BACK ON LINE: THANK YOU IRELAND

After a sabbatical of a few months, Ireland's marvellous win over NZ spurred me into action and has inspired me to pick up the blog again. Ireland were ruthless, clinical, marvellous last weekend in securing their first ever win over NZ, and Kiwis looked average under intense pressure. I wouldn't want to be Italy this weekend, as NZ will seek to remind people they are probably the most dominant All Black team ever.

This weekend's games will be interesting - England, with such a poor record against SA, should sneak a win against an underperforming Bok team in development. Scotland, with a few key player injured, including in front row, will struggle to match the in form Wallabies, and may have to wait to correct the injustice of the RWC 2016 QF. Wales, who were terrible last weekend against Oz, have dropped scared cows such as Roberts and Lydiate, in an attempt to overcome an improving Pumas team, who put 50 points on Japan.

And it is due to rain all day, which will favour SA, Scotland and Argentina, But, regardless I think the scores will be:

England by 10, Australia by 7, Argentina by 5.

Enjoy this festival of mud, beer and old friends.

ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA 1ST TEST PREVIEW

England and Australia have both named squads for Saturday's First Test in Brisbane.

England's starting XV includes Farrell at 10, replacing George Ford, Yarde in for Nowell on the wing and Burrell in at inside centre to give much needed bulk in midfield. Yarde will inject pace into the back three, but has scored few tries this season for his club, and is no better defensively than Ashton, who didn't even make the plane. Anyway, I, along with many others hope to eat our words come Saturday lunchtime, when he collects his MOM award having helped England win the game. England should get some impact off the bench from Lawes and Launchbury, with Itoje likely to cover back row, possibly replacing Robshaw in second half. It still concerns me that Haskell is not a natural 7 to combat the obvious Pooper threat at the breakdown.

England: 15. Mike Brown; 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Luther Burrell, 11. Marland Yarde; 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Dylan Hartley, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. George Kruis, 6. Chris Robshaw, 7. James Haskell, 8. Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Matt Mullan, 18. Paul Hill, 19. Joe Launchbury, 20. Courtney Lawes, 21. Danny Care, 22. George Ford, 23. Jack Nowell.

Yarde in for Nowell in First Test

Australia is forced to blood three new players as a lot of their RWC 2015 squad is still playing in France. Dane Haylett-Petty, the Western Force full back, makes his debut on the wing, Samu Kerevi of the Reds comes in as 12 alongside Kuridrani (combined weight of 33 stone) and, finally Rory Arnold, at 6ft 8in, partners Rob Simmons in second row. Despite absences, the Wallabies have experienced match winners in key positions from Folau at 15, Foley at 10 to Moore at hooker and Hooper at 7. Australia's front row has more strength in depth now than in years with Polota-Nau, Slipper and Kepu all on the bench, and Sean McMahon is another natural openside in the Pooper mould. Nick Frisby will become another Wallaby debutant at scrum half at some stage and Lealiifano would have started at 12 had it not been for the birth of his first child.

Arnold the Brumbie becomes tallest Wallaby ever

Australia: Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Greg Holmes, Rory Arnold, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Sean McMahon, Nick Frisby, Christian Lealiifano

The first test represents England's best chance of a victory, so it will be tight, but I predict Australia to win by 7 points.

MORE NEW LAWS ... HURRAH!

Yes, they have finally got rid of scrums and rolling mauls...

....unfortunately not!

World Rugby has introduced a number of law changes to the northern hemisphere game in an effort to stop simulation. Any player who dives or feigns injury in an effort to influence match officials will be liable for sanction.

Players who need to be substituted because of an injury following foul play will no longer count as one of their team's six allotted replacements.

And a change has also been made in the application of a maul law, punishable by a penalty. It means a player in possession cannot slip to the back of a maul, with the ball having to be moved backwards hand to hand instead.

The changes have been in effect in the southern hemisphere since January.

HOME NATIONS HEAD SOUTH FOR SUMMER TOURS

It is strange that a country not even involved in touring the Southern Hemisphere will have a considerable impact on the Home Nations summer tours. As the French season goes onto August (or close to it), so that the French Government (through companies) and/or millionaires who own the clubs can use rugby to show off their wealth or egos, this serves to deprive every other nation (bar NZ and England) of players in June and July.

England head to Australia for three tests, and despite having only won three tests in Oz before (total) must fancy their chances. They have enormous strength of depth (shown by their comfortable win over Wales without Sarries and Exeter players), whereas Michael Cheika, the Australian coach is rebuilding, and will not be able to rely on the (expanding) Aussie contingent en France. Like most nations, he will be using the series to blood some younger players, especially those playing in Super 18 form teams such as the Brumbies and Waratahs, although it must be concerning that Rebels, Reds and Force are again propping up the table (although they have only played NZ teams to date). If England win the 1st test in Brisbane then the 2nd test will be titanic...

Eddie arrives in his home country to find a rubber glove awaits

South Africa, with half their RWC 2015 squad playing for Montpelier, are also re-building, and have the added challenge of needing to field a higher percentage of black players. With many black players featuring for the Lions and Stormers, two sides in rich form in Super 18 (albeit not against NZ teams), I think they will still be more than a match for Ireland. I fear for Ireland, as without Sexton I think they will struggle to control test matches. I also cannot understand why they have not selected Gareth Steenson (Northern Irish) of Exeter at fly half as the English Premiership is of a higher standard than most of the Irish players are exposed to. The Irish selectors also seem to have been watching another league this season, as there are very few from the standout Connacht team, which has dominated the Pro 12. I predict an easy series win for SA.

I would like to say "Here's Jonny" but he won't be....

Lastly, Wales take on New Zealand, who despite being in re-building mode, and losing almost as many players to the French bistro's as SA, still look capable of fielding an incredibly strong side, consisting of a dreaded mix of RWC winning experience and youth. The Crusaders, Chiefs, Hurricanes and Highlanders all look impressive this season in Super 18, and the Blues are much better than their "season horriblus" last year. I fear for Wales, especially if they play defensively (and tactically) as badly as they did against England last weekend. They are also unsure when French based players such as Jonathan Davies and Luke Charteris will join the squad. Again, I predict an inevitable series whitewash for the Southern Hemisphere team.

Before I finish this post, can I express my dismay at the selfish "me, me, me" attitude of the owners of clubs like Toulon, who only care about winning themselves, deliberately attempt to intimidate players into not playing for their country (by threatening them with sanctions), and treat everyone else in the game with disdain (from journalists to other clubs to World Rugby). Guys leave our game alone, and go buy another Sunseeker or Tesla. It is time for the governing body to man up, leave its Howth seafood restaurant and show such gentlemen who is boss. It is our game, not theirs. The next generation need to be inspired by watching their national side competing at the highest level against other nations in a national stadium. The rugby equivalent of USA Utd v Abu Dhabi City is not the answer. Just look at the French national side.

JONES OMITS ASHTON FOR OZ TOUR

Eddie Jones confuses me. In contrast to the Culture Club that Stuart Lancaster ran when England coach, Eddie's Living on the Edge philosophy was quite refreshing, selecting players more on physicality, attitude and how streetwise they are. That is why I simply cannot understand why he has selected Marland Yarde over Chris Ashton to tour Australia. I am not Ashton's biggest fan as many know but he has scored 10 tries in 8 games for his club, by far the best team in Europe not just the UK. He was outstanding for Sarries in Lyon as was Andy Goode (although EJ didn't think so). Ashton has his issues, like Farrell and Marler, but there is no better player in his position currently, so why leave him at home. It is either a Development tour or a chance to beat Australia in their own backyard with your best team. I know Ashton's wife is expecting a baby at end of June and that may be the real reason for him not touring with the Normans, but let's not let the facts get in the way of a good post. Eddie is quite happy to include such lunatics as Dylan Hartley in the squad, who spend more time banned than playing these days, and helicopter in some Southern Hemisphere guy who has not even played for a Premiership club (registered...just), yet leave Ashton out, expecting Yarde to dominate the Australian back three. And how he can justify picking Ford at 10 ahead of Farrell is beyond me ... anyway, enough!

SCOTLAND AND CONNACHT DO A LEICESTER CITY

Yes I know Sarries are a great side who have had a wonderful season. I was in Lyon to watch their final which they won comfortably to take their first Champions trophy. And I know Exeter, Wasps and Leicester are also great teams, but there is other rugby going on in the UK which merits coverage. The English press column inches given to Connacht's achievements this season has been woeful, even this weekend, when having beaten Glasgow for the second time in a fortnight (admittedly at home) they now march onto the Pro 12 final to play the mighty Leinster. Most non Irish people have never really understood how Ireland can fund four professional teams, especially one based in Galway, with a 7,000 capacity stadium, full of journeyman from other clubs. But Pat Lam, the Samoan legend and Connacht coach, has done a marvellous job over a number of seasons culminating in them being the dominant Irish team this year from start to finish. If they win the Pro 12 it will be (almost) as good as Leicester City's title win. Let's hope that, despite the inevitable promotion of some of their players, like Robbie Henshaw, to bigger Irisher provinces next season, that Connacht's progress is not a one off.

Connacht beat Glasgow again to win tight game and make Pro 12 final

Likewise, Scotland Sevens team, who despite being 12th in the World Rugby rankings, won their first 7's crown in London beating Kenya, England (how sweet) plus USA on the way, and SA in the final. An achievement (almost) as good as Leicester City, etc ... I missed it live, but the three tries scored in the last 2 mins must have been a marvellous spectacle, crowned with Dougie Fife's winner after the hooter had sounded. Thrilling stuff, and it's a shame that more Tier 2 nations cannot repeat their achievement in the 15 a side game, dominated by its size, set piece and money.

I love the smell of heather in the morning, smells like victory

Again, coverage of the win was token in the English press, with the Telegraph squeezing it in almost as a support piece to a feature on the England 7's captain's injury. Don't get me started on Simon (English coach) Amos' English dominated selection for the GB squad, which doesn't look so exciting now England are so desperately short of form, having suffered easy defeats to Scotland in the last two tournaments. In my view there are too many 15 a side players in the squad, and not enough of the specialist 7's talent on show in London this weekend.

Great Britain Sevens Men Squad for Rio 2016: Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Bibby (England Sevens), Tom Bowen (England Sevens), Phil Burgess (England Sevens), Sam Cross (Wales Sevens), James Davies (Scarlets), Alex Davis (England Sevens), Richard de Carpentier (England Sevens), Jamie Farndale (Scotland Sevens), Alex Gray (England Sevens), Charlie Hayter (England Sevens), Warwick Lahmert (England Sevens), Ollie Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins), Gavin Lowe (Scotland Sevens), Ruaridh McConnochie (England Sevens), Tom Mitchell (England Sevens), Luke Morgan (Wales Sevens), Dan Norton (England Sevens), Scott Riddell (Scotland Sevens), Mark Robertson (Scotland Sevens), James Rodwell (England Sevens), Joe Simpson (Wasps), Luke Treharne (Wales Sevens), Marcus Watson (Newcastle Falcons).

FORD TAKES EARLY BATH

Mike Ford, the Bath coach, is leaving the club with immediate effect. He moves on after four years, having failed to move forward from last season's successes, with Bath only winning 9/22 league games and finishing 17 points off play offs. OATH has been critical of underperforming Bath this season, and the club never really recovered from the "Burgess" saga post RWC 2015, also losing two more players due to ill discipline towards the end of the season, along with Stuart Hooper, the captain, to injury, and finally the calming influence Neal Hatley from the coaching team to England. There appears to have been a lot of emotion, pressure and intensity at Bath, led by the owner, Bruce Craig, as well as Mike Ford. Some players respond to this, obviously most at Bath, did not. There wasn't a lot of fun to be had, and key players form dipped as a result (Joseph, Watson, Denton). Some decided to leave like Ollie Devoto, who is moving down the road to the new West England powerhouse, Exeter Chiefs.

Few smiles at Bath this season...

So who will pick up the poison chalice and try to transform a great club into Premiership Top 4 next season. The bookies favourite is Heyneke Meyer, the ex-Springkoks coach, as others in the running, like Stuart Lancaster, either look set to move elsewhere (Queensland Reds or Highlanders), or stay put, as in Pat Lam (Connacht) or Gregor Townsend (Glasgow) to finish off what they have started. Bruce Craig may have to be patient for success as Nigel Wray has been financially supporting Saracens for 20 years, and has only just won the European Champions Cup.