England’s aim of supplanting New Zealand as world champions in 2019 has moved a step closer after a new agreement was finalised between the Aviva Premiership clubs and Twickenham.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne accepted yesterday that the future of Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt remains very much up in the air.

Tipperary’s John Lacey will referee next month’s European Challenge Cup final between Harlequins and Montpellier.

Toulon joining the Aviva Premiership “doesn’t stack up for a thousand reasons” but a European league could become a long-term reality, according to Gloucester chief executive Stephen Vaughan.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has dismissed reports claiming he might consider an approach to become Stuart Lancaster’s potential England successor.

Jake White has warned England he will not be submitted to the “rigmarole” of an arduous application process for the vacant head coach role.

England’s Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie says England will not rush a new appointment as they seek a coach of “proven international experience” to replace Stuart Lancaster.

England 13 Australia 33: Having been in the World Cup for just 15 days, England are now set to enter a month-long period of reviews, damning indictments and calls for heads to roll.

England will enter their decisive showdown with Australia inspired by a call-to-arms from Stuart Lancaster urging them to look inwards in pursuit of rescuing their World Cup from disaster.

If Stuart Lancaster doesn’t feel let down by his players, then he really should.

England have missed targets and finished an unacceptable second in the RBS 6 Nations once more, but Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie has confidence in head coach Stuart Lancaster ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

A fourth successive RBS 6 Nations runners-up spot for England is unacceptable, Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie said today.

The Rugby Football Union has issued two-year Twickenham bans to two men accused of directing homophobic abuse at referee Nigel Owens, the governing body has announced.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has reacted to allegations that referee Nigel Owens was the subject of homophobic abuse at Twickenham by warning fans that such behaviour has no place in the game.

It’s over two months since Brian O’Driscoll laced up his boots for the last time, but the former Leinster and Ireland centre is still rated as one of the game’s principal movers and shakers.

Supporters will not face segregation at Rugby World Cup 2015, tournament bosses have been at pains to confirm.

The two-year disagreement over the future of European club rugby has been resolved.

The English RFU will hold another meeting with their Irish, Welsh, Scottish, Italian and French counterparts early next year as they bid to save the Heineken Cup.

English rugby chief Ian Ritchie was embroiled in a last-ditch attempt to solve the European rugby crisis on Thursday as he met union bosses in Dublin.

The English Rugby Football Union (RFU) is confident European competition can be salvaged for next season, with chief executive Ian Ritchie warning the alternative would be vastly inferior.

Progress has been made “on a number of issues” in the ongoing tussle surrounding European club competitions, independent mediators Graeme Mew and Stephen Drymer said on Thursday.

The International Rugby Board have entered the dispute over the future of the Heineken Cup by declaring their support for a European tournament.

Manu Tuilagi has been told to take his responsibilities more seriously following his prank on David Cameron – but the UK Prime Minister himself has told him an apology is not necessary.

RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie has demanded an ‘urgent’ resolution to the argument over the Heineken Cup as ERC chiefs called a meeting between all parties for October 23 in Dublin.

The prospect of an agreement to save the Heineken Cup looks bleak after the two warring sides fired public broadsides at each other over their behaviour during the past four days.

Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty will meet with the English clubs today and propose a new approach to the discussions over the future of the Heineken Cup.

Stuart Lancaster was appointed England head coach after the crowd rose to acclaim him and his team for their Six Nations win over Ireland, RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie has confirmed.

Stuart Lancaster has been appointed as England’s new permanent head coach on a four-year contract, the Rugby Football Union have confirmed.

After the most public of auditions, Stuart Lancaster will be interviewed by the RFU today for the full-time position of England head coach.

Graham Rowntree yesterday sent a strong and impassioned message to Rugby Football Union’s chief executive Ian Ritchie — Stuart Lancaster must be appointed England’s full-time head coach.

Forwards coach Graham Rowntree is determined to make life even tougher for England’s new Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie as he prepares the Red Rose to face Ireland at Twickenham.

France 22 England 24

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O’Shea has revealed he would be “delighted” to be part of the panel that helps select the new England head coach.

Superstitious Wales skipper Sam Warburton has banned himself from talking about the Grand Slam his World Cup semi-finalists are now favourites to achieve next month.

England's Rugby Football Union have appointed Ian Ritchie as their new chief executive.

Wimbledon will continue to be broadcast on the BBC until at least 2017 after the corporation’s contract as host broadcaster and UK rights holder was extended by three years.

WIMBLEDON will give this year’s winners £1m (€1.14m) as the All England Club continues to defy the credit crunch.

A total of 28 Wimbledon staff have now been asked to stay at home after suffering flu-like symptoms, tournament organisers said today.

SWINE FLU fears hit the Wimbledon tennis championships yesterday as World Health Organisation (WHO) figures showed global cases leaping past 70,000 while Australian researchers said a vaccine could be ready in months.

Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters will face married couple Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi in an exhibition event to celebrate the completion of Wimbledon’s Centre Court roof, it was announced today.