New conflict emerges

Yesterday's fifth round English Cup draw, which potentially offers four all-Premiership One ties, was clouded by a warning from the Saracens chief executive Mike Smith that the north London club's Irish and English internationals will be required for tomorrow week's re-arranged fourth round tie against Blackheath, despite a clash with national squad training sessions.

That means that the Irish trio of Paddy Johns, Paul Wallace and Richard Wallace are unlikely to be available for the Irish squad session at the ALSAA complex near Dublin Airport on January 14th. The English players involved are Tony Diprose, Richard Hill, Kyran Bracken and Danny Grewcock.

Saracens have reminded the players where their immediate loyalties lie and indicated they expect their respective unions to be understanding.

"It's my belief the unions are quite happy to release players for an important game," said Smith. "If they put their foot down, we'll have to postpone the fixture again because we've more than five internationals involved. I sincerely hope we'll have a full team out."

There remains every chance of a fifth round showdown between Saracens and the holders Leicester, a repeat of the St Stephen's Day league encounter settled by a last-gasp drop-goal from Tigers' resident Springbok Joel Stransky.

London Irish got a favourable draw, and will play at home to Premiership Two side Rotherham.

Premiership leaders Newcastle, unbeaten in domestic competition this season, have been drawn away, but will expect to beat the winners of the Worcester-Bristol tie.

A shuddering contest between Northampton and Gloucester is one of only three definite ties so far, while Bath could yet end up making successive trips to the Athletic Ground in Richmond.

Their scheduled fourth round tie with London Scottish tonight is another casualty of the weather and the West Country club have indicated, if it comes to it, a willingness to shift the game back on to firmer ground in London.