The performance of Sale Shark Paolo Odogwu was one of the big stories to emerge from the group stages, but Cardiff Blues 7s coach Richard Hodges believes his side have the artillery to stop him during the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Series Finals this Sunday.

They may not yet hold a candle to the legendary centre partnership of old but Gordon D’Arcy believes Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne have earned their stripes in an Ireland shirt.

Jonny May believes England’s back-line can develop into the very best in rugby as a gruelling summer of World Cup preparation comes to a head on Friday.

The debate rages on as to whether Sam Burgess can play international rugby union at centre, but whatever happens in this weekend’s acid test against France at Twickenham, former England captain Martin Johnson insists the experiment will be well worth it.

Sofia Iglina’s two National Championships runs this week – in the slalom and giant Slalom – have not gone to plan after she failed to finish in both owing to problems with her skis.

Erika Heginbotham’s time wasn’t good enough for a podium finish in either run as she came home 16th and 14th respectively, yet the 16-year-old, who is part of the Delancey British U18 Alpine Ski Squad, admits the discipline fulfils her need for speed.

Saddleworth’s Erika Heginbotham is aiming to make a downhill splash on Wednesday after admitting she found her first races tough at the Delancey British National Alpine Ski Championships.