Scotland international Gregor Townsend should be back in action in time for the World Cup in Australia next month.

Glasgow Rugby scrum-half Andy Nicol revealed how agonisingly close he came to making his World Cup dream come true.

Former Scotland captain Budge Pountney is set to announce his international retirement today – but he has aimed a parting shot at the “unprofessionalism” of the Scottish Rugby Union.

ENGLAND and Wales are both counting the cost of injuries to key players ahead of the RBS Six Nations Championship.

Charlie Hodgson and Lewis Moody have been ruled out of England’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship showdown with France in Paris on Saturday.