Simon Shaw is the latest player to pull out of England's tour to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Second row Shaw, who has had to withdraw on medical grounds, is replaced by Gloucester's uncapped lock Dave Sims.

The loss of Shaw means that England coach Clive Woodward now has 19 uncapped players in his 37-man squad. Shaw is 6ft 9ins and 19st but, in Sims, England have turned to another huge forward, who stands 6ft 8ins and weighs in at 17st 7lb.

Meanwhile, London Irish face a crucial English League relegation-promotion play-off at Sunbury tomorrow against Rotherham. The Exiles will be hoping to produce a better display than that which enabled them to scramble a 16-13 win in the away leg.

Bristol will hope to overcome a four-point deficit against London Scottish today in the other playoff.

Peter Smyth, the hooker and captain of Blackrock's recent All-Ireland Under-20 championship winning team, has joined St Mary's. Leaving St Mary's are outhalf Craig Fitzpatrick and second row/number eight Frank Fitzgerald, both of whom are joining up with Terenure.