Italy's autumn internationals for Mauro Bergamasco and Gonzalo Canale back

MILAN, Italy — Italy has called up flanker Mauro Bergamasco and centre Gonzalo Canale after initially fearing that the pair would miss Italy's autumn internationals.
Bergamasco has been out of action with an injured foot. Canale hurt his back playing for Clermont Auvergne in the last round of matches in the French league.
Both players are crucial to coach Nick Mallett's plans as mainstays in the Italy side. Bergamasco has 76 caps, while Canale's next will be his 50th.
Italy plays New Zealand in Milan on Nov. 14, world champion South Africa in Udine on Nov. 21 and Samoa in Ascoli on No 28.

Autumn internationals are time for European rugby nations to front up, Mick Cleary

Ireland and Wales must aim for a clean sweep, while England should win two from three in autumn internationals.

Mellow and fruitful, eh? That's not been the case for any of the national coaches as the autumn series of Tests have swung into view.
The upsurge of confidence that emanated from the Lions tour to South Africa has long since dissipated. The rugby has been ho-hum, stand-out individual performances few and far between and the injury toll a constant intrusion into best-laid plans.
But as a month-long fest kicks off with two seminal encounters on Saturday, as England take on Australia at Twickenham and Wales attempt again to lay the All Blacks ghost to rest in Cardiff, one thing is clear: it's time for the European nations to front up.
For Wales and Ireland, there are no get-out clauses. Anything less than a clean sweep would rate as a disappointment. Given that Wales have not beaten the All Blacks since 1953, that obligation might seem excessive. It isn't, because if not now, it might as well be never. True, there are a few injuries in the camp, and scrum-half Mike Phillips will be particularly missed, but nothing beyond the norm.
If the Lions are to have any relevance outside their immediate sphere, there has to be spin-off into occasions such as these. The Lions managed to rattle the Springboks with a scratch (top-quality) side and minimal preparation.
Wales have three of the Lions coaches, Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley, in their ranks. These men have no reason to accept second-class status, and nor should the players they send out at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
The same will be true of Ireland when they get into action, notably against Australia and, in a rousing climax to November, South Africa: grand slam champions against world champions.
In finally delivering the goods last March after 61 years of underachievement, Ireland cannot afford to lapse now if they still reckon themselves to be genuine contenders for the World Cup two years' hence.
They have no cause to genuflect before either of the major southern hemisphere powers and have to begin with sharp purpose against the Wallabies at Croke Park on Sunday week.
Scotland, as ever, are obliged to make best use of slender resources, this time under former England coach Andy Robinson. He deserves any breaks on offer.
What then of injury-ravaged England? In fact, make that England. Ignore the injuries. England have so many players to choose from – far, far more than their opponents this Saturday – that there can be no refuge in passing inconvenience, all the more so now that manager Martin Johnson has some sort of handle on the medical welfare of his elite players.
They are rested at various times, they have designated training camps and enhanced lead-in time to Test matches.
Last week, Johnson's boss, Rob Andrew, said the England manager was safe in his job through to the 2011 World Cup. Johnson won't buy that sort of PR-speak.
On Monday night, at a dinner to celebrate Twickenham's centenary, Johnson was voted 02 Player of the Century. He won that poll not just because he lifted the Webb Ellis pot but more for the values he represented as a player: uncompromising and uncomplaining.
His team now have to be judged by the same criteria. Anything less than two victories from the games against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand must be considered a failure.
Little slack was cut for Johnson's predecessors, Brian Ashton and Andy Robinson. The same rules should apply now. Mellow? No chance.

Ben Foden drafted into England squad for autumn internationals

BEN Foden will be looking to add to his caps collection when England take on Australia, New Zealand and Argentina next month.
The versatile Northampton Saints back, who is from Cholmondeley, was this week included in Martin Johnson’s 32 man squad for the autumn internationals.
With almost 20 players unavailable due to injury, Foden has the perfect opportunity to prove his worth to Johnson.
He has already started two full internationals for England and will be keen to collect more caps at Twickenham against Australia (November 7), Argentina (November 14) and New Zealand (November 21).
The 24-year-old started his rugby career at Chester Rugby Club and is a former Bishop Heber High School pupil.
Brother Tom still plays for Chester and dad Rob completed a successful spell as head coach at Hare Lane in the summer.

Autumn Internationals as it happened

Autumn internationals - as it happened

RESULTS:

Ireland 55-0 Canada
Match report

Scotland 6-32 New Zealand
Match report

The challenge for Wales is a mathematical cinch at the Millennium Stadium today. Beat Australia by 15 points or more and earn themselves a top seeding in Monday's World Cup draw that would ensure they do not have to face any of the southern hemisphere giants in the group stages in New Zealand in 2011. Always assuming that England lose to the All Blacks at Twickenham.

On the cynical side of the bridge, everyone takes the last part of the equation to be a given, but nobody is truly anticipating the dream scenario to unfold. Despite their improvement under Warren Gatland, the Six Nations champions remain in a place where any sort of win over a Tri-Nations team is to be celebrated. The points difference is merely for mathematicians and spread-betters.

Saying that, there is a palpable sense of expectation in Cardiff, one that was displayed with unashamed gusto at the Millennium yesterday, following Wales's final training session.
England 39-13 Pacific Islanders
Match report

Wales 15-20 South Africa
Match report

The challenge for Wales is a mathematical cinch at the Millennium Stadium today. Beat Australia by 15 points or more and earn themselves a top seeding in Monday's World Cup draw that would ensure they do not have to face any of the southern hemisphere giants in the group stages in New Zealand in 2011. Always assuming that England lose to the All Blacks at Twickenham.

On the cynical side of the bridge, everyone takes the last part of the equation to be a given, but nobody is truly anticipating the dream scenario to unfold. Despite their improvement under Warren Gatland, the Six Nations champions remain in a place where any sort of win over a Tri-Nations team is to be celebrated. The points difference is merely for mathematicians and spread-betters.

Saying that, there is a palpable sense of expectation in Cardiff, one that was displayed with unashamed gusto at the Millennium yesterday, following Wales's final training session.

Legal row could hit Wales' first autumn Test

The 7 November fixture is outside the International Rugby Board's window and RRW, the regions' umbrella group, was granted an emergency hearing on Friday.

Regional Rugby Wales claim the WRU have not been granted permission for player release for Wales' New Zealand game.

Wales' four rugby regions are set to take the Welsh Rugby Union to the High Court over player availability for Wales' first autumn Test.

The WRU won a similar legal battle over player-release in November 2008.

Then the row centred over player release for Wales' first November Test with world champions South Africa in Cardiff - a Test that was also outside the IRB window.

Wales coach Warren Gatland wanted his international stars available for national team training despite the four regions - the Ospreys, Dragons, Llanelli Scarlets and Cardiff Blues - preparing for crucial EDF Energy Cup games.

England Autumn International Team Players

V Australia, Nov 12
v New Zealand, Nov 19
v Samoa, Nov 26

SQUAD
BACKS
I Balshaw Leeds
M Van Gisbergen Wasps
J Simpson-Daniel Gloucester
M Cueto Sale Sharks
J Lewsey Wasps
S Abbott Wasps
M Tindall Gloucester
J Noon Newcastle
O Smith Leicester
C Hodgson Sale Sharks
A Goode Leicester
M Dawson Wasps
H Ellis Leicester
P Richards Gloucester
FORWARDS
A Sheridan Sale Sharks
P Freshwater Perpignan
P Vickery Gloucester
M Stevens Bath
S Thompson Northampton
L Mears Bath
S Shaw Wasps
D Grewcock Bath
A Brown Gloucester
T Palmer Leeds
M Corry Leicester capt
C Jones Sale
L Moody Leicester
P Sanderson Worcester
J Forrester Gloucester

Autumn International 2009 - A big Challenge

November will observe Twickenham have fun host to visiting teams from the southern hemisphere, to test their might against England’s finest. Aussies have just announced their appearance at Twickenham to begin the November fixtures. World Cup semi finals teams are Argentina and the notorious New Zealand All-Blacks will also brave the changeable English climate to play the host team at the Home of English Rugby.
Fixture dates:
· 7 November 2009 – England v Australia
· 14 November 2009 - England v Argentina
· 21 November 2009 - England v New Zealand