Pro 12

Munster beat Benetton Treviso 14-3 to maintain their 100% home record in this season's RaboDirect PRO12 and climb back into second place in the standings.

Fijian wing Aisea Natoga crossed for a hat-trick of tries as the Ospreys claimed a crucial bonus-point victory over Cardiff Blues in their quest for a RaboDirect Pro12 play-off spot.

Edinburgh have received a major boost ahead of Friday's clash with Ulster after persuading Scotland hooker Ross Ford to pen a new two-year deal.

Edinburgh broke their three-game losing streak with a gutsy 31-25 RaboDirect PRO12 win over Ospreys at Meggetland.

Glasgow have signed former sprinter and United States sevens player Carlin Isles.

Munster returned to the top of the RaboDirect PRO12 table after seeing off the Ospreys 25-11 with a clinical display at Swansea's Liberty Stadium.

Sale Sharks are the latest team to become active in the new transfer window, with the announcement of signing Scotland international scrum-half Chris Cusiter.

Glasgow flanker Chris Fusaro has signed a new two-year-contract with the club

Wales captain Sam Warburton and prop Gethin Jenkins are among 10 players who will be released to their regional teams for RaboDirect PRO12 action later this week.

Glasgow Warriors have signed United States centre Folau Niua until the end of the season.

Wales and British Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny as of today looks set to sign for Toulon in the French Top 14.

Newport Gwent Dragons Chief executive Gareth Davies has admitted that should the Welsh regions fail to reach an agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union about next year, the four sides could join the Aviva Premiership.

Ireland and Lions second-row Paul O’Connell has signed a new two-year deal with the IRFU to stay in Munster until at least June 2016; rejecting the lure of a move to France.

After much contention, Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien has agreed to stay on with three-times Heineken Cup winners Leinster.

Wales and Cardiff Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell will miss the coming 2014 Six Nations after knee surgery will rule him out for several months.

Former Cardiff Coach Dai Young believes that the Welsh Rugby Chiefs and the four regional teams will put politics aside and broker a resolution to their bitter feud.

Ospreys completed a RaboDirect Pro12 double over rivals Scarlets at the Liberty Stadium to move up a place to second in the table

Ulster avoided two successive defeats to Irish rivals by becoming only the third side to get the better of RaboDirect PRO12 leaders Munster this season as they bagged a vital victory to move back into the top four

Wales lock Ian Evans scored the only try of an intriguing west Wales derby at Par y Scarlets as the Ospreys rose to second in the RaboDirect PRO12 table.

Alex Dunbar has handed Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend a timely Christmas gift after committing himself to the Warriors for the next three-years