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A star-studded Leinster team - with No.15 Rob Kearney leading the way - overpowered Ulster 15-3 in their all-Ireland Magners League Derby at the RDS on Saturday evening... Report: Munster maul Connacht | Ospreys also win | ML Preview: Round Nine...

The Scarlets have named their 22-man squad to face the Ospreys in the two teams' Magners League fixture on Boxing Day - in front of a sell-out crowd at Parc y Scarlets.

The Worcester Warriors' very own 'Pocket Rocket', inside centre Sam Tuitupou, has been named in the No.12 shirt for Saturday's Guinness Premiership match against the travelling Northampton Saints.

Fit-again England fullback Delon Armitage has been restored to the London Irish starting line-up for Sunday's mouth-watering Guinness Premiership clash against Saracens at the Madejski Stadium.

Gloucester Rugby have been handed a huge boost ahead of Sunday's West Country Derby clash against Bath Rugby, with All Blacks prop Greg Somerville named to start at No.3 in this crucial Guinness Premiership fixture at The Rec.

Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones has - surprisingly - opted to rest his two England backs backs, Mathew Tait and Mark Cueto, for Sunday's Guinness Premiership trip to Welford Road. Cipriani back at No.10 | Crane demands intensity | More GP news

Powerhouse Cardiff Blues winger Tom James has recovered from his groin injury and has been named in the No.11 shirt for Sunday's Magners League clash with the Newport Gwent Dragons.

England's top teams head back into Guinness Premiership mode, after a brief Heineken Cup hiatus, with a host of mouth-watering fixtures on the cards this Boxing Day weekend... All your GP team news... right here | Preview: Magners League, Round Nine

After two weeks of Heineken Cup action, the Celtic teams return to the Magners League as we move into Round Nine of what has been - up till now - a very intriguing season. We preview Round Nine's action! Magners League team news... | GP Preview...

Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen has called for a rousing team performance, whilst also issuing a rallying call to the Scottish public ahead of the first leg of the Greaves Sports 1872 Cup at Firhill on Sunday.

Leinster coach Michael Cheika has unveiled a star-studded Leinster outfit for Saturday's Magners League meeting with Ulster at Dublin's RDS.

London Wasps went to play Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park in Stockport on November 27 in a Guinness Premiership match - refereed by the experienced David Rose. London Wasps said the pitch was dangerous and refused to play. There was an inquiry by the Premier Rugby Ltd (PRL) which found that it was the referee's fault. Now there has been a supplementary statement from the RFU.

Does the dangerous play occur only in open play? Is it dealt with only if the victim in injured? Surely neither of those can be correct, not if we believe that the Laws of the Game apply equally to all, but then watch three incidents in the match between Perpignan and Munster.

Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Bates will welcome back a host of stars for Sunday's Guinness Premiership clash at Kingston Park, when the Falcons play host to northern rivals Leeds Carnegie.

We managed to, again, intercept a few letters bound for Santa Claus!

It's a pity one cannot red-card the weather. It would have helped this past weekend when matches froze. Didn't you admire Edinburgh and Bath in the ran/sleet/snow at Murrayfield, just for the way they tried to play constructive rugby in the freezing muck.

Springbok prop CJ van der Linde will miss Leinster's all-Ireland Magners League clash against Ulster at the RDS this weekend because of a calf muscle injury.

Maties utility forward Jonathan Adendorf will play for the South African Vipers Sevens team in a warm-up tournament in Mar del Plata, Argentina, early next year.

It's Christmas time with all its good cheer. It's cold in Europe but, despite the good cheer and the freezing weather, some rugby will try to be played, and so there will be referees out there in their thermals, careful of the danger of excesses.

It happens. Even in professional rugby it happens. Plymouth Albion, a club playing in The Championship, the second tier of professional rugby in England, has to face a disciplinary hearing on a charge of having 16 players on the field.

Ten of the world's top women referees will officiate at the 2010 Women's World Cup in England in August-September. It is the sixth Women's World Cup and the Final will be played at Twickenham on 5 September.

The Six Nations Committee has made known the fixtures for the Under-20 Six Nations, which fall in the same country and over the same weekend as the senior Six Nations fixtures. It is a wonderful opportunity for the countries to prepare for the Junior World Championship.

There have been several citings after Round 3 of the Heineken Cup and European Rugby has announced the dates and venues for each of the hearings plus the judicial officer who will chair the hearing. Guillaume Ribes was sent off while playing for Brive and is not cited but will automatically attend a hearing.

European rugby cause to the reverse venues, brave fixturing as there is the danger of carrying on where the previous week's unpleasantries left off but if there is a carry on of so many of the pleasantries of constructive rugby from the week just past it will be a wonderful lead-up to Christmas, an early Christmas present.

There was a lot of excitement in Round Three of the Heineken Cup with some splendid rugby when, as the sun shone, there was greater emphasis on running with the ball than kicking it.

UCT old boy James Richards scored a crucial try to help Cambridge record a hard-fought 31-27 victory over Oxford in the 128th Varsity match at Twickenham on Thursday.

New Zealand carried on winning at the Sevens in George and Europe's matches were in full swing, not without suprises.

The SA Rugby Annual 2010 - the official and definitive record of one of the most successful seasons in the history of South African rugby - will go on sale before Christmas for the first time in its 39-year-history.

At the General Meeting of 30 November, the Blue Bulls Rugby Referees' Society elected Gerhard Roodt as its new chairman to replace Oscar Somers who was no longer available.

Former UCT star James Richards has been named at fullback for Cambridge ahead of the 128th Varsity match against Oxford this Thursday.

KwaZulu Natal referees' Society have just elected a new president - Andre Lourens who unseated Ian Wedderburn.

The IRB World Sevens Series for 2009-10 kicked off with great crowds and lots of fun in Dubai. New Zealand were full value for their win.

There is another burst of European activity, the next Sevens Series and Hong Kong are on tour as they preparer for the Asian World Cup qualifiers, and play Netherlands and Czech Republic as well as Germany,

The International Rugby Board's primary function is the Laws of the Game. Laws are changed only occasionally, usually now just after World Cups but in the meantime clarification of laws is made by way of "rulings", one of which was changed recently.

The designated Members of the IRB's Rugby Committee have, in response to a request from Scotland, given a ruling on the possibility of obstruction when a team hopes to form a maul.

There are some differences between the Laws for Sevens rugby and the ordinary 15-man game. We note some in brief.

Hoewel die 2009-rugbyjaar nie as een van FNB Shimlas se bestes die afgelope dekade beskou sal word nie, het hulle minstens nou twee bekers in die trofeekas.

SANZAR has announced the eight Super 14 referees for the 2010 Super 14. Half of them are South Africans.

A move by New Zealand to ease the game's eligibility regulations to allow mainly Pacific Islands players to switch national allegiance late in their careers has been rejected by the International Rugby Board.

Edinburgh head coach Rob Moffat has freshened up his starting line-up for the Magners League trip to Scarlets on Friday by making five changes including appointing Chris Paterson as captain.

Balie Swart, the former Springboks forwards coach, is to join SA referees as a selector and adviser.

The International Rugby Board Council has announced details of the Law amendment process which will shape the evaluation of the Laws and whether there is a need for any change following Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

What no Tests! It is strange after the hectic days of November. But there are the All Blacks and Barbarians at Twickenham. And in Dubai there are the first of the IRB's 2009-10 Sevens Series. And the Magners League actually squeezes a round in. Some of those who were refereeing Tests in front of massive crowds are now back at the clubs.

There was foul weather and there were two great matches - in Cardiff and, above all, in Marseille. We give some statistics from each of the matches.

The Varsity Cup looks set to produce its first Rugby World Cup player, after JJ Gagiano and his USA Eagles team qualified for the 2011 World Cup which is to be held in New Zealand.

Namibia beat Tunisia 22-10 at the Hein Geigob Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday to win the Africa Cup and to book their fourth trip to the final round of the Rugby World Cup, this time in New Zealand in 2011.

Fiji went to Romania for the first time on Saturday and beat the Oaks 29-18 at Stadionul Arcul de Triumf.

The November Test window closes with an exciting win for Ireland at Croke Park and a magnificent win for New Zealand in Marseille. Australia got their dazzle back and Namibia got their tickets to New Zealand in 2011.

Tonga kept Portugal from scoring in the second half and won 24-19 at Estadio Universitario in Lisboa on Saturday, the Pacific Islanders' first win on their tour.

After two defeats in Japan's, Canada beat Russia in their historic encounter in the rain at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia on Saturday.

For the first time ever Canada and Russia will meet in a rugby Test when the two sides play at Swangard Stadium, Burnaby in British Columbia on Saturday.

Tonga of the South Pacific play Portugal of the North Atlantic for the first time ever at Estadio Universitario in Lisbon on Saturday

At the at Hein Geigob Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday Namibia play Tunisia in the second leg of the Africa Cup Final which has serious implications. The winner will go directly to New Zealand in 2011 for the final round of the World Cup.

The Flying Fijians fly to Bucharest to play Romania on Saturday, hoping no doubt for a better result than the first two on their tour.

TUT will have a new look in 2010 - just in time for the third edition of the Varsity Cup tournament.

The British Columbia Bears beat Russia 38-16 British Columbia vs Russia at Bear Mountain Stadium, Langford, British Columbia, on Wednesday, not a great start for the Russians on their first-ever trip to Canada.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has expressed "satisfaction" after his meeting in Dublin on Wednesday with the International Rugby Board's Manager of Referees, Paddy O'Brien.

There was a lot of upset after the Italians shattered the All Black scrum in Milan and public suggestions from on high that the referee had got it wrong and needed to go on a scrumming course.

Before the November Tests started the top refereeing people gathered in London and had a lot to say about the scrums. After the first full week of November, there was much miserable controversy about scrums after New Zealand suffered in Milan. That produced greater refereeing awareness in the second week.

After losing to Canada in Dijon on Wednesday, France turned it about and beat Canada 22-0 in Stade de France on Saturday in a curtainraiser to the Test between France and Samoa. It was the first women's international ever at Stade de France.

There were six matches this weekend with a surprising result in Edinburgh which was determined by the last kick of the match. The other results were pretty well expected on a weekend of difficult weather in Europe.

The Argentina Jaguars beat Portugal 24-13 in Lisbon on Saturday.

The Test window in the north closes this weekend but before it does there are some exciting matches in prospect.

International Rugby Board Referee Manager Paddy O'Brien has issued an apology to Stuart Dickinson and the Australian Rugby Union for public comments he made regarding Dickinson?s officiating of the Italy vs New Zealand match on 14 November.

The USA Eagles duly won the second leg of their Americas Rugby World Cup Qualifier, beating Uruguay 27-6 (four tries to none) at Broward County Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday, thereby booking a direct passage to New Zealand.

rugby365.com columnist Jon Harris takes a closer look at the John Smit conundrum - prop or hooker. He believes Peter de Villiers will have to admit he was wrong.

Japan won the second Test against Canada 27-6 (four tries to nil) in Tokyo on Saturday, a harder match than the first Saturday and demanding a great defensive effort of the Japanese.

Some big results, including the surprise at Murrayfield, the World Cup qualifier in Florida and the surprise in the second match at Twickenham.

Scotland A scored five tries to one in beating Tonga 38-7 at Netherdale in Galashiels on Friday night.

Italy A beat the much weakened Georgia team 8-7 at Stadio Bruseschi in Palmanova, near Udine, on Friday night.

Worcester Warriors and Bath played the a dull 12-all draw in their Guinness Premiership encounter at Sixways on Friday.

Gareth Lloyd-Jones, a member of the Western Province Referees' Society, is taking legal action against SA Referees after his omission from South Africa's Provincial Panel of referees which was recently announced.

Gloucester moved up three places, to seventh, in the Guinness Premiership standings with a hard-earned 12-9 win over Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm on Friday.

Georgia, fresh from their triumph over the Argentina Jaguars, now take on Italy A on Friday night at Palmanova in northeastern Italy.

This is a crunch match. The winner of this World Cup Qualifier will go to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The loser goes into repechage.

Namibian World Cup star and Blue Bulls flank Jacques Burger will join English Premiership club Saracens in December, saying he does so while he is in the "prime" of his career. Jan de Koning spoke exclusively to Burger. All your PREMIERSHIP and SA news here

The International Rugby Board's refereeing boss, New Zealander Paddy O'Brien, has come under fire for his extraordinary attack on Australian referee Stuart Dickinson - a move which is now viewed with suspicion Down Under.

The Saracens and the Springboks met at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday, a match the Saracens won 24-23. We give some statistics. If some of the Sarries' names look Saracens it is because 10 of their players were Saracens.

The USA's Chris Henshall has had his first IRB appointment to a Test match - Canada v Russia on November 28. This is the first official IRB Test appointment directly from the IRB for a USA Rugby Referee in four years.

Canada beat France 14-5 in Dijon on Wednesday, a great win for the Canadians who had not beaten France for 11 years and France were placed third at the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup when they beat Canada.

Wolves against Jaguars in Lisbon - that is Saturday's match when Portugal play the Argentina Jaguars.

Tonga, who lost 48-19 to Ireland A at Ravenhill last Friday, this week play Scotland A at Netherdale in Galashiels on the Scottish Borders.

South Afriucan referees made known today its panels of referees for 2010 following its recent meetings in Johannesburg. Jonathan Kaplan remains the top-ranked referee in South Africa.

Recently the International Rugby Board ran a course at Lensbury in London for top referees and referee managers from top countries. They resolved to get scrumming right.

It's another top heavy weekend with most of the gripping action at internationa level. It's time for the north but lots of southern referees have flown aboiut to do the matches.

There were six matches this weekend from the intensity in Toulouse to the thrilling finish in Dublin. We give the statistics of the matches. One stat that is sad is what happened to the scrumming in Milan.

This was a really Testing weekend as Northern Hemisphere countries had lots of hectic action, two World Cup qualifiers were played and a special celebratory match in Brussels. The weekend started with a match of great intensity in Toulouse and ended with a thrilling finish in Dublin.

Japan beat Canada 46-8 in Sendai on Saturday, the first of the Tests in the two-Test series and Japan's biggest win over Canada ever in over 70 years of matches between the two countries.

The USA won the first leg of their qualifier with Uruguay when they beat their hosts 27-22 in Montevideo and this take a five-point lead into the second leg in Florida next week.

On Friday three A teams were in action and all three won - Ireland A, Italy A and Georgia A. These three victories indicate the widening gulf there is between haves and havenots in rugby.

Namibia beat Tunisia 18-13 in Tunis on Saturday in the first leg of the Africa Cup Final which rewards the winner with a ticket to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Canada play Japan in Sendai on Sunday, the 20th meeting between the two countries.

Georgia beat the Argentina Jaguars 24-22 in the rain at the National Stadium in Tblissi on Saturday afternoon, in many ways a surprise result as the Jaguars had been having a powerful season.

Two USA referees have been appointed to Test matches in November, a man and a woman.

On Saturday Georgia celebrates its Golden Jubilee 50 years since the foundation of the Rugby Union. As part of that celebration the Lelos of Georgia will play the Jaguars of Argentina.

Not long ago Italy would be playing Romania but such is the change in Italy's rugby fortunes that now it is the A team which ill play Romania on Friday evening.

SA Sevens coach Paul Treu has boosted his playing resources by naming two more Varsity Cup players in a 26-man Sevens training squad.

On Wednesday the Namibian rugby team left the lovely beach town of Carcavelos between Lisbon and Cascais and headed for Tunis for what they hope will be a short stop on their journey to New Zealand, for it is there that they will play the first leg of the World Cup qualifier to decide who goes - themselves or their Tunisian opponents.

Following the IRB's meeting of top referees and referees' managers at Lensbury in London this week, the IRB has issued a statement on policing illegal tackles and managing scrums.

1995 World Cup-winning Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar has stepped down from his role as Varsity Cup Chairman and he will be replaced by Stellenbosch's Jurie Roux.

The USA Eagles face the Teros of Uruguay in the first leg of their World Cup qualifier at Estadio Charrua in Montevideo on Saturday.

The concept of employing eight-man benches in the 2010 Varsity Cup was officially ratified at an Extraordinary General Council Meeting of Saru on Monday.

Francis Palmade, the famous French referee from Limoges, on Tuesday during the High Performance Referees Conference at Lensbury received the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service 2009. He is the ninth recipient of the award. All nine have been Test referees who stayed involved in refereeing.

At one stage in the appointment of referees in South Africa's, appointing unattached referees was seen as a virtue. That has changed a bit this year.

Canterbury yet won the Air New Zealand Cup Final. Wellington lost yet again. We give some statistics from the Final played in Christchurch.

Australia beat England at Twickenham and New Zealand beat Wales in Cardiff. We give some statistics from the matches.

After their 12-9 victory over Portugal in Lisbon on Saturday Namibia will face Tunisia with greater confidence next Saturday.

Bodo Sieber tracked down two times Varsity Cup skipper JJ Gagiano to talk rugby in Rome, America and, of course, the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Wow! This is a huge Test weekend for teams and their players and also for the referees as many are involved all over the globe.

Japan play Canada in the first of two Tests at Yurtec Stadium, Sendai on Sunday. The coaches, both All Blacks, Kieran Crowley of Canada and John Kirwan of New Zealand, have announced their squads for the two encounters, the second of which will be on 21 November at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.

The Varsity Cup will lend itself to experimentation once more, with eight players set to feature on the bench in the 2009 tournament in a bid to combat uncontested scrums.

Three Southern Hemisphere countries one in the north but South Africa, the Cocks of the South, were not one of them. In what was surely the worst Springbok performance of all times, they lost to a patchwork, pick-up club side.

Namibia have named their starting team to play Portugal in a friendly in Lisbon on Saturday, and coach John Williams has named a new captain.

Leicester Tigers with a pick-up side in the wake of many absent for higher duty and injury and even a borrowing from second-division neighbours won a famous victory over a South Africa XV at Welford Road, winning 22-17. We give some statistics in this match.

Robbie Fleck believes Juan de Jongh's elevation to the Bok squad is yet another feather in the cap of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Vinny Munro of Canterbury will referee the Air New Zealand Cup Final between Canterbury and Wellington in Christchurch.

Three Varsity Cup players and back-to-back champs, the Maties, walked off with some coveted gongs at the annual Western Province Rugby Awards held in Cape Town on Tuesday evening.

FNB Shimlas flyhalf Lionel Cronje was on Monday evening named as South Africa's Under-20 Player of the Year.

Portugal play three matches this month - against Namibia, Argentina Jaguars and Tonga. Coach Tomaz Morais has chosen his squad.

Namibia have chosen their team which will take them to Portugal and then, vitally, to Tunis.

Reflecting on Peter de Villiers? South African squad for the upcoming end-of-year tour, rugby365 takes a look at some of the players who could possibly have felt a little bit unlucky not to hear their names read out on Saturday night.

Touring from South to North starts this month with a relatively gentle introduction in England, with referees darting all over the world. The big matches are at Millennium Stadium and Twickenham with Craig Joubert and Bryce Lawrence to referee them.

Maties centre Juan de Jongh is set to become the first Varsity Cup player turned Springbok when he takes to the field for South Africa against Leicester Tigers on Friday evening.

The All Blacks whitewashed the Wallabies in Tokyo before just under 45 000 spectators, making it 4-0 in this year's Bledisloe Cup, and the Blue Bulls won the Currie Cup at a packed Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

What a great match before a packed Loftus Versfeld! It was full of life and adventure as the home side took a 24-0 lead and then the Free State founght back to 30-24 before losing 36-24. We give some statistics of the match.

Italy beat Georgia 16-3 in Coimbra on Saturday to win the European Under-19 Championship.

UCT prop Dylan Rogers has been offered a contract by Currie Cup Premier Division outfit, Griquas, ahead of the 2010 Vodacom Cup season.

Jonathan Kaplan will referee his fifth Currie Cup Final in Pretoria on Saturday, one of 23 referees to referee a Final since the first Final in 1939.

The Glasgow Warriors will field the same starting XV that defeated Connacht last weekend for their Magners League match against a makeshift Ospreys outfit at the Liberty Stadium on Friday.

Injury has forced Matt Goddard, international referee, to retire from refereeing before his time. He is only 34 years of age.

The new Lansdowne Road, renamed the Aviva Stadium, will host its first on August 7 next year, with a historical exhibition encounter between a combined Leinster/Ulster team and a Munster/Connacht XV.

The Scarlets welcome back Wales international Morgan Stoddart on the wing after a seven-month absence for the match against Connacht on Friday.

South African referees Mark Lawrence and Craig Joubert, two of the top men in the world, left Johannesburg on Monday on a refereeing Odyssey that will take them to three continents in three weeks.

October is already ending and All Saints are upon us with a new series of tough challenges for referees in the month of All Souls. October ends with two huger matches for South African referees - the Bledisloe Cup match in Tokyo and the Currie Cup Final in Pretoria. Loftus Versfeld will be the place to be on Saturday - three Finals, one the greatest of them all.

In New Zealand Southland have nicked the Ranfurly Shield and semifinalists are decided in the Air New Zealand Cup and Finalists in the Heartland Championship. In South Africa the grim promotion-relegation matches are producing high scores.

For the first time since the International Rugby Board world rankings began, the top 20 teams in the world will all be playing matches during the November Test window.

It's not a big matter in the context of the match but one which the commentators on the match between Sale Sharks and Cardiff Blues made a meal of.

The Jaque Fourie arbitration saga appears to have reached some sort of conclusion. But is it really the end of the problems for the Golden Lions? rugby365 editor Jan de Koning looked at structures and recruiting policies of the unions around the country and found that very few are truly professional.

The Under-19 European Championship kicks off in Coimbra, Portugal, this weekend. There are eight countries taking part.

After all the excitement in Europe, the Americas and South Africa, things are relatively quiet this weekend though in New Zealand the climax is drawing nearer with the last round of Round Robin and semifinals in the Heartland. In South Africa the grim process of promotion-relegation starts.

Vishuis, the newly-crowned 2009 Shimlas (or Kovsies) Steinhoff Koshuis champions, took on a Steinhoff Barbarians team in a friendly clash this past week.

The semifinals of the Currie Cup were played on Saturday. In both the away teams won, in both the margin was two points, in both the winning score was a kick and in both that score was in the last two minutes. Lots of drama and here are some cold statistics to bring the excitement down.

Despite a valiant comeback at the hands of United States captain Kevin Swiryn, the American Select XV side lost, 24-27, in the final moments as the Ontario Blues scored a match-winning penalty kick to clinch the bronze medal in the inaugural Americas Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Two hectic rounds in Europe, winners in the Americas Rugby Cup, and several decisive matches in South Africa, including deciding who would play in the Currie Cup Final.

Steve Walsh was honoured at the New South Wales Rugby Awards at the Citigate Central Sydney when he received the Dick Byres Medal as Referee of the Year.

In a Heineken Cup match at the weekend, between Leinster and London Irish there was an interesting decision at the dead-ball line, which is worth talking about. and while we are doing it we may as well mention a few other happenings.

Two members of the Maties' 2008 Varsity Cup-winning squad, Juan de Jongh and Joe Pietersen, have been nominated for prestigious awards at the SA Rugby Player of the Year Banquet which will take place at Vodaworld, Midrand, on Monday, November 2.

Maties centre Paul Bosch will be looking to add a Currie Cup winners' medal to his Varsity Cup medal when he lines up at inside centre for Western Province in their Currie Cup semifinal clash against the Blue Bulls.

rugby365 columnist Jon Harris takes a trip down memory lane, to when north-south derbies, Western Province versus the Blue Bulls, were as big - if not bigger - than Test matches. He says those days are back!

It happens every week that players are offside at kicks, and still they look bemused. One of those offsides cost the team the match. We look at two sorts of offside at kicks - and how you come onside.

Marius Joubert and Mark Lawrence do the big matches this week - the semifinals in the Currie Cup with Jonathan Kaplan waiting in the wings to do the Currie Cup Final, always such a great occasion.

Jonathan Kaplan, the world's most capped Test referee, has been appointed to referee the 2009 Currie Cup Final. Marius Jonker and Mark Lawrence have been appointed to the Currie Cup seminal and Craig Joubert the First Division Final - all four amongst the very top referees in the world.

The United States Select XV had a tough day at the snow-covered Infinity Park, at Glendale, Colorado, on Saturday, falling 10-57 to the Argentina Jaguars in the Americas Championship semifinals.

The two big European competitions - the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup - kicked off with surprises. In the Currie Cup the nature of the semifinals was determined in the lest minute of the last match. In the Americas Rugby Cup, the Jaguars of Argentina will play the Bears of British Colombia in the Final.

Paul Keeler, head coach of the United States Select XV that will take on Argentina Jaguars in the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) semifinals on Saturday, said he was looking for a 'strong effort' from his charges.

Brive, the Top 14 French club, have had their ground suspended for one match but the suspension has been suspended for three years.

The Americas Rugby Cup reaches its semifinals this weekend.

FNB Maties coach Chean Roux believes Varsity Cup-winning loose forward Wesley Wilkins has the potential to play Super 14 rugby.

After the final whistle in a match between Coventry and Moseley on 2 October at Coventry's ground, Butts Park Arena, a spectator tried to assault the referee in the tunnel.

United States Rugby officially announced that their World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay will be played at Broward County Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, on November 21.

The incident occurred in an Under-21 match at Newlands on Saturday. It is a delight to discuss it as it is rare and yet excellently handled by the match officials.

Would a 'Best of' Varsity Cup XV have fared any worse than Boland or the Leopards in the 2009 Currie Cup?

Europe's two competitions start this weekend - the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup and in South Africa it is the last round of the Currie Cup before the semifinals with five teams competing for four places and the top spot witch which a home Final goes.

South Africa's Currie Cup is getting desperate while Ireland's AIB League gets going.

English Rugby Union's elite referees will be wearing black armbands this weekend as a tribute to one of Lancashire's favourite sons and most industrious workers, Brian Leigh, who died earlier this week aged 78.

Vincent Bouchet of Norway referees his first Test on Saturday when Finland play Bulgaria in Helsinki. He is just the second Norwegian to referee a Test.

The Golden Lions will rely on a host of Varsity Cup stars as their 2009 Currie Cup semifinal chances go down to the wire this weekend.

The originally announced United States Select XV's player pool has seen a handful of changes during the past few weeks and USA Rugby has released a revised roster of players set for assembly on October 4 in Glendale, Colorado - ahead of the Americas Championship later this month.

The International Rugby Board has announced the names of the referees for its eight-round 2009-10 series and the venues at which they will appear.

Wesley Wilkins, the Maties' Varsity Cup-winning captain, has been drafted onto the Griquas replacements bench for this weekend's Currie Cup clash against the Blue Bulls.

There is always a lot to talk about on the application of the laws of the game whenever we watch a game. This is so because of the complex nature of the laws and the complex nature of the game, both of which make huge demands on a human being who is a referee.

In this section we are going to refer to the match at Loftus Versfeld between the Blue Bulls and Free State which the Blue Bulls won 30-27 as Free State fought back from 20-3 down.

History will be made in New Zealand this weekend when three women take to the field to officiate in the women?s national provincial championship final between Canterbury and Auckland in Christchurch.

Like raindrops in the Cape, scrums keep falling down. We have something on that. And the we want to talk briefly about a line-out tactic.

Favourites, the Steinhoff Tornadoes, did the job when they hammered Ikhaya 50-0 in the Steinhoff Rugby UCT Internal League Final, whilst last year's winners, the Cobras, beat the Wildboys to claim third spot in a closely-contested battle.

Golden Lions flank - and former Varsity Cup star - Derick Minnie is not intimidated by the prospect of facing a Springbok-laden Sharks team in a decisive Currie Cup match in Durban on Saturday.

The International Rugby Board has announced the appointment of match officials to 35 matches to take place in the Northern Hemisphere from the end of October to the beginning of December 2009.

Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat has made five changes to his starting line-up for the Magners League leaders' trip to the Liberty Stadium to face Ospreys on Sunday, with new signing Steve Jones selected to start at fullback.

Varsity Cup-winning Maties centre Paul Bosch will make his first Currie Cup start for Western Province when they take on neighbours Boland at Newlands on Saturday.

The Cardiff Blues will be looking to avenge last season's heavy defeat to the Warriors when they welcome the Glasgow side to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, but will have to do so without Jamie Roberts,Ben Blair and Xavier Rush.

The second-ever annual Ubumbo Rugby Festival will be taking place at the UCTRFC's Groote Schuur fields from Friday, October 2 until Saturday, October 3.

The European Cup has announced the referees for the first two rounds of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup which is the new name for European Challenge Cup.

Helshoogte and Dagbreek have qualified for the final of Stellenbosch's 2009 Steinhoff Residence Championships, after obtaining semifinal victories over Eendrag and Simonsberg, respectively.

A number of misconduct hearings, along with a judicial hearing, will take place at the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) offices in Wellington on Wednesday, following incidents in two separate games over the weekend.

There is a Test this week, one of FIRA's matches and it is significant in that for the first time a Norwegian referee will referee a FIRA Test - Vincent Bouchet.

The European Rugby Cup has announced the referee for the first two rounds of the Heineken Cup, starting on 9 October 2009.

There was some international activity but mostly it was a domestic effort this weekend. In Sydney and Pretoria there were club champions crowned, and in South Africa provincial championships are building up top a climax.

FNB Pukke narrowly failed to defend their National Club Champs title; going down 34-36 to Cape side, Hamilton's, in Saturday's final at Loftus Versfeld.

FNB Maties finished their 2009 WP Super League season on a high by beating UCT's Ikey Tigers 36-13 at Groote Schuur on Friday night.

Pukke coach Rudy Joubert believes his team will go into Saturday's Club Champs Final against Hamilton's as the underdogs.

Ulster have made three changes to their pack for Friday's all-Irish Magners League battle with Connacht, while Paddy Wallace returns at centre to captain the side.

FNB UCT are preparing for Friday evening's WP Super League clash against Varsity Cup rivals, Stellenbosch, at Groote Schuur.

Varsity Cup teams, Pukke and Shimlas, will both be involved in finals at the 2009 SAA National Club Championships - Pukke in the main Cup Final and Shimlas in the Plate Final.

Goalkickers look set to play a major role in the semifinals of the 2009 SAA National Club Champs, which resumes at the LC de Villiers stadium on the University of Pretoria's sport campus on Thursday.

Young Ikey Tigers lock Martin Muller has been named on the Western Province bench for this weekend's Currie Cup clash against Griquas at Newlands.

Die gewag is verby. Na 26 jaar is Vishuis weer Kovsies se voorste rugbyspan. Hulle het Vrydagaand die Steinhoff Kovsie Koshuisliga met 'n naelskraapse 15-11-sege in die eindstryd teen Heimat gewen.

Defending champions NWU-Pukke will play Springs and 2008 finalists College Rovers will face Hamilton's in the semifinals of the 2009 SAA Club Championships.

FNB Maties coach Chean Roux intends on playing a running game when his charges travel to UCT on Friday for both teams' final WP Super League clashes of the season.

There is almost an international breather this weekend after the intensity of the Tri-Nations. But all over the world there is frantic rugby happening and refrerees' seeing fair play.

Varsity Cup outfits, Pukke and Shimlas, got their Club Champs campaigns off to contrasting starts; with Pukke winning easily and Shimlas going down to giant-killers, Park, from Eastern Province.

The FNB Ikey Tigers continued their march towards third place on the WP Super League log with a 67-16 win at Kraaifontein on Saturday.

And so, like all good things, the 2009 Tri-Nations has come to an end and it did so with an All Black flourish, a big 33-6 win in Wellington.

Argentina has chosen its newly formed team, the Jaguars, to take part in the Americas Rugby Championship with teams from Canada and the USA.

Bastion managed to cling on to win a thrilling final 3-0 against Dromedaris on Wednesday night in UJ's Steinhoff Koshuis League - finishing the season as the only unbeaten team in the process.

The UJ Steinhoff International Barbarians team was announced on Wednesday evening, after an absorbing Steinhoff Koshuis League Final at the university.

The Tri-Nations ended with a flourish in Wellington and New Zealand's best performance of the 2009 Tri-Nations, won by South Africa with New Zealand in second place and Australia third.

We have just five situations from the match last weekend when New Zealand played South Africa in Hamilton, five which the commentator queried.

The Scarlets have made three changes to their starting team in preparation for the arrival of defending champions Munster in a Magners League clash on Saturday.

As one of just two Varsity Cup teams in action, FNB Shimlas will have their work cut out in order to finish amongst the top sides at the 2009 National Club Championships.

'n Reuse terugslag het Heimat op die vooraand van die Steinhoff Kovsie Koshuisliga-eindstryd getref met die onttrekking van sy staatmaker-vleuel, Neethling Uys.

British and Irish Lions star Lee Byrne will make his return for the Ospreys against Leinster in Friday's Magners League clash at the Liberty Stadium.

There is a culture of criticism of referees that is not entirely fair or productive. Listen to phone-in rugby programmes and read blogs and you soon realise that there is barely a single referee in the world who is anything but scorned - not even the best in the world.

Ulster will have British and Irish Lions loose forward Stephen Ferris back for their first Magners League home game of the season against Edinburgh on Friday.

Jaco Swanepoel, the head coach of FNB Shimlas, believes his team will head into the 2009 SAA National Club Championships as underdogs. However, that tag could just suit the Men from Bloemfontein down to the ground...

Die manne van Bastion en Dromedaris het gekwalifiseer vir die finale van beide die eerste en tweede divisies van die 2009 UJ Steinhoff International Koshuisliga.

Highly-rated Stellenbosch lock De Kock Steenkamp, a member of the 2008 Varsity Cup-winning squad, has been named in the Western Province starting line-up for Friday's Currie Cup clash against the Leopards in Potchefstroom.

A hard and physical clash of the forwards can be expected during the UJ Steinhoff International Koshuis League Final in Johannesburg tonight when Bastion and Dromedaris battle it out to be crowned Koshuis League winners for 2009.

The last minute of the thrilling match between Free State and Western Province produced a penalty try which gave the Free State a two-point victory. Inenvitably it was controversial. There was also much talk about the penalty count.

Varsity Cup finalists, FNB Pukke, claimed yet another Pirates Grand Challenge title - beating FNB UJ 42-26 in a hard-fought final in Alberton on Saturday.

The National Club Championships in South Africa will take place in Pretoria from Sunday 20 September 2009 to Saturday 26 September 2009. There will be 16 teams taking part and eight referees have been appointed to the tournament.

Dis amptelik... Dis Vishuis teen Heimat in die Kovsies Steinhoff Koshuisliga-eindstryd.

FNB Pukke head coach Rudy Joubert would like his team to chase history at the SAA National Club Championships when the tournament gets underway at Tukkies on Sunday.

The Tri-Nations ends this year. The final match will not affect any silverware but it will be no less competitive for that. New Zealand against Australia is tough stuff. This week Craig Joubert of South Africa will referee the match.

FNB UCT suffered a heart-breaking last-second loss to new WP Super League champions, Hamilton's, at the Green Mile on Saturday.

They have it all. The Springboks have it all - World Cup, Lions series, Tri-Nations, Mandela Plate, Freedom Cup, the IRB Sevens Series - the lot. They are laden with silverware after their dramatic win in Hamilton on Saturday.

South Africa played its sixth Tri-Nations match for 2009 and beat New Zealand in Hamilton, the first time the two teams have met in Hamilton. This victory meant that they added the Tri-Nations to the Freedom Cup, the Mandela Plate, the British & Irish Lions series and the World Cup for a full house that brought with it No.1 status in the world.

Answers to You Be The Ref - Aussie Places v African Tribes.

You be the Ref is back - a chance for each reader to test his/her knowledge of the laws of the game. After all, if you don't know the laws properly you cannot referee and if you don't know the laws properly, you cannot judge a referee.

The Ikey Tigers could do Varsity Cup rivals, FNB Maties, a huge favour when they play host to log leaders Hamilton's in WP Super League action at the Green Mile on Saturday afternoon.

The 2009 UCT Steinhoff Internal League is heading towards a thrilling climax, with finals day - on Wednesday, September 23 - just a little over a week away now.

Springbok captain John Smit, the most-capped international skipper of all-time, a man with a mature head, has spoken up for referees.

Spain's Division de Honor starts on 13 September. The last round of play-offs is on 18 May 2010. Back in the top league after 16 years' absence is Gernika of the Basque country.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has dismissed an application by former referee Deon van Blommenstein based on ?unfair dismissal? after the South African Rugby Union removed him from the national panel of referees.

If ever it was true that tries win matches, it was on Tuesday, September 8 when Maroela retained Tuks' Steinhoff Winter House League Championships title.

rugby365 columnist John OConnor says this week the view reaches a level of whinging that is nearly supersonic, as we look at the superlative management of the game by the IRB (who couldn't arrange a sleepover in a morgue).

Varsity Cup Managing Director Duitser Bosman was one of 14 Varsity Cup role-players set to depart for the USA on Thursday night as part of a fact-finding mission ahead of the 2010 tournament.

A very interesting last round of matches awaits the Shimlas players and supporters in the Kovsies Steinhoff Koshuisliga, with only Heimat being assured of a place in the final at this stage.

Dave Stewart, versatile Springbok back of the 1960s, was recently interviewed by John Maytham of the radio station Cape Talk and spoke of his solution to the kicking plaguing rugby at present. He makes four pints.

FNB Maties utility back Hayden Groepes will line up at fullback for the Boland Cavaliers this weekend - just one of a host of Stellenbosch stars tasked with getting the Wellington-based team's 2009 Currie Cup campaign back on track.

FNB TUT have retained their Varsity Cup status ahead of next year's tournament, after their second-leg promotion/relegation fixture against UKZN was called off.

Varsity Cup teams, FNB Pukke and FNB UJ, advanced to the final of the 2009 Pirates Grand Challenge with semifinal wins over Impala and Pirates, respectively, on Tuesday evening.

A few years ago Welsh referees went on strike for better compensation. The Golden Lions referees did the same last weekend, but for better - safer and less abusive - refereeing conditions.

We here discuss some points of rugby law from incidents over the weekend, especially the award of the scrum after a kick is caught.

FNB Maties centre Paul Bosch has replaced his club mate Morgan Newman in the Western Province squad for Saturday's Currie Cup meeting with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

The International Rugby Board has announced the dates, match schedule and pools for the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.

rugby365.com guest columnist Howard Kahn cannot understand why so much criticism has been directed at Springbok captain John Smit after South Africa's 6-21 defeat at the hands of Australia last weekend.

rugby365 columnist Jon Harris, himself once a master in the dark art of front row play, tells us why he is celebrating the return of the scrum as a major skill set.

All 10 Saturday's Pirates Grand Challenge semifinal matches in the Golden Lions' leagues, from first team to Under-19 team level, did not take place due to protest action by the appointed referees.

With the 2009 rugby season coming to an end in some parts of South Africa, things are just starting to hot up in TUT's Steinhoff Koshuis League.

Die eerste spanne van Maroela en Onderstepoort raak op Dinsdag, September 8 slaags in die eindronde van die Winterhuisliga, wat deur Steinhoff gebrog word.

Nigel Owens of Wales has the big one this weekend at sold-out Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

Heimat booked their place in the 2009 Kovsies Steinhoff Koshuisliga Final when they recorded a 22-10 win over Vishuis on Friday.

What a difference a week and a few changes, includsing one of attitude, make. After being beaten by more than the score suggested in Perth Auistralia beat South Africa by more than the score suggested in Brisbane.

Varsity Cup outfit, FNB UCT, suffered a heavy 21-51 WP Super League defeat at the hands of NNK at the Jan Burger Stadium in Parow on Friday.

UCT's Varsity Cup skipper for the past two years, JJ Gagiano, will join up with Italian Super 10 club, The Roman Praetorians, on a two-month playing trial.

FNB Tuks loose forward Gerrit-Jan van Velze will captain the Blue Bulls Juniors in their Currie Cup Under-20 match against Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.

2009 Varsity Cup finalists, FNB Pukke, have named a powerful starting XV for Saturday's Pirates Grand Challenge semifinal meeting with Impala.

Australia came back in no uncertain terms when they walloped South Africa in Brisbane in Round 7 of the Tri-Nations. In the Celtic countries the Magners League started and in England the Premiership, both with surprises.

The Ikey Tigers, fresh off their 42-23 win over Villager's last week, will head into tonight's WP Super League clash against NNK hoping to make it four bonus point wins in a row.

It's official - a new champion will be crowned in the Kovsies Steinhoff Koshuisliga on Friday, September 18.

After producing and studying a multitude of statistics, we come to the final FNB Top 20 for 2009 with, unsurprisingly, Grey College on top.

FNB UCT recovered from a slow start to claim an impressive 42-23 win over Villager's in the Western Province Super League.

rugby365 columnist Jon Harris doffs his cap to Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and highlights why he thinks it is time for the PdV-bashers to hang their heads in shame.

FNB UJ suffered a last-gasp defeat at the hands of a fired-up Impala team in Rustenberg on Saturday.

A rampant FNB Maties smashed NNK 72-18 on Saturday, but Hamilton's put one hand on the 2009 WP Super League trophy by beating Victorians - also at the weekend.

BokSmart, SA Rugby?s National Rugby Safety Programme , is an initiative aimed at educating people for after rugby.

The Tri-Nations moves across the width of Australia, from Perth to Brisbane. This time Wayne Barnes of England is the man in the middle.

The table-topping FNB Pukke needed just 50 minutes to rack up a crushing 76-0 Grand Challenge win over Union on Friday night.

The Springboks' unhappy marriage with the International Rugby Board took an intriguing turn, as the South Africans have asked for an "explanation" about a string of puzzling rulings by New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence in their 32-25 Tri-Nations win over Australia.

South Africa ran through Australia in Perth to win the first of their three overseas matches and in the process became the first team in the 2009 Tri-Nations to get a four-try bonus point.. We give some statistics in this match with some accumulated stats. The big surprise was the suddenly big penalty count against South Africa.

South Africa won in Perth - that is the biggest result of the weekend. But also Kenya won the Elgon Cup with a bigger win in the first round.

FNB Maties head coach Chean Roux has selected veteran scrumhalf Henoe Stoffberg on the wing for Saturday's WP Super League clash against NNK.

FNB UJ head coach Hugo van As has rested a number of his first-choice players for Saturday's Pirates Grand Challenge clash against Impalas.

FNB Pukke ensured that they would end the 2009 season on top of the Pirates Grand Challenge log, after smashing Roodepoort 66-16 on Wednesday.

NWU-Pukke will begin the defence of their SAA National Club Championships title against Noordelikes.

In response to a request by the USA for clarity on the obligations of a player joining a ruck, the IRB has ruled that a player is required to bind on a team-mate if one is there or on an opponent if no team-mate is there.

Acting FNB UCT head coach Kevin Foote has announced a powerful starting line-up for Saturday's Southern Suburbs derby clash against Villager's.

Test referee Willie Roos has resigned from refereeing with immediate effect. This follows abuse he suffered in Kimberley after the Currie Cup match between Griqualand West and the Blue Bulls, which the Blue Bulls won 25-24.

Wednesday night marked the end of the UJ Steinhoff Koshuis League's second round and Bastion again showed that they are the team to beat in this year's competition.

Another Varsity Cup star has been called up for Currie Cup duty - with UJ fullback Earl Lewis the latest player set to take the step up for the Xerox Lions.

De Kock Steenkamp, a member of the 2008 Varsity Cup-winning Maties team, has replaced injured Western Province lock Adriaan Fondse for Saturday's Currie Cup clash against the Sharks in Durban.

FNB UCT, who are currently without head coach John Dobson, face a tricky WP Super League encounter at the Green Mile on Wednesday night when they play host to Kraaifontein.

FNB UCT claimed a clinical 67-7 WP Super League victory over Kraaifontein at the Green Mile on Wednesday night.

The 2008 Winter House League finalists, Maroela and Sonop, have both qualified for the 2009 Steinhoff Winter House semifinals which will take place at Tuks on Tuesday, September 1.

The big match was in Stellenbosch when a weakened Paul Roos side beat an even more weakened Grey College side by three kicks to one, Grey's first defeat since 2006.

We look back at some of the finest tries this past rugby year...

Veteran Ireland and B&I Lions flyhalf Ronan O'Gara will captain Munster in Saturday night's crucial Magners League match-up with fellow Irish team, Connacht, at Thomond Park.

Enigmatic London Wasps and England flyhalf Danny Cipriani has been handed the ideal Christmas present - he will start in the No.10 shirt for Wasps in their Guinness Premiership clash against Harlequins on Sunday.

Professional sport is often full of scandals and drama and, in 2009, rugby was certainly no exception. The rugby365 team was there covering them all and now picks out the five biggest scandals of the past 12 months. Rugby world accept 'Alfie's' story

There were, of course, great matches this year. If the side you were ardent about won, the match was all the greater.

The exhibition match at Twickenham a few weeks ago brought the curtain down on another blockbuster international season. Looking back on the year, rugby365 brings you a collection of some of the biggest winners and losers!

In rugby - as with all team sports - the nicknames come from teammates and the fans. rugby365 columnist Keith Moore takes a look at some peculiar nicknames in the game.

It has been a long season for the players in 2009 but there have been some pretty incredible moments in the Six Nations, the Lions series, the Tri-Nations and numerous domestic tournaments to keep us interested!

Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland and Tri-Nations champions South Africa headline the prestigious rugby365.com Team of the Year selections.

rugby365 has worked hard in 2009 to bring their readers the best in news, reports and interviews - looking back now at the year, we select seven of our favourite exclusive interviews which we feel really stood out.

SARU has confirmed that teams representing Argentina and Namibia will compete in the 2010 Vodacom Cup competition. while there's talks around the possibility of the Southern Kings appearing in the Celtic League. Mallett: 'Why South still rules the roost'

With the Invictus premier now just a couple of days away now, rugby365.com spoke to former Springbok captain and World Cup winner Francois Pienaar about the Clint Eastwood-directed Hollywood blockbuster.

Tries from Paul Sackey and Steve Kefu, along with 14 points from the boot of flyhalf Dave Walder, helped London Wasps to an important 24-22 victory over the Leicester Tigers in their Guinness Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon.

A first half brace from Welsh wing Tom James set up the Cardiff Blues to secure their 'must-win' victory over Magners League strugglers Connacht at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Newport-Gwent Dragons scored a comprehensive four-try 30-9 victory over in-form Irish Province Leinster at Rodney Parade on Sunday evening.

England star Mark Cueto has failed a late fitness test and will miss this weekend's big Guinness Premiership clash with Saracens at Vicarage Road.

Six penalties from flyhalf Dan Parks and a late Thom Evans try was enough to help potential title-challengers Glasgow Warriors to a 25-13 win over Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Northampton's Director of Rugby, Jim Mallinder, has paid tribute to Jon Clarke, who, when he runs out with the Saints on Saturday tomorrow's Guinness Premiership Round 10 match against Bath, will reach one hundred appearances for the Northampton Saints first team.

Harlequins survived a brave second half fightback from bottom of the log Leeds Carnegie on Friday night - holding on to record a narrow 30-27 victory over Neil Back's determined outfit at Headingley.

Rob Moffat?s Edinburgh Gunners side scored two second half tries to edge themselves to a 17-16 victory over the Scarlets in their Friday night Magners League clash at the Parc y Scarlets.

Munster's James Coughlan who captained the side in their two British & Irish Cup victories will anchor the Munster pack in the Magners League game against Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

Inspirational centre Seilala Mapusua returns from international duty to start for London Irish in their Guinness Premiership home match with Worcester Warriors at Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Argentinean prop Juan Gomez is the only change to the Leeds Carnegie side for this Friday's clash with Harlequins at Headingley Carnegie.

Ulster Rugby Head Coach Brian McLaughlin has named Tom Court, Timoci Nagusa and Simon Danielli, who replaces Andrew Trimble on the wing, all in his starting XV for this weekend's clash with the Warriors.

The entertainment and rugby worlds are united this week - waiting with baited breathe to see exactly what Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman have install for us with their new movie, Invictus.

The Magners League is back in full swing this weekend with an exciting round of fixtures snuck in before a couple week's of European action. rugby365 previews all the action from the Celtic competition...

With two European weekend's just ahead all the Guinness Premiership teams will be hoping to start building some good festive-time momentum with a win this weekend. rugby365 previews all the action...

London Irish recorded a fairly comfortable 16-0 over Bath at the Recreation Ground on Saturday with flyhalf Ryan Lamb scoring all of his sides points.

Saracens remained undefeated, but were held to a stalemate on Friday night at the Sixways Stadium - drawing 12-all with Worcester with both sides landing four penalties.

Harlequins star Nick Evans scored 20 points as John Kingston's men recorded a 35-29 victory over Gloucester at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

Potential England wing Chris Ashton scored three tries for Northampton on Friday night as they cruised to an impressive 28-8 victory over Newcastle at Kingston Park.

London Wasps have come under heavy criticism after opting out of Friday night's Guinness Premiership match with Sale just minutes before it was due to kick-off.

Veteran playmaker Mike Catt will make his first start of the new season this weekend as London Irish travel to the Rec to face Bath in the Guinness Premiership.

Danny Care and Ugo Monye have both return to the Harlequins lineup for this weekend's big clash with Gloucester at the Twickenham Stoop.

Neil Back has named his squad, including 19-year-old flyhalf Joe Ford, for his big return to Welford Road this weekend as his troops tackle the Tigers.

Hooker Chris Fortey is set to join the exclusive '200 Club' in the Guinness Premiership when Worcester Warriors entertain table topping Saracens at Sixways Stadium on Friday evening.

England pair Simon Shaw and Tim Payne have returned to bolster London Wasps' pack as they head to Edgeley Park for their Friday Guinness Premiership clash with Sale Sharks.

Newcastle Falcons have made just one change to their side for Friday night's Guinness Premiership visit of Northampton Saints to Kingston Park.

The autumn international season has just one more round of fixtures to run and our attention is once again being quickly drawn to the Guinness Premiership with Round Nine's fixtures serving up a couple exciting battles.

Springbok flyhalf Derick Hougaard kicked 17 points for Saracens on Sunday as they recorded an invaluable 22-6 victory over rivals London Wasps at Vicarage Road and ensured they remained unbeaten in the league.

Carl Fearns touched down with six minutes remaining to complete a remarkable second-half fightback from Sale and deny bottom club Leeds a first-ever win over their northern foes.

London Irish slipped to their first Guinness Premiership defeat since the opening day of the season against battling Newcastle at a blustery Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

Northampton maintained their unbeaten home record with a 26-17 win over Harlequins in an enterprising game which saw the return of Tom Williams for the first time since his 'Bloodgate' ban.

Club captain Bob Casey returns to lead London Irish in Sunday's home Guinness Premiership match with Newcastle Falcons.

Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder says that Northampton Saints face a tricky game ion Saturday when they welcome Harlequins to Franklin's Gardens in Round 8 of the 2009/10 Guinness Premiership.

Sale Sharks' captain Dean Schofield will be making his 150th Premiership appearance when he leads his team out at Headingley on Sunday afternoon to face Leeds Carnegie.

Wasps stalwart Mark Van Gisbergen will make his 200th appearance in black and gold this weekend as Wasps travel to Vicarage Road to take on the Springbok-conqueroring Saracens.

The U.S. Men?s National Rugby Team has named the exact same starting lineup for its second Rugby World Cup Qualifier match against Uruguay this Saturday as it did for its first meeting last weekend in Montevideo.

Gloucester Rugby hooker Darren Dawiduik and Leicester Tigers wing Lote Tuqiri will both make their first Guinness Premiership starts this weekend as the two teams go head-to-head at at Kingsholm on Friday evening.

South African No.8 Luke Watson will make his first start for both this weekend as they turn their attentions back to the Guinness Premiership and get ready to take on Worcester at Sixways.

The Guinness Premiership returns to action this weekend and, while many will still be focused on the international scene, the domestic competitions has plenty to offer.

The U.S. Men?s National Rugby team has named its starting lineup for its Rugby World Cup Qualifier match against Uruguay Teros in Montevideo on Saturday.

The International Rugby Board has confirmed that Russia will host the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2010. The tournament, which is a key element of the IRB?s Age Grade strategy for Under 20 players, will take place in the capital Moscow from May 18 to 30.

rugby365 columnist Jon Harris takes a closer look at the Springbok 'Dirt Trackers' and what they have to offer against Saracens next week.

Martin Johnson's England side has slipped down another spot, into 8th position, on the IRB World Rankings following Saturday's 18-9 defeat at the hands of Australia.

Fifteen points from the book of Leeds Carnegie flyhalf Ceiron Thomas was enough to help them record their first Guinness Premiership win of the new season - a 15-9 victory over Wasps on Sunday afternoon.

An early try from hooker Rob Vickers set up the Falcons 14-3 Guinness Premiership victory over the Worcester Warriors on Sunday afternoon at Kingston Park.

A late Andrew Turnbull try for Edinburgh set up a dramatic final 13 minutes but, in the end, the Dragons held on to record a hugely important 9-8 victory over the Gunners on Sunday evening.

Leading from start to finish, Leinster secured a good 23-6 victory over Cardiff at the RDS on Saturday night.

The Glasgow Warriors and the Ospreys played out to a disappointing 9-all draw at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night with neither side showing anything particularly fantastic in the way of form.

Gloucester's woes continued on Friday night as England centre Mike Tindall picked up an injury, Charlie Sharples was dismissed, and the Cherry and Whites went down 28-23 to the Sharks at Kingston Park.

A last minute Rory Clegg penalty, his third of the afternoon, helped Harlequins secure a hard-fought 9-all draw with the high-flying London Irish side on Saturday at the Stoop.

Ultimately beating their opposition into submission, Leicester's pack of forwards layed the foundation for Saturday's important 29-15 Guinness Premiership victory at Welford Road over the Northampton Saints.

Two tries in each half helped Munster to record a hugely important all-Irish Magners League victory over Ulster at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.

Magners League strugglers Connacht scored a crucial win on Friday night in Galway, edging out the Scarlets 16-10.

Saracens held on to their unbeaten domestic record this season by their skin of the teeth on Saturday thanks to a late missed conversion by Bath flyhalf Ryan Davis - meaning the score finished 12-11 in favour of the visitors.

The Cardiff Blues are without 10 first-choice this players this weekend as they head to Dublin to take on the Heineken Cup champions Leinster.

Munster make two changes from the side that started against Edinburgh, for Saturday's big clash with Ulster at the Thomond Park Stadium.

London Irish have made two changes to the starting XV that defeated current champions' Leicester Tigers last Saturday for this weekend's local derby with Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership.

Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder says that he is looking forward to the first East Midlands derby at the redeveloped Welford Road.

Back row ace Jake Abbott and prop Callum Black are awarded their first Guinness Premiership starts of the season as Worcester Warriors travel to face Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday.

England and Lions stars Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw have returned to bolster London Wasps lineup for this weekend's Guinness Premiership clash with Leeds Carnegie.

Despite a disappointing start to the season, Bath head coach, Steve Meehan, is determined to remain optimistic and is confident that his team can overcome Saracens this weekend at the Rec.

England international Mike Tindall makes a timely return for Gloucester Rugby as they prepare to travel north for Friday night's Guinness Premiership fixture at Sale Sharks.

Canadian head coach Kieran Crowley has announced his squad ahead of their November internationals against Japan and Russia this November.

Brendan Venter's Saracens have a chance to make it seven wins from seven this weekend while, at Welford Road, Leicester and Northampton are poised for an epic and hugely important encounter.

Threre is an exciting fixture list for the last round of Magners League action before a month's break with all ten teams hoping to finish this part of the season on a high and record moral boosting victories this weekend.

Brendan Venter's Saracens made it six wins from six Guinness Premiership matches so far this season with a hard-fought 21-15 win over bottom-of-the-log Leeds Carnegie at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon.

Harlequins made it two wins from two in the Guinness Premiership on Saturday afternoon as they recorded a 26-22 victory over the Warriors at the Sixways Stadium.

A late Charlie Hodgson penalty salvaged a losing bonus point for the Sale Sharks as they went down 21-16 to Northampton at Franklin's Gardens in the Guinness Premiership on Saturday afternoon.

Six Ryan Lamb penalties was enough for London Irish to record a hugely important 18-12 victory over Guinness Premiership rivals Leicester Tigers at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Wasps fullback Mark Van Gisbergen scored two tries as Wasps cruised to a convincing 35-6 Guinness Premiership victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm.

A late try helped Newcastle secure their first win of the Guinness Premiership season with a 27-16 victory at The Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon.

Six penalties from stand-in flyhalf Rhys Priestland was enough to help an in-form Scarlets side secure an important 18-3 victory over the Gwent-Newport Dragons on Friday night in Wales.

Two tries from Scottish wing Thom Evans, the second just four minutes from full time, helped the Warriors get back to winning ways on Friday night with a 34-20 win over Connacht in the Magners League.

Edinburgh recorded a vital 12-7 victory over Munster at Murrayfield thanks to four Chris Paterson penalties on Friday evening in their Magners League clash.

Brian O'Driscoll will captain Leinster this weekend as they make the trip to Ravenhill to take on the high-flying Ulster in Saturday's Interprovincial clash.

Back row ace Netani Talei is set to make his 50th appearance for Worcester Warriors as boss Mike Ruddock recalls his senior stars for the Guinness Premiership clash with Harlequins at Sixways Stadium on Saturday.

With Joe Maddock missing the match against Newcastle Falcons this week having sustained an ankle injury against Stade Francais, 22-year-old Jack Cuthbert is set to start for Bath this weekend.

Gloucester Rugby Head Coach Bryan Redpath makes just three changes to his starting line up to take on Wasps on Saturday evening while Tony Hanks has recalled Samoan star David Lemi.

Saracens return to Guinness Premiership action on Sunday when Leeds Carnegie visit Vicarage Road with the home side going into the game looking to make it six wins from six in the competition.

Sale Sharks boss Kingsley Jones says he was hugely impressed with the Northampton Saints' performance against Munster in the Heineken Cup two weeks ago and it looking forward to taking them on come Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's Magners League clash between the Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys looks set to be a fantastic event with ticket sales for the all-Welsh fixture already approaching record numbers.

Having completed his England EPS rest requirement Steffon Armitage returns to London Irish's 23-man squad for Saturday's eagerly anticipated clash between the Exiles and the Leicester Tigers at the Madejski Stadium.

Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies has kept faith with the matchday squad which has brought Heineken Cup success as they prepare to face the Newport Gwent Dragons.

After suffering their first taste of defeat this season against Toulon Saracens will be looking for an easy win over Leeds in the Guinness Premiership this weekend - rugby365 previews all the action ahead in England's top flight.

Log leaders Leinster face a tricky trip to Ravenhill on Saturday but before that, on Friday evening, Munster have a crack at the Gunners at Murrayfield. rugby365 previews all the Magners League action...

Following its semifinal match against the Argentina Jaguars last weekend in Colorado, the USA Select XV side is looking to redeem itself against the Ontario Blues in the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) bronze medal match on Saturday.

Three Romanian rugby players were hospitalized after a fight broke out between players in a Central and Eastern European Rugby Cup match, an official said Monday.

Bryan Redpath's Gloucester did just enough on Sunday afternoon against Leeds Carnegie, struggling their way to a 26-10 win at Headingley in their Guinness Premiership encounter.

Danny Cipriani and Dave Walder combined well on Sunday evening to help Tony Hank's London Wasps edge out a determined Northampton Saints, 20-15, at Adams Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Australian Rugby Union said Sunday it will make a cash donation and launch a series of fund-raising initiatives to assist tsunami victims in Samoa and Tonga.

Ryan Jones and his Ospreys team answered a number of their critics on Sunday evening with a four-try, 31-10, thumping of the high-flying Edinburgh in their Magners League matchup at the Liberty Stadium.

Saracens continued their flawless start to the new season with a hard-fought 22-15 win over the Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park in their Guinness Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon.

Sailosi Tagicakibau claimed his sixth try of the season to help London Irish move to the top of the Guinness Premiership standings with a hard-fought 11-8 victory against Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park in Stockport on Friday.

Flyhalf Jeremy Staunton was once again the match winner for Leicester on Saturday, kicking 14 of his teams points in their hard-fought 19-14 victory over Worcester at Welford Road.

Glasgow bounced back to winning ways on Saturday night with an impressive 21-5 victory over the Blues in their Magners League matchup at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Harlequins secured their first win of the new Guinness Premiership season in dramatic fashion on Saturday night - scoring with the last movement of the match to edge out Bath 13-11 at the Stoop.

A late try from Dragons No.8 Joe Bearman denied Connacht a bonus point from their Magners League clash on Saturday night - a match ultimately won 23-10 by the home side.

Leinster produced a fantastic performance on Saturday night, crushing a 14-man Munster 30-0 in their Magners League matchup at the RDS Stadium and, in the process, moving themselves to the top of the competition standings.

Two weeks of European action lie just ahead but before that we have the chance to enjoy one more round of Premiership action. An intriguing fixture list, keep your eyes on the Wasps Saints clash at Adams Park. rugby365 previews all the action...

Munster's matchday squad has a familiar look to it this weekend with nineteen of those who played in th Heineken Cup semifinal defeat to Leinster last May named in their squad for Saturday's Magners League clash at the RDS.

Welsh international lock Luke Charteris returns to captain the Dragons in their home match against Connacht on Saturday evening at Rodney Parade.

Chris Malone will make his first start for London Irish in Friday night's Guinness Premiership match at Edgeley Park, whilst usual fullback Nick MacLeod will start at No.10 for the home side.

Round Five of the Magners League is serving up a number of interesting battles but one, as it always does, stands out on the fixture list - Leinster and Munster go head to head this weekend! rugby365 previews all the weekend's action...

Newcastle Falcons have made just two changes for the visit of Guinness Premiership leaders Saracens to Kingston Park on Sunday.

London Wasps have made three changes to their starting team for this weekend's visit of the in-form Northampton Saints on Sunday.

Seru Rabeni is expected to make his first start of the season for Leeds Carnegie as Neil Back's men welcome, ironically, Gloucester to Headingley.

Bath star Matt Banahan is back on the wing this weekend as Australian centre Matt Carraro returns to the starting lineup as Steve Meehan's men head for the Stoop.

New Zealand international Rico Gear will make his first start of the new season this weekend as the Worcester Warriors travel to take on a Leicester Tigers side featuring Lions star Tom Croft.

Ulster Head Coach Brian McLaughlin has named his playing 22 for this Friday's visit of the Scarlets to Ravenhill.

A second half hat-trick of tries from former Auckland Blues No.8 Nick Williams helped Munster to a comfortable 27-3 victory over Paul Turner's Newport-Gwent Dragons on Sunday evening.

Brendan Venter's Saracens continued their fantastic start to the new Guinness Premiership season with a 19-16 win over Gloucester at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon.

Sailosi Tagicakibau was at it again this weekend, scoring two tries for London Irish as they handed London Wasps their first defeat of the season - winning their Guinness Premiership encounter 28-16 on Sunday.

A last minutes drop goal from replacement Jonny Sexton dramatically ended Edinburgh unbeaten start to the new season and handed Leinster a massive moral-boosting victory on Saturday night at Murrayfield.

The Cardiff Blues secured their first win of the new season on Saturday evening - holding on to beat the Scarlets 19-15 despite two tries from the visitors in the final ten minutes of the match.

A dramatic final ten minutes at the Recreation Ground on Saturday evening saw Bath and the Leicester Tigers end their fourth round Guinness Premiership clash with the scores level at 20-all.

Northampton handed Leeds their third straight defeat in the Guinness Premiership on Saturday, scoring four tries on their way to winning the Franklin's Gardens fixture 30-10.

Mike Ruddock's Worcester side made a big statement of intent on Saturday afternoon with a 24-18 Guinness Premiership victory over Kingsley Jones' Sale Sharks side.

rugby365 previews the 4th round of the Magners League with the arrival of Jean de Villiers and the clash between Edinburgh and Leinster just two aspects of the action to look forward too.

Springbok Jean de Villiers has been named on the bench for this Sunday's Magners League clash with the Dragons while British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell remains sidelined with a slight hamstring strain.

Newcastle and Harlequins are both still looking for their first wins of the new season after the visitors snatched a late draw on Friday night when the two teams clashed in their round four Premiership match at Kingston Park.

Ulster stormed to a bonus-point victory over Irish rivals Connacht on Friday night thanks to fifteen points from flyhalf Ian Humphreys.

Two second half tries from wings Tommy Bowe and Nikki Walker helped the Ospreys to come from behind and secure a much needed 26-16 Magners League victory over the Glasgow Warriors.

Can London Wasps and Saracens remain unbeaten? Is this weekend the one which finally sees a little life from Harlequins and Leeds? rugby365 previews all the upcoming Guinness Premiership action...

Cardiff Blues centre Tom Shanklin will finally return to action this weekend against the Scarlets - the first time the unfortunate Lion will take the field since dislocating his shoulder playing against the Dragons in May.

New signing Dave McCall will return to the Magners League stage on Friday when he pulls on a Glasgow jersey for the first time in the competition for this weekend's showdown with the under-fire Ospreys.

SANZAR has offered Argentina a conditional place in the Tri Nations in 2012. rugby365 columnist Keith Moore takes a look at what a place in the Tri-Nations will mean for the South Americans.

Mike Blair will make his first start of the new Magners League season against European champions, Leinster, at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Sale Sharks star Charlie Hodgson will finally return to the starting lineup this weekend after missing the previous two matches due to stubbing his toe in the opening round encounter with Leicester Tigers.

Wasps' prop Phil Vickery returns to club colours this Sunday as the men in black and gold travel to the Madejski facing London Irish in what promises to be a huge clash between two of the capitals sides.

Following a morale boosting win at Edgeley Park last Friday, Bath host Leicester Tigers this weekend to see if they can get on a role and propel themselves up the Premiership table.

Newcastle Falcons have received a triple fitness boost ahead of Friday's Guinness Premiership visit of Harlequins to Kingston Park.

Leeds Carnegie have made four changes to their team in an attempt to improve their fortunes as they head to the Northampton Saints this weekend for their Guinness Premiership Fourth round encounter.

New signing, prop Paul Doran-Jones, will make his full Premiership debut for Gloucester Rugby when they take on a Steve Borthwick led Saracens side at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon.

John Smit's all-conquering team has silenced many critics, having won every conceivable trophy available to them in the last two years.

The 2009 Tri-Nations has come to pass and like all good critics should, rugby365 also sat in judgment. Yes, it is time for our annual awards.

In-form English wing Tom Varndell was on the scorecard once again on Sunday as London Wasps overcame Worcester 23-3 in their Guinness Premiership clash at Adams Park.

London Irish starlet Adam Thompstone scored an impressive hat-trick of tries on Sunday afternoon as the potential Guinness Premiership title challengers thumped Leeds Carnegie 56-7 at Headingley.

Bath kickstarted their season at the third attempt on Friday evening with a hard-fought 25-12 win over the Sale Sharks - recording their first Guinness Premiership victory at Edgeley Park in six years.

Leicester secured a 15-6 win over Newcastle in their first match in front of the new Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road but both side's inability to score tries continued to plague them on Saturday night.

A try at the death from Denis Hurley, his second of the night, helped Munster to come from behind to record a dramatic 22-20 victory over the Scarlets at the Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night.

Jim Mallinder's Northampton Saints confirmed their status as potential playoff finishes in the Guinness Premiership with an impressive 27-14 win over Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday afternoon.

Seventeen points from the boot of Derrick Hougaard helped Saracens to maintain their perfect start to the new season at the Stoop on Saturday, edging out Harlequins 22-9 in their Guinness Premiership clash.

The Ospreys suffered their second consecutive defeat at the Liberty Stadiums on Friday night as they crashed to a disappointing 18-11 loss at the hands of Leinster in their Magners League clash.

Paul Turner's Dragons provided the biggest upset of all out of Friday nights action, scoring four tries on their way to thumping the Glasgow Warriors 30-19 at Rodney Parade.

Cardiff's poor start to the season continued on Friday night as they slumped to their third straight Magners League defeat at the hands of Connacht - going down 18-16 at the Sportsground.

A 72nd minutes drop goal from flyhalf Phil Godman helped Edinburgh to narrow 16-13 victory over Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday night in their Magners League clash.

The Premiership table is slowly starting to take shape after two rounds of the new season but there are a couple unexpected names propping up the log... can Quins and Bath turn their fortunes around this weekend? rugby365 preivews all the GP action...

Defending champions FNB Pukke will be aiming for a fourth title in six years when the 35th annual National Club Championships kicks-off this coming Sunday, September 20, at the LC de Villiers sports grounds on the University of Pretoria's Sport Campus.

It's an odd Magners League weekend but with four of the five matches being played on Friday night it can mean only one thing? It's going to be one hell of a Friday night. rugby365 previews all the Magners League Round Three action...

Glasgow Warriors head coach, Sean Lineen, has this week made six changes to his successful starting XV for this weekend's Magners League clash with the Dragons.

Leicester Tigers will run out in front of a capacity 24,000 crowd for the first home game of the season on Saturday with a team showing four changes since last weekend's win at Harlequins.

Cardiff Blues boss Dai Young has named Lions star Jamie Roberts in his starting team for the first time this season but has opted to once again keep new signing Sam Norton-Knight on the bench.

England wing Paul Sackey will make a welcomed return to action this this Sunday as Wasps run out on home turf for the first time this season when they face Worcester.

Leeds Carnegie have made five changes to the side that lost to Worcester last Friday for the visit of last season's Guinness Premiership runners up London Irish to Headingley Carnegie this Sunday.

After a hard fought battle against Leicester Tigers at the Stoop, Quins return to their home ground for the second time in two weeks, where they take on Saracens in a local derby on Saturday afternoon.

Gloucester Rugby Head Coach Bryan Redpath has welcomed back Lesley Vainikolo and Peter Buxton for the first time this season as they prepare to host Northampton at Kingsholm.

The last seven clashes between the two sides in the Guinness Premiership have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst Bath's only Premiership win at Edgeley Park came on their first ever visit in September 2003.

Scotland flyhalf Dan Parks kicked fourteen points for the Warriors as they overcame the Scarlets 19-11 and remained unbeaten after two rounds of the new Magners League season.

London Irish scored four tries on their way to thumping Gloucester 40-10 in a heated battle at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday afternoon - a game which saw six yellow cards dished out in total.

Newcastle had to settle for a second successive draw at the start of the new Guinness Premiership season as two late Lee Thomas penalties earned Sale a share of the spoils on a blustery day at Kingston Park.

A resurgent Tom Varndell scored two tries for the London Wasps on Saturday afternoon at the Recreation Ground help his side to a big victory; making it two wins in a row to start the new season for Tony Hanks' men.

New Zealand star Glen Jackson was the hero for Saracens once again on Saturday - kicking 14 points for the 'home' side as they recorded a 19-14 win over Northampton in the first-ever rugby match played on the Wembley turf.

Five penalties from new flyhalf Jeremy Staunton were enough for the Leicester Tigers to secure a tight 15-9 victory over Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday afternoon.

Young flyhalf Jonny Sexton scored 12 points for Leinster as they recorded their first win of the new season with a 23-14 victory overthe Newport-Gwent Dragons on Saturday evening.

Two tries from Scottish international Simon Danielli helped Ulster to a surprising 20-16 victory over the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday night - their first win of the new campaign.

Off-season recruit Willie Walker was the chief destroyer on Friday night, adding 17 points with his boot to help the Warriors to an important 27-7 victory over Leeds Carnegie at the Sixways Stadium.

What an opening weekend of Guinness Premiership action! Thankfully though we don't have to wait too long for the next installment - rugby365 previews all this weekend's upcoming action.

After an opening round full of surprises, the rugby365 team does their best to put the pieces together and preview the fast approaching second weekend of exciting Magners League action.

Mike Ross, Shaun Berne and David Kearney will all make home debuts for Leinster this weekend as the Irish province welcome the Dragons to the RDS.

A 'star-studded' Ospreys side will welcome a much changed Brian McLaughlin Ulster team to the Liberty Stadium this weekend for their second round Magners League clash.

Newcastle Falcons have made three changes for Sunday's Guinness Premiership visit of Sale Sharks to Kingston Park.

Edinburgh ran in eight tries on Friday night on their way to overpowering a disappointing Connacht 62-13 at Murrayfield.

Munster recorded their first win of the new Magners League campaign on Friday night with a 24-13 win over the Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park.

Scarlets wing Sean Lamont is hoping to keep his strong start at his new team going this weekend as the Welsh region travel to take on Glasgow on Sunday evening.

Both teams will be looking to bounce back after disappointing opening round defeats on Friday night as Dai Young's troops travel to Thomond Park to face the reigning Magners League champions, Munster.

Ross Ford has been named amongst Edinburgh's replacements for Friday's Magners League match against Connacht at Murrayfield but his fellow British and Irish Lions tourist Mike Blair is rated doubtful after suffering from a throat infection.

British and Irish Lions flank Joe Worsley will be back in action this weekend, making his first start of the new season for London Wasps as they travel to The Rec to take on Bath.

England fullback Olly Morgan will make his first appearance of the season for Gloucester Rugby at the Madejski Stadium against London Irish on Sunday whilst centre Tim Molenaar is also set to make his full debut.

Leicester Tigers will welcome back two of their 2009 British and Irish Lions tourists, Harry Ellis and Tom Croft, for this Saturday's trip to the Stoop.

All 10 Saturday's Pirates Grand Challenge semifinal matches in the Golden Lions' leagues, from first team to Under-19 team level, did not take place due to protest action by the appointed referees.

All the Results for the IRB Sevens 2008/09 Season

Magners League Table 2008/09