The latest rugby news on the major tournaments from around the globe.
There will be additional focus on the breakdown when the Super Rugby season gets underway later this month and it is being blamed on a referee.
England new boy Brad Barritt hopes having played in some of the world's most intimidating grounds will stand him in good stead when he makes his Test debut against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Some coaches dismiss pre-season matches as insignificant. The Bulls embrace them as a vital part of their campaign.
The Stormers and Cheetahs will enter the next, crucial phase of their Super Rugby pre-season build-up when they meet at Newlands on Saturday.
The Six Nations is the annual northern hemisphere rugby union championship between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It is one of the top international competitions in any calendar year.
The Ospreys have announced that former Wales wing Shane Williams will end his playing career with them in May this year.
Sean Lamont is wary of Scotland shedding their underdog tag ahead of Saturday's Six Nations opener with a new-look England.
Warren Gatland may field a Wales team with just eight survivors from the World Cup quarter-final against Ireland in Sunday's Six Nations clash.
Munster Rugby announced that Northampton Saints centre James Downey will be joining them at the end of the current season.
It is a new season, with another batch of new law 'applications' that require teams to make dramatic adjustments. However, the Bulls have an open mindset ahead of their first pre-season encounter.
England's interim head coach Stuart Lancaster believes he has "a team for now and a team for the future" ahead of Saturday's game in Scotland.
Kyle Brown will lead a South African team that will be aiming for their first tournament title in 10 years in New Zealand, when the fourth leg of the IRB Sevens World Series kicks off in Wellington on Friday.
The Cheetahs have named their 'French recruit, 22-year-old Andries Ferreira, in the starting team to face the Stormers in a Super Rugby pre-season outing in Cape Town on Saturday.
The South African Rugby Union may have painted themselves into a corner with the premature decision to guarantee the Southern Kings entry into the 2013 Super Rugby competition.
Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt and Phil Dowson will make their debuts in Saturday's Six Nations clash with Scotland as part of a new-look England.
Gilbert has released a new line of rugby cleats. The Gilbert Virtuo 8S is part of the exciting new product. Check it out.
The entire All Blacks apparel line has been updated for 2013/14. Check out the New Zealand All Blacks polo.
The Nike Tiempo is a solid rugby cleat and one of few styles still made from full-grain natural leather.
The Gilbert Blitz 8S rugby cleat is a great cleat at a great price of $69.99. Get a new pair of cleats today.
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Wear the crest of the British and Irish Lions on your t-shirt. A great look for the summer.
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The All Blacks Performance t-shirt is black with hints of blue from the training jersey. Very Cool.
The New Zealand All Blacks training jersey for 2013/14. Get in the Gear!
The USA Rugby Pro Alternate rugby jersey is perfect for any fan of the Eagles. Get yours to wear during the summer Test matches.
The NEW All Blacks 2013/14 jersey has arrived at World Rugby Shop. Dare to wear the colors of the All Blacks.
