Rugby Union news
Some of the latest Rugby Union news from different news agencies around the world on.
Bath's Hipkiss announces retirement
Bath and former England centre Dan Hipkiss ends his playing career because of a shoulder injury, aged 30.
Lock Davies relishes Wales captaincy
After a season wrecked by injuries, Bradley Davies says leading Wales on their tour of Japan will be "a great honour".
Falcons must relax - Gopperth
Fly-half Jimmy Gopperth says Newcastle Falcons can relish their two-legged Championship play-off final against Bedford
Delve to leave Rebels in Australia
Wales forward Gareth Delve is to leave Melbourne Rebels at the end of the Super 15 season in July.
Bedford avoid London Welsh approach
Bedford chairman Geoff Irvine says he will not copy London Welsh's strategy should his side win the Championship final.
Warburton 'wise beyond his years'
Former Lions captain Paul O'Connell says Sam Warburton has the maturity and confidence to lead the tourists in Australia.
Bedford v Newcastle
Preview of Thursday's Championship play-off final first leg between Bedford and Newcastle (19:45 BST)
Final 'do or die' for Northampton
Northampton flanker Tom Wood urges his side to seize a rare opportunity in the Premiership final against Leicester.
Wilkinson ready for Lions call-up
Jonny Wilkinson says he will do everything possible to be fit enough to answer a Lions injury call if he is needed.
McBryde admits back-row 'gamble'
Lack of a Wales tour open-side is a 'gamble', admits caretaker coach Robin McBryde ahead of two-Test Japan series.
Henry: Ulster saving best for final
Chris Henry says Ulster will have to produce their best game of the season to beat Leinster in Saturday's Pro12 final.
Fringe players can impress - Morgan
England's Ben Morgan feels Sunday's match against the Barbarians gives fringe players a chance to impress.
Thomas hopes to make England mark
Exeter scrum-half Haydn Thomas wants to make his England chance count against the Barbarians on Sunday.
Hilton all-clear for county final
Ben Hilton will lead Cornwall in the County Championship final at Twickenham after a disciplinary case is dismissed.
Jersey to face Leicester in friendly
Jersey will host Premiership finalists Leicester in a pre-season friendly for the second year in-a-row in August.
Brown praise for Cumbria finalists
Head coach Malcolm Brown praises his Cumbria side for reaching Twickenham in the Championship Shield final.
Goode & Tomkins out of England tour
Saracens pair Alex Goode and Joel Tomkins withdraw from England's summer tour to Uruguay and Argentina through injury.
Wasps hand deal to soldier Reeves
London Wasps sign Bedford Blues prop and member of the armed forces Ricky Reeves for next season.
O'Brien may play in Pro12 final
Sean O'Brien could be back in contention to play for Leinster in Saturday's Pro12 final against Ulster in Dublin.
Connacht sign Samoan back So'oialo
Connacht complete their signings for next season by bringing Samoan international James So'oialo to the club.
Hunter leads England to New Zealand
Lichfield number eight Sarah Hunter will lead England women on their three-test tour to New Zealand in July.
Wilkinson wins Player of the Year
Toulon's Jonny Wilkinson is named European Player of the Year for his performances in this season's Heineken Cup.
VIDEO: O'Connell relishing Lions environment
Paul O'Connell meets up with several of his British & Irish Lions team-mates at a squad training camp in County Kildare.
VIDEO: Lions coach Gatland on O'Brien fitness
Lions coach Warren Gatland remains optimistic Sean O'Brien will be fit for the tour of Australia despite the Ireland flanker sustaining a knee injury in Leinster's win over Stade Francais.
VIDEO: Rest is vital for final push - Salvi
Leicester Tigers flanker Julian Salvi tells BBC East Midlands Today that getting the right amount of rest will be crucial in the build up to the Premiership final against Northampton Saints on Saturday week.
AUDIO: Mallinder 'can't wait' for final
Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder tells BBC Radio Northampton "it's great to get to a Twickenham final" after three Premiership semi-final exits in the last three seasons.
VIDEO: Job not yet complete - Richards
Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards tells BBC Look North he was pleased to overhaul Leeds in the play-off semi-final but the hard work is still to come, in the final against Bedford.
VIDEO: Six Nations: Tries of the tournament
BBC Sport looks back at the tries of the 2013 Six Nations tournament, including storming efforts from France's Wesley Fofana and Scotland's Stuart Hogg.
VIDEO: Highlights: Wales 30-3 England
Watch highlights as Wales thrash England 30-3 to clinch the Six Nations title at Millennium Stadium.
VIDEO: Highlights: France 23-16 Scotland
Watch the key moments of France's 23-16 win over Scotland on the final weekend of the 2013 Six Nations.
VIDEO: Highlights: England 18-11 Italy
Watch highlights as England keep their Six Nations Grand Slam prospects alive by beating an impressive Italy 18-11 at Twickenham.
VIDEO: Highlights: Ireland 13-13 France
Watch highlights as Ireland hang on in the face of France's comeback to secure a 13-13 draw at Dublin's Aviva Stadium in the Six Nations.
VIDEO: Highlights: Scotland 18-28 Wales
Watch highlights as a Richard Hibbard try and eight successful Leigh Halfpenny kicks help championship-chasing Wales to defeat Scotland at Murrayfield.
VIDEO: Highlights: Scotland 12-8 Ireland
Scotland fight back from 8-0 down to beat Ireland 12-8 in their Six Nations match at Murrayfield on Sunday.
VIDEO: Highlights: England 23-13 France
England maintain their 100 per cent record in the 2013 Six Nations with a thrilling 23-13 victory over France at Twickenham on Saturday.
VIDEO: Highlights: Italy 9-26 Wales
Wales put in a dominant performance in Rome as they beat Italy 26-9 in their Six Nations match on Saturday.
VIDEO: Highlights: Ireland 6-12 England
Watch highlights as England beat Ireland 6-12 in the Six Nations championship at the Aviva stadium in Dublin.
VIDEO: Highlights: France 6-16 Wales
Watch highlights as defending champions Wales beat France 16-6 in the 2013 Six Nations at the Stade de France, in Paris.
VIDEO: Highlights: Scotland 34-10 Italy
Watch highlights as Scotland beat Italy 34-10 in the 2013 Six Nations at Murrayfield
VIDEO: Highlights: Italy 23-18 France
Italy secure a famous victory as they beat France 23-18 at Rome's Stadio Olimpico in the Six Nations on Sunday.
VIDEO: Highlights: England 38-18 Scotland
England get their Six Nations campaign under way with a 20-point victory over Scotland at Twickenham.
VIDEO: Highlights: Wales 22-30 Ireland
Ireland win a thrilling encounter at the Millennium Stadium as they beat defending champions Wales 30-22 in the opening match of the 2013 Six Nations.
VIDEO: Six Nations tries of the tournament
BBC Sport rounds up the most spectacular tries from this year's dramatic Six Nations, including Stuart Hogg's classy try for Scotland against France, Scott Williams snatching a win over England at Twickenham and Tom Croft's impressive effort in England's victory over the French in Paris. (UK only).
VIDEO: Ruck 'n' Roll Years - 2000s
A look back at the news and Six Nations action from the 2000s.
VIDEO: Ruck 'n' Roll Years - 1990s
A look back at the news and Five Nations action from the 1990s.
VIDEO: Ruck 'n' Roll Years - 1980s
A look back at the news and Five Nations action from the 1980s.
VIDEO: Ruck 'n' Roll Years - 1970s
A look back at the news, music and Five Nations action from the 1970s.
VIDEO: Ruck 'n' Roll Years - 1960s
A look back at the news and Five Nations action from the 1960s.
From Cornish mines to Fijian rugby
Cornish-born Plymouth Albion flanker Sam Matavesi reflects on his surprise call-up to the Fijian national team.
'Leicester have the mental edge over Northampton'
BBC Sport's rugby union expert Jeremy Guscott on the Premiership final, Owen Farrell's form and more
Painting, pints, samba bands and Bullseye
How does a squad made up from four different nations bond together for the British and Irish Lions?
Rugby sevens is now a serious sport
Chief sports writer Tom Fordyce plots rugby sevens' journey from end-of-season muckabout to serious international sporting endeavour
Aussie dilemmas for Lions challenge
World Cup winner Bob Dwyer on the decisions facing current Australia coach Robbie Deans ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour
Gatland's Lions squad has the X factor
Former England prop Matt Stevens is Warren Gatland's Lions wildcard, says BBC Sport's Bryn Palmer
Guide to the British and Irish Lions
Who are the 37 players who will travel to Australia with the British and Irish Lions this summer?
The Lions down under over the years
As the Lions announce their squad for the 2013 trip to Australia, here are some memories from the past 50 years of tours down under
Guscott on Wilkinson, O'Driscoll and the Lions
BBC rugby union expert Jeremy Guscott discusses Jonny Wilkinson's form, Toulon winning the Heineken Cup and Australia's Lions squad
Mascot responsibility worries Hogg
Scottish full-back Stuart Hogg admits he is worried at being in charge of the British & Irish Lions mascot.