From the Touchlines: Transfer gossip

As we write this, England's leading players are either Down Under preparing to take on the All Blacks or else they're sunning themselves on their summer holidays. Either way, there's plenty more rumours floating around this week about who's going where.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is that Wigan are reportedly plotting a big-money move to lure Wasps wing Tom Voyce to their ranks in a cross-code switch. However, the Londoners will be desperate to keep hold of their flying wing for the 2008-9 season.

Meanwhile, France fly-half Benjamin Boyet, who we revealed was on the look-out for a move to the Premiership last week, has already held talks with three clubs about a move across the Channel. Bath, Bristol and Worcester are all mulling over a contract for Boyet, with Bath believed to be the front-runners for the playmaker's signature.

Another foreigner possibly on his way to England is New Zealand's Chris Masoe. The 20-capped All Black has been offered a deal to join countryman Carl Hayman at Newcastle although his bosses in New Zealand are desperate to hold on to him.

In the final bit of transfer gossip this week, it appears Sale have done enough to hold on to director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre. The former French wing was a target for Stade Francais but Saint-Andre has agreed to stay in the north of England after being offered improved terms on his current contract.

We want to hear any transfer rumours you might have heard doing the rounds. Also, let us know your predictions for Saturday's Test between England and New Zealand. Just post your comments below...

From the Touchlines: Praise for new-look England

Rob Andrew - no doubt with a hefty push from Martin Johnson back in England - pointed the way to England's future early on Tuesday when unveiling England's side to play New Zealand this weekend.

Amazingly, there is just one survivor from the team that reached the World Cup final just eight months on - and that's man mountain Andrew Sheridan. To further highlight the England shake-up, there are 11 new faces from the side that played Ireland in the final game of the Six Nations.

Injuries have forced some of these tweaks - Danny Cipriani, Jonny Wilkinson, Paul Sackey and Nick Easter all would have started for example had injuries not curtailed their touring hopes - but this still shows a bold, new look by Johnson/Andrew, with youth holding the key. In fact just three players are over the age of 30.

Perhaps the most notable figure in the starting line-up is Olly Barkley (pictured above left), who's back in favour after a stunning season for Bath where he returned to his best ever for. And he knows he has a better chance than ever to stamp his authority on the No.12 jersey with Wilko back at home.

There's suggestions this England line-up doesn't have enough beef to front up to the All Blacks - although the likes of Sheridan, Steve Borthwick and James Haskell, among others, would suggest otherwise. But the exciting factors about the line-up is that the Premiership's form men have been selected plus there is a sense of the unknown about England. Ok, it might all go horribly wrong and England may well get trounced by their hosts but, whatever the outcome, the youthful look is the right way forward as England start the long route towards the 2011 World Cup.

Do you agree with the England line-up for the All Blacks Test? We want to hear your comments so post them below...

From the Touchlines: Transfer gossip

France international Benjamin Boyet is set for a summer move to the Guinness Premiership following the turmoil at Bourgoin.

The French club are set to lose the majority of their key men over the summer, with Boyet, who has been capped three times by France at fly-half, leading the way across The Channel.

Another foreigner mulling over moves to England this week include All Black Greg Somerville, who has been sounded out by Gloucester as they bid to bounce back from their Premiership disappointment this season.

Meanwhile, Bath are looking for a replacement for Olly Barkley to link up with World Cup winner Butch James at the Rec next season, and James's fellow countryman, Chris Rossouw, is the red-hot favourite to fill that gap.

In the remaining bit of transfer gossip, Ben Jacobs is on the verge of announcing a move to Saracens. The outside centre has been in stunning form for the New South Wales Waratahs and, while not exactly a household name in the UK, he will be a major boost to Sarries' backline.

Do you have any transfer rumours of your own? If so, we want to hear them so post your comments below...

From the touchlines: Lol's farewell

Lawrence Bruno Nero Dallaglio's swansong ended with one of the biggest and best standing ovations in sporting history.

Almost 82,000 fans rose to their feet when Dallaglio was replaced during the second half of Wasps' Guinness Premiership final triumph over Leicester at Twickenham.

His 18-year playing career yielded 85 England caps, a World Cup winners medal, a Grand Slam, two Heineken Cups, five English titles and a reputation as one of the defining figures of world rugby.

Dallaglio's bravery both on and off the pitch have made him a compelling figure, with massive highs matched by desperate lows.

His sister died in the Marchioness disaster on the Thames, and he lost the England captaincy after a tabloid newspaper sting saw him making claims of youthful drug experiences, which he later denied.

Dallaglio has also had to overcome serious injuries, but throughout has remained a feared and respected opponent.

His sporting philosophy is refreshingly simple: "I don't think I'm particularly gifted as a player. I've used more of my life experiences than sporting ability to get where I've got. But rugby's always been that kind of sport. The most naturally gifted don't always make the best players. It's how you take your toughness into the arena that matters."

If only some of our overpaid footballers would think the same way.

Is Dallaglio one of the true greats of rugby? And why is it that he's such a popular figure in the game? Have your say via the boxes below.

From the touchlines: Team of the season

The season comes to a thrilling climax this weekend when Wasps take on Leicester in the Guinness Premiership final at Twickenham.

A whole host of teams could have won the right to contest the showpiece finale in one of the more exciting and equally-contested campaign.

Such an array of strong teams makes picking a XV of the season a touch more difficult. There are numerous men vying for each spot and it took us a while to make our selection - which you can view here.

Some big names are left out and you'll no doubt have your own views on the best the Premiership has to offer. Why not send them in using the boxes below.

From the Touchlines: Premiership play-off predictions

On Sunday, the four leading sides in English rugby will battle it out for a place in the Guinness Premiership final at Twickenham and, in our eyes, there are two stand-out candidates to make that final.

Gloucester take on Leicester at Kingsholm and, while they might end up being without their international midfield of Mike Tindall and Anthony Allen (depending on late fitness tests), they just have too much in the tank for Marcelo Loffreda's stop-start Tigers. The Tigers may well have a monumental threat in flyer Tom Varndell, the Premiership's top try scorer this season, but the Cherry and Whites have runners aplenty not to mention one of the best-drilled packs in the Premiership. So for all Leicester's past dominance, expect Gloucester to blow them away.

The other semi-final looks likely to be a closer affair between Wasps and Bath. Had Bath managed to get home advantage, then they would have been our pick to earn a final berth but they travel to Wasps' home ground for the game and, if there's one thing about Wasps, they don't often lose at home. Also, the Londoners will be doing their utmost to give No.8 Lawrence Dallaglio the perfect send-off and not even the combined guile of Butch James and Olly Barkley looks likely to unlock Wasps' inspired defence.

So, we're going for a Gloucester-Wasps final, with Gloucester winning their semi-final 26-12 and Wasps running out 19-16 winners in the other semi.

What do you make of our predictions? Have we got it all wrong? We want to hear your views below...

From the Touchlines: Geechs the right man for the Lions

Wasps boss Ian McGeechan was named British and Irish Lions coach today (Wednesday), beating the rest of his peers to the post as expected - and it's a decision that few can dispute.

"Geechs", as he is better known, is synonymous with the Lions as both a player and a coach. He first made his mark as a centre in the three Tests against South Africa before returning to tour New Zealand in 1977, when he played in all the Tests once more.

But it's as Lions coach that the 61-year-old has become better known. He led the side to series victories in Australia in 1989 and South Africa in 1997 and narrowly lost out in New Zealand in 1993, which is hardly a blight on his copybook. In fact, his own blemish is the previous tour to All Blacks territory in 2005 when the Lions were completely overwhelmed but, in his defence, he was only an assistant to tour boss Sir Clive Woodward.

The Lions chief needs to be a man motivator, something McGeechan has become renowned for during his lengthy career, and uniter of nations, which he has been far more accomplished at than any of his predecessors with the Lions. With him at the helm and Shaun Edwards destined to be his sidekick - an even stronger motivational force than his Wasps co-worker - then the Lions have a monumental shot at getting back to winning ways when they travel to South Africa next year.

It's just the small matter of who he takes with him. Let the speculation begin...

Is Ian McGeechan the right man to lead the Lions? And who would be your Lions XV to take on the Springboks? We want to hear your views so get posting below...

From the Touchlines: Johnno's first squad

Martin Johnson gave the first indications of his England reign when naming his 32-man squad to tour New Zealand next month earlier today.

As expected, Bath lock Steve Borthwick was named captain, albeit temporarily with regular captain Phil Vickery currently out injured. Borthwick is an obvious choice as skipper - he led England in Vickery's absence against Italy and has the same no-nonsense approach to both his leadership and playing as Johnno did during his playing days.

The main talking point of the squad is not the captain, however, but the players that have been dropped. Notable absentees are in the backline, with Iain Balshaw and Lesley Vainikolo, who played in every game of the Six Nations under Brian Ashton, left out of the squad altogether. Both players were heavily criticised for their lacklustre displays in the tournament and their removal entirely sends out the message that Johnson is moving things on.

Harder decisions for Johnson, however, were leaving behind former fly-halves Ryan Lamb and Shane Geraghty. With Danny Cipriani still massively inexperienced, the former England captain has opted for the experienced back-up of Charlie Hodgson and Olly Barkley - a wise decision for a rugby territory as unforgiving as New Zealand.

Looking over the 32 players in the squad, the major surprises are few and far between. Lock Simon Shaw's massively unlucky to miss out. In an ironic twist, it was Johnson who kept him outside of England's starting XV for so many years.

As for the six new faces: Topsy Ojo, Danny Care, Jason Hobson, Dylan Hartley, David Paice and Nick Kennedy, they're all worthy of a chance against what will be an under-strength but still formidable New Zealand line-up. So all in all we'd give Johnson a thumbs-up for his first squad.

What do you make of Johnson's first England squad? Has he included and left out the right people? Post your comments below...

From the Touchlines: Transfer gossip

Managerial moves are hogging the limelight in the rugby union transfer market this week, with Leicester and Newcastle both on the look-out for a new coach.

Both posts now look likely to go to foreigners. South African World Cup-winning coach Jake White is the prime candidate to replace Marcelo Loffreda at the Leicester Tigers after Loffreda struggled to make his mark in his first season at the club.

Meanwhile, further north at Newcastle, Australia's John Connolly now appears the favourite to take the helm. The former Bath coach is a free agent having stepped down as Wallabies boss following their World Cup quarter-final exit against England.

Also on the coaching front, Sale have a battle on their hands to hold on to director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre. French giants Stade Francais are lining up a deal for the former French wing to replace Fabien Galthie, who has opted to take a break from the game.

On the playing side of things, Harlequins are on the verge of announcing the double signing of All Blacks fly-half Nicky Evans and Australian lock Daniel Vickerman. Meanwhile, Evans's international team-mate, Dan Carter, will not be joining Leicester after all and is weighing up wether to join Toulouse, Toulon or Perpignan.

What do you make of the above movers and shakers? Do you have any rugby rumours of your own? We want to hear them so post your comments below.

From the Touchlines: Transfer gossip

There's been another week of rugby transfer rumours as the Guinness Premiership draws to a close. We find out the latest and want to hear yours...

Former France flanker Serge Betsen is expected to put pen to paper on a deal with Wasps for the start of next season. Betsen has long-term been linked to the club but Wasps initially appeared to have lost out in the bidding war for the Frenchman. However, despite rivalry from a host of Premiership rivals, the Londoners will finally bag their man this week.

There could be a host of Premiership big names on the market this summer, among them Gloucester duo Chris Paterson and Jeremy Paul. Paterson has struggled to settle in the west country and may walk out of Kingsholm after just one season while ex-Wallaby Paul has barely started for the club this season.

Elsewhere, Leicester centre Ollie Smith has made no secret of the fact that he'll be leaving Welford Road at the end of the season. A host of Premiership clubs have tabled offers for the player but he is expected to chase the big money in France this summer.

And finally, Leeds flyer Tom Biggs could be on the market with his club destined for the drop to National League One. However, teams would be forced to fork out for his services with the Tykes slapping a £100,000 price tag on their star man.

We want to hear your transfer rumours. Have you heard any? Also, which players would you like to see on the move to your club? Post your comments below.

From the touchlines: Johnno in, Ashton out

It seems finishing as runners-up in the World Cup and Six Nations is not enough nowadays. Unsurprisingly, Brian Ashton has been forced out of the senior England picture by the RFU and new team manager, Martin Johnson.

While the appointment of Johnson has to be a shrewd move, Ashton - a likeable, conscientious, proud man - has been treated shabbily at best, downright disgracefully at worst. The speculation, rumours and indecision have festered for too long. Now he's been given the demoralising and humiliating option to coach the youngsters instead.

England's performances in the Six Nations were bizarrely inconsistent, but, against Ireland, Ashton seemed to strike gold. With his wish for a team manager belatedly granted, it seems harsh for Ashton to play no part in the Johnson revolution.

Detractors will cite the disgraceful capitulation to Wales, the utterly lamentable surrender at Murrayfield and a World Cup supposedly rescued by a virtual player mutiny in the face of confused Ashton tactics.

Despite telling Orange during the World Cup he wasn't experienced enough to take on the job, Johnson begins his reign knowing second best is unacceptable.

Do you think Ashton should have been replaced? Who should become the new senior coach? Is Johnson the right man for the job? Send in your views below.

From the Touchlines: EDF Cup final predictions

Last weekend, From the Touchlines predicted that Perpignan, Gloucester, the Ospreys and Toulouse would be victorious in their Heineken Cup quarter-finals. We could hardly have been more wrong, with Toulouse the only side from that quartet to reach the quarter-finals.

This weekend, sees the Ospreys in action once more - this time in the EDF Energy Cup final as they take on Premiership side Leicester. The Welsh side will be smarting after their shock defeat to Sarries last weekend. However, injuries are taking their toll and the Tigers have a formidable record in cup competitions at Twickenham.

So, we're tipping Leicester to walk away with the silverware come Saturday and what's more, we expect wing Tom Varndell (pictured) to provide the fireworks en route to a 26-19 winning scoreline.

Do you agree with our prediction or do you expect the Ospreys to hit back after their European disappointment? Post your thoughts below...

From the Touchlines: Transfer gossip

The rumour mill's been in overdrive once more as the domestic rugby season draws to a close with a host of reported transfers looming...

Ospreys centre Mark Taylor looks set to move to Exeter Chiefs as the club prepare a full title for promotion to the Premiership next season. Taylor's opportunities have been slim at the Welsh giants this season and is keen on ending his career with the Chiefs. Chiefs director of rugby Pete Drewett, who last week announced new deals for a host of his big-name players for next season, is also said to be lining up a deal for Northampton prop Chris Budgen.

Staying on the player front, Newcastle are bidding to bring another All Black to the north east in the form of Brad Thorn. The second-rower, who has 12 New Zealand caps, is keen to team up with former team-mate Carl Heyman at the Falcons.

Meanwhile, Neil Back could be on his way out of Leicester with a host of clubs keen to snap up the former England flanker, while Martin Johnson is also keen to bring Back into the England fold for next season.

Got any more rugby gossip? If so, we want to hear it so post your comments below.

From the Touchilnes: Heineken Cup predictions

We're going to go out on a limb and back Gloucester to win the Heineken Cup outright as they prepare for the quarter-finals of European rugby's premier tournament.

The Cherry and Whites have an almighty obstacle in their way at Kingsholm on Saturday in the form of Munster, one of the most successful sides in the history of the competition.

However, with good weather predicted, Gloucester's electric backs ought to have the beating of Munster's forward-dominated side, even taking into consideration the Irish team's All Black flyer Doug Howlett.

Gloucester have a double battle on their hands as they go for European and Premiership glory but they're our pick to go all the way in the tournament.

Three-time tournament winners Toulouse look a solid bet to ease pass David Young's Cardiff Blues while we tip Perpignan to just edge London Irish.

Perhaps the toughest of the quarter-finals to call is between Saracens and Ospreys. Sarries have been in fine form and are playing at home but the Ospreys are just a bit too good.

Anyway, here's our predictions for the four matches in full:
London Irish 21-23 Perpignan
Gloucester 19-12 Munster
Saracens 20-36 Ospreys
Toulouse 38-9 Cardiff Blues

What do you make of our predictions and who's your tip to win the Heineken Cup? Please post your comments below...

From the Touchlines: Transfer gossip

Stade Francais are insisting Leicester provide a player plus cash deal for playmaker Juan Martin Hernandez.

The Argentinian, who starred at the World Cup, looks a certainty to join the Tigers next season but Stade want either prop Martin Castrogiovanni or wing Tom Varndell plus a sizeable fee for any deal to go ahead.

The signs are that Hernandez has already agreed to sign, with fly-half Andy Goode on the verge of quitting the club and joining French side Brive for next season despite having a year left on his current contract.

Saracens are the other Premiership side making big moves in the transfer market this week, with the Londoners linked to Australia scrum-half Matt Henjak and Fiji full-back Iliese Keresoni.

However, Gloucester's audacious bid to sign Ireland lock Donncha O'Callaghan looks to have faltered with the Munster star looking to agree a new deal to stay in Ireland next season.

Do you have any transfer gossip of your own? If so we want to hear it or else let us know which players your club should sign over the summer...

From the Touchlines: Transfer gossip

New Zealand fly-half Nick Evans has started a bidding war for next season between Leicester and Harlequins, although the clubs will have to fork out £300,000 a year for his services.

Evans is seen as a back-up plan by the Tigers, who are still keen to secure the services of Juan Martin Hernandez, while Quins are desperately on the look-out for a world-class fly-half after Adrian Jarvis's recent move to Bristol.

Other All Blacks on the move include lock Ross Filipo, who is searching for a move to England, and Northampton Saints scrum-half Mark Robinson, who Wasps have been tipped to snap up. In the final bit of transfer gossip this week, Wallaby Rocky Elsom's big-money move to Leicester now looks dead and buried because of his ever-increasing wage demands.

Do you have any gossip from your club or is there a player you'd like to sign? We want to hear your rumours and comments so post below...

From the Touchlines: Johnson's a must for England

England coach Brian Ashton looks certain to hold on to his job when the RFU make an official decision over the way forward for England rugby next week but, as to who comes with him, is very much open to discussion.

Ashton's preferred choice of Phil de Glanville as team manager looks unlikely to be agreed by the RFU, mainly due to his inexperience. Rob Andrew's first choice as manager is clearly Martin Johnson but, depending on what newspaper you read, that may or may not happen.

There's no denying the ex-England captain has been offered a role by Andrew but there are plenty of obstacles still to overcome: first off he must find a way of working with Ashton and he must also get approval from the RFU board. Another stumbling block is Johnson's apparent desire to have Austin Healey as backs coach (Ashton's domain) despite Healey's complete inexperience in the role, and there is some suggestion Johnson won't take the job without his ex-team-mate.

We'd give our full backing to getting Johnson on board. Both the fear and respect he'll instill in his players is second to none, he'll take no nonsense from either the coaches, players or the RFU for that matter. And if he can find a way to work with Ashton, England should get themselves back to the top of the tree in no time.

Do you think Martin Johnson's the right man to inspire England and should Brian Ashton stay on as national coach? We want to hear your views so post your comments below...

From the Touchlines: Transfer gossip

The Six Nations may be over but, with the season drawing to a close, the transfer speculation is mounting over who's going where in the Premiership over the summer.

Bath lock Danny Grewcock, who was overlooked by England during the Six Nations, is lining up a shock move to National League One Exeter. However, Grewcock, who owns a house in Devon, will see out the final year of his Bath contract by which time he is confident the Chiefs will have been promoted to the Premiership.

There is mounting speculation that Wasps' dynamic flanker James Haskell is on the move imminently. Haskell, tipped by many as a future England captain, has grown frustrated at the London club and is keen to go elsewhere. However, the cost of such a high-calibre player has massively cut the number of potential suitors.

And finally this week, Jonny Wilkinson and his Newcastle team-mates could see their ranks swelled by France flanker Serge Betsen at the club. Betsen had been lined up by former Newcastle boss John Fletcher and, despite Fletcher's recent departure, it is thought Betsen could still make a big-money move to the club from France.

Do you have any gossip of your own? We want to hear it and any of your rugby-related comments...

From the Touchlines: Team of the tournament

The Six Nations drew to a close at the weekend with Wales deservingly crowned Grand Slam champions for the second time in four years after a stunning tournament.

With the dust now settled on the championship, we pick out our team of the tournament:
15 Lee Byrne (Wales)
14 Vincent Clerc (France)
13 Tom Shanklin (Wales)
12 Gavin Henson (Wales)
11 Shane Williams (Wales)
10 Ronan O'Gara (Ireland)
9 Mike Blair (Scotland)
1 Andrew Sheridan (England)
2 Dimitri Szarzewski (France)
3 Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy)
4 Lionel Nallet (France)
5 Nathan Hines (Scotland)
6 Jonathon Thomas (Wales)
7 Martyn Williams (Wales)
8 Sergio Parisse (Italy)

Anyway, we want to hear your team of the tournament and to find out what you made of ours so post your comments below...

From the Touchlines: Weekend predictions

England have been written off by all and sundry ahead of the game against Ireland but we're going to take a punt and tip Brian Ashton's men to turn things around at Twickenham come 3pm on Saturday.

Anyone who watched the Scotland game might think we're barmy but England have a reputation for pulling it out of the bag when the pressure counts so we'd tip them to outplay and outscore Ireland this weekend, despite the fact the Irish look to be showing good form at this stage of the tournament.

Also, we're tipping Scotland to slip up in Rome against Italy while in the remaining match of the weekend we expect the French to do the unthinkable and dash Wales' Grand Slam dream.

So, here's our predictions in full:
England 29-15 Ireland
Italy 15-12 Scotland
Wales 21-25 France

Anyway, what do you think of our predictions? Have we lost the plot or are we spot on? Also, let us know your plans for Saturday's big day of rugby. Post your comments below...

From the Touchlines: Worse to come for England?

England coach Brian Ashton's week could be set to go from bad to worse with a vital part of his England backline demoralised by a week of turmoil at club level.

Centre pairing Toby Flood and Jamie Noon - along with substitute Jonny Wilkinson - were hit with a further setback to the Scotland video nasty last weekend with Newcastle boss John Fletcher being removed of his duties at the club.

The news is particularly instrumental to Flood, whose mentor for the past 11 years has been Fletcher, and talking to the press yesterday it was all too apparent that Flood's confidence is shot to pieces. And at a time when new fly-half Danny Cipriani needs all the experience and guidance he can get, the man outside him hardly sent out a warning call to Ireland at the end of his chat with the press. His reasurring summary at the end of it all was: "I struggle to make my mark on games and more often than not end up in limbo".

Ireland's backline are hardly likely to be quaking in their boots with such sentiments and worse could be to follow for Ashton come Saturday.

Will it be a case of worse to come this weekend for Flood, Ashton and England? We want to hear your views so post your comments below...

From the Touchlines: Is it the end for Jonny?

This morning's newspapers are awash with Wilkinson stories, deeming it a case of Gone Jonny Gone after he was axed by Brian Ashton, and every pundit worth his salt has weighed in with their opinion on the matter.

The general consensus is that Wilkinson's international career is over after 69 caps but that's utter nonsense. For starters, he's not been dropped from the squad - he's on the bench for Saturday's game against Ireland - and secondly he's as driven as ever, which is typified by the two hours he spent in the gym on Sunday morning despite nursing aches and pains from the Scotland game.

Ashton's decision might just be what's needed for Wilkinson as he tries to lift his game to another level and it also might expose the lack of decision making by those around him. Richard Wigglesworth and Toby Flood are both superb players but neither man has rushed to make the big decisions in the game. That's been left to Wilkinson and the inexperienced Danny Cipriani could, like Jonny, be left out on a limb this weekend if Messrs Flood and Wigglesworth fail to step up. It might be a fear factor - with Jonny held so high on a pedestal for so long - that's held that pair back and, with a fly-half as green as Cipriani running the show, they know they'll have to take greater responsibility.

So, it might just prove a midas touch by Ashton and it might bring the very best out of Wilkinson for future seasons. He may be a little out of the limelight for now but has every aim of being at the 2011 World Cup and I for one wouldn't bet against him.

Do you expect Wilko to bounce back or is this the end of his international career. We want to hear your comments...

From the Touchlines: Wilko axe not enough

Around about lunchtime in Bath, England coach Brian Ashton finally decided to go for broke, do the unthinkable and axe the former wonderkid of English rugby, Jonny Wilkinson.

There's no denying that replacing him with the new wonderkid in Danny Cipriani was the right choice and perhaps a tad overdue after some lacklustre displays in this Six Nations from the Newcastle fly-half - not least of all his virtual no-show against Scotland. But it's unfair that Wilko should be the sole scapegoat from that match. How on earth Ashton made just a solitary change after such an abject performance is completely baffling.

Wing Lesley Vainikolo looked like a player learning the rules - which he is - and made three or four absolute clangers before half-time. How he stays in the side ahead of Mark Cueto, James Simpson-Daniel or Josh Lewsey is absolutely extraordinary.

Then there's the Newcastle midfield of Toby Flood and Jamie Noon who lacked any imagination, with the usually hard-hitting Noon even lacking that against the Scots. And to round off the backline misery, Iain Balshaw's still there.

So, looking at it, Ashton's made one good call in replacing Wilkinson and giving nightclub regular Cipriani his first start (you can be sure he'll be steering clear of London's W1 this week!) but he's missed the chance to do something radical and save a job which may no longer be his after the weekend.

Was Ashton right to axe Wilko and is Cipriani the man to replace him? What would your England XV be - are there other players you'd replace? We want to hear your comments so post them below...

From the Touchlines: Last post for Ashton

Unless England put together an all-singing, all-dancing performance against Ireland in the final round of Six Nations matches, Brian Ashton will be axed as national coach.

The Rugby Football Union bosses have finally lost patience with England's stop-start form under Ashton, particularly after the abject performance against Scotland, which pundits deemed as the worst by England for quarter-of-a-century. Ironically, Ireland - the team that sacked Ashton after just a year at the helm in 1997 - hold the key to the Lancastrian's future.

RFU boss Rob Andrew is thought to be putting together a proposal to sign South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White, the union's first choice in the winter despite Ashton guiding England to the World Cup final last October.

Ashton's stock has fallen so rapidly in the last five months that even Sir Clive Woodward has turned on his former friend, hitting out at his decision to axe Danny Cipriani for the Scotland game, saying, "If I'd dropped every player who had not got to bed by one o'clock I wouldn't have had anyone in the team".

Has the time come to axe Ashton and is White the man to replace him? We want to hear your views...

From the touchlines: Ashton on the brink

Only England could win convincingly in France and follow up with such a pitiful display against Six Nations whipping boys Scotland.

The disastrous 15-9 defeat once again leaves beleagured fans questioning the future of coach Brian Ashton and pondering the fading Jonny Wilkinson's right to his place in the side, despite the fly-half breaking the world record Test points tally.

Wilko was woeful. Unable to influence the game with his below-par tactical kicking and decision-making, Ashton replaced him with 10 minutes remaining. Captain Phil Vickery is also unable to last a full 80. Why, therefore, is he captain? Other experienced players - Andrew Sheridan, Steve Borthwick and Simon Shaw - were also at fault, crucially accumulating a penalty count double that of the disciplined Scots. The immaculate Chris Paterson made them pay.

Then there's Ashton's treatment of Danny Cipriani, which he defended vociferously, but attracted unrelenting criticism. Did this contribute to England's horror show?

After such a result the talk was always likely to centre around England's woes, but Scotland must be lauded for their resolve. Coach Frank Hadden lives to fight another day and with the determination, togetherness and strong defence on display at soggy Murrayfield, they have something on which to build. England, on the other hand, sink further into the sand.

What's your view on Brian Ashton and Jonny Wilkinson's future? Should Phil Vickery remain captain? Is this the start of something for Scotland?

From the Touchlines: What Danny did next

This morning's tabloids are full of revelations of Danny Cipriani's nightclub shenanigans, with the time of his spotting by the snappers varying from 12am to 2.30am depending on the paper you read.

The outcome is that the Wasps wonderkid has been handed his punishment - a one-match ban for the Six Nations game against Scotland. But while everyone has weighed into the debate, with Lawrence Dallaglio, Shaun Edwards and Matt Dawson all insisting England coach Brian Ashton has lost his marbles in dishing out the penalty, Cipriani has handled himself admirably.

He's come out in the papers and apologised saying, "I had made a mistake and I am truly sorry but at least I have not done something - I hope - people in the game can't forgive me for." Perhaps even more touchingly, he added: "I am now totally heartbroken not to be taking part in the match."

Such words are likely to have at least marginally appeased Ashton and his RFU head honchos but what Cipriani does now is even more important. He's been selected for the all-London derby against Harlequins on Sunday and you get the impression he's going to have a blinder to prove a point. Hopefully, the England ban will have the desired effect and Cipriani will become a stronger player because of it.

How do you think Cipriani has handled himself and will this punishment hold him in good stead? Also, who would you bring in to replace him - would it be Ashton's choice of Iain Balshaw?

From the Touchlines: Cipriani dropped

Imagine you've just been handed your first England start and then given the day off. What do you do? Well, if your name's Danny Cipriani, you get photographed coming out of a London nightclub in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Cipriani's idiocy was met with him being unceremoniously dumped from the starting line-up to face Scotland less than 48 hours after he was first named at full-back, a fair enough punishment considering he and his team-mates were given a 12am curfew.

However, what's not clear is who was behind the punishment. It's been suggested - at least publicly - that coach Brian Ashton was the man dishing out the penalty but there are suggestions that Ashton was merely acting out to his puppeteers on the Rugby Football Union board.

Whoever's responsible, what it means is that one of the most exciting talents in world rugby won't get his first international start and, instead, the habitually under-achieving Iain Balshaw will start in the No.15 shirt instead.

Is Cipriani's punishment fair or too harsh? And does he deserve to return for the final game of the Six Nations?

From the Touchlines: Weekend predictions

From the Touchlines makes its predictions before the weekend of matches...

There's another salivating trio of matches this weekend in the Six Nations, as Wales bid to keep alive their 100% record in this year's tournament in Dublin, a resurgent England travel to Scotland, and France host Italy. The Welsh may well have been the form side so far but, with so much instake in the Irish capital, we expect Warren Gatland's side to be derailed... just.

As for the game at Murrayfield, England look to have the making of an out-of-sorts Scottish line-up although, with ex-England coach Andy Robinson as part of their coaching set-up, the Scots will make it incredibly tough in Edingburgh. As for the final game - France v Italy at the Stade de France - it's a no-contest I'm afraid.

Anyway, here's our weekend Six Nations predictions in full:
Ireland 26-21 Wales
Scotland 15-22 England
France 41-18 Italy

Do you agree or are we totally off the mark with our predictions. We want to hear what you have to say?

From the Touchlines: Six Nations gossip

We find out all the latest Six Nations gossip ahead of the fourth weekend of tournament action in our blog, From the Touchlines...

Should Scotland pull off a surprise win over World Cup runners-up England at Murrayfield on Saturday, it'll be all down to former England coach Andy Robinson. The Edinburgh boss has been working closely with Scotland's forwards giving tips on how to disrupt England's pack and derail their Six Nations ambitions north of the border. His key focus has been on the lineout style of locks Steve Borthwick and Simon Shaw, plus the scrummaging style of Messrs Sheridan and Vickery.

Another rugby Robinson, former England full-back Jason, is making a sensational return to rugby league. The former Wigan star is set to be unveiled at a press conference in Bradford. However, those salivating at the prospect of him running rings around league defences will be disappointed. Robinson is taking up a post as an international ambassador for rugby league.

Finally, it transpires that Wales coach Warren Gatland decided his fly-half for the vital Irish game by the toss of a coin. The former Ireland boss couldn't decide between Stephen Jones and James Hook although, judging by his starting XV, the coin favoured Jones.

Let us know any of your Six Nations gossip, views and predictions ahead of a scintillating weekend of action...

From the Touchlines: Cipriani gets the nod

Wasps playmaker Danny Cipriani has been handed his first start for England at the weekend, with coach Brian Ashton finally ending his farcical expirement with Iain Balshaw.

Balshaw has consistently been one of England's poorest performers in England's three Six Nations games to date but Ashton has beumisingly decided to keep faith with him up until now when he is believed to have finally bowed to pressure from Rob Andrew and his fellow coaching set-up.

As a result, Cipriani, who plays at fly-half for Wasps but started his career at the club at full-back and will start against Scotland at 15. Another new face coming in our Tom Croft, another making his first England start after impressing off the bench against France, while Lee Mears takes Mark Regan's spot against the Scots.

Is Cipriani the right man to start at full-back for England and who would be in your England XV? We want to hear your comments...

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...

 

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...

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...

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...

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