Is Borthwick A Player We Would Miss?

England captain Steve Borthwick is likely to be out for a month after a kick to the face from Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam left him with "extreme swelling" around his right eye.

Scans on the injury, though, have revealed that there is no further damage - with Borthwick expected to be back in action within two to four weeks.

A statement from the club read: "Saracens captain Steve Borthwick underwent further scans this morning on the eye injury he sustained in the club's 19-16 victory over Gloucester at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

"The scans revealed no further damage other than the extreme swelling that had already been diagnosed and as a result, he will be ruled out for between two to four weeks."

That means the 29-year-old will be cleared to play in the matches against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand in November.

I know Martin Johnson rates Borthwick but I must question his impact as a player, he does not have the same presence and ability compared to that of Johnson himself. He is not a Carling, Dallaglio or Johnson and not being selected from the Lions Tour shows that I am not the only sceptic of his quality.

Fox End of Season

The season might just be kicking off in the Northern Hemisphere but down south Fox have signed off the season with a look back at some of the better moments of the season!

Weekends Big Game London Irish Vs Wasps!

The Exiles, who are third in the table going into their first home London Derby of the season, make three changes to the starting line-up of the team that played in Leeds last Sunday.

For the second week in succession the front row is rotated as three internationals - Clarke Dermody (New Zealand), David Paice (England) and Paulica Ion (Romania), take over the starting positions. Bob Casey captains the team.

"Our players have been improving week by week and they showed a real mental toughness last weekend," said Exiles' Head Coach Toby Booth.

"They know what they have to do on Sunday to get a result. We're quietly confident of a big performance in front of our home crowd.

"London Wasps are showing signs of returning to their former glory. They have a fantastic defence and are already emerging as serious challengers for the Premiership play-offs," added Booth.

Meanwhile, Wasps' prop Phil Vickery returns to Club colours this Sunday in what promises to be a huge clash between two of the capital's sides.
Vickery's last run out was as part of the British and Irish Lions side that secured victory over South Africa in the third and final Test. He makes his first appearance for Wasps this season after a summer of recovery and rehabilitation to work through a shoulder complaint sustained on the tour.

Named in the starting XV, Vickery is one of two changes to the side that secured victory over Worcester at Adams Park last weekend, as John Hart takes the number eight jersey in place of Dan Ward-Smith. Ward-Smith moves to the bench and is joined by Ben Broster who makes way for Vickery.

"We have been delighted with the progress the squad have made through the first three rounds of the Guinness Premiership," said Director of Rugby Tony Hanks.

"To see the new players settle and our experienced and young aspiring guys really take our game forward has been pleasing for all involved. Three wins out of out three is a fantastic start but we know the bar is raised again this week against a very sharp looking London Irish team.

"Vicks has worked hard this summer to get through an injury and a hard fought Lions Tour. He is fired up and ready to make a comeback in a game which I think will be our biggest test yet. There is a great feeling amongst this group and they are relishing the challenge of Sunday's game."

Collins Making Big Hits in Magners League!!

Sackey Makes Return for Wasps!!

Some better news for Martin Johnson this week as England wing Paul Sackey makes a welcome return from his broken leg for Wasps who make three changes in total for Sunday's game against Worcester.

Full-back Lachlan Mitchell replaces the injured Mark Van Gisbergen while Tom Varndell comes in for Davi Lemi who will be out for six weeks.

Worcester Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock has made just one change with hooker Chris Fortey replacing Tongan powerhouse Aleki Lutui.

Prop Callum Black has recovered from a knee injury and is named among the replacements for Worcester.

Flutey out for 3 Weeks!!

Brive centre Riki Flutey has been handed some encouraging news in that he will only miss three weeks of the Top 14 due to a shoulder injury.

The England international was on Thursday feared to be sidelined for 3 months and miss England's Autumn Internationals after it was confirmed he required an arthroscopy.

But according to his Top 14 outfit, the problem is not as serious as first feared and can be rectified by keyhole surgery.

Flutey Injury Worry!!

Riki Flutey faces the possibility of a long lay off with a troublesome shoulder injury.

He has been warned an operation could rule him out for three months, including England's Tests against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.

"I'm having an arthroscopy," Flutey told the Daily Mirror. "They will either find it just needs a bit of a clean-out or it's a big tear which means surgery and three months out.
But I can't go on the way I have been, sore and niggly. I can't go out and play at 80%. I need to get sorted."

Flutey made his Brive debut in last weekend's Top 14 clash with Clermont Auvergne but the British & Irish Lion admitted that he should never have played in the game.

Harlequins Bad Boys Again!!

Harlequins are yet again taking all the headlines for the wrong reasons as Lock George Robson has been suspended for six weeks by the RFU for headbutting an opponent.

Robson, 23, was sent off for striking Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson 46 seconds in to their 26-15 defeat on Saturday.

Robson will be sidelined from Quins' next four Premiership games, including matches against Leicester and Bath, plus two Heineken Cup encounters.

Four weeks is the minimum penalty for striking an opponent with the head, with 12 weeks the highest punishment.

Nicky Robinson Top Dog of Opening Weekend!!

Nicky Robinson made an excellent debut for Gloucester at the weekend inspiring his new team to an opening day 24-5 defeat of rivals Bath. Head coach Redpath believes Robinson has the credentials to oust British & Irish Lions pair Stephen Jones and James Hook for the Wales number 10 jersey

ITS BACK THE GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP!!

After a long off season with plenty of headline grabbing stories for all of the wrong reasons, we can now put the scandle behind us as this weekend sees the start of the 09/10 Guiness Premiership Season.

Sale Sharks kick off the Guinness Premiership season this evening at home to Leicester Tigers for the first time in four years after they beat Newcastle Falcons 26-25 back in September 2005.

Saturday sees Saracens face off against London Irish in the first game of the double header at Twickenham. The Exiles take on Brendan Venter's side at Twickenham (2.30pm ko) and head coach Toby Booth has made only two changes to the starting XV that beat Heineken Cup champions Leinster last week.

I expect Northampton to be a suprise package for the new season and they kick their season off against Worcester Warriors on Sunday.

Neil Backs Leeds Carnegie will play their first game since promotion on Sunday against a Newcastle team led by Carl Hayman. Newcastle have named five debutants as they look for life after Jonny Wilkinson.

The other Sunday game in the opening weekend sees Gloucester take on the summers "Bad Boys" Bath.

Monthly Review!!

Jerry Collins on life in Wales!!

The former All Black enforcer Jerry Collins has moved from the south of France and Toulon, and is now part of the Ospreys in Wales, alongside the likes of Ryan Jones, Shane Williams, and Marty Holah.

J.C. who left New Zealand in search of a different way of life and a new challenge, admits that he doesn’t think he'll ever play for the All Blacks again.

Capped for the All Blacks 48 times, the powerful loose forward was a lethal tackler and one of the more intimidating players in world rugby. His unhappy season in Toulon meant a drop in his form slightly, but he has other priorities now, as he discussed with the BBC.