Sometimes it's the words that don't pass a player's lips that stand out.

Leinster have enjoyed some great days at the expense of Northampton Saints but Leo Cullen has learned to approach games against the English club with his eyes open and on full alert.

Simon Lewis previews the 20 teams aiming for glory as the Champions Cup kicks off this weekend.

World Cup-bound Lewis Ludlam was considering his options outside of rugby a year ago as he reflected on a career that was in danger of fading away.

World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper claimed his sport has “never been safer than it is now” as he looked ahead to a groundbreaking World Cup in Japan later this year.

The past year produced another crop of bizarre, eye-watering injuries for sport stars. And not all of them happened during the action.

Ronan O’Gara’s Crusaders can consolidate their place on top of the Super Rugby standings when they play the Hamilton-based Chiefs in an abbreviated 16th round, before the tournament breaks for June internationals.

New Zealand rugby bosses should be concerned about the loss of expertise from rugby coaches moving overseas because of limited career opportunities at home, departing Wellington Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has warned.

If things had worked out a little differently, John Plumtree might possibly still be Ireland’s forwards coach, and still accompanying Joe Schmidt on unscheduled detours on the way home from Ulster matches.

New Zealand have suffered two further injury scares ahead of the fast-approaching three-Test series against the Lions.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland should take note — All Blacks fly-half Beauden Barrett is on a different planet right now and might be even better than three-times World Player of the Year Dan Carter, New Zealand rugby pundits have said.

Magazine publisher Emap is to restate circulation figures for 14 titles after infringing rules that define how sales are measured, it emerged today.