RUGBY DIGEST/South Africa: Winger Ashwin Willemse - the 2003 South African player of the year - will return to the Springbok team for the first time since last year's World Cup for the Test against Wales. Willemse has been recalled by Springbok coach Jake White as one of three changes for the contest in Cardiff on November 6th.

The wing injured his knee in a warm-up match before the Springboks began their 2004 Test programme against Ireland in June and played no part in South Africa's Tri-Nations win.

In the other two changes, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez has been included in the starting line-up instead of the injured Bolla Conradie and flanker Juan Smith will make his first appearance since the World Cup by replacing the injured AJ Venter.

Utility back Jean de Villiers has been relegated to the bench by Willemse's return and he will be alongside two new caps, loose forward Tim Dlulane and scrumhalf Michael Claassens.

ENGLAND: Clive Woodward said yesterday that the "time was right" when he threw in the towel as head coach of England, but he insisted he hadn't ruled out taking another job in rugby union after taking the Lions to New Zealand next summer.

"I stepped down as head coach as I'd been doing the job for seven years and that's quite a long time in this job, so it was the right time to move on, Woodward said after a ceremony at Buckinham Palace at which he collected a knighthood for his years of service to rugby union in England.

FRANCE: Prop Pieter De Villiers, plagued by injuries for more than a year, is doubtful for France's three Tests next month.

The 32-year-old South African-born forward pulled a left-thigh muscle last weekend and will be out of action for 10 days, his club Stade Français said.

De Villiers missed last year's World Cup in Australia after dislocating his right shoulder and he did not play in last year's Six Nations Championship after a positive dope test for cocaine, from which he was later cleared.

France host Australia, Argentina and New Zealand in the November internationals.

CHALLENGE CUP: London Irish, two points clear of French side Auch going into tomorrow's second leg at the Madejski Stadium, have made several changes from their narrow victory last weekend, calling up fit-again Scott Staniforth and also handing starts to Mark Mapletoft, Doug Wheatley, Nick Kennedy and Paul Gustard.