Stuart Lancaster’s decision to omit Sale Sharks fly-half Danny Cipriani from England’s 2015 Rugby World Cup squad could be a defining moment in his coaching career.

After a ragged start to the season, the jury is out on Wayne Rooney’s capabilities to spearhead Manchester United’s attack but with 18 goals in 30 games against Saturday opponents Newcastle, he will be confident of overcoming his drought to silence the critics once again.

England World Cup winner Neil Back is convinced the uncertainty surrounding boss Stuart Lancaster’s starting XV will come back to haunt him this autumn.

The debate rages on as to whether Sam Burgess can play international rugby union at centre, but whatever happens in this weekend’s acid test against France at Twickenham, former England captain Martin Johnson insists the experiment will be well worth it.

Danny Cipriani can be the game-breaker at fly-half for England this World Cup according to former Sale Sharks team-mate and ex-Red Rose winger Mark Cueto.

Chris Robshaw will lead Stuart Lancaster’s England out at Twickenham on Friday September 18 to start arguably the biggest tournament of his career after getting to grips with the great and the good of the sport’s grassroots heroes at the first ever National Rugby Awards.

Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero plans to return to Argentina to play for his boyhood club, Independiente, according to his father, Leonel del Castillo.

Lancashire and England stalwart Kate Cross believes a national side as strong as ever – and the home summer weather – will help deliver a third straight series win for the first time in women’s Ashes history

The George Ford or Owen Farrell discussion is likely to dominate English rugby for many years to come but England’s current incumbent of the fly-half jersey downplayed the importance of their latest head-to-head battle in the Aviva Premiership final.

England’s women, unbeaten in three matches having scored six goals from a variety of players including two defenders in Monday’s comeback against unbeaten Norway, prepare to face hosts Canada in Saturday’s last-eight clash.

Manchester City’s Steph Houghton and Lucy Bronze helped England’s Lionesses overcome a 1-0 deficit against former champions Norway to set up a World Cup quarter-final with hosts Canada on Saturday.