THE doctor at the centre of the Bloodgate controversy has admitted she may find it difficult to return to medicine, as her name would forever be associated with her part in the scandal.

Bath back Butch James has been formally withdrawn from South Africa’s line-up for their clash against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Warren Gatland believes Wales’ daunting June Test match programme is perfect preparation for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

JAMES HOOK is ready to face South Africa’s renowned physical approach on Saturday by playing through the pain barrier for Wales. Ospreys midfield star Hook will delay shoulder surgery by a week as Wales target only a second win in 104 years of fixtures against the reigning world champions.

Premier Rugby have stepped into the bitter, escalating row between Guinness Premiership title rivals Northampton and Saracens over prop Soane Tonga’uhia.

Stade Francais last night demanded England release flanker James Haskell immediately so he can play in Saturday’s clash with Toulouse.

The Ospreys have been cleared of fielding an ineligible player in the Heineken Cup.

THE knockout stages of the Heineken Cup could be thrown into chaos following another player controversy involving the Ospreys.

The Ospreys say they are “co-operating fully” with tournament chiefs amid reports of them facing a second investigation relating to this season’s Heineken Cup campaign.

SCOTLAND A coach Sean Lineen has a bit of unfinished business to settle with the Irish Wolfhounds in tonight’s A international at Ravenhill (7.30pm).

PREMIER RUGBY has flexed its muscles to deny Ireland access to Leicester winger Johne Murphy for tomorrow’s A game against England Saxons in Bath (2 pm).

ESPN have added the Guinness Premiership to their expanding portfolio of live sport after agreeing a three-year deal with competition organisers Premier Rugby.

Ospreys fly-half prospect Dan Biggar has been tipped to make “a significant impact” on Welsh rugby.

WALES scrum-half Dwayne Peel will return to Test match action on Friday night – and launch what will probably be his last international season as a Sale Sharks player.

RUGBY UNION players in England are set to become the first in the world to be tested for cocaine and other social drugs outside of competition.

BRITISH and Irish Lions doctor James Robson believes the shape of rugby players will have to start changing after the most physical Test series he has ever experienced.

The sword that has been hanging threateningly over Setanta's head finally fell tonight after the Premier League cut off the Irish broadcaster's main football lifeline.

England flanker Michael Lipman and three of his former Bath team-mates must face an RFU disciplinary panel charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.

Ian McGeechan confirmed he will not be replacing injured centre Tom Shanklin as the 2009 British and Irish Lions squad met for the first time today without two other significant names.

THEY’RE one nil down and time’s nearly up. Cash-strapped broadcaster Setanta needs to find just over €100m to meet its short-term obligations to the Premiership and the English FA.

The Scottish Rugby Union today accused the International Rugby Board of failing smaller nations after revising their rules over player release for Test matches.

England manager Martin Johnson appeared to provide an early glimpse into his thinking ahead of a demanding autumn Test campaign by making eight players available for EDF Energy Cup action this weekend.

Danny Cipriani has been promoted to England’s elite squad ahead of the Investec autumn internationals as a replacement for injured fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

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.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw will play for the Barbarians against Australia in the Olympic Centenary Match at Wembley on December 3.

Brian Smith has been set the challenge of transforming England’s pedestrian backline after being appointed attack coach.

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).

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN has welcomed his stint as Barbarians coach as an early chance to banish memories of Ireland’s calamitous World Cup.

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.

THE ENGLISH RFU and Premier Rugby will formally mark the end of a bitter feud lasting over a decade when they unveil their new eight-year agreement tomorrow morning.

Leinster and Munster have issued a joint statement to state their players will not be available to represent The Barbarians against South Africa in Twickenham on December 1.

If Wasps’ England stars are looking for a tonic for their World Cup final agony, they will not have to wait long.

The Rugby Football Union are today set to release further details of a new eight-year agreement they are on the brink of finalising with Premier Rugby, covering all aspects of the elite and professional ranks of their sport in England.

Elite rugby director Rob Andrew admits England have a “lot of catching up to do” in a short space of time if they are to mount a credible World Cup defence.

Leicester 9 Wasps 25

European Rugby Cup chiefs have today announced that top English and French clubs will take part in next season's Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup competitions.

INTERNATIONAL Rugby Board chief Dr Syd Millar has delivered an upbeat verdict on the Heineken Cup’s future.

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.

French rugby chiefs insist the ball is firmly in the court of their English counterparts regarding the future of next season’s Heineken Cup.

IRISH rugby chiefs firmly believe that the future of the Heineken Cup is safe.

Leinster-bound Leicester Tiger Shane Jennings and former Munster coach Alan Gaffney have been nominated as the Guinness Premiership Player and Coach of the season, respectively.