We also hear from a stellar cast including Jonny Wilkinson, Iain Balshaw and Lawrence Dallaglio as well as England youngster Jonathan Joseph.

England forwards coach Rowntree has first-hand experience in South Africa as forwards coach with the British & Irish Lions in 2009 and insists any side that wants to win there has to earn the right to play at the breakdown.

He also analyses the prospects for newcomers like Tom Youngs, Graham Kitchener and Joe Launchbury who are all part of Stuart Lancaster’s 42-strong touring squad.

Centre Joseph, coached by new England man Mike Catt at London Irish, tells us he’s ready to stake his claim on tour and in the Killick Cup game against the Barbarians on May 27 at Twickenham Stadium.

World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) and Iain Balshaw (Biarritz) talk about being on opposite sides on Friday night at the Stoop in the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup.

The Dallaglio-Flintoff Cycle Slam is due to finish on Friday after an epic 2,872km trek from Greece to London raising money for Cancer Research UK and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Dallaglio reports on his progress and weighs up the prospects for Leinster and Ulster at Twickenham Stadium in this weekend’s Heineken Cup final.

The 21-year old has been a huge success for the Ospreys this season, scoring eight tries in 24 appearances, including the RaboDirect PRO12 Try of the Season against Edinburgh at Murrayfield in February.

Dirksen commented:

“I’m very happy. The Ospreys are the best team in Wales and I’m really happy to be a part of the organisation. I feel at home here, everybody has made very welcome and this is my region so I’m happy that I can continue playing for the Ospreys.

“I’ve been given some chances this season and I think I’ve taken them the best I can. It’s great to be playing and training with top class players, Wales internationals and Lions, it’s been an absolutely amazing year for me. It’s nice to be in a squad with so many top class players that I can learn off.

“I’m really excited about the way the team is developing, we seem to be growing every day, every week. It’s good to be finishing off the season with a final, we have worked hard to get there and now we have to make sure we don’t let anybody down.”
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, added:

“Hanno has enjoyed a great season and has really shown what a talent he is. It’s great that we can call on his services for another two seasons. If he continues to work hard and shows the attitude and desire to improve his all round game that we’ve seen from him since he joined the group, he could have a very bright future with the Ospreys.”

Hailing from Krugersdorp in the Gauteng province of South Africa, he moved to the USA with his family in 2006 while still a teenager. Having represented the USA at age grade level, Dirksen became the youngest player to represent the Eagles at senior level when he featured in the non-capped match against Munster in Connecticut in August 2008.

He arrived in the UK to study at Truro College on a scholarship for the 2008/09 academic year before transferring his studies to Neath Port Talbot College in September 2009. He signed for Swansea shortly after, ending the campaign as top try-scorer as he touched down 21 times in just 22 games, claiming the Young Player of the Year award and putting pen to paper on a regional contract in January 2011.

Full back Dan Evans, 23, joins the Dragons from the Scarlets whilst full back/wing Tom Prydie, 20, also makes the move East from the Ospreys. Their recruitment comes days after the Leinster game where the Dragons bid farewell to back 3 players Aled Brew and Martyn Thomas.

Both Dan and Tom have huge potential and are Wales caps but have had limited opportunities up until now.

Dan Evans rose through the ranks at the Scarlets and has been a mainstay in the squad over the past 3 seasons. He has racked up 14 appearances for the Scarlets this season including home and away against the Dragons. Dan won two caps on Wales’s 2009 North America tour, making his debut in the 32-23 win over Canada but has been overlooked since.

On his move to the Dragons, Dan said “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s exciting to be joining a squad with the amount of young talent that the Dragons has at the moment. I’m eager to press for some more game time and hopefully help push for a successful season here at the Dragons.”

Prydie has been on loan with London Wasps since January, making 7 appearances for the Aviva Premiership side. Tom is a regular member of the Wales 7s side and has already earned four Wales caps. He became the youngest player to play for Wales when he faced Italy in the 2010 Six Nations aged 18 years and 25 days, and then became Wales’ youngest try-scorer when he touched down against South Africa three months later.

Tom has recently been named in Danny Wilson’s Wales Under 20 squad for the Junior World Championships in South Africa this summer alongside Dragons Jon Evans, Jack Dixon and Ieuan Jones.

Tom has signed from the Ospreys where he made his debut at the age of 17 years and 292 days. That came as a second-half replacement in their Heineken Cup match against Viadana in December 2009, an appearance that made him the youngest player in Heineken Cup history.

Tom is looking forward to joining a youthful Dragons side and can see a lot of potential at the region. “I’m really looking forward to the new challenge that signing with the Dragons presents.” said Tom.

“I’ve worked with Darren before and felt I learned a lot from the time I spent with him. I really enjoyed the experience so am looking forward to getting involved in a new environment down at the Dragons next season.”

“This season has felt a bit stop start, particularly at the start of the season so it will be great to have a fresh start and a bit of consistency. There is a lot of potential at the Dragons and hopefully we can be very competitive next season.”

Dragons Director of Rugby Robert Beale was delighted with the signings, “I’m obviously really happy that both of these young players have decided to join us here at the Dragons. They both show a lot of promise and I am looking forward to working with them over the coming seasons.”

Norton scored a record 36thtry of the season as England saw off France 28-0 in the opening game of the Marriott London Sevens.

Former Bristol and Gloucester wing Norton has now scored more times in a sevens campaign than any other England player in the 13-year history of the HSBC Sevens World Series, overtaking Rob Thirlby (35) in a list that includes the likes of Ugo Monye and David Strettle.

England’s other scores came from Sam Edgerley, who picked up to two tries – and a yellow card during the second half – with Tom Mitchell touching down once and kicking four conversions.

England stuttered early on against France with a number of unforced errors but Edgerley broke from long range, Mitchell exploited some good defensive work that turned over the ball and Edgerley again reacted fastest to snatch the ball and race in from inside his own half to put England 21-0 clear at the interval.

The half back was sent to the sin-bin mid-way through the second half, though, but England did well with only six on the field with James Rodwell covering the ground with ball in hand before Turner twisted and turned the French and before putting Norton away.

Former Gloucester and Bristol wing Norton took his total to 37 this term, more than any Englishman has scored in a single season of on the world series, overtaking Rob Thirlby’s tally of 35 in 2003-04.

Sam Edgerley (2) and Tom Mitchell added tries for England against France with Mitchell converting all four.

Edgerley and Mitchell were also on target against the USA, who briefly threatened when Rocco Mauer levelled the game.

Dan Fish got the consolation try against Spain having scored the clincher against Zimbabwe when Richard Smith and Rhys Jones also scored.

England had stuttered during both their opening games with a high error count but they were untroubled once Edgerley – a Latin and Greek student at University College London – raced in from long range.

Mitchell exploited some good defensive work that won a turn-over for the second try and Edgerley again reacted fastest to snatch the ball and race in from inside his own half to put England 21-0 clear at the interval.

The half back was sent to the sin-bin mid-way through the second half, though, but England did well with only six on the field before Mat Turner put Norton away.

England were more composed against the USA, a patient passage of build-up play culminating in Mitchell’s opening try.

Mauer levelled but Edgerley then took advantage of some ball-winning work from Chris Cracknell to dart over, then more thoughtful build-up play allowed Norton to stroll over for this season’s try No.37.

Quarter final England v Fiji

England were edged out of a quarter final thriller 21-14 by Fiji after succumbing to an injury time score on the second morning of the Marriott London Sevens.

World Player of the Year nominee Mat Turner’s two tries had put England on the front foot and they were pushing for the winning score until they were penalised at the breakdown. Fiji then went the length of the field for Jamilai Naikadawa to clinch victory.

The result puts Fiji into the semi finals against New Zealand, who clinched a 10^thHSBC Sevens World Series title when they thumped South Africa 36-0. Argentina meet Samoa in the other half of the draw.

Third-placed England now take on South Africa in the semi finals of the Plate competition.

On day one, England had beaten France 28-0 and the USA 15-5 before a 14-7 defeat against Samoa halted their progress.

Against Fiji – who will finish the series in second place – England produced their most incisive attacking work of the weekend.

They trailed to Setefano Cakau’s early try but a composed build-up with good work from Sam Edgerley and Chris Cracknell put Turner away with Tom Mitchell converting.

They hit the front in the second half with Dan Norton involved on the left before Turner was put away down the middle for a 14-7 lead.

Fiji levelled two minutes from time through Isake Katonibau but England dominated the closing moments with Turner and Rob Vickerman bursting into the Fiji 22 before the Islanders got out of jail.

Plate semi England v South Africa

Mat Turner’s try edged England past South Africa 19-17 and into a Plate final against Australia on day two of the Marriott London Sevens.

The World Sevens Player of the Year nominee also struck twice in the 21-14 cup quarter final defeat against Fiji settled when Jamilai Naikadawa struck in the final move of the match.

Tom Powell and Sam Edgerley then got the scoreboard moving against the Blitzbokke only to England to find themselves trailing 17-12 in the final moments and pinned on their own line.

But Edgerley twisted his way out of trouble and Turner shrugged off a tackle before accelerating 70 metres to the line with Mitchell’s conversion completing the escape act.

The result sent England into the Plate final against Australia, who held off Spain 17-12.

Earlier New Zealand duly clinched their 10^thHSBC Sevens World Series title by beating South Africa 36-0.

Tournament roundup

England finished the HSBC Sevens World Series in third place overall after being beaten 14-12 in the Marriott London Sevens Plate final by Australia.

Mat Turner’s fifth try of the weekend meant he finished as the series leader with 38 in the campaign from the nine events – one ahead of teammate Dan Norton – and debutant Jeff Williams struck in the second half but Dan Bibby missed with a late penalty shot at goal as Australia hung on the lead earned by tries from captain Ed Jenkins and Ed Stubbs.

New Zealand wrapped up a 10thseries title for coach Gordon Tietjens by reaching the semi finals, where they were beaten by Fiji, who lifted the London title with a 38-15 win over Samoa and claimed second place in the overall rankings.

They were cheered home by a day two crowd of 42,977, taking the total attendance to a record series high of 103,027 for the weekend.

Earlier Fiji had edged out England of the cup 21-14 at the quarter final stage with a last-play try from Jimilai Nakadawa. England then staged their own great escape act when World Player of the Year nominee Turner clinched a 19-17 win over South Africa in the Plate semi final.

Overall they didn’t hit the heights they reached in winning Dubai in December or in reaching the Glasgow final last weekend, but head coach Ben Ryan was upbeat about their progress.

“We gave Fiji their sternest test and were one ruck under their posts from reaching the semi final, so things could have been a little bit different, but that’s the way sevens goes,” said Ryan, whose sport assumes Olympic status after the end of the London 2012 Games

“We’re proud of our efforts over the last 12 months and I’m really enthusiastic about the potential in the side. We’ll stay together as a group and I’m sure we’ll improve.”

Wales beat Scotland 27-5 to win the third tier Bowl competition with tries from Richard Smith, Alex Walker, Dan Fish and Rhys Patchel. Andrew Turnbull replied.

After their shock 22-7 defeat against Spain on the opening day, Wales beat the USA 28-19 and Fish’s late try grabbed a 28-26 win over Portugal. Scotland cruised past Kenya 21-5 and Zimbabwe 31-19.

England’s secured a second IRB Women’s Challenge Cup win of the season by beating the Netherlands 34-7 with a hat trick of tries from Joanne Watmore, two from Katherine Merchant and one from Alice Richardson.

World Player of the Year nominee Mat Turner’s two tries had put England on the front foot and they were pushing for the winning score until they were penalised at the breakdown. Fiji then went the length of the field for Jamilai Naikadawa to clinch victory.

The result puts Fiji into the semi finals against New Zealand, who clinched a 10thHSBC Sevens World Series title when they thumped South Africa 36-0. Argentina meet Samoa in the other half of the draw.

Third-placed England now take on South Africa in the semi finals of the Plate competition.

On day one, England had beaten France 28-0 and the USA 15-5 before a 14-7 defeat against Samoa halted their progress.

Against Fiji – who will finish the series in second place – England produced their most incisive attacking work of the weekend.

They trailed to Setefano Cakau’s early try but a composed build-up with good work from Sam Edgerley and Chris Cracknell put Turner away with Tom Mitchell converting.

They hit the front in the second half with Dan Norton involved on the left before Turner was put away down the middle for a 14-7 lead.

Fiji levelled two minutes from time through Isake Katonibau but England dominated the closing moments with Turner and Rob Vickerman bursting into the Fiji 22 before the Islanders got out of jail.

Elsewhere Wales recovered from yesterday’s shock defeat at the hands of Spain to beat the USA 28-19 with Richard Smith, Adam Thomas, Craig Price and Alex Walker all scoring.

Scotland logged a 21-5 win over Kenya with tries from Michael Fedo, Bryon McGuigan and Andrew Skeen. Both teams advance to the Bowl semi finals against Portugal and Zimbabwe respectively.

England have called newcomer Jeff Williams and former captain Andy Vilk into their squad for this weekend’s Marriott London Sevens.

Head coach Ben Ryan had needed to make one change for the final leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series after former England U20 wing Mark Odejobi fractured a bone in his foot last weekend.

But half back John Brake is suffering from concussion caused by a blow to the head in the Glasgow final against New Zealand, so both the powerful Vilk and France-based Williams join the group.

England face France (12:42), the USA (16:00) and Samoa (19:28) in tomorrow’s Pool B matches with Fiji or Wales their potential opponents if they reach the quarter finals.

Former Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks centre Vilk, 30, captained England Sevens in 2007-08 before moving to Treviso and has been playing under Neil Back at Rugby Lions this season.

Williams, 23, is a centre with RC Chateaurenard in the Federale 1 division in France this season who previously played for the Hamiltons club and the Sharks Academy in South Africa.

“We’re lucky to be able to call on two quality players who’ve spent a lot of time with the squad,” said England head coach Ben Ryan.

“Andy’s very experienced with more than 30 tournaments under his belt at this level while Jeff’s got a good pedigree, has impressed us in training and by the way he’s fitted into our group so well.

“We feel we’re on an upward curve at the moment and we played some great rugby in Glasgow so we’re eager to finish on a high on what should be a fantastic occasion at Twickenham.”

England are third in the table behind New Zealand and Fiji going into the final leg of a series in which the eight tournament titles have been shared by five different teams.

England Sevens: Dan Bibby (UWIC), Chris Brightwell, Chris Cracknell, Sam Edgerley (Rosslyn Park), Tom Mitchell (Oxford University), Dan Norton, Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Mathew Turner, Rob Vickerman, Andy Vilk (Rugby Lions), Jeff Williams (RC Chateaurenard)

HSBC Sevens World Series standings (top six): 1 New Zealand 150pts, 2 Fiji 139, 3 England 123, 4 South Africa 115, 5 Samoa 114, 6 Australia 99, 7 Wales 83, 8 Argentina 77

There are 13 uncapped players in the group with Danny Care and James Haskell both returning to the fold for next month’s tour which includes three Tests and two midweek games.

Twickenham is about to host another record-breaking 100,000-plus crowd at this weekend’s Marriott London Sevens.

England Sevens captain Rob Vickerman is looking forward to coming home after eight overseas legs in the HSBC Sevens World Series but series leaders New Zealand – coached by Gordon Tietjens – will want to claim another title.

We hear from England’s newly-appointed Women’s Sevens coach Barry Maddocks, whose side want to build on a tournament win in Hong Kong on their last outing.

The Aviva Premiership is moving into its knockout stages and we were at the annual awards night this week to speak to Harlequins and England captain Chris Robshaw – named the Premiership’s Player of the Season – and Land Rover Discovery of the Season, Saracens and England fly half Owen Farrell.

And we also caught up with Dr Mark Brosnan, the scientist tasked with analysing which club has the most passionate fans.

Former Under 18 international Billy, brother of Mako who played in last year’s competition, is in line to make his Under 20 debut after impressing for Wasps in the latter stages of the season.

Aviva Premiership Discovery of the Season nominee Kvesic misses out after having surgery on a shoulder injury, meaning the 20-year-old Warrior won’t add to his 14 Under 20 caps.

Vunipola said: “This is a really exciting opportunity and one I’m looking forward to. Matt’s a quality player and he’ll be missed, but having trained with the squad earlier in the season I know that there’s some real talent in there.”

Kvesic added: “I’m obviously gutted to miss the tournament. After losing in last year’s final against New Zealand I was looking forward to giving it another crack, but it’s not meant to be. I’ve loved every minute representing the Under 20s and I wish the guys the best of luck in South Africa – I’ve got every confidence they’ll give it their all.”

England Under 20 Head Coach Rob Hunter said: “It’s a blow to lose a player of Matt’s experience and leadership so soon before the competition, he has been an exceptional player to work with at Under 20 level and will be missed. However in Billy we have a very talented replacement who I am certain will grab the opportunity with both hands.”

IRB Junior World Championship schedule

All games live on Sky Sports HD

Game 1
England v Italy
Monday June 4, 15:45 (GMT)
University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town

Game 2
England v Ireland
Friday June 8, 17:45 (GMT)
Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch

Game 3
South Africa v England
Tuesday June 12, 17:45 (GMT)
Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch

Semi-final
Sunday June 17

Final
Friday June 22

The England Women’s squad to compete in the Amsterdam Sevens on May 19 & 20 has been announced.

Saracens’ Sonia Green will captain the side who head to Holland straight after this weekend’s IRB Women’s Challenge Cup at the Marriott London Sevens. Green takes over the captaincy armband from Wasps’ Michaela Staniford who is being rested for this tournament.

Also new to the England squad are Wasps’ Natasha Brennan and Bristol’s Katie Mason. The duo join a line-up mixed with experience and youth. The likes of Jenny Brightmore and Emily Scott will be looking to build on their experiences with England in Dubai while Heather Fisher, Alice Richardson and Rachael Burford are amongst the more senior players.

12 international teams will compete for the coveted Amsterdam Sevens crown and England will face the USA, South Africa and Wales in Pool A. Pool B pits Canada, Spain, France and newcomers Ireland against each other, with the final pool seeing the hosts take on Australia, Germany and Scotland.

England Women’s Sevens Head Coach Barry Maddocks said: “We have mixed up our sevens squad for this tournament. It is important that we give as many of our players a chance to develop at this level and that is what we are doing for the Amsterdam Sevens. It will be an important experience for our less experienced players to taste international rugby at this level and the pressure it brings.

“This will be a tough pool with the USA, South Africa and Wales all in the mix. Wales will certainly be looking to put in a good performance ahead of the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens qualifying tournament later this year, while the USA have been regulars in the knock out stages of the IRB Women’s Challenge Cup tournaments and South Africa have also pushed us close in recent games.”

England Sevens Squad

• Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond)
• Natasha Brennan (Wasps)
• Jennifer Brightmore (Worcester)
• Rachael Burford (Richmond)
• Heather Fisher (Worcester)
• Sonia Green (C) (Saracens)
• Natasha Hunt (Lichfield)
• Katie Mason (Bristol)
• Alice Richardson (Richmond)
• Leanne Riley (Saracens)
• Emily Scott (Thurrock)
• Kay Wilson (Bristol)

The core of the squad featured in the recent under-20 Six Nations Championship which saw Ireland lose out to England in a Grand Slam decider in March.

Seven of the squad featured in the 2011 Junior World Championship. Flankers Shane Buckley and Aaron Conneely, second row Iain Henderson and prop Tadhg Furlong will add experience up front.

In the back line, Ruddock can call upon the experience of Paddy Jackson, who recently starred in Ulster’s Heineken Cup Semi Final win, JJ Hanrahan and scrum-half Kieran Marmion who all featured in 2011.

Ireland under-20 Head Coach Mike Ruddock said, “We are coming into the IRB Junior World Championship on the back of a relatively successful Six Nations having won four out of five of our matches. This gives us some confidence going into the tournament.   However, we are in an extremely physical group. We have hosts South Africa up first, followed by the 6 Nations champions England and then the ever improving Italians.   It will require a massive effort from our part to overcome such physical size and power but we intend to give it our best shot.”

*Details of a media opportunity with Head Coach Mike Ruddock and selected players in advance of their departure to the tournament will be announced shortly.

Ireland U-20 Squad (IRB Junior World Championship, South Africa 2012)

Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne /Leinster)

Shane Buckley (Garryowen/Munster)*

Jake Cawley (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Jordon Coghlan (UCD/Leinster)

Sam Coghlan Murray (UCD/Leinster)

Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Aaron Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht)*

Barry Daly (UCD/Leinster)

Chris Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster)

Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)*

Conor Gilsenan (UCD/Mullingar /Leinster)

J.J. Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)*

Iain Henderson (Queens University /Ulster)*

Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*

Shane Layden (Buccaneers /Connacht)

Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)*

Cathal Marsh (Trinity College /Leinster)

Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)

Des Merry (Clontarf/Leinster)

Peter Nelson (Dungannon/Ulster)

Alan O’Connor (UCD/Leinster)

Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

James Rael (Garryowen/Munster)

Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Niall Scannell (Dolphin RFC/Munster)

Mikey Sherlock (Clontarf/Leinster)

Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster)

*Featured in 2011 Junior World Championship

IRFB Junior World Championship Fixtures:

Pool B (all times are local)

4th June, England v Italy, K.O. 16:45 (University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town)

4th June, South Africa v Ireland, K.O. 18:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)

8th June, South Africa v Italy, K.O. 18:45 (University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town)

8th June, England v Ireland, K.O. 18:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)

12th June, Ireland v Italy, K.O.14:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)

12th June, South Africa v England, K.O. 18:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)