France v Wales

The hype is building ahead of the weekend's Six Nations fixtures, which will see Ireland meet England in the Aviva Stadium.

France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre believes he and English counterpart Stuart Lancaster have a much tougher job than their rival RBS 6 Nations bosses and cited Ireland’s centrally contracted players as his primary evidence.

The IRFU is hoping to cash in on the feelgood factor generated by Ireland’s Six Nations victory by selling their November Guinness Series tickets early.

Wales flanker Aaron Shingler is to undergo further treatment on an ankle injury.

Brian O'Driscoll's citing hearing for stamping on Italy's Simone Favaro will be heard in London tomorrow morning, RBS 6 Nations organisers have confirmed.

French coach Philippe Saint-André fears the impact of foreign stars in France’s Top 14 is hurting the national side.

Toby Flood will be named in England's RBS 6 Nations squad today after a citing for an alleged tip tackle was dismissed at a Rugby Football Union hearing.

France have named an unchanged squad to face England in the RBS 6 Nations at the Stade de France on Sunday.

Wales have called veteran fly-half Stephen Jones into their RBS 6 Nations training squad.

New France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has included two uncapped players in his provisional 30-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations.

Edinburgh 19 Cardiff Blues 12

South Africa’s Craig Joubert will take charge of Saturday’s first northern hemisphere showdown, between Wales and RBS 6 Nations rivals Ireland in Wellington, tournament organisers have announced.

Mark Cueto has warned Chris Ashton he must be prepared for life as a marked man - starting in England’s crunch showdown with RBS 6 Nations title rivals France.

Wales international James Hook has confirmed he will join French club Perpignan next season.

The IRFU have today announced the introduction of a new tiered pricing structure for the forthcoming 2011 RBS 6 Nations fixtures versus France and England next year.

Andy Powell is fearful the “stupid prank” that led to Wales dropping him from their RBS 6 Nations squad could cost him his international career.

Andy Powell has vowed to fight to get back into the Wales team after he was dropped from their RBS 6 Nations squad yesterday.

Back row forward Andy Powell has been removed from the 35-man Wales squad for the RBS 6 Nations with immediate effect, the Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed.

Danny Cipriani is one of six capped players named in the England Saxons side to face Ireland A at Donnybrook.

Gareth Delve admits Wales can have no complaints with any sneering comments directed against them after surrendering to the South Africa.

A member of Scotland’s RBS 6 Nations squad has failed a drugs test.

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

England boss Brian Ashton has sprung a major surprise in his 32-man RBS 6 Nations squad by selecting former Bradford Bulls rugby league star Lesley Vainikolo.

France have opted to keep faith with the majority of the squad that did so well during the second half of 2005 as they go in search of glory at the RBS 6 Nations.

Italy may be one game away from the wooden spoon in the RBS 6 Nations but at least things are looking up in terms of popular support for the Azzurri – so much so they may need to find a larger stadium.

RTÉ has secured radio and television broadcast rights to the RBS 6 Nations until 2009.

France captain Fabien Pelous has refused to be disheartened by their poor performance against Scotland on Saturday and remains optimistic about the prospects for Les Bleus to do well in the RBS 6 Nations.

Italy’s team doctor Gianluca Melegati has reported a clean bill of health for the Azzurri squad following Sunday’s 28-17 defeat to Ireland in their opening match of the RBS 6 Nations.

Eddie O’Sullivan has called on the RBS 6 Nations committee to review their policy of appointing inexperienced southern hemisphere referees.

France prop Pieter de Villiers, ruled out of the RBS 6 Nations after testing positive for ecstasy and cocaine, returned to the squad today when coach Bernard Laporte named the South African-born player for the summer tour to the southern hemisphere.