England proved too much for Pacific Islanders, running out convincing 35-3 winners

As Ireland women’s scrum coach, Mike Ross bemoaned England’s “professionalism” after his side’s loss in Donnybrook last Friday night.

Joe Schmidt sensed his Ireland team were in for a rough ride as he surveyed an unusually quiet home dressing room prior to kick-off.

It’s a big evening on the channel that used to be TV3 — Virgin Media One, in case you weren’t sure (and for the record I wasn’t, not fully).

Among Ireland's chief assets in recent years has been the ability to strike at a point and time that hurts their opponent hardest, but it was the Grand Slam holders who were shipping the biggest blows at the most damaging of moments on Saturday night.

Elliot Daly has held off the challenge of Mike Brown at full-back for England's Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Eddie Jones has cautioned against expecting too much from Manu Tuilagi after limiting England’s marauding centre to a bench role against South Africa.

They led 24-3 early on in a thrilling Test.

England have now seen 16 players ruled out of the start of their title defence, a number that will climb to 18 if Robshaw and Brown fail to recover.

Police raided the headquarters of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) yesterday as part of an investigation into alleged conflict of interest involving the federation’s president Bernard Laporte, a source close to the matter said.

Leinster are the team to beat, the No. 1 in Europe’s power rankings. And Munster are No. 2, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Australia have gone on the offensive ahead of tomorrow’s Cook Cup clash by claiming England coach Eddie Jones is “spoilt” and accusing his players of hitting their half-backs late.

Owen Farrell has been recalled for England's clash with Australia at Twickenham on Saturday after being rested for the autumn opener against Argentina.

England made a scruffy start to their autumn series but still ensured they will enter their group showdown against Argentina at the 2019 Wold Cup with an immaculate record against the Pumas under Eddie Jones.

Former British and Lions coach Ian McGeechan says the 2017 tourists “need all six games” in the build-up to the first Test in New Zealand.

Ulster’s Director of Rugby Les Kiss is aware that it will take a monumental turnaround in form, attitude and finishing ability to put one over on Exeter in their own back yard on Sunday and proceed through to the Champions Cup play-offs.

Michael Cheika has revealed that Australia were unable to persuade Ben Te'o to pledge his allegiance to the Wallabies due to the financial rewards on offer in the Aviva Premiership.

To frustrate England, it is imperative to stop Billy Vunipola from making his trademark big carries, writes Donal Lenihan.

England have selected Danny Care at scrum-half and Joe Marler at loosehead prop for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match against Scotland.

Eddie Jones is yet to name his first England captain but insists he will pick his “best player” for the role.

Eddie Jones looks set to select a sprinkling of uncapped talent and leave out some established names when his first England elite player squad is announced today.

England concluded their World Cup with a meaningless 60-3 rout of Uruguay in Manchester and will now begin their inquest into the calamitous group exit that is likely to end the reign of Stuart Lancaster.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster is convinced Sam Burgess will remain a rugby union player, despite speculation he will return to league rugby after the World Cup. Odds have been shortened on Burgess ending his cross-code adventure after only a year and one bookmaker has stopped taking bets, amid reports he is set to join Leeds Rhinos.

England have encountered the first major injury problems of their World Cup campaign after it was revealed that Jonathan Joseph and Ben Morgan are doubts for Saturday’s pivotal clash with Wales.

For all the trials and tribulations Joe Schmidt experienced in narrowing his World Cup squad down to the requisite 31, at least we have a good idea who will be in his starting XV.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster will stand or fall on the decision to drop Danny Cipriani from his final squad of 31 for the World Cup, which will be announced today.

England have selected Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph as their centres for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up against France in Paris. 

Anthony Watson scored two tries and Jonny May also crossed as England opened preparations for the World Cup with an edgy 19-14 victory over France at Twickenham.

Ireland squad manager Mick Kearney insists Cian Healy’s recovery from neck surgery is “coming on fine”.

Stuart Lancaster insists Owen Farrell must excel during the World Cup warm-up matches if he is displace George Ford as England’s fly-half.

England will go into a World Cup campaign on home soil without star centre Manu Tuilagi after he pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a police officer.

’A’ International

Ireland Wolfhounds 9 England Saxons 18

Connacht have sealed the eighth and last quarter-final berth of the European Challenge Cup.

Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter have the chance to reignite their Test careers in England’s 34-man Six Nations training squad, with Sam Burgess also handed World Cup lift-off.

European Challenge Cup Pool 2

European Rugby Challenge Cup

Ulster 21 Exeter Chiefs 22

Glasgow 20 Exeter 16

U20 Six Nations: Ireland 16 England 15

At the third time of asking, Ireland finally triumphed over arch-rivals England in the Junior World Cup in Cape Town yesterday, a victory that puts them into a final play-off for fifth place against France later this week.

Ireland U-20s 27 England U-20s 12