England’s injury concerns have eased after medics confirmed captain Steve Borthwick will be available for the autumn internationals.

Borthwick has been diagnosed with a sprained rib cartilage, which could rule him out of Saracens’ Guinness Premiership clash Gloucester this weekend but is not a long-term problem.

The England skipper suffered the injury in Saracens’ game against Harlequins on Saturday but he refused to be substituted until the victory had been assured.

The news will come as a relief to England manager Martin Johnson, who has already lost inside centre Riki Flutey and full-back Delon Armitage to shoulder injuries.

Borthwick has started the season in impressive form and Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter outlined at the weekend how big a loss he would have been to both club and country if the injury had proven more serious.

“He is playing really well, which is fantastic for England. He is a serious world-class international lock,” said Venter.

“If you talk about a disciplined, honest, hard-working individual then Steve Borthwick fits that bill 100%. I have been very blessed to have a captain like that.

“In our first two games this season Steve had the most contributions and the second most contributions. We measure everything - tackles, ball carries, his rucking, his defensive play - and he is right at the top of our team.”

Leinster were crowned European champions for the first time after edging a thrilling Heineken Cup final against Leicester.

The rookie finalists had the better of the game at Murrayfield but were forced to stage a superb fightback after falling 16-9 behind shortly after half-time.

Ben Woods’ try had given two-time champions Leicester an interval lead, but Jamie Heaslip’s brilliant score helped level matters before the excellent Johnny Sexton sealed victory with a long-range penalty.

Sexton also dropped a monster drop-goal, Brian O’Driscoll dropped a goal as well, while Julien Dupuy kicked the Tigers’ other points.

History was on the minds of both teams before the game.

The Tigers were looking to join Toulouse as the most successful side in the competition’s 14 years by clinching their third European title, while Leinster were seeking their maiden triumph.

Both upset the odds by dumping out Cardiff and Munster in two incredible semi-finals and the bookies were unable to separate them before kick-off.

But as well as boasting superior big-game experience, Leicester were also the form side, with last weekend’s nervy Guinness Premiership final win their 12th victory in 13 games.

Yet Leinster had the edge in terms of support, with the Murrayfield stands overwhelmed by a sea of blue flags and replica shirts.

The controlled ferocity which had seen off Munster was in evidence from the kick-off but some ill-disciplined play from Shane Jennings gave Leicester the first kickable penalty.

However, Dupuy was off-target from 50 metres.

It was Leinster who got the first points on the board when a chip and chase from Luke Fitzgerald saw the ball spilled, eventually leading to a smart drop-goal from O’Driscoll.

But the Tigers immediately roared back, twice breaking the gain line before being awarded a penalty Dupuy kicked easily.

Leicester were proving more than a match for their opponents at the breakdown but fell behind again when Sexton landed a drop-goal from inside his own half.

It could have been worse for the Tigers moments later but for some heroic last-ditch defending under their own posts off the back of a well-worked Leinster line-out.

Suddenly, Leicester could not get the ball and after a succession of phases from their opponents, they eventually conceded a penalty inside their own 22. Sexton converted.

The fly-half was only playing because of an injury to Felipe Contepomi but the 23-year-old was providing a kicking masterclass.

Leicester, meanwhile, were struggling to retain possession and lost number eight Jordan Crane to injury before the half-hour.

Louis Deacon came on and that prompted an immediate upturn in the Tigers’ fortunes, with Leinster prop Stan Wright sin-binned for an illegal tackle on Sam Vesty. Dupuy kicked the penalty.

The Irish side sacrificed Shane Jennings for Ronan McCormack.

Leicester used all their experience to make the extra man tell two minutes before the interval.

Their most sustained spell of possession of the half eventually saw Woods burst clear and retain enough momentum to touch down. Dupuy converted.

Leicester stretched their lead to seven points shortly after the break when Cian Healy infringed and Dupuy kicked another penalty, before Tigers captain Geordan Murphy was withdrawn for Matt Smith.

Leinster stopped the rot in superb fashion, putting together 11 phases of possession to break the will of their opponents, with Heaslip eventually stretching over. Sexton converted and it was suddenly 16-16.

Moments later in this topsy-turvy game, the fly-half had the chance to boot his side back in front with a 42-metre penalty but he scuffed his effort.

Leicester introduced Julian White for Martin Castrogiovanni and Benjamin Kayser for George Chuter in the front row, while Leinster withdrew hooker Bernard Jackman for John Fogarty.

On the hour mark, the Tigers brought on Lewis Moody for Woods.

There was a brief scare for the Lions when the talismanic O’Driscoll went down injured and, although he was soon back on his feet, he continued to look in some discomfort.

After such an intense hour, both sides began to tire, with play concentrated in the middle third of the field.

But when Leicester infringed at the breakdown 30 metres from goal, Sexton ended the stalemate with his second successful penalty of the afternoon.

Leinster were further encouraged by some uncharacteristic errors from their opponents.

With time running out, Leicester threw on Harry Ellis for Dupuy but to no avail as their opponents saw out a nervy final 10 minutes.

The British and Irish Lions have suffered their first injury blow, a month before they leave for South Africa.

Ireland Grand Slam winner Tomas O’Leary will miss the 10-match tour after breaking his ankle during Munster’s Magners League victory over the Scarlets last night.

The Munster scrum-half started four of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations matches this season and gained Lions selection alongside fellow number nines Mike Phillips and Harry Ellis.

But barely 96 hours after announcing his 37-man squad, Lions head coach Ian McGeechan must summon an injury replacement.

Players in the frame will include Scotland captain Mike Blair, his national squad colleague Chris Cusiter, Wales’ Dwayne Peel and England international Danny Care.

But O’Leary’s fellow Munster star Peter Stringer also has his admirers and might attract McGeechan’s attention.

There is no obvious rush for McGeechan to name a replacement, given the Lions do not leave for Johannesburg until May 24.

And he may reserve a decision until after next weekend’s Heineken Cup semi-finals when Munster tackle Leinster in Dublin and Cardiff Blues face Leicester at the Millennium Stadium.

O’Leary was carried off on a stretcher in the early stages at Musgrave Park just after he had set up Munster’s opening try.

He was taken to Cork University Hospital, where the injury was confirmed, and will be reassessed later today by a specialist.

Munster coach Tony McGahan said: “It goes without saying that we are very disappointed to lose a player of Tomas’ stature at this crucial stage of the season.

“And even more particularly so, from his own personal point of view, given that he had just been selected to tour with the Lions and our thoughts are with him in that regard.”

O’Leary was among a record-equalling contingent of eight Munster players selected for a trip that starts against a Highveld XV in Rustenburg on May 30.

He had impressed McGeechan during Ireland’s march through the Six Nations and also in Munster colours after they swept through the Heineken Cup pool stage and demolished quarter-final opponents the Ospreys.

McGeechan can only hope there are no further casualties before departure but the omens are not promising, especially as this season’s Heineken Cup final - a day before the Lions leave - could be between Munster and Cardiff Blues, who provide 14 of McGeechan’s squad between them.

The RFU have proposed a fully professional 12-team Championship to replace National Division One from next season.

After a year of negotiations with First Division Rugby - the body for second-tier clubs - the Rugby Football Union Council are set to discuss the issue at Friday’s meeting, when a final decision on the proposal could be made.

If the plan is ratified, the top 12 sides in Division One this season will get the opportunity to become founder members of the Championship, with participation granted only to those clubs willing to go professional. If any of those 12 clubs decide not to, their place will be offered to the next highest-ranked side in the league.

The Championship will be funded to the tune of £2.3million per year by the RFU for 24 months, plus £1million from Premier Rugby - the body for Guinness Premiership clubs - for eight years, sponsorship and a rights share from the RFU’s new five-year TV rights deal with Sky.

After two years, the RFU’s injection will be replaced by cash given to clubs for fielding England-qualified players and who improve their facilities.

RFU Management Board chairman Martyn Thomas said: “The Championship will be a vital part of the structure of English rugby.

“For too long First Division Rugby has hovered between the community game and the Premiership, uncertain of both its standing in the structure and its future. Now is the time to establish its rightful place.

“The RFU is fully committed to funding and supporting a professional and robust league with minimum entry criteria and a salary cap that will support the Guinness Premiership.

“We will be increasing our funding to the new Championship from £1.65m a year to £2.3m and, under the new eight-year agreement, PRL have committed to a £1m per annum funding.

“That significant investment, coupled with more matches and television coverage under the Sky Sports contract, will give the clubs more financial security than ever before and create a vibrant and viable structure to take the game forward.”

Lewis Moody will end a nine-month injury nightmare on Friday night, and he admits: “I am absolutely ready to go.”

The England flanker, who has not played since limping off during England’s RBS 6 Nations loss to Wales at Twickenham last February, is poised to make a long-awaited comeback when Leicester play their final EDF Energy Cup pool game against Welford Road visitors Sale Sharks.

The 30-year-old World Cup winner said: “As a rugby player, you just want to get out and play. I have come through all the rehab, and now I just want to play. I am absolutely ready to go.”

Leicester head coach Heyneke Meyer confirmed Moody’s appetite for battle after witnessing his trademark approach to training - an all-action style that helped coin him the nickname ‘Crazy Horse’.

Meyer said: “We need to show a lot of character with some of the international players away, but I am confident in the guys we have got. Let’s see how they go.

“Lewis has been working well, and he will start.

“He has been training hard, and we have had to tell him a few times to ease off.”