Aviva Premiership

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder is confident Saints are well equipped for their Aviva Premiership title defence despite their lack of new signings over the summer.

The inception of Danny Cipriani back to Premiership rugby with Sale Sharks has been a revelation for the enigmatic playmaker, as he guided the Manchester-based side to a sixth place finish in the league and rekindled his own international career.

Saracens prop, Matt Stevens has been a regular face in an England shirt and the Aviva Premiership over a number of seasons, with tenures at both Bath and Sarries before, this season, making the decision to return to his country of birth – South Africa.

For Oliver Evans a career in tennis was always the aim, although, after attaining a world ranking, it was a wrist injury that kept the British hopeful from continuing his journey; however, since then Oliver has traded in the yellow ball for an egg-shaped one and embarked on a career in rugby.

Over the past two weeks the 2014 Premiership Rugby 7s Series has swept across the country showcasing a wealth of talent.

Mike Tindall spurred England's class of 2003 to prolong their World Cup-winning generation beyond expectation, according to Phil Vickery.

Matt Corker and Tom May will continue their dual captaincy at London Welsh for the forthcoming season.

Gloucester’s Mike Tindall has hung up his boots and announced his retirement from professional rugby.

Exeter Chiefs captain Dean Mumm has undergone shoulder surgery and is set to miss the start of the Aviva Premiership season in September.

For former Bath University student Tom Dunn the last two years within the Bath Rugby Club ranks have been a real whirlwind, as not only has the young forward made the transition from university to professional rugby in record time, he has also changed his position.

Aviva Premiership new-boys London Welsh have landed the highest profile signing of the off-season so far with the signature of former All Black and World Cup winner Piri Weepu.

London Welsh have secured the impressive signing of Australian back-row forward Lachlan McCaffrey from Super 15 side Brumbies.

London Welsh have added Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Darren Waters to their squad for the 2014/15 Aviva Premiership season.

British and Irish Lion Alex Corbisiero believes that resting his troublesome knee this summer will pay dividends for both Northampton and England in the new season.

Northampton will begin the defence of their first ever Aviva Premiership crown at home to Gloucester on Friday, September 5.

Saracens have announced the signing of Western Force prop Kieran Longbottom.

Newcastle have announced the reappointment of back-row forward Will Welch as club captain.

Bath have announced contract extensions for their coaching team of Mike Ford, Toby Booth and Neal Hatley.

London Welsh can today confirm the signing of former England U20 hooker Koree Britton.

Fresh from the club's Greene King IPA Championship success, London Welsh will be targeting more silverware at the inaugural Rugby World Club 10s in Singapore on June 21-22.