Heaslip poised to return

Ahead of Sunday's RBS Six Nations clash with France,Jamie Heaslip Ireland number eight is available for selection.

During the autumn internationals Heaslip was Ireland's standout performer but due to an ankle injury ruled him out of the opening game in Italy.

However, the 27-year-old Leinster back-row came through training on Tuesday and is set to be included when the line-up is named on Wednesday.

Manager Paul McNaughton said on Tuesday: "We felt earlier today we weren't in a position to name the team as there was too much doubt on the fitness of several players.

"But following training this afternoon, Andrew Trimble and Jamie Heaslip came through the session okay.

"We felt there was no need to actually hold off on selection, so we will go ahead as planned tomorrow.

"We were also able to confirm that Stephen Ferris is still not ready for a return to play and has been ruled out of the France game."

Gray looking to rattle France

Scotland is seeking for a first RBS 6 Nations win over France in Paris on Saturday where Gary wants to make is performance felt.

"We've got to go out there and really rattle the French in the first 10, 20 minutes, try not let them get that rhythm," said Gray. "They're a fantastic side, fantastic with ball in hand and really strong up front. We'll need to do everything in our power to stop that."

In Scotland wins over world champions South Africa and Samoa,it was Gray who had played and important role over the success.

Gray, who will win his seventh cap on Saturday, added: "I won't be looking too much into that. I'm just looking to perform my best and do what I can to help the team out.

"The dark arts is something the French are really good at - a really aggressive pack. I look forward to going up against them.

"I'm really excited, but also quite nervous.

"I'm looking into everything, playing against the French and also the stadium that we'll be in - a fantastic stadium and a fantastic crowd.

Scotland name Kellock captain

Kellock who has been appointed as captain of Scotland seems to be very positive for Six Nation Cup opener against France seeking to end a 12-year wait for victory in Paris.

Andy Robinson coach called Kellock midway last week and persuade him to step into Leadership role he held during Scotland’s 2-0 Test series win in Argentina last summer.

Kellock said: “I was delighted, absolutely delighted to be in the squad and to be asked to be captain is a huge honour.

“We were straight out to training so there wasn’t too much time to dwell on it.

“I am very pleased. I had the opportunity to do it in Argentina a couple of times and it was brilliant.

“To be able to do it in a six nations game will be a massive honour.”

Kellock intends to ensure he leads from the front.

He added: “Being captain at Glasgow in the last five seasons has helped me, it’s made me play better.

“I’ve got to make sure that happens here as well, that I’m playing to the best of my ability and leading by example.”

Robinson denies links to Bath

It has been denied by the Scotland head coach Andy Robinson that reports related to his appointment as the new coach of Premiership outfit Bath is fake.

Until after the end of the 2012 RBS Six Nations,Robinson has been appointed with the Scottish Rugby Union under a contract.Robinson has recently led the Scots to five victories in their previous six internationals, including a famous win over Australia at Murrayfield during the recent autumn internationals.

Robinson have a very close bonding with Bath,he has coached them to Heineken Cup success in 1998, as having played at the Rec with distinction for 13 seasons, in which he made 249 appearances for the club.

“There's obviously been some speculation around myself, but I've got a contract to 2012,” Robinson said. "There's a long time until that contract's up.

Johnson adds three new faces to England's

Fans of England can expect some new faces in the squad for this year Rugby Six Nations competition.

Three new players has been called up by the coach Martin Johnson and they are Charlie Hodgson, Louis Deacon and Joe Simpson.

Gloucester's David Attwood and Wasps' Dominic Waldouck had been called back in place of Leicester Tigers lock Deacon and uncapped Wasps scrum-half Simpson,while Sale fly-half Hodgson is back after suffering a broken foot in November.

Louis missed Australia tour and autumn internationals is now return to the squad.He missed two tournaments because of a back injury following Attwood banning for stamping during Gloucester's recent European Challenge Cup defeat to La Rochelle.

Johnson will also need to find replacements for Tom Croft and Courtney Lawes, who have both recently been ruled out with injuries.

Cardiff Blues beat Aironi in Magners League

Since October,Wales wing Leigh Halfpenny marked his first start with a try to set the Blues on the way to a hard-fought success which has taken them up to third in the Magners League.

Halfpenny was having ankle injury which kept him out of autumn internationals but he is now fully recovered,struck after just seven minutes to suggest this was going to be a comfortable evening for Dai Young’s men.

But it proved to be anything but that, as Aironi belied their position at the foot of the Magners League table with a committed, combative display led by their powerful pack.

Italian new boys Aironi may have ultimately left the Cardiff City Stadium still searching for their first Magners win after suffering a 12th straight defeat in the competition.

Northampton Saints' Ben Foden 'not yet England regular'

Ben Foden said that he doesn't consider himself as a regular player for England.

Northampton Saints full-back Ben Foden participated in all four of England's autumn internationals, scoring one try against South Africa.

Foden told BBC Look East: "With international rugby, each game you play, you try to keep your spot.

"I just need to keep my form running at Saints. Heineken Cup rugby is where you lay down performances that the selectors take note of."