HE finally considers himself an Englishman, but Australian-born Tony Smith isn't giving his new countrymen any favours in the build-up to their Rugby League World Cup assault Down Under.

WALES centre Gavin Henson has been dropped for two matches by Ospreys in "a rugby-related disciplinary decision."

EDINBURGH and Glasgow have both made indifferent starts to the Magners League, Edinburgh indeed a sadly disappointing one.

HERIOT'S and Boroughmuir have acquired reputations as "fancy dans" in the annals of Scottish club rugby, and if there was truth in that, then this afternoon's

SOUTH Africa rugby jerseys may sport a flower instead of a Springbok next year after the country's Parliamentary Sports Portfolio Committee decided to ditch the emblem.

ENGLAND fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has revealed he expects to be out of action for at least another five months.

TEAMS with designs on success of any kind in the Heineken Cup have decent strength in depth, and Sean Lineen's decision to leave out Dan Parks for their opening match with

WHEN the mighty Leicester fell at Murrayfield last season and watched their Heineken Cup hopes follow those of Leinster and vanish into the sky above Edinburgh, Jim Hamilton c

Andy Robinson - ERC Head Coach has already confirmed that he will be there on the panel. Confirmation of the rest panel will posted as soon as possible.

ENGLAND star Jonny Wilkinson now faces missing the Six Nations tournament after dislocating his knee-cap on Premiership duty for Newcastle last week.

I WAS disappointed to see Australia second-rower James Horwill pull out of the spring tour with a foot injury because he is the sort of player the team will need on this demanding adventure.

THE Australian Schoolboys have created rugby union history with a first-ever victory over New Zealand Schools on Kiwi soil.

JULIAN Huxley says he's prepared to accept the risks involved in making a comeback to rugby but won't "waste people's time" if doctors don't give him a green light.

ONE-time Canberra dynamo Mark McLinden has booked himself into pre-season training a month early, so eager is he to grab the vacant Reds full-back spot next year.

THE Canberra Raiders have re-signed forward Joe Picker on a new three-year deal that will see him stay with the club until the end of the 2011 season.

AUSTRALIA veteran Craig Fitzgibbon has warned that the Kangaroos won't get things all their own way when the Rugby League World Cup begins in two weeks time.

TONGA coach Jim Dymock has branded the Rugby League World Cup's rules a "joke" after two more NRL stars were rubbed out of his side.

SNUBBED by Australia selectors, Brisbane's Sam Thaiday is still set to figure on the opening ceremony program of the rugby league World Cup.

PARRAMATTA workhorse Nathan Hindmarsh has claimed the NRL club's players' player award for the seventh time in nine seasons.

BRISBANE'S leadership structure will be reviewed after its season ended in disaster following a number of off-field indiscretions by the players.