The table-topping Free State Cheetahs delivered yet another commanding Absa Currie Cup performance when they demolished the hapless Falcons 80-33 at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Friday."

Cardiff Blues kicked off the 2007/08 Magners League with a hard fought 17-15 victory over local rivals and reigning champions the Ospreys on Friday at the Arms Park. "

England coach Brian Ashton is demanding that Jason Robinson's team-mates provide the left-wing with the service to make him the team's cutting edge in attack."

The Ospreys have been given a boost ahead of their Magners League campaign with the news that Welsh fly half James Hook has signed a new contract."

Springboks Jean de Villiers and Akona Ndungane have both been cleared to travel with their team-mates to the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. The Boks, considered by many to be potential RWC winners, leave for France on Monday."

Western Province enforcer Francois van der Merwe will be hoping to establish himself in the WP second row when he teams up with veteran campaigner Selborne Boome in Absa Currie Cup action against the Boland Cavaliers on Saturday."

Wales fly-half James Hook has re-signed for Ospreys in a deal which will keep him with the region until 2011.

England coach Brian Ashton has already decided his starting line-up for the opening Rugby World Cup pool match against the USA in Lens on September 8 - but he will not tell the players until Tuesday.

Tom Shanklin has launched a staunch defence of under-fire Wales centre partner and World Cup skipper Gareth Thomas.

Paddy O'Brien, the International Rugby Board's manager of referees, will meet with the managers of the 20 teams participating in the World Cup in Paris on Tuesday."