London Irish lock Nick Kennedy had to perform under pressure earlier this week © Getty Images

It's an exciting time in the rugby world what with this year's Six Nations and Super 14 looming but the Twitterati don't bother themselves with such trifling matters. Check out our pick of what rugby's great and good have been saying on the social medium this week.

"The drugs testers have tracked me down AGAIN! Another wee in front of an old dude."
London Irish lock Nick Kennedy rues the demands of the modern game.

"Sarah Cox is killing me, how the hell she's got a job! Totally waste of time, I'm going to tune into Classical FM will be a better show!"
The Ospreys' Cai Griffiths has had it with Radio 1 DJ Sara Cox - and he's got a point.

"Soccer AM - not as good as it used to be!"
Ireland and Leinster centre Brian O'Driscoll was another to have a moan - and another with a point!

"I see how it is..Now Jamies on here no one wants Alfie:) You guys are lucky i dont take things to heart:)"
Cardiff Blues veteran Gareth Thomas jokes about Jamie Roberts' popularity since he joined the Twitterati.

"Home alone for the next 2 months (hopefully) as Hask is away with the england boys. Got to amuse myself with an aussie :( Mark Gasnier!!"
Stade Francais scrum-half Ollie Phillips ponders life without his friend and team-mate James Haskell.

"mane i just had to retweet this vid cz its funny as helll-----> http://twitvid.com/0E8DB milsy would kill me if he knew i posted this hah"
New Zealand prop Neemia Tialata delights at fun and games at the expense of fellow All Black Mils Muliaina - click on the link to join in the fun.

"Mane all the skin on the bottom of my feet has been ripped off.not a good feeling"
Hurricanes winger Cory Jane reflects on a painful pre-season outing.

"Back in england in the car on the way home. I'm not feeling the best knee hurts and 12 stitches in my face. Good times."
Stade Francais and England's James Haskell licks his wounds after his latest European outing.

"Great day so far; run, swim in bay 4 team, gym, lunch now! Good to see lads back jumping off the pier at 8am & no crying Biggsy this year."
England 7s coach Ben Ryan reports from Wellington ahead of the latest stop on the IRB Sevens circuit and pines for Tom Biggs.

"On our way back home, after a not so great week results wise,but we learn from our mistakes, not our success."
The Sharks' Keegan Daniel refuses to get disheartened by his side's poor pre-season showing.

"In camp tomorrow! Wonder if it's all changed since last year! Nice to have everything done for me for 9 weeks!"
Ospreys and Wales prop Adam Jones looks forward to an easy life in the Wales camp for the duration of the Six Nations.

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 Keegan Daniel?

Who will take the Six Nations silverware home this year? © Getty Images

The Six Nations is without doubt an institution. A firm favourite with players, coaches, fans and the media, it is a mainstay of the rugby calendar and its appeal appears to grow year on year. The Championship is also a commercial success from the lucrative title sponsorship and broadcasting rights down to the pubs and clubs that rake it in on match days. But should the Six Nations start looking a little further afield in a bid to cash in on the lure of the Championship?

Writing in our very own Forum, one of our readers raised the prospect of staging a Six Nations match in the United States in a bid to raise the profile of the sport in that country. But is such a move viable?

A similar arrangement has worked very well for Australia and New Zealand with Hong Kong and Tokyo playing host to Bledisloe Cup games in the last two years. Those fixtures have provided a much-needed windfall for the Unions involved and also helped boost efforts to develop the game in the Far East. And the NFL's decision to stage regular season games in London has been an unequivocal success on all fronts. So should the more commercially astute of the Six Nations be seriously considering following suit?

At first glance, a match between England and Ireland at Giants Stadium in New York is an attractive proposal and given the make up of the city's population an 80,000 sell out would appear possible. Some thoughtful scheduling could minimise the concerns regarding travel fatigue and turnaround time and a nice cheque from USA Rugby for making the trip and a large cut of the revenues - that would no doubt have to be shared amongst the Six Nations - would also help soften the blow. But the added bonus would be increased exposure for Championship brand and those of the teams involved which in turn would bring financial reward elsewhere, notably when it came to broadcasting rights outside of Europe.

The decision to go down such a route would of course rest with the Six Nations Committee and the Home Nations as I fear a France v Italy game would not have US fans flocking in high enough numbers to warrant the expense of staging the fixture. It would be a brave move to tinker with such a successful format and may incur the wrath of fans that are arguably the lifeblood of the Championship. And given the limited five-match schedule it would have to be a very attractive package for any of the Unions to take it on considering it would mean relinquishing a lucrative home tie and the financial rewards that brings. But the potential rewards may have some reaching for the atlas.

The high life - a photo from Neemia Tialata's personal album © Tweetphoto

News reaches us that concern is growing amongst the powers that be that Twitter represents a PR disaster waiting to happen. Whether Manchester United's decision to bring a halt to their players' social networking will spark a tidal wave of similar action is yet to be seen but bookmakers are reportedly taking bets on the next club to crack down.

Rugby has not been immune to Twitter-induced scandal with a couple of All Blacks feeling the wrath of coach Graham Henry last year but could rugby escape the social network police? Why we ponder that question here's the latest from the sport's Twitter geeks.

"Acting is hard work! Think I'll stick to my daily job! So much respect for actors..."
All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata reports from a shoot for a TV ad.

"Back in England in the car on the way home. I'm not feeling the best knee hurts and 12 stitches in my face. Good times."
Stade Francais and England star James Haskell takes a break from posing in his pants to reflect on his side's bruising Heineken Cup loss to Edinburgh - but his pain will be eased by the fact that the French side still progressed to the last eight.

"Getting irritated by the price of Nice to London - it's only an hour for god's sake!"
Cross-Channel commuting begins to niggle Toulon's Tom May.

"As one last thought,the requests for Andy Powell have been heard,and I will get him on here!! That will be fun:) "
Cardiff Blues' Gareth Thomas vows to get team-mate Andy Powell on Twitter - watch out.

"So good to have a weekend off and delighted to find American Pie on Sky One, awesome film."
Newcastle and England 7s star and debatable film critic Tom Biggs.

"I'm in the towers hotel! Drinking! Sweet!"
Ospreys and Wales prop Adam Jones reveals one of his drinking haunts in Swansea.

"Way past my bedtime but had a great birthday. 31 isn't all that bad."
Leinster and Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll joined the party this week.

"I'll have you know that @jameshaskell asks to do this to me as he says he finds my hair 'offensive' and it makes him want to vomit!!"
Stade Francais' Ollie Phillips discusses a mutual shaving session with his team-mate James Haskell.

"Just a thought to a rugby icon, Bill McLaren before we all shut eye for the day, "great memories of a great rugby voice" God bless."
Sharks and Springboks skipper John Smit is one of many to pay tribute to the late Bill McLaren.

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 Tom Biggs?

Tough pre-season for John Smit going by his latest Twitter post! © Tweetphoto.com

It's time to dip back into the Twitter behemoth for our latest fix of rugby chit-chat. Here's what some of the sport's leading lights - and some other bods - have been saying in the last week.

"Is the whole world in Harrods?? the ground floor was a brawl to get to the stairs!"
Toulon's Tom May gives Aldi a miss in favour of Knightsbridge's finest on a trip to London, January 16

"Had a great week of training and team building in Michaelhouse, here we had to slide down a hill like a kid!!!"
Sharks and Springboks skipper John Smit reflects on a week of pre-season. Tough eh? As you can see from the photo! January 16

"I'm sitting on my own laughing like an idiot to fawlty towers again. It is amazing it doesn't matter how many times I watch it."
Stade Francais and England star James Haskell enjoys some downtime, January 13

"On the train back to Paris with my old pal Epi Taione. Am trying to convince him to change his name back to Paddy Power.Good times."
Stade Francais scrum-half Ollie Phillips shares a joke with former Tongan international and Racing Metro player Epi Taione, January 13

"Just finished intervals/gym session in the rain. Thanx for all the tattoo ideas if u have some pics send them in I wanna see more ideas."
Hurricanes and All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata looks for some ink advice, January 16

"The Newport Dragons boys buried Gethin Jenkins's car under a pile of snow. Nice one guys:)"
Cardiff Blues veteran Gareth Thomas is tickled by the pranks of his international colleagues at the expense of Cardiff Blues prop Gethin Jenkins, January 14

"I just tried to get out of the drive i was like a ice road trucker...knocked supermarket on the head!!!"
Ospreys and Wales fullback Lee Byrne has a few issues with the recent cold snap that engulfed the UK, January 12

"Indoor contact training was tough! My head ate 1 of our forwards knees. I've got a fair shiner on my forehead."
Former Wallabies winger and now Leicester winger Lote Tuqiri take one from the team - but recovered to take his place at the weekend, January 12

"It's lunchtime and I have been seeing how long can go without eating mcdonalds.nearly been a week and I'm hanging out 4 it.might break soon."
Hurricanes and All Blacks winger Cory Jane risks the wrath of his side's dietician, January 14

"Daddy day care today and I am feeling tired they are wearing me out and am all cbeebies out."
Worcester Warriors winger Marcel Garvey juggles parenting demands with those of a professional player, Janunary 14

Will 3D add a new dimension to this year's Six Nations Championship? © Getty Images

The annual contest for the Six Nations crown often sets the standard both on and off the field and this year's battle for northern hemisphere supremacy will continue that trend with England's home matches set to be broadcast in 3D.

The clash against Wales on February 6 will be Europe’s first sports event to be screened live in 3D, according to England’s team sponsor O2. The match will be broadcast live in 3D at 40 Odeon and Cineworld cinemas and the cost of this feast for the eyes? Just £12.50 - a fraction of what it would cost you to go to Twickenham - that's if you can get your hands on a ticket - leaving you a bit of hard-earned cash to spend on your popcorn. And if you enjoy the experience then you can do it all again for the match against Ireland on February 27.

It certainly is an exciting innovation and the communal viewing experience harks back to the days when boxing used to be broadcast to the masses via movie theatres in the United States - long before the days before 24/7 sports networks. Interestingly enough, that sport has recently returned to those routes with the added element of high definition. Let's just hope that England put on a show worthy of the innovation and not a repeat of the dour stuff served up in the autumn.

Despite being in its infancy, this year has already been a big one for 3D what with the runaway success of director James Cameron's Avatar film. The blockbuster, that is set to become the highest-grossing film of all-time, opened our eyes to what the technology can do and we are all set to become hooked.

ESPN are at the forefront of the drive to bring top-class sport into your living room. Our broadcast colleagues announced last week that the industry's first 3D network will begin broadcasting in the United States later this year. ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa versus Mexico, ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer announced. Other events to be produced in 3D include the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, college basketball and football contests, up to 25 World Cup matches and the Summer X Games. Additional events will be announced at a later date.

"ESPN's commitment to 3D is a win for fans and our business partners," Bodenheimer said in a statement. "ESPN 3D marries great content with new technology to enhance the fan's viewing experience and puts ESPN at the forefront of the next big advance for TV viewing."

ESPN has been testing ESPN 3D for more than two years, even showing a USC-Ohio State college football game in select cinemas and to 6,000 fans at the Galen Center on USC's campus.

You will of course have to stump up for a 3D HDTV and acquire some 3D glasses (although there are hopes for a glasses-free version) to see how good it looks in your living room and that will not be cheap with The Guardian reporting that a compatible TV will cost around $2,000 with subscription fees on top. But Sony, Panasonic and Samsung are all reportedly rushing to put out 3D TV models, several of which were promoted at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, in anticipation of a high demand.

It may be some time before you can watch the Six Nations in 3D in your living room - the BBC of course have the rights to the Championship - so you may have to make do with a visit to your local multiplex.

UPDATE - Appears to be plenty of consumer-driven buzz around this subject - thanks largely to the media-magnet that is the CES. Exciting times. Interesting take from analysts Zpryme:

"HDTV never had a “killer app” and has consequently taken a decade to gain any real traction—and even then, it’s been largely a result of rapidly falling prices and last year’s switch to digital. Avatar, however, has clearly presented consumers—and the industry at large—with a compelling case for going 3D."
– Alex Perilla-Gayle, Zpryme Director of Consumer Insights

Stade Francais' James Haskell takes time out from Twittering to tackle Biarritz's Damien Traille © Getty Images

The Twitter phenomenon appears to know no bounds and the great and the good of the rugby world are not immune to its lure - except perhaps All Blacks coach Graham Henry who joked that he thought it was a new English fly-half during their recent European tour.

In what I am sure will turn into a series of illuminating posts, here is a selection of what some of the technology-savvy rugby players to have embraced the micro-blogging tool have been up to in the last week.

“Top team effort in the snow. Basteraux is an animal and my feet are frozen”
Stade Francais wing Ollie Phillips blogs from the stands following his side's Top 14 win against Biarritz at the Stade de France.

"And I am not sure how much longer I can stay in a room with Martyn Williams farting. It's torture!"
Cardiff Blues' Gareth Thomas offers an insight into big match preparation ahead of his side's Magners League clash with Edinburgh.

"I just ran into Martin Johnson outside the supermarket, forgot how big and scary he was!! Or for some of his current players is!"
Leicester's Australian winger Lote Tuqiri makes himself at home at the Premiership club.

"I'm getting my kit ready and then seperating my egg whites ready for my omelette in the morning, preparation is key!!!!"
Ospreys star Lee Byrne is obviously home alone - and bored.

"First week of pre-season finish. This is definitly not my favourite part of the season."
Springboks and Bulls lock Victor Matfield begins the long and painful road that is pre-season.

"Another tough day in Africa,some fitness this am, then 18 holes at Durban CC with Butchie, I'm hanging in there."
In contrast, his international skipper John Smit is still kicking back with his mate Butch James whose knee injury is obviously improving on the golf course of SA!

"Good luck to my little mate Freier for his back operation tomorrow! Lets hope it doesn't make him any shorter."
Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles offers friend and Waratahs hooker Adam Freier some support.

"Just found an amazing place in Paris to get a massage and a Turkish bath. I will be returning often."
Stade Francais and England star James Haskell has taken to life in the French capital.

"Where can I find a good sled, inflatable rings have been the best so far."
Newcastle and England 7s star Tom Biggs looks to the worldwide web for some advice before taking advantage of the recent cold snap.

"On the BBQ now, weather has been the best, I'm on holiday, I'm just living the dream right now and getting a tan haha how bout that."
Hurricanes and New Zealand winger Cory Jane enjoys the last throes of the off-season.

Farrell only called time on his playing career at the end of last season © Getty Images

"Andy Farrell will coach at a very, very high level."

Saracens boss Brendan Venter predicted a bright coaching future for his assistant Andy Farrell on these very page a few short months ago and so emphatic were his words that you were left in no doubt of his sincerity.

And it appears Farrell's speedy ascent up the coaching ranks is well underway. The dual code international has joined England Saxons coach Stuart Lancaster's backroom team for their forthcoming clashes with Ireland 'A' and Italy 'A'.

"His knowledge, not just of the game, but about people and how to get the best out of them is second to none."

Farrell, who won 34 caps for Great Britain rugby league side and eight caps for England in the 15-man code, had a formidable reputation as a rugged and skillful player and went an incredible eight years without missing a game at one stage. And you don't play to the standard he did, in both codes, without amassing a wealth of knowledge about the game and the people who play it. It is that wisdom that Venter, and now the Saxons, are keen to draw on but crucially it is his ability to impart that knowledge that is arguably more important.

Next stop the England coaching team before Rugby World Cup 2011 - watch this space.

Saracens boss Brendan Venter may pay for an emotional outburst following his side's Premiership loss to Leicester © Getty Images

Saracens boss Brendan Venter landed himself in hot water this week with a headline-grabbing attack on referee David Rose following his side’s loss to Premiership rivals Leicester but instead of lambasting him should we be praising his bravery?

The former no-nonsense Springboks centre was incensed by what he saw as a transformation in Rose’s handling of the game in the second half of the Tigers’ 22-15. In particular he was left fuming by a penalty count that went 9-3 to Sarries in the first half and went 10-4 in Leicester’s favour after the break.

Instead of raising his concerns behind closed doors, he opted to go public with his views in the post-match press conference but it is his specific claim in a BBC interview that the referee “was influenced at half-time” that has seen the Rugby Football Union strike back – and quickly.

Venter chose to go on the offensive, no doubt spurred on by his successful complaint in the wake of his side’s recent loss to London Irish that resulted in an apology from the RFU for the mistakes made by their officials. But his decision to question the integrity of the referee will cost him dear with a likely ban that may hinder Saracens push for domestic honours. He only needed to look to the opposition’s changing room at Vicarage Road for a reason to temper his words – the Tigers’ Richard Cockerill served four weeks on the sidelines last year after criticising the officials following his side’s Anglo-Welsh Cup clash with the Dragons.

You can understand Venter’s frustrations at what he sees as crucial inconsistencies, despite the fact his side sit atop of the Premiership, but emotion appears to have got the better of him here as his words were better reserved for the official lines of communication. I do not envy Rose, or any of his colleagues, because life as a rugby referee is no picnic despite the International Rugby Board’s best efforts to clean up the more confusing areas of the game. They will get things wrong occasionally but you cannot shoot from the lip – serious claims cannot be dealt with in such a manner but that is not to say they should escape investigation altogether.

It was no surprise to see the RFU act swiftly as they continue to rebuild the sport’s reputation in the wake of all the fake-blood and drugs-related drama of last year - the image of the game is high on their priorities hence their apparent decision to let Venter's other comments ride. ”Respect is one of rugby's core values which underpin our sport and that must include respect for the match officials at all times,” commented RFU director of elite rugby Rob Andrew in a loud and clear signal that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Venter does have cause for complaint because inconsistencies appear to be a plague on the game at the moment such are the grey areas of the tackle and the breakdown and he may even find some sympathy at Rugby House. Interpretation is the key and it is an issue that will have troubled every Premiership club and thousands of players - and fans if our feedback is anything to go by.

“Instead of simplifying the game the IRB have created a farce and it will not be long before the paying public stop attending matches because there is now no uniformity in decision making,” wrote one of our readers recently. And he is right.

Despite recent record attendances over the festive period, the sport must be careful not to shoot itself in the foot and Venter is arguably doing his bit by sounding a wake up call, taking one for the team, in a bid to save the game from a worrying fate.

The game has long been professional but it appears the officials may have one foot in the amateur era. Speaking in his newspaper column, Wales and Wasps coach Shaun Edwards urged referees to be thorough in their own preparation for games which suggest, perhaps alarmingly, that they do not already.

“I would encourage all referees, rather than just the conscientious ones, to prepare for games as coaches and players do, by reviewing tapes of at least one – and hopefully more – games in which each of the sides has recently played,” he wrote.

Referees need to up their game to not only ensure the highest possible standard of officiating but also help preserve the popularity of the sport. So why not make reviewing of previous games a compulsory part of their preparation? Surely this is the case at the elite international level - where some of these guys also work - so why not in the sport’s premier domestic leagues?. Referee exchanges have seen the top referees travel the globe and I doubt they would embark on such ventures without similar adequate preparation.

For those interested, Edwards also reveals the agreed process for the airing of grievances. Referees boss Ed Morrison or one of his senior assessors, such at Tony Spreadbury, will sit down and review a match with the coach who has raised concerns. “My experience is that they then offer an honest assessment, one relayed to the referee concerned,” wrote Edwards. “On occasions Morrison or Spreadbury, two former international referees of high reputation, have subsequently arranged telephone calls to the referee involved. Possibly half a dozen times, that official has been big enough to admit his mistake and I have then put the phone down thinking we had both benefited from the conversation and that most of the time the system works.”

Venter's hearing is slated for January 19 and despite Saracens' protestations he is set to be punished severely.