Wednesday, January 18

Obama drama - BBC - John Beattie applauds Rory Lamont for apology over Twitter comments

English rugby failings highlighted by Irish success in Heineken Cup - The Guardian - Leicester's recent humbling by Ulster brought to light the weaknesses of Premiership sides in European competition

Cause for concern - Sky Sports - Dean Ryan highlights some potential concerns for England after round five of the Heineken Cup.

What might have been... - Scrum.com - "The scene is Twickenham on the first day of January 2012 in a parallel universe." Hugh Godwin speculates on what could have happened had England won the World Cup

England's famous brand of 'hard-men' have given way to gym-conditioned athletes - The Telegraph - Twenty-odd years ago England used to send their biggest players out on to the pitch first. As the changing room door opened, especially in the bear pit that was the Parc des Princes, Dooley, Richards, Teague and Skinner followed Carling into the tunnel

Euphoria over Six Nations selection must wait as crucial Heineken Cup ties come knocking - The Telegraph - There will be a lot of very happy players across the Six Nations who have recently been picked for their national squads

Can All Blacks maintain intensity? - Scrum.com - "Hansen now faces a very different challenge and very different pressures, creating an All Blacks side capable of winning in England in 2015" Huw Turner writes

Our special dinner suddenly became unforgettable - London Evening Standard - The Saracens full-back reveals the moment when his team-mates found out they had made the new England squad

Meet England's new boys - BBC - The nine uncapped players in England's elite squad for Six Nations