Top 14

“What rugby clubs are looking for these days, is a team full of Gavin Hastings clones. It’s not the game I played.”

England bosses are "all in agreement" on refusing to select overseas-based stars despite Toulouse trying to prise Manu Tuilagi away from Leicester, according to RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie.

Euan Murray has left Glasgow Warriors and will join newly-promoted French Top 14 side Pau next season on a two-year deal.

Gloucester saw their hopes of European Champions Cup qualification ended in dramatic fashion at Sixways as they suffered a crushing last-gasp defeat.

Saracens have confirmed that David Strettle will join Clermont next season after the England wing agreed a three-year contract with the Top 14 club.

Wales have suffered a major injury blow with the loss of centre Jonathan Davies from their 2015 World Cup campaign.

Steffon Armitage and Nick Abendanon will miss out on England's World Cup training squad as Stuart Lancaster holds firm on his overseas-player selection policy.

France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre has omitted Clermont Auvergne fly-half Camille Lopez and Racing Metro wing Teddy Thomas from a 36-man World Cup training squad announced on Tuesday.

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.

Toulon made rugby union history at Twickenham as they clinched a hat-trick of European titles by defeating fellow French heavyweights Clermont Auvergne 24-18 in the Champions Cup final.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell would be "an invaluable addition" to Toulon, according to Australia wing Drew Mitchell.

When RC Toulon and Clermont Auvergne meet at Twickenham this weekend, it will mark the second time in three years that Europe’s premiere rugby tournament has been contested by two French sides, as well as the third year running that Europe’s flagship side will hail from the Top 14.

Lawrence Dallaglio views the poor performance of English clubs in Europe as a "crisis" for French rugby rather than evidence of a gulf in class between the Aviva Premiership and Top 14.

French club Bayonne have announced the signings of England-capped back Mathew Tait on a two-year contract and All Black Tom Taylor, who has agreed a three-year deal.

Steffon Armitage is being held in custody at a French police station, his club Toulon have confirmed.

Uncapped Clermont Auvergne winger Noa Nakaitaci has been included by France coach Philippe Saint-Andre in a preliminary 31-man RBS 6 Nations squad.

Toulon full-back Delon Armitage must wait until Friday to discover the outcome of his appeal against the 12-week ban issued for using abusive language after his hearing was adjourned.

With 2015 now well under the way, transfers across the rugby world will start being announced thick and fast, as players plan their post-Rugby World Cup futures.

French club Bordeaux-Begles have announced the signing of Australia star Adam Ashley-Cooper.

There is no excuse for missing any of the best rugby on TV this weekend or letting anything get in the way of your rugby viewing thanks to our handy guide to the best of what's on the box...