Rugby Union News

England make just two changes to the starting XV for Saturday's Calcutta Cup match against Scotland at Murrayfield, with Joe Worsley and Louis Deacon coming into the side.

Martyn Williams is to be honoured with the Wales captaincy when he breaks Colin Charvis' Welsh Test forward cap record in Ireland.

Scotland make one change for the Six Nations visit of England, with Nick De Luca coming in for Simon Danielli.

Geordan Murphy retains his place in the Ireland team for Saturday's clash against Wales as Declan Kidney announces an unchanged starting side.

South Africa will field a team minus a host of home-based players when they face Wales in Cardiff in June.

Newcastle Falcons hand new deals to Rob Vickers, Alex Tait, Micky Ward and Chris Pilgrim.

Flanker James Haskell comes down on the side of England in the club-versus-country row that has broken out between England and his team Stade Francais.

The Magners League is to be expanded to a 12-team competition from the start of next season as two Italian clubs will join.

France 's Frederic Michalak will have surgery on Wednesday after suffering a knee injury which will keep him out for a year.

Wales and Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips signs a new four-year deal with the Ospreys.