Joe Heyes resented being on England's tour of New Zealand last year. This year the prop has become a central figure in a team that beat the All Blacks.

South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth says the incident with Wales back row Alex Mann that saw him given a 12-week ban for eye gouging was "a mistake".

Welsh rugby is in danger of losing Wales captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake with Gloucester in contention to sign the Ospreys duo.

Director of rugby Phil Dowson, head coach Sam Vesty and senior coach James Craig agree contract extensions with Northampton Saints.

Ireland's Aoife Wafer is expected to play her first game since breaking her collarbone and rupturing a medial ligament in September.

Gloucester are set to be without centre pairing Max Llewellyn and Will Joseph for a "decent" period after they picked up injuries against Castres in the Champions Cup.

Northampton winger James Ramm is banned for two games after receiving a red card in their European Champions Cup win in Pau.

Ulster hooker Tom Stewart says he is getting "into a bit of a groove" ahead of Saturday's Challenge Cup trip to Cardiff.

Exeter appoint former Bath and Northampton back James Wilson as their new assistant backs coach.

Former Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny signs a new contract with Cardiff and is set to return to action this weekend.