There was a time when the stinginess of the Scottish Rugby Union knew no bounds, when players were given one pair of socks per year and instructions to hand them back with the rest of the kit at the end of the season, writes Peter Jackson.

Mathieu Bastareaud has always stood out in a crowd, never more so than when surrounded by some of the most famous players in the world.

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.

If Jamie Heaslip had suggested before this Champions Cup semi-final that Leinster’s semi-final clash with Toulon would be akin to a boxing match, it may have conjured an image of a mismatch in the eyes of many observers.

Simon Lewis takes a look at how Toulon and Leinster compare as they face each other in the European Champions Cup semi-final.

With their Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon now just six days away, anticipation is building around the Leinster camp as they bid to reach their fourth top-tier European decider in just seven seasons.

Toulon full-back Delon Armitage has had his 12-week ban for using abusive language reduced to eight on appeal.

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

England international Delon Armitage has been described as "an habitual offender" with "an appalling disciplinary record" in the written judgement of his latest appearance before rugby union disciplinary chiefs.

Ulster 13 Toulon 23

Ulster coach Neil Doak refused to admit defeat in his side’s European campaign despite a second straight loss in Pool Three at the hands of champions Toulon.

Toulon made it two wins from two with an impressive 23-13 victory at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday afternoon but defeat left Ulster’s bid to make the last eight looking effectively over.

Toulon 24 Munster 16

Toulon 24 Munster 16

Toulon 24 Munster 16

Toulon 24 Munster 16

Jonny Wilkinson looks set to be fit to play against Munster in Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final after coming through training without any reaction to a hamstring injury yesterday.

TOULON 29 LEINSTER 14

It is difficult not to feel a huge degree of sympathy for Clermont Auvergne after what proved a disappointing Heineken Cup final at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Toulon full-back Delon Armitage has been slammed by former and current players for his behaviour during Saturday’s Heineken Cup final win over Clermont.

ASM Clermont Auvergne 15 Toulon 16

Clermont Auvergne 15 Toulon 16

Saracens 12 Toulon 24

Toulon 45 Cardiff 25

Toulon 62 Sale 0

Danny Cipriani was Sale’s hero as the Premiership strugglers overturned a 15-point deficit to gain a dramatic, morale-boosting 34-33 triumph over Cardiff on their return to the Heineken Cup.

Toulon 37 Montpellier 16

Shane Geraghty will rejoin London Irish this summer after signing a two-year deal with the club he left in 2009.

There is a strange sense of Groundhog Day about Ireland’s opening two fixtures in this season’s RBS Six Nations Championship.

World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry has described England as “the world champions at wasting talent” and as playing “a game based on fear”.

Delon Armitage’s future as an international rugby player appeared to be hanging in the balance last night.

London Irish and England full back Delon Armitage has been suspended by the RFU after being arrested in connection with an alleged assault in a nightclub.

Munster hat-trick hero Simon Zebo has been given a chance to stake a senior international claim after being selected for the Ireland Wolfhounds in the A international against England Saxons in Exeter tomorrow (5pm).

Wales will be without prop Gethin Jenkins and fly-half Rhys Priestland for their opening RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland.

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

Edinburgh 34 London Irish 11

London Irish 15 Cardiff Blues 22

MARTIN JOHNSON believes any one of seven teams can win the Rugby World Cup — and he places England right at the heart of the pack.

Toby Flood will start at inside centre alongside fly-half Jonny Wilkinson in England’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France.

It is being reported that Jonny Wilkinson will start at number 10 for England's quarter-final with France on Saturday.

TOBY FLOOD has urged his England teammates to start taking responsibility for their actions off the field and pull together on it to strengthen their bid for World Cup glory.

Mark Cueto today launched a vehement defence of England’s off-field conduct and insisted there are no more skeletons in the closet.

Delon Armitage has been banned from England’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France.

Delon Armitage’s Rugby World Cup future is in doubt after he was cited for a “dangerous high tackle” on Scotland’s Chris Paterson.

Jonny Wilkinson was taken for a scan on his right forearm today after England sealed their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a 16-12 victory over Scotland.

MARTIN JOHNSON has demanded England treat tomorrow’s showdown with Scotland as a winner-takes-all battle for Rugby World Cup survival.

Delon Armitage will start on the left wing for England in place of Mark Cueto in Saturday’s decisive Rugby World Cup Pool B showdown with Scotland.

HT England 34 Romania 3

MARTIN JOHNSON insists England’s preparations for tomorrow’s clash with Romania will not be thrown off course by the arrival in Dunedin of Zara Phillips.