Aviva Premiership

Centre Dan Bowden has played his last game for Leicester after signing with New Zealand Rugby and the Blues for the 2015 and 2016 Super Rugby seasons.

Bath and England playmaker George Ford has been voted the Young Player of the Year at the annual Rugby Players Association Awards, to cap-off an incredible breakthrough year.

Leicester winger Vereniki Goneva was crowned 2014 players' player of the year at Wednesday night's Rugby Players Association awards dinner in Battersea.

Leicester have signed five new players including one of the country's brightest young talents in Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns, according to Tigers boss Richard Cockerill.

Gloucester have announced the signing of Leeds Carnegie back-row forward Jacob Rowan.

Pace, power and a path of destruction around the field are just a few of the distinct qualities about Billy Vunipola’s game, and all on the shoulders of a young 21-year-old.

Steve Borthwick's 'significant pectoral injury' could deny the Saracens captain the chance to close a decorated career with back-to-back Heineken Cup and Aviva Premiership finals.

Rotherham Titans are delighted to announce a link-up with Premiership side Newcastle Falcons, which will see four Falcons Academy players arrive at Clifton Lane for the full 2014/15 Championship campaign.

Northampton versus Leicester and Saracens versus Harlequins – on paper they are two feisty matches in practice they were even better as over the course of 48 hours we witnessed the type of rugby that makes you proud to be a supporter.

Two weeks ago, in the penultimate game of the 2013/14 Aviva Premiership season, the news everyone in Worcester didn’t want to believe, was finally confirmed, as the Warriors were relegated from the top-flight of English rugby to the Championship.

Saracens powered on in relentless pursuit of a domestic and European double as they booked an Aviva Premiership final appointment with Northampton in two weeks' time.

Northampton defied Salesi Ma'afu's red card and the weight of history to bludgeon into the Aviva Premiership final with a 21-20 victory over Leicester in a bad-tempered battle at Franklin's Gardens.

England full-back Mike Brown has won the Aviva Premiership player of the season award, while Saracens boss Mark McCall won the director of rugby prize.

After 22 rounds of electric action it is time for the semi-final knockouts... these two fixtures do not need a lengthy introduction as the word knockout says it all. It is sink or swim time for four giants of the Aviva Premiership and as spectators we are in for an almighty treat…

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland has said that he may consider not selecting players based in England in the future.

Newcastle have announced the signing of Italy international lock Josh Furno from Biarritz.

Hooker Ed Shervington has signed for Wasps from relegated Worcester Warriors.

Further to this week’s departure of Director of Rugby Nigel Davies, it has now been revealed that Gloucester’s Defence Coach Paul Moriarty is also set to leave the club in a complete staff re-shuffle.

On Saturday afternoon The Stoop braced itself for the most emotional game of the season, as Bath Rugby arrived in town for their head-to-head, winner-takes-all shoot-out.

Leicester Tigers will play great rivals Northampton Saints away in the Aviva Premiership semi-finals next weekend after clinching third place with a bonus point victory over leaders Saracens at Welford Road.