The Waikato Chiefs celebrate their second consecutive Super Rugby title victory

Victory continues New Zealand's strangehold on the sport after consecutive wins backs up World Cup triumph

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Premiership backs proposal for globally integrated rugby season

IRPA proposals given approval

Robbie Deans: The Wallabies coach is expected to be sacked after five years in charge

British and Irish Lions 2013: Australia waste little time in making head coach Robbie Deans the scapegoat, with Ewen McKenzie lined up as successor

Robbie Deans’ failure to lead Australia to a series win over the British and Irish Lions was last night expected to result in the coach’s sacking. Ewen McKenzie was lined up to be named as Deans’ successor.

Gold Rush: Australia’s Adam Ashley-Cooper dives over for the only try in his side’s victory against the Lions in Melbourne

Lions tour: Genius Will Genia choreographs vital steps in Wallaby waltz

Scrum-half shows leadership and invention to outwit the Lions defence

Rowntree: 'You can't afford to be drawn into things'

British and Irish Lions 2013: Graham Rowntree warns that real hard men don't bite back

Coach doesn't want to lose players for tour due to indiscipline against Western Force

Former Scotland and Lions captain Gavin Hastings at the WGC HSBC Champions at the Mission Hills Resort

Gavin Hastings: 'Jonny Wilkinson will have a role to play in the squad'

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

Leigh Halfpenny knows what it feels like to lose to Australia

British and Irish Lions 2013: Lions' dragons must fire against Australia, warns Leigh Halfpenny

Full-back is wary that Welsh contingent have lost last seven matches against Wallabies

Lions coach Warren Gatland

The Lions are 'bigger than the All Blacks' says Sir Ian McGeechan

Warren Gatland's side tour Australia this summer

Chris Robshaw will remain as England captain

Loyal Stuart Lancaster ignores doubters to retain Chris Robshaw in role of 'general'

England coach confirms Quins flanker will retain captaincy for upcoming Six Nations campaign

<b>23 OCTOBER</b><br/>
<b>New Zealand 8-7 France</b><br/>
The hosts and the favourites for the tournament keep to the script, just, by edging out France at Eden Park. With many predicting a landslide victory for the All Blacks before the game, the reality is very different. A tense and thrilling final is won by a single point against an unpredictable French side who finally run out of luck. What were to be the winning points are kicked by Stephen Donald, who before the tournament began, would have been considered the All Blacks sixth choice kicker. Richie McCaw lifts the Webb Ellis Trophy and a country that has experienced a testing couple of years is united in celebration as 24 years of hurt come to an end.

France eager to avenge World Cup defeat against New Zealand

France beaten by New Zealand in 2011 final

Tough draw holds no fear for Lancaster in England's brave new era

Red-rose coach expects hosts to succeed despite being handed horror Pool in 2015

Mike Phillips shows the anguish of Wales’ narrow defeat by Australia
Chris Robshaw has been taken to task over his decision-making

New Zealand join critics of England captain Chris Robshaw

England host the All Blacks at Twickenham this weekend

England's Chris Ashton goes for the gap during the QBE International at Twickenham

Lancaster needs to become the father of invention – and fast

There is no vim. England didn't lack effort. What was missing was a clue

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The CIA whistleblower struck a blow for us all, but his 1970s predecessor showed how to win
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Hugh Montgomery profiles the faces to watch, from the sitcom star to the surrealist
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