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It's a big weekend with France playing England in Paris on Sunday. Of the matches for Round 20, the most likely to be closest are desperate Biarritz against Brive and weakened Toulouse against Castres.

South Africa's former World Cup-winning coach Jake White has turned down a lucrative offer from England and will remain loyal to the Brumbies for the foreseeable future.

Ireland will get a glimpse of their future when they face Scotland without Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Wales coach Warren Gatland must somehow keep a lid on simmering expectation ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash against Italy at the Millennium Stadium.

Find out from rugby365.com's Howie Kahn as the Bet.co.za 2012 Super Rugby challenge heads into Round Three.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has named a completely unchanged starting line-up for the crunch Six Nations clash with France in Paris on Sunday.

It's more than just a rugby match, France versus England, in Franglais Le Crunch. It is a rugby match and it is also a clash of history and culture between two countries.

Le Crunch this weekend has three parts to it - the seniors at Stade de France on Sunday, the Under-20 at Stade de la Rabine on Saturday and the Women. In the Under-20 match and the Women's match England are overwhelming favourites.

The Brumbies will have to go head-to-head with England's Rugby Football Union if they hope to retain the services of their World Cup-winning former Springbok coach.

There are changes to the referees appointed to Week 3 of Super Rugby. Ian Smith is injured and his place is taken by Angus Gardner in Brisbane.

London Irish has announced that former England attack coach Brian Smith has made a return to the club, having been appointed Director of Rugby.

Exeter Chiefs have added their first new face for the 2012/13 season with the capture of Ian Whitten from Pro12 outfit Ulster.

The IRB Regulations Committee Panel hearing the Steven Shingler eligibility case has determined that the player is tied to Wales in accordance with IRB Regulation 8 as it stands and therefore is ineligible to represent another Union.

Julien Dupuy gets a chance in Sunday's Six Nations clash with old rivals England to prove that the impression he is a lightweight is baseless.

Lions coach John Mitchell admits his side were not clinical enough against the Hurricanes, but that is something they are looking to rectify up against the Sharks in Super Rugby this weekend.

New Zealand rugby legend Jock Hobbs has returned to hospital and is in a critical condition after a deterioration of his leukaemia.

Ulster on Thursday confirmed that Mark Anscombe has been appointed as head coach from the 2012-13 season, on a two-year contract.

England have axed eight players - including Leicester star Toby Flood - from their Six Nations squad ahead of Sunday's Six Nations clash against France.

London Wasps revealed on Thursday the re-signing of scrumhalf Nic Berry, after another impressive season in the black and gold shirt.

SACS have chosen their 22-man squad for the Western Province Rugby Day at Newlands on Tuesday, 20 March and their tour to Port Elizabeth to play Grey High and Selborne College.

Ireland flank Sean O'Brien has been forced to withdraw from the Six Nations game against Scotland due to a skin infection on his foot, which has failed to recover as quickly as expected.

Exeter Chiefs flyhalf Gareth Steenson insists he and his teammates are gearing up for what he believes will be an "exciting" conclusion to the season for the Devon club.

England have named a 13-man squad, including two new players, for the next two legs of the IRB Sevens World Series in Hong Kong and Tokyo.

It really looks like wanderlust has grabbed the minds of the leading southern suburbs schools in the Cape.

Australian-born Italy flyhalf Kris Burton believes Wales have had things too easy in their three-game winning start to this season's Six Nations competition.

After last Friday's epic 26-20 away win over Ospreys, Glasgow Warriors continue to reward players who have stepped up and improved, announcing the contract extensions of two front row forward propelling the club's push for a Pro12 play-off place.

The 50th birthday celebrations will have started in earnest out at Windmeul with Boland Landbou recording a hard-fought but well-deserved 15-6 victory over hosts Augsburg Gym in Clanwilliam on Wednesday, 7 March.

The one pities his opposition tightheads! The other pities the fools!

Two of South Africa's most successful coaches - Nick Mallett and Jake White - could go head-to-head in the race for the England coaching job.

Last season's Six Nations breakthrough star Fabio Semenzato will get his first start for Italy in this season's competition in place of the injured Edorado Gori against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The fixtures for Thursday, 22 March, the opening day of the 2012 edition of the Oakdale Rugby Festival, have been announced.

Italy are hoping to put in a much improved performance in Cardiff this weekend as they face Six Nations favourites Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Six Nations side Italy will visit the United States for a June 23 match against the Eagles to be played at Houston.

Oakdale beat Tygerberg in the Cup Final of the @tlantic Sevens at NMMU University's George campus at Saasveld.

939 days! When Grey College kicks off its 2012 season on 17 March, that's how long it would have been since the Springbok rugby factory operating out of Bloemfontein last tasted defeat on a rugby field - 939 days!

Mirco Bergamasco has sprung to the defence of under-fire Italy kickers Kris Burton and Tobias Botes claiming the pair have been unfairly criticised.

Saracens' Namibian international loose forward Jacques Burger is to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

Ulster hooker Rory Best will captain Ireland in their Six Nations international against Scotland at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.

Julien Dupuy and Lionel Beauxis will pair up for France for the first time since 2009, after coach Philippe Saint-Andre named his team Wednesday to face England in the Six Nations.

The Pampas XV from Argentina, the defending champions, will get the 2012 Vodacom Cup season - the 15th since its inception in 1998 - underway on Friday when they host the EP Kings in Stellenbosch.

England coach Stuart Lancaster was slammed by Leicester counterpart Matt O'Connor on Wednesday over his treatment of halfbacks Ben Youngs and Toby Flood.

Gloucester flyhalf Tim Taylor has signed a new contract with the Premiership club that will keep him at Kingsholm for the next two years.

Leinster on Wednesday revealed the arrival of New Zealand World Cup winning second row Brad Thorn, on a three-month contract.

Benetton Treviso loose forward Manoa Vosawai has been given a one-week ban after having accumulated three yellow cards in the Pro12 this season.

Wales captain Sam Warburton will miss the Six Nations match against Italy through injury and will be replaced as skipper by Gethin Jenkins for the match at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

NWU-Pukke wing Joe Seerane and flank Siya Mdaka joined the Springbok Sevens training squad in Stellenbosch on Tuesday as the Blitzbokke try to plug the gaps left by an assortment of injuries to several regulars.

Former England captain Lewis Moody has decided to retire from all rugby with immediate effect following his most recent injury.

Ireland suffered a double injury blow when it was announced that captain Paul O'Connell and scrumhalf Conor Murray will miss the last two Six Nations matches through injury.

Sarel Cilliers High School of Glencoe in Northern KwaZulu-Natal are holding their remarkable Rugby Festival this weekend.

Nick de Luca was recalled by Scotland on Tuesday to face Ireland in Saturday's Six Nations international in Dublin.

The Border Schools Day will take place at the Border Rugby Stadium at the weekend. There will be matches on Friday afternoon and on Saturday.

England have called up scrumhalf Karl Dickson to join his younger brother and fellow No.9 Lee in their Six Nations training squad for next Sunday's match against France after Joe Simpson dislocated a shoulder at the weekend.

Irish wing Tommy Bowe will return to play in Ireland next season with Ulster it was confirmed on Tuesday.

Again it has been suggested that the scope of the television match official's ability to advise referees should increase. This time the case in point was a try awarded to the Bulls' prop Dean Greyling in their match with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Gloucester revealed on Monday that England international No.8 Ben Morgan will be moving to Kingsholm from the Scarlets for the 2012-13 season.

Autumn is here. Leaves are turning, acorns are dropping, whistles are being blown and there are the urgent cries of schools rugby. It has started and these are our first results.

Ireland will have to get over their disappointment at coming so close to only their third win in Paris in 30 years and ready themselves for next Saturday's Six Nations clash with Scotland, said coach Declan Kidney.

At Hoerskool Fichardtpark's Rugby Day in Bloemfontein on Saturday, Noord-Kaap of Kimberley beat Voortrekker of Bethlehem 33-7.

Three of the major players on the KwaZulu-Natal schools rugby front have made significant new coaching appointments ahead of the 2012 rugby season.

Westville dotted down three times during the second half on their way to recording a 19-0 away victory against Damelin Night Series Champions George Campbell.

It's the penultimate week of the Six Nations with France needing a win if they are to win the championship. In South Africa the Vodacom Cup gets going.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre and his players agree that unless they stop giving their opponents double digit leads their hopes of the Six Nations title could be ended by defending champions England next Sunday.

Springbok Stefan Terblanche has extended his stay with Ulster for a further two months, until end of April.

London Irish revealed that Declan Danaher has committed to the club until 2014, after signing a two-year contract extension.

Discarded England scrumhalf Danny Care's international career has almost certainly come to an end, after he was involved in another alcohol-fuelled incident at the weekend.

Harlequins have expressed their support for errant scrumhalf Danny Care, despite the England No.9 third alcohol-fuelled indiscretion in as many months.

Tournament hosts, the Zimbabwean Cheetahs pleased a roaring home crowd by defeating the SA Buffaloes 24-14 in the Cup Final of the Zimbabwe International Sevens tournament on Sunday.

The Ospreys announced on Monday that Welsh international loosehead prop Ryan Bevington has signed a new two-year contract, in the week where he made his 50th appearance for his home region.

France are to keep faith with the same squad for their next Six Nations match with England, after this weekend's battling draw against Ireland, coach Philippe Saint-Andre said on Monday.

Luke Charteris officially joined the Wales Six Nations training squad on Monday, making him available for selection for the Round Four home clash with Italy at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Happy 29th Birthday to Springbok centre Jaque Fourie - a member of the 2007-World Cup winning Bok team.

RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie is adamant he won't be rushed into appointing a new England head coach and will delay the process if necessary in order to get his man.

Two first-half tries from Tommy Bowe meant that France had to fight back to salvage a 17-17 draw with Ireland in their Six Nations clash in Paris on Sunday.

Leicester kept themselves firmly in the Premiership play-off zone by comprehensively beating Gloucester whilst Saracens moved closer to Harlequins with victory over Northampton Saints.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said the 17-17 draw with Ireland, which dashed the hosts' hopes of the Six Nations Grand Slam, felt more like a defeat.

Munster climbed to second in the Pro12 table after securing a 24-14 win over Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Australian-born lock Joshua Furno was called-up by Italy coach Jacques Brunel on Saturday, as a replacement for his Aironi clubmate Carlo del Fava for the remaining Six Nations games against Wales and Scotland.

John Kirwan was told by headhunters for the England coaching job that he was out of contention because the Italy and Japan sides he led were not major rugby teams.

Exeter kept pressing for a place in next season's Heineken Cup, as they completed a league double over Sale Sharks to move up to fifth place on the Premiership standings.

The pre-tournament favourites, the South African Academy, finished unbeaten after Day One of the inaugural Zimbabwe international Sevens tournament.

Jon Welsh and Colin Shaw profited from a superb Glasgow forwards display to help the Warriors cement their place in the Pro 12 play-off places with a rare 20-26 victory at the Ospreys.

Nick Evans rescued Aviva Premiership pacesetters Harlequins from a shock defeat against Newcastle in a 9-9 draw at Kingston Park.

With permission from the International Rugby Board, referees are allowed to use a white card in this year's Super 15, and it is being used.

France and Ireland will at last lock horns at the Stade de France on Sunday with the hosts being warned that they must start with a bang if they are to keep alive their dreams of a Grand Slam.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell said on Saturday he would love to taste victory for the first time in his stellar career in Paris against the French when they meet in their Six Nations clash on Sunday.

The South African Academy team, coached and managed by Marius Schoeman, will be out to use their greater physical presence to win some silverware at the inaugural Zimbabwean Sevens in Harare on Saturday and Sunday.

London Wasps forwards Tinus du Plessis and James Cannon were handed contract extensions by Director of Rugby Dai Young, as he continues to shape his squad for next season.

The Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU), once one of the pillars of the sport in New Zealand, put off immediate liquidation Friday and revealed the existence of a possible lifeline.

France are playing this weekend and so are the Top 14 clubs, much to their chagrin. They missed out earlier for the Ireland match when it was frozen off and now miss put again when the postponed match happens. With just seven rounds to go, the clubs are getting testy as some try to end in the top six and others try avoid the bottom two.

Howie Kahn has been asked to take part in a Super Rugby betting challenge, in conjunction with Bet.co.za and he made a pretty good start after Week One. He reports back - ahead of Week Two - for rugby365...

There will be some extra needle in this encounter, not just because it is critical to the cause of both teams, but because of the manner in which it was called off last month.

Referee Glen Jackson has tweaked a calf muscle and will be unable to officiate the Australian Super Rugby derby between the Reds and the Force at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive John O'Neill was appointed to the 2015 Rugby World Cup board on Thursday, as was Wales Rugby Union (WRU) chairman David Pickering.

Duncan Jones has been ruled out of action for a lengthy period, after suffering a knee injury in last Friday's Pro12 defeat to Ulster.

Wales centre Jamie Roberts is "touch and go" for the Six Nations match with Italy in Cardiff a week on Saturday, according to skills coach Neil Jenkins.

London Wasps have added to their midfield options for next season with the signing of 27-year-old Lee Thomas from French Top 14 side Lyon.

France fullback Maxime Medard is set to be out of action for up to nine months, he revealed on his Twitter account, after suffering a serious knee injury in last Sunday's 23-17 Six Nations win over Scotland.

International Sevens will return to Zimbabwean soil after a lengthy lay-off, when the country hosts an array of teams this weekend, March 3 and 4, at the Harare Sports Club.

Stuart Lancaster's future with England will be decided before the end of his Six Nations 'audition', new Rugby Football Union (RFU) Chief Executive Ian Ritchie said Thursday.

Veteran Franch flank Julien Bonnaire always puts in a performance meriting 8 out of 10 according to rugby manager Jo Maso, but how long can he go on for?

London Irish's Tongan international Chris Hala'ufia was given a potentially season-ending ban on Thursday after being served with an 11-week suspension for a dangerous tackle during a European Cup game.

It may only be the end of February, but the 2012 rugby season has already kicked off down south.

England suffered a new Six Nations setback with the news that lock Courtney Lawes could be sidelined for the remainder of the Six Nations due to a shin injury.

Cardiff Blues hooker Rhys Thomas will leave the Welsh side at the end of the season to join former coach Dai Young at London Wasps.

Fullback Clement Poitrenaud and flank Julien Bonnaire have been drafted into the French side to play Ireland in the Six Nations at the Stade de France on Sunday.

Worcester Warriors have added to their backline resources by signing powerful Scotland international wing Nikki Walker from Pro12 giants Ospreys.

Scarlets and Wales centre Jonathan Davies has extended his contract to stay at Parc y Scarlets for the next two seasons as part of the region's ambition to retain core Welsh players within their squad.

Treviso substitute Gonzalo Garcia has been slapped with a one-week ban for foul play against Scarlets last week.

Leicester Tigers have agreed new contract terms with England Under-20 captain George Ford, young lock Ed Slater and England international Anthony Allen.

Gloucester skipper Luke Narraway has become the latest English player to head to France after agreeing a two-year deal with Perpignan.

The underfire Western Province Rugby Football Union has a powerful backer for their decision to retain Newlands as their home base.

It may sound like the start of an old joke but an Englishman, an Irishman, a Scotsman and a Welshman could all have an input into the serious business of selecting the next permanent England rugby coach.

Abrasive French loose forward Imanol Harinordoquy is not content with his performances so far in the Six Nations and is determined to return to his top level against Ireland at the Stade de France on Sunday.

Despite several minor injuries Ireland coach Declan Kidney has named an unchanged side for the re-arranged Six Nations international against France in Paris on Sunday.

At the freezing cold Spartak Stadium in Alushta on the Black Sea, Spain beat Ukraine 41-6 in a European Nations, Division One match on Saturday.

The Scottish Rugby Union have confirmed that wing Rory Lamont will be sidelined for up to four months with a broken leg he sustained in the Six Nations loss to France.

Edinburgh have signed exciting South African-born 22-year-old Northampton Saints utility back Greig Tonks who will add considerably to the backline arsenal at Murrayfield.

Connacht have signed Pro12 all-time leading points scorer and former Scotland international flyhalf Dan Parks on a two-year deal from Welsh side Cardiff Blues.

Glenwood played Mendoza, which turned out to be the last match of their tour. After the match they set off on a four-hour flight for the Iguacu Falls on the Iguazu River which is a tributary of the Parana.

Hoerskool Ferrum of Newcastle goes up over the Drakensberg to Secunda in Mpumalanga, from coal town to coal town, with sport in mind, the start of winter sports.

With several teams hopping aboard as recently as mid-February, the organisers of the 2012 Copytype Tony Stoops Rugby Festival can announce the fixtures for the opening round on Friday, 23 March and Saturday, 24 March.

George Campbell are the Durban Night Series champions for 2012 with a narrow win over hosts Port Natal.

This weekend roughly 5,000 boys and girls from 55 schools will be taking part in the 11th Clover Sports Day at Hoerskool Fichardtpark. There will be netball, hockey, golf, shooting, chess, tennis and, of course, rugby.

Springbok Sevens captain, Kyle Brown, is one of several players who might miss the next two Sevens World Series tournaments in Hong Kong and Japan because of injury.

French coach Philippe Saint-Andre believes his side cannot afford to let Ireland take the initiative on Sunday because there will be no way back unlike against Scotland.

Over the Easter Weekend King Edward VII School of Houghton, Johannesburg is holding its Easter Festival with six matches on each of Maundy Thursday, Holy Saturday and Easter Monday.

The fifth tournament in the popular @lantic 7s series for high schools takes place on Saturday, 3 March at Saasveld Forestry College in George.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel has recalled prop Martin Castrogiovanni, one of four changes to his squad for the remaining Six Nations games against Wales and Scotland.

In the fourth @lantic Sevens Series tournament, played in Kimberley, Diamantveld were comfortable winners in the final of the cup.

Hoerskool Vryburg again hosts its annual sports day on 3 March 2012. The main match, between Vryburg and Wolmaransstad, is part of the Puk 16 Series.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson insisted he has no intention of resigning, after overseeing yet another defeat - as his side went down 17-23 to France in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Sunday.

The Otago Rugby Union will be placed in liquidation on Friday, potentially winding up one of New Zealand's strongest provincial teams - which has produced 156 All Blacks in 131 years.

In the Six Nations Under-20, England again won convincingly, scoring six tries to none against Wales, and this weekend they play Italy.

Fullback Maxime Medard will miss France's Six Nations match against Ireland at the Stade de France on Sunday, due to the knee injury he sustained in the 23-17 win over Scotland at the weekend.

Wales hooker Huw Bennett said Monday he is to leave Ospreys and play for French top flight side Lyon next season.

Scotland wing Rory Lamont had surgery in hospital in Edinburgh on Monday after suffering a fracture to his leg during Sunday's Six Nations loss to France at Murrayfield.

Former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones vowed Monday to bring his attacking style of rugby to Japan's national team, the day after piloting Suntory Sungoliath to the country's top club title.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre is confident it won't be long before Scotland beat a "fantastic team" after seeing his side given a scare in the Six Nations at Murrayfield.

The Six Nations matches this weekend are catch-ups from matches postponed because of freezing weather. Dave Pearson, who had to postpone the match at Stade de France, gets his chance again.

England interim coach Stuart Lancaster said he was heartened by his team's display even as they slipped to the first defeat of his reign when losing 19-12 to Wales in the Six Nations at Twickenham.

Newport Gwent Dragons needed a last-gasp penalty try, converted by replacement Lewis Robling, to escape Aironi with a 10-9 Pro 12 win which keeps their slim European ambitions alive.

Replacement Ben Nutley shattered London Irish in the last seconds to give Northampton a 30-23 Aviva Premiership victory of the season at Reading's Madejski Stadium.

France were clinical and precise in their 23-17 victory against Scotland, who produced a brave attacking effort at Murrayfield in the Six Nations on Sunday.

Wales centre Jamie Roberts was left facing a battle to remain fit for the rest of the Six Nations after suffering a knee injury in a dramatic 19-12 win away to England at Twickenham here on Saturday.

Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry may take legal action after lighthearted comments he made at a fundraising dinner on Thursday were reported by New Zealand media.

Warren Gatland was left contemplating the prospect of another Grand Slam after seeing his side edge England in a thrilling Six Nations Championship clash at Twickenham.

The wife of former All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu says the ailing rugby star is again in hospital receiving treatment for kidney failure.

England's David Strettle said officials should have given him the benefit of any doubt after he had a 'try' disallowed by the video referee in the closing seconds of a dramatic Six Nations loss to Wales.

Two tries from fullback Ross Chisholm were not enough to help stuttering Harlequins as the Premiership leaders slumped to a 29-23 defeat at Gloucester on Saturday.

Saracens were beaten 16-11 in the Premiership on Friday, as Worcester Warriors came from behind to clinch the victory at Sixways.

Isa Nacewa kicked a late penalty to salvage a tense 10-10 draw for Pro12 leaders Leinster against a determined Glasgow Warriors outfit.

As if making his first Test start, against France at Murrayfield on Sunday, wasn't enough for Scotland's Stuart Hogg to deal with, this week he also discovered he's related to George Best.

Ireland got their first win of this season's Six Nations at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday, beating a hapless Italy 42-10.

France may be overwhelming favourites as they get set for a Six Nations match away to Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday, but the World Cup finalists remain cautious about their trip to Murrayfield.

Wales coach Warren Gatland praised a "potentially outstanding" side after seeing the World Cup semifinalists come from behind to beat England 19-12 on Saturday and win the Triple Crown.

Wales won the Triple Crown at Twickenham on Saturday, after beating previously unbeaten England 19-12 in their Six Nations match.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney refused to get carried away by Ireland's 42-10 victory over Italy at Lansdowne Road on Saturday to claim their first win of this year's Six Nations tournament and end a run of three successive home defeats.

One would expect England to continue to win well with only Ireland looking likely to dethrone them in the next round of Under-20 Six Nations action.

Welsh international Jonathan Spratt has signed a two-year contract extension with London Irish.

Worcester Warriors revealed on Friday that No.8 Adam Balding will leave the club with immediate effect.

England centre Manu Tuilagi is looking forward to doing what he does best against Wales in their Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday - smashing into the opposition.

Ospreys lock James Goode has completed a loan move to Premiership side Newcastle Falcons until the end of the current season.

Ireland's postponed Six Nations match in Paris gave players the chance to rest aching bodies, and with the ultra-physical Italians in Dublin on Saturday, skipper Paul O'Connell is happy to take the lone positive from the French farce.

Former All Blacks wing Doug Howlett has signed a contract extension with Irish province Munster until the end of season 2012/2013.

Scotland will be desperate to secure their first victory of the Six Nations when they take on a formidable French outfit in their clash at Murrayfield on Sunday.

England interim coach Stuart Lancaster's faith in one of the most inexperienced Red Rose sides of recent times will be put to the test when they face a seasoned Wales team in the Six Nations at Twickenham.

Wales hooker Ken Owens may be making his first Test start against England in the Six Nations this weekend but as far as he's concerned he's not even the best player in his family.

England captain Chris Robshaw expects a "much improved" attacking display when his side face Wales in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.

Irish provinces Munster and Ulster headlined the results on Friday, as victories over Cardiff Blues and Ospreys respectively took them closer to the Pro12 play-offs.

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards reckons England's Owen Farrell will cope just fine with the responsibility of playing at flyhalf in a Six Nations international at Twickenham on Saturday.

Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal has been unwell and won't be present at this weekend's Six Nations match against Italy in Dublin on Saturday, or for the rest of the tournament.

Port Natal, where rugby has been played with enthusiasm for nearly a century, now play rugby in the second and third term.

Paul Dobson takes a look at what can be expected from referees when the Super Rugby season gets underway on Friday.

Veteran flyhalf Stephen Jones will take the place of James Hook on the Wales bench for the Six Nations international against England, after the Perpignan back was ruled out with chicken pox.

Interim coach Stuart Lancaster is confident one of the most inexperienced England teams in championship history will avoid stage fright when they face Wales in the Six Nations at Twickenham.

As always Monnas have a long and full season in 2012, willing as they are to play as much as possible.

Owen Farrell has insisted he will be able to shoulder the burden of being England's flyhalf when he makes his first Twickenham start for his country against Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson has insisted Stuart Hogg will have the "freedom to play" when the teenage fullback makes his first Test start against France in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Gloucester have revealed that Australian international hooker Huia Edmonds has signed for the club.

South African stars Schalk Brits and Matt Stevens have both extended their contracts with English Premiership club Saracens.

Coach Stuart Lancaster has made four personnel changes to the England starting line-up for Saturday's crunch Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham.

Veteran France lock Pascal Pape dismissed Six Nations opponents Scotland's poor record over the past few years and said he anticipated a really tough match at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Matt Torrance, born in Durban and schooled at Glenwood, will start for Scotland Under-20 at Netherdale in Galashiels on Friday night.

England fullback Ben Foden is relishing the build-up to this year's "crunch" Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel says Italy must stop Ireland dictating the tempo of their Six Nations clash if they are to come away from Dublin with a positive result on Saturday.

Wales prop Adam Jones has insisted the World Cup semifinalists are ignoring suggestions they could bully England physically when the teams meet in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.

Scotland and Edinburgh wing Lee Jones has capped a breakthrough season with an extended deal that will keep him at the Murrayfield club until 2014, something he describes as "a dream come true".

London Irish have added some vital beef and versatility to their forward pack by signing Ospreys loose forward Tom Smith on a two year deal.

Italy flank Mauro Bergamasco has been banned for a month after being cited for dangerous play during the Celtic League clash with Ospreys on February 17, and will miss the rest of the 2012 Six Nations.

Former Stormers hardman Adriaan Fondse, who now plays for English Premiership Newcastle Falcons, has been handed a one-week ban for foul play.

South African-born Tobias Botes will make his first start for Italy against Ireland in the Six Nations in Dublin on Saturday - one of four changes to the Azzurri team.

France scrumhalf Morgan Parra insists the World Cup finalists would not be taking Scotland for granted on Sunday, despite their hosts losing their first two Six Nations matches.

Leicester lock Geoff Parling is expected to start for England in Saturday's Six Nations clash against Wales, after Tom Palmer was dropped from the squad.

English Premiership champions Saracens have announced contract extensions for the England duo of Owen Farrell and Mouritz Botha as well as loose forward Ernst Joubert who qualifies for England this year.

Grey High School of Port Elizabeth has issued the revised and final fixtures for its Festival on 24-30 March 2012. There are great schools playing.

Northampton Saints have invested in the future by giving contract extensions to three young players - prop Tom Mercey, wing Anders Mogensen and hooker Ross McMillan.

Underfire Scotland coach Andy Robinson has made four changes in personnel for Sunday's crucial Six Nations clash with France at Murrayfield.

Glasgow Warriors have secured the services of Newcastle Falcons lock Tim Swinson who will move to the Scotstoun-based club at the end of the season.

France named an unchanged line-up for the Six Nations match with Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday, looking to get their campaign back on track after the fiasco of the Ireland game.

Australian-born utility back Luke McLean says Italy must try to combat Ireland's spoiling tactics if they are to emerge victorious from Saturday's Six Nations match in Dublin.

Scotland hooker Scott Lawson is to leave Premiership side Gloucester at the end of this season, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

Wales captain Sam Warburton has recovered from a thigh injury and will return to lead his team's Triple Crown Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham this weekend.

Ireland named an unchanged side here Tuesday for this weekend's Six Nations clash with Italy at Lansdowne Road.

Wales and British and Irish Lions loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins has confirmed he will leave Cardiff Blues next season to take up a contract with French club Toulon.

It is rare that the result of a rugby match is changed and the score radically changed. It has just happened in the LV= Cup.

Happy 41st Birthday to Joost van der Westhuizen, the 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf.

As the maxim goes: 'It never rains but it pours.' This certainly rings true for the South African Rugby Union.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said both the management team and players are 'a very happy and settled group'.

Panasonic Wild Knights had two tries' help from Jaque Fourie in their surprise victory over Toshiba Brave Lupus in the semifinal of the Japan's Top League to clinch a spot in Sunday's Final against Suntory Sungoliath at Tokyo's Chichibu Stadium.

Glasgow Warriors have boosted their forward pack for next season by signing powerful 29-year-old Tongan No.8 Viliami Ma'afu who will join the Scotstoun club from Japanese outfit Mitsubishi.

Glenwood have played their third match on their Argentinian tour in leafy Mendoza down below the Andes. Sean Erasmus, the Glenwood coach, reports.

Unbeaten George Campbell and hosts Port Natal finished in log positions one and two respectively and have as a result progressed to the Night Series Final to be played on Friday, 24 February.

While no preferred party has yet been selected, English Premiership club Wasps is confident that the process of finding a new owner is now nearing conclusion.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has reportedly turned down an offer to join Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer's coaching staff and is set to announce a contract extension with the Western Province Rugby Union.

Wales have called Ospreys forwards Alun Wyn Jones and Richard Hibbard into their Six Nations training squad.

At the Stade Battandier-Lukowiak in La Voulte in southeastern France, France beat Italy 19-15 in a match postponed from 3 February in Bourgoin.

A bicep injury to Bath hooker Lee Mears has resulted in an England call-up for Harlequins' Chris Brooker who will join coach Stuart Lancaster's squad ahead of the Six Nations clash with Wales this weekend.

Glenwood have two teams playing in Argentina. Their coach, Sean Erasmus, again sends reports of their cheerful progress.

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill said he was glad he wasn't in England coach Stuart Lancaster's position after Toby Flood and Manu Tuilagi staked claims for Test recalls in a 20-19 win over Saracens.

In the third @lantic Sevens Series for schools, Hentie Cilliers of Virginia won the Cup in a thrilling final against Bethlehem Voortrekker. They scored just one point more in a high-scoring final.

Imagine this: your favourite sports team is losing a match... and, as a result, your pre-match bet is not looking too flash either. Well, leading South African sports betting website, Bet.co.za, could have a solution for you.

As expected France were tough opponents for England Under-18 and could have drawn the match with the last kick of the game.

Super Rugby starts. Chris Pollock of New Zealand blows the first whistle to start the first match of Week One. And in Europe the Six Nations and the European Nations Cup are again in action. It is, you may say, a busy weekend.

French coach Philippe Saint-Andre believes that next weekend's Six Nations clash against Scotland will be a pivotal moment in his first tournament as the national handler.

English flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson was ruled out for up to three weeks on Saturday after injuring his knee and ankle in Toulon's 19-19 French Top 14 draw with Stade Francais.

Leicester skipper Geordan Murphy ended Saracens' unbeaten home record clinching a dramatic 20-19 victory with a sensational drop-goal with the last kick of their gripping Premiership game.

The Australian Super Rugby conference is, by a long stretch, the easiest of the three. No matter how you spin it, the Rebels and Western Force are soft touches and almost certainly walking bonus points.

It is Super Rugby time once more and with the South African squads fairly evenly balanced each team will be keen to improve on last season, we take a look at their prospects in the conference.

Harlequins boss Conor O'Shea praised his side's ability to win ugly after the league leaders maintained their place at the summit of the Premiership table with a hard-fought win over Worcester.

There has been plenty of player movement amongst the New Zealand franchises, which should make the conference particularly intriguing this season.

England scrumhalf Ben Youngs concedes he needs to revert to his natural game with Lee Dickson threatening to take his place for Six Nations clash with Wales at Twickenham.

Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins knows his side are flying in the face of history when they head to Twickenham next weekend, but the former flyhalf is confident his side are more than ready for their Triple Crown decider.

Desperate Perpignan beat desperate Biarritz 25-6 in a desperate Top 14 match in Perpignan on Friday night.

Wales will arrive at Twickenham believing that they can defeat England and claim the Triple Crown, according to centre Jamie Roberts.

In Round 18 of France's Top 14, in a dramatic last minute Toulon won themselves a draw with Stade Francais at Stade de France.

Leinster centre Fergus McFadden returned to club form with a bang to kick a last-minute penalty and secure his side's 12th successive Pro 12 victory with a nervy 16-13 triumph over the Scarlets.

On-fire wing Simon Zebo's two tries made sure Munster wouldn't be denied in Italy this weekend as they exacted revenge for last season's loss and picked up a bonus point by defeating Treviso 35-14 in the Pro 12.

A 14-man Newcastle Falcons side gave their survival hopes a major boost with a much needed 19-10 triumph over London Irish in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday.

Former USA Eagles defensive coach Mike Tolkin has made the step up to replace Eddie O' Sullivan as head coach of the American national team.

Some more big decisions are being made this weekend - who will be in contention for top six and who will be in danger of relegation.

Newport Gwent Dragons can confirm that wing Aled Brew is set to leave the region at the end of the season for an undisclosed European Club.

The Blitzbokke will square up to World Series leaders New Zealand, current Sevens World Cup holders Wales and the USA in their tough pool at the Hong Kong Sevens.

Suggestions that the days of iconic stadiums like Newlands and Kings Park are numbered are purely 'rumour mongering'.

Gordon D'Arcy believes Ireland must turn the Aviva Stadium into a fortress if they're to claim a first Six Nations crown since 2009.

We salute the 'Pretty in Purple: Valentine's Day special' winners - who will now each be receiving a new Bulls 'away' jersey.

Former All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith ruled himself out of the running as England coach on Thursday, saying the job sounded more suited to a public relations manager than a rugby mentor.

Connacht have secured the services of Munster tighthead prop Peter Borlase, who will join the club on loan with immediate effect.

Fullback Chris Pennell has become the latest player to pledge his future to Worcester Warriors, after having signed a new contract with the club.

Northampton Saints have revealed that Christian Day was staying at Franklin's Gardens, after having signed a new contract with the club.

Manu Tuilagi has insisted there will be no repeat of his ferry-jumping exploits at the World Cup now he has been recalled into the England squad.

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has spoken of his delight after two of his more senior stars committed themselves to the Premiership club for the next two years.

Former Highlanders centre Jason Shoemark has agreed a new two-year deal with the Exeter Chiefs, and is intent on helping the fifth-placed Chiefs climb further up the Premiership standings.

We salute the 'Pretty in Purple: Valentine's Day special' winners - who will now each be receiving a new Bulls 'away' jersey.

Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder has become the latest eligible cadidate to rule himself out of the running to become the next permanent England coach.

A new set of sport safety regulations could be the financial ruin of two of South Africa's iconic rugby stadia - Newlands and Kings Park.

Sale director of sport Steve Diamond was hit with a lengthy 18-week touchline ban on Wednesday for verbally abusing Test referee Wayne Barnes during an English Premiership match last month.

Flyhalf Ignacio Mieres believes it is vital that Exeter Chiefs use last weekend's home win over Leicester Tigers as the springboard for a crucial month ahead for the Devon club.

England No.8 Nick Easter has committed his rugby future to Harlequins by signing a three year contract that will keep him with the London club until the end of the 2014/15 season.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney is still fuming at the decision by Six Nations organizers to reset the match against France for Sunday March 4.

Disgruntled France and Ireland fans have until February 24 to claim their money back for tickets to the Six Nations match that was postponed from last weekend to March 4.

An exciting new Sevens tournament, named 7'sPL, will hit Outeniqua Park, George on December 14 and 15 this year.

Chris Robshaw has been confirmed as captain of England for the rest of the Six Nations by coach Stuart Lancaster after steering the team to gritty wins in their first two matches.

Cheetahs tighthead prop WP Nel has signed a three-year contract with Scottish Pro12 outfit Edinburgh and will join the capital club at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Former Ospreys loose forward Steve Tandy has been appointed as head coach of the Welsh region following the departure of Sean Holley and will take charge of team affairs immediately.

Crisis-hit Top 14 club Racing-Metro have further shuffled their backroom staff, bringing in Didier Retiere as forwards coach in place of Philippe Berbizier, brother of director of rugby Pierre.

France have named an unchanged 23-strong squad for the Six Nations game against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 26.

Teenage Welsh star George North is undergoing "intense rehab" in a bid to be fit for the Triple Crown Chasers' Six Nations match away to England in a fortnight, the Welsh Rugby Union said Wednesday.

Northampton Saints have announced that utility forward Samu Manoa has joined the lengthening list of players to have committed themselves to the club for three more years.

France hooker William Servat will take over as Toulouse forwards coach next season to replace former clubmate Yannick Bru who is now with the France national team, according to club president Jean-Rene Bouscatel.

The one is the Wallabies' best fullback. The other is Napoleon Dynamite's best mate.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.