Cardiff Blues director of rugby Dai Young and Leinster coach Alan Gaffney have welcomed the introduction of the end-of-season play-offs in the Magners League.

Ospreys centre Andrew Bishop has signed a new four-year contract with the Welsh region.

Discussions over staging a revamped Anglo-Welsh cup competition in time for the 2009-10 season are under way.

Leicester Tigers may have claimed a pre-season win over the Ospreys but they couldn't spoil the party atmosphere as Shane Williams kicked off his testimonial season at the Liberty Stadium.

Wales captain Ryan Jones will continue to lead club side Ospreys this season after being reappointed as skipper.

Ospreys head coach Sean Holley has heaped praise on Wales hero Shane Williams ahead of his testimonial.

Newport-Gwent Dragons' Shaun Connor insists his side will finish above Cardiff Blues and Llanelli Scarlets in the Magners League this season.

Welsh Rugby Union president Dennis Gethin has confirmed plans for a major statue to be erected at the Millennium Stadium in honour of former rugby figurehead and war hero Sir Tasker Watkins, who died in September last year.

The Welsh Rugby Union has announced a new funding initiative which will enable community clubs around Wales to apply for a share of a £1million scheme to improve club facilities.

Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips is targeting a return to international action this autumn following a serious knee injury.

Michael Owen is relishing the prospect of facing former club the Dragons following his successful debut for Saracens.

The Ospreys and Dragons both failed in their attempts to become the first Welsh victors in the Middlesex Sevens when they crashed out in the opening round at Twickenham.