71.   Woodward however believes English rugby is on the up, with a young squad growing in strength and experience with every game.

72.   It would not do him or English rugby any good and that is our prime interest now.

73.   Kiwi international Aaron Whittaker enjoyed a dream debut in the English rugby league at Wakefield on Sunday as the new season got under way.

74.   Kidderminster have just become the first English rugby club to tour China.

75.   On Tuesday English rugby chiefs shrugged off the threat of being thrown out of the championship by confirming they will press on with negotiations for an independent TV deal.

76.   Once the dominant force in English rugby, Bath have struggled in recent years and last season finished second from bottom in the Premiership.

77.   Our delegates at the IB confessed that English rugby had not been lily-white.

78.   Speculation increased here on Wednesday that English rugby union will turn professional following the World Cup, which starts in South Africa on Thursday.

79.   The following few days will be among the most important in the long history of English rugby union.

80.   The much-heralded World Club Championship will comprise the cream of English rugby league in head-to-head clashes with top outfits from Australia.