It’s been a long 18-20 months and we’ve looked forward to this day.

Party to tour South Africa consists of 16 backs and 21 forwards

It’s nearly decision time for the Lions coach - who should make the South Africa tour?

Eddie Jones makes three changes for Saturday’s clash against France at Twickenham

Shock defeat by Cornish Pirates a sobering start to life for Saracens in the Championship

Ollie Lawrence out of the 23 altogether with Owen Farrell moving to inside centre

English prop has been sidelined since November with a calf and achilles injury

Willie John’s debut; Beirne’s ruck rating; Thomas stars despite Racing exit

Bookies rate France as second favourites to win with Ireland third most likely winners

England internationals are unlikely to play league rugby before the Six Nations kicks off

What might simply look like a poor throw is more often than not a deeper system failure

England’s brilliant defensive performance secures fourth straight win over Ireland

How Ireland respond to intimidation and contend with bigger pack will be crucial

Our rugby correspondent looks at the players who impressed in this year’s fractured tournament

Eddie Jones has named his XV to face Italy in Saturday’s final round of the Six Nations

Lewis Ludlam in isolation while doubts linger over other players

Saracens’ director of rugby impressed by his frontrow despite lack of preparation

In the long run Saracens loss will fuel a relatively young squad in years to come

Mako Vunipola immense at scrum time as visitors harrass and hound in the back field

Province leave themselves too much to do as they are dumped out of Champions Cup

‘It’s a huge game, a huge challenge for us to go over to Ireland as underdogs’

Weakened defending champions remain daunting Champions Cup quarter-final opponents

Agreement also deals with international players’ concerns around welfare and rest

Mark McCall’s side score six close-range tries in mismatch at the Stoop

‘Risky’ rugby hacks sidelined for annual Lansdowne dance; British and Irish Lions

He follows the Vunipola brothers, Owen Farrell, Jamie George and Elliot Daly

Ulster plan ahead with Ian Madigan signing but these are very worrying times for rugby

The 25-year-old has started 10 of 14 matches for Leinster this season and hopes to kick on

Andy Farrell's Ireland travel to the lions’ den on Sunday with the Triple Crown up for grabs

If Ireland are to win at Twickenham then most likely it will be a white knuckle ride

John O’Sullivan has a look at Eddie Jones’s side for Sunday’s big clash at Twickenham

Injury to George Furbank forces England to reshuffle back three for Sunday’s clash

Visits of Bono and O’Connell set to further imbue a sense of unity and purpose in squad

England have already lost Billy Vunipola to a broken arm

Conditions rule out running rugby as England edge arm wrestle at Murrayfield

Eddie Jones has picked Northampton Saints fullback to start Six Nations opener

Defending champions defy Rhys Carre’s fifth minute red card to edge Ospreys in Swansea

Kearns alleged to have made comments about Jamie George’s weight sparking melee

Leinster have qualified after four rounds, turning a potential pool of sharks into a romp

Possibilities in new World Cup cycle endless, English Premiership the priority not Europe