England back row James Haskell is to retire at the end of the season.

 

The 34-year-old, who has won 77 caps and played in the past two World Cups, has struggled with ankle and toe problems with Northampton this season.

 

He joined Wasps in 2002 and spent seven years with the club before moving to Stade Francais, the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan and Super Rugby's Highlanders.

Israel Folau has lost his sponsorship deal with sportswear brand Asics.

 

Folau was found guilty of breaching Rugby Australia's (RA) player code of conduct after he said "hell awaits" gay people in a social media post.

Danny Cipriani is targeting Premiership glory with Gloucester and a place in England's World Cup training squad after winning the Rugby Players' Association Player of the Year award.

 

The fly-half topped the poll of his fellow professionals after guiding Gloucester into the play-offs.

Hull FC kept on course for a third Wembley appearance in four years as they beat Castleford to reach the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Dragons have appointed Dean Ryan as their director of rugby in a role that will see him assume a board position.

 

The region have created the role for Ryan, who joins from the Rugby Football Union where he has been working as head of international player development.

 

Ryan had been expected to be announced as head coach and his new role means interim head coach Ceri Jones reverts to his previous job as forwards coach.

Castleford Tigers ended their four-game losing run with a five-try Super League thrashing of struggling Leeds Rhinos at Headingley.

Mako Vunipola will miss the climax to double-chasing Saracens' pursuit of the Premiership title after being ruled with a "significant" hamstring injury.

 

Vunipola was forced off after half an hour of last Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup final win over Leinster.

 

But Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall insists the British & Irish loose-head will be available for England's World Cup campaign.

Israel Folau's contract has been terminated by Rugby Australia after he said "hell awaits" gay people in a social media post.

 

The full-back, 30, was sacked in April but requested a hearing, which was heard by a three-person panel.

 

The panel found him guilty of a "high level breach" of RA's player code of conduct and upheld the dismissal.

 

Folau, who had a RA deal until 2022, has 72 hours to appeal against the ruling and is considering his options.

 

Glasgow Warriors were in irresistible form as they scored seven tries to dismiss Ulster and book a place in next Saturday's Pro14 final at Celtic Park by winning 51-20.

Leaders St Helens produced a stunning late salvage job to beat Salford in an entertaining Super League contest by winning 32-30.

Catalans Dragons celebrated their Nou Camp adventure with a thumping five-try Super League win against Wigan by winning 33-16.

Premiership Play-Off Semi-Finals:

 

Saracens v Gloucester 1:30

Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints 4:30

 

 

Who do you think will win?

Also on Saturday, it is the Pro14 final between Glasgow Warriors and Leinster which will be live on Premier Sports for viewers in the UK.

 

Who do you think will win?

 

 

 

On Saturday & Sunday, it is the Rugby League Super League Magic Weekend taking place in Anfield, Liverpool.

 

 

Live coverage will be on Sky Sports.

 

 

Line-Up:

Wakefield Trinity v Catalans Dragons 25 May 2019 14:00 BST

Hull F.C. v Huddersfield Giants 25 May 2019 16:30 BST

Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves 25 May 2019 19:00 BST

Salford Red Devils v Hull KR 26 May 2019 13:00 BST

Leeds Rhinos v London Broncos 26 May 2019 15:30 BST

St Helens v Castleford Tigers 26 May 2019 18:00 BST

Gloucester fly-half Danny Cipriani has been crowned the Premiership Player of the Season to secure an awards double.

 

The 31-year-old had already won the Rugby Players Association's annual award earlier this month.

Super League has extended its sponsorship deal with betting company Betfred for a further two seasons.

 

The current three-season deal started in 2017 and will now run until the end of the 2021 Super League campaign.

Premiership Play-Off Final

 

Exeter Chiefs v Saracens

 

Who do you think will win?

Challenge Cup quarter-final draw

 

St Helens v Wakefield

Bradford v Halifax

Hull KR v Warrington

Hull FC v Catalans Dragons

 

 

 

Quarter final schedule

 

Thursday May 30 - Hull FC v Catalans Dragons (19:35 BST)

Friday May 31 - Hull KR v Warrington Wolves (19:35 BST)

Saturday June 1 - St Helens v Wakefield Trinity (15:15 BST, live on BBC One)

Sunday June 2 - Bradford Bulls v Halifax (14:45 BST live on BBC Two, followed by semi-final draw)

Wales will play the Barbarians in an historic double-header at the Principality Stadium in November.

 

Warren Gatland will coach the Barbarians men in Wayne Pivac's first Wales match in charge after the World Cup in Japan.

 

The Barbarians will also face Wales women for the first time on 30 November.

A major sponsor is to voice concerns to rugby club London Irish over the signing of former Ulster and Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson.

 

Diageo, which owns Guinness and is the team's main sponsor, said his signing was "not consistent with our values".

 

Jackson was found not guilty of rape last year, but had his contract revoked by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).

 

London Irish confirmed they are in "ongoing dialogue" with sponsors.