Reports have emerged in Scotland that the Scottish Rugby Union is “ready to take legal action” against World Rugby if their clash with Japan on Sunday is cancelled.

The tweets relate to lyrics of the band's songs, as well as Welsh rugby star Alun-Wyn Jones.

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.

"You are waking up in bed and the sheets are stuck to your leg about seven times a night."

He scored 14 tries in 33 internationals for Scotland.

Ulster Rugby got the head coach they wanted in Dan McFarland yesterday and the province is now hopeful the former Connacht man will take the reins much sooner than the mid-January date the Scottish Rugby Union are holding him to.

Ulster have confirmed the appointment of Dan McFarland as their new head coach.

Chrissy McKaigue’s comments bear repeating, writes Michael Moynihan.

Scotland forward Ryan Wilson has been cleared of making contact with the eye area of England's Nathan Hughes.

No disciplinary action will be taken following the alleged tunnel fracas between Scotland and England players before Saturday's 6 Nations match at Murrayfield.

Byron McGuigan has been ruled out of Scotland's match against France with a hamstring injury.

Is it any wonder the structure of the professional game in Ireland is the envy of so many of our international counterparts at present?

Scotland flanker John Hardie has been suspended by club side Edinburgh and told he will not be selected for next month's autumn Test series amid a Scottish Rugby Union investigation.

For the financial viability of the international game in particular, there is far more riding on a competitive Lions series than many appreciate, writes Donal Lenihan.

Former Ireland team medic Eanna Falvey is to be the British & Irish Lions lead doctor for this summer’s tour to New Zealand.

South Africa 34 Scotland 16: Stand-off Duncan Weir hopes his stunning second-half burst against South Africa on Saturday will help seal his place in coach Vern Cotter’s plans as Scotland look to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Vern Cotter has extended his Scotland contract until 2017 in a major show of faith from the Scottish Rugby Union ahead of the World Cup.

Don’t allow the diminutive figure of Marian Earls fool you — the Wicklow town native is a powerful force which has helped many of the Irish women’s senior team become household names this last week.

Scotland forward Johnnie Beattie has rejected the flak aimed at head coach Scott Johnson – insisting the sole responsibility for the Dark Blues’ dismal start to the RBS 6 Nations rests with the players.

Wales’ four regional teams have pledged “full support” for the proposed Rugby Champions Cup mooted by England and France next season.

Michael Bradley has left his position as Edinburgh head coach with immediate effect.

Former Scotland captain Mike Blair has retired from international rugby at the age of 31.

Scott Johnson has been appointed Scotland interim head coach for the RBS 6 Nations and summer tour to South Africa, the Scottish Rugby Union has announced.

Andy Robinson last night bowed to the inevitable by resigning as Scotland head coach.

Andy Robinson has resigned as Scotland head coach.

Scotland and Edinburgh prop Allan Jacobsen has retired from international rugby, the Scottish Rugby Union has announced.

It is almost 40 years since Johan Cryuff reacted to his transfer from Ajax to Barcelona for a record fee by remarking that he was “no longer a footballer, I am an industry.”

IT doesn’t feel all that long ago that we began a Heineken Cup with the prospect of the sword of Damocles dangling ominously over the world’s greatest club rugby competition. That’s because it wasn’t long ago at all — in 2007, to be precise — that the French and English clubs last decided that they were picking up the ball and walking off the pitch.

Nottingham’s former Scotland Under-20 international Mitchell Todd has died in a road accident, his club have confirmed.

Steven Shingler is tied to Wales and ineligible to play Test rugby for Scotland, the International Rugby Board’s council ruled in a unanimous decision.

Andy Robinson will take time to reflect on his future as Scotland head coach after a 13-6 loss to Italy left his side with the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon following a seventh successive defeat.

Tom Croft has revealed how a radical shift in the attitude of the England squad since the World Cup debacle has helped take his game to new heights.

Sean Lineen will become the Scottish Rugby Union’s head of player acquisition after leaving his role as Glasgow head coach at the end of the season.

Scotland wing Lee Jones has been taken to hospital for a precautionary head scan after leaving the field on a stretcher during the 32-14 loss to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin today, the Scottish Rugby Union have said.

Scotland international Max Evans was back at training today after being cleared of assaulting a man at a nightclub.

Scotland international Max Evans was back at training yesterday and could face Ireland after being cleared of assaulting a man at a nightclub.

Scotland wing Rory Lamont suffered a suspected broken leg in the 23-17 RBS 6 Nations loss to France at Murrayfield yesterday.

Flanker Alasdair Strokosch could miss the rest of Scotland's RBS 6 Nations campaign with a fractured hand, the Scottish Rugby Union have announced.

Scotland fly-half Dan Parks has retired from international rugby with immediate effect, the Scottish Rugby Union have announced.

The Scottish Rugby Union have been left red-faced after T-shirts boasting of a Calcutta Cup win appeared on sale five days before this Saturday’s match.