Aviva Premiership

London Welsh number eight Chris Hala'ufia has been suspended for five weeks after pleading guilty to striking an opponent.

With just two rounds of the Aviva Premiership to go, time is running out for players to throw their hats into the mix for Rugby World Cup selection.

England lock Joe Launchbury has been backed to get into World Cup contention as he prepares to end his six-month absence from the Wasps bench this weekend.

Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw admits it will feel "a little bit strange" when he goes into European Challenge Cup final battle against his former team.

Breaking the Premiership salary cap is on a par with performance-enhancing drug use, according to t he Rugby Players' Association.

Saracens have announced "multi-year" contract extensions for England international brothers Billy and Mako Vunipola

Premiership Rugby say there is "no amnesty" in place regarding its £5million salary cap.

England international Ben Morgan has delivered an encouraging fitness bulletin as he continues to recover from a season-ending injury and retain the hope of keeping alive his World Cup dream.

When RC Toulon and Clermont Auvergne meet at Twickenham this weekend, it will mark the second time in three years that Europe’s premiere rugby tournament has been contested by two French sides, as well as the third year running that Europe’s flagship side will hail from the Top 14.

Wasps "are not the kind of club" to challenge the Aviva Premiership salary cap or "spend huge money" on new recruits despite joining Europe's money elite, according to their chief executive.

Gloucester have been fined £5,000 and handed a suspended two-point deduction for fielding an incorrectly registered player in Mariano Galarza.

Wasps took a giant stride towards qualification for next season's European Champions Cup with a deserved 36-29 win over Exeter at the Ricoh Arena.

Last week we brought you our own awards for the 2014/15 Aviva Premiership season and following hot on its heels, we bring you the TRU Aviva Premiership XV of the season.

Harlequins' director of rugby Conor O'Shea announced Joe Marler has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a shoulder injury but his World Cup aspirations are not in doubt.

England will "keep an open mind" on potential World Cup bolters such as Saracens lock Maro Itoje, according to backs coach Andy Farrell.

Sam Burgess will continue his back-row education when Bath renew their push for home advantage in the Aviva Premiership play-offs by toppling London Irish at the Recreation Ground.

Saracens have announced that their England centre Brad Barritt has signed a long-term deal with the Aviva Premiership club.

England and Harlequins full back Mike Brown may not play again this season due to ongoing concussion issues, according to reports.

Saracens pulled off one of the signings of the season last week, when they got superstar-in-the-making Maro Itoje to commit to a new long-term deal with the club.

England lock Joe Launchbury is hopeful of making his comeback in Wasps' Aviva Premiership clash with Leicester on May 9 as the final stage of his rehabilitation enters "crunch time".