Reigning Super 15 champions the Waikato Chiefs held off a second-half fightback to defeat the Otago Highlanders 41-27 on Friday and launch their title defence with a convincing bonus-point win.

England expect Manu Tuilagi to have one of the toughest matches of his international career when the recalled centre faces France in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.

Six Nations champions Wales expect a tight match against Italy here Saturday despite the hosts missing influential captain Sergio Parisse for the rest of the tournament.

France captain Thierry Dusautoir has said Saturday's Six Nations Championship clash against England at Twickenham could be a "career-defining" match for his struggling side.

Forward Adam Thomson has become the latest All Black to sign a lucrative contract to play club rugby in Japan, joining the Canon Eagles on a two-year deal.

Injuries to four key players and the return of star centre Sonny Bill Williams to rugby league have put the Waikato Chiefs on the back foot as they prepare to open their Super 15 title defence on Friday.

Courtney Lawes will make his first England start at blindside flanker as one of three changes to a winning side announced Thursday by head coach Stuart Lancaster for Saturday's Six Nations clash against France at Twickenham.

Fiji-born Manoa Vosawei will fill the gaping hole at No.8 left by Sergio Parisse, who will miss Saturday's Six Nations game against Wales in Rome due to suspension.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Thursday made seven changes to his side to take on England in a Six Nations match at Twickenham on Saturday.

Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson has promised his side will not be taken unawares by a much-changed Ireland team in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Brad Barritt may not be a fans' favourite but so long as he has the respect of his team-mates England's midfield defensive anchorman is perfectly happy to keep adding to his tackle count.

France great Serge Betsen believes Saturday's Six Nations match against England at Twickenham will represent the "biggest game ever" for an emerging French side.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss the rest of the Six Nations Championship after picking up a 30-day ban on Wednesday for swearing at a referee.

Matt Coles and Ben Stokes have both been sent home from the second-string England Lions tour of Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced Wednesday.

Prop forward Geoff Cross has been called up into the Scotland side for Sunday's Six Nations international against Ireland at Murrayfield in the only change to the side that beat Italy earlier this month.

England forwards coach Graham Rowntree has told his pack to expect a fierce French onslaught when they meet in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.

Wales's Sam Warburton will have to make do with a place on the bench after interim head coach Rob Howley confirmed his replacements Tuesday for Saturday's Six Nations international away to Italy.

Toulon's Argentina captain Juan Martin Fernandez-Lobbe will be out for around six weeks with a ruptured spleen, the French Top 14 leaders Toulon announced on Tuesday.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen expressed disappointment at Richard Kahui's decision to play in Japan next year, saying he was frustrated the centre never gave him a chance to change his mind.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has warned that France will be no pushovers in Saturday's showdown at Twickenham despite starkly contrasting starts to the Six Nations tournament for the sides.