Six Nations

England endured heartbreak in their RBS 6 Nations opener as France substitute Gael Fickou struck with a late try that Maxime Machenaud converted to snatch a 26-24 victory.

Wales launched their bid for an historic RBS 6 Nations title hat-trick in unconvincing fashion as underdogs Italy made them scrap every inch of the way to a 23-15 victory at the Millennium Stadium.

England Women had to settle for second best in the opening weekend of Six Nations action with France taking a two-try, 18-6 victory at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble on Saturday.

England number eight Sarah Hunter insists a steely determination will fuel the quest to regain the Six Nations crown surrendered to Ireland last year.

With less than a week to go before the 2014 Six Nations commence on the 1st of February Talking Rugby Union caught up with Leicester Tigers, England and British Lions scrum-half Ben Youngs to see how he was preparing for the tournament and for his thoughts on how both England and Leicester would fair in the Six Nations and Aviva Premiership, respectively.

England centre Luther Burrell has revealed the intervention of his mother Joyce and mentoring offered by Stuart Lancaster prevented him from following a troubled path.

Reading down the England Saxons team sheet before Saturday’s fixture against the Ireland Wolfhounds, it was difficult not to get excited about what could happen out there on the pitch.

England will give debuts to outside centre Luther Burrell and wing Jack Nowell in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations opener against France.

With injuries littering England back three, debutantes move in to breathe a new lease of life into those vacant positions.

Stade Francais fly-half Jules Plisson will make his France debut in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash against England.

Scotland head coach Scott Johnson has made four changes to his side for Sunday's opening RBS 6 Nations match with Ireland.

Jamie Roberts wants Wales to "walk the walk" in this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship when they will bid for an historic title hat-trick.

Listen to interviews with England head Coach Start Lancaster and Captain Chris Robshaw as they prepare for and preview the Six Nations, just over a week away.

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

Jack Nowell is ready to solve England's wing crisis for the RBS 6 Nations after declaring a run-out at the Stade de France will prove if he has a Test future.

Stuart Lancaster has today revealed that England and Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care will return to training on Thursday following ankle trouble.

Wales captain Sam Warburton expects to be available for the RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy at the Millennium Stadium on February 1.

France look set to be without their inspirational captain, and former World Player of the Year, Thierry Dusautoir, for the entire Six Nations because of injury.

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.

For the first time Toby Flood has spoken-out about his decision to move from Leicester at the end of the season to France.