News: Saracens have completed the signing of Bath captain Steve Borthwick on a four-year contract.

Borthwick, who has won 32 England caps and was a member of the 2007 World Cup squad, will move to Vicarage Road later this year and forge a powerful second-row partnership with former All Blacks lock Chris Jack.

The 28-year-old has made 219 Bath appearances. His existing Bath contract expires at the end of this season. Borthwick's departure will come as a big blow to Bath, who are currently second in the English Premiership and through to this season's European Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Former New Zealand internationals Xavier Rush and Ben Blair have agreed new three-year contracts with Cardiff Blues.

Number eight Rush has captained Cardiff to the brink of a Heineken European Cup quarter-final place this season, while full-back Blair's accurate goalkicking has proved instrumental during the European campaign.

France flanker Serge Betsen confirmed yesterday he was retiring from international rugby.

"I have decided to end my international career," the 33-year-old told a news conference in Clichy-la-Garenne, a town outside Paris where he had honed his skills before moving on to Biarritz, his current club.

Betsen earned 63 caps and won the Six Nations three times, including two Grand Slams in 2002 and 2004. He played in two World Cup semi-finals in 2003 and 2007, losing both times to England.