Woman likely to be Russia's No 3

22 August 2011 Last updated at 10:34 GMT Valentina Matviyenko is a close ally of Vladimir Putin A close ally of Russian PM Vladimir Putin has won a reported landslide in a vote that puts her on course to assume one of Russia's most powerful roles.

Valentina Matviyenko has won a seat in Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council.

It is thought Mr Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev want her to be speaker - the third-ranking job in Russia.

But opponents denounced her victory - with more than 95% of the vote - as fraudulent.

Opposition observers claimed to have witnessed ballot-stuffing during the vote in two municipalities of St Petersburg.

"This is a 100% fraud, not a vote," said opposition leader Boris Nemtsov on his blog.

Ms Matviyenko has been governor of St Petersburg, Russia's second city, since 2003.

The city is where both Mr Putin and Mr Medvedev come from.

Ms Matviyenko must be elected by the Federation Council if she is to fill the vacant speaker's position - but the house is loyal to the Kremlin.

If successful, it is thought Ms Matviyenko would be Russia's highest appointed stateswoman since Catherine the Great, who was empress of Russia in the 18th Century.

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Moody likely to miss France match

RBS Six Nations: England v France
Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday, 26 February Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC HD channel, Red Button and BBC Sport website (also on BBC America); post-match forum 1900-1930; listen on BBC Radio 5 live & online; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

Moody returned to action for Bath last weekendLewis Moody is expected to be left out on Thursday when England announce their side to face France in Saturday's key Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

The flanker, 32, was expected to captain the side after returning from a five-week knee injury, playing 23 minutes for Bath last weekend.

But reports suggest he suffered a recurrence of the injury in training.

The Rugby Football Union refused to confirm those reports, with the team due to be announced at 1300 GMT.

Centre Mike Tindall has captained England in Moody's absence, steering the team to wins over Wales and Italy.

England boss Martin Johnson said earlier this week that Moody's return would be a bonus but added the flanker would only feature against France if he was ready.

"We would love him to be fit and fully raring to go for a Test match," Johnson stated.

"There's probably a little bit of a difference between playing 20 minutes in the Premiership and playing against France.

"He will know if he is right or if he is not right - and he'll be honest with us and the team.

"It would be great if he is fit to go but if not the other guys have been playing very well."

England and France are both unbeaten after two rounds of Six Nations action.

England began with a 26-19 win in Wales before crushing Italy 59-13 at Twickenham, while defending champions France defeated Scotland 34-21 in Paris before edging past Ireland 25-22 in Dublin.

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