Wales

Battle lines have been drawn in Welsh rugby's civil war after the Welsh Rugby Union suggested it is prepared to form new professional sides in the wake of the regions refusing to commit to extending the Participation Agreement between the two parties.

Leicester Tigers have joined the fight to lure Rhys Priestland away from the Scarlets, boss Richard Cockerill has confirmed.

Welsh club rugby is "failing" because supporters have "never truly warmed to the regional concept", according to shadow secretary of state for Wales Owen Smith.

It was agreed yesterday evening (Wednesday) that Northampton are to be fined £60,000 after releasing George North for Wales duty outside of the International Rugby Board’s designated Test window, Premiership Rugby has confirmed.

Welsh Regional side Ospreys have been hit with a huge blow this week, with injuries to hooker Richard Hibbard and centre Andrew Bishop.

Northampton face a Premiership Rugby disciplinary panel in London today (Wednesday) for allowing wing George North to play for Wales against Australia outside the International Rugby Board’s autumn window.

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland has signed a new long-term contract to remain coach of the nation until after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

The British and Irish Lions were named the team of the year and Warren Gatland won the coach of the year award at the 2013 BBC Sports Personality awards held in Leeds last night.

With the calendar year drawing to a close we at Talking Rugby Union wanted to know who ‘your’ World XV of 2013 is.

Welsh and British Lions star centre Jamie Roberts, who is currently applying his trade in France, looks set to make his first appearance in over three months when Racing Metro play Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Sunday afternoon.

Wales, Cardiff Blues and Lions Captain Sam Warburton says that he wants a deal to stay in his country of birth sorted by tomorrow (Wednesday), or else he will be forced to join the majority of the current Welsh national side on mass exodus from the country.

The autumn internationals came to a fittingly suspense filled finale. Wales vs Australia was a game with many scores to settle. The Australians were looking to get their own back on 10 Welshmen who beat them so convincingly in the final test for the British and Irish Lions only 5 months ago. Wales on the other hand were looking to avenge 8 closely fought defeats against their southern enemies.

Wales and British Lions head coach Warren Gatland has been named the UK coach of the year at the 2013 UK Coaching Awards.

With the calendar year drawing to a close we at Talking Rugby Union wanted to know who ‘your’ World XV of 2013 is.

In the final International fixture of the autumn the Green and Gold of Australia travelled to Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium to take on the Six Nations Champions Wales in an old-fashioned North vs. South clash.

There are only two games in the November Internationals Round 5 with the Barbarians playing Fiji, while Wales host the Wallabies. This is a weekend for rugby purists, the ball should do the talking.

The All Blacks have won every test match in 2013 and are named The Unbeatables, but could you pick a World XV the beat The All Blacks?

The November Autumn Rugby Internationals Round 4 features ten mouth-watering matches including the All Blacks vs Ireland match which is sure to see history made

After another enthralling weekend of international rugby, with all of the world’s best teams in action, Talking Rugby Union wanted to bring you all of the scores, analysis and reaction.

With only one day to go until the second round of the 2013 QBE Autumn Internationals, there is something for everyone this weekend, with ten matches in the northern hemisphere.