Wednesday Jan 7 08:10 AEDT

English rugby ponders squad, salary cuts

The luring of Super 14 players to the English Premiership could be on the decline if plans to reduce the size of a club's squad and salary cap come into force.

Fly weight: Carter leads Perpignan to victory

Giteau undecided about future beyond '09

Matt Giteau has confirmed he will see out his contract with the Western Force but admits he has no idea what his Super 14 future holds thereafter.

ELV's slammed: Jones blames rules for loss

Brawl charge: Lesley Vainikolo in court

Barbarians to make first Australia trip

The Wallabies will open their 2009 season with an historic match against an international Barbarians side at the Sydney Football Stadium.

All Black: Thomson in court over assault

Broken neck: Stcherbina's darkest fears

Ex-Wallaby: Bowen appointed to NSW role

Dan carter on the move for Perpignan. (APP Images)

Carter's dream Cup debut for Perpignan

All Blacks superstar Dan Carter lived up to his top billing by marshalling Perpignan to victory over Leicester in the European Cup.

All Black: John Drake dead at 49

Matt Dunning after snapping his Achilles. (Getty Images)

Surgery for Wembley-injured Wallabies

The ARU has ruled out any action over the Wembley surface after props Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu were injured against the Barbarians.

Decent: Mortlock upbeat on Wallabies' outlook

Sevens: South Africa take home title

European Cup: Harlequins stun Stade

Experts

Mat Rogers

Bledisloe CupHonestly, it's only cheating
if you get caught.

More union headlines

Mitchell back coaching ForceWestern Force coach John Mitchell has had his coaching restrictions against him lifted by the club - although an independent review is still yet to be tabled. McKenzie's men post 56-15 win over DaxEwen McKenzie's Stade Francais have romped to their biggest win of the French league season, thumping Dax 56-15 to consolidate second position in the Top 14. Carter leads Perpignan to victoryAll Blacks superstar Dan Carter won the international fly-half battle with England's Andy Goode when he shrugged off an Achilles injury to help kick Perpignan to an 18-15 French Top 14 victory against Brive on Sunday. Giteau to stay with Force for 2009Wallabies five-eighth Matt Giteau will play out the 2009 Super 14 season with the Western Force, ending months of speculation. Quins 'Big Game' could get bigger yetHarlequins are already looking forward to next Christmas's 'Big Game II' and the possibility of a record-breaking 82,000 crowd for an English Premiership match. Inquiry begins into Force coach MitchellWestern Force coach John Mitchell is on restricted duties after the Super 14 group set up an inquiry into rumours his relationship with players has broken down. Former All Black undergoes eye surgeryNew Zealand prop Greg Somerville will be out of rugby until the end of February after undergoing an eye operation. Wilkinson undergoes more knee surgeryEngland star Jonny Wilkinson has had a second operation on his latest knee injury, the fly-half's club Newcastle revealed on Tuesday. IRB queries French over Tincu caseThe IRB has asked the French Rugby Federation to explain why suspended Perpignan hooker Marius Tincu was allowed to play against Castres last Saturday. NZRU scrapping NZ Maori matchesThe New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has announced it is scrapping a minor competition and says there will be no matches for New Zealand Maori in 2009. Ex-All Black Blowers moving back to NZFormer All Black and Blues loose forward Andrew Blowers is cutting short his stint in Britain to return to New Zealand for family reasons. White has rubbed off on Umaga: ToulonJake White's short stay as consultant to French championship strugglers Toulon has had a beneficial impact on coach Tana Umaga, claimed the club president. Carter gets ready for rugby at PerpignanDan Carter has arrived at French club Perpignan as arguably world rugby's best player who at aged 26 has spent five years starring for the All Blacks. Pumas want Test moved to EnglandArgentina want to play the first of next June's two scheduled home Tests against England in the UK for financial reasons, the Rugby Football Union says. Europe is closing gap, says Welsh wingerWelsh winger Shane Williams believes European nations are closing the gap on the southern hemisphere. Dan Carter set for European Cup debutAll Blacks playmaker Dan Carter is set to make his highly-anticipated debut for Perpignan against Leicester in a must-win European Cup showdown this weekend.

WWOS stats

Rugby Union Leading Tackles