Former England and Lions star Guscott is a BBC rugby union pundit

Rugby may have been battling icy weather all week, but there was a warm response for former Wales captain Gareth Thomas when he revealed he was gay.

On the field the Heineken Cup once again took centre stage, with Leicester keeping their hopes alive with a narrow win at home to Clermont Auvergne.

Toulouse, Leinster and Biarritz all won well while Stade Francais saw scrum-half Julien Dupuy banned for six months for eye gouging against Ulster.

If you have a question for BBC Sport rugby union expert Jerry, you can submit it by using the form in the top right-hand corner of the page. He will answer as many as possible early next week. His answers to this week's questions are below.

I think that the six-month ban given to Julien Dupuy for eye gouging was very justified. I must say that I am very shocked that people from Stade Francais and the French national coach have said the ban is disproportionate to him. I personally think the ban should be longer, because there is no room whatsoever for gouging in rugby, they should be stamping it out. Do you think Dupuy's ban will send out a message that gouging won't be tolerated at all?
Kyle, Scotland

The banned Dupuy feels he has been hard done by and is appealing

Hi Kyle, I am surprised at the length of ban but not disappointed as it does send out the right message to those kind of players who would be so low as to gouge fellow players' eyes. The act of eye gouging is despicable and cowardly and has no place in the game. I think many of his supporters are surprised at the length of the ban when you take into consideration the bans that Schalk Burger (eight weeks) and Alan Quinlan (12 weeks) got. Dupuy announced on Monday that he is appealing and my guess it is on lawyer's advice because of the lack of consistency in the bans handed out for gouging this year.

Jeremy, do you think Julien Dupuy's ban was enough or do you think it should have been the maximum of three years? Ruaidhri Duddy, England

Ruaidhri, somehow we need to eliminate eye gouging from the game completely, a ban of six months should be sufficient to make players think twice. If Dupuy had caused any permanent eye damage then he or any player in the future should be looking at a life ban.

England have never had a world-class scrum-half. Even when Dawson was at his peak there were better number nines - Galthie, Howley, Marshall, Gregan, Van der Westhuizen etc. Why do you think that is? I think Danny Care has the potential, but not if we keep picking older players like Hodgson. Ellis has missed his chance in my opinion, possibly through injuries.
Charlie Fletcher, England

Charlie, I guess you're not a huge fan of Dawson?! During my time as a player I seriously rated Richard Hill, his pass was the best I've ever seen, and although Nigel Melville had a short career he was viewed as world-class. I agree Care has the potential, he just needs to be more consistent. Most of the scrum-halves you mention had great game management and Care needs to quickly understand what that is and how he can apply it to his game. For me a scrum-half should have a great pass, box kick and get to 95% of breakdowns to get the ball away quickly.

Should Chris Ashton be seen in an England shirt come the Six Nations?
Chris, England

Ashton has been running in tries for fun for Northampton

Chris, there is no doubt that Chris Ashton is having a great season, scoring tries, and not only simple run- ins. He has impressed me with his running lines and support of the ball carrier. I'm not sure about his defence but he is certainly making the headlines for the right reasons and can't have gone unnoticed by Martin Johnson. However, personally I don't think he will make the starting line-up in the Six Nations unless there is a string of injuries.

I think Scotland are making good progress and expect them to perhaps finish in the top three in the Six Nations. Am I mad or is it possible?
Alan Burns, Scotland

Alan you're not mad, just optimistic! Ireland will definitely finish in the top three, with France. Scotland should beat Italy and have Wales away and England at home. If Scotland can work out how to convert possession and territory into tries then you might be in with a shout.

Jezza, given the colossal casualty list and modern rugby's obsession that bulk is best, shouldn't the tackle law be changed so that tackles above the waist are illegal? It would ensure more off-loads, more excitement, more skill, fewer injuries and reverse the pumped-up, puffy, gym freaks that now play the game....!
Owen Purcell, England

Owen, rugby is not for namby pambies - no tackling above the waist would be laughed out of town and rightly so. I've been encouraged by the attacking play I've seen in the European games over the last couple of weeks and believe the clubs are finally coming to terms with the new laws.

Do you think Ronan O'Gara is past his best and it is time for him to make way for someone else, like against South Africa?
Craig, Northern Ireland

Craig, I don't think many Munster or Ireland fans would agree he's past his best, his contribution in Munster's last two games has been immense. As long as he continues to play like that he will be pushing Jonathan Sexton all the way for his Ireland shirt.

Do you think that Leeds have a realistic chance of remaining in the Premiership? If so, who do you think will go down instead?
James, England

James, if Leeds can get the results during the Six Nations, when a lot of teams are weakened, then they have every chance of staying in the Premiership. Bath at the moment look most likely to be relegated if Leeds don't go down.

What do you make of Conor O'Shea being appointed as Harlequins director of rugby? I mean, I think John Kingston's done a great job with them after 'Bloodgate', do you think that O'Shea will be able to work well with Kingston and the players at Harlequins like Dean Richards did?
Kyle, Scotland

I'm really not sure about O'Shea, he's been out of the game a while and Harlequins are going OK at the moment. I think his contribution will be more behind the scenes and we will just have to wait and see.

Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll developed a world-class Lions centre partnership over the summer, something which you produced on two tours with Scott Gibbs. What made your partnership so successful?
Mark, Wales

Gibbs made the holes for Jerry to run into for the Lions

Mark, it was quite simple really, Scott did all the tackling and I ran with the ball after he had cleared the space for me! Some partnerships just click, the understanding between O'Driscoll and Roberts was almost telepathic, each player knew what they were going to do instinctively and when you can read each other's play like that, you're ahead of any defence.

Jeremy, on the world player of the year issue you didn't even mention Brian O'Driscoll. Surely he was by far the most obvious choice. He was amazing for Ireland, Leinster and the Lions. How could he have done anymore than what he did this year? Shane Williams won it last year and he isn't half the player O Driscoll is. What more could a northern hemisphere player do?
Cian Morrissey, Ireland

Jeremy, how could you possibly not even mention Brian O'Driscoll when speaking about who you thought should be IRB world player of the year? What would he have to do in order to win it?
David Hogan, Ireland

If the Lions had won the series against South Africa and BOD had played in the last Test, I think your argument would stand up. Springbok scrum-half Du Preez for me was the best performing player in the world, winning the Super 14 with the Bulls and with South Africa winning the Tri-Nations and Lions Test series.

Jeremy, do you agree that a defender killing the ball illegally within five metres of the try line should always be yellow-carded without warning. This kills quick ball and stifles attacking, exciting rugby. Consistency in refereeing this area is vital.
Leslie Edwards, England

Leslie, I agree. Even in the first seconds of a game, there should be no warning, just a straight yellow in that situation.

I was wondering about your response to Warren Gatland's comments about 'the trend towards a destructive seven, rather than a playmaker such as Nugget (Martyn Williams)' on Scrum V after the November internationals. Do you think this is a permanent change or simply teams recently playing to the strengths of their players? And (more importantly) who do you think the Welsh seven should be? Nugget until the World Cup? Lydiate? Bearman? Many thanks.
Tom Cozens, Wales (N-G Dragons)

Tom, I think Warren was a bit wide of the mark suggesting players like Brussow, Burger, Pollock, Smith and McCaw are purely destructive. They are just as good in attack. Look at all the turnover ball these players produce, that is more about attack than defence, it's an offensive defence. All teams have to produce players of similar quality to combat those players. I think Warren will look after Martyn and pray he stays fit until the World Cup.

How did you feel about England making Phil de Glanville captain, which basically kept you out of the side?
Mark Favarin, Australia

Mark, It wasn't easy and that's putting it lightly, but that's life and you just get on with it. Luckily for me it didn't stop me getting selected for the Lions that season.

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