Rugby-Cooper headlines Wallabies auditions in Super Rugby
SYDNEY, May 23 - Quade Cooper's three-part audition for a place in the Wallabies squad for the British and Irish Lions series begins this weekend but he is not the only Australian with a point to prove in Super Rugby action.
Rugby-Wasps wing Wade scoops award double
May 22 - Pacy London Wasps wing Christian Wade underlined his status as one of the most promising prospects in English rugby on Wednesday by scooping the Rugby Players' Association player of the year and young player of the year awards.
PREVIEW-Rugby-Leicester seek farewell gift to loyal servants
LONDON, May 22 - Leicester run out at Twickenham for a remarkable ninth successive English rugby Premiership final on Saturday where local Midlands rivals Northampton will attempt to prevent them finishing as champions for a record 10th time.
Rugby-Former England centre Hipkiss retires
LONDON, May 22 - Former England centre Dan Hipkiss has been forced to retire because of a shoulder injury, his club Bath said on Wednesday.
Rugby-Winger Ioane faces fitness race for first Lions test
SYDNEY, May 22 - Wallabies winger Digby Ioane is a doubt for the first test against the British and Irish Lions after undergoing a knee operation on Wednesday, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said.
Rugby-Wallabies flanker Smith may be fit for end of Lions series
SYDNEY, May 21 - Australia openside flanker George Smith has not damaged his knee as badly as first thought, the ACT Brumbies said on Tuesday, and could be fit to play in the back end of the series against the British and Irish Lions.
Rugby-Henry criticises 'blind' officials in Super Rugby loss
WELLINGTON, May 21 - World Cup winning coach Graham Henry has heavily criticised the influence of the assistant match officials following the Auckland Blues' 23-3 Super Rugby loss to the Canterbury Crusaders at the weekend.
Rugby-Goode and Tomkins ruled out of South American tour
LONDON, May 20 - Fullback Alex Goode and rugby league convert Joel Tomkins have pulled out of England's three-match tour to Uruguay and Argentina because of injury, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on Monday.
Rugby-Wilkinson happy to help if Lions call
May 20 - Jonny Wilkinson, fresh from kicking Toulon to the Heineken Cup and being named European Player of the Year, told British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland on Monday he would happily be on standby for the tour of Australia.
Rugby-O'Connell relishing unexpected Lions return
MAYNOOTH, Ireland, May 20 - When Paul O'Connell played his first 80 minutes of rugby for five months in an amateur game in Limerick in March, he did not allow himself to even dream of making one last British and Irish Lions tour.
Beckham’s final 81st minute
I saw a player that couldn't help himself count down the last moments of his time on the pitch.


