you are now looking up at the Gunners, who succeeded in beating your Manchester rivals – a team who could well complete the double over you this season. Now that post-match interview would be worth watching.

From the touchlines: Six Nations gossiip

The Six Nations kicks off on Saturday and, for the duration of the tournament, we'll be bringing you all the gossip in our new blog, "From the Touchlines", with all the international in-fighting, Guinness Premiership transfer gossip and general rugby shenanigans.

Much of the gossip is well removed from the Six Nations itself and centres on a raft of big-name moves ahead of next season. At the moment, the busiest team has been Saracens, having added Bath's Steve Borthwick and Wales back-rower Michael Owen to their already star-studded pack for next season. And with the salary cap set to be raised from £2.25m to £4m for each club next season and South African backers adding major investments into the club, expect a whole batch of new signings before the season is out. Among those reportedly on their shopping list are Italy captain and number eight Sergio Parisse.

Another team happy to be splashing the cash is Gloucester, who are already plotting a course to add to their international line-up next season. Their prime candidate is rumoured to be Ollie Smith, who is said to have become frustrated with life in the midlands with Leicester Tigers.

Meanwhile, Bath are battling to replace the Saracens-bound Borthwick, with Leeds captain Stuart Hooper their preferred choice. Hooper is reportedly on the verge of agreeing a new deal, particularly with the Tykes destined for their second relegation in three seasons. There is one slight stumbling block to that coming from Bath's local rivals Bristol, who could scupper the deal with an improved offer as they fill the double void left by the departure of lock duo Gareth Llewellyn and Sean Hohneck.

Northampton, however, look set to surpass everyone when it comes to summer spending. The soon-to-be National League One champions are keen on a clear-out and have employed former Sale and Saracens coach Steve Diamond with the sole role of player recruitment. Diamond's first comment was that club owner Keith Barwell "had a shopping list as long as mine and his arm".

And finally, the BBC thought it had pulled off a stunning coup with a cut-price deal for a big-name England international to write a column for their sports website for the duration of the Six Nations. The only problem was that the player in question, Mathew Tait, failed to get himself picked for coach Brian Ashton's 22-man match-day squad to face Wales. Reports suggest those at Beeb HQ are trying to race around for a last-minute replacement. We'd recommend cut-price duo Iain Balshaw and Luke Narraway, both still reeling from the shock of making Ashton's starting XV

We'd like to hear all your Six Nations and other rugby gossip. Post your comments below.