England’s tour squad for South Africa reads like one of those wedding‑day rhymes for superstitious brides: something old, something new, something borrowed, something out of the blue. There is more than enough in Eddie Jones’s trousseau for the three-Test series next month to raise eyebrows in both hemispheres.

Three names particularly stand out in a 34-man squad shaped partly by injury and Jones’s desire to rest certain individuals. Danny Cipriani is finally back in the frame at the age of 30, granted one last chance to show he can be the man to revitalise England’s attacking game, while Sale’s Cameron Redpath, still an 18-year‑old schoolboy, has been plucked from England’s age-group ranks. In addition, on temporary loan from a disgruntled New Zealand, there is a slot for the Hurricanes captain, Brad Shields, English qualified via his parents but until now a complete stranger to the game in these parts.

The caretaker manager has had a startling effect on the players and the club must stick with him in the Championship – not only for their own benefit but for that of the national game

Having secured our Premier League status with the great win over Manchester United last week, myself and the rest of our squad were much more comfortable in our hotel on Tuesday evening as we sat down to watch Swansea and Southampton in their crucial match and the effect the result would have on the bottom of the table.

As the game progressed and produced a massive win for the Saints, it not only put Swansea in huge trouble but consigned West Bromwich Albion to their inevitable fate regardless of their outstanding resurgence under Darren Moore. The case of West Brom and especially the superb results they have picked up recently – beating Manchester United away and a strong Tottenham team at The Hawthorns – is a curious one in terms of how a manager can affect his players’ performances so critically and how, in the bigger picture of our national game, we consider and appoint head coaches.

The Frenchman has not been brought down by the Spurs’ lack of silverware and feels that they will improve even more in their new ground

It was a day of twin wins for the reserve sides of ISL teams in the penultimate gameday of the second division…

Keeping his emotions in check has been key to the Frenchman’s success during 22 memorable years in charge of the Gunners

Hany Ramzy has advised Liverpool’s 43-goal forward to make the most of his current standing and embrace the opportunity to join a La Liga giant

Who have been the Frenchman’s best servants during an iconic 22-year reign in north London?