Final duties of Leicester and Leinster stars means they must work even harder for their places

Northampton flanker Calum Clark has been ruled out of England action for a third time in 12 months after he failed to overcome an ankle injury in time to make the tour of Uruguay and Argentina.

Clark was ruled out of England's summer tour of South Africa last year and the autumn internationals

Scotland flanker John Barclay has been ruled out of the Dark Blues' tour to South Africa next month, the Scottish Rugby Union has confirmed.

New Zealander Vern Cotter has been confirmed as the next head coach of Scotland – but will not take charge until next summer.

He is in the autumn of his career so Dubliner is hungry for Lions success after three painful tours

Ulster hooker received joyful news in his car while Gatland expresses sympathy for Hartley

It is increasingly difficult to love these annual end-of-season Barbarians jamborees, which have all the romance and passion of an arranged marriage. But every now and again, a player with an eye for the main chance presents the best of himself to the watching world and leaves the audience, pretty much exhausted by eight months of thud and blunder, craving a little bit more.

Rory Best called up after hooker given 11-week ban for calling Premiership final referee Wayne Barnes a cheat

After a farewell dinner at the Royal Courts of Justice, Warren Gatland's squad fly Down Under tomorrow night aiming to do justice to the expectations – and hoping the Wallabies stay in the pub

Chance for Burns, Twelvetrees, Joseph, Wade and Yarde to excite against Baa-Baas

Lydon switches from his role as head of rugby at the Welsh Rugby Union

Lions' cub, 20, joins long line of players from Scottish borders club Hawick given opportunity to make his mark at highest level

Former British and Irish Lions captain believes that Wilkinson will feature during the tour at some point

Cardiff Blues lock to return from injury to lead Wales on tour of Japan