London Irish prop Clarke Dermody has signed a new two-year deal which will keep him at the Madejski Stadium until June 2012.

THERE were some conflicting emotions swirling around Chris Whitaker’s head last Saturday night as he watched Leinster take Munster apart at the RDS.

Jerry Collins will make his debut for The Ospreys against Connacht in the Magner's League at The Sprotsground on Friday night (6.30pm).

Munster's new signing Jean de Villiers was present at the pre-season match against Guinness Premiership club Sale Sharks at Musgrave Park this weekend.

Connacht will kick-start their three-matche pre-season friendlies against Guinness Premiership club Harlequins at The Stoop on Friday, August 14.

Springboks Jannes Labuschagne and Heinke van der Merwe have both been ruled out of the Golden Lions side for Wednesday night’s clash against the British and Irish Lions.

London Irish backs Elvis Seveali'i and Alfredo Lalanne have agreed new contracts that will keep them at the Guinness Premiership club until 2011.

London Irish backs Elvis Seveali'i and Alfredo Lalanne have agreed new contracts that will keep them at the Guinness Premiership club until 2011, it was announced today.

Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel has been ruled out the remainder of the RBS 6 Nations Championship due to a torn hamstring, the Welsh Rugby Union have announced.

Heyneke Meyer has resigned as head coach of Leicester, the Guinness Premiership club confirmed this afternoon.

Munster have issued a hands-off warning to Guinness Premiership club London Irish, who have claimed to have signed Paul Warwick on a three-year deal starting in the summer.

MONTAUBAN captain Marc Renaud has thrown down the gauntlet to Heineken Cup champions Munster ahead of their final round game at Stade de Sapiac next month.

Montauban 16 Sale Sharks 12

WALES head coach Warren Gatland admits it is a case of “wait and see” on Gavin Henson’s fitness for the Millennium Stadium showdowns against New Zealand and Australia.

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre has urged Luke McAlister to shun the All Blacks for another year and extend his stay with the Guinness Premiership club.

The Scottish Rugby Union today defended the decision to take their row with English clubs over player release to the International Rugby Board – despite claims they were forced into an embarrassing u-turn over the matter.

The Scottish Rugby Union appear to have been forced into an embarrassing climbdown in their row with English clubs over player release for next month’s autumn internationals.

Mike Blair was today confirmed as Scotland captain for next month’s autumn internationals.

The International Rugby Board are trying to negotiate a short-term fix in the row between Scotland and English clubs over player release.

Wales have lost three more of their Grand Slam stars for next month’s tour of South Africa.

ULSTER’S Ian Humphreys has signed for his home province on a two-year deal. The former Ballymena Academy pupil has been playing for English side Leicester Tigers since the summer of 2005 when he left club side Belfast Harlequins.

Danny Cipriani will report for England duty tonight with World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio underlining the Wasps youngster's "dedication" to rugby.

England’s World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson is set for his first official role since retiring after being elected to the newly-formed Professional Game Board (PGB).

England back Mathew Tait has signed a new one-year contract at Newcastle Falcons, tying him to the Guinness Premiership club until 2009.

ENGLAND star Jonny Wilkinson will head into the RBS Six Nations Championship convinced he has made the right decision by pledging his future with Newcastle.

TWICKENHAM is ready to witness its first volcanic eruption — and Wales could be the hapless victims.

Newcastle boss John Fletcher believes “any number of factors” will determine Jonny Wilkinson’s future at the Guinness Premiership club.

JAKE WHITE ends his reign as South Africa coach ready to consider a host of job offers — including from Guinness Premiership clubs and a fourth division Welsh side.

ROB ANDREW has hailed “an English solution for the English game” after the Twickenham unveiling of a new detailed agreement governing professional rugby in England.

Saracens 33 Glasgow Warriors 31

ENGLAND coach Brian Ashton has turned to Lawrence Dallaglio for the first time and offered the veteran Wasps captain a route to the World Cup.

Bradford Bulls star Lesley Vainikolo will switch codes this summer after signing a three-year contract with Gloucester.

The participation of England’s top clubs in next season’s Heineken Cup will be decided by May 18 as top-level talks are set to resume tomorrow.

Leicester guaranteed the first all-English Heineken Cup final – a fortnight after Guinness Premiership clubs announced their boycott of next season’s tournament – following an Andy Goode-inspired display at the Walkers Stadium.

Raphael Ibanez has declared Wasps’ Heineken Cup semi-final clash against Northampton tomorrow as a “time to deliver” in the pursuit of another European title.

A "European club rugby tournament" will take place next season despite the current boycott staged by top English and French clubs.

Munster tight-head prop forward Tony Buckley will leave Munster at the end of the season to take up a one-year contract with Premiership side Bath.

French clubs have confirmed their boycott of next season's Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup competitions following a meeting in Paris today.

French club rugby boss Serge Blanco has applauded the decision by England’s Guinness Premiership clubs to pull out of next season’s Heineken Cup if French teams press ahead with their expected boycott of the tournament.

English clubs are to join their French counterparts in considering a boycott of the Heineken Cup next season, according to reports.

James Hook’s match-winning performance at fly-half against England has forced head coach Gareth Jenkins to consider a redefined role for captain Stephen Jones heading into the World Cup.

Premier Rugby insist they are not singling out the Scottish Rugby Union for special treatment after three English-based players were barred from taking part in a Scotland training session.

GLOUCESTER face a fight for their Heineken Cup lives in the south of France tonight, with captain Marco Bortolami admitting: “We have only one chance.”

London Irish prospects Delon Armitage and Dominic Shabbo have both agreed new contracts with the Guinness Premiership club.