Rapava Ruskin in cracking shape to replace Marler

PROP Val Rapava Ruskin has been backed to ease the blow of Joe Marler’s England retirement — after eating 35 raw eggs a week to cut down his body fat. Georgian-born Ruskin drinks a cocktail of five raw eggs, three limes and four oranges every morning as part of his diet. The 26-year-old (above), who moved to England when he was two, is out of contract with Gloucester next year but coach Johan Ackermann has backed him to develop into a Test star at Kingsholm. He said: ‘England have asked us about Val – especially with the Marler situation. He’s lost a lot of weight. He’s a great scrummager, ball carrier and strong over the ball. I’d love him to stay with us.’

SAM WARBURTON’S Champions Cup debut with BT Sport did not go to plan. The retired Wales flanker (right) was due to feature alongside Brian O’Driscoll and Lawrence Dallaglio for Friday’s game between Leinster and Wasps. But his flight to Dublin was cancelled, so he ended up watching the game on TV at home in Cardiff!