Eddie Jones’ emerging side leave second-stringers with shattered egos and one broken nose

Stephen Donald, the outside-half from New Zealand who kicked the All Blacks to a first world title in almost a quarter of a century before flying halfway round the planet for a lucrative stint in Premiership rugby with Bath, has had enough of life in these parts. He is about to leave the Recreation Ground with a season still left on his very expensive contract and take up employment in Japan, where the weekly demands on mind and body are somewhat less severe.

Wales full back takes honour

The BBC's Six Nations coverage was thrown into disarray after lead commentator, Andrew Cotter, fell ill during Wales's victory over Italy, writes Matt Lloyd.

Former captain John Terry surprised everyone last night by announcing he was retiring from international duty.

Wales 30 Barbarians 21: Young wing shines in match that marks Shane and Martyn Williams' farewell

Tackling The Issues

Flanker Dan Lydiate has been named RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship for 2012 after his outstanding displays in Wales' Grand Slam triumph.

It might have made ominous viewing for any England fan watching Wales cut through Scotland on Sunday – but I looked at it differently. Where Wales happen to be now, I think England will be in a few years' time. So let's just call their magnificent form a snapshot of our own future.

Moody Views: At 23, Halfpenny is the oldest of the back three, a testimony to the coaching staff's faith in youth

Martin Haag, the Bath forwards' coach, was delighted to secure a home LV Cup semi-final against Leicester Tigers after a comprehensive 31-3 victory over Exeter yesterday. A first-half hat-trick from flying wing Tom Biggs helped Bath finish top of Pool One.

Although Scotland's new No 8 was born in Zimbabwe he grew up aware of the needle in today's match, he tells Simon Turnbull

Wales boss Warren Gatland has dismissed any notion of him taking a double risk with Jamie Roberts and Rhys Priestland for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland.

Coming right at the end of both the match and an astonishing international career, it was the almost eerily appropriate departure of arguably the most relentessly mischievous gnome in the history of his or any other sport.