Jamie Gibson on his mentors at Leicester Tigers

Poached mid-degree from Oxford University by Leicester, flanker Jamie Gibson tells me about what makes the Tigers such a distinctive place for a youngster to learn his trade.

Nevermind the GDP figures, what about the increase in the Premiership Rugby salary cap?

On the day that the International Monetary Fund announced it was upping its growth forecast for the UK’s economy to a dizzying 2.4 per cent, the players and agents of English rugby were mulling over a rather more significant increase in the funds available for their payment – 11.7 per cent.

That's the increase in the salary cap announced by Premiership Rugby Ltd, taking the wage ceiling per club up to £5 million for the 2014-15 season.

The topic of the salary cap  is an old favourite of mine. Will the latest increase mean bigger squads for Premiership sides, or will it just result in the same number of players receiving more dosh (along with their agents, of course)? My thoughts are here.

England expect Tom Wood to be fit for 6 Nations opener with France despite injury scare

England say flanker Tom Wood will still be in contention for their 6 Nations opener with France, despite being sent for scans following a training ground clash of heads.

Wood has not trained with the Red Rose squad since the injury scare on Tuesday, which was caused by a clash with backrow colleague Tom Johnson. However, England yesterday said that, prior to the accident, Wood had been scheduled to take Thursday and Friday off in any event.

The initial concerns were that Wood could have broken a cheekbone, but tests revealed the Northampton Saints star, who skippered England on last summer’s tour of South America, had suffered no broken bones and was not concussed.

England will monitor Wood as he returns to camp this evening but confirmed yesterday that they expect him to be in contention for selection for ‘Le Crunch’ at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Back in the saddle after crossbar accident

With the exception of a riveting trip to Welford Road on Sunday, it's been a relatively quiet spell for me since I popped to Kingsholm for The Independent to cover what was one of the most abysmal Premiership matches of the season - a game redeemed only by the collapse of a crossbar by a giant inflatable ball during some pre-match horseplay by club sponsors dressed up as reindeers:

Anyway, after an extended exercise in festive indolence, I'm properly back in the saddle this weekend. It's Newport-Gwent Dragons V Bath for The Rugby Paper and BBC Radio Bristol tomorrow, followed by commentary at Bristol v Aberavon in the British & Irish Cup on Sunday. Scotland and Bristol prop Kyle Traynor will be summarising alongside me. As ever, tweet me your views mid-match.

Why (Dean) Mumm's the word for Exeter Chiefs

With a minimum of fuss but with a barrel-load of guts, Exeter Chiefs continue to develop as a potent Premiership force. This past week sums that up.

The Chiefs have announced that their Wallaby skipper, Dean Mumm, has signed a contract extension, while the club also picked up a hatful of awards at the BBC South West Sport Awards.

Hat trick of awards. Picture: Exeter Chiefs/Pinnacle Photo Agency

Exeter might not have recruited sweepingly since they were promoted from the Championship four seasons ago, but they have recruited shrewdly. There have been incremental additions that have added to a rock-solid core of long-serving players. The acquisition of lock forward Mumm ahead of the 2012-13 season encapsulated the Chiefs' shrewdness on the recruitment front.

That the Australian has been persuaded to extend his stay speaks volumes too about the direction the club is heading in.

Hard-grafting, spirited and with a thirst to get the ball in hand, Mumm sums up Exeter's philosophy.

On top of that, Chiefs winger Jack Nowell has been named BBC South West Sportsman of the Year, and Exeter named Team of the Year. To complete the hat-trick, head coach Rob Baxter - whose stock continues to rise steadily - picked up the coaching award.

Another good week for a side that is surely an example to all clubs when it comes to implementing a steady, admirable evolution.

Bath complete paperwork to ensure England centre Kyle Eastmond is available for Europe

He's had a difficult month after the disciplinary action that was taken against him following his walk-out at Sale, but Bath Rugby and England centre Kyle Eastmond is set to feature for his club during the forthcoming fortnight of European rugby.

Despite not having initially been registered by Bath for the pool stages of the Amlin Cup, Bath are now completing the necessary paperwork to ensure Eastmond is eligible for Saturday's match in Mogliano. Read my exclusive story here.

Watch out One Direction! There could be a scrum for the Christmas number one

If One Direction started going to the gym, played with oval balls and grew 'taches, the result might be something like this:

(l to r) Chris Bell, Ben Ransom, Elliot Daly, Will Fraser, James Haskell and Dylan Hartley show off their taches after a trip to a barbers in Covent Garden for Movember. Picture: Garry Bowden/Pinnacle

And Saracens' Ben Ransom would surely have to be the frontman. Just look at those cherubic features. Watch out Harry Styles!

Picture: Garry Bowden/Pinnacle

Wasps' Elliot Daly, meanwhile, looks like he missed his vocation as a RAF pilot. Chocks away, Wing Commander Daly!

Picture: Garry Bowden/Pinnacle

To donate to Movember and raise money to support the fight against testicular and prostate cancer, go to http://uk.movember.com/donate