If Billy Vunipola can raise his fitness a tad, writes Wynne Gray, he has the No 8 game to challenge anyone.

The Six Nations kicks off this weekend, marking the beginning of a process that could end in Wellington next year with the appointment of a new All Blacks coach.

In the single most radical upheaval of Stuart Lancaster's time in charge, England have ripped up their midfield for the crucial World Cup pool match against Wales.

England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster admits his players must be more clinical and ruthless against France if they are to capture the Six Nations title.

Number eight Jamie Heaslip is the only new face in the Ireland rugby team for the pivotal Six Nations showdown with Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium tomorrow.

As the Blues face their latest drama, one of their coaching castoffs, Joe Schmidt, is aiming at a landmark with Ireland.

England’s Grand Slam dream has been derailed, Ireland are now favourites to retain their title but the Welsh are waiting for them in Cardiff. Chris Hewett assesses where the teams stand - and expects things to get worse for misfiring France.

It was a gesture of pre-calculation which exposed the difference between England and the best and showed what a very steep hill this team have to climb to reach the level they seek with a World Cup now only six months away.

Jonathan Sexton dusted off the cobwebs and another concussion scare to prove Ireland's match-winner against France again.

High-level discussions over the treatment of the Wales wing George North - or, many believe, the lack of it - will continue this week.

Danny Cipriani, Nick Easter and Tom Croft have completed remarkable returns to the international stage by being named in England's squad to face Wales.

England are almost certain to be without Manu Tuilagi for the duration of the Six Nations, with the powerful centre's groin injury taking longer to heal than anticipated.

Warren Gatland names his Wales Six Nations squad on Wednesday and Gareth Anscombe may find his name called out.

Nothing beats first-hand inspection of the All Blacks, certainly not for Six Nations coaches intent on getting their squads near that level of success.

Super Rugby's dreaded June hiatus won't be a thing of the past as plans to shift the international window to July have been rejected by the Six Nations.

James Haskell has a gift for getting noticed but after the controversies, business ventures and celebrity girlfriends, he hopes to catch the eye of one person in particular.

It will not have escaped the notice of Mike Brown, England's serial man-of-the-match award winner in the Six Nations, that his next assignment is against the ABs.

Brian O'Driscoll's world record 141st and last test match ended with a victory lap of honour around the Stade de France in Paris.