Rugby Union News Headlines http://www.rugbyweek.com en-gb Rugby Union © Copyright 2009 Sports Digital Media. All Rights Reserved. http://www.rugbyweek.com/siteimages/Rugbyweeklgo.jpghttp://www.rugbyweek.com Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24808 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24808 Chasing its first Grand Slam since 2004 and with two home games to come, France is confident of going a step further with a home victory over Italy in the Six Nations championship while England is wary of another embarrassing slip-up against last place Scotland at Murrayfield. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24811 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24811 Sale Sharks boss Kingsley Jones says that he is desperate for his team to avoid going to Harlequins on the last day of the season still having to secure their Guinness Premiership survival. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24799 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24799 England full-back Delon Armitage believes he has overcome a major hurdle ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash away to Scotland just by seeing off the challenge to his place from Ben Foden. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24801 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24801 Scotland captain Chris Cusiter insists the fact his side are searching for their first Six Nations win this season rather than playing old rivals England that will be their key motivation this weekend. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24806 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24806 Part two of our Super 14 previews for Round five covers the second three matches - two on Saturday and the last match on Sunday. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24797 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24797 Round five in the Super 14 kicks off in New Zealand on Friday with a bumper home derby between last year's finalists the Chiefs and the most successful Super Rugby franchise in history. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24803 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24803 The Sharks have named an unchange backline for their match against the Brumbies in round 5 with the Durban franchise still searching for their first victory. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24798 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24798 The Highlanders have suspended All Blacks backrower Adam Thomson and flyhalf Michael Hobbs for a Super 14 rugby match after both broke a team curfew in South Africa. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24807 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24807 Stade Francais' faltering hopes of reaching the end of season Top 14 title play-offs face another test this Friday when they travel to improving Brive. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24809 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24809 Two in the top three and two in the bottom three. That reflects the difference of reasons the South African franchises will want to win their matches this weekend. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24810 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24810 Western Force assistant coach Richard Graham is looking forward to the introduction of David Hill to face the Reds on Sunday to combine with James O'Connor and Mark Bartholomeusz. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24792 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24792 Australian referee Paul Marks has been removed from the Super 14 officials panel following his handling of the Waratahs vs Sharks match last weekend. SANZAR referees Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24800 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24800 The international search for a permanent chief executive officer to lead SANZAR, the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions joint venture, will commence this weekend with the role being advertised in all three countries. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24804 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24804 Phil Waugh will set a new milestone for NSW Rugby when he runs out to face the Lions in Round 5 of the Super 14 at the Sydney Football Stadium. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24802 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24802 France's new boy Marc Andreu says he is unfazed by making his first international start as his country go for a Grand Slam against Italy in their Six Nations clash in Paris this Sunday. Thursday 11 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24805 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24805 Waratahs flyhalf Daniel Halangahu has rejected other offers to remain in sky blue until season 2012 after signing a new two-year deal today. Wednesday 10 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24790 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24790 France coach Marc Lievremont made two changes on Wednesday to his starting line-up for the Six Nations match with Italy this Sunday at the Stade de France from the one that beat Wales 26-20 last time. Wednesday 10 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24794 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24794 Australian Rugby boss John O'Neill says that Argentina's Pumas playing in the TriNations from 2012 is not set in stone yet and they still have to comply with a number of conditions. Wednesday 10 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24795 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24795 France's mercurially gifted fly-half Frederic Michalak's knee operation has been hailed as a success by doctors, the player's spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Wednesday 10 March 2010 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24782 http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24782 Australia-born Scotland fly-half Dan Parks reckons he and Jonny Wilkinson will always be under the microscope come what may because of their position.