England trio recovering

England's injury worries receded last night after their captain Will Carling, stand-off Mike Catt and prop Jason Leonard all insisted they would be fit to face the World Cup holders, South Africa, at Twickenham on 18 November, writes David Llewellyn.

The trio did not take part in last night's training session at Marlow, and Catt and Carling both underwent treatment. Catt suffered a bruised ankle after colliding with his England understudy, David Pears, during a League match between Bath and Harlequins last month.

Carling ricked his neck last weekend. "It's only jarred," he said, "but I didn't train as a precaution. Mike has said he will be fit and Jason seems to be recovering from flu."

Ireland have released Conor O'Shea and Gary Halpin from an international training session so they can play for London Irish against the Courage League Two leaders, Northampton on Saturday. The prop O'Shea and front row Halpin, the club captain, missed third-placed Irish's 23-19 win at Newcastle at the weekend as they began preparations for the Lansdowne Road game against Fiji on 18 November.