Rugby Union

Northampton Saints lock Christian Day is to retire at the end of the season after 17 years as a professional.

Team news as Gloucester host Newcastle Falcons in Friday's European Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingsholm (19:45 BST).

All Blacks great Dan Carter says he is more motivated than ever as he looks to end his top-level career by winning the Champions Cup.

Newcastle Falcons sign Samoan prop Logovi'i Mulipola from Premiership rivals Leicester Tigers on undisclosed terms.

Stuart Hogg endorses the benefits of sports psychology after Jason O'Halloran claims Scottish rugby is '20 years behind' New Zealand.

Yorkshire Carnegie flanker Brandon Staples is banned for four years after testing positive for the presence of three steroids.

Five Spain players have been given bans for confronting the referee after their team's controversial World Cup qualifying defeat by Belgium in March.

In a special Rugby Union Weekly podcast with international referee Wayne Barnes, Danny Care and Ugo Monye disagree on what the forward pass rule should be.

New Zealand scrum-half Brad Weber becomes the first top-level rugby player to condemn Israel Folau's anti-gay comments.

The UK man will contest charges that he punched Australia's rugby sevens captain James Stannard.

Leicester's Telusa Veainu expects training to involve a few "punch-ups" after a below-par display in defeat by Northampton.

Ulster players express "sadness" at the departures of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding following the termination of their contracts.

Owner Steve Lansdown says rebranding as 'Bristol Bears' is a nod to the club's future.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac calls on his team to "create history" by beating Leinster on Saturday to reach a first European final.

England coach Eddie Jones was verbally abused at a railway station after a defeat by Scotland.

Bristol Rugby owner Steve Lansdown is prepared for criticism from fans over rebranding the club Bristol Bears.

Full-back Israel Folau will not be punished by Rugby Australia over anti-gay comments he made on social media earlier this month.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac is a "very good candidate" to succeed Warren Gatland as Wales boss in 2019, says Mike Ruddock.

Bristol incorporate 'Bears' into their name and change their club crest to mark their return to the Premiership next season.

Former Scotland scrum-half Bryan Redpath returns to coaching with the national under-20s side.