Leicester scrum-half Micky Young is banned for eight weeks for making contact with the eye area of Aironi wing Giulio Toniolatti.

Wales prop Rhys Thomas undergoes heart surgery after being taken ill during training with the Scarlets.

Wales add Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones to their training squad in Poland ahead of their Six Nations opener against Ireland on 5 February.

World Cup discards Delon Armitage and Matt Banahan are among those hoping to stake an England claim when the Saxons face the Irish Wolfhounds on Saturday.

Rugby league convert Joel Tomkins is set to make his Saracens debut in the LV= Cup.

London Broncos announce they will play a home Super League game in Kent for the first time.

Leeds Rhinos centre Kallum Watkins commits himself to the club until 2016.

London Broncos pull out of a deal to sign Jarrad Hickey for the 2012 Super League season.

Widnes complete their preparations to return to Super League by making Melbourne Storm prop Sione Kite their final close-season signing.

Heath L'Estrange and Matt Diskin will share the Bradford Bulls captaincy this season.