A round-up of today's other rugby stories in brief...
Carter to sit out Leicester game
NEW Zealand star Dan Carter's commercial obligations mean he will be in the stands when his new side Perpignan take on Leicester in the Heineken Cup this weekend at Welford Road.
The All Blacks outhalf has signed a seven-month contract with the French club, starting from the beginning of December, but USAP fans will have to wait another week to see Carter in action.
Carter penned a deal with sportswear firm Adidas at the start of the autumn, and must fulfil engagements in Milan today and tomorrow.
Carter will therefore not be in Perpignan's line-up for Saturday's Pool Three fixture at Welford Road and will only link up with his new team-mates that day in Leicester, meaning he will watch the match from the stands.
"Dan's commitment with Adidas was known about a while ago," said Benoit Brazes, USAP's director of communications.
Carter will fly back to France with the rest of the Perpignan squad after the game and is expected to start in the return match between the two teams the following weekend.
Barbarians unleash a star-studded line-up
BRYAN Habana, Schalk Burger and Richie McCaw are among the leading lights in a star-studded Barbarians team to face Australia at Wembley tonight (live on Sky Sports 2, kick-off 8pm).
The trio are joined by the likes of World Cup-winning captain John Smit, his Springboks team-mate Bakkies Botha and New Zealand winger Joe Rokocoko.
Teenage fullback James O'Connor and scrumhalf Brett Sheehan start for a largely experimental Wallabies side.
The 18-year-old O'Connor made his Test debut as a replacement against Italy last month.
Uncapped lock Peter Kimlin comes in and George Smith takes over as captain. Smith will lead the team in place of Stirling Mortlock.
BARBARIANS:Montgomery (SA); Rokocoko (NZ), Gear (NZ), De Villiers (SA), Habana (SA); Steyn (SA), Du Preez (SA); Pucciariello (Ita), Smit (SA, capt), Johnson (Sam), B Botha (SA), Muller (SA), Collins (NZ), McCaw (NZ), Burger (SA). Replacements: Regan (Eng), Blake (Aus), Jack (NZ), Koster (SA), Gregan (Aus), Smith (Eng), Williams (Wal).
AUSTRALIA:O'Connor, Tuqiri, Cross, Ashley-Cooper, Ioane, Cooper, Sheehan, Brown, Smith (capt), Mumm, McMeniman, Chisholm, Dunning, Polota-Nau, Kepu. Replacements: Freier, Alexander, Kimlin, Pocock, Burgess, Turner, Mitchell.
Deane and Rigney doubtful starters
CONNACHT may be without experienced duo Mel Deane and Colm Rigney for Saturday's crucial European Challenge Cup clash against Rovigo in Italy.
Both had to be replaced after picking up injuries in the weekend defeat away to Ulster.
Centre Deane has a shoulder injury and number eight Colm Rigney has been troubled by a knee injury and both are being rated as extremely doubtful for the trip to northern Italy.
Connacht, who defeated Dax away and lost to London Irish at home, need to win against the Italians to keep alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
And coach Michael Bradley is looking for a big performance from his side ahead of the back-to-back clashes with the Italians.
"It is an important game and we need a big 80-minute performance and a victory," he said.
