Conor O’Shea has ruled himself out of becoming the new Munster CEO, insisting his focus is on getting Italy ready for the World Cup in Japan.

Conor O’Shea says he is “honoured, humbled, and excited” to have been appointed Italy’s new head coach on a four-year contract that will incorporate the 2019 World Cup.

England’s decision to axe assistant coach Andy Farrell was sparked by heavy criticism from senior players in the post-World Cup review.

Argentinian’s transformation of Aussie scrum means Welsh pack must up game, says Baldwin...

England have hit back in the escalating row over obstruction that has ignited the build-up to Friday’s RBS 6 Nations opener in Cardiff by stating that Wales use similar tactics.

France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre insists the post-2011 World Cup rebuilding phase is over as he targets a critical RBS 6 Nations victory over England today.

Combined 0 British & Irish Lions 64

Of all the fascinating subplots at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, few will be as intriguing as the match-up between the two fly-halves, Jonny Sexton and Owen Farrell.

A woman who aborted her own baby within a week of his due date has been jailed for eight years.

A woman in the UK who aborted her own baby within a week of his due date has been jailed for eight years.

Mike Catt will join England’s coaching staff for next month’s tour of South Africa, the Rugby Football Union have confirmed.

BATH boss Steve Meehan claimed his team needed to “grow up” after their Heineken Cup campaign began in frustrating fashion against Biarritz at the Recreation Ground.

He’s put his rugby days behind him, locked them down and thrown away the key, but before Munster and Leinster began their European rugby odyssey, one Cork man already had a Heineken Cup medal to boast of. Not that he would. Brian Roche spoke to Adrian Russell

Ryan Lamb has moved to Guinness Premiership finalists London Irish to breathe new life into his England ambitions.

MARTIN JOHNSON watched on as Sale edged a ferocious encounter against Guinness Premiership leaders London Irish thanks to a try created and scored by three players hoping to catch the eye of the England manager.

Saracens 16 London Irish 13

London Irish today named Toby Booth as their new head coach following the departure of Brian Smith for Twickenham.

ENGLAND scrum-half Paul Hodgson believes London Irish have developed a taste for centre stage that is fuelling their surprise Heineken Cup assault.

London Irish 20 Perpignan 9

Mike Catt is the surprise selection at out-half for London Irish at home to Perpignan in the Heineken Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

England U20 43 Ireland U20 14

LONDON IRISH director of rugby Brian Smith described Mike Catt as a “special player”, after the England veteran defied a back problem to help the Exiles to a 24-16 Heineken Cup victory over Perpignan yesterday.

OUTSPOKEN England stars Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt will face no further censure from the Rugby Football Union for comments made in their post-World Cup books.

Outspoken England stars Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt will face no further censure from the Rugby Football Union for comments made in their post-World Cup books.

WASPS boss Ian McGeechan hailed a “tremendous performance” by the Heineken Cup holders that effectively ended Llanelli Scarlets’ European challenge and kept his team on course to make English rugby history.

Newport Gwent Dragons 17 London Irish 45

London Irish 42 Treviso 9

Lawrence Dallaglio admits his international future is in the balance but he will not retire from international rugby.

MIKE CATT is convinced Brian Ashton must remain part of the England set-up - but questioned his suitability for the role of head coach.

Clive Woodward claims the Rugby Football Union are most guilty of "betraying" head coach Brian Ashton – not Mike Catt and Lawrence Dallaglio.

RETIRED England centre Mike Catt believes coach Brian Ashton still has a role to play with the national side, despite making some unflattering comments about the coach’s tenure in the aftermath of the World Cup.

Bristol director of rugby Richard Hill has echoed the unifying comments of England captain Phil Vickery after criticising the “disloyalty” of players who air grievances against their coaches in public.

THE English RFU are to slap gagging orders on England players in the wake of the “disgraceful” post-World Cup attacks on Brian Ashton.

The Rugby Football Union are to slap gagging orders on England players in the wake of the “disgraceful” post-World Cup attacks on Brian Ashton.

MARK CUETO has reflected on the moment England’s dream of making World Cup history drifted into oblivion, claiming: “It was 100% a try.”

Jonny Wilkinson claimed the England team had been on “a hell of a journey” after they relinquished their World Cup crown to South Africa.

England 6 South Africa 15

PHIL VICKERY has underlined England’s determination to complete one of the greatest comebacks in sport, declaring: “This team is here to make its own history.”

Mark Cueto will replace the injured Josh Lewsey in England’s team to play South Africa in the World Cup final on Saturday.

ROB ANDREW admitted England had “rewritten the rules” after reaching the World Cup final despite three years of upheaval and just 10 months of dedicated planning.

England veteran Mike Catt desperately hopes he can recover from a groin problem in time for next weekend’s World Cup final.

AFTER one of the most amazing weekends in the history of the World Cup we are left with semi-final pairings that few would have predicted.