What’s motivating Eddie Jones?

Simon Lewis previews the 20 teams aiming for glory as the Champions Cup kicks off this weekend.

It’s almost four years to the day since Connacht last lost a European pool game at home, and they need to maintain that impressive record against Sale Sharks this afternoon to claim top spot in Pool Three.

Haley is Irish-qualified through his maternal grandmother, who hails from Tralee, Co Kerry.

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of Connacht fly-half AJ MacGinty.

Munster coach Anthony Foley believes Peter Stringer will make another big impact with a new English club after it was confirmed that the durable 37-year-old scrum-half has been signed by Sale Sharks on a one-year contract from Bath.

European Champions Cup Pool 1

Munster coach Anthony Foley paid tribute to the cool head of Ian Keatley after he kicked his side to a last-gasp win over Sale in the opening match of pool A in the European Champions Cup.

Few men epitomise their club as Steve Diamond does Sale Sharks.

The Anthony Foley era at Munster may have got off to a shaky start, but, as Dave Kilcoyne was reminded, the same thing has happened to the very best of them.

Richard Cockerill will not face disciplinary action over his post-match comments made following last Saturday’s Aviva Premiership game between Leicester and Sale Sharks.

Sale Sharks today confirmed their Scotland international lock Richie Gray is to join French club Castres.

It looks like Wales rugby union international Andy Powell is to switch codes to join rugby league giants Wigan.

Sale Sharks have been lurching from one crisis to another this season and the festive season saw no let-up as the Aviva Premiership club fired a social media executive.

England exile Danny Cipriani is to return to his home country after signing a three-year deal with Sale.

England exile Danny Cipriani is to return to his home country after signing a three-year deal with Sale.

England and Sale prop Andrew Sheridan will join Toulon this summer.

Wales international Andy Powell has signed a two-year deal with Sale Sharks.

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of highly-rated Edinburgh lock Fraser McKenzie.

Mark Cueto will be available for England’s Rugby World Cup campaign – and the summer warm-up internationals – after he received a nine-week ban for gouging.

Sale Sharks have signed New Zealand inside centre Sam Tuitupou from Munster on a two-year contract.

England wing Mark Cueto has been banned by his club Sale Sharks for six weeks.

England Saxons forward James Gaskell has signed a two-year contract extension with Aviva Premiership club Sale Sharks.

Sale Sharks have swooped to sign Samoa international Tasesa Lavea from reigning French champions Clermont Auvergne.

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of number eight Mark Easter from their Aviva Premiership rivals Northampton.

Sale have signed Ireland prop Tony Buckley from Munster on a three-year contract.

IRELAND’s rugby World Cup pool C opponents — Russia — are suffering in the New Zealand heat as they ramp up their preparations for the tournament.

Edinburgh Rugby have appointed Lynn Howells as their new head coach.

London Irish coach Brian Smith insisted Mike Catt was the man to solve England’s problematic inside-centre position after his side’s 30-18 win over Saracens at the Madejski Stadium.

Alan Gaffney is gearing up for the biggest challenge of his career after being unveiled as Saracens’ new director of rugby, charged with waking the Guinness Premiership’s slumbering giant.

ANDREW TRIMBLE returns to the Ulster line-up for their trip to Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, the only change to the side that defeated the Dragons three weeks ago.

Former Munster coach, Alan Gaffney, has been appointed the new director of rugby at Saracens.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL will be free to play against Munster in the Heineken Cup semi-final on Sunday week.

Biarritz 43 Saracens 13

ULSTER coach Mark McCall rejected claims the television match official had robbed his side of victory in Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Saracens.

Ulster coach Mark McCall rejected claims the television match official had robbed his side of victory in today’s Heineken Cup clash with Saracens.

Saracens kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals with victory over Ulster but the vast error count turned the clash into a huge disappointment

Italian minnows Calvisano are ready for an unlikely appointment with rugby giant Jonah Lomu when the New Zealand superstar arrives in town tomorrow.

SARACENS face a crucial Heineken Cup clash against Ulster in Belfast tonight, with rugby director Steve Diamond admitting: “We don’t need to motivate the players for this game.”

Saracens face a crucial Heineken Cup clash against Ulster in Belfast tomorrow night, with rugby director Steve Diamond admitting: “We don’t need to motivate the players for this game.”

BRISTOL became only the second side to inflict a league defeat on Guinness Premiership leaders Sale Sharks yesterday when they beat them 22-14 at the Memorial Stadium.

Saracens continued their perfect start to the Heineken Cup with a hard-fought win at Stadio Comunale di Mongio today.

Saracens 22 Biarritz 10

Newcastle boss Rob Andrew has warned Andy Robinson not to risk Jonny Wilkinson for England’s autumn internationals after the star fly-half suffered yet another frustrating injury setback.

Duncan Bech

Saracens today signed centre Billy O’Driscoll, second cousin to British and Irish Lions skipper Brian O’Driscoll.

Saracens have plugged the gap left by Raphael Ibanez’s exit with the signing of Lions hooker Shane Byrne from Leinster.

FORMER Ireland defensive coach Mike Ford will be named as Saracens head coach when he returns from the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

FORMER Great Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell yesterday answered criticism over his cross-code switch by declaring: “If I was a betting man I’d back myself.”