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Aaron Shingler has said he would "love the chance" to play against Scarlets teammate Ben Morgan when Wales bid for the Triple Crown against England at Twickenham later this month.

One of the most famous representative teams in world rugby is to challenge Wales at the Millennium Stadium for the second time in a year.

Blaming the ref is the easiest way-out for a rugby fan. If you lose, blame the ref. If you get penalised, blame the ref. If a game is called off, blame the ref.

French No.8 Sebastien Chabal is set to take the next step on his career following his sacking from Racing-Metro by playing in Australia with lowly Balmain.

South African Rugby and politics have been synonymous in perpetuity - not just through the interference of government, but also the many unhealthy internal boardroom squabbles.

Scotland flank Alasdair Strokosch could miss the rest of the Six Nations with a fractured hand.

French club sides have weighed into the debate over when to re-programme the France versus Ireland Six Nations game, demanding that it be held after their season finishes in June, informed sources said.

Four Springboks will undergo medical assessments on Wednesday, to determine the extent of injuries they suffered at the Sevens World Series tournament in Las Vegas at the weekend.

The postponed Six Nations match between France and Ireland will now be played on March 4, the tournament's organising committee announced on Tuesday.

England lock Tom Palmer is to return to London Wasps next season on a two-year deal.

Puma is offering our readers a unique Valentine's Day special... And two lucky readers could win a new Bulls 'away' jersey.

New Scotland international tighthead prop Ed Kalman, who made his Test debut against Wales on Sunday, has signed a two-year contract extension with Glasgow Warriors that ties him to the club until 2014.

Samoan winger David Lemi has left Glasgow Warriors to join English side Worcester Warriors from the start of next season.

The rugby world is perhaps a bit more peaceful this weekend without Six Nations but still what is happening is getting more anxious for many clubs, those who have ambitions of being champions and those in danger of relegation. That keeps the referees as busy as ever.

One of the biggest decisions that Heyneke Meyer will have to make is who to appoint as Springbok captain. We take a look at the candidates.

Manu Tuilagi, Toby Flood and Courtney Lawes have all returned to England training and will be in contention to play against Wales at Twickenham in the Six Nations on February 25.

New Zealand great Jonah Lomu said Monday that medical tests had confirmed a donated kidney he received eight years ago had failed and he needs a new transplant.

Wales coach Warren Gatland can't wait to return to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs when he takes his Triple Crown contenders to Twickenham to play England later this month.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson insisted his side were on the right track after a 27-13 Six Nations loss to Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday condemned them to a fourth straight defeat.

Every Premiership match went ahead this weekend, while other sporting fixtures were decimated by the bad weather, after an investment of #200,000 by Premiership Rugby.

Exeter head coach Rob Baxter said seeing his side complete an Premiership double over Leicester Tigers was a "special feeling" after the Chiefs won 19-11 at Sandy Park at the weekend.

Samoa pulled of an upset and turned back the clock a few years when they stunned New Zealand with a 26-19 win in the Final of the United States leg of the IRB Sevens World Series on Sunday.

Alex Goode scored 17 points with the boot for Saracens in their 22-17 win at Adams Park to inflict a seventh successive Premiership defeat on Wasps.

Springbok captain Kyle Brown spoke of 'teamwork and unity' as his squad prepared for a semifinal showdown with New Zealand at the Las Vegas leg of the 2011/12 IRB Sevens World Series.

Martin Castrogiovanni will likely miss the rest of the Six Nations, after fracturing a rib in Italy's 15-19 defeat to England on Saturday.

Wales coach Warren Gatland praised the maturity of his youthful side as they made it two Six Nations wins out of two this season with a 27-13 victory over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday.

Sergio Parisse cut a dejected figure as possibly his best chance yet to experience victory against England evaporated at a frozen Stadio Olimpico.

Wales took advantage of Scotland's lack of discipline to move to the top of the Six Nations standings with a 27-13 win in Cardiff on Sunday.

New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa and Kenya all topped their pools at the United States leg of the IRB Sevens World Series, in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The last minute abandonment of the Six Nations clash between France and Ireland had everyone searching for a scapegoat, but whoever is selected for that role will not matter to the biggest losers - the supporters.

Stuart Lancaster wants to create competition for places in the England team following their second straight hard-fought Six Nations match on the road.

English referee Dave Pearson was not a popular man in Paris, after the Six Nations match between France and Ireland was postponed just before kick-off at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Defending champions South Africa will face series leaders New Zealand in the semifinal of the Las Vegas leg of the IRB Sevens World Series.

Spain beat Georgia, the log leaders, by 25-18 in Madrid on Saturday in a European Nations Division One match.

There were three interesting results in this weekend's Top 14 action in France - the size of Clermont's win, Bayonne's win and Toulouse's proof of depth.

The Six Nations match between France and Ireland was cancelled just before kick-off at the Stade de France here on Saturday because of concerns over the pitch.

Wales centre Jonathan Davies hopes his midfield partnership with Jamie Roberts can cause Scotland even more of a problem than it did in last weekend's Six Nations opening victory over Ireland.

After trailing at half-time England turned things around in the second half to muscle their way to a narrow 19-15 victory over Italy in freezing conditions in Rome on Saturday.

Welsh international wing Aled Brew will join Biarritz from Newport-Gwent Dragons on a two-year deal at the end of the current season, the French club announced on Saturday.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson has told his team to keep their heads as they bid to end their try-less run when they face Wales in the Six Nations at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, South Africa, Kenya and England all remained unbeaten after the opening day of action at the United States leg of the IRB Sevens World Series, in Las Vegas on Friday.

Irish great Paul O'Connell will hope he wakes up in Paris on Sunday and have at last experienced what it is like to have beaten France in Paris.

The accurate boot of home flyhalf Nick Macleod proved the difference in an attritional Premiership game at ice cold Edgeley Park, as Sale Sharks edged out Worcester Warriors 15-12.

Wales will look to maintain their self-discipline against Scotland in the Six Nations at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, with the visitors in dire need of a victory.

A late penalty from Freddie Burns gave Gloucester a 27-24 win over Northampton in a thrilling game at Kingsholm.

Ross Batty and Chris Cook have both agreed to contract extensions at Bath.

Ireland called Paddy Wallace into their squad Friday as injury cover for flyhalf Jonathan Sexton just a day before Saturday's Six Nations international against France in Paris.

Scotland are so confident of playing Wales at their own game in a Six Nations clash in Cardiff on Sunday, they've asked for the Millennium Stadium's roof to be closed in a bid to ensure ideal conditions.

They may have thumped Italy 59-13 at Twickenham last year but England will not be underestimating the Azzurri at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday.

Leinster cemented their place at the top of the Pro12 standings with an impressive 42-8 win over Italian rivals Treviso, while Glasgow Warriors also strengthened their grip on a top-four place in Thursday's other match.

France and Ireland are set for a fierce encounter in their Six Nations match at the Stade de France on Saturday after both coaches demanded their players go for the jugular.

England captain Chris Robshaw admitted Friday he is wary of hosts Italy's passion ahead of their Six Nations clash at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday.

Joe Schmidt's Leinster are running away at the head of the Pro12 table and it's Fijian fullback Isa Nacewa that's pleasing his boss the most.

Young England Saxons tightead prop Rupert Harden has shown loyalty to the club that has developed him as a player by signing a new contract with Gloucester.

Cardiff Blues centre Casey Laulala is set to join Irish province Munster on a two-year deal at the end of the season, the Welsh club announced on Thursday.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse lamented the fact that last year's historic first Six Nations win over France has raised expectations ahead of England's visit to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday.

There are two big problems for the Top 14 this round. There is the weather and France are playing in the Six Nations.

Wallaby Sevens coach Michael O'Connor has made one change to the squad that played in Wellington a week ago, after scrumhalf Lewis Holland was forced out of the side through injury.

Isoa Damudamu has a new opponent to tackle once England have concluded their title challenge for this weekend's United States leg of the IRB Sevens World Series.

The International Rugby Board and the Six Nations have combined to affirm the last penalty awarded by Wayne Barnes in the match between Ireland and Wales.

First-half tries from Robbie Diack and Ruan Pienaar set Ulster on their way to a third straight Pro12 win as they beat the increasingly home sick Newport Gwent Dragons by 30-12 on Friday.

Springbok Sevens veteran Renfred Dazel has been called in as a replacement for the injured Paul Delport in the Blitzbokke's only change for the USA Sevens in Las Vegas.

TV commentator Nigel Starmer-Smith looks back on Wellington and ahead to the USA Sevens in Las Vegas, Round 5 of the IRB Sevens World Series.

England have named an unchanged matchday 22 to play Italy in their Six Nations match at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Ireland recalled centre Keith Earls on Thursday in the only change to their starting side for this weekend's Six Nations clash away to France in Paris.

Dimitri Yachvili has been ruled out of France's Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday, his place at scrumhalf being taken by Clermont's Morgan Parra.

The majority of players at Racing-Metro (37 out of 40 perhaps) have asked for a meeting with the club's president Jacky Lorenzetti to ask for the removal of coach Pierre Berbizier.

Ryan Jones will take the place of banned lock Bradley Davies in the Wales team for the Six Nations international against Scotland on Sunday.

Double European Cup champions Munster have received a huge boost with two of their stars, utility back Keith Earls and flank Denis Leamy committing themselves for another two years after signing new contracts with the IRFU.

Ireland's Stephen Ferris has been cleared of wrongdoing by a Six Nations disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.

Matthieu Lazerges was sacked as coach of struggling Top 14 newboys Lyon on Tuesday and replaced by veteran flyhalf Xavier Sadourny, club president Yvan Patet announced.

World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry has a new job in New Zealand - coaching the coaches.

Wales lock Bradley Davies was hit with a seven-week ban on Wednesday following his citing for a "tip tackle" in the Six Nations victory over Ireland last weekend.

Northampton Saints have announced that 32-year-old Kiwi lock Mark Sorenson has signed an extension to his contract with the club.

England lock Nick Kennedy will leave London Irish at the end of the season and move to French Top 14 outfit Toulon on a three year deal with the glamour club.

Ireland can rebound from their opening Six Nations defeat by Wales when they travel to France this weekend, but they will need to focus on their own performance according to talismanic centre Brian O'Driscoll.

Three Sale Sharks Welshmen - scrumhalf Dwayne Peel, front row forward Marc Jones and flyhalf Nick Macleod - have all signed extensions to their contracts to keep them with the Premiership club.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson has been forced to make two changes to his side for this weekend's Six Nations clash with Wales as they attempt to bounce back from their disappointing Calcutta Cup defeat to England.

Edinburgh have strengthened their front-row reserves with the signing of Argentine prop Ulises Gamboa from Pro12 rivals Aironi until the end of the season.

Six Nations outsiders Italy have made two changes, bringing in some experience for their historic debut at Rome's Stadio Olimpico for the visit of England on Saturday.

Scotland flyhalf Dan Parks has retired from international rugby with immediate effect following the Six Nations defeat against England at Murrayfield last week.

Toulouse lock Yoan Maestri says cleaning up his act on the pitch is the reason he has made the progress required which sees him rewarded with his first start for France against Ireland on Saturday.

SANZAR has announced the appointments of match officials for the first six weeks of Super Rugby this year. Chris Pollock will blow the first whistle of the 2012 Super 15 when he referees the Blues and the Crusaders at Eden Park.

Having paid dearly for missed tackles in Paris last weekend, Italy have been working hard on the defensive part of their game ahead of their Six Nations clash with England on Saturday.

Paul Delport injured his cheekbone in Wellington last Saturday and is set to miss out on the Springbok Sevens' defence of their Las Vegas title over the weekend.

Scotland have fallen out of the world's top ten rugby nations following last weekend's Six Nations loss to old rivals England at Murrayfield.

There was a conversation between the referee and the television match official during the Varsity Cup Round One match between the Ikeys and the Shimlas in Cape Town on Monday which caused debate and consternation.

Wales wing legend Shane Williams is set to end his illustrious career in Cardiff by playing for the Barbarians against his own country in June.

Toulouse coach Guy Noves has called for the French Top 14 league to be cut by two teams to 12 in a bid to allow players to better adapt to professional rugby.

Wales loose forward Ryan Jones believes his side's thrilling last-minute 23-21 away win over Ireland on Sunday proved that the Six Nations was the world's premier rugby tournament.

Welsh lock Bradley Davies and Irish flank Stephen Ferris face disciplinary action after being cited on Tuesday for foul play in last weekend's Six Nations clash.

The IRB has increased the number of core teams in the Sevens World Series from 12 to 15 from next season as the sport continues to build towards its Olympic Games re-inclusion in 2016.

French coach Philippe Saint-Andre will experiment with Imanol Harinordoquy on the side of the scrum as one of four changes to his side for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Ireland.

Coach Declan Kidney insisted Ireland can rebound from the last minute loss against Wales in their Six Nations opener on Sunday and beat France in Paris next Saturday if they use their heads a bit more.

Former Scotland rugby international Thom Evans has been training with a leading athletics coach as he contemplates a new sporting life on the track.

SARU have alerted the public to a cellphone scam aimed at rugby supporters after receiving a number of calls from concerned people who have received SMSs telling them they have won considerable sums of money.

Gloucester have confirmed that Scotland flank Alasdair Strokosch will be leaving the club at the end of the current season to take up a contract with French Top 14 side Perpignan.

London Wasps have signed United States international back Paul Emerick as injury cover for the remainder of the season.

Taranaki's Waisake Naholo and Waikato's Johnathan Malo have been called into the New Zealand Sevens squad for the Las Vegas leg of the Sevens World Series.

England have called up Harlequins scrumhalf Karl Dickson as a replacement for his younger brother Lee, who fractured a bone in his left hand in Saturday's Six Nations win over Scotland.

It's into the second round of the Six Nations. Wouldn't it be marvellous if this weekend's three matches were all like the Ireland-Wales match? Interestingly, all three of the referees in the Women's Six Nations are women - one of them from Spain.

Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted his side got out of jail in their last-gasp 23-21 Six Nations opener win over Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.

Wales and British and Irish Lions tighthead prop Adam Jones has signed a two-year contract extension with his home region the Ospreys and will stay at the Liberty Stadium until at least 2014.

Wales must keep things simple if they are to progress to being an outstanding team, coach Warren Gatland said on Sunday.

Scotland wing Max Evans has insisted there's no need for any sense of "panic" following a 6-13 loss to England in their Six Nations opener in Edinburgh at the weekend.

Stuart Lancaster confirmed he has applied to become England's next full-time coach after demonstrating his passion for the post by shedding blood during the side's Calcutta Cup win away to Scotland.

Wales showed plenty of fighting spirit in coming from behind to beat Ireland 23-21 in dramatic fashion in their tense Six Nations clash in Dublin on Sunday.

France captain Thierry Dusautoir hailed the newcomers to the team after their convincing win over Italy on Saturday, saying they have a large part in deciding France's rugby future.

South Africa dropped one place in the overall standings after lifting the Plate in the fourth leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday.

Scotland were left wondering how to turn things around after they went down to an inexperienced England team at Murrayfield on Saturday, which was also their fourth consecutive game without scoring a try.

Hosts New Zealand retained their title with a 24-7 win over arch-rivals Fiji in the Final of the Wellington leg of the IRB Sevens World Series on Saturday.

World Cup finalists France handed new coach Philippe Saint-Andre a winning start in the Six Nations with a 30-12 victory over Italy at a freezing Stade de France on Saturday.

Ireland go into Sunday's Six Nations match with Wales with revenge very much on their minds after losing to the Welsh twice last year including October's World Cup quarterfinal.

The IRB confirmed the pool draw for Round Five of the Sevens World Series, the US Sevens in Las Vegas, from February 10 to 12.

England made a winning start under new acting coach Stuart Lancaster as they began the defence of their Six Nations title with a 13-6 Calcutta Cup win away to Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel was left to ponder the shortcomings of his team following their 12-30 defeat by France in their opening Six Nations match on Saturday.

The defence-driven pragmatism that saw France reach the World Cup Final resurfaced in their opening Six Nations victory over Italy on Saturday.

Debutant England centre Andy Farrell was delighted by the commitment a revamped side showed as they began the defence of their Six Nations title with a 13-6 win away to Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.

World Cup finalists France will bid to get their Six Nations campaign off with a resounding bang when they host Italy at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Keith Earls on Friday pulled out of Ireland's opening Six Nations match with Wales, the IRFU confirmed.

South Africa may be facing the enigmatic Fijians in their Cup quarterfinal on Day Two, but coach Paul Treu says his men will remain focussed on the goals they have set for themselves.

Newcastle Falcons have announced that New Zealander Jimmy Gopperth has signed a three-year contract extension at Kingston Park.

Philippe Saint-Andre makes his Six Nations coaching debut when France take on Italy on Saturday, and the former international wing is urging his team to forget their favourites tag.

Sebastien Chabal's star as a rugby union player is unlikely to shine for much longer after Racing-Metro effectively sacked one of French sport's most recognisable characters.

Racing-Metro announced on Thursday that their divorce from Sebastien Chabal was official and with immediate effect.

Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts will both start for Wales in the Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.

The Blitzbokke will take on Fiji in the Wellington Sevens Cup quarterfinal on Saturday while New Zealand, who also went unbeaten on Day One, will square up to France.

Organisers of the New Zealand leg of the IRB Sevens World Series have apologised in person to Samoan team management, following an disgraceful incident when a naked pitch invader tackled a Samoan player in Wellington on Friday.

Jonathan Sexton gets another chance in Dublin on Sunday to finally become the undisputed first choice Irish flyhalf when he starts against Wales in their Six Nations opener.

Old hurts and new hopes will all be in the air when Scotland and England start their Six Nations campaign with the latest edition of international rugby union's oldest match in Edinburgh on Saturday.

The Australian Rugby Union named two newcomers in the squad for this weekend's Wellington leg of the IRB Sevens World Series.

Wales great Shane Williams will retire from all rugby in May, his club, the Ospreys, announced Thursday.

Kyle Brown will lead a South African team that will be aiming for their first tournament title in 10 years in New Zealand, when the fourth leg of the IRB Sevens World Series kicks off in Wellington on Friday.

Sale Sharks have revealed that prop forward Eifion Lewis Roberts is to return to the club on a three-year deal.

England on Thursday named three new caps in the starting team to face Scotland in Saturday's Six Nations match at Murrayfield.

England new boy Brad Barritt hopes having played in some of the world's most intimidating grounds will stand him in good stead when he makes his Test debut against Scotland at Murrayfield.

The miscreants of Super Rugby will get away with even less, following the announcement of new disciplinary rules to be trialled during the 2012 competition.

Munster Rugby announced that Northampton Saints centre James Downey will be joining them at the end of the current season.

Graham Rowntree has urged what is set to be a raw England side to start putting the "unspeakable past" of the team's World Cup flop behind them when they face Scotland in Saturday's Six Nations opener.

Centre Wesley Fofana will make his international debut for France in their Six Nations opener against Italy on Saturday, after what he admits has been a slow maturing process.

New Zealand will be hoping to win their home tournament for the second year in a row. The two-day event, part of the IRB World Sevens Series, gets underway on Friday.

New Italy coach Jacques Brunel sprang a surprise on Wednesday by picking uncapped wing Giovanbattista Venditti for Saturday's Six Nations opener against France in Paris.

Former England forwards coach John Wells has joined Newcastle Falcons until the end of the season as they bid to avoid relegation from the English Premiership.

Keith Earls was given the task of filling the void created by Brian O'Driscoll's absence as Ireland named their side to face Wales in this weekend's Six Nations opener.

Matthew Rees was on Wednesday ruled out of contention for Wales' Six Nations opener against Ireland after suffering a calf strain.

Heyneke Meyer is meticulous in his planning, but he faces a challenge far more daunting than anything the new Springbok coach has ever had to overcome thus far in his career.

Table-topping Premiership outfit Harlequins have ensured that the coaching trio of Director of rugby Conor O?Shea, head coach John Kingston and skills coach Collin Osborne will all be at the club until the end of the 2013/14 season at least.

Wales are waiting on the fitness of Jamie Roberts, Rhys Priestland and Dan Lydiate ahead of their opening Six Nations match away to Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.

Respected rugby writer Craig Ray - the author of Jake's White best-selling book, In Black & White - sat on The Bench, the popular weekly online-based sports and lifestyle show on 2Oceansviberadio, to talk all things Heyneke Meyer.

Edinburgh wing Lee Jones is set to make his Scotland debut against England at Murrayfield on Saturday after being named in the team for the Six Nations opener.

Italy's French coach Jacques Brunel is determined not to be accused of divided loyalties when his team lines up against France this weekend in their Six Nations opener.

France captain Thierry Dusautoir said he and his team may have come out of the World Cup final with their heads held high but they can afford no slip-ups against Italy in their Six Nations opener on Saturday.

New England captain Chris Robshaw will be winning just his second Test cap when he leads the side against Scotland in his first visit to Murrayfield on Saturday.

New France coach Pilippe Saint Andre has made a few key changes to the team that contested the World Cup Final for their Six Nations opener against Italy at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Former Bulls centre Stephan Dippenaar will make his Springbok Sevens debut in Wellington this weekend after he was named in in the Blitzbokke team for the New Zealand Sevens tournament.

It's time for the Six Nations to break out. January slipped away quickly and now it's Six Nations and its many heads. And the Sevens Series starts up again with Round Four in Wellington, New Zealand.

The Ireland management have named a 32-man squad as preparations reach their final stages for the team's opening match of the 2012 Six Nations against Wales next Sunday.

The Irish Wolfhounds won the try count (three to two) against the England Saxons but lost the match 23-17 at Sandy Park in Exeter on Sunday.

Delon Armitage, who was axed from the England squad after the ill-fated World Cup last year, has seen his hopes of a return evaporate.

South Africa's top referees have just completed a four-day training camp prior to the start of the 2012 rugby season.

Players to look out for in Six Nations which gets under way on February 4.

Scotland centre Joe Ansbro will miss his team's opening Six Nations match against England this weekend because of a nagging back injury.

New Zealand's World Cup-winning former coach Graham Henry on Monday blasted rivals England as the "world champions at wasting talent".

England added New Zealand-born Thomas Waldrom and Matt Banahan to their squad as injury cover on Sunday ahead of next weekend's Six Nations opener against Scotland.

Interim England coach Stuart Lancaster has named inspirational Harlequins skipper Chris Robshaw as captain for their first Six Nations Test against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

It's tough at the top and even tougher at the bottom. Lyon's win lifts them off the bottom where Bayonne find themselves. Montpellier's huge win lifts them into the play-off zone, the top six. For Racing it was a tough defeat at Stade de France.

The Dragons' New Zealand-born prop Ben Castle has been forced to retire, following a back injury incurred in the Dragons match against Leinster last September.

In terms of 'rugby reasons', Heyneke Meyer was the best choice as new Bok coach, but we all know there is more to the job in a unique country like South Africa. So, with that in mind, what are Meyer's 'transformation' credentials?

France's new coach Philippe Saint-Andre's goal in his first Six Nations championship is to deliver consistency, something he says has been missing from the national side for nigh on a century.

Sam Warburton insists he has exorcised the bitter memory of his World Cup heartache as he prepares to lead Wales into Six Nations battle.

Toulouse flyhalf Lionel Beauxis must wait to learn later on whether he suffered a broken nose during the 19-13 Top 14 win over Racing-Metro.

In Friday's Top 14 match Montpellier beat Stade Francais 38-6 at Stade Yves du Manoir in Montpellier. The victory with a try bonus point has sent Montpellier leaping up the ladder.

Stuart Lancaster says England's Six Nations campaign is the first step on a long journey of redemption that leads all the way to the 2015 World Cup.

Referees in this season's Super Rugby tournament and all-new Rugby Championship will have powers to put players 'on report' for suspected foul play under a system being trialed in rugby union for the first time.

The South African Under-20 team's successful training camp in Stellenbosch concluded with a tough friendly match against Maties.

Outspoken Toulon owner and club president Mourad Boudjellal said on Saturday he would appeal the 130-day ban handed down to him after using lurid language to describe the level of refereeing in a recent Top 14 game.

Leicester scrumhalf Micky Young has been suspended for eight weeks for making contact with the eye area of Aironi wing Giulio Toniolatti during the Tigers' European Cup victory at Welford Road last Saturday.

Former New Zealand scrum coach Mike Cron has accepted a role as forwards coach in the All Blacks' new team headed by Steve Hansen.

Heyneke Meyer will do everything in his power to ensure that the Springboks have the best chance of success, starting with securing a strong support staff.

Heyneke Meyer was today unveiled as the new Springbok coach. We take a look at the man who has inherited South African rugby's toughest job, a man with an impressive rugby CV and a pretty impressive character too.

Benetton Treviso lock Antonio Pavanello has been suspended for two weeks following a disciplinary hearing on Friday, January 27 from stamping.

It has finally happened. The most decorated coach in the country, Bulls supremo Heyneke Meyer, has been unveiled as the latest Springbok coach.

Heyneke Meyer will be the new Springbok coach, after a special general meeting of the South African Rugby Union ratified his proposed appointment in Cape Town on Friday.

New Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has no intention of 'building' anything, instead he will target consistent success from the start to take the Boks to the top, where he thinks they belong.

Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett is hard at work learning his trade as a tighthead in a new ploy to become a regular for the All Blacks.

It is the first salvo of the 2012 Six Nations when the second teams of England , the Saxons, and Ireland, the Wolfhounds, meet at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday. Both teams are a mixture of youth and experience.

Veteran flyhalf Stephen Jones was drafted into Wales' Six Nations squad on Friday after an injury to Rhys Priestland.

The South African Rugby Union on Friday put the entire world out of its misery by confirming the worst-kept secret - Heyneke Meyer is the new Springbok coach.

Wales prop Rhys Thomas has undergone heart surgery after falling ill during training with the Scarlets, the Welsh club confirmed on Friday.

These are desperate times for Brive, Biarritz, Bayonne and Lyon as the spectre of relegation haunts them. Biarritz have so improved of late that they look the most likely to survive, troubled Bayonne the most likely for the long drop. This weekend they head across to Toulon who will be bristling with anger after their suspension of their owner, Mourad Boudjellal.

Heyneke Meyer is being heralded as the saviour of Springbok rugby before even being officially announced as coach. But perhaps we should postpone the parade until he has made a few key decisions that could just define his tenure.

Former Bulls and Springbok captain Victor Matfield could come out of retirement, but only if Heyneke Meyer is unveiled as the new Springbok coach on Friday.

Former Wallabies centre Stirling Mortlock and flank George Smith have both been appointed members of the Order of Australia in the annual Australia Day honours for 2012.

Stade Francais prop David Attoub was the surprise inclusion in the 23-man squad announced by French coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Thursday, ahead of the Six Nations opener with Italy at Stade de France on February 4.

It seems to be the worst-kept secret in South Africa - the fact that Heyneke Meyer is set to be named the new Springbok coach on Friday. But, the big question is: Are we jumping the gun... again?

At a disciplinary hearing the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), who runs professional rugby in France, the president of Toulon, Mourad Boudjellal was suspended for 130 days after his outburst against what he termed sodomie arbitrale (refereeing buggery) in a wide-ranging attack aimed largely at French referees.

France will have extra pressure on them in the upcoming Six Nations as they start favourites owing to their going close to winning the World Cup, new backs coach Patrice Lagisquet said.

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has named four new caps in his 2012 national contracted Sevens squad, who are preparing for next weekend's IRB Sevens World Series tournament in Wellington.

Following the usual pre-Six Nations meeting of interested parties in London on Tuesday, the IRB's referee boss, Paddy O'Brien was able to confirm that there would be no change of emphasis in refereeing in the 2012 Six Nations.

South African Under-20 coach Dawie Theron has made one change to his team for Friday's second friendly - against Varsity Cup side, the Maties - that will conclude their training camp in Stellenbosch.

Interim coach Stuart Lancaster says he wants to take over the England job on a long-term basis after confirming that he will apply for the position advertised by the RFU.

Leigh Halfpenny was greeted by snow, spartan living conditions and a cryotherapy chamber set to -40?C when he arrived at the Wales national squad training camp in Gdansk, Poland, this week, but he says he wouldn't have it any other way.

The hurly-burly of the Heineken Cup is suddenly over, quarterfinalists are decided and we are back to clubs as they fight for glory or to avoid ignominy.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has forecast that the Six Nations starting next month will be a tight contest unlikely to produce a Grand Slam winner.

The South African Rugby Union went into damage control mode on Wednesday, after the Bulls confirmed the worst-kept secret in the country earlier in the day.

The Bulls are hopeful of holding onto their mastermind, Heyneke Meyer, despite confirmation that he is set to be unveiled as the new Springbok coach on Friday.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has again confirmed that he will NOT feature in the Springbok coaching set-up.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel has called up Treviso prop Michele Rizzo as a back-up for the injured Alberto De Marchi for his side's opening two matches in the Six Nations next month.

Retired Springbok lock Victor Matfield may be the next big name to be added to Heyneke Meyer's coaching Dream Team.

The Leopards may have been relegated to the lower echelons of South African rugby, but they have still managed to attract the services of a World Cup-winning Springbok.

Loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins will be the only Wales player to miss the start of their training camp in Poland, but is expected to be fit for the Six Nations opener against Ireland.

Edinburgh hooker Ross Ford has been appointed as Scotland captain for their first Six Nations match against England in the absence of his injured teammate, loose forward Kelly Brown.

Fearsome England prop Andrew Sheridan is set to leave the Sale Sharks for French side Toulon at the end of the season, effectively signalling the end of his international career.

Kiwi referee Bryce Lawrence will reportedly not be refereeing Super Rugby matches in South Africa.

Former Bulls centre Stephan Dippenaar is set to make his Springbok Sevens debut in New Zealand after he was included in the squad of 14 players for the next two legs of the Sevens World Series, in Wellington and Las Vegas.

Wales have called Scarlets lock-cum-flank Aaron Shingler out to their Six Nations training camp in Gdansk, Poland.

It is no longer much of a secret. Heyneke Meyer is set to be unveiled as the next Springbok coach on Friday.

The road to London and the Heineken Cup Final became clearer for eight sides at the weekend after the quarterfinal fixtures were confirmed and the draw made for the semifinals.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson has stirred the pot ahead of the Six Nations by claiming that England's arrogance was what cost them at the World Cup.

All Blacks and Blues wing Rene Ranger will finally get his day in court for assault outside a pub three years ago.

All Blacks and Blues wing Rene Ranger will finally get his day in court for assault outside a pub three years ago.

Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean believes 2012 could finally be the year that he earns himself a coveted All Blacks call-up.

USA and Highlanders ace James Paterson has been slapped with a four month ban for using a banned substance at the World Cup.

Northampton Saints coach Jim Mallinder was full of praise for mighty Munster after they notched a record Heineken Cup score against his side on Saturday.

A dramatic 78th minute try from flying wing Lee Jones bagged Edinburgh a 34-11 win over London Irish and their first home Heineken Cup quarterfinal.

South African-born England lock Mouritz Botha has travelled a long road to the Test rugby arena and will get an opportunity to establish himself in the upcoming Six Nations.

Cardiff Blues coach Gareth Baber insisted he and his side were delighted to make the quarterfinals of the Heineken Cup despite missing out on a home tie in the last eight.

Saracens were made to work for a hard fought 26-20 victory over Benetton Treviso in northern Italy on Sunday but got the points they required to finish top of Pool Five.

Desire was crucial in securing Clermont's passage to the Heineken Cup quarterfinals according to coach Vern Cotter. The Clermont boss saw his side taken to the limit by fellow last-eight qualifiers Ulster in a titanic battle at the Stade Marcel Michelin.

Welsh hopes for the Six Nations tournament were dealt more serious injury blows at the weekend during European Cup action.

Biarritz Olympique kept their amazing home record in the Heineken Cup going with a comfortable 36-5 bonus point victory in Pool Five over the Ospreys at the Stade Aguilera.

Munster, Leinster and ASM Clermont Auvergne have been confirmed along with Toulouse as qualifiers for the quarterfinals of this season's Heineken Cup after another dramatic day in Europe's leading club rugby tournament.

Saracens hooker and former Springbok captain John Smit is relishing the chance to go head-to-head with his former club Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken Cup quarterfinals.

Connacht broke their Heineken Cup duck, and broke a few Harlequins hearts along the way, as they hung on to notch a famous one point victory at a wind and rain swept Sportsground.

The one is a one-man team for Canada. The other is a one-man wolfpack.

Munster saved their best for last in the pool stage as they hit last season's Heineken Cup finalist with a record score of 51 points to guarantee themselves a home quarterfinal.

Two tries from flying Jonny May rounded off a thrilling encounter at Kingsholm as Gloucester clinched a consolation 34-24 victory over French giants Toulouse.

Connacht's man of the match John Muldoon said that beating Harlequins, ending his side's 14 match losing streak, and breaking their tournament duck was like "winning the Heineken Cup."

Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath praised his side for rounding off their Heineken Cup campaign in style after beating the mighty Toulouse 43-24 at Kingsholm on Friday night.

Clermont Auvergne secured top spot in Pool Four with a hard-fought 19-15 win over a determined Ulster at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday night.

Bath clinched their second victory in the Heineken Cup this season beating Glasgow Warriors 23-18 at the Rec on Saturday.

Harlequins skipper Chris Robshaw is resigned to leading his side in defending their Amlin Challenge Cup rather than chasing European rugby's ultimate prize, the Heineken Cup, after their 9-8 defeat to Connacht.

USA and Highlanders ace James Paterson has been slapped with a four month ban for using a banned substance at the World Cup.

Leinster may have already qualified for the Heineken Cup quarterfinals but they kept their unbeaten record in Pool Three with a 25-3 win over Montpellier in Dublin.

The Scarlets claimed an impressive 16-13 Heineken Cup away victory against Castres Olympique to finish Pool One in second place.

Leicester Tigers put their defeat to Ulster behind them to finish off their Heineken Cup campaign with a comfortable morale-boosting victory over Italian outfit Aironi at Welford Road.

Glasgow Warriors lock Tom Ryder has been added to Scotland's squad for the opening two matches of their Six Nations campaign after Fraser McKenzie suffered an arm injury playing for Sale Sharks against Brive on Thursday.

Munster have already qualified for the Heineken Cup quarterfinals and will be looking to keep their unbeaten record in this year's tournament and to finish with a clean sweep of wins in Pool One.

Munster were the first team to qualify for the 2011 European Cup quarterfinals - but they still have unfinished Pool One business to attend to when they clash with Northampton Saints at stadium:mk on Saturday in the sixth and final round of group games.

Glasgow Warriors will be looking to extend their European campaign and will be chasing all five points to ensure they qualify for the last eight of the Amlin Challenge Cup.

With exactly one week to go before the announcement of the new Springbok coach, the lunacy seems to be continuing at SARU as the quest for this appointment approaches farcical proportions.

Toulouse endured the worst possible start to their European Cup trip to England when the emergency exit door on their low-cost flight came loose, their players claimed.

Leicester Tigers will be looking to restore some pride after their one-sided defeat to Ulster and one eye on hopes of a place in the Amlin Challenge Cup quarterfinals.

Leinster are one of only two sides who have already reached the Heineken Cup quarterfinals, but they will be determined to secure a home game in the knock-out phase with a victory over Montpellier this weekend.

French referees said they were suing Toulon President Mourad Boudjellal for defamation after he made lurid accusations in the wake of a Top 14 defeat.

Ulster travel to France to play Clermont Auvergne this weekend knowing a victory on French soil will be good enough to see them qualify for the Heineken Cup quarterfinals for a second successive season.

French giants Toulouse found themselves the subject of a complaint from a Slovakian airline on Friday over damage caused to one of the company's planes.

The Scarlets may be out of the Heineken Cup but a victory in France against Castres Olympique could put them in the hunt for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarterfinals.

England Sevens have called up uncapped Oxford student Tom Mitchell and fit-again John Brake for the upcoming IRB Sevens World Series tournaments in Wellington (February 3-4) and Las Vegas (February 10-12).

The rugby365.com team love to have a laugh or two and we will continue to call on our readers to help us out with captions for five of our favourite pictures from the week.

The overloaded 2012 rugby season is set to put considerable strain on the top players, which means that the management of their physical condition will be vital to surviving the gruelling workload.

Harlequins know they have to come away with all the Heineken Cup spoils when they travel to face Irish province Connacht in the final game of Pool Six at the Sportsground in Galway.

Napier will host the Crusaders' first 'home' game of the season against the Chiefs on March 9.

Tommy Bowe is predicting another points fest when the Ospreys head to the south of France to battle with Biarritz as both clubs strive to stay in European competition.

England's Six Nations preparations suffered a blow on Thursday after flank Tom Wood - regarded as a candidate for the captaincy - was ruled out of the opening two games through injury.

The South African Rugby Union produced some extraordinary cover-defence on Thursday, when a mistake by a caption writer caused a mad scramble at Springbok headquarters.

Luciano Orquera of Aironi created a new goal-kicking record in their pre-Christmas Italian derby game against Treviso.

Former All Black loose forward Chris Masoe has turned down the chance to play for Glasgow Warriors in favour of staying in France.

Toulouse have to beat Gloucester, who are already out of the competition, at Kingsholm on Friday night to guarantee they finish top of Pool Six and qualify for an incredible 14th Heineken Cup quarterfinal appearance.

The South African Rugby Union has alerted local businesses to the activities of a Western Cape-based confidence trickster, who has been attempting to defraud local restaurants.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers believes that SARU have made a blunder by leaving the appointment of a new coach too late.

Ulster captain and Springbok lock Johann Muller has called for passion and commitment from his side when they clash with Clermont Auvergne, who he rates as one of the best sides in Europe, in the Heineken Cup on Saturday.

Edinburgh have confirmed that Scotland international Geoff Cross is one of three front-row specialists to extend their contracts at the club for at least two years.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has relied entirely on last year's World Cup squad for his initial 24-man squad for the Six Nations which was named on Wednesday.

Gavin Henson was welcomed back into the Wales set-up when he was named in a 35-strong training squad for the Six Nations, three years after his last appearance in the championship.

Ulster have received a boost with the news that No.8 Roger Wilson is set to return to the province on a three year deal which starts next season.

According to reports in the Irish media Gert Smal will be staying on as Ireland's forwards coach in a move that leaves Bulls legend Heyneke Meyer as the sole frontrunner for the Springbok coaching job.

New RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie will leave the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and take up his role with the RFU on February 27.

Allister Coetzee has officially ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Springbok coaching job.

New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has made five changes to his trial squad that assembled in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.

South Africa Under-20 coach Dawie Theron has called up Patrick Howard to the national training group currently in camp in Stellenbosch after two players withdrew from the squad due to injury.

Springboks Ray Mordt and Rob Louw made the tough decision to switch to rugby league in the late 1980s and joined English powerhouse Wigan. Were they simply ahead of their time, or are any 'code-switchers' simply on a hiding to nothing? Timmy Hancox found out more.

Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip admits Brian O'Driscoll will be sorely miss during the Six Nations but has backed his Leinster club mates to fill the void.

Peter de Villiers's experience is too valuable for him to be summarily discarded as a member of the Springbok coaching panel.

It's a big weekend in Europe this coming weekend as it is the final round of the pool matches in the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup. The next step after this is the quarterfinals.

Aurelien Rougerie and his Clermont Auvergne team have given themselves a fighting chance of automatic Heineken Cup quarterfinal qualification.

Cardiff Blues have the honour of being the only Welsh club to win a European title - but they are determined to make it third time lucky when it comes down to the crunch of Heineken Cup quarterfinal qualification against Racing Metro on Sunday.

Which Super Rugby team do you support? And do you choose with your head... or your heart?

Frenchman Jacques Brunel wasted no time in stamping his mark on his new role as Italy coach when he named a Six Nations squad which showed a number of key changes.

England's woes in 2011 were more due to a dysfunctional team environment than a lack of talent and if the new coaching team are to turn things around they would do well to try and imitate the spirit - or 'gees' as it is known in South Africa - at Saracens.

Jean-Pierre Elissalde's brief reign as coach of struggling French Top 14 club Bayonne ended on Sunday after just three matches, the Sud-Ouest newspaper reported on its website.

Scotland have added uncapped prop Ed Kalman to their squad for the Six Nations to add some extra beef into the front row resources.

England scrumhalf Danny Care has been banned from driving for 16 months and fined #3,000 (US$4,590) for drunk driving.

Durable prop Denis Avril is still playing for unhappy Bayonne and now has been entrusted with the forwards in the wake of the sacking of two coaches and the departure of Jean-Pierre Elissalde in the last six months, as well as their forwards coach Jean-Michel Gonzalez.

Toulouse head coach Guy Noves has admitted his side face a tricky final pool game against Gloucester next weekend with the four-times Heineken Cup champions needing to get a result at Kingsholm.

Toulouse's front-row injury nightmare continued, after news that Georgian hooker Akvsenti Giorgadze has been ruled out for up to six months with a ruptured groin tendon.

Defending champions Leinster joined rival Irish province Munster in qualifying for the quarterfinals of the European Cup after notching up a hard-fought 23-16 victory over Glasgow on Sunday.

Saracens technical director Brendan Venter has sent out a warning to SARU that they would be mad not to keep Rassie Erasmus involved with the Springboks in the future.

Saracens stayed in control of Pool 5 but will have to wait another week to book their quarterfinal place after a nailbiting 20-16 win over Biarritz Olympique in Heineken Cup action on Sunday.

All Black hooker Andrew Hore has admitted he has always been a southern man at heart despite playing most of his career for the Hurricanes.

Clermont Auvergne ran in 12 tries as they stormed to an 82-0 victory over Aironi and kept their hopes of a place in the this season's Heineken Cup quarterfinals alive.

Two tries from Ashley Beck to secure a 44-17 win over Treviso kept alive the Ospreys faint hopes of a Heineken Cup quarterfinal place.

Montpellier clinched their first ever Heineken Cup victory, scoring the winning try in the final play of the match to beat Bath 24-22 at Stade Yves du Manoir on Saturday.

Two-time European Cup champions Munster reached the quarterfinals for the 13th time on Saturday with a battling 26-10 win over Castres to clinch a fifth victory in five Pool One matches this season.

The Scarlets lost the chance of a first Heineken Cup quarterfinal place in four years, as they were beaten 29-17 by Northampton Saints in Pool One action at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

Biarritz No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy has been ruled out of his club's European Cup trip to Saracens on Sunday due to a knee injury, the Basque club announced on Saturday.

Scotland star Rory Lamont has been warned about his 'completely inappropriate' language after calling US President Barack Obama a 'whore' on Twitter.

Plans for All Blacks star and part-time boxer Sonny Bill Williams to fight for the vacant New Zealand heavyweight crown were up in the air Saturday after it was discovered his would-be opponent is in jail.

Ospreys head coach Sean Holley has pledged his side will not give up hope of reaching the quarterfinals of either the Heineken Cup or Amlin Challenge Cup.

Phil Godman kicked a last minute drop-goal for Edinburgh to clinch a 27-24 victory over Racing Metro and keep them at the helm of Pool 2 in the Heineken Cup.

Ulster head coach Brian McLaughlin hailed a truly 'outstanding' performance from his troops after they crushed European giants Leicester Tigers 41-17 in the Heineken Cup on Friday.

South African star Ruan Pienaar kicked 21 points as Ulster routed former double champions Leicester Tigers by 41-7 on Friday in the Heineken Cup.

Plans for Sonny Bill Williams to fight for the New Zealand heavyweight title are in doubt after it was discovered his opponent is in jail.

Sharks utility back Jacques-Louis Potgieter has reportedly been signed by French Top 14 side Bayonne, although the news is yet to be confirmed with the Durban-based outfit.

Montpellier are still looking for their first victory in this season's Heineken Cup and will be looking for that win when they play host to Bath at the Stade Yves du Manoir.

Biarritz star Dimitri Yachvili has warned that his side is in for a severe test against a 'heavy-duty' Saracens side when they clash with the Premiership champions in a crucial Heineken Cup pool match at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

Edinburgh have confirmed that centre Ben Cairns will be unavailable for selection for the remainder of the season due to a recurring knee injury sustained in a pre-season friendly against Sale Sharks.

New England assistant coach Andy Farrell believes that the biggest challenge facing the new squad and management team will be to gel as a unit in the limited time they have together before the Six Nations kicks-off.

Toulouse will be looking to get their Heineken Cup campaign back on track after their disappointing defeat in their last outing in Pool 6 when they host Irish province Connacht.

The Scarlets will be under no illusions that they have to do 'the double' over the Saints when the two sides come face-to-face at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has named former Fiji number eight Inoke Male as head coach of the Flying Fijians.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced on Thursday that Scotland hopeful Steven Shingler is "tied to Wales and ineligible to play for any other union".

Cardiff Blues travel to face London Irish knowing they need a victory to keep their Heineken Cup quarterfinals place when the two sides clash at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Reigning champions Leinster know a victory in Glasgow over the Warriors will complete the first step of their defence of their Heineken Cup title on Sunday.

Rugby union has made no secret of poaching some ideas from their rugby league cousins over the past few years, but how much have we really learnt from the 13-man code?

Munster will be determined to keep their impressive winning record in this season's tournament and secure their place in the last eight of the Heineken Cup when they host Castres Olympique.

Biarritz need to beat Premiership champions Saracens at Vicarage Road on Sunday to keep their feint hopes of qualification for the knock-out stages of this season's Heineken Cup alive.

Springbok Sevens player Paul Jordaan was released from the South African Under-20 squad for their forthcoming camp in Stellenbosch, which starts on Monday.

The Ospreys will be looking to keep their unbeaten record against Italian sides when they host Benetton Treviso, who they drew with the last times the sides met.

Harlequins will be looking to build on their victory over Toulouse in France when they host Gloucester at the Twickenham Stoop in their penultimate game of the pool stages.

Clermont Auvergne will be looking to pick up all the spoils when they clash with Aironi in Monza in a bid to keep their Heineken Cup quarterfinals place alive.

Ulster will be determined to grind out a home win when they host Leicester Tigers in what promises to be a mouthwatering and compelling clash at Ravenhill on Friday.

Edinburgh will be looking to make sure they keep their hopes for a Heineken Cup quarterfinal place on track when they travel to Paris to face Racing Metro at the Stade Yves Du Manoir.

Newport Gwent Dragons hooker Lloyd Burns will be out of action for the next three months with a neck injury.

Ospreys head coach Sean Holley believes his side can't dwell on back-to-back defeats by Saracens, but must look forward and focus on the final two pool games in the Heineken Cup.

England's 20-year-old inside back Owen Farrell will approach the step up to Test rugby with the same blueprint that saw him take so well to the Premiership in his debut season - work hard and learn fast.

Cardiff Blues will play their 100th Heineken Cup match when they clash with London Irish this weekend - but any celebrations will go on the backburner if they do not seal victory and move closer to the quarterfinals.

Jacques Brunel says he wants to stamp his mark on the Italy national team by creating a team that is dangerous everywhere.

Little-known Border Bulldogs centre Byron McGuigan has received a surprise call-up to the Scotland Sevens squad.

South African-born Saracens midfielder Brad Barritt expects the new-look England to play a 'free-flowing' game in the Six Nations under the watchful eye of interim coach Stuart Lancaster.

Ospreys flank James King is looking at a spell of around a month on the sidelines following surgery to repair the ear he damaged in a freak incident during the New Year's Day win over Cardiff Blues.

The New Year has brought a bonus for Ulster supporters with the news that scrumhalves Ruan Pienaar and Paul Marshall have each signed new two-year contracts, keeping them at the club until June 2014.

Montpellier lock Thibault Privat was on Wednesday banned for 30 days for striking Toulouse's Springbok prop Daan Human in a Top 14 clash last month, France's National Rugby League (LNR) said.

England acting head coach Stuart Lancaster proclaimed the dawn of a new era for English rugby after naming his first squad on Wednesday.

While Scotland flyhalf Ruaridh Jackson has responded well to treatment on his injury, his Glasgow Warriors teammate Moray Low has not been so lucky and is set to miss the start of the Six Nations.

Veteran lock Lionel Nallet was called-up by France coach Philippe Saint-Andre to replace the injured Romain Millo-Chluski in the Six Nations training squad for the opening match with Italy.

Scrumhalves can be the bane of referees' lives. Watch them at tackles, hands in the air in indignant appeal when they should be picking up the ball and passing it.

The man responsible for running the 2015 World Cup in England said he aimed to deliver the best edition yet of the showpiece tournament, adding last year's hosts New Zealand had been "fantastic".

Damien Varley insists that even though Munster's front row mainstay John Hayes has hung up his boots, his values and experience will stay with the team.

Champions Toulouse are set to call on the services of teenage hooker Christopher Tolofua for the first time to fill in for injured pair Gary Botha and Akvsenti Giorgadze, manager Guy Noves said.

It's back to fun and games in Europe this weekend as northern referees zoom all over the place.

Leicester Tigers have an excellent Heineken Cup record, but Geordan Murphy's team face this season's moment of truth when they clash with 1999 champions Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday.

The name Sonny Bill Williams elicits different responses. Some love him... some do not. Some rate him... again, others do not. Many rugby league superstars have made the switch to the 15-man code - but how many have done so successfully? Timmy Hancox delves a bit deeper.

Munster have revealed that back row forward Denis Leamy will be out of action for up to four months due to a hip injury.

New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has named 30 players to assemble in Mount Maunganui for the national squad trials starting next Tuesday, January 17.

Ulster will go into their crucial Heineken Cup tie against Leicester Tigers this weekend full of confidence, according to head coach Brian McLaughlin.

With two rounds of Heineken Cup action left before the teams for the knock-out stages of the tournament are confirmed we thought we would take a look at the road to the play-offs.

Edinburgh coach Michael Bradley has admitted his side have work to do ahead of their trip to Racing Metro in the Heineken Cup this weekend.

France international fullback Maxime Medard has extended his contract with Top 14 champions Toulouse who are set to call on the services of teenage hooker Christopher Tolofua.

Ospreys loose forwards George Stowers and Jonathan Thomas have been cited for foul play following the match against the Newport Gwent Dragons on Friday, January 6.

For the second week in a row Bordeaux-Begles have put in a top performance, this time away in the Top 14 to Bayonne who are having a nightmare time. Biarritz and Montpellier also won away and, despite Perpignan's enthusiastic start, Racing came back to draw.

Newport Gwent Dragons hooker and former captain Tom Willis has been forced to retire due to a hand injury sustained in the Dragons' Pro12 match against Treviso earlier this season.

For a front-row forward there are few tougher places to make your international debut than away in Paris, but as a callow 23-year-old Moray Low did just that.

Munster's Pro12 man-of-the-match James Coughlan accepted it was a case of job done against Treviso - but little more.

Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies was far from satisfied with his side's performance in their Pro12 defeat of Glasgow Warriors.

Leinster strengthened their grip at the top of the Pro12 table after a nervy 23-19 win against Cardiff Blues on Saturday.

A delighted Dragons coach Darren Edwards is hoping their 21-20 derby defeat of the Ospreys can reinvigorate their Pro12 campaign.

There are certain initials in Wales which carry with them the same weight as 'JFK' or 'FDR' in America, but Scarlets boss Nigel Davies had no qualms about labelling Liam Williams the new 'JPR'.

The return of Ulster's Irish internationals proved too much for Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Friday, as the Irish province recorded a vital 42-20 Pro12 victory on the road.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin lauded his defence after their bonus-point 42-20 victory at Edinburgh kept them in the Pro12 play-off mix.

Biarritz beat Agen 15-6, five kicks to two kicks, in an uninspiring Top 14 match up the road in Agen on Friday night.

Toulouse lock Romain Millo-Chluski risks missing the whole of the Six Nations after dislocating his right shoulder in Saturday's Top 14 match with Lyon.

The International Rugby Board said on Friday they would review the eligibility of Steven Shingler after a row between Scotland and Wales over the Swansea-born player's decision to play for Scotland.

France will go into their opening Six Nations match against Italy with a backbone of a World Cup-hardened team, but new coach Philippe Saint-Andre has also picked a number of players purely on current form.

Top 14 side Biarritz confirmed they will appeal the one-match suspension imposed on the Aguilera Stadium by France's National Rugby League (LNR) for incidents during last year's Basque derby.

Veteran Biarritz forward Imanol Harinordoquy admitted he was relieved to be among the France squad unveiled by new coach Philippe Saint-Andre for this year's Six Nations, despite a left knee injury.

An investigation in the Technical Zone incident involving Harlequins flank Will Skinner during the Heineken Cup match with Toulouse has concluded that no further disciplinary action would be required.

France will play Australia, Argentina and Samoa in their November internationals, a source close to the French rugby federation said.

Paul Perez, the big Samoan wing, is off to Castres as a 'medical joker' in France's Top 14.

Scotland and Wales were locked in a Six Nations row after Swansea-born back Steven Shingler was named in the Scottish Six Nations squad, despite having played for Wales at age-group level.

The one is a hard-working lock. The other is a hard-working villain.

French second division Rugby Union club La Rochelle signed former England international wing Lesley Vainikolo from Gloucester.

Rugby fans and teams raised NZ$400,000 ($314,000) during the World Cup to help rebuild sports facilities in the earthquake-stricken New Zealand city of Christchurch, organisers announced Thursday.

After last weekend's Top 14 surprises, anything is possible. Two matches immediately stand out, the one in Paris and Sunday's tough encounter on the massif central.

Head coach Andy Robinson has selected six uncapped players in Scotland's 36-man squad for the opening two matches of the 2012 Six Nations Championship.

The last round of Pro12 matches before the start of the Six Nations opens on Friday at Rodney Parade, where second placed Ospreys will be looking to consolidate their play-off place with a victory over Newport Gwent Dragons.

New France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has kept faith with 22 members of the squad that reached the World Cup Final in naming a 30-strong squad to prepare for the Six Nations tournament.

Scarlets No.8 Ben Morgan has confirmed that he will be available to play for England, the country of his birth, and not Wales despite qualifying to represent both countries.

Legendary Springbok lock Bakkies Botha has dismissed suggestions that he is a thug who is only out to injure opponents.

Powerful lock Paul O'Connell, who was recently named as captain of Ireland for the Six Nations in the absence of the injured Brian O'Driscoll, has signed a two-year contract extension with Ireland and his club Munster.

The players of Europe continue to drag sore and soggy bodies into battle, and referees continue to arrive bright-eyed and perky at matches along with the battery of support that they have in many cases.

Connacht director of coaching Eric Elwood blasted his kickers after his side succumbed to their eighth successive defeat in the Pro12 - this time at the hands of Irish rivals Leinster.

Graham Henry believes it's only a matter of time before "young fella" Richie McCaw goes down on one knee to receive a knighthood.

Chiefs stalwart Liam Messam will need to fight hard for his place in the team this season and isn't even sure if he's still the captain.

Ospreys flank James King has had to have plastic surgery after a freak collision with Cardiff Blues loose forward Xavier Rush left his ear hanging by a thread in their clash on New Year's Day.

Toulouse hooker William Servat could become the latest star to be snagged by Toulon in the Top 14 side's latest shopping spree, according to French media reports.

Former World Cup-winning All Blaks coach Sir Graham Henry believes it's only a matter of time before 'young fella' Richie McCaw goes down on one knee to receive a knighthood of his own.

Rugby union is quite a unique sport... Different to the well-known American sports - like baseball, basketball and American football - and very different to other ball sports like cricket, tennis or golf. With that in mind, we have done some code-swapping... with a difference.

A referee often gets more flak when he is right than when he is wrong. Here are some incidents which passed without comment.

Happy 45th Birthday to Francois Pienaar, the 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok captain.

Former All Black Bruce Reihana and South African scrumhalf Heini Adams have both signed new two-year contracts with Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles, club President Laurent Marti announced.

While 2011 produced drama, controversy and excitement in huge lumps, 2012 will bring a new wave of joy, thrills and its own brand of unpredictability, suspense, fickleness and recreation.

It is 2012, which means the southern hemisphere will soon start to emerge from a summer slumber and start preparing for a new rugby year. But how do the players go about preparing for yet another blockbusting season?

The Six Nations is just around the corner and all eyes would have been on the twinkle toes of Gavin Henson during the Cardiff Blues' Pro12 clash with the Ospreys last weekend.

The New Zealand Rugby Union tactfully sidestepped reports that All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams is set for another code switch when they pointed out they had been aware he was keeping his options open for 2013.

The All Blacks, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino and Graham Henry are all in the running for Halberg awards.

The All Blacks are in the running for more honours, this time with New Zealand's Halberg Awards, with loose forwards Richie McCaw and Jerome Kaino and coach Graham Henry all in the hunt for individual gongs.

The NZRU tactfully sidestepped reports that Sonny Bill Williams is set for another code switch as he keeps his options open for 2013.

Graham Henry capped an incredible period of success when he received a knighthood in the nation's New Year's honours list.

Munster face a growing - and worrying - injury crisis at Thomond Park after it was confirmed three more faces have been placed on the treatment table.

New Zealand Islamic leaders are pushing to have All Black and "Muslim superstar" Sonny Bill Williams listed among the world's 500 most influential Muslims, it was reported Sunday.

New Zealand-born fullback Isa Nacewa literally didn't put a foot wrong as Pro12 leaders Leinster held off a spirited second half Connacht fight back to win 15-13 on Sunday.

Marc Delpoux moved a step closer to taking over as coach of ailing Top 14 giants Perpignan when he announced he was stepping down as manager of newboys Bordeaux-Begles.

Tommy Bowe scored a second-half try and Dan Biggar kicked two late penalties as the Ospreys saw off Welsh rivals Cardiff 17-12 in their Pro12 clash at the Liberty Stadium.

Wow! This was certainly a Top 14 round of surprises. It started staidly enough on Friday night but Saturday was topsy turvy.

Glasgow Warriors retained the 1872 Cup with another compelling, hard-nosed final quarter display in front of a record home crowd of 8,852 at Firhill in New Year's Day.

World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry capped an incredible period of success when he received a knighthood in the nation's New Year's honours list on Saturday.

Munster Director of Rugby Tony McGahan admitted Friday's defeat to rivals Ulster wasn't the ideal end to 2011, but it shouldn't detract on what has been a superb year for the Irish province.

The boot of Kris Burton eased Treviso to a comfortable 37-14 bonus-point victory over Italian rivals Aironi and avenged last Friday's defeat at the hands of their compatriots.

Toulouse avenged their Round One defeat at the hands of Bayonne by kicking more goals than the Basques and winning 30-15 in a tryless Top 14 match at Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse on Friday night.

Glasgow Warriors have secured exciting 19-year-old fullback Stuart Hogg on a long-term full professional contract which will keep him at Firhill until at least the end of May 2015.

Argentina will play their home matches in next year's inaugural Rugby Championship at Mendoza, La Plata and Rosario, the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) have announced.

French international lock Lionel Nallet is set to sign a one-year contract extension at current club Racing Metro with the option of a further year, a source close to the player said on Thursday.

Paul O'Connell will lead Ireland during the 2012 Six Nations Championship in the absence of Brian O'Driscoll after being named as captain by Ireland head coach Declan Kidney.

The rugby365.com team love a laugh or two and want to end off 2011 with a bit of a giggle. So here is your chance to help us out with captions for five of our favourite pictures from the year.

Bakkies Botha, it seems, will be back in action on the rugby field this weekend, this time in the red and black of Toulon when they go across to the Atlantic to play Biarritz in Top 14 action.

Wales coach Warren Gatland will breathe a sigh of relief with the news that Ospreys tighthead prop Adam Jones is likely to return to action soon after suffering a neck injury on Boxing Day.

The second half of France's Top 14 starts this weekend when Bayonne visit redoubtable Toulouse.

Exeter Chiefs wing Gonzalo Camacho has warned his teammates to expect some sort of response after his former club Harlequins suffered their first Premiership defeat of the season on Tuesday.

Another year has passed us by and just before we call in the New Year, the rugby365.com team has compiled a collection of the images that defined the year. Today, we bring you Part Two in this series, as we look at the second half of 2011.

Australian Scott Johnson is to join Scotland's coaching team after next year's Six Nations.

Remember these names. You read it here first. Yup, it's every cliche in the book, folks... but not without good cause! As the 2011 rugby year winds down, we have picked five young players to watch next year.

Another year has passed us by and just before we call in the New Year, the rugby365.com team has compiled a collection of the images that defined the year. In Part One we look back at the first half of 2011.

Toulouse prop Daan Human will be sidelined for the second time this season after being diagnosed with a fractured bone near his left eye socket, the South African said on Tuesday.

London Wasps are to throw into a line-out. They have scrumhalf Joe Simpson as a receiver. Hooker Rob Webber throws in towards the back where the second last player in the line-out, Richard Birkett, jumps for the ball. As he goes up Simpson moves from receiver into the line-out and lifts Birkett who wins the ball.

Welsh tighthead prop Adam Jones has joined centre Jamie Roberts in the Christmas casualty list to give Wales coach Warren Gatland a major headache going into the new year.

Scarlets play Munster in a Heineken Cup match at Thomond Park. Scarlets win the ball from a tackle/ruck and go left to where prop Rhodri Jones and lock Lou Reed are close to each other. The ball goes to Jones but Reed gets ahead of them. Jones drives into Reed's back as Damien Varley, Wian du Preez and Donnacha O?Callaghan close in.

Wales coach Warren Gatland will be hoping that star centre Jamie Roberts recovers from his knee injury in time for the start of the 2012 RBS Six Nations.

2011 is fading fast away and the New Year is upon us with all the hope we always have. Let's hope that it is a splendid year for all referees and those who work with them - no controversies, no complaints.

Two weeks after calling time on his 91-cap England career, Jonny Wilkinson said on Friday that he would end his club career at French Top 14 side Toulon.

Eddie Jones has replaced All Blacks legend John Kirwan as head coach of Japan and has set his sights on beating the world champion All Blacks at the next World Cup.

Wales wing legend Shane Williams has backed explosive Scarlets teenager George North to break his Test try-scoring record, but will not be doing him any favours when they square up at Parc y Scarlets on Monday.

French playmaker Frederic Michalak will be leaving Durban on the Indian Ocean and heading for Toulon on the Mediterranean.

All the matches - in this round of Top 14 action - were played on Friday night, giving the clubs and their spectators time to concentrate on Christmas. There were no real surprises in the round.

Toulouse's South Africa hooker Gary Botha broke his right leg in Friday's French Top 14 win over Montpellier and will be ruled out for up to four months.

Long-serving Chiefs coach Ian Foster has been named as All Blacks assistant coach to back newly-appointed head coach Steve Hansen in a re-organisation at the helm of the world champion side.

Treviso flank Francesco Minto has been suspended for six weeks following the red card he received in the European Cup clash with Biarritz last week for headbutting an opponent.

The European Cup, organisers of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup, have announced the referees appointed to Rounds 5 & 6 of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup. They are vital rounds as the knock-out stages come closer.

Although it came like a 'bolt from the blue', World Cup-winning All Blacks flyhalf Grant Fox is excited about his new role as independent selector for New Zealand alongside coaches Steve Hansen and Ian Foster.

Harlequins flank Will Skinner, who received a red card in strange circumstances last weekend, has appeared before a European Cup hearing and has been suspended for two weeks.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) on Friday announced that assistant coach Jim Williams was leaving after the completion of his contract with the Wallabies.

All Blacks great Tana Umaga has been confirmed as the new Counties Manukau head coach, replacing Milton Haig who has taken up a position with the Georgia Test side.

Following the departure of the US Eagles' coach, Eddie O'Sullivan, it seems that Argentinian Marcelo Loffreda is the favourite for the job.

Joe van Niekerk, the Springbok loose forward who now captains Toulon, is back in the squad to play Lyon in Top 14 action on Friday.

Former Springbok kicking ace Braam van Straaten has been offered a one-year contract extension with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and will continue as the Wallabies' goal-kicking coach.

The Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) have shown faith in coach Santiago 'Tati' Phelan, who guided the Pumas to the World Cup quarterfinals, by extending his contract by a further two years.

Ospreys Director of rugby Scott Johnson has criticised Welsh referee Nigel Owens for his use of Twitter, which has re-opened the debate of the role of the social media website in modern rugby.

The Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) have confirmed that the cities of Rosario and Mendoza will host Test matches in what will be a bumper home shedule of six games for the Pumas in 2012.

This week marks the end of the first round of Top 14 matches - the half-way mark in the league portion of the tough competition. Things are getting increasingly serious.

The World Cup may have been considered a success in New Zealand's largest city Auckland but it held few benefits for businesses, according to a city council report released this week.

Springbok centre Jaque Fourie has continued his rich form for Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights, scoring tries and showing his class as the headline foreigner in the Top League this season.

Harlequins flank Will Skinner will face a disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Thursday after he was red carded while sitting on the replacements bench last weekend.

Wales's four major professional clubs have agreed to operate a salary cap from the start of next season despite seeing several leading players leave for lucrative deals with French teams.

South Africans playing in Ireland could be forced to look elsewhere for employment following the Irish Rugby Football Union's new regulations limiting non-Irish qualified players.

Scotland's most-capped player Chris Paterson has put an end to his 12-year international career, but won't hang up his boots altogether and will continue playing for Edinburgh.

French wing Yoann Huget was handed an additional month's suspension for having missed three doping controls last season by the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) on Tuesday.

All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg expressed his sympathy for disgraced England centre Mike Tindall and believes he could have been the one taking all the flak had New Zealand not won the World Cup.

The battle for qualification for the knock-out stages of the 2011/12 Heineken Cup will resume at full tilt on Friday, January 13 (2012) when Round Five gets underway with the clash between former winners Ulster (Ireland) and Leicester Tigers (England).

At the end of a year full of rugby action there was bound to be more than enough funny moments to write home about and we at rugby365.com have picked out some of the best.

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has been chosen to replace All Blacks legend John Kirwan as head coach of the Japan rugby team, media reports said on Tuesday.

London Scottish have signed Canadian World Cup star Adam Kleeberger from the British Columbia Bears until the end of the season.

Ospreys lock Ian Gough has been cited for a dangerous tackle in his team's European Cup clash with Saracens at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

Saracens may not be playing against Biarritz in Cape Town, but the squad will still travel down to the Mother City in January 2012 to conduct a training camp with their 'B' team, the Storm, scheduled to play against the Maties Varsity Cup side.

Some rugby players achieved more than others in 2011. Some rugby players also hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in 2011. Welcome to rugby365's 2011 happy hour!

Benetton Treviso flank Francesco Minto must attend a disciplinary hearing on December 22 after he was sent off against Biarritz in the Heineken Cup on Friday.

British & Irish Lions prop Adam Jones could be the next high-profile Welsh player to take up a lucrative contract in France, with a number of Top 14 sides courting the Ospreys star.

A forward pass seems such a basic part of rugby football's laws. Missing a forward pass can bring great scorn onto the head of a referee. It is seen as simple law, easy to apply.

It's that time of the year and we've gone and done it again! rugby365.com 's intrepid spies managed to intercept a few letters bound for good ol' Santa at the north pole. It's our Xmas presents list... with a difference.

With Christmas upon us, we thought it would be the perfect time to ask - loudly - for some Christmas gifts; most of which have the 2012 rugby season in mind.

Argentina - check. Australia - check. New Zealand - check. South Africa - nothing. Why is it that three of the four teams who make up the all-new Rugby Championship all have a coach ahead of 2012... yet South Africa does not?