IN THE DEN | Charlie Inglefield, Australian Times rugby correspondent recently returned from down under, assesses the forthcoming Lions series in Australia and contemplates each team’s chances in what promises to be one of the most exciting rugby duals seen in recent years.

Coach Damien Hill will consult the rest of the Melbourne Rebels playing group before deciding whether or not to rush Kurtley Beale back for Friday night’s Super Rugby showdown with the Chiefs.

THE EXPAT FACTOR | Rugby legend Michael Lynagh won the World Cup with the Wallabies and captained the team from 1993-1995. He survived 72 internationals but perhaps his toughest test has been making what he calls a ‘miraculous’ recovery from a life threatening stroke. Now just one year since the fright Lynagh is preparing to participate in the London Marathon, raising money for the Stroke Association. He took time out to fill us in on the story.

PAST misdemeanours have come back to haunt Digby Ioane as the Queensland Reds on Monday sought to improve a flagging team culture by axing the Wallabies winger for one match.

The five-eight clash between Melbourne’s Kurtley Beale and Queensland’s Quade Cooper is one of the enticing match-ups in the next Super Rugby round.

Israel Folau struggled on debut in the Waratahs season-opening Super Rugby loss to Queensland, and playing the pressure position of fullback, was frequently found out by the Reds’ attack.

The Queensland Reds expect former Suncorp Stadium favourite Israel Folau to enjoy a Digby Ioane-like roaming role when he turns into a sky blue villain for NSW Waratahs on Saturday night.

Brumbies coach Jake White hopes Wallabies winger Clyde Rathbone’s Super Rugby comeback will draw a big Canberra crowd against the Reds.

They weren’t due back at training until next week, but the Waratahs’ national team contingent braved a sweltering Sydney morning to display their commitment to turning the struggling Super Rugby franchise around.

Israel Folau is set to announce in a Tuesday morning press conference that he has signed a one-year deal with the Waratahs.

THE date was 28 April, 2012, and life was good for the Western Force.

The Queensland Reds snuck into the Super Rugby finals to keep their championship defence alive after the ACT Brumbies stumbled at final hurdle.

Queensland centre Anthony Faingaa has declared the Reds the hungriest team in Super Rugby and stressed they won’t be satisfied merely making the playoffs.

Good Friday was hardly that for the Brumbies this year. A painful 20-13 loss to an injury-ravaged Queensland Reds cut so deep that the Brumbies have been looking forward to the Canberra rematch on Saturday night, and making amends, ever since.

Melbourne Rebels halfback Nick Phipps is again back in the running for a Wallabies berth after starring in his side’s upset win over Super Rugby heavyweights the Crusaders.

Bitter-sweet doesn’t begin to describe the emotions of Brumbies players after Lealiifano broke his ankle in the last minute of their 23-6 triumph over the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night in Canberra.

Melbourne coach Damien Hill praised the Rebels’ defence despite them conceding seven tries in a 43-12 Super Rugby beating by the Highlanders in Invercargill on Friday.

The surprising Brumbies sit atop Super Rugby’s Australian conference while previous leaders Queensland ponder their grim injury toll after a demoralisingly one-sided loss to the Bulls.

Western Force finally won a close game as they passed the mantle of heartbreak kings onto Australia’s other four Super Rugby teams.