Rob Howley forecast several Wales players would be returning to Australia with the British and Irish Lions after they retained their Six Nations title with a record-breaking 30-3 win over England.

France landed the dreaded wooden spoon for the first time since 1999 despite beating Scotland 23-16 at the Stade de France on Saturday in their final Six Nations match.

Wales thrashed England by a record-breaking 30-3 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday to retain the Six Nations title and deny the visitors a Grand Slam.

Italy produced a breathtaking display to hand Ireland a 22-15 defeat on what was Andrea Lo Cicero's 103rd and final appearance for the Azzurri and possibly Brian O'Driscoll's last game in an Irish shirt.

A superb first-half team effort set up Brumbies of Australia for a 29-10 triumph over Sharks of South Africa in a surprisingly one-sided Super 15 clash Saturday.

Kiwi scrum-half Alby Mathewson inspired the Western Force to their first win of the Super 15 season with an 19-12 upset of Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Canterbury Crusaders emerged from their early season lethargy with a vengeance Saturday, hammering the previously unbeaten Northern Bulls 41-19 at AMI Stadium.

History beckons for both Grand Slam chasers England and defending champions Wales when they meet at the Millennium Stadium in the key match of Saturday's final day of the 2013 Six Nations Championship.

Former All Black Lelia Masaga scored three tries as Waikato Chiefs of New Zealand rounded off a South Africa tour with a 35-24 victory over Southern Kings Friday.

Defence coach Anthony Foley paid a warm tribute to Brian O'Driscoll on Friday as speculation continued that the former Ireland captain is about to end his impressive career.

Ireland have not ruled out Jonny Sexton making a quicker return than expected from a foot injury despite being ruled out for up to six weeks.

Italy prop Andrea Lo Cicero said Friday the upcoming final Six Nations game against Ireland will be his last for the Azzurri.

Scottish captain Kelly Brown said he was expecting something of a French backlash in their final Six Nations clash at the Stade de France on Saturday.

France can earn due reward for all their hard work during the Six Nations by beating Scotland in their final game here at the Stade de France on Saturday French captain Thierry Dusautoir said Friday.

France centre Florian Fritz was on Friday ruled out of his country's final Six Nations match with Scotland at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Wallaby David Pocock has been ruled out of rugby for nine months following knee surgery in a shattering blow for the key flanker and former Australian captain.

South African born flanker Antonie Claassen was named on Thursday to get his first start for France in their final Six Nations match against Scotland at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Brian O'Driscoll was named Thursday in the Ireland side to take on Italy in their Six Nations closer in Rome on Saturday in what could be his final match in the tournament.

Welsh desire to beat neighbours England on the rugby pitch runs so deep that it has even been immortalised in song.

Wayward All Blacks winger Zac Guildford was cleared Thursday to return to the New Zealand national team and Super 15 rugby following a series of alcohol-related incidents, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said.