Warren Gatland is desperate to make a winning difference with Wales

Wales's coach has one eye on Friday's Six Nations opener with England and the other on his long-term plans for the team, he tells Donald McRae

Old superpowers can be rugby’s emerging nations at World Cup

Shaun Edwards: USA and Russia look promising for the big event in New Zealand later this year – and it's a crucial time to promote rugby union across the globe

Exodus of Wallabies set to follow Matt Giteau to Europe

The Australian Rugby Union did not contest Matt Giteau's decision to join a European club after the World Cup and several of his team-mates seem set to join him

Loss of Courtney Lawes a major blow for Martin Johnson and England

Robert Kitson: The England manager has some forward knots to untangle as his planning for the Six Nations and the World Cup suffers hammer blows

Chris Ashton: ’15 months ago I didn’t know if I had a future in union’

Donald McRae: Northampton's wing is looking forward to the World Cup in New Zealand but right now he is focused on Saturday's derby with Leicester

Relief for South African rugby after the dire warnings hit home

Shaun Edwards: If the World Cup started tomorrow, these Springboks, with their pride under pressure, would make the final

Francois Steyn keen to make most of second chance with South Africa

Paul Rees: Francois Steyn determined to capitalise on chance to impress the Springboks coach Peter de Villiers and make it on the plane to New Zealand

How are the contenders shaping up for the 2011 Rugby World Cup?

Shaun Edwards: With less than a year to go until New Zealand 2011, here's my take on the world's 10 best teams

Premier Rugby in row over player release for World Cup build-up

There are claims that non-English players' World Cup chances are being jeopardised by Premier Rugby's stipulations over their release

Things looking up in northern hemisphere but Australia are the future

Shaun Edwards: November should be a better month for the northern hemisphere countries but Australia are showing World Cup-winning potential

Wallabies’ George Smith spurns European clubs to stay in Australia

George Smith has turned down a lucrative move north to concentrate on the 2011 World Cup

Mils Muliaina snubs big money offers to commit to 2011 World Cup

All Blacks star has turned down lucrative offers to play in Europe, and says his desire to win the World Cup 'burns strongly'

Borthwick admits England have room for improvement

England captain Steve Borthwick now has a tough World Cup schedule to contend with on top of a dismal Six Nations campaign

England to open 2011 campaign against Argentina

England will face Argentina in their first pool game at the 2011 World Cup, while Wales take on South Africa

Italy may take 2015 World Cup from England

Italy has emerged as a contender to host the 2015 World Cup with the RFU concerned about the £80m staging fee