Gloucester ready to come of age

Mike Tindall admits that his team must prove they are no longer chokers when the Heineken Cup kicks off this weekend

Scots have chance to be local heroes

As the Heineken Cup final heads for Murrayfield next May can a small local side steer clear of injuries to end on a high

McGeechan keen to keep eye on home talent

The former Scotland coach has been back in Edinburgh discussing players he may take to South Africa next summer

Boroughmuir work to stop Ayr from taking title

Champions give Watsonians a lesson in finishing as their premiership rivals cruise to a victory over West of Scotland

Warriors turn tide as Hickey gets stage fright

Worcester Warriors 22 London Irish 5: Eoghan Hickey missed four regulation kicks at goal to gift home side the bonus-point

Scarlets rely on experience to do job

Harlequins 17 Scarlets 26: the Welsh region were made to work hard by a Saracens side celebrating their youth

Credit crunch sinks its teeth into sport

Widespread financial meltdown threatens a funding crisis for teams

Lineen takes positives from defeat in Limerick

Coach satisfied that Glasgow gave as good as they got in difficult circumstances, despite being beaten at Thomond Park

Saint-Andre wants cup switched

Sale Sharks 17 Cardiff Blues 18: director of rugby laments as a weakened Sale side are edged out by Blues

Hook puts boot into Harlequins

Ospreys 24 Harlequins 23: EDF Energy Cup holders open their defence with a win resulting from an injury-time conversion

Cup proves low on Wasps' priority list

Gloucester 24 London Wasps 19: pressure on Ian McGeechan grows after a fifth defeat in six matches for Wasps

Leicester bank valuable cup win

Bath 15 Leicester 19: Derick Hougaard makes a mixed debut as last year's finalists preserve away form against Bath

Win tickets to see Leinster v London Wasps

Sluggish Bath take eye off the ball

Bath 15 Leicester 19: With rugby of this paucity, you would rather pay to get out of than into Bath's current ground

Andy Robinson is hungry for more

Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson is inspired by his charges and eager to take new scalps

Scare for Cipriani as Wasps lose again

Fly-half withdrawn after fears of a recurrence of ankle problems, however, he is now expected to be fit for Wasps’ Heineken Cup opener

Willie Walker tramples on Wasps

Gloucester 24 London Wasps 19: Gloucester had more scoring power against a team that was willing and well-organised

Mustoe keeps hungry Sharks at bay

Sale Sharks 17 Cardiff Blues 18: Blues saved their blushes with a try from replacement wing Richard Mustoe

Bristol suffer for their sins

Northampton 30 Bristol 17: Bristol's faltering start to the season hit a further low point as they conceded four tries

Falcons lose way without Wilkinson

N G Dragons 25 Newcastle Falcons 14: England fly half begins rehabilitation after successful operation on left kneecap