Dirty Balls

Mike Brewer’s tenure as head coach of Sale got off to the perfect start as the Sharks recorded a 35-18 win over Newcastle.

Mike Brewer’s tenure as head coach of Sale got off to the perfect start as the Sharks recorded a 35-18 win over Newcastle.

Sale head coach Mike Brewer praised the pace and intensity of his side’s performance after they comprehensively defeated Newcastle 35-18 on the opening night of the new Aviva Premiership Rugby season at Edgeley Park.

Glasgow got their new Magners League campaign off to the perfect start with a gutsy victory over Leinster on Friday.

Sale opened the new Aviva Premiership season Rugby with a comprehensive win over Newcastle at Edgeley Park to mark head coach Mike Brewer’s first game in charge in fine style.

Leeds host Bath in Sunday’s Aviva Premiership fixture (1500 BST).

Glasgow got their new Magners League campaign off to the perfect start with a gutsy victory over Leinster.

The Lions consigned WP to their third consecutive Currie Cup defeat thanks to a thrilling come-from-behind 46-28 win in Johannesburg on Friday .

Ulster beat Magners League champions Ospreys 27-26 in the opening match of the season at Ravenhill.

Glasgow Warriors edge out Leinster to win their opening game of the Magners League season.

The Free State Cheetahs beat Griquas for the second time in the 2010 Currie Cup, claiming a 33-28 win in Kimberley on Friday.

Australia are determined to end their Tri-Nations campiagn on a high on Saturday.

Team news and preview ahead of Wales’ final game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Guildford.

Launch the skysports.com scorecentre for latest scores as the Aviva Premiership and Magners League get under way.

Team news ahead of Sunday’s Aviva Premiership fixture (1500 BST).

Wasps face Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership at Twickenham on Saturday.

Wasps face Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership at Twickenham on Saturday.

Stephen Ferris and Darren Cave supplied first half tries and out-half Niall O’Connor kicked 17 points as Ulster dug deep to overcome reigning Magners League champions, the Ospreys, at Ravenhill.

Having built a 16-6 half-time lead, Leinster allowed Glasgow Warriors to seize the initiative in the second half as a late penalty and drop goal from replacement Duncan Weir completed a 22-19 comeback win for the Scots.

London Irish face Saracens in Saturday’s Aviva Premiership fixture.

A new season, a new sponsor and now a new way to watch Aviva Premiership Rugby, Premiership Rugby TV is your new companion to the 2010-11 season.

Wales and Cardiff Blues prop Gethin Jenkins has put his injury worries behind him and is raring to go on the eve of the new season.

The Colorado Rapids have confirmed Danny Cipriani has joined them for training, fuelling speculation over the exiled fly-half’s future.

Bath and England prop David Flatman says there is more pressure than ever to pick up a trophy this season.

Five Irish referees will take charge of matches in the opening two rounds of this season’s Heineken Cup, with former Shannon and Munster winger John Lacey set to make his Heineken Cup refereeing debut on Friday, October 8.

USA international Paul Emerick has agreed a three-month deal with Ulster, while Adam D’Arcy has signed a one-year contract.

Exeter host Gloucester in Saturday’s Aviva Premiership fixture.

Exeter Chiefs start their new life in the Aviva Premiership by hosting Gloucester at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Biarritz are making a habit of starting seasons poorly – and things will not get any easier as they face table-topping Stade Francais.

Adam D’Arcy, the Australian full-back who has been on trial with Ulster, has secured a one-year contract with the province ahead of his senior debut for them against the Ospreys.