English champions fined £5.36 million; breaches were related to England internationals such as Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and the Vunipola brothers

Eddie Jones found himself facing major criticism for the first time as England coach after a controversial training session saw Wasps flanker Sam Jones break his leg and Bath wing Anthony Watson fracture his jaw.

Beaten finalists Racing 92 have “no regrets” over the selection of Dan Carter for the European Rugby Champions Cup final despite the former All Blacks legend nursing an injury, forwards coach Laurent Travers said this week.

Wallabies openside flanker Liam Gill is heading overseas to play in France at the end of the Super Rugby season in a blow for the ailing Queensland Reds and Australian rugby.

Dan Carter’s Racing 92 won a battle of the hemispheres when they edged Super Rugby champions the Highlanders 45-38 in a try-fest to lift the Natixis Cup in Hong Kong on Saturday.

The reigning Super Rugby champion Highlanders aim to kick-start the defence of their crown with a hard-and-fast running game when they meet in-form French club Racing 92 at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground in Hong Kong on Saturday.

All Blacks World Cup star Dan Carter is preparing to play a big role for Racing 92 against reigning Super Rugby champions the Highlanders in the Natixis Cup at Siu Sai Wan stadium on Saturday.

French side Clermont Auvergne spurned a late penalty which would have sent them through to the quarter-finals as Exeter Chiefs and Stade Français progressed in a dramatic finale to the European Rugby Champions Cup group stage on Sunday.

Defending European champions Toulon may be looking at quitting France for the English Premiership but their most pressing concern is avoiding an exit from Europe this weekend.

Last year’s runners-up Clermont stayed on course for the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-finals Friday after winning a bad-tempered all-French clash against Bordeaux-Bègles.

Dan Carter admitted having to shelve thoughts of a warm New Zealand beach as he battled driving rain and wind to lead Racing 92 to the top of the Top 14 table in a hard-fought 23-18 victory over Bordeaux-Bègles late Saturday.

Former All Blacks superstar Dan Carter will play in Hong Kong on February 6 when his French club side Racing 92 tackle reigning Super Rugby champions Highlanders in the Natixis Cup.

Saracens fought back from 9-0 down to defeat Ulster 27-9 at a rain-swept Belfast on Friday to make it two wins from two in their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign.

The Super Rugby-winning Highlanders are set to take on European Rugby Champions Cup holders Toulon in Hong Kong early next year, the French Top 14 club announced on Wednesday.

Toulon captain Carl Hayman reckons teams will have their work cut out trying to match his side’s unprecedented achievement of being crowned kings of Europe in three successive seasons.

Drew Mitchell’s brilliant late try ensured Toulon became the first club to win three consecutive European titles as they beat French rivals Clermont 24-18 in a thrilling final at Twickenham on Saturday.

Toulon’s bid to be crowned kings of Europe for an unprecedented third successive season will see their star-studded side up against familiar foes when they take on French rivals Clermont in Saturday’s final at Twickenham.

Top 14 leading duo Toulon and Clermont return to domestic duties on Saturday with one eye on their European Rugby Champions Cup final next Sunday.

Australia fly-half Quade Cooper has signed a two-year contract to play for French champions Toulon, the club announced on its website on Friday.

Defending champions Toulon will put their crown on the line this weekend when they meet Irish contenders Leinster in the semi-finals of the European Rugby Champions Cup, while English champions Saracens will taken on Clermont.

England fly-half Owen Farrell is set to be available for Saracens' European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final against French side Clermont next weekend, the London club said Saturday.

Northampton Saints became English rugby union champions for the first time in their history on Saturday after beating Saracens 24-20 with a last-minute try by Alex Waller in extra-time in the Premiership final at Twickenham.

Steffon Armitage's ongoing England exile is set to continue for at least another season, but coach Stuart Lancaster said it was possible the newly-crowned European player of the year could be recalled for the 2015 World Cup.

Jonny Wilkinson said playing alongside "inspirational" former Australia centre Matt Giteau had convinced him now was the right time to retire.

Saracens coach Mark McCall has told his side they must contain Australia's Matt Giteau if they are to beat Toulon in Saturday's European Cup final in Cardiff.

Neither man will countenance the idea, both being team men through and through, but happenstance dictates that Saturday’s European Cup final focus will be on opposing fly-halves Jonny Wilkinson of Toulon and Owen Farrell of Saracens.

Jonny Wilkinson said a "loud and pretty true gut feeling" told him it was the right time to bring down the curtain on a brilliant career.

England Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson announced on Monday that he will retire at the end of the season after Toulon’s European Cup and French Top 14 finals.