Stuart Lancaster has told England’s wing sensation Chris Ashton that his ‘swallow dive’ celebration will not be banned. He told the winger that he can continue to use his trademark dive so long as it is not used to wind up England’s opponents.

Lancaster has given his team a stern talking to as to how he expects them to behave in the fall out from their embarrassing World Cup campaign.

One year ago France were on the wrong end of the biggest upset in Six Nations history. In last year’s trip to Italy, the French were roundly humiliated as Italy outplayed them across the park to come out 22-21 winners in a highly entertaining game.

Many put the result down to French arrogance and them underestimating the Italians, and this was probably the case. It is unlikely that they will underestimate them again this year when the teams meet in Paris on Saturday.

New Zealand have already produced one key part of Australia’s current test side and in the form of Quade Cooper.

Now that Cooper has picked up an injury an opportunity has arisen for another New Zealand born player to make an impact on Australian Rugby.

Cooper’s team mate at the Queensland Reds is Mike Harris and he is hoping to thrive in the absence of Cooper from the sides opening games in this year’s Super Rugby tournament. Harris was born in Auckland but like Cooper, Harris has pledged himself to Australia for whom he qualifies to play through his Australian grandmother.

The England rugby team faces arch rivals Scotland in the second match of the Six Nations Tournament next month and interim coach Stuart Lancaster has announced a youthful squad that will play for them.

The team, at the moment is going through a phase of transition with players getting used to the new system deployed by the coach and getting to know each other in a new way and this might give the others an opportunity to take the almighty team head on and maybe even go on to beat them.

Paul Vaughan, organiser of the 2015 Rugby World Cup is confident the tournament will be the best ever and has set the target for all involved to ensure it is.

The planning of the tournament was officially launched at Twickenham this week and the venue, which has been central to recent turmoil at the RFU, which has resulted in a major shake-up in the organisation, is according to Vaughan going to be the hub for the most successful World Cup in the events 28 year history(by 2015).

Eddie O’Sullivan has thrown his hat into the ring to succeed Martin Johnson as England coach. The former Irish coach is fresh from an impressive World Cup campaign which saw his United States team beat Russia and run Ireland close.

His past international experience marks him out as a real contender, having guided Ireland to three triple crowns in a six year spell with his home nation. He has also been involved with a Lions tour and so has a deep knowledge of the International game in the Northern Hemisphere.

As expected, New Zealand rugby Union coach Graham Henry has stepped down from the head coach role. After leading the All Blacks to victory in the Rugby World Cup, this move was expected - he simply can't improve on how he has handled the task, and is leaving at the very top of his game.

The 65 year old joined the New Zealand set-up 6 years ago, and has since won countless Tri-Nations tournaments and Northern Hemisphere Grand Slams, before leading New Zealand to the ultimate victory in the World Cup, when his team out-muscled and out-manouvered the hard-working French side.

Australian back-row legend Phil Waugh has said that he will be retiring from professional rugby. Waugh previously confirmed that he would quit his Super Rugby side the Waratahs at the end of the season and now says he is looking to go out on a high as part of the Wallabies' World Cup squad for this year's tournament in New Zealand (incidentally, Australia are well worth sticking some free rugby bets on!)

Crusaders have been beaten by the Reds in the final series 17-16. Reds first five-eighths Quade Cooper kicked the match-winning penalty, awarded after whistle-happy Australian referee Stu Dickinson contentiously pinged Crusaders captain Richie McCaw for hands in the ruck in the 80th minute, to seal the Queenslanders' 11th win from 13 matches.

The South African Rugby stars got to train in a resort in Queensland. Springboks including locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, flanker Pierre Spies, halfback Fourie du Preez and first-five Morne Steyn are in town with the South African Bulls side.

The Bulls, who won the last two Super rugby competitions, flew to Queenstown on Sunday from Napier, where they beat the Hurricanes 26-14.

They’re in town till Friday, when they travel to Timaru for a much-anticipated clash against the Crusaders.