An exciting weekend in the Air New Zealand cup saw two of the top four losing, and the other two not scoring as emphatic victories as might be expected. Canterbury got more than they expected from lowly Northland - a brace of Joel McKenty tries making the score a respectable 31-21 to the home side, but it was high flying Hawke's Bay that came closer to defeat, escaping with a five points out of sixty-five win against Manawatu.

Former Scotland and British & Irish Lion, Gregor Townsend, was recognised with an Honorary Fellowship of Borders College at the institution’s graduation ceremony at Springwood Park in Kelso today.

Almost two years ago Townsend helped launch the Borders Academy of Sporting Excellence (BASE) which offers students the opportunity to combine academic and vocational study with competing at the highest level in their chosen sport.

Sale Sharks welcome back Charlie Hodgson for tomorrow afternoons game against Worcester Warriors at Sixways. Hodgson has missed the last two games after stubbing his toe in the win over Leicester Tigers on the opening day of the season. Oriol Ripol and Brent Cockbain make their first starts of the new season and Lee Thomas moves back into the centres after covering for Charlie Hodgson at Fly Half.

Summer signing, prop Paul Doran-Jones, will make his full Guinness Premiership debut for Gloucester Rugby when they take on Saracens at Vicarage Road on Sunday whilst Adam Eustace will feature for the first time as he takes over from Gareth Delve at number eight.

Doran-Jones comes in for Greg Somerville at tight head with the New Zealand international ruled out after a training ground incident which has also sidelined Marco Bortolami.