"Steve Thompson killing my toilet" - Ben Cohen (@RugbyBenCohen) catches Steve Thompson with his pants down © @RugbyBenCohen

It was no surprise to hear this week that England's World Cup squad have been banned from using Twitter during the tournament.The micro-blogging site has been the source of controversy several times in recent months and it is only a matter of time before a major Twitter-based scandal sends shockwaves through the sporting world.

We'll have to wait and see if the Football Association's attempts to keep a lid on things works and the Rugby Football Union will no doubt be following events closely although I'm not sure if there is call for a similar decision ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup? Whilst you ponder that question - here's what rugby's Twitterati have been up to of late...

"Just had to clean up the biggest poo from Ethan in the world. It hit his neck, belly button and seeped down to his knees. Nice."
Bath's Duncan Bell delights in the joys of fatherhood.

"Taking in an open air London Bus tour with some of the boys. Little team dinner tonight. Been laughing all day! And London is amazing!"
Toulon lock Ross Skeate reveals a taxing build-up to the Barbarians' clash with England.

"Black eyed peas were unreal!! Will.I.am was amazing but still not good enough for cheryl...anybody have her number for me??"
Harlequins and England scrum-half Danny Care sets his sights pop princess Cheryl Cole.

"Ok... Let's make this thing charitable! If I say the words 'Mary Poppins' on tv, who is prepared to donate money to a brilliant cause?"
Bath's Luke Watson does a bit of charity work - via his stint in front of the Sky Sports cameras for the Super 14 Final. (He bottled it).

"Cheers Toulon!amlin cup rugby it is...!"
Gloucester's Olly Morgan reflects on Cardiff Blues' victory over Toulon that means Gloucester will be playing in Europe's second tier next season.

"Thank you for the support really need it now .My heart is that bok jersey .Peter De Villiers and Regan Oskins working hard to sort this out."
The citizenship row surrounding South Africa's Tendai Mtawarira drags on and he hopes for a favourable resolution.

"Great victory, great support http://twitvid.com/3FPJP"
Cardiff Blues scrum-half Richie Rees reflects on his side' European Challenge Cup victory over Toulon by offering an insight into the post-match celebrations.

"my tattoo took 10hours lol feels good now"trying to be tough" lol its jsut added to my old one which was about family and my life so far :)"
The Reds' Quade Cooper celebrates a stand-out season by getting a new tattoo.

"Just touched down after an incredible day...needless to say I'm on the p**s...."
Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Roberts delights in his side's European success and makes a bee line for a pub.

"@neyza3 real hot here! Sweating like mad!! Hope you boys aren't too keen when we come down, we've had a long season!!:)"
Ospreys and Wales prop Adam Jones asks Neemia Tialata and his fellow All Blacks to go easy on the tourists next month.

"Just been to watch street dance 3D @SKYCITYCinemas with my lil nieces... Remind me not 2 buy a 3D tv it's not worth it gives ya sore head:("
Hurricanes and All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata is not impressed by 3D technology.

"Can't believe @ollymorgs has forked out on a 3D tv. Think he wants to check his hairline up close!"
The end of the season obviously does not mean the end of banter according to Gloucester's Andy Hazell with his team-mate Olly Morgan in the firing line.

"Just realised Im doing 3 winters in a row. Might have to hit the electric beach.....haha! That's a big NO chance!"
Biarritz's Karmichael Hunt reflects on the downside of being a highly-paid, much-wanted, well-travelled, multi-talented sportsman.

We remind you that none of the above accounts have been verified but we're happy to take the chance for your entertainment - but would anyone masquerade as Olly Morgan?

Who is going to get their hands on all this silverware? © Getty Images

Get the beers in and reserve your favourite seat in the front room because this Saturday offers an unprecedented feast of action for the armchair fan from around the globe. For UK-based fans, the action kicks off at 4.05pm (BST) allowing you plenty of time to do the shopping and any other jobs around the house that will grant you sole control of the TV remote for the rest of the day.

First up is the historic Super 14 Final showdown between the Bulls and the Stormers at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. The Soweto-based stadium played host to a party-like atmosphere last weekend as the Bulls swept the Crusaders aside and another bumper crowd will be on hand to see if Frans Ludeke's star-studded side can make it back-to-back titles. They will be favourites to do just that but former Bulls star and now Stormers speedster Bryan Habana might have something to say about that.

Italian rugby fans may be keen to point out that this season's Super 10 Final between Benetton Treviso and Arix Viadana will follow in Padova but for the majority it will be a simple press of a button to switch to the Guinness Premiership Final at Twickenham where Leicester and Saracens will go head-to-head for the English crown - and a lucky few may be able to take in the clash in 3D. We don't know whether Sarries boss Brendan Venter will be in south west London for the game, due to kick off at 5.30pm (BST), because of his touchline ban and pending appeal but with or without him, his side are unlikely to take a backward step. The Tigers, like the Bulls, are chasing back-to-back domestic titles and will not be wanting for motivation after Sarries handed them a rare home defeat during the regular season.

Viewers face a small dilemma at 6.30pm (BST) when a packed house at the RDS in Dublin will play host to the first ever Magners League Grand Final between hosts Leinster and Welsh rivals Ospreys. Stripped of their Heineken Cup crown earlier this season, Leinster will be keen to replace it with the celtic rugby's biggest prize but the Ospreys will no doubt relish the opportunity to spoil the party and trump Cardiff Blues' recent European Challenge Cup Final success.

From there it may require a little bit of channel-hopping to ensure you are up-to-date with the Top 14 Final clash between Perpignan and Clermont Auvergne at the Stade de France that will kick off at 7.45pm (BST). After a season largely dominated by the French, it is perhaps fitting that the latest battle for the Bouclier de Brennus brings the curtain down on the European season. Clermont have lost a remarkable ten Championship finals and the last three on the bounce and you're left wondering what another would do to them but they will get little sympathy from their Catalan rivals who pipped them at this stage last year.

All in all, an epic day awaits and for those unable to do so from the comfort of their armchair, or those lucky enough to be attending one of the games, you can stay on top of all the action right here on Scrum.com or via our mobile site http://m.scrum.com

3D cameras take in the final round of this year's Masters tournament at Augusta © Getty Images

This blog has touched on the subject of 3D previously, but having witnessed the technology at close hand earlier this week at the Premiership awards I felt compelled to return to the topic - such was the impression it made on me.

Fans were given the opportunity to sample the technology on a cinema screen during this year's Six Nations with mixed reviews reaching us here at Scrum.com - but there is no holding back the 3D tide.

Sky Sports are one of the major players in driving this technology and they took Premier League football to the masses for the first time in the New Year with Arsenal's clash with Manchester United broadcast in 3D in selected pubs. Further football games followed and rugby fans finally got a taste of the action with Leicester's recent Premiership semi-final victory over Bath the first to get the same treatment. This was the game they were re-showing (or should that be showing off?) earlier this week and understandably so.

I must admit I was a little dismissive of this technology at first and as a result did not go out of my way to sample it first hand but having done so it is now quite clear why so many people, broadcasters (including ESPN) and manufacturers are convinced that this is the next big thing.

ESPN will launch its 3D-dedicated channel in the United States (via DirecTV and Comcast) in time for the Fifa World Cup while Sky have previously said the technology will reach UK households before the end of the year with viewers having to stump up for the privilege in both cases. While consumers in the UK can currently access High Definition technology for free, if in possession of the right receiver, it is unclear whether the likes of the BBC will embrace 3D technology in the same way having only previously hinted that will do so at the 2012 Olympics. We can only hope they do and use it to showcase the Six Nations for which they hold the rights of until 2013.

The cost of 3D TVs remains a barrier for the average consumer but it is hoped that the latest innovation will help convince them to dig deep. Many viewers, myself included, are still to be convinced by the full-on promotional campaign behind HD with the associated costs again the problem. And that product's battle for airtime will no doubt soon be usurped by its flashier rival that for me holds all the aces.

And for those wanting to judge for themselves - tomorrow's Heineken Cup Final between Biarritz and Toulouse will be broadcast in 3D with the Premiership Final and the England v Barbarians clashes to follow - find out where by clicking here.

Whilst we're on the subject of rugby in your living room, I noted with interest the International Rugby Board's decision to put the UK broadcast rights of the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and the Rugby World Cup 2015 in England out to tender this week.

An invitation to tender document will be distributed to "qualifying interested parties on 1st June with responses requested by close of business 2nd July 2010" with "qualifying" the key word.

The IRB stressed this week that, "Interested organisations with the necessary stature, experience, financial resources and ability to reach a national audience for this major international sports event will be considered to be qualified to participate in the bid process.

"All applicants wishing to participate in the process should provide a brief outline of their organization, including major international sports rights broadcast experience and financial structure."

The tournament final (but not every game) is currently on the protected list of sports events that must be free-to-air in the UK and commercial broadcaster ITV have held the rights since 1991. Rumours are rife that the BBC will enter the equation this time around due to England's successful bid to host the 2015 tournament with the less TV audience-friendly New Zealand tournament added to the package in a bid to ensure maximum revenue.

With no rugby portfolio we can assume Five will not enter what is set to be an intense bidding war but could Sky, who set the bar in terms of rugby coverage in the UK, or dare I say ESPN enter the equation despite both being a subscription-based product? The existing legislation would suggest no but maybe a joint bid with one of their domestic rivals to share costs with a condition that games featuring the Home Nations remain free? Top commentary duo Miles Harrison and Stuart Barnes were 'loaned' to ITV for the last tournament and maybe there will be a more significant sharing of talent next time around?

"Look at this bad boy" - Sale wing Ben Cohen is rather proud of his latest toy © Twitpic

Off the leash at the end of another gruelling campaign, many of our leading Twitter lights are launching into their post-season with the kind of vigour that was in some cases sadly missing from their on-field performances - but we don't mind as long as they continue to entertain.

Enjoy their latest musings and don't be too jealous...

"All packed for my holiday, most importantly have got Hulk Hogans new book to read"
Newcastle's Tom Biggs looks forward to his hard-hitting holiday read.

"On my way to get very drunk for 2 days. Tomorrow dressed as a quarter of the Village People. Tonight..... probably jeans and t-shirt."
London Irish lock Nick Kennedy makes an early start on his pre-season training.

"@BJBotha mate you play more golf than rugga,Ive not touched my Callaways in 6 months!Yes I'm a little jealous!Do they shorten your clubs?!"
Sharks skipper John Smit is a little jealous of the amount of free time Ulster's BJ Botha appears to have.

"4 and a 1/2 hours bus ride and we arrive into St Etienne's Siberian cold. I now know where to come when global warming takes full effect!"
Toulon's Ross Skeate is not happy about swapping the Mediterranean sun for the less favourable climate of St Etienne ahead of their Top 14 semi-final clash with Clermont Auvergne.

"Recovering today after an awesome end of season fancy dress yesterday at the Church!! What a place!! We definitely finished the season well!"
Harlequins' Danny Care reports that his side's end of season celebrations went off without incident this year. No Bath players in sight.

"Is over the moon that the tour plane hits homeground in time for Glastonbury 2010. Find me in the dance village wearing one of these :-)"
Bath's Olly Barkley is delighted his England return will not prevent him getting his latest electro fix at the Glastonbury festival.

"South beach Miami...jst witnessed a guy riding down the street with a live racoon on his head wearing a nappy...a place for all sorts!"
Gloucester's Rory Lawson winds down at the end of the season with a trip to the States.

"Failure doesn't mean u are a failure it just means u haven't succeeded yet. Iv got my :( sad face on & can't get ovr how bad we played!---->"
The Hurricanes' Neemia Tialata reflects on the end of his side's Super 14 play-off hopes.

"For some reason i have been nominated for Rear Of the Year. Could you vote it would be the first thing i have ever won www.rearoftheyear.com."
Not content with the exposure provided by the latest Stade Francais calendar, James Haskell welcomes another chance to raise his profile.

"@ollybarkley well done buddy. I remember the last tour we went on my mum is still in shock bless her."
Sale wing Ben Cohen congratulates Olly Barkley on his England return and recalls what we imagine was a colourful tour experience in years gone by.

We remind you that none of the above accounts have been verified but we're happy to take the chance for your entertainment - but would anyone masquerade as Rory Lawson?

The Bulls' Francois Hougsaard dives over to score the all-important try at Loftus © Getty Images

What an amazing game the Bulls and the Crusaders played out at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night. For those of you that missed it, the Bulls claimed a dramatic 40-35 victory to cement their place at the top of the Super 14 table and book a home semi-final in this year's post-season but that is only part of the story of thrilling game where the lead changed an incredible ten times. Sevens tries, two yellow cards, a bucket load of drama and a hint of controversy top it all off.

The match may not have had as much riding on it as our selection of some of the most dramatic finishes of all-time but certainly warrants its place amongst them:

Australia 17-20 England, Rugby World Cup Final, Sydney, Australia, November 22, 2003
England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicked England to Rugby World Cup glory with an extra-time drop goal to set the seal on the northern hemisphere's first victory in the sport's global showpiece. Wilkinson's last-gasp effort was all that separated the sides after 100 minutes of intense rugby and was a fitting finale to the sport's best-ever tournament.

Wales 31-24 Scotland, Six Nations Championship, Cardiff, Wales, February 13, 2010
Wales produced one of the greatest escapes ever to claim a 31-24 victory over Scotland in a pulsating Six Nations clash at the Millennium Stadium. A last-gasp try from winger Shane Williams in stoppage time set the seal on a remarkable comeback that culminated with an amazing 17 points in the last three minutes. Tries from John Barclay and Max Evans had put the Scots on course for victory and the boot of fly-half Dan Parks gave the visitors a 10 point lead midway through the second half. But winger Leigh Halfpenny pounced to give Wales hope before Stephen Jones brought the sides level with a late penalty. But there was still time for one more dramatic twist with Williams diving over under the posts to break Scottish hearts.

London Wasps 27-20 Toulouse, Heineken Cup Final, Twickenham, England, May 23, 2004
With time running out, veteran scrum-half Rob Howley conjured an opening with a cunning grubber kick up the left touchline that Toulouse fullback Clement Poitrenaud tried to usher into touch or into in-goal. Howley dived for the ball and claimed the try but Irish referee Alain Rolland went to the Television Match Official before awarding the score. The try gave the Premiership side a crucial advantage with just seconds to play and Mark Van Gisbergan added the conversion to seal the win.

Harlequins 19-17 Stade Francais, Heineken Cup, Twickenhm Stoop, England, December 13, 2008
A last-gasp drop goal from fly-half Nick Evans following a thrilling final passage of play enabled the Premiership side to complete a notable double over their French Top 14 rivals and take a giant step towards this season's quarter-finals. Stade Francais looked on course to exact revenge for last weekend's defeat in Paris when Argentina fullback Juan Martin Hernandez slotted a drop-goal with just eight minutes remaining but the home side rallied once more for an epic final onslaught that spanned 29 phases.

Australia 35-39 New Zealand, Tri-Nations, Sydney, Australia, July 15, 2000
One of the sport's all-time great games was also blessed with a dramatic finish. An injury-time try from Jonah Lomu earned New Zealand a stunning victory over arch rivals Australia in Sydney in front of a world record crowd of 109,874 at Stadium Australia.

Leicester Tigers 13-12 Llanelli Scarlets, Heineken Cup semi-final, City Ground, April 28, 2002
Tim Stimpson kicked a last-gasp penalty from five metres inside his own half that hit the post and the cross bar before going over. His 60m effort booked Leicester's place in the 2002 Heineken Cup Final where they would go on to beat Munster.

Bulls 20-19 Sharks, Super 14 Final, ABSA Stadium, Durban, South Africa, May 19, 2007
The Bulls snatched a dramatic victory over South African rivals the Sharks in a pulsating Super 14 Final in Durban. Speedster Bryan Habana cut his way through a tired Sharks defence for an injury-time try that set up the match-winning conversion that was slotted by fly-half Derick Hougaard.

© Sean TW Cartoons

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Look no hands! Pocket dyanmo Danny Care (@danny_care) considers a new career as a jockey © Twitpic

Twitter continues to offer up headline fodder the worldwide web and rugby is no exception. A a recent tweet from Sharks skipper John Smit (‘Scan on my neck today, with the ref getting the engage setup distance wrong my neck got caught in an engage & now its a tad sore! Hold thumbs’) was taken as a slight on the referee in question - South African Jonathan Kaplan - cue headlines.

I doubt Smit really has a real beef with Kaplan (or maybe he has?) and was perhaps just a little disgruntled to pick up what he saw as a needless injury (the Springboks skipper was to undergo further scans). You would think a player of Smit's profile would be aware that nothing he says is going to go unnoticed - and maybe he is and this is a well-orchestrated piece of spin aimed at getting his message across without incurring the wrath of officials.

Enough analysis. Here's some tea break-fodder for your delectation.

"Cream cheese bagel and cappucino.....goes down like a homesick mole:)"
Ulster prop BJ Botha delights in a light refreshment.

"@karmichaelhunt I watched the game my man, what about Harinordiquay's face mask?
Former Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri is not the first to have trouble with Imanol Harinordoquy's name and is equally baffled by the facial attire of the Biarritz No.8.

"@LoteTuqiri i know bra, poor dude had an op on his nose a week back. he was looking like a hockey goalie. the man can play though!"
Multi-code football star and Biarritz fly-half Karmichael Hunt offers a reply to his compatriot and, like the rest of us, is full of respect for his team-mate.

"Walton Nandos is one of the best I've been to. Top class service and chicken."
London Irish lock Nick Kennedy considers a career as a restaurant critic.

"Apparently Luke Rooney found a leprechaun under his bed last night"
Toulon's Ross Skeate revels in team-mate Luke Rooney's night time activities.

"A first at the club today.The blood testers were in carrying out random tests. No more cock watchers checking out your piss then?"
Gloucester's Andy Hazell shares his surprise at the WADA's latest tactics.

"Can't believe Akona's bad luck. He ran next to me when his leg just snapped again."
Bulls lock Victor Matfield sympathises for team-mate Akona Ndungane who broke his leg during a training run.

"A nice summer BBQ with some of the boys and their famlies. All was going well until BBQ exploded in flames. Luckly I had eaten already."
Stade Francais forward James Haskell reveals how close we an to a "Stade stars wiped out in BBQ disaster" headline.

"So good coming home to a clean house and know you can just relax n watch something on tv! Man vs wild please be on!!!!"
Reds star Quade Cooper, famed for his super hero-like kicking style, reveals his hero is Bear Grylls.

"What's up tweepz.been a lazy Sunday morning so far.I really am getting old can't do this going out drinking thing anymore"
Hurricanes wing Cory Jane claims to be past it - at 27.

We remind you that none of the above accounts have been verified but we're happy to take the chance for your entertainment - but would anyone masquerade as Nick Kennedy?

Leeds coach Neil Back and fly-half Ceiron Thomas celebrate their Guinness Premiership survival © Getty Images

As ever with this time of year, the issue of relegation has resurfaced with renewed calls to bolt the Premiership trap door for good - but Premier Rugby have introduced a new element to the debate with the suggestion that it may be time to expand English rugby's top flight to 14 teams.

First things first - promotion and relegation must always remain. Full stop. No debate. Just look at the agony and ecstasy on display at Headingley last weekend as Leeds and Worcester battled for survival. Enthralling drama that would otherwise be a meaningless end of season clash. And if you need further reason, cast your eye to the admittedly rather convoluted Championship play-offs where the Premiership class of the likes of Bristol and Exeter are pushing for promotion and who deserve their chance to tackle the elite.

Premier Rugby will always point to the financial instability that the prospect of relegation generates and tell us that clubs are unable to create viable, long-term business plans with the fear of possible relegation hanging over them - but let us not forget this is sport, not business. But that same threat should keep the club owners on their toes and ensure they are constantly working to find a winning mix on the field and an equally attractive proposition off the field for fans, sponsors and broadcasters.

A Premiership closed shop may have been a viable option in the early days of professionalism with a franchise-based system similar to the Super 14 but 15 years down the line that is no longer a possibility with so much invested by so many into the leading clubs across the country. No one is going to walk away at this stage and an increasing number of clubs want their piece of the pie.

As a result Premier Rugby are keen to scrap relegation and expand the Premiership cast from 12 to 14 teams and fund that step via the next broadcasting deal which is up for renewal in 2012. A pipe dream. The Rugby Football Union moved quickly to quash any fanciful ideas by insisting that Premier Rugby are legally bound by the long-sought agreement finally signed a couple of years ago and ensures status quo until at least 2016.

It's not often you find high praise for the RFU on these pages but English rugby's governing body demand such for their directness on this issue. "If you have 12 shops and no one's making much money, you don't rush out and open another two shops," said RFU chairman Martyn Thomas earlier this week before adding, "You might close two." And how right he is. With maybe just a couple of clubs making significant profits in the current climate, attendances not exploding across the board no matter what Premier Rugby would have us believe and the actual rugby only recently reaching a standard worth shouting about, it does not make financial sense to introduce some new clubs to the mix and in effect water down the product.