Reading F.C., with whom the Exiles share the Madejski, will have a home game against Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup should they win their third-round replay with Liverpool at Anfield on January 17.

With the fourth round fixtures set to take place across the weekend of January 23, London Irish have taken the decision to move the venue of their pool-deciding meeting with Leinster now "to ensure that supporters have sufficient time to make rearrangements".

Switching the game to the 82,000-seater Twickenham means a huge increase in ticket availability for a game which had been a sell-out.

"Of course it is a shame that we won't be able to play at our home ground, the Madejski Stadium, but we are really excited that more people will be able to come and watch what will be a massive match for both clubs," Exiles captain Bob Casey commented.

"We're going head to head again with a formidable team who share our belief in playing the game in an attacking way and it promises to be 80 minutes of rugby at its best. Both sides have really found their form of late and so we're expecting a big crowd for what should be an excellent match.

"Going to Twickenham Stadium is always an amazing experience for players and supporters alike and we're sure that the atmosphere is going to be fantastic."

Spencer only arrived at Kingsholm from Northampton last year but has struggled to nail down a regular berth in the Cherry and Whites' starting line-up this term.

De Klerk, though, believes that not only does the former All Blacks fly-half still have much to offer as a player, he will have a hugely beneficial effect on the rest of the squad in terms of leadership and guidance.

"We are using him (Spencer) for his experience and also to guide the youngsters," he told iafrica.com.

The Ireland hooker was told that he would not play again this season after being forced to undergo surgery on a neck problem at the start of the campaign. However, Best has made a rapid recovery and could now be back in action at the end of March or early April.

"I am delighted now to really see the light at the end of the tunnel," Best told the Belfast News Letter. "If I can continue to progress then maybe a return after the Six Nations is a strong possibility."

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) Professional Disciplinary Panel met on Wednesday evening to discuss the citing but ruled that the incident, which occurred during the second half of the Magners League clash at the Liberty Stadium, "would not have justified a sending-off".

As a result, the citing was not upheld and Powell, who was yellow-carded for a separate incident in the game, is free to continue playing.

Williams has not played since tearing a hamstring injury in his country's defeat by Australia at the tail end of November, while Jones and Hook both sat out last Friday's Magners League victory over the Cardiff Blues with shoulder injuries picked up in the Boxing Day win over the Scarlets.

However, Ospreys head coach Sean Holley is confident all three will be fit for the upcoming trip to France.

"We're very hopeful that Shane will be available," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "Likewise Alun Wyn and James."

The 29-year-old former England Saxons lock was forced to retire from the game last month after suffering complications in his recovery from the latest in a series of shoulder injuries but is to extend his decade-long association with Quins by linking up with the club's Academy Manager Tony Diprose and Academy coach Howard Graham.

'I am delighted that Jim will be joining us for the rest of this season and, hopefully, for longer," Diprose said. "He will be able to help in the development of our Academy group by offering them the benefit of his playing experiences, whilst also developing his coaching skills.

"I am particularly looking forward to him working with the three very talented second row forwards that Harlequins Academy have in the England U20 and U18 squads and mentoring them in their development."

Despite the inclement weather conditions, the pitch is in excellent condition ahead of the game but the club has decided to bring the kick-off forward so that supporters will be vacating the stadium after the game in daylight and well before the anticipated evening frost sets in.

Leicester Tiger's clash with London Wasps on the same day has also been brought forward, from 17:30 to 15.15 because of heavy snowfall. The Tigers are confident that the game will go ahead, with a protective dome having been placed over the pitch for most of the week.