Rugby

Quade Cooper has been left out of Australia's preliminary squad for the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

Ireland will take six uncapped players to North America next month.

Jonny Wilkinson kicked 11 points as he led Toulon to a nail-biting 16-15 victory over Clermont in the Heineken Cup final.

Round-up: South Africa's Bulls remain on course for the Super Rugby semi-finals after a 35-18 victory over New Zealand's Highlanders.

Danie Rossouw has been included in Toulon's starting line-up for Saturday's Heineken Cup final against Clermont Auvergne.

Ireland's most capped player Ronan O'Gara has retired to take up a role coaching former rival Jonathan Sexton at Racing Metro.

Leinster comfortably beat Stade Francais 34-13 in Dublin to win the European Challenge Cup for the first time.

Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will miss the British and Irish Lions series but flanker George Smith should make it.

Tatafu Polota-Nau fractured his forearm and several other Wallabies were injured in New South Wales' win over ACT Brumbies.

Canterbury Crusaders put the Auckland Blues firmly in their place with a convincing 23-3 victory over their fierce rivals.

A late penalty try helped the Melbourne Rebels to record their first Super Rugby victory over a South African side.

The Natal Sharks snapped a five-game losing streak with a deserved 23-13 victory over the Western Force in Perth.

Jonny Wilkinson is desperate to win Toulon's Heineken Cup showdown with Clermont Auvergne in Dublin.

Leading English referee Wayne Barnes will take charge of the Aviva Premiership final between Leicester and Northampton at Twickenham on May 25.

Sergio Parisse accepts that Stade Francais are underdogs for tonight's Amlin Challenge Cup final against Leinster in Dublin.