England

Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson will be out for up to two months with the knee problem he sustained in Saturday's Aviva Premiership defeat by Leicester.

World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson thinks if Steffon Armitage or Nick Abendanon wanted to play for England in the 2015 tournament they should be playing club rugby in the Aviva Premiership.

Sam Burgess's versatility to cover centre and back-row is the "added string to his bow" that can secure Rugby World Cup selection, according to Mike Ford.

Former England star Jason Robinson believes that Stuart Lancaster should adhere to current selection policy for next week's World Cup training squad announcement.

Steffon Armitage and Nick Abendanon will soon discover if they have a potential role to play at the World Cup after England confirmed they will announce their initial training squad on May 20.

England Students faced their Welsh counterparts on Wednesday evening at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence.

The NFL Draft took place in Chicago last week, as franchises infused their rosters with fresh talent ahead of 2015 NFL season.

Bath pair George Ford and Jonathan Joseph, Harlequins skipper Joe Marler and Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola have been shortlisted for the England player of the year award, voted for by the Rugby Players' Association.

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.

Henry Slade believes helping Exeter Chiefs to a top-four Aviva Premiership finish is his best route to a World Cup training squad call.

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.

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

The New Zealand Rugby Union have been extremely active in their attempts to bolster their already formidable sevens team with some extra firepower ahead of the sport’s debut at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

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

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".

On Sunday 12 April Sale Sharks travelled to the Madejski Stadium in their pursuit of a top six, or even top four, finish in the Aviva Premiership and a Champions Cup spot.

Bath have announced the signing of England Sevens international Jeff Williams.