Scotland's national team will go on the road in November after Pittodrie was announced as the venue for the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test against Canada.

Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy is urging his Leinster team-mates to emulate Munster's European Cup heroics next season.

Jonathan Thomas will be pressed into action as an emergency open-side flanker against South Africa this summer after Wales coach Warren Gatland decided not to recall veteran loose-forward Colin Charvis.

Gloucester powerhouse Lesley Vainikolo has vowed to "play harder" next season after being overlooked for England's New Zealand tour.

Kilkenny's Ian Dowling is in line to become the eighth player from the county to receive a full Irish senior rugby cap.

Injury-hit Wales will face world champions South Africa and one of the most powerful back rows in Test rugby without a specialist open-side flanker.

New Lions coach Ian McGeechan will return to familiar territory this summer after it was confirmed Edinburgh will host Wasps in a pre-season friendly at Murrayfield on August 23.

Martin Johnson has given the Guinness Premiership his ringing endorsement as England build towards their two-Test New Zealand tour.

Steve Borthwick will captain England on their New Zealand tour next month.

Wales name their squad for their summer tour to South Africa tomorrow.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has warned his side they cannot afford to make a sloppy start to the Heineken Cup final.

Prop Moray Low has been forced out of Scotland's squad for the two-Test trip to Argentina next month.