Danny Cipriani has been nominated in both main categories for this year's Professional Rugby Players' awards.

Wing Tom Varndell has signed a new contract with Guinness Premiership champions Leicester.

Former England international Richard Hill will bring down the curtain on a glorious career on Saturday when he plays his 288th and final game for Saracens.

Leeds Carnegie director of rugby Stuart Lancaster has been appointed England's new head of elite player development.

Former England flanker Richard Hill will not be able to make a final appearance for Saracens at Vicarage Road after the club confirmed that their last home game of the season will take place in Milton Keynes.

Leicester's hopes of achieving a top-four finish took a tumble when they went down 28-25 at Kingston Park to a Newcastle side that had lost their last seven games.

England stars Toby Flood and Mathew Tait will leave Newcastle at the end of this season, with flanker Ben Woods also announcing his departure..

Wasps boss Ian McGeechan has billed Sunday's Premiership showdown against leaders Gloucester as "our biggest challenge of the season so far."

Former Wales captain David Pickering has been elected chairman of the RBS 6 Nations.

Northampton have confirmed the departure of several squad members as they prepare for their Guinness Premiership return.

Former Newcastle boss John Fletcher has landed a coaching role with the Rugby Football Union.

Former England captain Martin Corry has signed a one-year extension with Leicester Tigers which will take him through to the end of the 2008/09 season.

Richard Hill has not ruled out playing one last game for beaten Heineken Cup semi-finalists Saracens.

Topsy Ojo hopes his headline act in London Irish's painful Heineken Cup exit proves he has the x-factor demanded by England.