Can Jamie Heaslip rediscover his best against Munster? © Getty Images

Hugh Farrelly looks at the form of Jamie Heaslip as the No.8 attempts to inspire Leinster to victory at the home of their fierce rivals, Munster, in The Irish Independent.

"It is a powerful statement by Schmidt, considering he has an Ireland and Lions captain lining out at 13, but just as Brian O'Driscoll has frequently been an inspirational figure for his province and country, so too has Heaslip, and he needs a big one tonight.

"The No 8 was the target of concerted criticism through the Six Nations and in the depressing aftermath and, while some of it veered into the realms of hysteria, given his altered role in the Ireland back-row, it is fair to say he was outshone in each of those Tests by his opposite number.

"With Sean O'Brien rested along with Cullen ahead of next week's Heineken Cup quarter-final, there will be a greater ball-carrying onus on the Leinster captain tonight, and it is a duty you would expect him to embrace as he gears up for a powerful end-season, culminating in another shot at the All Blacks in June."

Wynne Gray has some advice for the All Black selectors following the Highlanders' Super Rugby rout of the Rebels in The New Zealand Herald.

"Mark down Smith and Smith because they should be in the All Black notebooks. They are not a southern legal firm but two Highlanders who dealt out rugby justice last night in Invercargill to the Rebel invaders.

"Halfback Aaron Smith and fullback Ben Smith starred in a rousing 43-12 victory as the Highlanders mocked the miserly margins in their four previous victories this season.
That sequence showed four, three, two and one-point advantages but as the Highlanders headed to their most southern ground in Invercargill, their winning margin soared north.

"The Smiths brought allround eye-catching quality as did flanker Adam Thomson in a three-try return to action - after a week away with injury- with a fourth rubbed out by the TMO. Behind the flashy stuff were men like Nasi Manu, Jason Rutledge and Josh Bekhuis who brought the toil so the athletes could strut their stuff in the comprehensive second-half shutout."

Brian Ashton looks at the positives to emerge from the Rugby Football Union's decision to appoint Stuart Lancaster in The Independent.

"In applauding Stuart Lancaster's appointment as England head coach through to the next World Cup and a few weeks beyond – and yes, I believe the Rugby Football Union's choice to be a positive one – I'd like to make a couple of broader points.

"Firstly, I find it reassuring that we have an Englishman in charge of the team. I'm not arguing that nationality alone should be the deal-breaker on these occasions, but it's good to see some renewed faith in our coach education system. Stuart is a product of that system and I hope it will go from strength to strength now the powers-that-be have backed it with this decision."

Will Greenwood predicts a big occasion and possible classic when Saracens host Harlequins at Wembley in The Daily Telegraph.

"Big crowds mean big matches. Wembley expects almost 90,000 people to turn up for Saracens v Quins on Saturday, setting a world record for a club game. The perfect scenario for what could be a classic.

"Saracens won the last encounter 19-11 in front of 82,000 at Twickenham on Dec 27. One section of play told you everything you need to know about Saracens. They were camped on their own line with the clock ticking, but even though they were winning they did not want to give Quins a sniff, no bonus point, nothing.

"They win a scrum penalty thanks to their power. They kick to touch, win a line-out brilliantly off the top from Steve Borthwick, showcasing the precision of their set piece. Then fly-half Charlie Hodgson puts some lovely width on the ball and releases Alex Goode."

Robert Kitson believes that England's new head coach - Stuart Lancaster - can use the element of surprise to his advantage in South Africa, in The Guardian.

"There is a scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid where the two outlaws are being tracked by an unknown posse with an uncannily good sense of direction. "Who are those guys?" mutters Paul Newman, gazing down at his persistent pursuers. The rugby coaches of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand may just be murmuring something similar following Stuart Lancaster's long-term appointment as England's head coach. No one likes an enemy about whom they know dangerously little.

"This will clearly be to Lancaster's advantage, at least for the next couple of months. England may be due to undertake a demanding summer tour of South Africa, comprising three Tests and two midweek games, but are unrecognisable in outlook from the unloved crew who returned from the World Cup last October. Their new permanent head coach has already described the June tour as "crucial" and made clear that England's players cannot afford to squander the progress made during the Six Nations. South Africa are rebuilding, too, and their new coach, Heyneke Meyer, is no slouch."

Stuart Lancaster was all-smiles after being appointed as England's new head coach © Getty Images

The Independent's Chris Hewett applauds the RFU's decision to appoint a coach as England's new boss.

"The first point to be made about the new England head coach, Stuart Lancaster, is that he is... a coach. Now, there's a novelty. Almost precisely four years ago, the Rugby Football Union sacked Brian Ashton – perhaps the finest coach in Europe; indisputably a coach who had just guided the national team to a World Cup final, closely followed by a runners-up finish in the Six Nations – and, in its infinite wisdom, replaced him with an individual who had no experience of running a whelk stall, let alone a professional sporting set-up. It was not so much a high-risk strategy as a simple-minded, wholly illogical affront to common sense.

"If Martin Johnson, a great international player and captain embarrassingly miscast as a manager largely on the whim of the discredited former RFU chairman Martyn Thomas, produced over the course of his grim-faced and joyless tenure a side who would duly perform like whelks in New Zealand when supposedly fighting for the Webb Ellis Cup, it could hardly be described as progress. Progress is what has happened since Christmas, not what happened before it."

Iol.co.za previews the likely course of the South African Rugby Union's annual general meeting in Cape Town on Friday.

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly previews the RaboDirect PRO12 clash between Munster and Leinster this weekend.

"After Ireland's slow retreat from Twickenham, tomorrow evening's Munster-Leinster clash in Thomond Park has taken on the mantle of an essential pick-me-up.

"And there is a great deal to anticipate. There will be a full house, a throbbing atmosphere, songs, chants, colour and people in antlers walking around on stilts -- not to mention a full-blooded contest between two of the top teams in Europe.

"It is a fixture that carries all the hype, hoopla and high- profile coverage that goes with marquee matches in the modern, professional game.

"That is the way it is now for one of Ireland's biggest growth sports of the past 12 years and it is in stark contrast to what you will find in the sparsely attended grounds and clubhouses around the country a few hours earlier -- now providing a faint echo of the way it used to be."

The Scotsman's David Ferguson reports on the Scottish Rugby Union's decision to retain coach Andy Robinson despite a woeful run of results.

"ANDY Robinson will remain Scotland’s head coach at least for another year but the decision taken by the Scottish Rugby Board and chief executive Mark Dodson yesterday to back him after a string of defeats has polarised opinion.

The Scotsman caught up with three leading ex-internationalists, Andy Irvine, John Jeffrey and Roy Laidlaw. All three savoured success and endured runs of defeats in a Scotland jersey, and all have held leading roles in the Scottish game, but their views on Robinson differed.

Irvine, the Lions tour manager for the 2013 trip to Australia, said: “I think it’s the right decision by Andy to carry on and by the SRU to back him, and it’s a good thing for the Scottish game right now."

"...Laidlaw disagreed, however, and insisted that, having been given the SRU’s backing, Robinson must now look to add Scottish talent to his coaching team and consider a new selection panel.

“It’s amazing the support that he has got,” said the former Scotland scrum-half and captain. “I think anybody else would have been out before now with those results. It worries me that there are not Scottish coaches involved. If he is that good a coach he should be able to bring on Scottish coaches."

In his column for The Guardian, Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards backs England to hold their own against South Africa this summer.

"If any coach has to build a side out of wreckage – effectively what Lancaster had to do after the World Cup – then the first thing is to make them hard to beat, something Lancaster had done by that third round. Subsequent wins in Paris and then convincingly against Ireland, merely confirmed that a good coaching team was in charge.

"Next up for that team come the Springboks, a real test. No side has ever found it easy to win in South Africa, but I'm convinced that in Durban, Johannesburg and then Port Elizabeth, England will again be hard to beat and we should continue to see the really true advantage to giving Lancaster the job.

"Look at some of the players he's already put in England shirts – Owen Farrell, Ben Morgan, Brad Barritt and Geoff Parling – and you see what I mean. As Saxons coach for three years, he learned what was around outside the Test squad selected by Martin Johnson and I suspect that knowledge will continue to be a strength as England develop.

"An understanding of the skills and, just as importantly the character of the players out there, is something Lancaster has at his finger tips. Given the breadth of the English game, the size of the league structure, Mallett or White would have needed to devote seven days a week for months to catch up, while Lancaster could well continue to produce aces from the pack."

The Six Nations caretaker was the popular choice to be promoted to head coach but he is a calculated risk according to The Guardian's Richard Williams.

"It was in Twickenham's Shakespeare Room that the coronation of Stuart Lancaster took place on Thursday, surrounded by black and white photographs from a golden age of English classical theatre: Gielgud and Rigg, Tutin and Richardson, and Olivier and Leigh together in a famous production of Macbeth.

"If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me," the Thane of Cawdor remarked, and Lancaster may still be rubbing his eyes at all the good fortune that has befallen him in the weeks since he was plucked from the relatively obscure job of coaching the Saxons, England's second string, to take charge of the ruins left smouldering after Martin Johnson's three-and-a-half-year reign.

"I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people," Macbeth also claimed but the only opinions that mattered to Lancaster were those of Ian Ritchie, the recently installed chief executive of the Rugby Football Union, and the other members of the panel convened to select a new head coach: Rob Andrew, the RFU's performance director, Sir Ian McGeechan, performance director at Bath, Conor O'Shea, the director of rugby at Harlequins, and – most reassuring of all for those who remember how his performances provided England with an absolute guarantee of quality – Richard Hill, the World Cup-winning blindside flanker of 2003."

The Daily Telegraph's Brendan Gallagher lists the reasons why they think the RFU appointed Stuart Lancaster as England's new coach.

"...3. Honesty: Lancaster has been straightforward and open in his approach to both the players and media.

"In the absence of a huge body of achievement in his coaching career prior to this Six Nations – two seasons with Leeds which included just two Premiership wins and a couple of successful Churchill Cup campaigns with England Saxon – Lancaster had to rely largely on making an immediate impact with the players on a personal level with his integrity and good sense.

"Not to mention a ferocious work ethic which has seen him consistently put in 17-18 hour days for the last three months.

"In his personal conduct and dealing with the players and media he has led by example and hasn't forgotten to smile along the way.

"You don't get the impression with Lancaster that coaching England is a burden and all this transmitted itself immediately to the England fans and the grassroots game. The players support him, the fans support him

"4. Discipline and integrity: No way is Lancaster a soft touch. In retrospect, probably the absolute key to his emergence was that decision back in January to ban Danny Care – bang in form for Harlequins and his star pupil at the Leeds Academy some years ago.

"Care was dropped for the duration of the Six Nations following his conviction for a drink drive offence.

"It was the first major decision Lancaster had to make, the hardest and the best. He bit the bullet and needed to do what needed doing after the 'misbehaviour' of some players in the World Cup. Henceforth, England players would be expected to conduct themselves with a certain dignity on and off the field.

"Anybody falling short of those standards would not be considered. End of story.

"Player power was officially over. Lancaster might have been appointed "interim coach" but that was the brave action of somebody thinking much more long term."

Stuart Lancaster's appointment as England coach was widely predicted © Getty Images

Chris Foy foretold the appointment of Stuart Lancaster as England head coach in this morning's Daily Mail.

"Stuart Lancaster is on the verge of being appointed England head coach after RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie was understood to have put forward his name to the union board for final approval.

The 42-year-old Cumbrian has had an anxious wait to learn his fate since having a formal interview for the post on Thursday last week, on the same day as his main rival, Nick Mallett.
But Sportsmail understands that the South African was informed this morning that he has not got the job pointing further that Lancaster is poised to be handed the permanent post.

On Monday, Ritchie and his four advisers — Sir Ian McGeechan, Rob Andrew, Conor O’Shea and Richard Hill — met for one final discussion before settling on their recommendation."

The Irish Independent's Ruaidhri O'Connor celebrates the career of Shane Horgan after the former Ireland and Leinster winger was forced to retire from the game with a knee injury.

"Appropriately for a player who soared so high during his career Shane Horgan went out at the top -- even if it took nearly a year to confirm it.

While he did play a week later when Munster ruined Leinster's double dream, the 33-year-old bows out a European champion after starring in the province's remarkable Heineken Cup final comeback against Northampton last May.

Thus, injury has claimed another of Ireland's golden generation and Horgan was as gilt-edged as they come -- perhaps ranking alongside Denis Hickie and just behind Tommy Bowe as one of the greatest wingers of the professional era. His career mirrored the growth of Irish rugby's most successful era and the former Meath minor footballer was one of the first of many stars to emerge, despite not having gone to a 'rugby' school."

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Nick Pearce charts the rise of the Premiership ahead of the top of the table clash between Saracens and Harlequins which is set to draw 85,000 to Wembley.

"Then Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall and his Harlequins counterpart Conor O’Shea played alongside each other for London Irish in the Premiership’s maiden season of 1997/8 the biggest home crowd they could hope for at The Avenue in Sunbury was 5,000.

Now, 15 years later, the two Irishmen will lead their sides into battle in a London derby in front of a projected crowd of over 85,000 at Wembley. The Premiership has come a long way."

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie faces up to his side's thumping defeat to the Bulls in the Sydney Morning Herald.

"Well I wasn't expecting to be writing about a 60-point loss this week but it does give me an opportunity to put into words a completely new experience in my coaching or playing career. I feel it is warranted to discuss the pitfalls and opportunities that come with such an unwanted moment.

At this point, it's best to defer to the experts and I have sought the advice of NFL coach Bill Walsh, who dictates the five ''don'ts'' in this situation. Don't ask ''why me''; don't ask for sympathy; don't bellyache; don't keep accepting condolences; and don't blame others."

In the New Zealand Herald Patrick McKendry hails the less-celebrated New Zealand Super Rugby sides.

"Almost a third of the way through the Super Rugby round-robin stage and the Chiefs, Highlanders and Hurricanes are enjoying the high life in the New Zealand conference.

Two of the three, the Highlanders and Hurricanes, will fancy their chances of improving their positions further this weekend with home matches against the Rebels and Cheetahs, respectively, with the Chiefs facing a tougher proposition when hosting the Waratahs."

Glasgow fly-half David Weir talks to the Scotsman about his ambitions for club and country.

"David Weir may have been the young pretender having his first taste of international rugby in the RBS Six Nations Championship, but he has emerged from the tournament in pole position with Glasgow and determined to make a concerted push for Scotland’s No 10 jersey next season.

Weir’s priority is to steer Glasgow to their second appearance in the RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs in three years and, as he enjoyed a day off from training in the sunshine yesterday, his mind was turning to the prospect of facing Dan Parks and Cardiff at Firhill tomorrow night."

Richie McCaw and Dan Carter remain New Zealand's most important players © Getty Images

Writing in the New Zealand Herald, Paul Gregor believes Richie McCaw and Dan Carter will still be the All Blacks' key duo come the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

"The instant it was confirmed Dan Carter and Richie McCaw had signed until 2015, it seemed everyone wanted to challenge the wisdom of their contracts.

Perhaps it's the natural inclination of New Zealand rugby fans to be sceptical, doubtful and a little scornful even of two of the very best players to have graced the world stage. No one has much confidence that either Carter or McCaw will still be must-pick All Blacks by 2015.

Questioning McCaw is fair enough. He's 31, has played more than 100 tests in a position that frankly you'd have to be a lunatic to enjoy. Openside flankers take a pounding like no one else; their bodies exposed to all sorts of torture as they forage for the ball. It is a miracle that McCaw has managed to play as much as he has in the last decade - that his injuries have been reasonably light in comparison with others.

But how much has this great warrior got left? Can he preserve his agility and maintain that great engine? Yes, he probably can as just like Madonna, McCaw is masterful at re-invention. His game evolves and adapts to meet his changing athletic prowess and shifting global patterns."

The Scotsman reports that Scotland head Andy Robinson will confirm his future on Thursday.

"Scotland coach Andy Robinson is expected to inform the SRU tomorrow whether he believes he can continue to take Scotland forward.

Robinson stated at the end of the recent RBS Six Nations that he would take the next couple of weeks to think about the future, and, after his first wooden spoon with Scotland, whether he was confident that he was the right man to continue as Scotland’s head coach. He will meet SRU chief executive Mark Dodson at Murrayfield tomorrow for the first time since the championship ended.

Dodson, who is currently in Dublin on European rugby business, insists the meeting will be informal and he does not expect there to be a decision on Robinson’s future immediately."

Munster wing Simon Zebo talks to the Irish Independent ahead of his first-ever game against Leinster.

"I love those big games, that is why I play rugby. I love to play against the Leinsters and Ulsters and all these big teams. It is good to play in these pressure situations, that is how you find out how good you are as a player and how you get better. I can't wait for it," he said.

In the Syndey Morning Herald, Greg Growden reports on the Waratahs' attempts to finalise their squad for next season's Super Rugby tournament.

"The Waratahs are treating the re-signing of Wycliff Palu as a top priority amid concerns lucrative offers could force the Wallabies No.8 to head overseas - probably to Japan - next season.

This is one of many dilemmas facing the Waratahs coaching staff, who want to finalise their squad for next year but admit to being ''in a holding pattern'' as they are uncertain how much money they can spend on players because of speculation that the provincial salary cap applied by the Australian Rugby Union could be cut back next season.

The Waratahs have about 20 players contracted for 2013 and are confident several leading performers will re-sign in coming weeks. But there are vacant spots - both in the forwards and backs - to be filled in a 30-man contingent."

In the New Zealand Herald, Chris Rattue delivers a damning verdict on All Black Jerome Kaino's decision to leave New Zealand for Japan.

"Jerome Kaino's exit to Japan is a sporting joke because Japanese rugby is a joke in international terms. Kaino - a superstar of world rugby - is only 28 for goodness sake, far too young to spend a couple of seasons in the superannuation-slash-retirement home. The big-spending Japanese rugby corporate mobs are pariahs - they almost lured the rugby league whiz Benji Marshall a couple of years ago which would have been a disaster for that sport. The Japanese seek the world's best without a competition remotely good enough to match.

Some players love Japan and some hate it. The bottom line is none would have gone but for the money. Kaino could have tested himself and scored big in Europe's vibrant rugby atmosphere and tough forward zone. Yes, yes, yes ... money, money, money. But it's still staggering the hard nut Kaino chose Japan. On pure sporting terms, his decision makes as much sense as trying to put porridge into sushi."

Could Sir Clive Woodward return to the RFU? © Getty Images

Writing in the Daily Express, Neil Squires says Sir Clive Woodward is a genuine candidate to take over as the next England head coach.

"Woodward, the British Olympic Association’s elite performance director, is understood to have been added to the RFU shortlist for the position he vacated in 2004, alongside Stuart Lancaster and Nick Mallett.

The RFU’s five-strong appointment panel met last night to finalise their recommendation to the board ahead of an announcement later this week."

The Daily Mail's Chris Foy believes Stuart Lancaster is in such a strong position to take over as next England head coach that he was able to reject the RFU's suggestion to include a coach with added international experience in a potential coaching team.

"While each of the front-runners presented a compelling case in interviews last Thursday, Lancaster is thought to be highly optimistic he did enough in his interim stint during the Six Nations to claim the post on a permanent basis.

Sportsmail has learned that the 42-year-old former Leeds coach insisted to the interview panel that his vision for the future was founded on the continuation of the arrangements put in place for the championship — with a streamlined management including Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell as his assistants."

Gareth Griffiths writes that the Welsh Rugby Union should insist Warren Gatland does not take on the Lions head coach role full-time until after Wales' autumn internationals on Walesonline.

"The main question now is when he starts the job of trying to unlock Australia on their own turf. For it must be remembered Gatland is also the Wales coach and this consideration must be taken into account.

Lions team manager Andy Irvine said last autumn the head coach should be in-situ 12 months before the tour, meaning the successful candidate will be in place in June. Wales, of course, want Gatland to lead them into the three-Test summer tour of Australia and the four autumn internationals which include showdowns with the Wallabies and the All Blacks.

These issues are where the next few weeks of negotiations will be centred around with compromises set to take place. But there should be no question about Gatland taking charge of Wales’ summer tour."

In the Sydney Morning Herald, Paul Cully counts down the five things he's learned from the latest round of Super Rugby.

"1. The problem with players is that they are humans

Coaches dip into a bag containing all manner of motivational tricks to ensure their players are in the correct frame of mind each week. It is an impossible task, and can result in grown men sleeping on bunk beds - probably asking in those dark hours why they accepted the task in first place. So when the Waratahs – pilloried for a week - produced a response like they did on Saturday, Michael Foley must be wondering if the Tahs respond better to the stick than they do the carrot."

Tracey Nelson delivers her statistical analysis of the New Zealand franchises' latest Super Rugby fixtures in the New Zealand Herald. Piri Weepu and the Blues look away now please.

"BLUES v HURRICANES (25-26)

Like a worn-out record the Blues lineout woes continued with Jason Eaton stealing two throws off the home side, while Jeremy Thrush and Victor Vito both got one each.

Thrush also stood out as the top tackler on the night, making a total of 16.

Andre Taylor made two clean linebreaks, the first his most impressive in what was a scorching run from his own side of halfway for the Hurricane's first try and his third of the season.

Piri Weepu was guilty of four missed tackles, including slipping off Cory Jane who scored in the first half and missing Beauden Barrett in the final moments in what was to prove to be the winning of the game for the Hurricanes."

The Waratahs celebrate a late try during their Super Rugby victory over the Sharks © Getty Images

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, John Eales reflects on the latest performances of Australia's Super Rugby sides.

"Despite what was hopefully an aberration against the Bulls, the Reds are a perfect illustration of just that as they have built their reputation on entertaining results.

"This wasn't actually a journey which began under EwenMcKenzie, as previous coach Phil Mooney had an attacking mandate and assembled some of the key players to deliver on the promise, but it was honed under his astute tutelage, for he understood that to capitalise on the upside, you must first manage the downside.

"Previously, the Reds had an attacking philosophy and showed glimpses of brilliance but were error ridden; last season they combined basics with brilliance.

"Of course, as it is a subjective matter, there will be conjecture as to what exactly comprises “entertainment” and what does not.

"Entertaining rugby for mine, however, is not about the scoreline or the number of tries but how smartly a team plays the game. That's what rings the bells, and the turnstiles.

"And the smart way to play will vary. Sometimes it will be through taking on the physical confrontation through mauling, sometimes through taking it wide, all the time through excellent execution as teams take their supporters on a journey with them, educating them along the way."

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, Matt Burke believes that refs may be getting in the way of an expansive game.

"...there is still a limited understanding from the men with the whistle as to what the players are trying to achieve with the second-man play.

"A case in point was Adam Ashley-Cooper's disallowed try for the Waratahs last week. Rob Horne ran a strong line, with the Force expecting another crash ball. The defender had already made the decision to commit to the tackle, while Ashley-Cooper had run a great line to score what should have been a try from a well-worked play. Instead, the referee called it back for obstruction because the defender had thrown his arms up in desperation, shouting: "SIR!"

"The purpose of these plays, like anything in attack, is to force the defence to make a decision. This move has to be executed as close to the opposition line as possible if you are going to make the defender commit. That's when it's been done well. But the referees are blowing up the play, ruling obstruction from the attacker running the short line. I think this shows a lack of understanding from the men in the middle."

A New Zealand Herald editorial states that hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup was an experience that cannot be measured in dollars.

"New Zealand will always look back on last year's Rugby World Cup as much more than a financial success but even its financial results, now becoming available, are looking good. The International Rugby Board reports that its tournament returns are likely to show a net surplus of around $168 million, about $18 million more than it expected. Its gross commercial revenue from the 2011 event was the second highest in the history of Rugby World Cups, with revenue just 3 per cent lower than the 2007 tournament in France.

"France, as the IRB notes, hosted the tournament at the height of a global economic boom. New Zealand hosted it "amid an uncertain economic climate in a smaller domestic marketplace and in a non-European time zone".

"With television rights on top of its hosting fee, the international board is the main beneficiary of the event. The New Zealand organisers never expected to fully cover their costs with ticket sales and were relieved to beat their target with revenue of $265.5 million. The board believes the tournament has boosted New Zealand's economy by more than $500 million, but the real pay-off for this country's considerable public investment in stadiums and associated events must be measured in wider economic measures."

The New Zealand Herald's Wynne Gray believes All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has cause for concern.

"A third of the way through the Super 15, All Black coach Steve Hansen should be getting some gip from his new colleagues about his World Cup pack.

"While a majority of the backline who started the Eden Park final five months ago have slipped into some strong form, those who featured in the pack that night are not delivering a similar high standard of performance.

"Captain Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn and Jerome Kaino are in the sick bay, offshore or both, but there has been a lack of regular impact from the rest.

"Fill-in Crusaders skipper Kieran Read may be exempt from that assessment but he has operated without the same accurate sting which has become a byword for his play and that of his franchise. They are spluttering along.

"Their much-decorated scrum was embarrassed by the Chiefs' alleged alternate frontrowers and their pack was given a touch up by the Highlanders in general play."

Writing in the Irish Independent, Neil Francis believes that Ireland coach Declan Kidney's innate conservatism is the source of his team's current woes.

"At the post-match press conference in Twickenham last Saturday night, Kidney gave his most undistinguished and uncomfortable performance in front of the media. Under cross-examination, he was lit up like a Christmas decoration and that reassuring air of papal infallibility of yore had diminished into the ether. I never got the sense that the vulnerability exhibited would, in the next two or three months, bring out a hitherto unseen layer of persona that would re-evaluate and reinvent himself. I think he could start digging and running a little bit for cover. If he does he is lost. He needs to face up to and confront his innate conservatism.

"It is true that the retirement of the prescient and efficacious Paul McNaughton and the huge loss of his respected forwards coach Gert Smal has left him a little bit isolated. Kidney in the early term too was happy to have the not unsubstantial presence of O'Driscoll and O'Connell to coalesce with. Who wouldn't feel that a layer of the team's psyche and mental strength had been peeled off without them there. A real-time premonition of the abyss; the Yankees without DiMaggio and Mantle.

"You judge a coach by his actions in adversity. This season, did the coach maximise his playing resources? Did he select prudently? Did he have them prepped and primed to go from the off? Did he pick players he did not have confidence in? Did he get bushwhacked by some members of his coaching team? Did he have a definitive game plan? Did he play the referees, weather and opposition intelligently?"

Following the scrum debacle at Twickenham, former Ireland and Leinster tighthead prop Emmet Byrne attempts to demystify the dark arts of the front row. Read his thoughts in the Irish Times.

"What happen in the front row after the scrum engages?

"The loosehead cannot push forward unless he lifts first; this destabilises the tighthead. The latter must apply downward pressure. If the tighthead only applies forward pressure he’s going to be forced to stand up. He must apply forward and downward pressure simultaneously. This is where the new training regimes of the last seven of eight years in terms of props have changed, with great core strength a priority.

"The core is a link between the upper and lower body and essential to applying downward pressure. If you lock the hips down then the shoulders follow, which is so crucial.

"The understanding of the angles of the hip, knee and ankle will help when dealing with different body types and understanding where the optimal pushing position is for that given body type. Ideally you keep short steps in a scrum as they produce better leverage on going forward.

"The loosehead’s role is to attack the tighthead on opposition ball and stabilise the scrum on their own ball. There is a significant difference in the role of both loosehead and tighthead. The tighthead is doing his job if he holds the scrum and keeps it stable. The loosehead is responsible for taking the opposition tighthead out of the game."

The Scotland on Sunday's Iain Morrison casts an eye across the latest battle for the European Nations Cup.

"It’s like lifting up a boulder and discovering a colony of ants. There is an entire world of rugby out there just across the water in Europe and it remains hidden to the vast majority of fans in this country. It is growing fast, both in popularity and quality.

"In fact, below the Six Nations, there are seven divisions of European international rugby involving a whopping 35 countries.

"Georgia sit atop the pyramid while, at the opposite end of the scale, Azerbaijan are at the foot of the three-country ENC 3 division, trailing behind both Slovakia and Bosnia/Herzegovina.

"European rugby below the Six Nations is organised by FIRA, a Paris-based organisation that, according to their cheery director Gilles Bizot, is run by just two officials including himself.

"So, would he like to see the concept of promotion/relegation extended to the Six Nations itself or, like King Louis in The Jungle Book, have Georgia reached the top and have to stop?

“No,” is the simple reply from Bizot. “Georgian rugby is not nearly as strong as Italian rugby. In a one-off game the Georgians might beat Italy or Scotland but there is a huge gap between the two nations,” he adds."

Stuart Lancaster has been interviewed for the England job © Getty Images

Dean Ryan evaluates the respective merits of Stuart Lancaster and Nick Mallett as the two coaches go head-to-head for the England job in The Observer.

"In rugby terms, it does not get much bigger than this. Within a week, give or take a few days, Ian Ritchie has to take a decision that could make or break the 2015 World Cup in England.

"For the next global gathering to be a success, England have to be very strong – and to be very strong Ritchie, the new boy at the Rugby Football Union, cannot afford to pick the wrong coach. The problem is, he has nothing solid to work on. In terms of guaranteeing success, Stuart Lancaster versus Nick Mallett is a series of imponderables.

"On one side you have a guy who has, to use the phrase of the week, lifted England out of the gutter of the last World Cup in New Zealand, but has done nothing concrete to suggest he can take England from being a qualified success in a very ordinary Six Nations to World Cup winners. On the other hand you have a man with a glowing CV, but whose most successful years were up to 10 years ago."

Paul Ackford campaigns for Stuart Lancaster to be given the England job full-time, citing the coach's ability to gel a team together as a key part of his appeal in The Sunday Telegraph.

"One week on and still no puff of smoke. Congratulations to new RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie for managing to conduct the interviews for the position of permanent England coach in relative secrecy.

"There’s been some speculation: that former All Black assistant Wayne Smith is on the ticket whoever gets the nod between Nick Mallett and Stuart Lancaster, and that there may be some sort of deal whereby all three work together alongside Graham Rowntree. But no one really knows. Except Ritchie presumably.

"And if he is taking his time to get the measure of the candidates, that’s a good thing. There’s far too much flim-flam associated with international coaching. There’s no blueprint, no one individual with a monopoly on technique or ideas. Sir Clive Woodward is proof of that. Genius with England in 2003, a flop with the Lions two years later. Alchemy is the key, the way it all fits together. There’s not much else."

Former Australia fullback Matt Burke takes aim at referees' lack of understanding when it comes to 'obstruction' in The Sydney Morning Herald.

"I remember a training session with the Wallabies in Caloundra in 1998. Wayne Bennett had come along to observe. We were trying to expand our attacking prowess and had borrowed some ball-playing techniques that the rugby league boys had been using for quite some time. I'm talking about the second-man plays.

"The session went according to plan and we got through what we thought were some reasonable attacking options. Satisfied, the coaching staff thanked Bennett for his time and walked from the field.

"A few of the more inquisitive backs, however, stayed behind to talk to Bennett, making the most of a great opportunity to pick the brains of one of the best coaches in either rugby code. We asked him if we had been executing the plays correctly. In a very polite way, he said no. There were no egos among the players in taking the criticism – we wanted to soak up the advice being dished out by the then-Broncos coach."

Hugh Godwin talks to England's South African-born lock, Mouritz Botha, as he prepares for a tough tour of his homeland in June in The Independent on Sunday.

Conversing calmly on what it is like to be a South African playing rugby for England, Mouritz Botha says: "I don't know how to put this but I'm probably the proudest non-English Englishman there is. Both times we played at Twickenham in the Six Nations, I got really emotional during the national anthem, you feel the emotion rising up inside you. I had to really take a deep breath to settle it down. I'm really proud to be playing for England and really proud to live in the country."

"And how will he feel when he plays his next Test, selection permitting, considering it will be in South Africa when England tour there in June? "I think I'm representing two countries and the best way I can do that is to play well for England," says Botha. "Friends and family back there would just be really proud of me if I do well."

"And that is the thing with these questions of nationality, which have been put to many people in many sports from Tiffany Porter in athletics to Manu Tuilagi, the Samoan-born England team-mate of Botha's during the Six Nations that concluded last weekend with four wins from five matches. The rules are the rules – Botha qualifies comfortably under rugby's three-year residency regulation, having moved to the UK in 2004 aged 22 – and the rest is opinion."

Blues lock Ali Williams offers a frank assessment of his form to Wynne Gray in The Sunday Herald.

"The question, in retrospect, was a touch rambling with an impenetrable analogy about peaks reached and the potential for mental flat periods following.

"With a precision and accuracy that has mostly eluded him so far this season, Ali Williams had a direct response that does at least suggest he's not in denial about either himself or the Blues.

"Of course I had that moment [after the World Cup when I felt flat] and shoot me straight up, I am playing like shit. But what do you do? Do you live in another world and think you are not [playing badly]?"

What does Brian O'Driscoll have left to offer club and country? © Getty Images

The Irish Independent's David Kelly ponders the international future of Ireland veteran Brian O'Driscoll.

"O'Driscoll may no longer be Ireland's rugby Messiah, but the Life of Brian still has so much to offer club and country; his influence in helping Leinster's bid retain their Heineken Cup crown will be inestimable. Beyond that, Ireland's Call will once more beckon this summer.

"And, after a campaign where his absence was so often hard to quantify, thanks to Keith Earls' belated flourishing in his captain's stead, Declan Kidney must now ponder a career change as his best player enters his twilight years.

"While Earls stamped his authority on the No 13 jersey during the Six Nations, a rare discovery in a campaign utterly devoid of revelation, it has become obvious that Ireland need a replacement for Gordon D'Arcy at inside-centre.

"That O'Driscoll is qualified is manifestly clear. After all, he has done it on so many occasions before in his Ireland career to suit certain attacking moves."

Munster coach Tony McGahan talks to the Irish Times John Fallon about his forthcoming role within the Wallabies' set-up.

"McGahan has been appointed coaching co-ordinator with the Australian management team headed up by Robbie Deans and he admitted that it was the sort of job “you would chase down or apply for”.

McGahan will bring over seven seasons with Munster to an end at the end of the current campaign. McGahan was defensive coach when Munster won the Heineken Cup in 2006 and doubled up as backs coach when they retained the title two years later.

He took over as head coach when Declan Kidney was appointed Ireland boss in 2008 and since then has guided them to two Magners League titles.

“I was asked to consider the position and I certainly wouldn’t have considered going back as a specialised unit coach, whether it be defence or attack, so it’s a coaching co-ordinator’s role.

“I’ll run the whole training programme while the national side is in Test-match mode from June to December and also run the programme and the players back in their provinces from January through to June.

“So I’ll be dealing with the totality of the strength and conditioning, the medical, the rugby side of things, strategy, the review, preview of the game itself and also the individuals."

The New Zealand Herald's Patrick McKendry reflects on the Crusaders' return 'home' for the first time since Christchurch was devastated by a series of earthquakes.

"Tonight the Crusaders will play their first game in Christchurch in 22 months. Their last game there was on May 14, 2010. Even better for the team and their legions of supporters in the city, they will be playing in a new stadium, which remarkably took only 100 days to build.

"If nothing else, it is a symbol of what can be achieved when people work together - and that is a lifeline for some who have become embittered at watching a dysfunctional city council almost tear itself apart in the wake of the quakes.

"Sport can unite and bring out the best in people, and although the stadium on the former Rugby League Park in Addington still looked like a building site during the week, this humble 17,500-seat facility has a big part to play in the city's recovery."

Asia, Russia and the Americas are taking a fresh look at sevens while promoters hope the short form of the game will be rugby's big-money equivalent of Twenty20 cricket. The Guardian's Rob Kitson reports.

"Not everyone likes sevens. For others, particularly in Asia and the Americas, it is a glimpse of the future. "We're all aware sevens could take over the world game," admitted John Kirwan, the former Japan coach in Hong Kong this week. In 25 years' time, he estimates, sevens will be where Twenty20 cricket currently is relative to the traditional Test format. "Sevens will be a global game, I have no doubt. It's just how we manage that process."

"Across the Pacific Ocean in the San Diego area of California, there are further signs of rugby's tectonic plates shifting. Among the athletes training with the country's elite at the dedicated US Olympic training centre in Chula Vista are 15 specialist men's sevens players and eight women, funded courtesy of sevens' recognition by the IOC. Once this year's London Olympics are over, they are likely to be joined by a number of other high-calibre "crossover" athletes lured by the possibility of a gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. "Once we make it to the Olympics there's an opportunity to offer talented athletes another option," says Nigel Melville, the former England captain who is now chief executive of USA Rugby. "American footballers don't have quite the aerobic capacity that a rugby player does but among non-rugby athletes generally there's a lot of potential. Being part of the USOC is a huge step forward for us."

Could England recruit the World Cup winner Wayne Smith? © Getty Images

Former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith has revealed his interest in working alongside Stuart Lancaster should he be made England's new head coach. The Daily Mail reports.

"Asked if he would be prepared to work in a management team headed by Lancaster, Smith was coy, saying: 'Could I work with Lancaster? I don't know the man, I like where I am at the moment, but I respect what he has achieved. And is that question the right way round?

'I have been asked, with reference to England, if a number of strong coaches can work together. It can work, but your beliefs and philosophies need to be aligned.'

"Smith offered an emphatic tribute to the work done by Lancaster in galvanising England from a bleak position following their World Cup fiasco.

"However, he was adamant that the team's attacking game - his personal forte - would have to improve if they were to compete with the might of the SANZAR nations.

"In his therugbysite.com blog, he said: 'Stuart Lancaster has done a hell of a job in his short time. England have not played the best rugby in history, but they have come together as a team, built belief in each other and played with pride. I assume Lancaster will now get the England job on what he has achieved so far."

England's new head coach is set to receive £1 million package from Rugby Football Union according to the Daily Telegraph

"It is understood the successful candidate can expect to receive a financial package worth around £350,000-a-year, up from the £320,000 that Johnson is believed to have earned during his tenure of 3½ years.

"The salary level, while handsome, appears insignificant alongside the £6 million-a-year package that was paid to former England football manager Fabio Capello, who received a £1.5 million pay-off in February just for leaving before the end of his contract.

"It is understood that the five-man Professional Game Board panel, tasked with interviewing both candidates, would meet again on Friday to finalise their recommendation, which must be approved by the Rugby Football Union board of directors.

"The panel are chaired by the RFU’s new chief executive, Ian Ritchie, and includes Sir Ian McGeehan and Conor O’Shea, the respective directors of rugby at Bath and Harlequins, former England flanker Richard Hill and the RFU’s professional game director, Rob Andrew.

"The final call, however, will be made by Ritchie, despite the fact that he only took up his position last month as the permanent successor to John Steele."

David Kelly reports the hype surrounding the return of Irish rugby's favourite son, Brian O'Driscoll, in the Irish Independent.

"The 'sold out' signs are set to be erected around the RDS tonight for the keenly anticipated comeback of Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll.

Nearly 17,500 tickets have been sold as O'Driscoll prepares to make his first appearance of the season in Leinster colours against the Ospreys after a speedier than expected recovery from his post- World Cup shoulder surgery."

The Times' Mark Souster (behind the paywall) talks to Northampton flanker Tom Wood, who was tipped to take the England captaincy for the Six Nations before succumbing to injury and missing the entire tournament.

“I can’t get too worked up about it [the captaincy] because I never had it to lose,” Wood, 25, said. “It was not something I had to get my head around. It was a lot of hype on other people’s part. But it is frustrating to miss games, let alone Six Nations games.”

The Daily Mail's Chris Foy casts his eyes across the rest of the rugby world and charts the progress of Mexico ahead of the initial qualifying for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

"When Mexico's 'Snakes' start the countdown to the next World Cup against Jamaica on Saturday, an Englishman from St Helens will hope to ensure that the first of 184 qualifying matches ends in a home victory.

Robert Jones moved to Mexico City six years ago to teach PE, but the 31-year-old son of a rugby-mad Welshman is destined to feature in the back row for his adopted country as a more practical means of boosting the sport there.

The central American nation is one of 80 countries setting out to secure one of eight qualifying places for the 2015 tournament in Britain."

The New Zealand Herald's Dan Cleaver wonders whether All Blacks fans have seen the last of flanker Jerome Kaino in the famous shirt after lining up a move to Japan.

"World Cup hero Jerome Kaino is set to make an announcement on his future today, with the smart money on him swapping dollars for yen.

The blindside flanker, who faces six months out of the game after shoulder surgery, has been wrestling between a huge multi-year offer from at least one Japanese club, understood to be Toyota, and loyalty to the Blues and All Blacks.

Those familiar with Kaino's thinking said he had flip-floppedover the call several times as the reality of leaving New Zealand kicked in."

Owen Farrell was one of a host of young players to star in this year's Six Nations © Getty Images

Writing for the Independent, former England captain hails the emergence of some special young talents during this year's Six Nations.

"The most exciting aspect of the 2012 Six Nations was the emergence of so much new talent. So much for all those voices of doom warning us that with all the overseas players flooding our Leagues the next generation would find it impossible to materialise.

Wales, of course, have ridden the wave of youth all the way to Grand Slam glory. And to a certain extent England are in their slipstream. The likes of Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Morgan and the two props, Alex Corbisiero and Dan Cole, helped carry Stuart Lancaster's hastily assembled team to a "won four, lost one" record which few believed very likely."

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald Greg Growden says the Waratahs are set for a massive overhaul.

"The Waratahs are uncertain how many will be in their squad next year or how much they can spend, but several high-profile players are already looking elsewhere. In the 22-man squad to confront the Sharks tomorrow are two forwards who are respectively contemplating offers from England and Japan, while a third was recently seriously considering heading to France. A back-line player has had discussions with another Australian province, but was met with only lukewarm interest and now seems to be heading to Japan. A dejected back, lucky to have been re-signed this year, is also wondering where to go. Two fringe forwards, who are not playing against the Sharks, are anticipating they will soon be farewelled by the Waratahs. No matter what, the 2013 Waratahs squad will be very different to this year's group."

David Kelly hails the career of Jerry Flannery in the Irish Independent following the hooker's retirement from the game.

"Jerry Flannery won't care, now that his career has joined so many others in the history books, but the thought may offer him some solace.

His inevitable retirement after over two years of debilitating, destructive injury has denied Ireland the services of the country's best hooker of the professional era.

Better even than Keith Wood."

John Westerby meets Triple Grand Slam winner Adam Jones in The Times (behind the paywall)

"For a start, although he is one of the finest tight-heads in the game, capable of absorbing a frightening amount of force as the cornerstone of the scrum, he says he is not actually that strong.

“I’m quite strong maybe, but not much more than that,” he says. “Some of the backs are stronger than me.”

Quite an admission, perhaps one you can make only when you have three grand slams under your belt. And Jones also feels that he would have been better equipped to take on the world’s finest front rows if he had inherited more of his mother’s confrontational character.

“I’m not particularly aggressive,” he says. “If I’d got my mother’s aggression, I might not have been a bad player.”

The Guardian's Paul Rees picks through the unresolved questions thrown up by this year's Six Nations.

"The Six Nations may be over, but various loose ends remain to be tied up. England's search for a head coach goes on, the Lions will get round to interviewing for the head coach's position in Australia next year already knowing that they want Wales's Warren Gatland, and Andy Robinson will ask himself what more he can do for Scotland.

There is also the conundrum of Ireland and Declan Kidney. Wales are an example of how the performances and results of a country's teams in the Heineken Cup can be in sharp relief to how its national side gets on in the Six Nations, but the four regions there are in a state of undress."

Wales must back up their Six Nations success against the southern hemisphere sides © Getty Images

Writing for Walesonline, Delme Parfitt says Wales must use the success of Clive Woodward's England as a template for their quest to conquer the southern hemisphere.

"As the dust settles on the Grand Slam, the clamour for Warren Gatland’s Wales to progress to regularly beating the southern hemisphere big three can be summarised in one neat phrase: Do an England.

It was something Australian legend Michael Lynagh referred to in these very pages yesterday when asked about the prospects of Welsh success in the three-Test series against the Wallabies this summer.

Lynagh said the stage Gatland’s Wales are at now put him in mind of Clive Woodward’s red rose outfit at the start of the Noughties, when, as the bedrock of their 2003 World Cup triumph they began beating Australia, South Africa and yes, even New Zealand, as a matter of routine.

It was a string of successes which ensured by the time England landed in Sydney for their tilt at lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy eight and a bit years ago, they had a clutch of prized scalps in their kit bags – and they feared nobody."

David Kelly considers the current standing of Irish rugby in the Irish Independent, weighing in the continued success in the Heineken Cup along with Ireland's disappointing showing in the Six Nations.

"Yesterday morning, the IRFU posted an advertisement on their website which breathlessly announced their search for a "High Performance scrum coach". In other news, authorities are beginning tentative steps to ascertain the circumstances by which Humpty Dumpty came a cropper -- albeit the absence of a tight-head replacement is not believed to have been a factor.

Next, an Irish government minister -- say, Brendan Howlin -- will probably demand a full inquiry into the banking collapse. All around us, one can hear the sound of stable doors being slammed shut, long after horses and the over-worked Bull Hayes have bolted."

The Daily Telegraph's Simon Briggs undergoes a torturous fitness session with England fitness coach Paul Stridgeon.

“Awesome running, lads, awesome.” Paul Stridgeon, the RFU’s national fitness coach, is a naturally upbeat character.

Even as a hapless bunch of hacks lurched and spluttered their way through one of his drills, he still found something nice to say.

Stridgeon was illustrating the methods that made England one of the fittest sides in the Six Nations Championship, capable of matching the fearsomely well-conditioned Welsh team stride for stride in their epic title decider (as it turned out) at Twickenham last month."

Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie deals with the issue of injuries, adn their effect on players and teams, in his column for the Sydney Morning Herald.

"Statistically, if a player returning from injury is still carrying an element of that injury, they are twice as likely to incur more damage. Given the Super Rugby season is getting longer, the idea of rushing players back or not resting them once fatigue hits is not a smart idea.

Injuries can have a huge impact on a team. Last year in the World Cup, New Zealand almost went into shock when Dan Carter was injured, followed quickly by Colin Slade and then Aaron Cruden. In the end, their depth and back-up plan shone through, with Stephen Donald stepping up to help them win.

At the Queensland Reds, we are up to our fourth injury replacement option this season in the No.10 jersey. I do, however, have something in common with Graham Henry - we share the same optimism that the next guy can step up. It's called faith and trust."

In the New Zealand Herald Daniel Richardson looks at the challenge facing Hurricanes new recruit Tusi Pisi as he arrives in Wellington.

"Like a high school student cramming for their final exams, Hurricanes' five-eighth Tusi Pisi knows the next few weeks will be full of study.

The Samoa international arrived in Wellington this morning (Wed) and greeted his new teammates for the first time at a wet and windy Hurricanes' training at Rugby League Park in Newtown."

Wales skipper Sam Warburton receives the Six Nations trophy from Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones © Getty Images

The Daily Telegraph's Mick Cleary writers that the true test of Wales' claims to excellence will come when they face the Tri-Nations sides, starting with Australia this summer.

"The Wales captain was presented with the RBS Six Nations trophy by First Minister Carwyn Jones. It was all very fitting, all very merited, yet potentially all very distracting.

Head coach Warren Gatland is not one for front-of-house functions. Much as he too would have cherished the moment, his second clean sweep in four years, his mind will have been elsewhere. Beating the best of Europe is one thing.

New Zealand-born Gatland knows better than anyone that the true measure of excellence lies in beating the southern hemisphere."

The Independent's Chris Hewett tries to answer some of the key questions the Rugby Football Union must contemplate in the appointment of the next head coach.

"Q: Would Smith really work under Lancaster? Aren't we talking about a coach of Mallett-like stature here?

A: Funny you should say that. The Mallett-Smith ticket was the preferred choice of many an RFU insider before the Six Nations, and there are still some at Twickenham who see it as the way forward. But there is no reason to think Smith would reject out of hand a role with the current coaching team.

Indeed, there are those in favour of keeping the current trio together and adding him as a specialist attack coach. It might be an expensive option but while the RFU is short of many things, a ready supply of cash is not one of them."

Hugh Farrelly, writing in the Irish Independent, says Ireland must follow Wales' approach to bringing through world-class talent if they are to fulfill their potential.

"Rugby is the national sport in Wales, which is a huge help, whereas, while it has undergone tremendous growth in Ireland over the last 10 years, rugby still lags behind the GAA and soccer in terms of playing numbers here.

Nonetheless, there is still plenty of young talent in this country; the difference between the two countries is the willingness to give it its head while, in key positions, Ireland's pool has been shown to be worryingly shallow.

The lack of adequate cover at prop was exposed by Saturday's filleting in Twickenham and, while this is not a surprise or breaking news to anyone, the destruction of the Irish scrum has served to highlight the issue once more."

In the Scotsman Allan Massie sympathises with the frustrated Scotland supporters after another disappointing Six Nations campaign.

"The Greeks knew all about frustration. There was Tantalus chained to a pillar in the Underworld and up to his neck in water, only for the water to retreat when, tortured by thirst, he lowered his head to drink.

"There was Sisyphus too, condemned to roll a boulder up a hill, until every time just as he reached the top, it slipped away and he had to start all over again. They must surely have been Scottish rugby supporters – or indeed Scottish players or coaches. “Tantalising” is too weak a word for our experience. It’s difficult to remember that only a few weeks ago we were speaking confidently of the return of the feel-good factor."

Writing in the Irish Times, Gerry Thornely delivers a despondent verdict on this year's Six Nations whilst reserve some praise for Grand Slam winning Wales.

"A non-vintage Super Saturday to round off a non-vintage campaign. The final round of games may have spared us a Sunday afternoon kick-off, but rather typical of the tournament, it was full of crash-test-dummy rugby with fairly little in the way of ingenuity and thrills.

Fair play to Wales, like all Grand Slam-winning sides, they made their own luck, witness the end-game winning drive against Ireland which had it not yielded an erroneous penalty, would probably have earned a try, drop goal or an alternative penalty.

On that day and throughout they were hardly ever at full-strength but adapted to injuries with a sequence of young match winners – George North, Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams and Cuthbert again – coming up with match-winning plays."

Wales captain Sam Warburton lifts the Six Nations silverware © Getty Images

The Observer's Eddie Butler reflects on a glorious day for Welsh rugby.

"In the old days of the 1970s, when grand slams were won in batches of three and when Mervyn Davies towered over the European game, final victories were won the hard way, always against France. Brutally hard. It was no easier in the new age, with France again making Wales dig deep into their reserves of energy and composure. The giant Merv the Swerve, who died on Thursday, would have approved.

"Cardiff was ablaze with colour and optimism from early morning, the mood only tempered by the downpours that arrived perfectly on the cue of the forecasters and made the playing surface alive with slipperiness. France had demanded that the roof remain open, and here was the reward for the visitors, a greasy surface, perfect for messing up a party.

"There was nothing pretty on display here. This was a day of sleeves rolled up and giant arms wrapping themselves around limbs. Passing was an option but it was so much more rewarding to blast the ball into the air and set up a defensive rush. Even the one and only try was born of a defensive operation, the tackle by Dan Lydiate allowing Alun Wyn Jones to steal the ball on the floor and for Alex Cuthbert to have a rare run against forwards."

The Sunday Times' Stephen Jones hails the influence of Wales coach Warren Gatland following his side's latest Grand Slam success. (Via paywall)

"There has been a polish about his career with Wales. He made the grievous error of winning a Grand Slam in 2008, his first year in charge, and that freakish success became a millstone. Gatland and the Welsh brains trust knew they had neither the depth nor the world-class players to sustain that level of success. He has had to work for four more years to get to that stage.

"The 48-year-old is the archetypal modern coach. No doubt there is an awful lot more happening out of sight in his mind and in his activities with the team. But his easy approach, his ability to allow the coaches under him to flower and his consummate grasp of the game take him way out in front.

"Those who raised their glasses until their arms fell asleep last night might reflect on another aspect of the Gatland years and his partnership with defence coach Shaun Edwards. Gatland is a New Zealander, Edwards an Englishman. Both were available to their native countries, both are easily capable of taking major roles with those countries.

"It is indicative of a gross failure of duty by the Rugby Football Union that Edwards was allowed to slip through England’s grasp at least twice in the past five seasons. There were also times when a union that was determined to fulfil its boast to be the best should have pulled out all the stops to bring Gatland to Twickenham."

The Herald on Sunday hails the influence of former All Blacks captain and New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs on the day of his funeral.

"Jock Hobbs simply was the man who saved rugby.

"It was with those words that friends, family and rugby mates remembered the former All Black captain and New Zealand Rugby Union chairman at a funeral at Wellington's Old St Paul's church this afternoon.

"...Among his many feats and accomplishments, Hobbs will long be remembered for securing the signatures of the All Blacks on New Zealand rugby contracts when the game went professional in 1995 and a rebel league threatened to change the face of the game.

"For his efforts, he was labelled "the man who saved rugby'' - a description that was repeated at the service today, and is likely to become his epitaph in the minds of many.

"All Blacks' captain Richie McCaw told the service they had lost a great New Zealander, an All Black captain and the man who led the game."

Ireland's tour of New Zealand looks all the more daunting for their Six Nations loss to England at Twickenham, according to the Sunday Independent's Brendan Fanning.

"It's evident Ireland have suffered bad calls in this campaign but it doesn't follow that they have got a shorter straw than other teams. Statistically they were the worst in the tournament and conceding 12 [penalties] yesterday was about twice the target of winning teams. Wales, for example, conceded nine against France in Cardiff and wouldn't have been happy with that.

"So the coach has a problem on his hands here. Other things on his to-do list involve engaging with the bench sooner than he does, and getting some new blood into the team. The absence of Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell were obvious factors in Ireland's worst Championship showing since Eddie O'Sullivan's last stand in 2008, and resulted in him starting only 18 players despite the tough schedule of four in a row after the postponement in Paris."

The Scotland on Sunday's Iain Morrison picks through the pieces of Scotland's wooden spoon-clinching defeat to Italy in Rome.

"This side have now lost their last seven Tests, stretching back to that World Cup heart-breaker against the Pumas, but even this sad statistic wilts in the face of the way that the Scots have played in the last two matches. If Dublin was disappointing, especially the second half, the players never looked fully engaged in Rome and the body language screamed defeat from the time the Italian players belted out their national anthem with their usual gusto.

"...We know that this Scottish side lacks a little class but where was the anger, the passion, the blood, sweat and tears, the fight and the fury, all the traditional Scottish traits that have defined our game? It was not an issue, according to team captain Ross Ford.

"..The lineout was faultless in the opening three matches but it has imploded since then, with two lost in Dublin and six turned over in Rome. It wasn’t the only cause of defeat but it played its part."

Writing for Walesonline, Andy Howell offers his analysis of Wales' Grand Slam triumph over France in Cardiff.

"[Mervyn] Davies had skippered Wales to the second of those Grand Slams four decades ago, ironically clinched when a titanic effort was needed to keep France at bay in a Cardiff decider. And it was like 1976 all over again yesterday as Wales dug deep into their reserves to counter a fierce second-half fightback from Les Bleus.

"But ultimate glory was no more than Warren Gatland’s men deserved because they have been the stand-out Six Nations team. What made it even more rewarding was that the French reserved their best performance of the tournament for yesterday and it took enormous resolve to capture an 11th Welsh Grand Slam.

"France coach Philippe Saint-Andre had refused, as was his right, to keep the stadium roof open but his ploy backfired on two counts.

"Saint-Andre felt the GPS satellite tracking devices worn by his players would only work with the roof open. But the system simply doesn’t work at the Millennium Stadium because of the tightly-knit confines of a venue which, on emotional afternoons like this, simply has no equal. Also the heavy shower which landed on Cardiff just before kick-off resulted in slippery conditions, with Wales playing them much more wisely to dominate the first half."

The Independent on Sunday's Hugh Godwin reports from England's brutal demolition of Ireland at Twickenham.

"The set-piece domination was reminiscent of indignities suffered at England's hands by woeful Australian sides of recent memory but very rarely by opponents closer to home. When Ireland have lost at Twickenham in the Six Nations it has never been done by halves: 50 points shipped in 2000, 45 in 2002, 33 in 2008. But green has been the dominant colour; this was England's second win in the last nine championship meetings, home and away. Lacking their injured talisman, Brian O'Driscoll, and Paul O'Connell, and playing a fourth match in four weekends due to their rescheduled trip to Paris, the Irish, but for a run by Keith Earls here or there , were not a force.

"Stuart Lancaster, England's interim coach, will give the media a debrief here on Tuesday, with any possible final interview for him and another candidate or candidates to follow before the announcement of a permanent head coach. It may be noted that the vilified coaching team under Martin Johnson won this championship last year with four wins from five, but a concluding defeat in Ireland that exposed endemic problems carried over into a dire World Cup. In this Six Nations there have been nine new caps and no one fielded who will not make the 2015 World Cup. There has been a coherent plan, and Lancaster has taken responsibility for it."

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Paul Ackford is convinced the inteirm boss Stuart Lancaster is the right man for the full-time job.

"So why should Lancaster get the job on a permanent basis? Two reasons. Because he’s a good selector, far and away the most important attribute for an international coach. And because he has proved he can squeeze performances from what is still a fairly ordinary squad. There are other considerations. The fact that he inspires considerable loyalty from colleagues and players is a plus, as is his work ethic, the strain of which was etched across his face at times in Paris. Time is an issue too. Bedding in a new man with new ideas and new relationships to form would eat up at least the summer tour to South Africa and the autumn internationals against Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, leaving a dangerously short period to get England steaming into the World Cup.

"It took All Black boss Graham Henry 103 fixtures and over seven years to win a World Cup with the sport’s most talented group of athletes. Binning Lancaster would allow his replacement three Six Nations campaigns and some odds and sods of games, especially since the 2013 Lions tour would deprive him of his leading individuals, to get his act together."

Owen Farrell is loving life in the fly-half berth © Getty Images

Brendan Venter, writing for the Daily Telegraph, lauds England fly-half Owen Farrell and claims that the Saracens half-back should be at the centre of the national side for years to come.

"As Owen Farrell prepares to run out for England in their final Six Nations match he has emphatically proven that Test rugby is where he belongs and put to bed any doubts I had about Stuart Lancaster’s decision to throw him in at the deep end.

I have been watching Owen closely at my club Saracens for over two years now and his displays against Wales and France for England are the best I have seen him produce. He passed the ball well, he made some good individual breaks and he kicked his goals. They were two very complete performances for a 20 year-old.

At Saracens we have always known about the exceptional competitive spirit that Owen possesses. It was evident from day one that he is a born winner and his excellent communication skills mean this natural belief rubs off on the players around him. He also has a calmness about him, which we really like. He does not get easily flustered under pressure."

The Guardian's Richard Williams looks at the changing of the guard in the latest Wales squad.

"They all laughed when, invited to make my predictions for the 2012 Six Nations, I nominated Gavin Henson as my player of the tournament. They are still laughing now, almost uncontrollably, since Henson has yet to appear even on the Wales bench, never mind on the pitch, despite his inclusion in Warren Gatland's squad. Nor, unless some natural catastrophe carts off half the players, will he figure against France in Cardiff on Saturday.

But a serious point was being made, one reinforced by the nature of the team's performances during the march towards the brink of a third grand slam in eight seasons. It was that while all Wales is quite rightly delighted by the results, particularly since they seem to be based on firmer foundations than usual, any team wearing the red shirt have a responsibility to live up to a certain romantic ideal.

Gatland would be unlikely to give that notion much of a hearing. The New Zealander's priority – his obligation, he may say – is to create a side capable of beating the best in the world, and his very effective method has been to assemble a group of large, powerful and conspicuously fit young men whose opponents fear their physical strength."

Paul Rees, of the Guardian, sounds a note of caution to Wales about allowing Warren Gatland to take charge of the Lions.

"If Wales beat France on Saturday to win a third grand slam in eight seasons, their head coach, Warren Gatland, will be asked to take charge of the Lions in Australia (and Hong Kong) next year. He is highly likely to get the job even if they lose. The Lions committee will meet after the Six Nations to draw up interview times for the candidates. The coaches of Wales, Ireland and Scotland have been approached, but England were passed over because they are under an interim management.

Gatland, like the Scotland coach, Andy Robinson, has been involved on a previous Lions tour having been part of the management team in 2009. He is a New Zealander, and the experience of the Lions the last time they went to Australia, with the Kiwi Graham Henry in charge, was not the happiest, although forgotten in the chorus of complaints made by some players during and after the trip is an absorbing Test series that saw the tourists rise above injuries and fatigue to take the Wallabies to the final minutes of the final international."

Hugh Farrelly, of the Irish Independent, writes about his struggle to dislike the latest England side.

"English arrogance is a phrase we are constantly bombarded with but, while it is not the most popular thing for an Irish person to admit, England has plenty to be arrogant about.

They essentially ran the world for centuries and became the dominant trans-global influence in terms of language, culture and overall legacy.

At a lower level, they gave us pork scratchings -- a deliciously salty combination of crunch and mush, which may look like the Devil's toe-jam but taste divine and in the pecking order of national pub snacks, put Tayto back in its box.

They gave us the pristine, feminine perfection that is Kristin Scott-Thomas -- a true sex goddess at a time in the early 1990s when Ireland was lusting after Bibi Baskin as its primary pin-up (not that Bibi wasn't appealing in her own earthy, 'mother me' fashion).

And -- all hail the tanned-up slag -- they gave us 'Geordie Shore', that MTV-sponsored slice of reality TV gold that has more cussin and banging than a Wild West gold rush and leaves Ireland's 'Tallafornia' looking like Sandy Shaw having a sing-off with Shirley Bassey.

And, lest we forget, they also gave us most of our major sports -- football, golf, tennis, cricket and, of course, rugby."

The Daily Mail's Mike Dickson goes in search of Ben Morgan's roots.

"Ben Morgan only spent one full season with Merthyr Rugby Club but his formative spell there turns out to have yielded quite a legacy, including an England shirt and a cocktail known as the Woo Hoo.

Up in the Valleys, at a club that helps constitute the heartbeat of Welsh rugby, he is remembered with affection and it has been reciprocated with the promise of one of the three England jerseys he has collected, with a fourth on the way against Ireland.

A space has been allocated for it — under a flag of the Dragon, naturally — in the clubhouse Players’ Bar that is otherwise a temple of Welsh rugby memorabilia. The Red Rose will perch there incongruously in glorious isolation.

And behind the bar tales are told of the Woo Hoo, a ghastly pink concoction to which they were introduced by Morgan’s father Steve."

Warren Gatland is in line to coach the British & Irish Lions in 2013 © Getty Images

Paul Rees takes a look at Warren Gatland's hopes of coaching the British & Irish Lions in Australia, and what that means for Wales, in The Guardian.

"If Wales beat France on Saturday to win a third grand slam in eight seasons, their head coach, Warren Gatland, will be asked to take charge of the Lions in Australia (and Hong Kong) next year. He is highly likely to get the job even if they lose. The Lions committee will meet after the Six Nations to draw up interview times for the candidates. The coaches of Wales, Ireland and Scotland have been approached, but England were passed over because they are under an interim management.

"Gatland, like the Scotland coach, Andy Robinson, has been involved on a previous Lions tour having been part of the management team in 2009. He is a New Zealander, and the experience of the Lions the last time they went to Australia, with the Kiwi Graham Henry in charge, was not the happiest, although forgotten in the chorus of complaints made by some players during and after the trip is an absorbing Test series that saw the tourists rise above injuries and fatigue to take the Wallabies to the final minutes of the final international.

"The coach will be expected to take a year's sabbatical if he is attached to a national side or a club. Robinson, who is bringing new coaches into his management team, is in no position to take time off with his side locked into a cycle of defeat while Ireland's Declan Kidney has gained a reputation for being overly conservative."

Patrick McKendry looks at the bailout of Otago rugby, and what it means for the future, in The New Zealand Herald.

"Hasn't Otago Rugby played a blinder! That's not a phrase usually associated with the southern union in recent times, battling as it is on the pitch and off.

"But from being days from liquidation due to a series of financial foul-ups of Carisbrook-sized proportions, they are off the hook, with the the union's future looking a lot more assured.

"That is largely due to the goodwill of several organisations, mainly the Dunedin City Council, which will write off a debt of $400,000, and major sponsors BNZ which is about to say goodbye to $1.2 million."

Scotland prop Geoff Cross tells David Ferguson of his international hopes prior to Saturday's Six Nations finale against Italy in The Scotsman.

"It is not what the players would like, but Scots sportsmen and women have perhaps become used to drawing inspiration from adversity.

"So, for tighthead prop Geoff Cross there is something to be taken from the fact that, while Scotland may not have won games lately, he has managed to put to bed the notion that Euan Murray is so far ahead of him and other props that he is the No 1 name on the teamsheet.

"Cross’ performance against France earned him the right to keep the No 3 jersey when Murray returned from his self-imposed exile. He refuses to play on Sundays on religious grounds."

Hugh Farrelly talks England-Ireland with former Ulster centre Maurice Field in The Irish Independent.

"Maurice Field made his Ireland debut in 1994 at Twickenham against an England side packed with Lions, including his opposite number, Will Carling. However, even in these intimidating circumstances, nerves were never an issue.

"I was 29, a few days away from my 30th birthday, so my age helped but also my work with the fire service gave me perspective," recalled Field.

"All week, people were saying to me 'you must be pretty nervous about making your debut in Twickenham,' but, to be honest, on the Tuesday I had put a boy into a body bag after a car bomb and that gives you reality. Yes, it was a big occasion, but it was just a game, what had happened a few days earlier was real life."

George North and his team-mates are on the brink of emulating some illustrious predecessors © Getty Images

In the Guardian, sports writing great Frank Keating delves into the deep and rich rivalry between Wales and France ahead of the potentially historic clash this weekend.

"Three days to go and do all Wales's red-hot presumptions already look too expectantly over-inflamed? A weathered and cranky France XV might have lost in Paris on Sunday, but the remnants seem perfectly capable to me of a formidable last hurrah in Saturday's grand slam finale and they could easily muster enough buckets of cold water to douse a young dragon's far too brazen certainties. We shall see.

"All down history, these operatic last-act numbers have quite a few times come down to this same fixture. If the reds ravishingly slap on the whitewash on Saturday it will be their third slam in eight seasons, their 11th in the 104 years since they first played the fledgling French XV at Cardiff Arms Park on 2 March 1908 when the visiting newcomers spent the morning of the match (a Monday) being shown round Cardiff's Coal Exchange in Mount Stuart Square and being toasted with wine by the Welsh coal owners in their top hats before being transported to the ground in "two-pair horsed charabancs" for the hosts to run in nine tries to win in front of 20,000. So was the great rivalry launched."

The New Zealand Herald's Dylan Cleaver pays tribute to Jock Hobbs, the great New Zealand rugby leader who died earlier yesterday.

"Jock Hobbs sneaked in the side door when it came to the All Blacks, replacing much-respected Graham Mourie as openside flanker in 1983 despite having never featured in any national age-group sides.

In terms of his rugby legacy, he was rarely to be so unobtrusive again.

An All Black captain and chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Hobbs was around during some of the sport's most tumultuous moments, including rebel tours, the switch to professionalism and a World Cup bid that seemed destined to fail.

One word always fitted perfectly alongside his name - leader."

Writing in the Irish Independent, Hugh Farrelly puts the case for and against Declan Kidney's 'consistent', or 'conservative', Irish team selection.

"Is Kidney's consistency the right way to go?

ARGUMENTS AGAINST

Build for the future -- World Cups tend to draw a line in the sand and, following the disappointment of failing to reach a first semi-final after setting themselves up beautifully, there were calls for a brave new departure (England are now held up as the prime example of change breeding progress).

A further argument is that having signed a contract extension prior to the World Cup, the Ireland coach has the security to make changes, and that a post-World Cup Six Nations is the best time to do so.

Bold is best -- Introducing a flood of younger players is seen as a way of re-energising the team and style of play."

James O'Connor tells the Sydney Morning Herald that he is ready, willing and able to fill the fly-half role for the Wallabies if required.

"If that opportunity comes up, I'll definitely put my hand up for it," O'Connor said.

"It all depends - I don't know how far away Quade is. I saw him on the weekend and he's in pretty high spirits.

"I love to be involved (with the added action at five-eighth). I love that spot."

Jock Hobbs drinks from the World Cup - a tournament he helped bring to New Zealand © Getty Images

The New Zealand Herald pays tribute to Jock Hobbs after he lost his battle with cancer.

"A head injury prematurely terminated his playing career and a serious illness ended Jock Hobbs' weighty off-field contributions to rugby before ultimately claiming his life.

A former All Blacks captain and New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) board chairman, Hobbs died today at the age of 52.

The NZRU confirmed the news this afternoon on behalf of his family, saying it was "with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jock Hobbs this afternoon".

"Our family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support we have received over the last week and in particular, express our gratitude to all the staff at Wellington Hospital that were involved in Jock's care."

Gregor Townsend is adamant that he will bring success to Glasgow, according to the Scotsman's David Ferguson.

"Gregor Townsend accepts that there will be critics of his surprising shift from a struggling Scotland team into the plum job of head coach at Glasgow Warriors, but the former Test fly-half has asked the doubters to judge him next season rather than now.

At 38, Townsend is viewed as young to be a head coach, but he can draw inspiration from Scotland chief Andy Robinson who moved straight into the Bath hot-seat after retiring as a player and helped the team claim the Heineken Cup, aged just 33. He also has some of his current boss’s conviction.

Speaking yesterday, after the SRU’s plan to announce that Townsend would replace Sean Lineen at the end of the season was scuppered by a leak to the media at the weekend, Townsend said: “I believe in myself as a coach."

The Guardian's Eddie Butler looks at six things we have learnt from the previous weekend of Six Nations action.

"1 Not so mad about rugby in Wales

The sight of empty seats at the Millennium Stadium one game away from a grand slam was ugly confirmation that all is not well with the game in Wales. It is generally accepted that the regional experiment with professional rugby is heading for the rocks, but the lack of support below the international game was offset by a perceived surge in support for the Wales team. The national XV had become the local team to support, with enough autumn internationals and fixtures in the Six Nations to keep a home-based body of support happy, with overseas tours, Lions odysseys and World Cups for the traditionally large Welsh group of savers and travellers. But Saturday's empty seats were moth-holes in the national fabric, and even nastier gaps in the bank balance."

Chris Hewett, of the Independent looks at Lancaster's five steps to success.

"England's interim head coach is closer than ever to a full-time appointment, writes Chris Hewett, after putting right the wrongs of the Johnson years – on and off the field.

1 Reconnection

A few minutes after the Six Nations victory in Paris that lifted England back into the top four of the world rankings, Stuart Lancaster's coaching colleagues, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree, talked of the importance of restoring pride in the red-rose jersey. This was not meant merely from the players' perspective but also from that of a rugby public profoundly disenchanted with the joyless, unimaginative, pedestrian fare produced by a squad ultimately torn asunder by behavioural excess born of rampant arrogance that was tolerated, if not actively encouraged, by those at the top. It was the first item on Lancaster's agenda when he succeeded the departed manager Martin Johnson on an interim basis – his first article of faith.

To that end, he decided against taking an expensive flight to Portugal for a spot of warmish-weather training and set up camp at a level-eight club on the chill outskirts of Leeds instead. This, he believed, would serve two purposes: firstly, it would remind the players that the grass-roots game from which they emerged still mattered – that it had not disappeared into the ether the moment they left it behind. Secondly, it would provide him with an honest-to-goodness environment in keeping with the down-to-earth gospel he intended to preach. Calls for discipline, sacrifice and rigour are never less persuasive than when made over champagne and canapes."

The Daily Mail's Chris Foy reveals that Saracens look likely to stand in the way of Andy Farrell linking up with England again.

"Stuart Lancaster's prospects of securing the England head coach job are in danger of being undermined by the removal of his trusted assistant Andy Farrell, with Saracens unwilling to release him again.

In the aftermath of the heroic RBS Six Nations victory over France in Paris, there have been widespread calls for the RFU to appoint the interim coaching staff of Lancaster, Farrell and Graham Rowntree on a long-term basis.

New RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie has acknowledged the benefit of being able to judge the trio as a package. However, Saracens, who granted Farrell a ‘sabbatical’ for this championship, are determined to retain his services and that may well have an impact on Lancaster’s candidacy."

England celebrate Tom Croft's score © Getty Images

Brian Moore, writing for the Daily Telegraph, provides his take on England's memorable win in Paris.

"For the first time, England have won all three away matches in the Six Nations Championship.

The wins in Scotland and Ireland were scruffy but England's triumph on Sunday at the Stade de France, where they clung on to beat France 24-22, showed their attacking ability, two from good counterattacks and one brilliant individual effort from flanker Tom Croft.

It was the shape of England in the first 25 minutes that laid the foundations of success and that their two tries were from counter-attacks demonstrates confidence in themselves and the way they are being asked to play.

The decisive defensive decision by winger Chris Ashton, who chose to step inside and hit the French midfield when faced with a possible two-man overlap, was as important as any deficiencies in attack. It led, via good hands from Lee Dickson, to Manu Tuilagi showing his finishing skills from his own half."

The Guardian's Richard Williams calls on Stuart Lancaster to be promoted after England's triumph in Paris.

"After what England achieved in Paris on Sunday, the Rugby Football Union can save itself a lot of time, trouble and money. It can pay off the headhunters before phoning that nice Mr Mallett in Cape Town with an apology for having led him to understand, in all good faith, that there might be a well-paid job waiting for him at Twickenham. The job is already being done and, whatever Ireland manage to conjure up at Twickenham on St Patrick's Day, in the final match of the tournament, Stuart Lancaster has made an unanswerable case for promotion from caretaker to permanent head coach.

As it happens, England are still in with a remote arithmetical possibility of winning the championship, were events to swing wildly to their advantage at home and in Cardiff on Saturday. At the end of a competition in which they have won all their three away matches for the first time since the tournament expanded to become the Six Nations 13 years ago, who would say they had not deserved it?"

Ex-France defence coach Dave Ellis highlights five areas of concern after England dispatched France in Paris - in his column for the Daily Telegraph.

"1. France’s defence gifted England three tries. France's defence was absolutely abominable. There was a complete lack of intensity. In the first half, England ran the ball at France well but it looked like the defence had absolutely no interest in getting in their faces. The basic missed tackles and absence of a kick-chase for the first two tries was poor, but the defence, or lack of it, from Aurelien Rougerie and Imanol Harinordoquy for Tom Croft’s match-winning score was particularly poor. Croft and support player Ben Foden were outnumbered, but the defenders were running sideways and backwards, effectively opening the door for the England flanker to glide through. Overall, France made it far too easy and, from a technical viewpoint, it was painful to watch."

Former Scotland international Thom Evans provides his take on Andy Robinson's side's recent showings in the Daily Telegraph.

"Frustration, frustration and yet more frustration. It had been the theme of Scotland’s Six Nations season before they got to Dublin, and they piled it on once more in this match.

Yet again, Scotland played brave, skilful exciting rugby. And yet again they finished on the wrong side of the result.

The scoreline was pretty emphatic at the end, and while it may have flattered Ireland a little you had to admire the way they approached the game. With a six-day turnaround after a fierce Test match in Paris, and minus three core players, many people thought they would be vulnerable, but they coped well with Scotland’s opening onslaught and looked more and more comfortable as the game went on."

Wynne Gray, writing for the New Zealand Herald, looks at the standard of New Zealand derbies.

"At last we have a decent New Zealand conference scrap after five years of sluggish Super rugby offerings.

In that time, only the Crusaders have been a beacon among the erratic New Zealand teams. Their worst round-robin finish in that time has been fourth as they picked up the 2008 title and ended as runner-up last season.

There have been blips of success for the others, probably better described as anomalies, such as the Chiefs finishing second in 2009 and the Canes coming third in the same season. On average though, results for the four other franchises have been underwhelming."

John Eales, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald looks back at Nathan Sharpe's remarkable career.

"Nathan Sharpe played his 150th game of Super Rugby on Friday night – against the Hurricanes in Perth – more than anyone from any of the three nations: Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, that compete in the tournament. Unfortunately, it was memorable only for that particular achievement as he and his teammates would probably prefer to forget the 46-19 result.

Despite the outcome, however, after 70 matches for the Queensland Reds and now 80 for the Western Force, Sharpe has endured, and that deserves special recognition.

In fact, if someone only started following Super Rugby in 1999, they wouldn't recognise the competition without him. That will change at the end of this season when he retires."

The Daily Mail's Martin Samuel calls on the RFU to give Stuart Lancaster the job.

"Sometimes the logic is really quite simple. Imagine this game was the World Cup quarter final, England versus France, that took place in Auckland on October 8 last year.

And imagine it had finished with the same winning margin, England on top by two points. What would have happened next? Well, Martin Johnson would still be England coach, for starters. His stewardship would not have come under the same intense scrutiny and he would not have felt the need to resign.

The World Cup would have been regarded as a relative success, boding well for the future, some unsavoury disciplinary issues aside. Speaking of which, Manu Tuilagi would not have taken a header off a local ferry the following morning, which was the final straw for some and conclusive proof that this squad, young and old, was beyond the control of Johnson and his staff."

Alex Cuthbert touches down in the corner for Wales © Getty Images

Barry John picks through Wales' frustrating win over Italy, and points ahead to next weekend's Grand Slam decider against France in Wales on Sunday.

"Getting a bad dress rehearsal can set you up for the big day. When it comes to the crunch this team can deliver next weekend because it will suit Wales better playing France.

"Italy came to defend and they were determined to keep Wales out after the mauling they were given by Ireland in Dublin and they were always going to make sure that would not happen again.

"You could see the way they set up their game plan. France will want to come and try to win and attack and that is the sort of game that suits Wales."

Neil Francis offers some typically frank thoughts on Ireland and Scotland in The Sunday Independent.

"In Rumsfeld speak, there are known knowns and there known unknowns and there are unknown unknowns.

"After yesterday's match we know a little bit more. There is one indisputable article of certainty that we know: Scotland are a truly crap side. We know Ireland are a decent side. We also know that they could have been playing for the championship next week.

"What is unknown is where Andy Robinson can take his Scottish side. They were clueless and toothless and they were bereft of any notion of how to observe fundamentals when you are trying to score tries."

Hugh Godwin looks at the introduction of Charlie Sharples to the England back-three and considers their recent try drought in The Independent on Sunday.

"Chris Ashton will revert to his favourite right wing to face France today, as England's back three accommodates the late call-up of Gloucester's Charlie Sharples. If the change brings a return to the Wiganer's scoring form of his first season and a half in the national side it could be party time in Paris.

"In this Six Nations, England's lack of tries has loaded the guns of criticism to be fired by friend and foe. Two tries in three matches – from charge-downs by the fly-half Charlie Hodgson in the narrow wins in Scotland and Italy, followed by a blank sheet in the defeat by Wales – is the poorest return among the six teams. Last year, Ashton finished the autumn's World Cup as joint top try-scorer alongside France's Vincent Clerc, having been out on his own in the spring in the Six Nations that England won."

Paul Ackford ruminates on the recent changes to the atmosphere of 'Le Crunch' prior to England's visit to Paris on Sunday in The Sunday Telegraph.

"England against France was the only gig that counted. The Celts were just light relief. Ah well. Once a plonker always a plonker. As England travel to Paris to take on France this afternoon, the attention is elsewhere, on a resurgent Wales who now stand one step away from their third Grand Slam in eight years.

"Historically, France and England have dominated the Five/Six Nations over the last two decades. In the Nineties and Noughties both countries racked up 14 of the 20 titles on offer, sharing the spoils seven apiece. But that was then. In recent years, partly down to England’s post 2003 World Cup slump, the significance of the Anglo-French encounter has faded."

Dean Ryan previews England's trip to Paris, where the ball could become very familiar with the boot, in The Observer.

"For England an ugly win will be beautiful if they can prise a victory out of Sunday's tantalising encounter in Paris. Stuart Lancaster's young side lost with honour against Wales a fortnight ago but they will want to win at any cost and will ignore the talk of boring rugby that has swirled around during the week.

"Firstly, the game is away and, secondly, it is against France. Both teams' chances of a grand slam may have slipped through their fingers in the past fortnight, France's agonisingly when Lionel Beauxis failed to nail one of two late drop-goal attempts in the draw against Ireland last Sunday and England when Scott Williams scampered away to score the winning try for Wales a week earlier. But there is a special frisson around this fixture and it should be compelling."

Ian Ritchie is leading the Rugby Football Unions' search for the new head coach © Getty Images

With some of the world's best coaches ruling themselves out, or being ruled out, of the running to become the next England head coach, former England coach Brian Ashton wonders who could possibly fill the expectations in the Independent.

"Fantastic news for England supporters: Superman is to be appointed the new full-time England coach! My inside information was garnered from a close acquaintance with whom I spent last Saturday afternoon – someone with a good deal of knowledge on the subject of John Kirwan and his absence from the shortlist of candidates for the big job. We discussed at some length the Rugby Football Union's phone call to Kirwan, apparently telling him he lacked sufficient international experience. Three World Cups as a coach, a World Cup winner's medal as a player, 60-odd Test caps for the All Blacks – if this counts for nothing, who, apart from Superman, has the necessary credentials?"

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Will Greenwood says that England will target France fly-half Lionel Beauxis in their Six Nations clash.

"If I was French fly-half Lionel Beauxis, I would be worried.

There is a pattern emerging and he should heed the words of one of the most feared James Bond villains if he wants to have a profitable afternoon against England. Auric Goldfinger knew events when he saw them, famously saying that: “Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.”

Well, this England team have managed to mangle the afternoons of the three No 10s they have come up against in the Six Nations so far, and are hungry for a fourth. Dan Parks, of Scotland, retired immediately following the Calcutta Cup game after suffering an attack of the kicking yips."

Former England second-row Ben Kay, writing in the Daily Mail, says England must hit France from the kick-off on Sunday.

"The restart has become the third set-piece and it is an area England should target. Every restart is an opportunity to regain possession or win penalties.

If we were gathered under our own posts for a penalty or conversion, we’d be ready to sprint back to halfway. Sir Clive Woodward used to say that it was the chance to immediately turn the pressure around. Some teams would jog back and relax, but our wings would be in charge of making sure we got in position quickly and were ready and focused.

Teams often score a penalty then concede three points immediately from the kick-off - and it is exactly what happened to France last week. Ireland kicked off, Morgan Parra box-kicked straight into touch, Ireland got the line-out, won a penalty and claimed three points back, which is a double psychological blow."

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre reveals to the Daily Telegraph's Brendan Gallagher that his war hero grandfather is an inspiration ahead of his side's clash with England.

"Of course I have always carried his story with me but I started to think more deeply about him when I was appointed to be the France coach after the World Cup.

"For a very rare moment in sport I had "thinking" time and a chance to assess what I wanted from the France team I am privileged to coach. And my first thought was my grandfather and his comrades in the Vercors maquisards and their great qualities which I want my teams to embrace.

"...I don't want to hear us whinging and complaining about defeat and referees and showing arrogance in victory or being bad losers. I want us showing complete passion, courage and professionalsim always. Do that and I am happy even if we lose. People look to us.

"Many people in France having a difficult time in this world but my grandfather's generation suffered beyond imagination. So when you are a sportsman being paid for doing what you love you are a lucky man. Be stoic. Life could be worse."

The Irish Times' Gavin Cummiskey identifies the breakdown as a key area as Scotland search for their first win of this season's Six Nations.

"Scottish folk can’t but notice the blood in the Irish Sea. No O’Connell, O’Driscoll, O’Brien or Murray and little chance of Ireland replicating last Sunday’s form in Paris (simply because they rarely produce such blazingly intense performances in succession).

A desperately-required Six Nations scalp looks gift wrapped for them.

And they arrive over with a youthful looking side. We’ll get around to the kid at fullback. Dan Parks was discarded as coach Andy Robinson eventually settled for the inter-changing Edinburgh halfbacks Mike Blair and Greig Laidlaw, while employing two opensides on the flanks in John Barclay and Ross Rennie.

It’s all about tempo for Scotland. And yet, for all their improved performances, they have lost five Test matches on the bounce. They have also lost four of their last six meetings with Italy, where they go next weekend, but the result they crave must come this evening before the Rome issue can be addressed."

Scotland scrum-half Mike Bliar talks to the Scotsman ahead of his country's Six Nations clash with Ireland.

“I don’t think the pressure increases from game to game. When you play for Scotland the pressure is there all the time, on your family, friends and everything; there’s always going to be pressure in just about every game.

“Others might say differently but I think there’s pressure whatever the circumstances and you don’t not feel pressure, but you’ve got to use that as a positive."

Stuart Lancaster would be an ideal appointment, according to Moody © Getty Images

Wales skipper Sam Warburton, in his column printed in the Daily Telegraph, claims that the injury sustained against England would have kept him out of this weekend's match - even if it was the Grand Slam decider.

"I took a ball off Rhys Priestland in the middle of the field and drove at the English defence. I was tackled from the side by England lock Geoff Parling and felt a tweak in my left knee as it was pushed inwards.

I’d suffered a similar injury in Paris last year, and was replaced after just 15 minutes. This time it didn’t feel quite as serious, so I was desperate to stay on.

But I knew that I’d damaged my medial collateral ligament. I got it strapped under the posts while England kicked a penalty, and I got it strapped even more tightly again at half-time.

During the second half I felt some shooting pains in the knee, and was hobbling a little bit at times, but I think people thought that it was a recurrence of the dead leg that forced me off in the first match of the campaign against Ireland and meant that I missed the second match against Scotland."

The Sydney Morning Herald's Greg Growden looks at a key weekend of Super Rugby.

"On Australia's Super Rugby Saturday, several fringe Wallabies candidates have the chance to convince the selectors they are ready for top-level football.

For six hours straight, Robbie Deans and co will observe more than 60 potential or established Wallabies, with the Brumbies, Waratahs, Reds and Rebels involved in three matches, including a derby.

The match most likely to result in new faces in the Wallabies training squad when the Super Rugby season breaks in June for Tests against Scotland and Wales will be played in Brisbane, where Reds five-eighth Mike Harris and openside breakaway Liam Gill confront the Rebels."

Paul Thorburn, in the Western Mail, calls on the WRU to ban foreign players from the four regions.

"While the Welsh national team is flying high and on course for a Grand Slam, the regional game is in crisis. Our four regions are struggling financially and facing a mass exodus of star players. Attendances are down and a new survey has revealed the level of discontent among fans. Now two former Wales captains – Clive Rowlands and Paul Thorburn – add their voice to the great debate

Former Wales skipper Paul Thorburn has called for a ban on foreign players within the Welsh regional game.

Thorburn believes the return on the investment in overseas signings has been poor and it would be better to spend money on developing home-grown players.

That would then provide ready-made local replacements for the inevitable exodus of star players to France.

Thorburn rejects pleas from the regions for extra funding from the WRU to enable them to hold on to their prize assets.

He says there is no way Wales can compete with the cash-rich French and English clubs – and shouldn’t even try."

Chris Hewett, of the Independent, questions the RFU's approach to the vacant coaching position.

"Jake White, the South African who successfully orchestrated the Springboks' attempt to recapture the world title in 2007, has coveted the England coaching position since... 2007, as it happens. He could be heard describing it as the "biggest job in the sport" even when he was working with his own national side and was still speaking in those terms while earning a few bob as a pundit during last year's global gathering in New Zealand. Although he is now in the early stages of a four-year contract in Australian provincial rugby, nothing has changed. Events in Canberra over the last few days tell us that much.

A couple of months ago, White assured his new employers at the Brumbies that he had not applied – and would not apply – for the England vacancy. What he did not tell them, quite possibly because he did not foresee it himself, was that England might apply to him. That application has now been made: the coach has informed the Brumbies that he has been "sounded out" by Twickenham and, according to the two-time southern hemisphere champions, "declared an interest in exploring his options."

The New Zealand Herald reports that Otago are looking into missing money at the stricken club.

"Several hundred thousand dollars in poker machine grants to the Otago Rugby Football Union for amateur rugby remain unaccounted for.

Several trusts confirmed they stopped processing grant applications for the union because of concerns over its financial viability and its tardiness in providing receipts for previous grants.

Questions to the Otago union were referred to the New Zealand Rugby Union.

One trust, which declined to be named, said it was owed $25,000 for a grant given to the union for the purposes of age group rugby last year."

The Daily Mail's Martin Samuel calls on the RFU to give Stuart Lancaster the England job.

"The richest rugby playing nation in the world. You will have heard that a few times. After each game that England lose, for instance. It is trotted out as if the ability to accrue revenue from a sport, and to play it, are one and the same.

Yet does another sell-out at Twickenham outweigh the fact that rugby is an obsession in New Zealand in a way that it will never be in England? The idea that a nation's wealth should allow it to overcome countries in which a sport is ingrained in the national psyche is nonsense."

Stuart Lancaster would be an ideal appointment, according to Moody © Getty Images

Writing in the Independent, former England captain Lewis Moody says the Rugby Football Union must appoint an Englishman as their new head coach with Stuart Lancaster the ideal candidate.

"Granted, there are some fantastic foreign coaches out there. But to head into a World Cup in England without an English management team would, to my mind, be a travesty. Having an Englishman in charge is a very powerful statement, a cultural statement.

Stuart knows what English rugby is about, what Twickers is about, he knows the nature of the players and the nature of the fans, the media and everything that goes with it. None of that should be underestimated and, even though Ian comes from a different sporting background at Wimbledon, I pray he is analysing long and hard what England have at the minute."

Writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, Paul Cully warns the Waratahs ahead of their clash with the Highlanders that the New Zealand franchise are following of the All Black tradition of dominating the breakdown.

"There was a lovely little exchange picked up on referee Jaco Peyper's microphone during the fabulous Highlanders v Crusaders game last Saturday that would have prompted raised eyebrows among every loose forward across the ditch who has ever laced up a boot, and wry grins among fans that follow the Wallabies.

“You're taking space,” Peyper opined to outhouse-sized Highlanders No.8 Nasi Manu after he had made a huge tackle, released, got to his feet, and drove through and over the ruck. “You're taking space beyond the ball.”

It was a delivered as an admonishment, an explanation for the penalty Peyper had awarded, but it could just as easily have been an excerpt from the textbook on New Zealand forward play. Such is this game we love: legality is often in the eye of the beholder."

Scotland No.8 Dave Denton reveals his straightforward tactics for escaping Ireland's notorious choke-tackle, in the Daily Telegraph.

"So when Ireland use their infamous ‘choke tackle’ technique to try to rob Scotland of the ball in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, he knows what to do.

“You’ve got to be hard-nosed,” he explains. "Get your head down and hurt someone.”

Writing for Walesonline, Gwyn Jones expects Wales to overcome any complacency with ease against Italy on Saturday.

"It is hard for us not to get ahead of ourselves and start to think of a possible Grand Slam decider against France.

And if it’s hard for us then it will also be hard for the players. The hype is inescapable, and, if we are honest, most people cannot foresee anyway in which Wales will be beaten on Saturday.
This is where the ruthlessness that Warren Gatland has spoken of is needed. He pointed out that the All Blacks would have punished Scotland when they were down to 13 men whereas Wales consolidated and relaxed.

It is one more attribute that this improving side must acquire if it is to become a side to rival the very best. I believe that Wales will win on Saturday, and win comfortably."

Rory Best is a major doubt for Ireland © Getty Images

Hugh Farrelly looks at the options available to an injury-ravaged Ireland in this weekend's Six Nations clash with Scotland in The Irish Independent.

"Declan Kidney's selection for the Scotland game was always going to be the most intriguing of this Six Nations but the last few days have turned it into a balancing act of extreme proportions.

"An element of calculated rotation was always likely for this encounter, and that probability increased when Ireland's schedule was rejigged to four games in four weeks after the postponement in Paris, but the Ireland coach could have done without the injury complications that have reared up since Sunday's draw in France.

"Losing Paul O'Connell, excellent again in that game, was never part of the plan and with doubts surrounding the availability of his natural captaincy replacement Rory Best, there are major leadership issues for Kidney to address which mitigate against less-experienced players starting."

Lewis Moody talks retirement with The Independent's James Corrigan.

"Rugby union has lost Lewis Moody as a player but the game will be glad to learn that it may not have lost the man they call "Mad Dog" altogether. As he sets out on a life which for the first time since he was five years old will not involve putting his head where many devils would fear to tread, the former England captain revealed he is set to try his hand at coaching.

"A shoulder injury forced the 33-year-old to announce his retirement yesterday. Having bid farewell from international rugby last October, the openside flanker lasted just four more months with Bath. Moody, a lifelong Leicester fan who enjoyed such success at Welford Road before leaving for the West Country in 2010, had hoped to add to a collection of silverware which includes a World Cup winner's medal, two Heineken Cups and seven Premiership titles. But as he told The Independent yesterday: "It was not to be. I do feel a bit of a failure as my body finally won. I know that's not the case, but I would love to help Bath in another capacity."

Brendan Gallagher pays tribute to Lewis Moody following the England flanker's retirement in The Daily Telegraph.

"Almost too brave for his own good, Moody brought an energy, bloody-mindedness and a deep-down honesty to proceedings that was instantly appealing.

"His popularity throughout the game was testament to that and I can remember few games that weren’t all the more enjoyable and satisfying for his presence.

"There was a schoolboy enthusiasm and wholeheartedness to Moody’s game that he never entirely lost even if, like a few others, he had an old pro’s appreciation of the offside line and exactly how long you could lie on top of an opponent or the ball before being pinged."

Kevin Mitchell meets England's new captain, Chris Robshaw, soon after the retirement of Lewis Moody, his predecessor, in The Guardian.

"Farewell "Mad Dog", hello "Mr Nice Guy": nobody can accuse the wise men of Twickenham of being prescriptive about the tone of the captaincy of the national team. And, if they choose to confirm Chris Robshaw as Lewis Moody's long-term successor after this Six Nations tournament alongside his equally new coach, Stuart Lancaster, who is vying to be the full-time heir to Martin Johnson, they really will have put the fading turbulent past behind them.

"In the week England's last appointed – and, ultimately, lost – leader announced his departure from rugby after 16 mostly glorious years, Robshaw, a blond of an altogether different demeanour, declared himself content in the job but way short of being complacent after only three full internationals.

"At 25, the Harlequins captain is eight years younger than Moody, and looks it. There is no gnarl about him yet, but it will come, most likely in further increments against France in Paris on Sunday."

Philippe Saint-Andre faces an uphill task if he is to lift the Six Nations trophy this year © Getty Images

The Guardian's Rob Kitson picks out some reasons for English optimism ahead of their trip to Paris on Sunday .

"There were a couple of significant lessons to be learned on a rather grey afternoon in Saint Denis. The first was that Six Nations rugby in Paris is a diminished occasion when it is staged on a Sunday. France's game against Ireland was meant to be among the tournament highlights, a fête of emotion and colour, a raucous riot of jolly green giants and swirling noise. For a number of reasons, not least a reduced number of fans from the South-west heartlands following the initial Saturday night postponement, the atmosphere was mostly akin to an accountancy seminar in La Défense.

And the second snippet of early reconnaissance as England prepare to head across the Channel to embrace their old friends? That France are eminently beatable and are not the strutting champions-elect some of us thought they might be a month ago. Maybe Sunday service is getting to them as well, neutering their joie de vivre. Maybe one or two senior players are already weary of mind following their remarkable World Cup exertions and have been ground down by their heavy club commitments.

Or maybe – and this is where it gets interesting from Stuart Lancaster's perspective – they are missing their English sergeant major, Dave Ellis. The lack of snap to France's defensive line-speed, in comparison with Ireland's, was conspicuous. Aurélien Rougerie and Julien Malzieu are big, strong runners but their work-rate off the ball at the weekend was not what it should have been. In attack they had little answer to Ireland's umbrella-shaped defence which constricted them for lengthy periods, a serious worry for Philippe Saint-André and his backs coach Patrice Lagisquet. Had it not been for Wesley Fofana's sense of timing and pace, a perspiring Ireland would have won rather than departed with a frustrating draw."

The Western Mail's Andy Howell writes that Warren Gatland is likely to select his strongest possible line up to face Italy on Saturday.

"History will play its part in Warren Gatland’s team selection today for the Italy game.

For Wales coach Warren Gatland was taught a painful lesson during the 2009 Six Nations Championship when he made 10 changes for the Italian job in Rome.

Wales subsequently spluttered to a 20-15 win, but the damage had been done with Gatland’s men having a significantly inferior points difference – the determining factor in the event of a tie – entering their final match of the title race.

Precious momentum was lost. It meant they had not only to beat Ireland at the Millennium Stadium, but by some distance to pocket the trophy.

Wales were chasing the match, so to speak, before it had even kicked off with Ireland knowing exactly what they had to do to take the championship."

The New Zealand Herald reports that Otago's chances of avoiding liquidation are slim.

"Work is continuing on the bid to stave off liquidation for the Otago Rugby Football Union, but it appears any reprieve will go right down to the wire.

The Otago union had considered going into liquidation last Friday but decided to delay that for a week to see if it could find a way out of its debt problem.

The union has debts of $2.35 million and is facing a loss of about $750,000 this year.

Union change manager Jeremy Curragh said meetings were continuing but there was still a lot of work to be done.

Reds boss Ewen McKenzie, talking to Greg Growden of the Sydney Morning Herald, is staying positive despite their nightmare fixture list.

"After just one round, Sharks coach John Plumtree was complaining there were too many Super Rugby local derbies, arguing that it was ''wearing the players down''.

The Australian coach who should really be moaning is the Reds leader Ewen McKenzie, whose start to the season is almost nightmarish, with three straight local derbies, followed by two weeks in South Africa tussling with the Sharks and Bulls, and then another derby against the Force in Perth.

Such a tough schedule has its logistical problems, as the titleholders will be heading to Durban just hours after Saturday night's match against the Rebels in Brisbane. But McKenzie argues ''there's no point getting stressed about it''.

''You take the attitude that as it's tough now, it must eventually get easier,'' McKenzie said yesterday."

The Daily Telegraph's, Mick Cleary talks up Owen Farrell after Danny Care's latest brush with the law.

"You can’t imagine Owen Farrell getting his collar felt at three o’clock in the morning while having a pee in a city centre alleyway.

You can’t quite see, either, the earnest 20-year-old Saracen falling out of a nightclub with a bevy of beauties on his arm, good-looking lad that he might be.

Farrell does not have the air of a Danny Care or a Danny Cipriani, and is not a 'Danny Bad Boy' in any regard. Yet he has all the attendant pressure heaped on callow shoulders, the expectation that goes not just with being a young talent but with being the successor to Jonny Wilkinson for England."

Writing in the Irish Independent, Ruaidhri O'Connor argues that Rory Best is the best bet to step in for Paul O'Connell.

"Rory Best is the favourite to lead Ireland out against Scotland on Saturday after their Six Nations campaign received a hammer blow with news that captain Paul O'Connell will miss the rest of the tournament.

Stand-in skipper O'Connell -- who took over the armband after Brian O'Driscoll's shoulder surgery ruled him out of the campaign -- damaged his medial collateral ligaments in Sunday's 17-17 draw against France in Paris. He finished the match, but after undergoing a scan yesterday the extent of the injury was determined and he will miss the next three to six weeks of action."

Tommy Bowe's two tries were not enough to propel Ireland to victory against France © Getty Images

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley reports from the Stade de France where Ireland blew an 11-point lead on their way to a 17-all draw with France.

"The feeling that this was one that got away was palpable for both coach and the captain Paul O’Connell. Even allowing for a Sunday fixture, the extent to which the crowd (surprisingly near the 80,000 capacity, though with a tiny, much reduced Irish presence) were kept quiet was a measure of Ireland’s first-half display, even if the increased noise levels were also a barometer of France’s comeback.

"Ireland employed a much more aggressive rush defence, which knocked the French out of their stride, with tour de force performances from Stephen Ferris, O’Connell and Seán O’Brien, not to mention a truly phenomenal display of catching, kicking (with one costly exception) and running from Rob Kearney.

"They also attacked the blindside more and, allowing for that one exception, kick-chased to good effect, all of which yielded fourth and fifth tries of the championship for Tommy Bowe before half-time.

"But the rain arrived and, as one suspected, the French went route one to good effect to draw level before the hour. Each team had spells of high octane pressure, Ireland eschewing a drop goal whereas Lionel Beauxis failed with two as Ireland defended heroically.

"Thus, no less than the French and perhaps even slightly more so, Ireland were left rueing a first draw with Les Bleus since the championship winning year of 1985 and first in Paris since 1950, and their first of any kind since the 20-20 draw with Australia in Croke Park in November 2009."

Writing in the New Zealand Herald, Chris Rattue insists the pressure is already growing on Blues coach Pat Lam.

"The writing is on the wall for the Blues coach Pat Lam after a woeful effort in Hamilton. Lam won't last past this season and on what we've seen so far, there may be a case for relieving him of his duties before this long Super 15 campaign comes to what will be a depressingly inevitable conclusion for his hopeless mob.

"...Indeed, the Blues could now be rated as the worst of the New Zealand sides which is absolutely no surprise at all. Unfortunately, the signs were on the wall in the weeks leading into the season when it emerged that Tony Woodcock had granted himself a wee holiday, Piri Weepu would not hit the new season in top condition, and Ma'a Nonu would not hit the new season at all thanks to his Japanese sojourn. With Weepu a halfback option, Alby Mathewson looks befuddled, and maybe even pissed off."

Former Wallabies and Reds star John Eales insists South Africa also benefit from the current Super Rugby conference system. Read his thoughts in the Sydney Morning Herald.

"You can never please everyone. Last week Sharks coach John Plumtree criticised the current conference system of Super Rugby, arguing it is unfair. The three-conference competition has each team playing each other team in their own conference twice and four of the five teams in each of the other conferences just once. He argues that there are too many local derbies and South Africa's local derbies are tougher than those of Australia and New Zealand.

"Plumtree's comments are common west of Rottnest but incomplete as the criticism makes sense on some levels but not in its entirety. On the surface, the Australian conference was less demanding than the other two in 2011 – as three of the five teams finished in the bottom five on the table, it is hard to argue otherwise. But that may not always be the case as there have been similar years when South African teams have clogged the bottom of the log. And sometimes relative position on the ladder belies the difficulty and toughness of the contest; home-town rivalry will see to that.

"From a business perspective, however, and Plumtree acknowledged this, the conference system works, and, like it or not, rugby at this level is a business more than a pastime, so it would be careless to tinker recklessly with a successful proposition."

Scotland are reportedly set to appoint another southern hemisphere coach to their backroom staff in a move labelled by some as a 'slap in the face' for home-grown coaches. The Scotsman reports.

"Ian Rankin, who handed Australian Matt Taylor his first big break in pro rugby, last night hit out at the SRU for recruiting him as Scotland’s new defence coach.

"Former Edinburgh flanker Taylor – currently with Queensland Reds – will take up the post made vacant after Graham Steadman’s contract was not renewed by the SRU. But Rankin, his ex-coach at Edinburgh, has described the appointment as “another slap in the face” for home-trained coaches.

"Taylor will link up in the summer with English-born coach Andy Robinson’s new No 2, Scott Johnson – also an Australian. It will mean that out of the national squad’s “big four” on the backroom team, only Gregor Townsend will be a Scot.

"Rankin, currently in charge of Dundee HSFP, was head coach of Edinburgh when they snapped up Taylor from Aberdeen GSFP in the late 1990s. And though he admired Taylor as a player, Rankin believes Robinson’s decision to recruit him sends out a negative and confidence-denting message to Scottish coaches."

Writing in The Guardian, Eddie Butler reflects on Ireland's Six Nations draw with France in Paris.

"France's errors told of a team nowhere near where they should be in March, while Ireland's spoke of a heroic effort that dragged a team to the extremes of exhaustion. French errors flattened the drama; Ireland's made it. Nobody tackled with greater commitment than Jonathan Sexton, who charged up with an appetite that would be the envy of many players twice his size and weight. The choke-and-hold tackle, the speciality of Paul O'Connell, also went well, although the captain was not his dominant self at the lineout.

"What Ireland gave away in the second half, they regained with a collective refusal to capitulate. Not many teams face France in the mood in Paris and survive with scores level. The Irish players did not exactly raise their arms at the sound of a final whistle, but this was a positive result. For France it was a burst balloon."

An influx of foreign players could be the solution to Scotland’s problems, writes Iain Morrison in Scotland on Sunday.

"The pro teams’ recruitment policy has one eye on filling problem positions in the national side.

"The three most important things for any team to thrive are competition, competition and competition – in no particular order. The current Scotland squad has plenty in some positions (scrum-half, hooker) and almost none in others (stand-off, loosehead prop).

"Edinburgh’s crowd for the forthcoming Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse (20,000 and counting) proves that the latent demand for top-class rugby is there if the Murrayfield paymasters have the will and the wages to make it happen. In this regard, the Scottish Rugby Union has been helped by belt tightening across the board in England and Wales with the latter especially experiencing an exodus of Biblical proportions, mostly to France, brought on by a healthy dose of financial realism that is afflicting the valleys.

Stuart Lancaster has made an encouraging start as England’s interim head coach, but is it enough to land him the job on a permanent basis? Paul Ackford discusses in the Sunday Telegraph.

"Stu. Out of ten. How do you think you’re doing so far? He didn’t answer of course. Interim coach Stuart Lancaster may only have been in the job a little under three months, but he is already far too wily for a “judge me on the World Cup” remark, as Sir Clive Woodward famously invited; the wrong World Cup as it happened.

"But with new Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie suggesting last week that the desire is to appoint a permanent successor to Martin Johnson sooner rather than later, it is clear that a judgment needs to be made on Lancaster. And pretty damn quick.

"Talk to Lancaster and he comes up with a list of qualities and competencies which he insists are central to the job. Leadership is a favourite.

"So are phrases like relationship management, emotional intelligence, forward thinking, planning, technical proficiency and connectivity, which all, no doubt, will make intriguing chapter headings if he ever gets to write his 'How I won the 2015 World Cup' book.

"But does any of it make him an appropriate candidate for a full-time position, and, if not, what does?

Andy Farrell is making a positive impact on England's attacking game, according to Brian Ashton © Getty Images

Writing in The Independent, former England head coach Brian Ashton highlights the impact of Andy Farrell in England's current coaching regime.

"Their willingness to find ways around the brick wall rather than simply crash into it was part of the shift in thought process and methodology that Stuart Lancaster and his coaching colleagues are bringing to the England set-up. Just recently, I have heard some very complimentary words spoken about Andy Farrell's contribution in developing England's game, both in attack and defence. Those words did not surprise me. Andy has a great knowledge of rugby, excellent communication skills and bags of positive energy. Not a bad combination, I hope you'll agree.

England still have some way to go, but I think they are on the correct path and I'm sure the current coaching team are determined to pursue that path, come what may. It will take time for the new ideas to take root – not until the players develop an instinctive understanding of how to apply the changes will we see the full effect – and those responsible for appointing the permanent head coach could easily blow everything clean out of the water."

Walesonline'sPaul Abbandonato savours a triumphant and tearful week for Welsh sport.

"WOW. What a week that was. I’ve certainly never known anything like it... and I doubt anyone else in Wales has, either.

"It began last Saturday afternoon at Twickenham with Scott Williams’ Triple Crown-winning try against England which will enter the annals of Welsh rugby fame.

"It continued the following afternoon at Wembley in the Carling Cup Final when Cardiff City produced one of the gutsiest performances I have seen from any Welsh team.

"And it concluded on Wednesday evening when 23,000 Welsh fans produced the most unique atmosphere I have known at a Wales sporting contest as they bade farewell to Gary Speed in style."

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, Greg Growden highlights how the Waratahs' Tom Carter exposed the Rebels' soft defence in their Super Rugby match-up.

"It was a turbulent night when the meek were soon exposed.

"And to the Waratahs credit, their newcomers were more than up to the task, with fullback Bernard Foley and halfback Sarel Pretorius excelling and all the NSW hard heads thrusting out their chests at the right time to enjoy a mean and nasty win over the Rebels.

"The Waratahs-Rebels boast a short history, as this was only their third encounter, but they attacked each other as if they had been involved in centuries-old territorial battles."

The New Zealand Herald's Wynne Gray weighs up the increasing bulk on show in Super Rugby.

"A scan of the guide this season finds a dozen New Zealand players weighing in at 120kg or more.

"Highlanders lock Calum Retallick is close behind Tameifuna at 135kg, with Charlie Faumuina, Filo Paulo, Angus Ta'avao, Ben Afeaki, Brodie Retallick, Ma'afu Fia, Jamie Mackinstoh, James Broadhurst, Ben May and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen breathing down their necks.

"Intriguingly, not one Crusader is on that list - their heaviest squad member is prop Nick Barrett at 117kg."

The Daily Mail Chris Foy talks to England's Dylan Hartley and Dan Cole about their desire to erase the deomns of their last visit to Paris in an England shirt.

"Redemption. That's the profound target for two members of the England pack in Paris a week on Sunday. When Dylan Hartley and Dan Cole square up to France's renowned front row, they will be hell-bent on settling a score.

"Rewind two years and the national team travelled across the Channel and won acclaim even though they lost 12-10.

"That RBS Six Nations finale was seen as a watershed moment for Martin Johnson's side in playing with more attacking purpose, fired by the introduction of dangerous strike runners like Ben Foden and Chris Ashton.

"But if the overview was positive, it was a negative night for Hartley and Cole. England were routed in a first-half scrum onslaught against a French pack anchored by mighty Perpignan tighthead prop Nicolas Mas."

The Irish Independent's Hugh Farrelly writes that it is time for Ireland to find some consistency on the international stage.

"It is time for Ireland to take a stand.

"Since landing the Grand Slam three years ago, the Irish rugby side has failed to kick on and has been defined by its lack of consistency.

"There have been some truly outstanding performances against quality opponents (South Africa in 2009, England and Australia in 2011) but also matches squandered that should have been won (Scotland 2010, France 2011, the last two Six Nations meetings with Wales), and an IRB ranking of eighth tells its own story."

Wales skipper Sam Warburton lifts the Triple Crown silverware at Twickenham © Getty Images

In his column in the Daily Telegraph, Wales captain Sam Warburton reflects on his side's Triple Crown-clinching Six Nations victory over England last weekend.

"It was quite simply the best moment of my career so far. To lift the Triple Crown above my head at Twickenham surpassed anything else I have achieved.

"Of course, it would have been better to have done it at home in the Millennium Stadium, but I haven’t got a good record against England – I never beat them at schoolboy level and lost my first two senior Wales internationals before beating them in the second summer World Cup warm-up last year, so this was just an awesome achievement.

"But, oh, that wait at the end, while the television match official decided whether David Strettle had scored. Looking at the big screen in the stadium, it looked like a try.

"Those screens obviously don’t produce the sharpest picture, and you could see that Strettle had gone over the line and I just thought he might have managed to move his wrist to ensure that the ball made some contact with the ground. Because it only has to make contact for that split second.

"However, I watched the replays when I went home and ‘inconclusive’ is definitely the right word. You just can’t tell."

The New Zealand Herald's Chris Morris reports on the efforts to breathe life into the cash-strapped Otago Rugby Union.

"All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is part of a high-powered rugby delegation in Dunedin to negotiate a north-south fundraising match, as part of a final push to save the Otago Rugby Football Union.

"The group has been involved in behind-the-scenes discussions this week over a possible rescue package for the union, which was saddled with $2.35 million in debt and faced liquidation at 4pm today.

"McCaw - a board member of the Rugby Players Association - was among rugby representatives to meet Dunedin City Council chief executive Paul Orders and Forsyth Barr Stadium chief executive David Davies yesterday.

"That followed a meeting with Mr Orders on Wednesday, both also attended by Rugby Players Association chief executive Rob Nichol, Otago union change manager Jeremy Curragh and players' agent Warren Alcock."

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, Matt Burke puts Danny Cipriani's defensive work under the spotlight ahead of the Rebels' opening Super Rugby clash of the season against the Waratahs.

"What the Waratahs need to reflect on perhaps is their second game against the Rebels last year. It was tight until half-time and then they ran away with the game. This week will be no different. The intensity at the tackle is going to be huge.

"Yet you still have to question the defensive capabilities of the Rebels even though they have had five months of getting their systems sorted. The Chiefs, in an earlier trial, put six tries on them. While it might be foolish to read too much into a trial, I would prefer to have scored the six than let them in. So perhaps there are still some mixed signals when it comes to this team's defence.

"If I was the Waratahs coach I would be asking my runners to make a beeline at the No.10, just to make the experience as uncomfortable as possible. Try to isolate Cipriani as much as possible, creating extra work to nullify the other parts of his game."

Writing in the Irish Times, Liam Toland analyses Ireland's back-row trio ahead their clash with France on Sunday.

"Our judgment of [Sean] O’Brien at seven must be adjusted as he is not a seven, which doesn’t prevent him from being outstanding on Sunday, but don’t expect a Sam Warburton performance. A traditional seven has a million things to do which are constantly being adjusted. If France go off the top his defensive line is crucial, if they go into midfield quickly to get centres Aurelien Rougerie and Wesley Fofana flat in attack he is crucial. If the Irish midfield slow or stop them he is crucial at the breakdown. Beyond that there are a million permutations, and that’s just in defence.

"In attack they build again, providing the link between the swift-off-the-deck ball ahead of the scrum-half, trailing of the ball carrier and much, much more. It is a position of judgment and instinct, constantly reading the ever evolving situation of others. Hence seven is the most restrictive position on the pitch. O’Brien simply can’t do all that and do what you want him to do as well. Accept it!

"And in accepting this we must also accept [Jamie] Heaslip is not the same player with O’Brien at seven. His natural game is diluted to cater for deficiencies in O’Brien’s openside game. Accept that also.

"Hence [Stephen] Ferris is the only player picked in his natural position so he continues to shine while the other two appear to struggle."

Writing in The Guardian, Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards believes Ireland can spring a surprise against France in Paris on Sunday.

"In many ways Ireland and France match up, and I see Sunday's game being settled in a couple of areas where both teams don't necessarily have favoured partnerships available or where both are trying something new.

"Up front both sides have great back rows – and Declan Kidney has been wise not to give in to those who say the chemistry is wrong; quite simply Jamie Heaslip Sean O'Brien and Stephen Ferris are head and shoulders better than anything else he has available – and good lineouts. The big argument will be whether Ireland can stand up to the ferocity of the French scrum, which now has the considerable presence of Yoann Maestri in the boiler room.

"Toulouse see Maestri as the heir to Fabien Pelous, which is putting the bar pretty high. But, if Saint-André already prefers his new boy to another French captain, Lionel Nallet, the coach clearly does not see it as that much of a gamble. Either that or he is more concerned with building for the future, as he is in the front row where Dimitri Szarzewski again starts as hooker in place of the amazing William Servat. The other key area is the midfield defence of both teams. On one hand you have to ask whether Ireland can stand up to the power of Aurélien Rougerie, Wesley Fofana, and Julien Malzieu coming off his wing and on the other there are the new systems employed by [Patrice] Lagisquet."

Stuart Lancaster and his coaching team parade the Calcutta Cup © Getty Images

Former England skipper Lewis Moody, writing for the Independent, asks whether the RFU would be better sticking with Stuart Lancaster rather than looking elsewhere.

"If last Saturday showed anything it is that Stuart Lancaster and his coaching team are on the right lines. So why are some people still calling for a big name to take over England? To me it would be change for change's sake and would seem so pointless.

Of course, I can see the attraction in someone like Nick Mallett. He's a great coach and has the CV. But now Stuart has brought this team this far he should be allowed to continue. Otherwise all the good work will be forsaken and England will have to start from scratch again.

I like the feel of this England set-up. The sceptics may look at Stuart's credentials and say: "Oh, he was head coach at Leeds and they were relegated and then he only took charge of the England Academy and the Saxons, so what has he achieved?" Even if they ignore the fact that Leeds had the smallest resources in the league, they clearly can't have been watching the Wales game."

A New Zealand Herald editorial analyses the current state of Otago.

"The plight of one union should not be the catalyst for turmoil and dramatic change. All sorts of radical prescriptions have been suggested since the full extent of the Otago Rugby Union's financial woes was revealed. It would seem, according to several former Otago players, that the union is merely the unfortunate victim of an unaffordable and unsustainable structure.

Some have even suggested the situation is so dire that the only answer is to return the national provincial championship to its amateur roots. They are over-reacting. While falling gates and player wages have created challenges for all provincial unions, Otago's wretched situation is hardly typical."

The New Zealand Herald's Dylan Cleaver ponders whether Otago's financial uncertainty is just the tip of the iceberg in New Zealand.

"Otago rugby might be only the first victim in a solvency crisis affecting New Zealand's provincial rugby unions.

A Herald survey of the financial performance of the 14 ITM Cup unions reveals a model reliant on cash grants from charitable trusts and New Zealand Rugby Union handouts.

"While the other unions might not be in trouble to the same extent as Otago, it would not surprise me if they were the tip of the iceberg," said David Moffett, former chief executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union."

Welsh hooker Ken Owens, talking to the Western Mail's is hopeful that he has done enough to keep the hooker berth for the match with Italy.

"Ken Owens hopes he did enough during Wales’ Triple Crown-securing triumph over England at Twickenham to fend off the challenge of Matthew Rees for the clash with Italy.

Hooker Rees has been plagued by injuries since being named captain of the Wales squad for last September's World Cup in New Zealand.

A neck injury forced him to withdraw, allowing a certain Sam Warburton to take over leadership duties and seize centre-stage.

And Rees’ bid to regain the No. 2 jersey from World Cup hero Huw Bennett for last month’s Six Nations opener foundered because of calf problems.

However, it’s not Bennett blocking his way now, but Rees’ Scarlets’ colleague and hooking rival Owens."

The Daily Telegraph's Mick Cleary claims that England are likely to stick rather than twist when it comes to their midfield combinations.

"England head coach Stuart Lancaster gave a firm indication on Wednesday that it would be difficult to break up the midfield combination spearheaded by fly-half Owen Farrell for the match against France in Paris on March 11..

The man Farrell stepped up for against Wales, Saracens team-mate Charlie Hodgson, was one of 18 players released back to their clubs last night for Aviva Premiership action this weekend. Leicester half-backs Ben Youngs and Toby Flood also return. Lancaster is not obliged to release England-based club players, but has taken a calculated risk in getting some players much-needed game time.

Lancaster has other concerns, too, notably a shin injury that has flared up with Northampton lock Courtney Lawes, who missed training on Wednesday. Farrell and wing Chris Ashton also missed the session, both with stomach bugs."