James Haskell is in danger of missing the start of England's 6 Nations title defence after being sent off in Wasps' dramatic 33-28 Champions Cup defeat by Harlequins.

James Haskell was sent off for a dangerous tackle as Wasps collapsed to a dramatic 33-28 defeat by Harlequins that all but ends their European Champions Cup quest.

Wales 18 New Zealand 33: Wales could be minus a third of the team beaten by New Zealand for next Saturday’s autumn series finale against South Africa.

I would never have put Warren Gatland down as a man who cared too much abut outside opinion, but it’s an easy conclusion to arrive at given some of his decisions in recent weeks, says Ronan O’Gara.

Tommy Bowe says he had no option but to smile as he was wheeled off the Principality Stadium pitch last month — having broken his leg 45 seconds after he entered play.

Joe Schmidt will have to try and park the “what ifs” of a miserable night in Cardiff as the prospect of a visit to Dublin from Grand Slam-chasing England looms on Saturday.

Ireland’s Six Nations title ambitions were crushed in Cardiff last night as Wales found redemption for consecutive losses with a passionate power play.

France won’t win next year’s Six Nations championship for the very reason Joe Schmidt’s Ireland just might: discipline, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Here’s the lowdown on four big games across Europe...

Japan continue to impress after their outstanding World Cup performance.

Australia coach Michael Cheika has rested most of his top names for tomorrow’s clash with France as the test is the only one on the tour that is not part of the Wallabies’ grand slam bid.

England edged to the brink of a first RBS 6 Nations title for five years with a 25-21 victory over Wales but were forced to survive a late fightback that evoked memories of the final-quarter collapse against their old rival at last autumn's World Cup.

Warren Gatland has targeted “another step up” from his players on Friday night when they chase a victory over France that would send them top of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Wales recorded their ninth successive victory over Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship to stay firmly among this season's title contenders.

Wales’ Jonathan Davies will be “the midget of the midfield” if Ireland pair Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw are named at centre for Sunday’s Six Nations opener, according to Conor O’Shea.

Tom James says he needed to become “the forgotten man of Welsh rugby” during a rebuilding spell in his rugby career.

Munster’s European Champions Cup rivals Stade Francais pulled off a shock as they beat Toulouse 18-17 in Paris in the Top14 last night.

Cambridge 6 Oxford 12

Remind Leo Cullen he played in the last European final won by an English team, when the then London Wasps saw off Leicester Tigers in 2007, and he will be quick to point out he wasn’t part of the squad that won it.

London Irish CEO Bob Casey admits his side could be opening the door to America for the Irish provinces after it was confirmed their Aviva Premiership game with Saracens in March will take place in New Jersey.

From shortly before 8pm tonight the streets from Camden to Carmarthen will be deserted.

Strategically speaking, Ireland were as impressive as any nation in the first round of games, writes Ronan O’Gara

Warren Gatland wants rugby to “do the talking” when he sends his Wales team into a World Cup showdown against host nation England tomorrow night.

Ireland v Canada

Ronan O’Gara’s Racing have a new name this season, and a new look to their backline following the departures of Jonathan Sexton and Jamie Roberts over the summer.

What better way for Joe Schmidt to reach his World Cup squad conclusions than a full-blooded bout of hand- to-hand rugby combat with the Welsh?

George North returns to rugby’s international stage tomorrow afternoon with Wales coach Warren Gatland underlining that player welfare will always be paramount.

Johnny Sexton’s two-year Parisian adventure could end abruptly tonight if he cannot steer his Racing Metro colleagues past city rivals Stade Francais in the French Top 14 play-offs.

Paul O’Connell’s glorious Munster career will end in the next eight days — and he will play his final Thomond Park game tomorrow, sources have revealed to the Irish Examiner.