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The top 10 richest players were recently unveiled, but are those 10 players the best in the world?

David Humphreys paid tribute to his side's strength of character, and James Hook in particular, after he kicked his side to a dramatic victory.

England No.8 Ben Morgan is in doubt for the Six Nations after going off on a stretcher in Gloucester's Premiership win on Friday.

Stade Francais went clear at the top of the French Top 14 league on an emotional day in Paris with a bonus point 49-13 win over Castres on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: James Hook slotted a last-gasp penalty to claim a dramatic 24-23 victory for Gloucester over Saracens in a superb Premiership clash.

MATCH REPORT: Niko Matawalu produced a scintillating scrumhalf display to propel Glasgow Warriors back to the Pro12 summit.

NEWS: Toulon fullback Delon Armitage will be allowed to play again in February, after his ban for insulting fans was reduced by a month.

Ahead of the visit of London Welsh to Newcastle this Sunday, Exiles captain Tom May has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

Scarlets will look to take their home form with them Friday, when they face Glasgow at the Scotstoun Stadium.

Will Helu will make the trek up to Edinburgh from Wasps after signing a two-year contract with the Scottish side

The Fabien Galthie saga took another new twist on Friday with news that his stand-off with Montpellier President Mohed Altrad became more strained.

PRE-SEASON: Veteran hooker Stephen Moore looks set to make a full comeback in time for the start of the Super Rugby season.

EXCLUSIVE: Renaldo Bothma says his game has grown in leaps and bounds since coming under the pupilage of the Sharks and Brendan Venter.

PREVIEW: Stade Francais will have the chance to go back to the top of the French Top 14 table when they take on struggling Castres in Paris.

Ireland international lock, Dan Tuohy, has agreed a three-year contract extension with Ulster that will keep him at Kingspan Stadium until at least 2018.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse is excited about working with World Cup-winning Springbok Francois Steyn in Japan.

The Blues' Super Rugby pre-season training almost ended in disaster, when close to 30 players had to be fished out of the water by sea rescue.

Delon Armitage has been forced to wait for a decision after he appealed against a 12 week suspension with the hearing set to to decide on Friday.

NEWS: Kurtley Beale ended months of speculation about his future by signing a one-year extension to his Wallaby and Waratah contracts.

With the top four teams all losing in the last round of the PRO12, there was very little movement in the Play-Off Zone.

ROUND 13 PREVIEW: After moving past the halfway mark, every point in the next round of the Premiership will be crucial.

The Sharks will be buoyed by the return of two big Springbok forwards in Pieter-Steph du Toit and Willem Alberts who have been spotted at training.

NEWS: Edinburgh retained the services of flank Hamish Watson and lock Ben Toolis - having extended their contracts with the club.

NEWS: Leicester Tigers prop Dan Cole has joined England's ever-growing list of injured players ahead of the Six Nations tournament.

Joggie Jansen's hit on Wayne Cotterell is arguably one of the biggest in history. 

EXCLUSIVE: Former Pumas coach, Jimmy Stonehouse, spoke to Tauriq Ebrahim about his reasons for leaving the Nelspruit-based team.

Dan Carter's move to French giants Racing Metro is set to make him rugby's richest man, but who else is in the Top 10?

NEWS: Cardiff Blues have secured the services of Super Rugby ace Rey Lee-Lo from the Hurricanes on a long-term deal.

NEWS: Jimmy Stonehouse, coach of the Nelspruit-based Pumas, resigned from his position to join Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus.

OPINION: Jan de Koning puts Jake White in the spotlight after the dramatic manner in which he turned around the fortunes of Montpellier.

NEWS: Leinster prop Jack McGrath has been banned for three weeks for stamping on an opponent.

NEWS: JJ Hanrahan will leave Irish province Munster at the end of the current season to join Premiership side Northampton Saints.

NEWS: Munster have retained the services of some of their best players, including Ireland international Ian Keatley.

Wasps have secured the services of New Zealander Jimmy Gopperth, who have signed for the English Premiership club from Irish province Leinster.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams may be in fine physical form, but his skills require some fine-tuning.

Samoan flank TJ Ioane, unwanted by the Highlanders for Super Rugby, has joined the Sale Sharks until the end of the English Premiership season.

FEATURE: It is a rivalry that has been going on for the best part of a century, this is the final part of the Battle of the Giants - the Closest of Enemies.

BREAKING NEWS: Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn has been suspended for two weeks, pending further investigation into his sending-off.

Commentators tell the world and the world believes. This is a pity when it comes to the laws of rugby for the commentators often get it wrong.

Scrumhalf Haydn Thomas insists there will be no panic with-in the ranks despite Exeter Chiefs slipping to their third successive defeat.  

Leinster  forwards coach Leo Cullen believes they need to be more clinical in putting their PRO12 opponents to the sword.  

NEWS: Edinburgh forwards coach Stevie Scott admits his troops will have revenge on their minds when they head take on Connacht.

England lock Graham Kitchener has signed a new contract at Leicester Tigers that will see him into his fifth season at Welford Road.

Newport Gwent Dragons confirmed that flyhalf Steffan Jones has left the Welsh outfit and signed a permanent deal with Bedford Blues.

South African born Quinn Roux will remian on loan with Irish side Connacht at least until the end of the 2014/15 season.

English club Bath have signed Welsh flyhalf Rhys Priestland from Pro12 team the Scarlets where he appeared almost 150 times.

Former Sharks lock Alister Hargreaves will know all about the Bulls when they travel up to London to take on his Saracens in a pre-season friendly.

INTERVIEW: Wallaby James O'Connor believes time spent with World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson has turned him into a more complete player.

Last year's captain for the Bulls, Springbok Flip van der Merwe, will miss the first two months of Super Rugby with a new pectoral injury.

Toulon captain and legendary All Black tighthead Carl Hayman looks set to retire at the end of the French season.

Another Pacific Island nation has fallen foul of the international controlling body of the sport, World Rugby, over the political meddling of its government.

Veteran Springbok Morné Steyn claims he was 'eye-gouged', which is why he kicked out at Fijian wing Mosese Ratuvou.

Scotland international backs Tommy Seymour and Henry Pyrgos have both signed two-year contract extensions with the Glasgow Warriors.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Cup-winning Springbok Bryan Habana is enjoying his stay in Toulon so much, he might extend it.

Touchline decisions are often difficult, it is not just the law but the judgement required while a replay is there to show that the assistant referee was wrong.

NEWS: Flyhalf Owen Williams has ended speculation on his future by agreeing a new contract to stay with Leicester Tigers.

Ulster head coach Neil Doak insists his side are certainly good enough to make the Pro12 play-offs - provided they can sort out their away form.

Captain Scott Williams has said that the Scarlets are still in the hunt for a top four spot in the Pro12 as they head to Glasgow this weekend.

Newcastle Falcons have bolstered their front row resources with the signing of Argentine Prop Juan Pablo Orlandi from Bath.

The Blues have returned to pre-season training after the festive season break.

With Super Rugby fast approaching it is important to have a look at what each of the teams are doing in their preparations and who they have at their disposal.

FEATURE: Some players make the transition look smooth. However, Sam Burgess has found the Rugby Union hurdle higher to climb.

The year is quickly becoming serious as already there is one eye on the Rugby World Cup in England and Wales later this year. For players and organisers it will be a testing and busy time with even more emphasis on next month's internationals.

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall saluted Billy Vunipola after the England international inspired a 22-6 victory over London Irish.

REACTION: Montpellier's new coach, Jake White, arrested a nine-match slide for his French club by using his tried and tested method.

WEEKEND WRAP: Clermont defeated Toulouse 24-6 to return to the summit of the French Top 14 for the first time since August.

It is a rivalry that has been going on for the best part of a century, this is Part Five in the Battle of the Giants - the role of Apartheid.

NEWS: Scott Higginbotham has become the latest to join a growing list of Wallabies that will head for the exit door after the World Cup this year.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP:  Wasps continue their dream start to life at the Ricoh Arena, as they demolished Sale Sharks 41-16.

REACTION: Matt Kvesic believes Gloucester's rebuilding project is firmly on course after the Cherry & Whites emerged as victors over Exeter.

Stephen Myler said that he is honoured to become just the second player to hit 2,000 points in black, green and gold of Northampton Saints.

Saracens players wore impact sensors, launching the first element a ground-breaking programme to determine the effects of concussions.

Scarlets and Wales flyhalf Rhys Priestland says he has decided on his future and will make an announcement about it next week.

Scarlets prop Rhodri Jones is a doubt for Wales' Six Nations campaign after dislocating his shoulder in Saturday's Pro12 win over Ospreys.

REACTION: With their 22-10 victory over Ospreys, Scarlets have now kept their unbeaten home record in the Pro12 alive.

REACTION: Munster head coach Anthony Foley admitted his side must improve after they slipped to defeat against Irish rivals Connacht.

REACTION: It was a case of an opportunity missed for Saracens in their Premiership victory over London Irish at Allianz Park.

MATCH REPORT: Ospreys remain top of the Pro12 despite going down to a shock 10-22 defeat at the hands of Scarlets.

MATCH REPORT: Gareth Steenson's missed conversion handed Gloucester a dramatic 26-25 Premiership win at Sandy Park,.

TOP 14 WRAP: South African World Cup-winning coach Jake White got off to a winning start at French club Montpellier.

PRO12 SATURDAY WRAP: A moment of magic from Ian Madigan helped Leinster to their 20th consecutive win at the RDS, beating Ulster 24-11.

MATCH REPORT: Saracens avenged last season's Premiership defeat to London Irish and stayed in touch with the tournament pace-setters.

REACTION: Edinburgh boss Alan Solomons said his team is now within sight of securing a place in Europe's Premier competition.

Newcastle Falcons may not have achieved their goal of securing victory, but the men from north east England are becoming a real threat.

Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder is still looking for marked improvement in the Premiership from his table-topping team.

POST-MATCH REACTION: Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder has backed Calum Clark for an England call-up.

Bok flyhalf Morne Steyn had a miserable first start of the season for Stade Francais, when he was red-carded in the Top 14 leaders' defeat at Lyon.

REPORT: Stephen Myler broke the 2,000 point barrier in the Premiership, as Northampton stretched their lead at the top of the table.

MATCH REPORT: Tim Visser's first-half double secured Edinburgh the 1872 Cup for the first time in six years.

FEATURE: It's a rivalry that has been going on for the best part of a century - the battle for the No.1 ranking. This is Part Four in the Battle of the Giants.

Burly lock Jake Ball has become the sixth player to sign a national dual contract with the Welsh Rugby Union and his regional team, Scarlets.

We go old-school, bringing you highlights of the third Test between SA and Aus in 1969.

England's No.8 Ben Morgan has remained loyal to Gloucester. The 25-year-old signed a new contract to extend his stay at Kingsholm.

REACTION: Gareth Anscombe may be the missing spark in an erratic Welsh team, which won just five of their 11 matches this past year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia may have recorded a paltry one win from four starts on the year-end tour, but they believe they are winners - off the field.

PREVIEW: South African World Cup winning coach Jake White faces a baptism of fire when he takes charge of Montpellier this weekend.

INTERVIEW: Jake White may be only be days into his new job at crisis-club Montpellier but already he is targeting the Top 14 title.

Not that it's new, but an incident in the match between Bath and Exeter Chiefs aroused interest, because it was surprising.

PRO12 WRAP: Kieran Marmion's eye-catching try sparked a scintillating Connacht comeback that produced a 24-16 victory over rivals Munster.

PREVIEW: The first round of Premiership action in 2015 kicks off when the table-topping Northampton Saints host Newcastle Falcons.

FEATURE: Jan de Koning takes a look at the year 2014 and how the Top 10 teams performed this year!

NEWS: Wales and Scarlets hooker Emyr Phillips is likely to miss his country's Six Nations campaign with a dislocated shoulder.

NEWS: England coach, Stuart Lancaster believes the All Blacks are favourites to retain their World Cup crown in 2015.

Sale Sharks captain Dan Braid insists his side can go toe-to-toe with the big guns of the Premiership despite a narrow defeat to Leicester.

Jack Conan is enjoying life with Leinster and determined to keep fighting for his first-team berth at the RDS.

Harlequins may have briefly drifted away from their attacking heritage but have found their form with ball-in-hand last weekend.

Russian Alexander Pervukhin will take charge of the Russian National team after Raphael Saint-Andre stepped down from the helm.

Scarlets wing, Kristian Phillips, has received a three-week ban after he was guilty of a dangerous tackle in the Pro12 match against Ospreys.

Matt Jess wants Exeter Chiefs to kick-start the New Year with a bang as they play host to Gloucester in their latest Premiership encounter.

It seemed a certainty, but now doubt has been cast over the presumption that Irish legend Paul O'Connell will retire after next year's World Cup.

NEWS: Toulon's Delon Armitage has formally lodged an appeal against his 12-week suspension.

The rugby365 team would like to wish all our readers a Happy New Year.

PRO12 PREVIEW: The teams have passed the halfway mark and their focus will now be concentrated on the end of season play-offs.

Rising flyhalf Will Robinson is hoping he can continue to learn his trade on the biggest stage since securing a starting berth.

INTERVIEW: World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White believes he stands before the biggest challenge of his career.

Scott Steele is determined to remain the first choice scrumhalf at London Irish after becoming a regular starter.

David Denton insists a roaring Murrayfield can help Edinburgh overturn their deficit after falling to Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

 Sam Dickinson is determined to make up for lost time by helping Northampton Saints maintain their sterling form.

FEATURE: rugby365 guru Paul Dobson says it has been a year for referees, as much as any other year - a year of highs and lows.

Ian Keatley insists facing former club Connacht, at their Sportsground fortress, could prove his toughest challenge of this campaign.

Sam Warburton is set to return from a shoulder injury when Cardiff Blues face Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on New Year's Day.

Queen's honours list: Former England star flyhalf and World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson has not been knighted, contrary to weekend reports.

Daniel Leo (London Irish) and Tom May (London Welsh) were both suspended for one week.

Montpellier coach Fabien Galthie has failed this season and that is why club President Mohed Altrad "suspended" him on Tuesday.

FEATURE: Jan de Koning asks if the world rankings can be used as an accurate yard-stick for the World Cup next year?

NEWS: England centre Manu Tuilagi faces a fresh race to be ready for the start of Six Nations after an injury setback.

Newport Dragons could receive a New Year's boost from Taulupe Faletau, after it was confirmed the No.8 does not need surgery on his ankle.

NEWS: World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White has been formally unveiled by his new club - Montpellier.

BREAKING NEWS: Springbok Willie le Roux will be able to write his own salary cheque after next year's World Cup.

NEWS: The Australian Rugby Union has confirmed that they are aware of incident in Byron Bay involving Wallaby captain Michael Hooper.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors captain Al Kellock is confident his side can build a legacy to rival the most storied clubs in the league.

And so to the New Year and the annual hope that the New Year will be better. It would be a great year for referees if not one was disappointed with an appointment, there was no criticism anywhere and abuse of referees was as remote a part of the past as public hanging.

Exeter Chief's captain, Dean Mumm says it's only right that they put pressure on themselves ahead their next encounter with Gloucester.

Daniel Leo, Tom May and Kane Thompson will appear before an RFU Disciplinary Officer, charged with striking, contrary to Law 10.4 (a).

BREAKING NEWS: Jake White will start his tenure as the head of coaching at French club Montpellier on Tuesday.

FEATURE: It's a rivalry that has been going on for the best part of a century - the battle for the No.1 ranking. This is Part Three in the Battle of the Giants.

Joe Royal talks about the significance of the Maori All Blacks Haka.

REACTION: Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac expressed his frustration with his team's loss to Ospreys at Liberty Stadium at the weekend.

REACTION: Scrumhalf Neil de Kock said Saracens were "very happy" with their 25-23 win over Newcastle Falcons.

OPINION: The year was filled with moments of brilliance and moments of insanity. We name and shame the best and worst of 2014.

REACTION: Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder insisted Northampton Saints are right on track in the Premiership.

REACTION: Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young admits his side were their own worst enemy during a nervy second half against Gloucester.

French centre Mathieu Bastareaud broke down in tears at the weekend and said he has had enough of his poor form.

MATCH REPORT: Stade Francais stunned champions Toulon 30-6 in Paris on Sunday to replace their opponents at the French Top 14 summit.

BREAKING NEWS: Scrumhalf Nick Phipps has signed a two-year contract extension with the Australian Rugby Union.

BREAKING NEWS: Racing Metro's South African flyhalf Johan Goosen is set to be out of action for up to three weeks.

REACTION: Mike Ford will be giving his players three days deserved rest after Bath recorded their fifth successive Premiership win.

WRAP: Toulouse gained a measure of revenge on Racing-Metro with a turgid and try-less 15-9 victory in the French Top 14 on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton Treviso ended their Pro12 winless streak with a hard-fought 26-16 victory against Italian rivals Zebre.

MATCH REPORT: Wasps ended their away-day hoodoo in the Premiership this season, as they held off a resurgent Gloucester.

In the beginning there were no referees. The need for referees is ongoing proof of the existence of original sin and human fallibility. Man could not honestly or objectively run a game. He needed somebody impartial to do the judging for him.

POST-MATCH REACTION: Anthony Foley has challenged Munster to maintain a high standard of performance into 2015.

POST-MATCH REACTION: Dean Richards insists his Newcastle Falcons side are improving way ahead of schedule.

Production not possession was all that mattered as Northampton Saints kept themselves top of the Premiership table.

The French doping system has been put in the spotlight for its seemingly inconsistency.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael de Vries takes a look at the young stars he thinks will make the step up to the next level in 2015.

NEWS: Wallabies back, James O'Connor will leave Toulon after "a great six months" with the French Champions.

Montpellier head coach Fabien Galthie is unaware of when Jake White will join the struggling French Top 14 side as manager.

Dan Lydiate marked his first start for Ospreys with a try, as his side struggled past Scarlets 17-15 in the first of back-to-back derbies.

Northampton maintained their lead at the top of the Premiership with an impressive 30-25 victory over Harlequins at Twickenham.

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith leapt to the defence of Dan Leo after the Samoa international was handed a red card.

Mark Hammett called on his Cardiff Blues to restore some pride and demanded they raise the intensity levels.

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith lauded the work of his combative forwards as his side sealed their first Premiership home win of the season over London Welsh.

Toulon do not take defeat lightly, especially at home, and will seek to avenge their sole Top 14 home loss this season against Stade Francais.

Pro12 WRAP: Munster secured their first league double over Leinster in six years, with a 28-13 victory at Thomond Park.

PREMIERSHIP: London Irish easily brushed London Welsh aside 24-9 for their 175th Premiership victory at the Madejski Stadium on Friday.

Gonzalo Quesada, the sporting director of French Top 14 side Stade Francais, has extended his contract for two seasons.

FEATURE: The battle for the No.1 ranking of the world continues as we look at Part 2 of this century old rivalry.

Gloucester's Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, is pleased that his side are at home again on Sunday.

NEWS: The Welsh Rugby Union have secured the signatures of three future stars on the National Dual Contract.

NEWS: Switching codes, and dabbling in boxing, are realities of modern-day sport that make players' careers even more enticing.

According to former Wales international Arwel Thomas, Scarlets flyhalf Rhys Priestland could benefit from a move out of Welsh rugby.

Stephen Myler, James Wilson, George Pisi and Tom Stephenson have agreed new contracts with Premiership champions Northampton.

ROUND 11 PREVIEW: The post-Christmas action kicks off with some tantalising local derbies to whet the appetite following the festive feast.

Nigel Felton may not be a household name but the former professional cricketer is one of the many unsung heroes who play a massive role in Premiership.

NEWS: South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White is set to be named manager of Top 14 side Montpellier.

Wing Craig Gilroy insists no one at Ulster is feeling sorry for themselves following their fall out of the top four of the Pro12.

London Irish have not quite reached the make or break stage this season, but hooker David Paice admits his side need to beat London Welsh to revive their faltering campaign.

Ross Moriarty insists everyone at Gloucester is determined to give the Kingsholm faithful something to cheer about before the New Year.

ROUND 11 PREVIEW: The battle of the Exiles kicks off the Premiership Christmas programme this weekend.

The rugby365 team would like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas on this most joyful day.

Harlequins scrumhalf Danny Care admits losing the England No.9 shirt was a huge disappointment during the November Internationals.

Sale Sharks pair Mike Haley and Josh Beaumont have both signed new two-year contracts with the Premiership outfit.

Newport Dragons have sought expert advice on Taulupe Faletau's ankle injury as his festive availibility is thrown into doubt.

EXCLUSIVE: In the final instalment of his chat with Jan de Koning, John Mitchell speaks about changes since his departure from the All Blacks.

FEATURE: It is a rivalry that has been going on for the best part of a century - the battle for the No.1 ranking of the world.

Ospreys have expressed their delight in signing Fijian international, Tevita Cavubati, until the end of the season.

Newport Dragons are delighted to announce that back row James Thomas has extended his contract with the region.

The penny has finally dropped. The Wallabies know they need to resolve their scrum woes or fall short at the World Cup next year.

The proverbial hairdryer treatment from coach Gregor Townsend sparked Glasgow Warriors' sensational turnaround against Munster.

Rhys Priestland says his Scarlets side will be taking a long, hard look at themselves this week after coming up short against rivals Cardiff Blues.

NEWS: Northampton and England serial offender Dylan Hartley has escaped with a slap on the wrist, following his latest brain explosion.

Tackle is a difficult word in that it can have more than one meaning.

Teofilo Paulo and Johan Snyman, lock forwards for Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets respectively, have escaped punishment after being cited for striking each other on Friday.

Captain Ken Owens and fullback Liam Williams have committed their future to Scarlets which boosts the Welsh side this festive season

Fijian scrumhalf Niko Matawalu will join Bath from Glasgow Warriors next season.

FEATURE: Michael de Vries looks at the young guns that made a big noise this year, as rugby365 continue our review of 2014.

The one is a world champion of beards. The other is a strong challenger.

FEATURE: Paul Dobson, at his idiomatic best, looks back at the year in a very differentiable way and names his 'Socksdown XV'.

Benetton Treviso prop, Romulo Acosta was banned for six weeks following the red card he received in the match against Edinburgh.

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Danie Gerber was a player of immense talent whose career was stunted by South Africa's isolation years.

We take a step back in time, 30 years in fact.

The Australian Sevens program is delighted to announce the signing of 19-year-old Brisbane City flank, Bradley Wilkin, effective from January 2015.

NEWS: Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins will return to the Western Force for the 2015 Super Rugby season.

INTERVIEW: The Japanese Top League may not be regarded as the toughest domestic competition in the world, but it has one major advantage.

European Professional Club Rugby has announced the referees for Rounds 5 and 6 of the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.

FROM THE RUMOUR MILL: Popular Wallaby wing Nick Cummins could soon grace the Wallaby gold again.

England and Northampton Saints bad boy Dylan Hartley will have his latest case heard by an RFU disciplinary judicial officer on Tuesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Some SA teams made a major leap in 2014, abandoning the dreaded conservative approach and adopting an expansive style.

Ireland international forward Devin Toner has agreed a new two-year contract with the IRFU and will stay at Leinster until at least June 2017.

Springbok and Ulster scrumhalf, Ruan Pienaar is back on the injured list after he twisted his knee on Saturday.

Qualifying competition for the 2015/16 European Challenge Cup which will now include clubs from Russia, Portugal and Spain.

Two players have been cited in the wake of the weekend's Round 10 Pro12 matches.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tauriq Ebrahim delves into the world of automobiles to find which best describe some of the world's premier players.

NEWS: Ospreys have secured the services of Welsh star Justin Tipuric for another three years, keeping him at the Liberty Stadium until 2018.

The Irish Rugby Football Union has made Helen O'Reilly the first female appointment to its national referees' panel in a move that could eventually see her officiate in Pro12 and European Champions Cup matches.

BREAKING NEWS: The Sharks have lured a New Zealand Sevens player to Durban as they continue to bolster their own ranks.

A Joyous and Blessed Christmas to all of good will who have rugby refereeing at heart. It is a wonderful and loving time of the year that would be even greater if it lasted all year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Darryn Pollock compares the school structures in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.

REACTION: Forgotten England flyhalf Andy Goode claimed a record individual 33-point haul as Wasps eased to a 48-16 Premiership win over London Irish.

NEWS: Wayne Smith will rejoin the All Blacks coaching staff ahead of next year's World Cup as a defence specialist.

REPORT: A blistering start to the second half set Newport Gwent Dragons on their way to a 25-11 victory that lifts them out of the Pro12 bottom two.

Highlights from Ospreys' Round 10 Pro12 win over Ulster.

MATCH REPORT: Andy Goode set a new Premiership individual points record in front of the largest home crowd the competition has ever seen.

REACTION: Mark McCall admits a confident Saracens never thought about taking their foot off the pedal after dispatching London Welsh 78-7.

REACTION: Ospreys will spend Christmas Day at the Pro12 summit and head coach Steve Tandy is pleased to be setting the pace.

REACTION: Bath head coach Mike Ford insists his side's defence was just as vital to their historic 39-16 win over Gloucester at Kingsholm.

REACTION: A superb Glasgow Warriors second-half fight-back proved too much for Munster in their Pro12 encounter at the weekend.

POST-MATCH REACTION: Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder heaped praise on Luther Burrell.

Scarlets and Wales fullback Liam Williams has apologised for any offence caused by a fancy dress outfit worn at the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Nicknamed Mouse, Gerrie Germishuys was anything but a rodent during his playing days with the Springboks.

EXCLUSIVE: Matt Hawkins, rugby365's specialist Sevens columnist, says it is time for everybody to take a deep breath.

NEWS: Toulon's outspoken owner Mourad Boudjellal  has added veteran All Black Ma'a Nonu to his growing list of high-profile signings.

BREAKING NEWS: Wayne Smith looks set to return to the All Black coaching set-up ahead of next year's World Cup.

WRAP: Ospreys surged to the top of the Pro12 with a superb 31-20 home win over Ulster while Munster went down 18-21 to Glasgow.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Northampton captain Dylan Hartley could be suspended after he elbowed an opponent in his side's 23-19 win over Leicester.

Montpellier ended a run of seven successive defeats with a thrilling 23-20 victory over Toulouse in their Top 14 clash on Saturday.

Toulon owner Mourad Boujellal has named former Italy and Stade Francais flyhalf Diego Dominguez as Bernard Laporte's successor.

Exeter Chiefs have confirmed that wing Tom James is set to return to his former club, Cardiff Blues.

Members of the London Welsh squad dropped in to hand out presents very generously donated by the Club's supporters to its Christmas Toy Appeal.

Stade Francais took over the leadership of the French Top 14 on Friday with a five-try 43-30 victory at Grenoble who surrendered their unbeaten home record.

Zane Kirchner's late try at the RDS Arena made sure Leinster got revenge for their early season defeat to Connacht with a 21-11 Pro12 win.

MATCH REPORT: A vintage performance from Danny Cipriani put an abrupt end to Exeter Chiefs' excellent Premiership run of form.

The city of Cape Town expressed "disappointment" with the decision of the WPRF Union not to relocate from Newlands to the Greenpoint stadium.

John Smit has given his front row forwards some valuable dietary advice.

The powerful back row trio of Matt Garvey, Leroy Houston and Guy Mercer have renewed their contracts with Bath.

Ospreys lock, Lloyd Peers will be out of action for four months after undergoing surgery to repair damaged ankle ligaments.

REACTION: The New Zealand Rugby Union are expecting an unprecedented exodus after the 2015 World Cup, but there is no sign of panic.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: From a rogue rookie to a mature man. This, in a nutshell, is the story of one of Australia's most talented players - Quade Cooper.

OPINON: It's taken a while and after much thought, Tauriq Ebrahim has managed to select the 2014 Team of the Year.

French and European champions Toulon return to Top 14 duty missing several stars and resentful over the ban od fullback Delon Armitage.

PREVIEW: The Pro12 returns with a bang this weekend as the top four teams battle it out for supremacy.

The Reds will face the Crusaders at Ballymore in their second pre-season match ahead of the 2015 Super Rugby season - on Friday, February 6.

Fiery All Black loose forward Liam Messam will return to the growing ranks of Rugby Union players dabbling in boxing as a pre-season pastime.

All Black great Dan Carter said the sheer quality of the players in France's Top-14 was a key reason in him joining Racing Metro.

Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton could miss the opening match of the Six Nations after being ordered to rest following blows to the head.

PREVIEW: The Premiership returns this weekend with the most competitive league in Europe poised for a fascinating round of matches.

It's time for families to draw closer as Christmas comes and a time for rugby's social unit, the clubs, to have their time to come together. There are no Tests this weekend - just clubs in action.

REACTION: Toulon's abrasive and controversial boss Mourad Boudjellal has once again threatened to go to court, because a decision did not go his way.

England and Wasps lock Joe Launchbury is to undergo surgery on a neck injury which will see him miss the 2015 Six Nations.

The game in Kenya was thrown into further turmoil when Kenyan Rugby Union Chairman Mwangi Muthee resigned.

The United States have confirmed that they have submitted a bid to World Rugby to host the World Cup Sevens tournament in 2018.

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has spoken of his delight after another three members of his squad pledged their long-term futures to the Premiership.

Two-time defending European champions Toulon suffered a blow as utility back Delon Armitage was banned for 12 weeks.

The Western Province Rugby Football Union will not be relocating from Newlands to the Cape Town Stadium.

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika is unfazed about a possible mass exodus of players after next year's World Cup.

The Western Force has recruited Japanese international wing, Akihito Yamada for the 2015 edition of the Super Rugby competition.

NEWS: All Black great Dan Carter will become the world's highest paid player when he leaves New Zealand after next year's World Cup.

Australia's post-World Cup exodus to Europe gained further momentum with the news that former captain James Horwill will also head for the exit door.

New Zealand head into World Cup year as stand-out favourites to defend their title after dominating 2014 to remain on top of the global game.

French Top-14 side Bordeaux-Bègles have agreed a two-year contract with Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper to join them after next year's World Cup.

Martin Castrogiovanni has been ordered to pay €10,000 to charity and banned for four matches (ban suspended) for his rant about Richard Cockerill.

Former South African Seven coach Paul Treu has praised his successor Neil Powell at the helm of the BlitzBokke stating that they will win the World Series.

Wasps believe that the ticket sales from Sunday's match at the Ricoh area in front of a record crowd will enable them to compete in the transfer market.  

Already Super Rugby is on the minds of management and friendly matches are being arranged - with referees.

It is common knowledge that rugby nowadays forbids playing a player who is in the air. This led to the IRB (now World Rugby) to amplify the law a bit.

Chris Cracknell has announced his retirement from the England Sevens programme.  

England and Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley has spurned a chance to join French club Montpellier, picking loyalty over money.

Charlie Matthews could face a ban of up to one year after he was cited for allegedly making contact with the eye of Leinster flank Dominic Ryan.

Steve Hansen believes the All Blacks coaches should be contracted in four-year year blocks over the World Cups.

The Kenya Rugby Union have appointed Felix Ochieng as the new Sevens coach to replace South African Paul Treu who resigned last week.

Wales have revealed their preparation plans for the World Cup, with training camps in Qatar, Poland and Switzerland.

England internationals Tom Youngs and Dan Cole and Argentina prop Marcos Ayerza have all agreed new contracts with Leicester Tigers.

The Barbarians will round off their 125th anniversary year by tackling Argentina at Twickenham in November 2015, organisers announced on Tuesday.

EXCLUSIVE: Former BlitzBokke coach Paul Treu's role at the Stormers and Western Province may be surprising given his Sevens background.

Alan Solomons believes Edinburgh's unbeaten record in Europe this season is a testament to their strength in depth.

Jason Robinson says Sam Burgess can follow in his path by being fast-tracked into Stuart Lancaster's England squad for the World Cup,

New Zealand Under-20 star Damian Mckenzie will have to battle it out with his brother Marty for a spot at flyhalf for the Chiefs next year.

Billy Vunipola admits it wasn't just his body left battered and bruised from England's year-end internationals but his ego too.

With very little international rugby going on there was chances for the minnows to climb the World Rugby rankings with Columbia jumping seven places to 50th.

The iconic 72,000-seater stadium in Yokohama has been added to the list of bidders seeking to become venues for the 2019 World Cup in Japan. 

Former France international lock and Brive captain Arnaud Mela looks set to end his career with the Top 14 club after extending his contract there by two years.

Steve Hansen has been reappointed as All Blacks coach to the end of 2017, regardless of results at next year's World Cup.

Former BlitzBokke coach Paul Treu has signed on to aid the Stormers and Western Province after leaving the Sevens game behind last weekend.

Former France hooker Olivier Azam has been announced as the new Director of Sport at Top 14 club Oyonnax, taking over at the end of the current season.

It is good to know that the All Blacks aura does not affect the impartiality of the Sevens refs.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac says he is hopeful of holding on to Wales stars Liam Williams, Jake Ball and Rhys Priestland after a triumphant win over Ulster.

Clermont are looking to secure Pool One after back-to-back victories over Munster, but there are still two tricky games against Saracens and Sale to come.

An internal restructuring to streamline the identification, development and monitoring of players will be headed up by Rassie Erasmus for SARU.

Blitzbokke coach Neil Powell said that the input of sport psychologist Dr. Jannie Botha was vital to their win at home.  

KRU board member Godwin Karuga has resigned from Kenyan rugby and follows departing coach Paul Treu out of the troubled Union.  

Australian Sevens head coach Geraint John has lauded his charges after they recorded their second top-three finish in consecutive weeks.

The BlitzBokke will face the United States, France and Japan in their pool games at the 2015 Sevens Wellington tournament in Febuary.

Racing Metro are reportedly winning the race to sign All Black Dan Carter in a deal that is tipped to make him the highest paid player in the game.

Ian Keatley kicked Munster to an injury time losing bonus point to go down 19-26 against Clermont at Stade Marcel-Michelin.

South Africa have defended their title and won their second consecutive round of the Sevens World Series with a 26-17 win over New Zealand 

The Aviva A League could provide the platform for Sam Burgess to make his third Bath Rugby debut of the season on Monday – in the back row.

Northampton Saints ran riot in Italy to top Pool Five going into the new year - and they did it in record style.

Dan Biggar says the Ospreys 'won't feel sorry for themselves' despite falling to their second defeat 18-15 and facing elimination from the Champions Cup.

Newport Gwent Dragons centre Ashley Smith sustained a fractured jaw during Saturday's Challenge Cup game, when making a tackle in the early minutes.

Ben Ryan is concerned at the loss of players overseas, particularly to Sri Lanka, saying it threatens to derail preparations for the Olympics.

Two-time defending champions Toulon notched up a comprehensive 23-8 victory over Leicester in the European Champions Cup on Saturday.

World Rugby's Sevens Series enters its knock-out stage on Sunday with the quarterfinals of the cup and the bowl. Referees have been appointed to these matches and the appointments to semifinals and then the finals will depend on what happens in the quarterfinals.

Cecil Afrika became the top points scorer for South Africa as the Blitzbokke went unbeaten at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

Watch USA Sevens speedster Perry Baker kick a pitch invader.

Wallabies and Waratahs coach Michael Cheika says that the only way he can manage to do both jobs is by keeping them completely separate.

James O’Connor will only join the Queensland Reds until month after being granted a brief extension to help injury-hit Toulon.

Code-hopper Sam Burgess was happy with his starting debut for Bath against Montpellier, but knows he still has plenty to work on.  

England captain Chris Robshaw will be sidelined for up to four weeks after injuring a shoulder playing for Harlequins.

EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning chatted to Bulls coach Frans Ludeke about possible changes to their game plan for 2015.

European Professional Club Rugby's Disciplinary Officer has lodged misconduct complaints against Toulon players Martin Castrogiovanni and Delon Armitage.

Bath secured the 32-12 bonus-point win they so needed against Montpellier at The Rec, to keep their European hopes very much alive.

Oxford recorded their biggest-ever win over Cambridge, beating the Light Blues 43-6. In fact it was the biggest victory ever in the match that dates back to 1872.

The maul from a line-out was a great South African weapon. They developed it first and used it most profitably. Until November, that is. 

The third round of the 2014-15 World Rugby Sevens Series starts in Port Elizabeth this weekend and the match officials have been appointed to each match.

Matt Hawkins takes a closer look at the Blitzbokke and the reasons behind their dominance in Dubai last weekend.

The Springboks will face the All Blacks at Ellis Park again next year, but the fixture will move around from 2016 on.

Lions coach Johann Ackermann has made it clear that he will not be leaving the Lions despite garnering attention from big spending Japanese clubs.

Michael Wells has been drafted into the Australian squad for the South Africa Sevens after Greg Jeloudev was ruled out with an ankle injury.

Wallabies flyhalf Quade Cooper has committed to Australian Rugby for another year in a deal that will take him through until the end of 2015.

The Blitzbokke will be aiming for two different doubles at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth this weekend.

LM Smit played for Northern Transvaal in its very first match - against Transvaal on 18 April 1938. He died gently on 8 December 2014, three weeks short of his 102nd birthday.

Paul Treu will step down from his role as Kenya Sevens head coach after this weekend's Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens.

Ireland's trio of former winners face a make-or-break weekend when the fourth round of European Champions Cup matches get underway.

The Springbok Sevens have announced an unchanged squad for the defence of their home Cup title, the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament.

Sharks flyhalf Tim Swiel may make his European Cup starting debut for Harlequins with team-mate Nick Evans not available for the Leinster clash.

Rugby’s most prestigious prize, the Webb Ellis Cup, has arrived in Shanghai for a two day visit as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.

All Blacks Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has placed a major emphasis on mental attitude as his side look to bounce back in Port Elizabeth.

It is the centenary of the start of World War I in which 55 Oxford and Cambridge rugby Blues were killed. The 2014 match on December 11 honours their memory.

All Black Brodie Retallick has backed up his World Rugby International Player of the Year award by being named the Kelvin R Tremain Player of the Year.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer will be pleased to see two of his stalwarts returning to the rugby field in the European Cup this weekend.

Dan Carter is still aiming to be a factor in the 2015 World Cup after an injury plagued couple of months that have seen him stuttering with form.

World Cup-winning England coach Clive Woodward is backing code-hopper Sam Burgess to secure a place in England's World Cup squad.

The Bulls will begin their preparations for the upcoming Super Rugby season with a warm up match against the Cheetahsin Polokwane

Adrian Thompson will return for his third year of coaching the Australian Under-20 side in 2015.

Eskom and loadshedding will not dampen the mood for the upcoming Seven tournament in PE.

Richard Cockerill has spoken out against Martin Castrogiovanni's rant aimed at him, labelling it as 'disgusting' and 'disappointing'.  

It is one of rugby's great traditions - the Varsity Match, at Twickenham but much older than Twickenham, older than all internationals except the Calcutta Cup match.

SARU have announced that it had assumed control of the financial and administrative affairs of the Border Rugby.

England Sevens have made three changes to their squad, with Alex Davis, Sam Stanley and London Scottish No.8 Mark Bright all coming in.

World Rugby, the new name for the IRB, has announced the names of the match officials for the 2015 Six Nations including four South Africans.

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has said he will apologise to Leicester for Martin Castrogiovanni's outburst towards head coach Richard Cockerill.

Leinster skills coach Richie Murphy has confirmed reports that Jimmy Gopperth is talking to other clubs and will leave the province at the end of the current season.

Bath hookers Ross Batty and Rob Webber have both extended their contracts at the European Rugby Champions Cup side.

Natalie Thain, a New Zealand business woman and former Zimbabwean swimmer, has taken over as the new board director at the Crusaders.

Coming off a highly successful 2014 rugby season in all areas, the Lions have announced the final signings of players for the 2015 season

Nizaam Carr and Handré Pollard lead the full list of nominees for the annual Player of the Year Awards

Montpellier head coach Fabien Galthie has insisted that his players are '200 percent' behind him despite a run of six straight defeats.

Wales flank Dan Lydiate has signed for Ospreys to become the second player, after national captain Sam Warburton, to seal a national dual contract between the Welsh Rugby Union and the regions.

Glasgow Warriors fullback Stuart Hogg wants to see his side learn their lessons from Round Three in order to turn their fortunes around against Toulouse.

South African Seven captain Kyle Brown says that it is hard to carry momentum in the World Series as each tournament is a separate entity.

The most pressing need of all positions in South African rugby is at scrumhalf. Just watch the Springboks play and you know there is a problem.

Christian Loamanu, who tested positive for cannabis five years ago, has had his indefinite ban for playing rugby in Japan lifted. 

Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip is determined to put-right their European Cup defeat to Harlequins in front of their fans at the Aviva Stadium.

Springbok hooker Tiaan Liebenberg was glad he got to wear the national colours one final time at the Wanderers last week.

As Christmas hurries closer, the centre of refereeing attention this weekend is Sevens in Port Elizabeth and in Europe's club rugby, the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup, and the British & Irish Cup.

Despite their dominant performance in Dubai, the Springbok Sevens side will not be taking anything for granted in Port Elizabeth.

Ulster centre Darren Cave has put pen-to-paper on a new three-year deal which will keep him with the Irish side until 2018.  

EXCLUSIVE: In Part Two of his interview with Jan de Koning, John Mitchell spoke about his tumultuous stay at and departure from Ellis Park.

Rebels scrumhalf Nic Stirzaker has signed a two-year deal which keeps him in Melbourne until at least the end of the 2017 season.

Rory Best has told Ulster's rivals to 'write us off at your peril' after they secured their first European Cup win against Scarlets.

Toulon prop Martin Castrogiovanni is being investigated by Europen Professional Club Rugby for his foul-mouthed rant at Welford Road.  

World Rugby has announced the referees for the Women's Six Nations, which, like the men's Six Nations, starts on 6 February 2015 and the same countries take part as in the men's competition.

Rugby’s most prestigious prize, the Webb Ellis Cup, has arrived in Hong Kong as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.

The Brumbies will farewell Doug Edwards as Chief Executive of the club after the long-serving board member announced his departure on Monday. 

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has branched out into rugby and has been assisting Japan's Eddie Jones in preparation the World Cup.

World Rugby, the new name for the IRB, has announced the names of the match officials for the 2015 Six Nations.

World Rugby, the new name for the IRB, has announced the names of the match officials for the 2015 Six Nations.

The European Cup offers teams the chance to enact swift vengeance with a quick-fire return leg set up for next weekend.

The Blitzbokke will have momentum from their win in Dubai and home ground advantage in Port Elizabeth this weekend.

The BlitzBokke claimed the Dubai title and also three of the tries of the tournament.

Controversial Welsh scrumhalf Mike Phillips has insisted he is not ready to allow Rhys Webb a free run in the Wales No.9 jersey 

Australian Sevens head Coach Geraint John has named an unchanged 12-man squad for this week's tournament in South Africa.

Ross Haylett-Petty and Francois van Wyk have been included in the RUPA Induction Camp, a core component of the Player Development Program.

In a previous blog about who should be Bok captain, readers started an interesting conversation about what position a captain should play.

Reports out of France are that Toulon are hunting Springbok Eben Etzebeth as a replacement for Bakkies Botha after the World Cup.

Toulon prop Martin Castrogiovanni has launched an extraordinary attack on his former coach at Leicester Tigers Richard Cockerill.

Do you know who gave the Argentinian national rugby team its nickname, which has stuck even though it was inaccurate?

Leicester Tigers inflicted the first defeat on champions Toulon in the European Cup for more than a year with a 25-21 success at Welford Road.

After their impressive Cup win in Dubai on Saturday, hosts South Africa are top seeds and head Pool A of the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens.

Former France captain Fabien Galthie is on the point of leaving his post as coach of Top 14 side Montpellier according to some reports.  

Springbok Sevens captain Kyle Brown was full of praise for the defensive commitment his team showed in Dubai.

Ospreys backs coach Gruff Rees praised his side's character after they fought back to claim a share of the spoils against Racing Metro.

Saracens' George Kruis admitted the final whistle of their clash with Sale Sharks was greeted with a massive sigh of relief.

EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning chatted to Bulls coach Frans Ludeke as the three-time Super Rugby champions stepped up their pre-season preparations.

A brave Ospreys fightback was not quite enough to earn a vital victory as the Welsh side played out a 19-19 draw against Racing Metro.

South Africa have won the Dubai Sevens Cup final, defeating Australia 33-7 in a clinical second-half display.

Harlequins scrumhalf Danny Care is determined to answer his critics with a stellar Champions Cup performance against Leinster on Sunday.

Convincing Steve Hansen to extend his contract after the World Cup would ensure the All Blacks aren't exposed by the exit of their experienced players.

Matt Todd was the big winner for the Crusaders and Caterbury at their annual awards evening, the flank coming away two prizes including the big one.

The recent November Tests showed the rugby community across the globe that the Southern Hemisphere dominance may be starting to crack.

Bath head coach Mike Ford has pledged his side will go for the jugular in the return leg against Montpellier next week and won't settle for anything less than the full five points.

The Springboks, going into the match against the much favoured Proteas as underdogs, managed to surprise with a five-wicket victory.

Bath inflicted a 30-5 beating on Montpellier in France, but failed to take enough advantage of three yellow cards to pick up a try bonus point.

The BlitzBokke won all three of their Pool D matches at the Dubai Sevens tournament on Friday to reach the Cup quarterfinals.

Both parts of Ireland have united to bid for the World Cup in 2023, promising on Friday to rally Catholics and Protestants behind the event.

Nizaam Carr, Marcell Coetzee, Willie le Roux, Handré Pollard and Duane Vermeulen have been nominated for the SA Rugby Player of the Year Award.

The UCT Ikey Tigers' win in the 2014 Varsity Cup will long be remembered as one of the most dramatic comebacks of all time.

Mouritz Botha has been reluctantly released by Saracens to join the Sharks, with effect from January 1, 2015.

Matt Hawkins says that the second leg of the Sevens World Series in Dubai should see the teams step things up a gear.

As Stephen Moore works his way back from injury he is he is hoping to be in a position to take back the helm at both Club and Country.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and ASICS bring you the chance to win a set of double tickets to the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens on December 13 and 14.

Sonny Bill Williams is backing Sam Burgess to succeed in Union and and would like to face off against him in the backline at the highest level.

Ireland flanker Chris Henry admits he was terrified after suffering a mini stroke last month.  

Round Two of the Sevens World Series begins in Dubai this Friday, and the stakes will be higher than ever before.

Thirty Craven Week players, five of whom played for the SA Schools team, and nine regular First team captains from will form part of an exciting  Western Province Institute intake.

Jean de Villiers underwent a successful surgery on the left knee and is setting his sights on the World Cup in England next year.

Craig Joubert swaps the whistle for the finger this Friday as the Boks play the Proteas

Former Lions captain Josh Strauss is on track to play for Scotland in the World Cup after signing a two-year contract extension with Glasgow Warriors.

Defending champions Toulon face a tricky away game at Leicester in the third round of action in the European Champions Cup this weekend.

Sam Burgess is firmly in Mike Ford’s Champions Cup selection plans for Bath as they gear up to face Montpellier in their struggling European campaign.

Jonathan Kaplan gives his views on the white card system that will be used in the Varsity Cup next year.

Springbok fullback Willie le Roux has been named the Cheetahs player of the year for 2014, but scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius claimed three awards of his own.

Centre Jan Serfontein was named as the Bulls' player of the year at a very casual and relaxed event hosted on the Loftus B-Field.

Warren Whiteley was crowned the Golden Lions Player of the year on Wednesday with team-mate Jaco Kriel scooping three awards of his own.

Graham Mackenzie has been re-elected President of the KZNRU for a further two-year term.  

Seabelo Senatla is looking to take the lessons he learnt with the Springboks on their year-end tour and implement them with the BlitzBokke.

EXCLUSIVE: The coaching merry-go-round at the Sharks may have contributed significantly to the drain on the franchise's financial resources.

Leones de San Marcos from Peru came out top in the global Rugby Safety Awards.   

Bulls prop Frik Kirsten has been forced to call a premature end to his rugby career following a serious neck injury.

The Springboks are likely to head to the World Cup next year without a specialist outside centre, but is that such a problem?

Regular Springbok Sevens captain Kyle Brown is eager to get back into the Blitzboks jersey in Dubai this weekend. 

The sight of Springbok captain Jean de Villiers rolling over,  face contorted and crying out in agony was the worst memory of November's rugby, 

After the narrow defeats to Leicester Tigers and Toulon, many pundits have written off Ulster's European season, but not Tommy Bowe. 

Jean de Villiers is a fighter and probably still believes he can lead the Boks at the World Cup next year.

An overwhelming majority saw Cheeky Watson secure another four-year term as President of the Eastern Province Rugby Union last week.

Munster lock Donncha O'Callaghan has been banned for two weeks for kicking an opponent in the Irish Pro12 derby against Ulster last week.

Wallabies prop Laurie Weeks says that Australians need to change their attitude towards the scrum if they are going to improve. 

Irish rugby paid tribute to the man considered to be their greatest player during a memorial service for the late Jack Kyle in Belfast.

World Rugby ( formerly the International Rugby Board, née the International Rugby Football Board), rugby's statutory body, has issued three new clarifications of laws.

World Cup winner Hannes Strydom is recovering in hospital after a vicious carjacking attempt which left him with a cracked skull and a stab wound.

The Scarlets have signed New Zealander Hadleigh Parkes from the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and Auckland in the NPC.

Clermont's Georgian international flank Victor Kolelishvili is likely to be ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

Ospreys Ashley Beck is gearing up for a trial by combat against Jamie Roberts ahead Racing Metro's trip to Swansea in the European Champions Cup.

Willem Alberts, who took two wickets with consecutive balls at Newlands in January, has been named to captain the Springboks against the Proteas.

It seems strange after the Test-crammed month of November that there are no Tests at all in December, not that there is a rugby hiatus.

Two time European Cup champions Toulon have accepted and set a date for the challenge presented to them by the Sharks.

Gloucester have made their first new signing ahead of the 2015-16 season with Tom Marshall moving to Kingsholm from Super Rugby's Chiefs.  

The hype around 'Tongan Thor' may slow down next year as the Reds prop looks set for a season of club rugby rather than Super Rugby.

France international Maxime Medard has signed a four-year contract extension with Toulouse, the club announced Monday.

David Pocock says he has no regrets over his arrest Sunday at a protest against a coal mine being constructed in a state forest.  

having played in all 12 of South Africa’s Test matches in 2014 it is safe to say No.8 Duane Vermeulen is an integral part of the World Cup plans .

Jean de Villiers will require surgery on his injured left knee and will be in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup in England in 2015.

England and Wales have both improved their rating points, but not by enough to climb up the latest World Rugby rankings.

Last season's runners-up have not won in three matches after their latest defeat to Challenge Cup contenders Exeter Chiefs.

The Springboks decision making in Northern Hemisphere conditions will receive serious attention in the build-up to the World Cup next year.

Ireland lock Donncha O'Callaghan has been cited for allegedly kicking an opponent in the head, officials announced on Monday.

Chris Robshaw believes the way the forwards set up the win against Australia in their November finale  was an encouraging sign ahead of next year's World Cup.

Samoa's prime minister has ruled out the changes to the Samoan Rugby Union sought by players.

New Zealand remained the team to beat less than a year out from the World Cup in England after another successful November campaign.  

Wallabies flank David Pocock has been charged by police over his involvement in a protest against a coal mine in northern New South Wales.

With the November tours done and dusted, it makes for some interesting debate looking towards next year's 'holy grail'.

After an action-packed November our team of the month has a fairly even split between northern and southern hemisphere players.

Glasgow Warriors recovered from a shaky first-half performance to scrape past Newport Gwent Dragons for their seventh Pro12 win of the season.

Toulon have accepted the challenge of Sharks CEO John Smit and will meet the Durban side in a challenge match on February 5 next year.

Stade Francais maintained their unbeaten home record on Sunday despite a scare and missing out on a bonus point in a 20-17 victory over Brive.

Northampton Saints returned to the top of the Premiership table with a crushing win over struggling London Welsh at the Kassam Stadium.

Ex-Wales stars lined up to celebrate Wales' second-ever victory over South Africa after a tough victory at the Millenium Stadium.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says that he might have to change tactics after another costly yellow card conceded under a high ball.

Reigning French and European champions Toulon defeated arch-rivals Clermont 27-19 to move top of the Top 14 on Saturday.

South African-born lock Marco Kotze has signed with the Reds after featuring heavily in Brisbane City’s victorious NRC campaign.  

Australia coach Michael Cheika insisted there would be "no panic" in the Wallaby camp after they ended 2014 with defeat by England at Twickenham.

England coach Stuart Lancaster insists his side are "on track" for next year's home World Cup after their win over Australia at Twickenham.

Leinster scrapped their way to a battling 18-12 victory in Dublin, as they took advantage of a weakened Ospreys.

REACTION: Warren Gatland has long been in the media crosshairs for his failure to guide Wales to more than one win over the Southern Hemisphere giants.

REACTION: Australia coach Michael Cheika suggested his side were possibly "too honest" in the scrum during the 17-26 defeat to England.

REACTION: South Africa's 6-12 defeat by Wales was "disappointing", but they would improve greatly before the World Cup.

Owen Williams kicked all 18 points as Leicester overcame Wasps 18-16 while Gareth Steenson booted all the points to lead Exeter to a 27-19 victory.

MATT HAWKINS TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BLITZBOKKE AND THE REASONS BEHIND THEIR DOMINANCE IN DUBAI LAST WEEKEND.

MATT HAWKINS SAYS THAT THE SECOND LEG OF THE SEVENS WORLD SERIES IN DUBAI SHOULD SEE THE TEAMS STEP THINGS UP A GEAR.