Rugby Union
Rugby Union news and resources on domestic and international Rugby Unions. Rugby is a sport developed by the British that involves kicking, passing, and tackling and is very popular in such countries as France, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and, of course, Great Britain. American football is the direct descendant of rugby. Rugby union games consist of 2 teams of 15 amateur players that run on a grass field with a ball similar in appearance to an American football. Rugby league games, on the other hand, consist of 2 teams of 13 professional players that have more freedom in blocking and tackling. This section focuses on domestic and international rugby unions.
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| Rugby Union Not Rotten But It Needs to Replace Its Replacement Process Robert Kitson: No blood on the carpet but plenty of flaws as rugby union gets down to the task of reform |
How to Cure Rugby Union's Biggest Curse: Excessive Kicking Robert Kitson: A newspaper reader may well have found a solution to rid the game of all aimless punts. The IRB should try it |
| Rugby Union Enters the Scrum for Olympic Status Paul Rees: Rugby union is one of seven sports looking to secure Olympic status in 2016 |
International Rugby Union in Danger of Falling Apart Paul Rees: The rugby world faces anarchy with the north and south unable to come to an agreement over international fixture... |
| The Battle for Rugby Union's Soul Forget neutral venues and new rules - rugby union's traditional virtues are what make the game so appealing, writes Robert... |
Rugby Union: Mortlock to Lead Wallabies in Cup Despite his ill-discipline off the field, John Connolly has selected Stirling Mortlock as Australia's World Cup captain. |
| Rugby Union: Sale Win the Battle for All Black Mcalister Luke McAlister has signed a two-year deal with Sale and will arrive after New Zealand's World Cup campaign. |
Rugby Union: Henry Leaves Weepu to Drown Sorrows Over World Cup Cut Graham Henry surprisingly left scrum-half Piri Weepu out of the New Zealand squad for the World Cup. |
| Rugby Union: Kiwis Out in Front Despite Dip in Form Does a recent failure to capture their best form mean New Zealand are going to blow the World Cup yet again? |
Rugby Union: New Zealand 26 - 12 Australia The stuttering All Blacks lifted the Tri Nations trophy and Bledisloe Cup thanks mainly to Dan Carter's sublime kicking. |
| Rugby Union: Ashton Mulls World Cup Cull With an Eye to Versatility Brian Ashton has a tough decision on his hands, with versatility likely to be key as he trims his final World Cup squad. |
Rugby Union: Henson Injury Doubt for Wales Gavin Henson is an injury doubt for the World Cup with an achilles tendon problem. |
| Rugby Union: New Zealand 33 - 6 South Africa New Zealand's late surge gave the All Blacks a deceptive victory, after they had struggled to break down an South African'... |
Rugby Union: Boks Promise to Pick Their Best South Africa have promised to field full strength teams in future Tri-Nations events after fielding reserves in this... |
| Rugby Union: Geraghty Gets the Chop As Ashton Trims Six From World Cup Squad Shane Geraghty was the main casualty as Brian Ashton trimmed six names from his preliminary World Cup squad. |
Rugby Union: White Puts Family and Farm Before Packing Down in World Cup Julian White, the Leicester prop, has pulled out of England's World Cup defence citing family and business reasons. |
| Rugby Union: Family Ties Force White Out of World Cup Julian White has put his family before the World Cup and ruled himself out of the tournament. |
Rugby Union: Owner Calls for Arbitration in Edinburgh Dispute Edinburgh owner Bob Carruthers wants an independent ruling on his club's cash row with the SRU. |
| Rugby Union: Springbok No10 Heads for Bath South Africa's Butch James will become the first of Bath's 'quality' signings when he joins after the World Cup. |
Rugby Union: Australia 25 - 17 South Africa Australia's victory over South Africa was left rather hollow by Jake White's decision to field a B team. |
| Rugby Union: Psychiatrist Joins England Squad England have engaged a top psychiatrist in a bid to improve their chances at the upcoming World Cup. |
Rugby Union: Grewcock Ban Upheld to End Cup Hopes Danny Grewcock's England career could be over after his six-week ban for punching was upheld. |
| Rugby Union: Ashton Sends in the Marines Brian Ashton has decided to toughen up England's World Cup hopefuls by sending them for three days training with the Marines. |
Rugby Union: End of Battle for Wounded Three Sale's three England stars may be excused for missing training but thankfully not through injury. |
| Rugby Union: South Africa 21 - 26 New Zealand Dan Carter had an off-day but it didn't matter as the peerless All-Blacks notched up another win. |
Rugby Union: Mcgeechan Says Away Form is Key As Wasps Fall Into Deepest Pool Wasps were given a tough draw for next season's Heineken Cup with three other potential winners. |
| Rugby Union: Joe Still Keen on Saints South African Joe van Niekerk has agreed to join Northampton despite their relegation. |
Rugby Union: South Africa 22 - 19 Australia Tri Nations: Twenty-year-old Francois Steyn knocked over two late drop goals to clinch the game for the Boks. |
| Rugby Union: Springboks Hope to Spring Tri-nations Surprise As Wallabies Wither The Springboks' performance against New Zealand will provide clues ahead of the World Cup. |
Rugby Union: Dallaglio Returns As Ashton Looks for Answers Lawrence Dallaglio has been named among the old guard in Brian Ashton's 47-man preliminary World Cup squad. |
| Rugby Union: Dallaglio Named in World Cup Training Squad Brian Ashton has found space for Lawrence Dallaglio in England's 47-man World Cup training squad. |
Rugby Union: England to Gamble on Dallaglio Bookies have made England only the sixth favorites for the World Cup, as Brian Ashton plumps for Lawrence Dallaglio's... |
| Rugby Union: White Feels the Heat As Quota Row Rumbles on South Africa's coach Jake White may have to apply the quota system to his World Cup squad. |
Rugby Union: Ban Could End Grewcock's World Cup Danny Grewcock's World Cup is in doubt after he received a six week ban for punching. |
| Rugby Union: Ban Deals Blow to Grewcock's World Cup Hopes Danny Grewcock's chances of being called up for the World Cup look dim after the Bath lock was given a six-week ban for... |
Rugby Union: Laporte Facing Irb Charge Bernard Laporte faces being reported to the IRB after allegedly threatening referee Stuart Dickinson after France's 42-11... |
| Rugby Union: Islanders Earn the Respect of Their Hosts Fiji lost to Australia and Samoa were beaten by South Africa, but the Islanders did not go without a fight. |
Rugby Union: Spies is the Shining Light England Will Have to Put Out Eddie Butler asks if Lawrence Dallaglio can bring muscle and intelligence to counter Spies at the World Cup. |
| Rugby Union: Saints Give Mallinder Leading Role Northampton have appointed Jim Mallinder as their new director of rugby after last season's relegation from the Guinness... |
Rugby Union: Robinson's Knee Surgery an Unkind Cut for Ashton Jason Robinson faces a battle to get fit for the World Cup after injuring his knee in South Africa. |
| Rugby Union: Worcester Work on Landing Gear All Black winger, Rico Gear, is being pursued by Worcester, among other clubs. |
Rugby Union: Sale Make Move for Mcalister New Zealand fly-half Luke McAlister is being chased by Sale after his Toulouse move collapsed. |
| Rugby Union: Union Revives Baa-baas Game to Bridge Funding Gap England are set to play the Barbarians each year at Twickenham in order to help pay off Premiership clubs. |
Rugby Union: Ashton Concedes England Must Beef Up for World Cup After another physical mismatch against the powerful Boks, Brian Ashton could be forced use an all Wasps back-row -... |
| Rugby Union: South Africa 55 - 22 England While England's squad have been woefully weak, the tour drubbings are a fillip for South African confidence ahead of the... |
Rugby Union: England Tour Verdict Mark Regan is 35 and had not represented England for three years. He ended up as everyone's man of the tour: spiky,... |
| Rugby Union: England Look to Evergreen Dallaglio for World Cup Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, 34, is likely to be recalled to boost morale before the World Cup. |
Rugby Union: How the Prop From Medicine Hat Grabbed a Second Chance to Win Caps Kevin Yates held firm as England were thumped last week, and now the veteran prop is eyeing the World Cup. |
| Rugby Union: Wilkinson Takes Wheel of Sinking England Ship Jonny Wilkinson has the dubious honor of leading a ravaged England against the Boks today. |
Rugby Union: Jonny Wilkinson Will Captain England in the Second Test Against South Africa Reshuffled side to be led by World Cup winner in tomorrow's second Test against South Africa. |
| Rugby Union: Memo to England: Beef Up Now or You'll Get Bullied England must face facts, muscle matters at the top level, says Shaun Edwards. |
Rugby Union: Native Son Stevens to Face Springboks With Point to Prove Matt Stevens prepares to face the country of his birth with a point to prove to both sides. |
| Rugby Union: French Clubs to Limit Their Involvement in Europe French clubs are proposing a radical overhaul of their participation in European tournaments. |
Rugby Union: Ojo Good to Go As Ashton Calls for Reinforcements Uncapped London Irish wing Topsy Ojo has become the latest player drafted into England's South Africa tour squad. |
| Rugby Union: Four More Out for England England's tour of South Africa lurched from bad to worse with four players forced to pull out and captain Jason Robinson... |
Rugby Union: England Running on Empty As Four More Withdraw From Boks Tour Tour of South Africa in danger of descending into complete disarray as quartet are ruled out of Saturday's game. |
| Rugby Union: Henry Slams Tourists Over Weak Squads All Black coach, Graham Henry, has urged rugby union's top brass to make sure weak northern hemisphere teams do not tour in... |
Rugby Union: England Left With Little But a Prayer on the Wing England's captain, Jason Robinson, is a doubt for the second Test against the Boks, leaving Brian Ashton short of wingers. |
| Rugby Union: David Strettle Forced to Return Home After Struggling to Overcome a Stomach Virus David Strettle has become the latest player to return home early from England's ill-fated tour of South Africa after... |
Rugby Union: Abendanon Shines As Saxons Book Place in Final Nick Abendanon helped England Saxons beat Scotland A 18-3 to book a place in the Churchill Cup final. |
| Rugby Union: Forwards Ordered to Protect Wilkinson England's forwards have been ordered to keep Jonny Wilkinson away from the contact area against South Africa. |
Rugby Union: Balshaw's Tour Over England's touring party has been weakened further after Iain Balshaw's withdrew through injury. |
| Rugby Union: South Africa 58 - 10 England The Sprinboks ran in seven tries as England succumbed to their second biggest defeat. |
Rugby Union: Tours Too Far Are Sweet and Sour Despite Welsh heroics, the lunacy of Wales and England touring the southern hemisphere three months before the World Cup... |
| Rugby Union: He is Cruising for a Bruising But Can Wilkinson Survive? A nation holds its breath as Jonny Wilkinson prepares to face a stern fitness test in the form of a mighty South African... |
Rugby Union: Top Clubs Invited to Test Summit The International Rugby Board is calling a forum on the future of the international game in Paris at the end of the World... |
| Rugby Union: Yates Returns After 10 Years As Injuries Mount A stomach virus has heavily disrupted England's plans for the first Test as Kevin Yates returns after a ten-year absence. |
Rugby Union: I Could Have Been Facing England Had I Said Yes to South Africa Shaun Edwards writes that he could have been helping the Springboks to topple England this weekend |
| Rugby Union: Strettle Out, Farrell in Doubt As Bug Continues to Bite Rugby union: Brian Ashton has a selection headache as England's few remaining fit players prepare for the mighty Boks. |
Rugby Union: England Winger David Strettle Will Miss South Africa Test Through Illness Winger David Strettle will miss Saturday's Test against South Africa due to illness |
| Rugby Union: Thomas to Set Wales Caps Record Wales captain Gareth Thomas will win a record-breaking 93rd cap when he leads his country out against Australia. |
Rugby Union: Regan Throws Down the Gauntlet As Team-mates Just Throw Up Veteran Mark Regan has appealed to the illness hit England squad to put in a fighting performance against South Africa. |
| Rugby Union: Farrell Back As England Seek Edge Andy Farrell has been named at inside-center as an under-strength England look to prove a point against the Springboks. |
Rugby Union: England Coach Brian Ashton Has Included the Uncapped Mike Brown, Nick Wood and Dean Schofield for Saturday's First Test Against South Africa Brown only made his first-team bow for Quins last season, while Wood and Schofield are also rewarded for impressive... |
| Rugby Union: England Emerge From Mire Bright-eyed With Promise The titanic European final has reinvigorated the English game, and with so many youngsters performing the future is bright,... |
Rugby Union: Jones Quits Queensland for Uk Former Australia coach, Eddie Jones, has moved to England to become a coaching consultant for Saracens. |
| Rugby Union: Leicester 9 - 25 Wasps Heineken Cup final: A memorable match saw Lawrence Dallaglio lead his underdogs to victory and end the Tigers' treble hopes. |
Rugby Union: Dallaglio Delight Wasps the Toast of Europe Wasps' captain Lawrence Dellaglio described their surprise Heineken Cup win as one of the highlights of his career. |
| Rugby Union: Dispute is Resolved English and French clubs will compete in next season's Heineken Cup after the long-running dispute ended yesterday. |
Rugby Union: Waters Reduces Tigers' Wingers to a Rabble Without a Cause Wasps' center Fraser Waters played a crucial part in the victory by containing Tuilagi and Rabeni, writes Paul Rees. |
| Rugby Union: French Connection Makes Good Reading for Edwards Wasps' tactics and selection gave them the edge over Leicester up front, where the Heineken Cup was won. |
Rugby Union: Sackey Puts Passions Aside to Focus on Work Wasps' winger Paul Sackey is known for being laid back, but two cup finals are giving the Liverpool fan sleepless nights. |
| Rugby Union: Millar Optimistic As Premier Clubs and Rfu Close on £8m Elite Deal Talks between Twickenham and the Guinness Premiership clubs to guarantee the future of the Heineken Cup for the next five... |
Rugby Union: Sackey Intent on Having Wrong-shaped Ball Football-loving Wasps winger Paul Sackey tells Paul Rees how he's hoping his guile can overcome muscular Leicester at... |
| Rugby Union: Shaun Edwards on the Heineken Cup Final This year's Heineken Cup final might be club rugby's greatest ever game and, says Shaun Edwards, underdogs Wasps could win... |
Rugby Union: Howard Gets Tigers to Focus on Making Their Own History Leicester's head coach, Pat Howard, is not changing his laid-back style even with the treble in the offing. |
| Rugby Union: Vainikolo Adds Beef to Gloucester's Lean Back Line Gloucester will strengthen their backs with Bradford Bulls' prolific 17st wing Lesley Vainikolo. |
Rugby Union: Clubs and Rfu Edge Closer Over Top Players and Heineken Cup Friday's agreement deadline for the RFU and Premier Rugby will be postponed after significant progress has been made. |
| Rugby Union: Paul Hooked By Gloucester After World Cup Gloucester have signed Aussie star Jeremy Paul who will arrive at Kingsholm after the World Cup. |
Rugby Union: New-look England Ready to Shed Blood in Battles With Springboks England put on a brave face before they flew to South Africa with a new kit but without dozens of injured players. |
| Rugby Union: White Tips Scales in Tigers' Favour Leicester have turned to Craig White in their bid for an historic treble. |
Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership Final: Gloucester 16 - 44 Leicester After an emphatic victory over Gloucester, Leicester are marching towards an historic treble. |
| Rugby Union: Paul Ress on Alesana Tuilagi Leicester's roaming wing Alesana Tuilagi reveals the tough thinking behind the Guinness Premiership final's massive mismatch... |
Rugby Union: Imperious Tuilagi Puts Treble in Sight for Tigers Gloucester 16 - 44 Leicester. Tigers overcame the Cherry and Whites with ease, scoring seven tries to claim the title. |
| Rugby Union: Howard's Way a Triumph of Imagination Pat Howard is leaving Leicester a very different club to how he found it having transformed his charges, writes Eddie Butler |
Rugby Union: Shaun Edwards' Chalkboard Leicester's decision to pick two big wingers may give them the edge over a young Gloucester side, writes Shaun Edwards. |
| Rugby Union: Hazell Gunning for Glory Andy Hazell tells Robert Kitson he has a score to settle at Twickenham today. |
Rugby Union: Howard Up for Cup Pat Howard has set his sights on delivering Leicester their elusive treble. |
| Rugby Union: Blues Stay in the Hunt With Win Cardiff Blues secured a 27-11 win over Leinster to keep their title dreams alive. |
Rugby Union: Bath Lock Danny Grewcock Reviews the Guinness Premiership Season Bath lock Danny Grewcock looks back over eight months of mud, sweat and beers. |
| Rugby Union: Castaigne de Says Au Revoir to England Saracens back Thomas Castaigne de has retired from club rugby after a distinguished 14-year career, but still hopes to play... |
Rugby Union: Heineken Cup Deal Will Cost Extra £10m a Year A new agreement could be reached which would mean the RFU paying Premier Rugby an extra £10.6m a year in return for greater... |
| Rugby Union: Injured Castrogiovanni Tops Premiership Poll Leicester's Martin Castrogiovanni has become the first Italian to be voted Premiership player of the year. |
Rugby Union: Ellis Injury Rules Him Out of World Cup Harry Ellis will need surgery after seriously damaging his cruciate ligament against Bristol, almost certainly ruling him... |
| Rugby Union: French Heineken U-turn Rests on English Deal Serge Blanco says the French clubs will return to the Heineken Cup if the RFU and Premier Rugby can resolve their problems... |
Rugby Union: Iain Balshaw Called Up to Replace Cohen for England's Tour of South Africa Iain Balshaw has been added to the England squad for their forthcoming tour of South Africa. |
| Rugby Union: Blanco Keeps French Cards Close But Full Heineken Hand Expected French clubs are refusing to reveal whether they will compete in next season's Heineken Cup. |
Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership Play-off Semi-finals: Leicester 26 - 14 Bristol Leicester 26 - 14 Bristol: Coach Pat Howard conceded Leicester under performed as they booked their place in the... |
| Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership Play-off Semi-finals: Gloucester 50 - 9 Saracens Dean Ryan's young side ran in seven tries as they destroyed sarries at Kingsholm. |
Rugby Union: Lappaset and Blanco in Showdown Talks French rugby chief Bernard Lapasset will meet Serge Blanco today in a bid to return French clubs to the Heineken Cup. |
| Rugby Union: Hill's Bristol Revolution Has Leicester in Its Sights Attention to detail gives Richard Hill's Bristol hope of a play-off win at Leicester today, writes Robert Kitson. |
Rugby Union: Gaffney Hails Play-off Achievement Sarries coach Alan Gaffney has hailed his players as they prepare to face Gloucster in the play-offs. |
| Rugby Union: Ben Cohen Pulls Out of South Africa Tour and World Cup in Order to Spend Time With Family England winger puts international career on hold to spend time with pregnant wife. |
Rugby Union: Shaun Edwards: Play-off System is Only Way to Decide Premiership The Premiership can only be decided when all the best players are available. That's why we need a play-off system. By Shaun... |
| Rugby Union: Jones in the Frame After Saints Dump Grayson Relegated Saints have dismissed Paul Grayson as head coach and admitted his appointment came too soon. |
Rugby Union: Ashton Faces Mission Impossible England, deprived of so many forwards, will face a gargantuan task when they play South Africa. |
| Rugby Union: Jason Robinson Named England Captain for Tour of South Africa Brian Ashton names Jason Robinson as captain of inexperienced squad for tour of South Africa. |
Rugby Union: Ruddock's Arrival Raises Worcester Expectations Former Wales coach sets Warriors sights higher as he takes over as director of rugby at Sixways after the departure of John... |
| Rugby Union: Ruddock Lined Up for Worcester Worcester have lined up former Wales coach Mike Ruddock to replace the departed John Brain. |
Rugby Union: Catt Helps Ashton Paper Over the Cracks Mixed news for Brian Ashton as Mike Catt returns for the South Africa tour but Forrester and Cueto are forced to withdraw. |
| Rugby Union: Worcester 22 - 7 Saracens Guinness premiership: Skipper Pat Sanderson led Worcester's great escape from relegation as they swept aside Saracens. |
Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Northampton 27 - 22 London Irish Crisis talks will commence this week at relegated Northampton, while Steve Thompson blames the foreigners. |
| Rugby Union Round-up: Merhtens Gives Quins a Shot Relegation and promotion were not the only important matters, as several teams chased Heineken Cup places. |
Rugby Union: Northampton 27 - 22 London Irish Premiership: Saints win couldn't stop their relegation from the Premiership after 12 years in the top flight. |
| Rugby Union: Worcester 22 - 7 Saracens Premiership: Both teams went away happy with the home side avoiding relegation and Saracens gaining a play-off spot by... |
Rugby Union: Reihana Ready to Put His All Black Soul Into Saving Saints From Drop Northampton captain, Bruce Reihana, is relishing the relegation battle, and will remain at Saints regardless. |
| Rugby Union: Duckworth Insists Relegation Will Not End Worcester Revolution Worcester's owner, Cecil Duckworth, wants to continue building for the future, despite the fact his team could be relegated... |
Rugby Union: Rfu Insists on Elite Player Deal The RFU will not deal with Premiership clubs yet, but following the French sides' constructive talks, things look better... |
| Rugby Union: Wales Demand Toulouse Release Thomas The WRU face a fight with Toulouse after the French club refused to release Gareth Thomas for Wales' tour of Australia. |
Rugby Union: Euro Stars Should Have Made the Trip, Says Edwards England's decision not to take their European stars to South Africa has handed the Springboks the edge ahead of the World... |
| Rugby Union: Rfu Urged to Meet Clubs' Demands The RFU council has been urged to meet the demands of Premier Rugby and end the Heineken Cup deadlock. |
Rugby Union: Ashton Won't Consider European Challengers Brian Ashton has confirmed he won't consider players from any of the European finalists for England's tour of South Africa. |
| Rugby Union: Gloucester Stand By Kingsholm Gloucester aim to host play-off matches at Kingsholm, in spite of reduced capacity with the main stand demolished. |
Rugby Union: Hartley's Six-month Ban a Blow for Saints and England Dylan Hartley, the promising Northampton hooker, has been hit by a six-month ban for eye-gouging during the match with... |
| Rugby Union: Ashton Forced to Scrape Barrel for South African Tour Ahead of England's tour to South Africa, Brian Ashton has a dearth of forwards to select from thanks to fixture congestion. |
Rugby Union: Van Niekerk Keeps Saints Guessing for Another Week South African No8 Joe van Niekerk will only move to Northampton if they avoid relegation. |
| Rugby Union: English Clubs Break Barriers But Ashton Faces Fresh Hurdle Brian Ashton has a difficult job on his hands selecting his squad for South Africa, says Mike Averis. |
Rugby Union: Jack to Join Saracens Kiwi Chris Jack has signed for Saracens, increasing concerns about the effect of a European migration on New Zealand rugby. |
| Rugby Union: Sniper Reddan Takes Aim at Future in Europe and Beyond Wasps' Irish scrum-half Eoin Reddan tells Michael Aylwin that he is ready to take on the world. |
Rugby Union: Reddan Happy to Show Munster Just What They Are Missing Eoin Reddan is central to Wasps' hopes against Northampton, says Ian Malin. |
| Rugby Union: Scarlets Poised for Red-letter Day Llanelli have the sympathy vote ahead of today's semi-final against Leicester and will be hoping for a win to cheer the... |
Rugby Union: Dark Horses Saracens Secure Signing of All Black Jack Saracens have completed the signing of the All Black lock Chris Jack until 2010. |
| Rugby Union: King in Exile Trains Sights on Cup Glory With Scarlets In advance of tomorrow's semi-final, Kiwi centre Regan King says 'no regrets' after giving up All Black dreams to join the... |
Rugby Union: Wasps Accuse Northampton Hooker of Eye-gouging England-tipped Saints hooker Dylan Hartley has been charged with eye-gouging three Wasps players, and faces a lengthy ban. |
| Rugby Union: Saracens Head Big-money Europe Scrum to Hook Paul The Australian hooker Jeremy Paul is expected to be a target for Saracens after he announced that he will be moving to... |
Rugby Union: Rfu Warns Clubs of Five Year Ban The RFU has warned Premiership clubs they will miss out on the Heineken Cup for five years if they fail to strike a deal in... |
| Rugby Union: Steve Thompson's Retirement Steve Thompson's retirement proves that more needs to be done to help prolong the careers of front-row forwards, writes... |
Rugby Union: Keith Barwell Speaks to Donald Mcrae Northampton Keith Barwell talks to Donald McRae about the struggle to keep Saints in the Premiership and his battle with... |
| Rugby Union: Barwell Predicts Packer-style Rugby Breakaway Keith Barwell says rugby's power struggle could play into the hands of a billionaire entrepreneur. |
Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: London Irish 26 - 16 Worcester Worcester are just one point above Northampton after defeat against the Exiles. |
| Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Saracens 33 - 19 Harlequins Saracens stayed on course for a play-off place after Glen Jackson's late try earned them a bonus point. |
Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Wasps 35 - 29 Northampton Northampton gained a vital bonus point in their battle against relegation as they lost at Wasps. |
| Rugby Union: Edf Energy Cup Final: Ospreys 35 - 41 Leicester The Tigers secured their first piece of silverware in five years despite a late Ospreys comeback. |
Rugby Union: Thompson Forced to Quit Brian Ashton says he is sorry to lose Steve Thompson after the hooker was forced into early retirement. |
| Rugby Union: Marshall Out to Prove Point Justin Marshall says the Ospreys can upset Leicester at Twickenham and prove the strength of the Magners League. |
Rugby Union: Rfu to Hold Talks With Top Clubs The RFU will hold talks with Premier Rugby tomorrow aimed at keeping top clubs in the Heineken Cup. |
| Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Newcastle 19 - 12 Gloucester Jonny Wilkinson limped off at Kingston Park after helping Newcastle beat Gloucester. |
Rugby Union: Board's Tough Line Infuriates Boycott Clubs The Six Nations' firm statement about unions' commitments to Europe has caused Premier Rugby to seek legal advice. |
| Rugby Union: Premiership Proposes Expanded Heineken Cup to Help Celts The Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty, has denied challenging the IRB's right to rule the game, and claimed he... |
Rugby Union: Anglo-french Boycott 'disgraceful and Selfish' Says Millar The IRB's chairman Syd Millar has called the proposed boycott of next season's Heineken Cup "absolutely... |
| Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Bristol 22 - 17 Worcester David Lemi grabbed a brace of tries to reignite Bristol's play-off hopes. |
Rugby Union: Eddie Butler on England's Boycott The future of the Heineken Cup is in the hands of Belgian lawyers, writes Eddie Butler. |
| Rugby Union: Catt Looking to Secure World Cup Place After resurrecting his international career, Mike Catt has set his sights on securing a place in England's World Cup squad. |
Rugby Union: English and French Clubs Frozen Out Over Cup Boycott English and French clubs who voted to boycott the Heineken Cup are facing action against them from an angry International... |
| Rugby Union: Sos to First Division After Premiership clubs confirmed their boycott of the Heineken Cup, the RFU were considering asking First Division clubs. |
Rugby Union: Home is Where the Points Are in Premiership's Nervy Shake-up Let's forget about the Heineken Cup for a minute, as there is still a dog-fight in store for us all in the Premiership,... |
| Rugby Union: A Jewel of the Game Has Been Destroyed By Vanity Thanks to the advent of professionalism, rugby is fast-becoming a game which will be ruined by stubborn self-interest,... |
Rugby Union: Court Battle Crucial to Heineken Cup Scrum The clubs' boycott is part of a larger game-plan aimed at wresting control from the unions, writes Paul Rees. |
| Rugby Union: English Clubs Confirm Euro Boycott England's top teams have joined French sides in withdrawing from next season's Heineken Cup. |
Rugby Union: Heineken Cup in Doubt After French Confirm Withdrawal English sides set to go ahead with boycott from next year's tournament. |
| Rugby Union: Lapasset Warns French Clubs Over Rebellion French rugby boss Bernard Lapasset will tell clubs they'll lose out on £1.2m if they boycott the Heineken and Challenge Cups. |
Rugby Union: Sale Delay Made Me Call It a Day, Says Robinson Jason Robinson - who will still feature in the World Cup - wanted to play on for Sale, but while contract talks were... |
| Rugby Union: Twickenham Calls Clubs' Bluff By Refusing to Go to Law The RFU will not take English clubs to court should they boycott the Heineken Cup, but will enforce financial penalties... |
Rugby Union: We'll Sue Clubs Over Heineken Cup Boycott, Insists Rfu RFU delivers warning after English clubs threat to follow French counterparts. |
| Rugby Union: English Clubs Set to Follow French in Heineken Boycott Unless the RFU agrees to change the way the Heineken Cup is run, English clubs will join the French in pulling out next... |
Rugby Union: Henson Injury Setback Wales and Ospreys centre Gavin Henson's recurring knee injury means he misses the rest of the season, and possibly the... |
| Rugby Union: Frank Keating Interviews Gareth Edwards Frank Keating remembers the international debut of Gareth Thomas, rubgy union's most complete player. |
Rugby Union: Jason Robinson Announces That He Will Retire From Club Rugby at the End of the Season But England winner will be available for World Cup. |
| Rugby Union: Shock Away Wins The semi-final in Bordeaux will forever stick in the memory of those present. It was the first real glimpse of Munster's... |
Rugby Union: English Clubs Ready to Pull Out of Heineken Cup English clubs are set to risk legal action from the RFU as they plan, along with the French, to boycott next season's... |
| Rugby Union: European Challenge Cup: Clermont Auvergne 24 - 19 Newcastle Newcastle made their exit from the European Challenge Cup last night, going down 24-19 to Clermont Auvergne at Parc des... |
Rugby Union: Borders React Angrily to Sru The Borders squad have accused the SRU of setting the team up to fail after they took the dicision to disband the team. |
| Rugby Union: Cheika Eyes Up Wasps A man of many trades, Leinster coach Michael Cheika tells Mike Averis of his plans to upset Wasps. |
Rugby Union: Hipkiss Knocking on England Door Austin Healey has backed Dan Hipkiss to win an England call-up as the Leicester centre prepares to face Stade Français. |
| Rugby Union: Heineken Cup: Llanelli Scarlets 24 - 15 Munster Regan King inspired the Scarlets to a memorable win over Munster. |
Rugby Union: Jones Emerges From Critical Battering Stronger and Keener After a torrid Six Nations Wales' captain, Stephen Jones, will relish his Heineken Cup challenge against Muster and beyond. |
| Rugby Union: Dallaglio Heads Off Rivals and Leads Wasps in Cup-tie For Wasps' Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster Lawrence Dallaglio will captain the side, supplanting England's... |
Rugby Union: Rfu Will Go to Court If Clubs Wreck Heineken Cup The RFU has threatened legal action if Guinness Premiership clubs vote to boycott next season's Heineken Cup. |
| Rugby Union: Payne Keen to Fill the Breach As Ashton's Top Prop Breaks Down Wasps prop Tim Payne says the Heineken Cup game against Leinster is the ideal chance to prove he's the man for England. |
Rugby Union: Struggling Northampton Leave Van Niekerk Cold South Africa flanker Joe van Niekerk is set to turn down a move to relegation-threatened Northampton. |
| Rugby Union: English Clubs Meet As New Shadow Falls Over Heineken Cup Guinness Premiership clubs will get together next week to decide whether to take part in next season's competition. |
Rugby Union: Edf Energy Cup: Cardiff 10 - 27 Ospreys Justin Marshall came out on top in the battle of the scrum-halfs as the Ospreys overpowered Cardiff. |
| Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Gloucester 24 - 18 Newcastle Ryan Lamb was instrumental as Gloucester signed off at Kingsholm with a win. |
Rugby Union: Edf Energy Cup: Leicester 29 - 19 Sale Sale must concentrate on Premiership survival after Leicester beat them in Cardiff. |
| Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Bristol 31 - 19 Northampton Saints stay rooted to the foot of the Premiership after defeat at Bristol. |
Rugby Union: Sale 19-29 Leicester Cross-border competition, however threatened by blueprints for the future of the game, always comes as a bit of a relief... |
| Rugby Union: Grayson Suffers the Nightmare of Sinking Saints Defeat against Bristol will leave Northampton staring down the barrel at relegation, and Paul Grayson is under no illusion... |
Rugby Union: Rfu Calls French Clubs' Bluff Over Threatened European Boycott Twickenham have called the bluff of the top French clubs following their threats to boycott next season's Heineken Cup. |
| Rugby Union: Gregan Off to France George Gregan, the Australian captain, has signed a six-month contract to play for the French second division club Toulouse... |
Rugby Union: Dwindling Prizes and a Rule That Punishes Winners There has been little domestic help for the clubs who provided England's Six Nations backbone from those who had less to... |
| Rugby Union: Millward Backs Young Convert The coach who gave Chris Ashton his Wigan debut has said he expects him to be a big success in Rugby Union. |
Rugby Union: England Clubs Want More Teams in the Heineken Cup England's leading clubs will call for an increase in the number of Premiership sides participating in next season's... |
| Rugby Union: Scarlets Not Taking Chances on Jones the Welsh Crown Jewel Stephen Jones has until next Wednesday to prove his fitness for Llanelli Scarlets' Heineken Cup clash against Munster. |
Rugby Union: Rotherham Line Up Don Valley Rotherham are set to play at Sheffield's Don Valley stadium if they gain promotion to the Guinness Premiership. |
| Rugby Union: Quins Weigh Up Options Over Injury-hit Mehrtens Andrew Mehrtens will find out within the next month whether Harlequins will offer him a new contract. |
Rugby Union: Richards Back at Exiles Gloucester scrum-half Peter Richards has agreed a move back to London Irish with Gareth Cooper moving to Kingsholm. |
| Rugby Union: Ashton Has No Time to Lose Brian Ashton has just five months and a few warm up games to find the winning formula for the World Cup. |
Rugby Union: Wembley Offered Double-header London clubs have risked further tension with the RFU by touting their double-header showpiece to the new Wembley. |
| Rugby Union: Leicester Docked Point for Fielding Ineligible Player Leicester have been docked a point for fielding Ian Humphreys while the fly-half was registered with Leeds. |
Rugby Union: Gloucester Move for Delve As Bath Sign Purdy Gareth Delve will end his injury-dogged spell at Bath by joining Gloucester at the end of the season. |
| Rugby Union: Brennan Retires Ahead of Hearing Trevor Brennan has announced his retirement, three days before he was due to face a disciplinary committee for allegedly... |
Rugby Union: Rfu Draw Up Radical Changes The RFU have drawn up a list of eight options for the future running of professional rugby. |
| Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Gloucester 28 - 24 Leicester Peter Richards showed his class as he helped Gloucester beat Leicester. |
Rugby Union: Rfu to Discuss Changes The RFU and Premiership clubs have failed to agree a deal over the management of elite players prompting changes to the way... |
| Rugby Union: Guiness Premiership: Sale 12 - 18 Worcester Sale slipped dangerously close to the relegation zone after losing to the Premiership's basement boys. |
Rugby Union: Catt Will Not Be Caught Napping Mike Catt is determined to prove the doubter's wrong and produce a captain's performance against France on Sunday. |
| Rugby Union: Rfu and Clubs Move Closer to Peace Deal The RFU and clubs are close to a compromise that could see an end to the fixture chaos that has caused problems for... |
Rugby Union: World Cup May Be Cut to 16 Teams to Avoid Mismatches The IRB is to examine the possibility of reducing the number of sides at the 2011 World Cup from 20 to 16 in a bid to stop... |
| Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Worcester 21 - 15 Bath Worcester had not won at home and Bath had not won away, so something had to give. In the end it was Bath who succumbed. |
Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Northampton 5 - 7 Gloucester Gloucester snatched the win after Willie Walker coverted James Simpson-Daniel's second-half try. |
| Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: London Irish 38 - 12 Newcastle Jonny Wilkinson limped off late on as Shane Geraghty inspired Irish to a resounding victory. |
Rugby Union: Richards a Talisman Recast As Quins Take Gritty Image and Hot Streak to Leicester Dean Richards' return to Welford Road is not all Leicester should worry about. Harlequins' Andy Gomarsall, Paul Volley and... |
| Rugby Union: Henson Faces Race for World Cup Father-to-be Gavin Henson will have just six weeks to impress Gareth Jenkins before Wales' World Cup squad is announced. |
Rugby Union: Saints to Sign Euan Murray in Latest Raid on Scot Stocks Northampton plan to sign Glasgow tight-head prop Euan Murray as a long-term replacement for former Scotland international... |
| Rugby Union: Leicester to Name Loffreda As Coach Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has held talks with Leicester over replacing Pat Howard as coach. |
Rugby Union Round-up: Gaffney Says Hill is Ready for a Test Return Round-up: Saracens' director of rugby, Alan Gaffney, thinks Richard Hill, 33, should be recalled for England. |
| Rugby Union: France Veteran Labit Joins Saints to Help Out in Relegation Battle Northampton have signed former France international flanker Christian Labit to help them in their relegation scrap. |
Rugby Union: Pumas' Coach Loffreda May Be Next to Run With the Tigers Argentina head coach Marcelo Loffreda is considering an approach from Leicester to become their director of rugby. |
| Rugby Union: Thompson Ruled Out of World Cup England hooker decides to go ahead with surgery to fix ongoing neck injury. |
Rugby Union Premiership: Northampton 15 - 28 Harlequins A chilly day in the East Midlands it may have been but this was one of the most over-heated matches in the history of the... |
| Rugby Union Premiership: Worcester 6 - 13 Leicester 13 Unless Twickenham pulls off one of its niftier bits of footwork, the Guinness Premiership stands a fair chance of losing... |
Rugby Union Premiership: Saracens 24 - 22 Gloucester After watching Gloucester lose in the final seconds to Kris Chesney's try and Glen Jackson's conversion Dean Ryan, their... |
| Rugby Union Premiership: London Irish 15 - 7 Bath So often does the 35-year-old Mike Catt provide evidence these days that it has almost become a cliché to announce that,... |
Rugby Union: Newcastle Deny Resting Wilkinson Falcons director of rugby John Fletcher has insisted Jonny Wilkinson is injured, and would have played this weekend if he... |
| Rugby Union: Chaos Reigns As Premiership Clubs Resist England Call to Rest Players The club v country issue has threatened to boil over as Premiership clubs demand players return from international duty. |
Rugby Union: Rfu and Clubs Move Fast Toward Peace Deal The RFU is moving towards agreeing a deal with Premiership clubs over the release of elite players for international duty. |
| Rugby Union: Brian O'driscoll Ruled of Ireland's Match Against France Ireland skipper and Peter Stringer miss Sunday's Six Nations match with France. |
Rugby Union: Cup Reform is Key to Row The findings of the RFU's seven-month investigation into the state of the professional game will be revealed today. |
| Rugby Union: England Call Up Uncapped Harlequins Flanker Nick Easter for Their Six Nations Clash With Italy Six Nations: The uncapped Harlequins flanker Nick Easter is one of two new faces for England's match against Italy on... |
Rugby Union: Scotland Warned Off Targeting Farrell Mike Ford and Daryl Powell have warned Scotland they will be wasting their time if they target Andy Farrell at Twickenham... |