International news: WALES: Wales coach Mike Ruddock last night named a new-look team for Saturday's clash against Tri-Nations champions South Africa - and put his faith in the Jones boys. A record six Joneses will line up for Wales at the Millennium Stadium, including Neath-Swansea Ospreys number eight Ryan Jones, who makes his Test debut.
Newport Gwent Dragons hooker Steve Jones, capped as a replacement against Japan three years ago, gets a first Wales start as Ruddock rings the changes following a 53-18 drubbing by South Africa in Pretoria last time out.
Prop Duncan Jones and his Ospreys colleague, lock Brent Cockbain, both return, while Michael Owen switches from number eight to second row in a pack led by Colin Charvis.
Behind the scrum, new skipper Gareth Thomas features at full back, with the equally experienced Stephen Jones restored to outhalf. The most intriguing selection though, is Gavin Henson's appearance at inside centre.
WALES (v South Africa, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday): G Thomas (capt); H Luscombe, S Parker, G Henson, S Williams; S Jones, D Peel; D Jones, S Jones, A Jones, B Cockbain, M Owen, D Jones, C Charvis, R Jones. Replacements: M Davies, G Jenkins, L Charteris, M Williams, G Cooper, C Sweeney, T Shanklin.
ENGLAND: Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel could miss England's entire autumn Test series after suffering a hamstring injury. New England coach Andy Robinson is already resigned to being without flankerRichard Hill and almost certain to lose outhalf Jonny Wilkinson.
Simpson-Daniel was hurt during Gloucester's runaway European Cup victory over Ulster three days ago. A scan has led Gloucester to anticipate being without their prolific try-scorer for between two and four weeks.
England play Canada at Twickenham on Saturday week, followed by games with South Africa and Australia.
SCOTLAND: Scotland have been hit by injury and illness in their build-up to Saturday's international against Australia at Murrayfield.
Simon Danielli has been ruled out after having keyhole surgery on his right knee and could be sidelined until the end of the month. Lock Craig Hamilton and centre Robbie Kydd are suffering from flu and have been removed from the squad to stop the spread of the bug.
Lions prop Tom Smith is also doubtful after receiving a knock to his right knee during his club Northampton's 25-3 victory over Llanelli in the European Cup at the weekend.
Scotland coach Matt Williams will name his side tomorrow.
SOUTH AFRICA: Golfer Ernie Els will perform a key role for the Springboks as they prepare for their Twickenham showdown against England this month. South African sporting superstar Els has accepted an invitation from Springboks coach Jake White to present his players with their jerseys a day before the November 20th clash.
IRELAND WOMEN: Sarah Jane Belton will lead Ireland against Japan at Donnybrook on November 14th (2.30) as the side was named yesterday. A combined provinces side will face Japan on November 10th (2.30) at Naas.
IRELAND: Amanda Greensmith (Shannon); Nuala Ní Chaidhan (Galwegians), Suzanne Fleming (Cooke), Patrique Kelly (UL Bohemians), Lynne Cantwell (UL Bohemians); Sarah Jane Belton (capt, UL Bohemians), Tania Rosser (Blackrock); Fiona Coughlan (UL Bohemians), Jean Lonergan(Shannon), Edel Coen(UL Bohemians), Rosie Foley(Shannon), Jen Leacy(Blackrock), Rachel Boyd(Cooke), Rachel Tucker(UL Bohemians), Joy Neville(Shannon). Replacements: Maura Coulter(Boyne), Emma Stanley(UL Bohemians), Germaine Healy (Blackrock), Orla Brennan (Navan) Louise Beamish(UL Bohemians), Joanne O'Sullivan (Lichfield), Grace Davitt (Boyne)
COMBINED IRISH PROVINCES: L Nicholl (Ulster); G Sheehy (Munster), D Lynch (Munster), S Delaney (Leinster), C Dunning (Leinster); D Treacy (Munster), V Henry (Ulster); M Barrett (Munster), S McAleer (Leinster), L Guest (Munster), C Mahon (Leinster), N Dougan (Ulster), E McCarthy (Exile), C Knipe (Ulster), W Kennan (capt, (Munster). Replacments from: Triona Brannigan (Leinster), Liz Comerford (Leinster), Sinead Cosgrave (Connacht), Noreen Fitzgerald (Munster), Zoe Gray (Leinster), Vicki McGinn (Leinster), Regina O'Reilly (Munster), Christine Robb (Ulster) Sinead Ryan (Leinster), Jenna Stewart (Ulster), Jean Wynne (Connacht).
