Scrum of the Earth /

Révolution française! Marc Lievremont kicks out Chabal, Nyanga and Harinordoquy choosing Julien Brugnaut and Lionel Faure and Morgan Parra as surprises.

Haka-time! New Zealand are added to England’s autumn international schedule alongside Australia, South Africa and the Pacific Islands.

Wishful thinking! Robbie Deans novel and radical plan to use Australia’s Super 14 coaches as his national selectors
Home comforts! Saracens and London Irish given home draws in the Heineken Cup semi-finals.

Exodus! Michael Owen follows Steve Borthwick to Saracens on a three-year-deal.

Scarlet fever! Stephen Jones remains with Llanelli despite interest from Biarritz and Munster.

Banned! Jerry Flannery and Raphael Ibanez are both suspended for eight and six weeks respectively.

Naughty! Bristol docked a point for fielding an ineligible player - Haydn Thomas.

Retired! Saracens and England back-row legend, Richard Hill decides he’s going to hang up his boots after this season.

The Professionals! Kenya contract eight players to the union to compete in the IRB World Sevens

Robbery! Four robbers storm Manuel Contepomi's Buenos Aires home and hold him at gunpoint.

Hanging up the shirt! Boroughmuir retire Scotland and British Lions full-back, Bruce Hay’s, No.15 shirt

Loyalty for you! Jonny Wilkinson signs deal with Newcastle for another two years.

Quarantine! Paul Sackey contracts the Mumps and puts the whole of the England squad on alert.

Sicknote! Peter Richards is ruled out for 3 months with a torn bicep, while Marco Bortolami will be absent for 6 weeks.

New boys! Eddie O’Sullivan names Cian Healy and Jonathan Sexton in his 33-man RBS 6 Nations squad. Paul O’Connell, Isaac Boss and Brian Carney all missed the cut.

Revolution! Warren Gatland excludes Colin Charvis, brings Martyn Williams out of retirement, and names Ryan Jones as captain.

Big pay day! Dwayne Peel agrees to join Sale Sharks on a rumoured £250,000 a year.

Hold your horses! Gatland backtracks 24 hours after stating his ambitious policy to only pick players representing the regions. The strength and longevity of his new plan begins badly when Peel joins Sale but as a special case.

Good call! Shaun Edwards agrees to assist Wales as defensive coach rather than taking up a position with the England Saxons.

Rugby Rules! The Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa tops the TV Sports Markets Top 100 most-watched sports programmes for 2007.

I am the resurrection! Scott Murray comes back from the dead after being called up for Scotland’s Six Nations training squad.

No evidence? Gavin Henson escapes the wrath of the courts after being cleared of serious charges for allegedly getting a bit rowdy on the train back from London.

Money talks, Borthwick walks! Steve Borthwick leaves Bath for Saracens after 10 years for ‘a new challenge’ apparently?

Good, bad and the ugly! Yannick Jauzion will miss the start of the RBS 6 Nations but also signs a new contract with Toulouse

Major cop out! Stephen Larkham buggers off to Ricoh Black Rams in Japan.

Au-revoir! Serge Betsen retires from international rugby with immediate effect.

Get in the queue pal! Ben Cohen backs himself for England return

Gone AWOL! Solly Tyibilika has had his contract with the Golden Lions suspended for failing to turn up at training….. AGAIN!

Cool in Cardiff! Ben Blair and Xavier Rush sign new deals with the Blues