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REACTION: Rob Baxter reserved special praise for Henry Slade and his fellow England international Luke Cowan-Dickie after they starred in Exeter's 20-12 Champions Cup victory in Bordeaux.

REACTION: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was refusing to get carried away after seeing his side score 97 points and 14 tries in a week against Northampton Saints.

REPORT: Northampton Saints forced Leinster to come from behind in Dublin on Saturday, but they made such a good recovery they had the bonus point in the bag by half-time in a record (60-13) rout.

REPORT: In a European Cup Pool Two match four-time champions Toulouse ran in eight tries in a 54-15 rout of Zebre.

REPORT: Jack Carty snatched a dramatic 20-18 victory for Connacht over Wasps, with the final kick of the game, in a European Champions Cup classic at the Sportsground.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Racing kicking coach Ronan O'Gara at the weekend claimed he was stunned by the bombshell revelation that Springbok utility back Johan Goosen has retired.

NEWS: Veteran Italian international prop Martin Castrogiovanni retired on Saturday after a career which brought him 119 caps and two European Cups.

REPORT: Owen Williams was the hero for Leicester Tigers, after his long-range penalty snatched a famous 18-16 European Champions Cup triumph over Munster.

REPORT: Exeter Chiefs secured what was only their second ever victory on French soil, as they beat Bordeaux 20-12 in their European Champions Cup encounter.

REACTION: Glasgow Warriors star-man Finn Russell credited his forwards, after he orchestrated a second successive European Champions Cup triumph over Racing 92.

REPORT: Glasgow defeated last year's runners-up, Racing 92, 23-7 to knock them out of the European Cup and complete a miserable Friday for a French side sent reeling by flyhalf Johan Goosen's shock decision to quit at the age of 24.

SIX NATIONS: Alex King will join Wales as a member of the backroom staff for their 2017 Six Nations campaign.

NEWS: Springbok utility back Johan Goosen dropped a bomb in his French club and the national team by announcing his retirement from the game.

NEWS: Mohamed Altrad, owner of French giants Montpellier, has formally asked for permission to make an offer to buy a substantial share in English Premiership outfit Gloucester.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby has had its share of tough players, some who went overboard into the realm of villainy.

NEWS: Wallaby lock Rory Arnold has turned down a big-money offer from French glamour club Toulon, because he wants to play in the 2019 World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Saracens, the defending European Cup champions, are within one win of matching the tournament record of 13 consecutive victories.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Munster prop John Ryan is wary of the threat posed by a wounded Leicester Tigers in the European Champions Cup.

NEWS: The Barrett brothers, Jordie and Beauden, scooped four awards between them at New Zealand's annual rugby awards.

NEWS: The New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed that the country's female team will be paid more than their male counterparts for the next few years.

NEWS: Australian lock Hugh Pyle has extended his contract with Stade Francais by two seasons until June 2020.

NEWS: An Argentinean player may have ended his own career with a disgraceful act of violence on the field.

NEWS: Australia will next year play a Test against Japan on the Brave Blossoms' home soil for the first time.

LAWS IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby, the custodians of the game, decided to get tough on tackles that endanger opponents.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: England captain Dylan Hartley will be available to skipper the Six Nations Grand Slam titleholders for their opening game - despite receiving a six-week ban.

NEWS: Australian utility back Zack Holmes will move from La Rochelle to rival French Top-14 outfit Toulouse at the start of the 2017-2018 season.

NEWS: Former South African Sevens captain, Kyle Brown will play no further part in the Sevens World Series after scans revealed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association have signed a new Collective Employment Agreement for professional players from 2016 to 2018.

EUROPEAN CUP DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Veteran Springbok lock Flip Van der Merwe is one of two players who escaped with 'citing commissioner warnings' after Round Three of the European Cup.

NEWS: Michael Cheika's Australia and Argentina will have another chance to try and topple England at Twickenham when they return to the northern hemisphere in November 2017.

REACTION: Super League side Castleford Tigers launched legal proceedings against English Premiership side Sale, seeking damages over the signing of record try-scorer Denny Solomona.

NEWS: Jake White's Montpellier will be without the services of Davit Kubriashvili after the front row forward requested that his citing hearing take place next week.

NEWS: Experienced Wales prop Gethin Jenkins is likely to miss the Six Nations after Cardiff Blues revealed he requires surgery on a ruptured bicep.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said Wednesday that the British and Irish Lions' vast depth would ensure they coped with next year's gruelling tour schedule in New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Some of the craziest fights and punch-ups in Rugby Union and Rugby League.

EXCLUSIVE: Tauriq Ebrahim caught up with Springbok Uzair Cassiem to speak about his meteoric rise through the ranks, in what was a remarkable 2016 for the loose forward.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: In-form England are capable of breaking New Zealand's record of 18 successive Test wins.

NEWS: The return of James Hall to the Southern Kings for the 2017 Super Rugby season remains up in the air as the Kings are confused about recent reports suggesting that the scrumhalf wants to remain in France.

UPDATE: The delay in the finalisation of the liquidation of Western Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd may cost benefactor Remgro more than they anticipated. Jan de Koning reports.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is not going anywhere just yet as SA Rugby president Mark Alexander stated that the process of introspection will only be completed before the end of January 2017.

NEWS: Having spent time as the backline and attack coach of the Boland Cavaliers under Brent Janse van Rensburg during the 2016 Currie Cup competition, Randall Modiba has been handed the head coach role.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors have secured the services of United States Eagles front row forward Joe Taufete'e, with immediate effect, until the end of the season.

NEWS: Super League record try-scorer Denny Solomona completed his controversial cross code move to Premiership side Sale Sharks on Tuesday.

NEWS: England captain Dylan Hartley will discover on Wednesday if his latest disciplinary infraction costs him missing the start of their Six Nations title defence.

STRENGTH-VERSUS-STRENGTH: South Africa's premier domestic competition, the Currie Cup, will be a trimmer version of the 2016 monstrosity.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A new try-scoring points model has been introduced for the 2017 edition of the Varsity Cup competition when the 10th anniversary kicks-off on January 30.

NEWS: Wayne Peters, the Maori representative on the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Board, has taken the decision to retire ahead of the completion of his current term.

NEWS: France will tour South Africa for a three-Test Series in June 2017 for the first time since 2010.

REACTION: South Africa Sevens coach Neil Powell admitted that he may have missed an opportunity in the Cape Town Sevens Final with the absence of injured Seabelo Senatla.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Since the introduction of the talking referee, ways of addressing the players have varied.

There will be a brand new Test referee this week - Aimee Barrett-Theron of South Africa.

NEWS: South Africa took another step towards a national blueprint when the second instalment of the coaching indaba was held in Cape Town on Monday.

REACTION: Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall praised his side's professional performance in their big European Champions Cup triumph over Sale Sharks.

NEWS: England flank James Haskell was forced to assure the world he is still alive after bizarre rumours surfaced that he had died of a steroid overdose.

REACTION: Toulon coach Mike Ford admits his team are still searching for perfection, despite putting 30 points on the Scarlets in their European Champions Cup Pool Three encounter.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have doubled their South African representation by adding former Cheetahs loose forward Willem Britz to their 2017 Super Rugby squad.

REACTION: City of Cape Town Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille is, if nothing else, ambitious. Jan de Koning reports on her recent Cape Town stadium claims.

NEWS: The Western Force announced that franchise stalwarts Ben McCalman and Heath Tessmann will be the new captains in 2017.

HITTING A NERVE: Former Fiji Sevens coach Ben Ryan has been involved in a bitter social media spat with the Fiji Rugby Union, forcing them to release a statement about the claims.

REACTION: Now that the dust has settled on what was a rather disappointing end to the Cape Town Sevens for the Blitzboks, their achievements over the two opening legs of the Sevens World Series cannot be ignored.

WELLINGTON DRAW: The real cost of South Africa's loss to England in the Final of the Cape Town Sevens go well beyond the three points they 'lost' on the World Series standings.

REPORT: Bordeaux-Begles stayed in the hunt for the quarterfinals with a smash-and-grab raid at a fog bound Sandy Park - beating Exeter Chiefs 13-7.

REPORT: Triple champions Toulon picked up a vital bonus-point to stay in touch with Pool Three leaders Saracens, as they over-powered the Scarlets 31-20 at Stade Mayol.

FINAL WRAP: England edged South Africa 19-17 in a tense match to claim the Cape leg, round two, of the Sevens World Series.

REPORT: Montpellier made it back-to-back home wins in the Champions Cup as they overcame losing Davit Kubriashvili to a red card to beat Top 14 rivals Castres Olympique 32-14.

REPORT: Kurtley Beale enjoyed a try-scoring European Cup debut as Wasps beat Connacht 32-17 to take control of Pool Two.

SEMIFINAL WRAP: Hosts South Africa will meet England in the Final of the Cape Town Sevens - Round Two of the World Series.

REACTION: While proud of his side's performance in the stunning 38-0 Champions Cup victory against Leicester Tigers, Rassie Erasmus has already set his sights on the return clash in Welford Road next Saturday.

REACTION: Irish international back row man Iain Henderson is already looking forward to next weekend's Round Four Champions Cup assignment in France.

QUARTERFINAL WRAP: Hosts South Africa will face arch-rivals New Zealand in the Cup semifinals at the Cape Town Sevens.

REACTION: Gregor Townsend was delighted his Glasgow Warriors took their chance to claim a famous European Rugby Champions Cup triumph at Racing 92.

REACTION: You have to go back to January 2004 for the only other time in their illustrious 141-match European Cup history that Leicester Tigers had failed to score a point.

REACTION: South Africa, often their own worst enemies in the past, have showed the maturity that can make them champions in the Sevens World Series.

REPORT: Saracens blew away fellow English side Sale Sharks to take control of European Champions Cup Pool Three with a convincing 50-3 victory and seal an 11th straight home win.

REPORT: Glasgow Warriors look set to fight-it-out with Munster at the top of Pool One after claiming a famous 23-14 triumph over Racing 92 in Paris.

REPORT: Munster finally broke their Leicester Tigers hoodoo at Thomond Park as they inflicted a record defeat on the two-time European Cup winners.

DAY ONE, ROUND THREE WRAP: The Blitzboks, rivals Fiji and Scotland were the only teams to emerge with a perfect record at the conclusion of the pool stage of the Cape Town Sevens on Saturday.

REPORT: Toulouse ended a run of six Champions Cup games without a win as they overcame the foggy conditions to pile on the tries to down Zebre 36-6 in their Pool Two contest at Stadio Lanfranchi.

REPORT: Ulster edged Clermont 39-32 in a nine-try thriller in Belfast on Saturday to keep their European Champions Cup hopes alive.

DAY ONE, ROUND TWO WRAP: The Blitzboks were one of five teams to secure their passage into the Cape Town Sevens Cup quarterfinals after just two matches on Saturday.

DAY ONE, ROUND ONE WRAP: The usual suspects got their campaigns off to the ideal start with maximum points in the Cape Town Sevens tournament on Saturday.

REACTION: Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder was left ruing his side's disciplinary problems after seeing England captain Dylan Hartley sent off after only six minutes on the field.

NEWS: Legendary All Blacks hard man Colin Meads believes he is winning his battle with cancer with a mystery "cure" helping him defy medical predictions to stay alive.

MATCH REPORT: England captain Dylan Hartley was red-carded after just six minutes on the pitch as his Northampton Saints slumped to a 10-37 defeat to Leinster in the European Champions Cup on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: James Rodwell will become England Sevens' most capped player in Cape Town this weekend.

Grenoble's coach Bernard Jackman has been suspended by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby for remarks on the refereeing of a match.

REACTION: From April 1 next year the tail will stop wagging the dog in South African rugby. Jan de Koning reports.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at a complex situation for the match officials.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The General Council of SA Rugby accepted a raft of constitutional changes that were designed to better reflect the needs of the Springbok team by re-shaping elements of the constitution.

NEWS: Hurricanes lock James Broadhurst continues to battle concussion symptoms since suffering a double head knock while playing for Taranaki in August 2015.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has announced the referees appointed to the 2017 Six Nations which starts in February.

FUTURE STARS: Australia's best Under-18 Sevens players head to Perth this weekend, where the stars of the future will compete in the Youth Sevens National Championships vying to impress coaches before next year's Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.

NEWS: David McDuling, who turned out for the Sharks in 2015 and 2016, is returning home to New South Wales after penning a deal with the Waratahs for the 2017 season.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Stalwart Jesse Parahi and former Brumby Stephan van der Walt have been added to the Wallabies Sevens squad for the Cape Town Sevens leg.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Bay of Plenty flyhalf Dan Hollinshead has been called up to the All Blacks Sevens squad for the Cape Town Sevens after Beaudein Waaka sustained an ankle injury in the Dubai Tournament last weekend.

KAAPSE JOL: South Africa Sevens team handed the rugby-mad country just the boost they wanted by winning the season-opening Dubai leg of the Sevens World Series after a disastrous year for their XVs counterparts.

A year in rugby is a long time, according to Varsity Match results.

NEWS: Grenoble's Irish coach Bernard Jackman copped a six-week ban for his harsh criticism of the referee after his team's 22-24 Top 14 defeat by Bordeaux-Begles last month.

NEWS: Toulon have snapped up Springbok wing Cornal Hendricks until the end of the season, the Top 14 club announced Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Champions Cup holders Saracens will seek to make it 12 straight wins in Europe when they take on English Premiership rivals Sale this coming weekend.

NEWS: The people of Cape Town deserves a better stadium than an outdated Newlands.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell kept his winning recipe from Dubai last week for Round Two of the Sevens World Series, in Cape Town this weekend.

Rasta Rasivhenge blows the whistle to get the Cape Town Sevens going on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England's Grand Slam skipper Dylan Hartley has enjoyed an amazing year on the international stage and he is set to add another honour to his collection in Round Three of the Champions Cup.

NEWS: Sale Sharks have registered Rugby League wing duo Josh Charnley and Denny Solomana for Champions Cup duty.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: They are not the finished product yet, far from it, but one significant change has already made a big difference.

NEWS: London Welsh's proud 131 year old history came to an end on Wednesday as they announced they were going into voluntary liquidation because of an 'unsustainable' financial situation.

NEWS: Robin McBryde will lead Wales' coaching team for next year's June tour of the Pacific Islands.

REACTION: The first steps towards the implementation of a unified performance enhancement strategy were taken at the SA Rugby conditioning workshop held in Cape Town on Wednesday.

NEWS: Andy Farrell, Steve Borthwick and Rob Howley will be Warren Gatland's specialist coaches for the daunting British and Irish Lions tour of world champions New Zealand.

NEWS: Ulster revealed that Wiehahn Herbst has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Kingspan Stadium until at least 2019.

PLAYER WELFARE: World Cup-winning former England midfielder Will Greenwood spoke to Jan de Koning about the advances made in head injury assessment.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Craig Joubert, one of the world's top referees over a number of years, is giving up refereeing. Paul Dobson reports.

NEWS: The state of Texas will host its second international Test match when the Unites States Eagles take on Brazil in the 2017 Americas Championship in February.

NEWS: Versatile Samoa international forward Chris Vui will don Worcester Warriors' immediately in a deal that lasts until the end of the season.

NEWS: Reigning European Champions Cup champions, Saracens, have managed to reach an agreement with the Australian Rugby Union to acquire the services of lock Will Skelton with immediate effect.

NEWS: Perth Stadium will play host to the state's first ever Bledisloe Cup match when the Wallabies and New Zealand clash at the new 60,000 capacity Western Australian venue in 2019.

NEWS: Northampton's George North is "well" but has been stood down from playing after his under-fire club decided to refer him to an independent expert following a tackle which left the Wales wing spread-eagled.

Two of the world's most famous universities meet on Twickenham's field on Thursday.

Christmas is rushing at us and there are few Tests to hang on the tree at this time.

CAPE TOWN 7s: After only playing in four tournaments in the previous season and missing out to Olympic Games selection due to niggling injuries, the 2016/17 Sevens World Series started off in impressive fashion for veteran playmaker, Branco du Preez.

OPINION: Jan de Koning looks at the drama that is about to unfold on the South African rugby landscape in the next week.

NEWS: French Top 14 side Stade Francais have promoted former All Black fullback Greg Cooper from backs coach to head coach from next season.

NEWS: Ireland international lock Dan Tuohy has traded in his Ulster jersey for  the jumper of his city of birth, Bristol, with immediate effect.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Top 14 leaders Clermont, who travel to Belfast to take on Ulster in Pool Five at the Kingspan on Saturday, are the only club with a maximum 10 points after two rounds.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Aimee Barrett-Theron of the Western Province Referees; Society is making history in South African refereeing.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks were the biggest losers of the teams in the top 10 World Rankings after a busy month of internationals.

NEWS: Clermont will be able to call on the services of Tongan Loni Uhila next season after the prop penned a one year deal with the French Top 14 club.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Next week Monday is D-Day for Western Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd. Jan de Koning reports on their polemical and spiny application for liquidation.

OPINION: New Zealand may still be ranked No.1, and justifiably so, but England was without doubt the form team in November.

NEWS: England coach Eddie Jones claims there could be up to 15 England players in the British and Irish Lions squad for the 2017 tour to New Zealand.

EUROPEAN CUP: The English Premiership is 100 percent supporting Newcastle's bid to become host city for both the Champions and Challenge Cup Finals in May 2018.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay wraps up 2016 and the roller-coaster that the Wallabies are on.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ulster scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar believes his men are primed and ready to tackle a formidable Clermont side in a mouthwatering European Champions Cup clash this weekend.

NEWS: Former Samoa flank and current Connacht boss Pat Lam will become Bristol's new head coach as of June 2017 after they sacked Andy Robinson.

Take your hat off to Hans Saestad. He is doing a brilliant job of filling the gaps in South Africa's rugby history and deserves much praise.

CAPE TOWN DRAW: The draw for the Cape Town leg of the Sevens World Series has produced a couple of intriguing pools.

NEWS: Eddie Jones put his England players on notice by warning none of them "owned" a Test shirt after a perfect first year as Red Rose boss ended with victory over his native Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's Sevens team might be riding the crest of the wave at present, but they are determined to improve on their impressive win in Dubai at the weekend.

REACTION: Australia coach Michael Cheika is confident there will be a long-term benefit to the Wallabies from a difficult 2016 that ended with a 21-37 loss to England.

REACTION: Northampton's Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder felt obliged to defend himself and the club over accusations they sent Wales wing George North back on in the game with Leicester after he had been knocked out.

TOP 14 SUNDAY WRAP: Toulon romped to a 37-10 French Top 14 win over a Bordeaux side reduced to 14 men for an hour following a red card for a brutal stamping.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Wasps moved to within one point of Saracens at the Premiership summit on Sunday.

NEWS: Experienced flank Dan Lydiate dealt a blow to Wales's Six Nations title aspirations on Sunday.

NEWS: Montpellier coach Jake White was taken ill Friday and rushed to hospital where he is still receiving care, the French Top-14 club revealed on Sunday.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and @ASICS_ZA are giving our readers a chance to win a fabulous price!

NEWS: The Lions' on-field success and attractive game are among the key reasons why you players are flocking to Ellis Park.

NEWS: Former French sports minister Bernard Laporte was elected by a landslide Saturday to lead the French rugby federation.

TOP 14 WRAP: Clermont had their lead in the French Top 14 slashed Saturday despite a hat-trick of tries from England wing David Strettle after a shock 40-35 loss to struggling Pau.

REACTION: Michael Cheika may have the unwanted distinction of being in charge of the first Wallaby team to lose nine matches in a calendar year, but he feels he is on the right track.

REACTION: Big games and Cup finals are often won through defence, even if the game produces some spectacular tries.

REACTION: Eddie Jones insisted England were "hell-bent" on becoming the world's best side after ending a record-equalling year with a win over Australia.

PRO12 SATURDAY WRAP: Ulster ended their three-game losing run in superb style as Ruan Pienaar starred in a bonus-point 35-22 victory against Cardiff Blues.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones, who prior to the match against Australia was depicted as a clown, had the last laugh after a 37-21 win at Twickenham on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Bath made their first half dominance count at the Rec but only just as a dogged Saracens fell to defeat for just the second time in their last 17 matches.

REPORT: England backed up Eddie Jones' mid-week talk by equalling their national record of 14 successive wins set in 2003 thanks to a 37-21 victory over Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

DAY TWO, FINAL WRAP: The Blitzboks ran in four tries in the Dubai Sevens Cup Final to defeat Fiji 26-14 and claim the gold medal.

DAY TWO, SEMIFINAL WRAP: A Seabelo Senatla hat-trick ensured the Blitzboks' passage into the Dubai Sevens Cup Final where they will meet Fiji.

DAY TWO, QUARTERFINAL WRAP: South Africa have set themselves up to face Fiji in the Dubai Sevens Final after coasting through their quarterfinal encounter against New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia coach Michael Cheika said a newspaper had gone too far in depicting England counterpart Eddie Jones as a 'clown' ahead of Saturday's clash at Twickenham.

PRO12 FRIDAY WRAP: Ian Keatley scored a late drop-goal to secure a dramatic 16-15 victory for Pro12 leaders Munster away at Glasgow Warriors in a tight, tense game.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Three first-half tries saw Exeter Chiefs move into the top four of the Premiership table after a scrappy 21-3 win away at Sale Sharks.

PRE-MATCH HYPE: England coach Eddie Jones responded to Australia counterpart Michael Cheika's claim he had a "chip on his shoulder" by promising to remain "respectful" ahead of Saturday's clash at Twickenham.

DAY ONE, ROUND THREE WRAP: England put down a big marker on the opening day at the Dubai leg of the Sevens World Series on Friday.

ROUND TWO WRAP: All the big guns advanced unscathed through the second round of the opening leg of the Sevens World Series in Dubai on Friday.

NEWS: The Australian Rugby Union is reportedly considering a rugby league-style "State of Origin" match to help fill a dead zone during the June Test window.

NEWS: Blue Bulls hooker Bandise Maku will no longer be running onto the field as a player but will remain involved with the Union after announcing his retirement from the professional arm of the sport.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For those who think money talks loudest in 21st Century sport, take a look at the French Top 14 rugby table, where little La Rochelle are punching above their weight.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has hit back at comments from Glen Ella that he was still having "nightmares" over England's 3-0 series win by indicating the former Australia international was not a man for tough times.

Round One Wrap: There were plenty of tries in the opening eight matches at the Dubai leg of the World Sevens Series on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The battle to reach the Pro12 final is closing in on the halfway point and already it is impossible to project just who will reach the semi-finals come May.

MIND GAMES: England coach Eddie Jones believes his side are now at their most vulnerable as they go in search of a record-equalling win against his native Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: Gregor Townsend has decided to stick with his upcoming role as Scotland coach rather than join the British and Irish Lions backroom staff in New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones and Australia counterpart Michael Cheika continued their war of words ahead of this weekend's Test at Twickenham.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Argentina prop Enrique Pieretto was given a seven-week ban for stamping.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland and Ulster centre Jared Payne will miss the opening rounds of the Six Nations.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With just three points separating five teams in the middle of the Premiership table, you can get set for another compelling weekend of top flight action across England.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian coach Michael Cheika made four changes ahead of his team's final match of the year - against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa will be looking for a solid start to the Sevens World Series, when the first tournament of the 2016/17 season kicks off in Dubai on Friday.

NEWS: The Irish Rugby Football Union and Leinster have signed lock Devin Toner on for another three years.

SEVENS WORLD SERIES: Fiji start their campaign to win a third successive Sevens World Series title in Dubai on Friday, with one eye also on the defence of their Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2020.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones made two changes to his side to play Australia in Saturday's final match of the year-end Tests.

NEWS: Springbok and Lions wing Ruan Combrinck will miss the start of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: November's internationals have witnessed the "return of the north".

Ben Crouse blows the noonday whistle  to start the Dubai Sevens on Thursday.

DUBAI SEVENS:  New Zealand stalwart DJ Forbes is in line to achieve the Sevens World Series all-time tournament appearance record.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim, in a bumper year-end edition, look at the good, the bad and the ugly of 2016.

NEW BEGINNINGS: Olympic champions Fiji will have a massive target on their backs when the 2016/17 Sevens World Series get underway in Dubai on Friday.

REACTION: Steve Borthwick came to the defence of Dan Cole, after Australia coach Michael Cheika accused the England prop of scrummaging illegally throughout his career.

NEWS: World Rugby announced record annual financial results, with revenue of nearly £345-million (US$430-million, €406-million) generated in 2015 mainly on the back of last year's World Cup in England.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones and Australia counterpart Michael Cheika can continue their verbal jousting.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Nigel Owens is not just the best referee in the world, he is also the best at putting players down!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Michael Cheika versus Eddie Jones show might be the media highlight this week, but the Australian coach is not being distracted by the sideshow.

NEWS: The Six Nations Council announced the introduction of a bonus points system in the Six Nations and the Under-20 Six Nations Championships.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann, in his final contribution of the year, looks at the Springboks' arrival back home earlier this week, following a disastrous year-end tour.

DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS: Northampton Saints' Kieran Brookes and Newcastle Falcons' Calum Green have both been given suspensions for foul play.

NEWS: The Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) has announced the five finalists from both the Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams for the Rugby Sevens Players' Player of the Year Award.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England have retained 25 players to prepare for their final November Series game against Australia at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: The newly capped Welsh international Sam Davies has signed a new long-temr deal with Ospreys Rugby.

UPDATE: Troubled Fijian Rugby League star Semi Radradra was forced to surrender his passport Wednesday over domestic violence charges, as a touted move to French union side Toulon was thrown into further doubt.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Australia forward Dean Mumm escaped sanction for foul play after a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

NEWS: Former France captain Abdelatif Benazzi on Tuesday parted company with French Top 14 side Montpellier, where he has held a management role for the past year.

NEWS: England Sevens skipper Tom Mitchell believes his team can improve on last year's eight-place finish at the Sevens Series opener in Dubai on  Friday.

The storm has passed and the rugby world is more sedate now that the November window is closed.

NEWS: England scrumhalf Ben Youngs  urges his side to give more as they look to end their Series on a high note against Australia on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok star Bryan Habana said 2016 has been an unprecedented low in his rugby career.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: South Africa Rugby Sevens Academy coach Paul Delport aims is to produce the next generation of players for the Springbok Sevens team.

NEWS: Israel Dagg and Malakai Fekitoa have become the latest players who are rumoured to be heading to French side Toulon.

REACTION: Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee said he wants overseas-based players to arrive in better condition before they link up with the national team.

REACTION: Fijian Rugby League star Semi Radradra's manager Tuesday hit out at French union side Toulon for announcing it had signed the troubled wing, who faces domestic violence charges.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia coach Michael Cheika has fired back at Eddie Jones by insisting it is England rather than Australia who scrum illegally.

NEWS: England back Elliot Daly was given a three-week ban, after being sent off for what officials deemed a "reckless" tackle on Argentina's Leonardo Senatore at Twickenham at the weekend.

NEWS: Italy lock Quintin Geldenhuys announced his retirement from international rugby, after a 67-cap career that saw him captain the Azzurri five times.

OPINION: The Celtic nations made a big statement at the weekend and they have been duly rewarded in rugby365's famous selection.

INTERVIEW: South Africa coach Allister Coetzee arrived home Monday from a disastrous European tour and likened his perilous position to that of a predecessor, Jake White.   

NEWS: Toulon have signed Fiji wing Semi Radradra from Australian Rugby League side Parramatta Eels, the French Top 14 club said on Monday.

NEWS: The Springboks have dropped down to sixth in the world rankings after their loss to Wales in Cardiff last weekend. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England head coach Eddie Jones has tarnished the legacy of his achievements with his native Australia, his Wallabies counterpart Michael Cheika said on Monday.

World Rugby's Sevens Series starts this week in Dubai. It is splendid opportunity for players and spectators (and referees.

NEWS: Kenya's striking Sevens players agreed to resume training on Monday after a deal was reached to pay them their outstanding bonuses for the 2015-2016 season, the Kenya Rugby Union said.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland Sevens head coach Anthony Eddy has named a new breed of players to take part in the first tournament in the 2016/2017 Sevens World Series in Dubai.

OPINION: Jan de Koning asks if Springbok coach Allister Coetzee will be true to his word and fall on his sword.

INTERVIEW: England head coach Eddie Jones has called for the media from his native Australia to show "respect" ahead of the two countries' year-ending showdown at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: combined total of 84 players from the Pro12 were involved in victories over 2015 World Cup semifinalists in November.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Seabelo Senatla believes Sevens will one day be the "equivalent" to the XV-man game on the world stage.

INJURY UPDATE: England No.8 Billy Vunipola faces a race to recover in time for the Six Nations after being ruled out for at least three months on Sunday following knee surgery.

PRO12 SUNDAY WRAP: Flyhalf Angus O'Brien won the battle against his former mentor, Jason Tovey, as Newport Gwent Dragons ran out 27-19 winners over Edinburgh in an entertaining match at Rodney Parade.

PREMIERSHIP, SUNDAY WRAP: Two tries from Ashley Johnson plus Rob Miller's brace in as many minutes got Wasps back to winning ways against a Sale Sharks side who refused to bow down to defeat.

REACTION: Even the most cynical of observer would have bet on a chink appearing in the armour after New Zealand lost the likes of talismanic captain Richie McCaw and goal-kicking playmaker par excellence Dan Carter.

REACTION: Retired Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss has thrown his weight behind a decision by SA Rugby Union president Mark Alexander to overhaul the administration of SA Rugby as well as a Springbok review process.

REACTION: Wales coach Rob Howley said his side "need to go to the next level" after ending their November programme with a 27-13 win over South Africa in Cardiff.

REACTION: Ireland captain Rory Best says beating Australia 27-24 and other results going the Northern Hemisphere countries way suggests the void people had spoken about between them last year has been filled.

REACTION: Australia coach Michael Cheika says the Wallabies will rebound after getting over the hurt of Ireland dashing their dreams of emulating the 1984 side in a Grand Slam sweep of the Home Nations.

REACTION: No sooner had Wales beaten South Africa 27-13 in Cardiff to end a wretched 2016 for the Springboks, then the President of the South African Rugby Union announced plans for a review and governance overhaul.

OPINION: New Zealand were not at their best, but they were still too classy for France.

OPINION: France again flattered to deceive, losing 19-24 to New Zealand in Paris on Saturday.

OPINION: Wales outclassed South Africa when they secured a 27-13 victory in Cardiff on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Munster scored seven tries to move to the top of the Pro12 with a bonus point 46-3 win over Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park.

OPINION: A dismal and disappointing season-ending game saw South Africa lose 13-27 to Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia's hopes of achieving a first Grand Slam over the Home Unions since 1984 were dashed when they went down 24-27 to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

OPINION: Ireland showed great resilience when they beat Australia 27-24 in Dublin on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: World player of the year Beauden Barrett helped stretch New Zealand's winning streak over France to 10 games with a hard-fought but ultimately comfortable 24-19 victory on Saturday

MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs scored eight tries as they eased past Worcester Warriors in 57-22 victory Sandy Park.

REPORT: Tonga's Tane Takulua capped a superb all-round display by slotting over a last-minute penalty to seal a 19-17 win over Italy in a see-saw Test in Padua on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Scotland absorbed the shock of conceding a fourth-minute try to scrumhalf Vasil Lobzhanidze before steamrollering Georgia with six tries of their own to win 43-16.

REPORT: England, despite playing with just 14 men for 75 minutes, scored a 27-14 win over Argentina in London on Saturday.

REPORT: An injury-ravaged Ireland became the first Northern Hemisphere side since England in 2003 to complete wins over the three major Southern Hemisphere teams.

REPORT: Wales finish their year on a high, as South Africa continued to plummet to the depths of despair.

IN THE SPOTLGHT: Rory Best will follow in the large footsteps of Irish icons Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell in reaching the 100 cap landmark on Saturday when he leads them out against Australia.

PRE-MATCH BUILD-UP: South Africa may finish their year in the red, but there could be a big pointer to the future in Cardiff on Saturday.

REPORT: Two drop-goals by flyhalf D'Angelo Leuila helped Samoa secure a hard-fourth 25-23 win over Canada in Grenoble.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Both Niki Goneva and Ellis Genge bagged late tries to help Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers secure respective victories over Northampton Saints and Bristol.

PRO12 FRIDAY WRAP: A nine-try thriller saw Scarlets beat Leinster, with the hosts eventually running out 38-29 bonus-point winners while Connacht and Ospreys bagged wins of their won.

World Rugby has made known five law changes which will be introduced by way of a trial on 1 January 2017 in the South and on 1 August in the North.

World Rugby has made known five law changes which will be introduced by way of a trial on 1 January 2017 in the South and on 1 August in the North.

World Rugby has made known five law changes which will be introduced by way of a trial on 1 January 2017 in the South and on 1 August in the North.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks captain Kieran Read says they go into their final "massive" match of a long season at the Stade de France on Saturday alive to the threat posed by the French scrum.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Pivotal centre Jared Payne and outstanding flank Sean O'Brien sat out training on Friday, deepening Ireland's injury worries on the eve of their Test with World Cup finalists Australia.

NEWS: Sean McMahon will be among Australia's replacements for Saturday's international against Ireland in Dublin after Wallaby coach Michael Cheika finalised his bench on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones said Elliot Daly faced the same choice of being "good or happy" that confronted his childhood friends, the Ella brothers, in his quest to become an established international.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia captain Stephen Moore says his side will have to be on their best form to beat Ireland on Saturday and keep their hopes alive of emulating the 1984 team and record a Grand Slam over the Home Nations.

REACTION: The Eastern Cape region is never far from controversy and so it proved yet again.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Four of the most experienced Springbok Sevens players were included in Neil Powell's 13-man squad that will travel to Dubai for the opening tournament of the 2016/17 World Rugby Sevens Series.

SEVENS NEWS: The venues and dates have been set out for the High School Sevens Series in South Africa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Italy centre Tommaso Benvenuti pledged they will plug the gap left by captain Sergio Parisse's absence when they host "physical" Tonga a week after stunning South Africa for the first time.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales Sevens coach Gareth Williams has included four new players for the first leg of the 2016/2017 Sevens World Series in Dubai.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Georgia coach Milton Haig believes Scottish Rugby have made "a massive mistake" in not offering his old playing and coaching partner Vern Cotter a new contract after guiding Scotland to seventh in the world rankings.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia Sevens head coach Andy Friend has named a new-look squad to represent Australia in the first tournament in the 2016/2017 Sevens World Series in Dubai.

PARIS POWER PLAY: The All Blacks go into the last game of their long season prepared for what they say will be a "titanic" battle against France at the Stade de France.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones could not resist building up to Saturday's international at home to Argentina by taking a side-swipe at his native Australia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Georgia head coach Milton Haig has made three changes to his starting XV for the Test against Scotland on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The French Barbarian have secured a 19-11 victory over the Wallaby XV at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Cheika's rejuvenated Australia will bid to beat Ireland on Saturday and move to within one victory of emulating the legendary 1984 side's Grand Slam of the Home Nations.

DANCE OF THE DESPERATES: Paul Dobson gives us his unique view on the year-ending Test between Wales and South Africa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Pro12 season continues to go from strength-to-strength as Round Eight saw all 12 outfits maintain the record-setting pace when it came to scoring tries.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at Beauden Barrett's controversial try against Ireland last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade has made three changes to the side who will be taking on England at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT:  Ireland will be without star playmakers Johnny Sexton or Robbie Henshaw when they face Australia on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Mark Bennett will make his first Scotland appearance since starring for Great Britain's silver medal-winning Olympic Sevens team in Saturday's clash with Georgia, head coach Vern Cotter announced on Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After failing to sneak to the top of the Premiership table, Wasps scrumhalf  Dan Robson is addimint that his side can redeemed themselve against Sale Sharks this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Jamba Ulengo and Uzair Cassiem will make their Springbok debuts against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia coach Michael Cheika has recalled a host of big-name players for the Test against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors centre Ryan Mills has been given a two-week suspension for a dangerous tackle during their Premiership against Northampton Saints.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has made four changes to his side to play Argentina at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales made one change from the side that beat Argentina a fortnight ago to face South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM UPDATE: Italy coach Conor O'Shea on Thursday replaced suspended captain Sergio Parisse with Zebre flank Andries Van Schalkwyk for this weekend's Test against Tonga.

NEWS: D-Day for the 2019 World Cup draw is May 10 next year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Camille Lopez will start at flyhalf for France in their Test against world champions New Zealand on Saturday in one of three changes from the team that narrowly lost to the Wallabies.

NEWS: Scarlets loosehead prop Wyn Jones stated that the hard work is paying ahead of their Pro12 encounter against Leinster on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jamie Cudmore will turn out for Canada for Friday's November Tour finale against Samoa.  

NEWS: Ian Oosthuizen and Tythan Adams will attend a six-month international exchange following their excellent performance in the 2016 Gold Cup.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Canada Sevens head coach Damian McGrath has inluded 11 experienced players in his 13-man squad for the the World Sevens Series opener in Dubai.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim looks at the good and the bad of Adriaan Strauss' career, as well as what awaits Alister Coetzee's Springboks!

NEWS: Just days before the Sevens Series in Dubai commence, Kenya Sevens captain Andrew Amonde and his troops refuse to attend training or participate in any rugby-related activities due to unpaid bonuses.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Northampton Saints' Calum Clarke has been banned for three weeks for striking an opponent with his elbow during a Premiership match last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Aaron Smith has been dropped as the All Blacks shake up their backline for Saturday's Test against France in Paris, with TJ Perenara taking over at scrumhalf in their "best possible" side.

NEWS: Italy captain Sergio Parisse has been hit with a three-week disciplinary ban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs lock Will Skelton will lead the Wallaby XV in their non-cap encounter with the French Barbarians at Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux on Thursday.

INTERVIEW: It looks almost certain that Wales are going to unleash their Tonga-born battering ram Taulupe Faletau on South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.

In keeping with a worldwide trend, three referees will take charge of their first games in the Pro 12 this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With wholesale changes imminent, some Springboks decided to 'make a point' on the training field.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The likes of Gaston Revol, Franco Sabato and Fernando Luna will all be running out for Argentina Sevens in Dubai for the World Sevens Series opener in December.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Uganda return to Dubai for the first time in 11 years when they line up alongside South Africa in Pool B of the World Sevens Series opener.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens' Kyle Brown has relinquished the captain's armband as he feels the time is right to do so as the Blitzboks look for fresh, new ideas.

NEWS: Former Blue Bulls Under-19 and University of Pretoria-Tuks coach, Jaco Pienaar has been unveiled as the Sharks' forwards coach after signing a two-year deal with the franchise.

NEWS: Italy coach Conor O'Shea warned the triumphant Azzurri not to rest on their laurels ahead of their final November Test against Tonga on Saturday.

NEWS: Irish flank Josh van der Flier dismisses suggestions he has replaced icon Paul O'Connell as the workhorse of the team.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at the suggestion that the Springboks have hit rock bottom!

NEWS: England coach Eddie Jones has gone against his word of keeping Semesa Rokoduguni after dropping the Fiji-born wing once again.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Coming off the back of disappointing outings in the 2015/16 World Sevens Series campaign and the 2016 Rio Olympics, New Zealand Sevens are as excited as ever for the new Series.

OPINION: rugby365's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson looks at some of the reasons for uneasy feelings amongst Springbok supporters.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand play their last international of the year against France on Saturday and All Black stars Israel Dagg and Julian Savea said both sides have to overcome the pain of past defeats.

NEWS: Liam Williams has been told his prospects of playing for Wales next season could depend on a wildcard selection if he joins English Premiership champions Saracens.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Malakai Fekitoa is set to miss New Zealand's match against France in Paris on Saturday after being given a one-week ban on Tuesday for a dangerous tackle.

INTERVIEW: The All Blacks are no different to anyone else and they have not 'destroyed us yet', despite all the hype, French lock forward Sébastien Vahaamahina said Tuesday.

NEWS: Gloucester Rugby confirmed hooker Richard Hibbard as their latest player to remain at the club after his new contract signing.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors have lured 26-year-old Canadian flyhalf Connor Braid to bolster their Premiership side until the end of the season.

REACTION: Ollie Devoto insists Exeter Chiefs must use their victory at Newcastle Falcons as the springboard to continue climbing up the Premiership table.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Argentina were given a boost ahead of their match against England with the news that star flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez is free to play after a disciplinary hearing.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy coach Conor O'Shea made only one change from the side that secured a historic 20-18 win over South Africa last weekend for their third November Test against Tonga.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand Under-20 coach Craig Philpott have named a 49-man squad to attend the developemnet camp ahead of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australian rugby coach Michael Cheika admitted to AFP in an interview he had to reset to zero after some disappointing results earlier in the year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France are clear underdogs for their clash against New Zealand on Saturday, but the world champions will not be taking their opponents lightly.

NEWS: Former Reds flank Liam Gill has  been named the 2016 Pilecki Medal for players' player of the year for a second time after winning it in 2015 for the first time.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs confirmed that 30 players of their 2016 35-man squad have stayed with the franchise for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Management of the Western Force said while a decision to cut one of the five Australian Super Rugby franchise teams at the end of the 2017 season had been delayed, the Western Force was yet to secure its future.

INTERVIEW: South Africa must dump two of its six Super Rugby teams to revive the ailing Springboks, World Cup-winner Joel Stransky said Tuesday, arguing weak provincial sides were fostering a losing mentality.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli is adamant the best way for the Pumas to beat England at Twickenham on Saturday is by sticking with an attacking approach.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Joseph Cheika's courage in leaving Lebanon over 60 years ago to travel alone to Australia is part of the fearless identity his son Michael is trying to bring to the Australian rugby team.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Joe Launchbury is set to miss England's final two Tests of 2016 against Argentina and Australia.

INJURY UPDATE: Robbie Henshaw will miss Ireland's final international of 2016 against Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales go into their final match of the year, against South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday, in 'Cup Final' mode.

There are roughly 20 International matches in which national teams are playing.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Under-fire Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is standing firm that he will NOT resign.

OPINION: It was, without a doubt, the most entertaining match of the weekend - not just because of the skill levels, but also the physicality and intensity.

REACTION: Former Australia captain James Horwill is eager to return to action after being hailed as "hard as nails" for making light of a nasty-looking finger injury during Harlequins' 6-25 defeat by Leicester last weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England Sevens have named an experienced squad for the first tournament of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai next week.

REACTION: England great Jeremy Guscott has called on referees to "look harder" when dealing with New Zealand players after two All Blacks were cited following the world champions' win over Ireland.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Six 2016 Rio Olympic gold medallists will feature for Fiji in the season-opening World Sevens Series event in Dubai on December 2-3.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens forward Tim Agaba has been ruled out of the opening two tournaments of the 2016/17 World Rugby Sevens Series, to be played in Dubai and Cape Town respectively.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: France Sevens will head into the World Sevens Series opener in Dubai on December 2-3 without their top scorer of the 2015/16 season, Virimi Vakatawa.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Brumbies have named a strong squad for the 2017 Super Rugby season, as the players returned to training this week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa have dropped down to fifth in the world rankings after their 18-20 defeat to Italy in Florence last weekend. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia will face the sternest of challenges against Ireland next Saturday as they bid to maintain their quest to emulate the 1984 Wallabies and achieve a Grand Slam over the Home Nations, said coach Michael Cheika.

OPINION: Jan de Koning looks into the background of what is really behind the Springboks' dramatic fall from grace this year.

NEWS: The Pumas have increased their depth by signing flyhalf Sias Ebesohn from the Free State Cheetahs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After another embarrassing defeat, it came as no surprise that Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee was once again in the firing line of South Africa's passionate rugby public.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Saracens forward George Kruis has joined the England camp ahead of Saturday's game against Argentina at Twickenham Stadium.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named the Wallaby XV squad ahead of their tour game against the French Barbarians in Bordeaux on Thursday.

NEWS: England lock Joe Launchbury has been cited for kicking Asaeli Tikoirotuma during Saturday's 58-15 victory over Fiji, disciplinary chiefs said on Sunday. 

TOP 14 SUNDAY WRAP: France flyhalf Jules Plisson kicked seven penalties to help Stade Francais to a 21-17 victory over Montpellier in the Top 14 on Sunday.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Alex Lozowski kicked 13 points as a Saracens side shorn of their international players won 28-13 at Sale on Sunday to return to the English Premiership summit.

REACTION: Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee could not believe the number of try-scoring opportunities his team spurned during their historic 18-20 defeat to Italy in Florence on Saturday.

REACTION: Australia will "reset to zero" for next weekend's Test against Ireland, coach Michael Cheika vowed after seeing his Wallaby team edge France in a thriller.

REACTION: Bryan Habana has revealed his future with the French Top 14 side Toulon will depend on future commitments with South Africa as he looks towards a possible ambassadorial role in the game following retirement.

REACTION: Wales coach Rob Howley fears his side will face a "wounded animal" when South Africa arrive in Cardiff.

REACTION: Joe Schmidt professed to being proud of his players but frustrated too at not clinching a second successive win over world champions New Zealand on Saturday.

REACTION: Eddie Jones took a moment away from heaping praise on his England side for making light work of Fiji to aim a taunt at the All Blacks.

REACTION: Scotland coach Vern Cotter saluted the "grit and character" of his players after their dramatic 19-16 win over Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday.

REACTION: World Champions New Zealand showed real character in rebounding from a shock defeat a fortnight ago to beat the same side Ireland 21-9 in Dublin on Saturday said coach Steve Hansen.

REACTION: As if the criticism from their compatriots wasn't enough, Wales had to suffer England coach Eddie Jones telling them they had been "complacent" in just beating Japan 33-30 in Cardiff on Saturday.

REACTION: A quartet of key players - including flyhalf Jonathan Sexton - are major injury doubts for Ireland's Test with Australia next weekend.

REACTION: Italy captain Sergio Parisse revealed that a sitdown with coach Conor O'Shea over coffee in Paris set the wheels in motion for a historic 20-18 victory over South Africa on Saturday.

REACTION: South African coach Allister Coetzee admitted enduring the "darkest hour" of his coaching career on Saturday.

OPINION: France was a drop-goal away from a famous win over Australia in Paris on Saturday.

REPORT: Phil Mack scored a lone Canadian try as they were narrowly edged 16-21 by Romania in Bucharest on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia hung on desperately, but made it three-from-three on their year-end tour by beating France 25-23 in Paris on Saturday.

REPORT: A penalty three minutes into overtime by Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw secured a dramatic last-gasp 19-16 victory against Argentina.

OPINION: They may have come into the match claiming the underdog tag but it was the amount of fight they showed on defence that enabled them to bag a 21-9 victory over Ireland in Dublin.

OPINION: Ireland proved just how far they have progressed with a machine-like effort, despite going down 9-21 to New Zealand in Dublin on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Gloucester's late show ensure them a 36-18 impressive bonus-point victory over high-flying Wasps at Kingsholm.

OPINION: Italy displayed relentless and resilience when they outclassed the Springboks 20-18 in Florence on Saturday.

OPINION: South Africa suffered an embarrassing 20-18 defeat at the hands of Italy in Florence on Saturday.

REPORT: Sam Davies held his nerve to hit a drop-goal with just nine seconds remaining to seal a 33-30 triumph for Wales over Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.

REPORT: Fiji-born England wing Semesa Rokoduguni scored a brace as Eddie Jones' team buried an overpowered Fiji under an avalanche of tries.

REPORT: A last-ditch drop goal attempt by Camille Lopez sailed agonisingly wide as France nearly fought back against Australia in Paris.

REPORT: Two tries from Malakai Fekitoa dashed Irish hopes of successive wins over world champions New Zealand.

LIVE NOW: Welcome to the LIVE CHAT facility for the match between Ireland and New Zealand in Dublin.

REPORT: Georgia upset the odds with a 20-16 win over Samoa and an arm-wrestle in Tbilisi on Saturday.

REPORT: Italy made history when they recorded their first-ever win over South Africa in Florence in Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina captain Agustin Creevy believes the pain his side still feel from their last visit to Murrayfield will inspire the Pumas when they return to Scotland's home ground on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales No.8 Taulupe Faletau could return to international duty against South Africa next weekend.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones defended his handling of back row Teimana Harrison.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Exeter Chiefs scored four tries as they edged an intriguing Premiership battle at Newcastle Falcons 32-19 to secure their third win of the season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks captain Adriaan Strauss believes only a clinical performance with improvement in all areas of the field can help South Africa avoid the ignominy of an historic defeat to Italy.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France's clash with Australia at the Stade de France on Saturday will be a key test of coach Guy Noves's team-building, captain Guilhem Guirado warned.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina flank Javier Ortega Desio has admitted Los Pumas head into Saturday's match against Scotland at Murrayfield in danger of losing their second-tier seeding for the 2019 World Cup draw.

INTERVIEW: The much-loved New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu who died a year ago on Friday will add extra motivation to the All Blacks when they face Ireland on Saturday, captain Kieran Read says.

INTERVIEW: If Ireland are to become the first side in seven years to beat world champions New Zealand twice in a row they must play better than they did in Chicago, captain Rory Best claimed on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales hope to avoid the pitfalls of the past after making ten changes to the side that will play Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Italy captain Sergio Parisse says that he and his teammates are not getting ahead of themselves when they face and out-of-form and wounded Springbok team in Florence on Saturday.

NEWS: The European Champions Cup match between Racing 92 and Munster, postponed after the death of the Irish province's coach Anthony Foley, has been rescheduled for January 7, organisers announced Friday.

TEAM UPDATE: Australia coach Michael Cheika has finalised his bench for Saturday's match against France, omitting No.8 Lopeti Timani from the matchday 23.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Flyhalf Handré Pollard is expected to make a return to the playing field on January 28, 2017 when the Bulls will face a South African Super Rugby opponent in Zimbabwe.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's Nizaam Carr is ready to show thousands of Springbok hopefuls what it means to pull on the green and gold jersey when he lines up, out of position, against Italy in Florence.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Much-loved New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu's loss is keenly felt by the rugby world and on Friday it will mark a year to the day he passed away aged just 40 after years of battling kidney disease.

TOP 14 WEEK 12: Defending champions Racing 92 will seek to bolster their mid-table position when they host struggling Grenoble in Top 14 action on the weekend.

NEWS: Gloucester's preperations have been boosted with tge confimations that Ben Morgan has agreed a new deal with the Premiership club.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Sevens stars Seabelo Senatla and Albertus 'Kwagga' Smith will gain some valuable match fitness on Saturday when they run out for the SA Rugby Sevens Academy side in the WP club Rugby Sevens tournament in Goodwood, Cape Town.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones wants England to batter Fiji into submission with a display of "fish and chips" rugby at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt advised All Blacks coach Steve Hansen to never become a bookmaker after claims of underdog tag ahead of the sides rematch in Dublin.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England have recalled Fiji-born wing Semesa Rokoduguni to play against the Pacific islanders at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A straight-faced New Zealand coach Steve Hansen stood by his claim that his side are the underdogs heading into the match against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: South Africa coach Allister Coetzee has embraced the return of wizard wing Bryan Habana as the wounded Springboks look to rebound from defeats to New Zealand and England by beating Italy on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has made four crucial changes ahead of their tough encounter against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

NEWS: The annual Australian National Sevens Championship returns to Adelaide on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France will aim to build on their crushing victory over Samoa with a morale-boosting win over Australia on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Canada head coach Mark Anscombe has made three changes to his starting XV which is going to take on Romania on Saturday.

UNDERDOGS' REVENGE: World champions New Zealand will bid on Saturday to teach Ireland a lesson and prevent them from becoming the first team since South Africa in 2009 to beat them twice in a row.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji head coach John Mckee has named a much more experienced side to take on England at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Paul Dobson takes, in his unique way, a look at the Test match between Italy and South African in Florence on Saturday.

The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have announced the referees for Rounds 3 and 4 of the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.

NEWS: England have delayed announcing their team to play Fiji until Friday in a bid to give the injured trio of Elliot Daly, Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes more time to prove their fitness.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt made just one change to his starting XV for the return match against New Zealand in Dublin on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Pumas Daniel Hourcade has made one change to his starting XV that lost to Wales last weekend for their clash against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

NEWS: Following in the footsteps of fellow backs Billy Burns and Henry Purdy, scrumhalf Willi Heinz has signed a new contract with Gloucester Rugby.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has named uncapped loose forward Magnus Bradbury among four personnel changes to his team to start against Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After a two-week break the Premiership return with an action filled weekend as Sale Sharks face a difficult challenge when they lock horns with the reigning champions Saracens on Sunday.

TEAM UPDATE: Treviso pair Nicola Quaglio and Simone Ferrari could come off the bench to make their Italy debuts against South Africa in Florence after being named among the replacements by coach Conor O'Shea.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The return of veteran wing Bryan Habana is one of three changes to the Springbok starting XV to face Italy in Florence on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales made 10 changes to their side to face Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.

Because of the increasing incidence of concussion, consideration is being given to making tackling below the waist obligatory.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made twelve changes to his starting side for the Test against France at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Guy Noves has made five changes to the side who will take on a very confident Australia side at the Stade de France on Saturday.

REACTION: Springbok centre Damian de Allende will not be earning any Japanese yen for the next two years.

NEWS: Stormers star centre Huw Jones is a wanted man in Scotland, according to reports in that country.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim discuss the Springboks' ranking problems and the possibility of them being drawn in a pool with the All Blacks for the 2019  World Cup.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Perth-born Harry Scoble has concluded the Western Force squad after becoming the latest rising star to join Super Rugby franchise for the 2017 season.

NEWS: Argentina have made history in 2016 as they now have three representatives in Rugby Union's governing body World Rugby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England's Nathan Hughes has insisted he will have no divided loyalties should the loose forward make his first Test start against Fiji, the land of his birth, at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Blacks will go into their Ireland rematch as "underdogs" Saturday, claimed coach Steve Hansen, despite recalling the world champion's big names as they seek to avenge their historic loss.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Luke Charteris believes Wales will face a much-improved Japan side when they take on the Cherry Blossoms in Cardiff on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ben Te'o said it was his former Brisbane Broncos teammate Israel Folau who gave him the confidence to switch from Rugby League to Rugby Union in a move that has seen him become an England international.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland lock Jonny Gray believes his side will be going up against one of the best teams in the world when they face Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand assistant coach Ian Foster said there is "an edge in the air" ahead of their return clash with Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland still vividly remember how they let a first-ever series win over South Africa slip out of their hands.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There is plenty of French influence in the Wallabies squad, with Mario Ledesma and Michael Cheika both playing and coaching in France and four French-based players coming in and out of the squad this season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Brendan Venter, the driving force behind the recent indaba to improve South African rugby, could be a key factor in the demise of the Springboks in Florence on Saturday.

NEWS: Harlequins have received a boost ahead of their 150th anniversary match against the Maori All Blacks at The Stoop on Wednesday, November 16 with the news of James Chisholm re-signing with the club.

NEWS: Flyhalf Billy Burns will remain with the Cherry and Whites after penning an extension to his current contract, which was due to expire at the end of the current season.

NEWS: The Blues' fans will have to wait some time before seeing All Black centre Sonny Bill Williams don their jersey as he continues to undergo rehabilitation on his Achilles tendon.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland's 2023 World Cup bid is hoping the large Irish diaspora in the United States could be their trump card.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at ways that will help the Springboks end their losing streak.

NEWS: Former Scottish Sevens player Clark Laidlaw has taken over from Gordon Tietjens as the head coach of the New Zealand Sevens team.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Despite the Springboks' dismal performance against England, forwards coach Johann van Graan believes their set-piece play was the shining light on a gloomy day.

NEWS: Southern Kings have boosted their squad ahead of 2017 season with the signature of Super Rugby winning prop Ross Geldenhuys from the Highlanders.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Conor O'Shea underlined his long-term plan for Italy by making only four changes, two of them injury-enforced, from the side hammered 68-10 by New Zealand for their second November test against South Africa.

NEWS: Ireland on Tuesday formally announced their entry into the 'Candidate' phase of the selection process to determine the host for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

INTERVIEW: Australian coach Michael Cheika says his young Wallaby side are improving ahead of Saturday's Test against France and insists results are not the main objective of the tour.

NEWS: Australian-born wing Ratu Tagive has signed a one-year deal with Pro12 side Glasgow Warriors.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black prop Owen Franks says he and his teammates feel the pressure heading into their much-anticipated second encounter with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland will be out to avoid giving away soft tries when they face the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

NEWS: Rising stars Fereti Sa’aga, Ikapote Tupai and Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano have extended the Melbourne Rebels roster' when the three signed development contracts.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay looks at the roller coaster ride that comes with following the Wallabies.

NEWS: The Western Force have signed Australia Under-20 prop Shambeckler Vui for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head Coach Colin Cooper has made three changes to his Maori All Blacks run-on side for their tour-closing match against the Harlequins on Wednesday.

INTERVIEW: China's ambitious sporting plans will see them bid to host a Rugby World Cup 'sooner rather than later' according to World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper.

REACTION: Fuming Fiji said they were gutted that none of their nominees won at the World Rugby awards this week and planned to make their feelings known to the sport's governing body.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ben Youngs has it in him to become as influential a scrumhalf for England as South Africa's Fourie du Preez was for the Springboks, according to Eddie Jones.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales have released Taulupe Faletau to English Premiership side Bath for their west country derby against Bristol on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: England's Billy Vunipola is doubtful for Saturday's international against Fiji because of what team management intriguingly labelled "upper body soreness".

INJURY UPDATE: Leonardo Ghiraldini and Andrea Lovotti are out of Italy's remaining November Tests.

This week the top match could well see the revenge of the All Blacks when Jaco Peyper referees the Dublin match.

OPINION: England became the second Northern Hemisphere team to send a strong message to their rivals south of the equator.

NEWS: England's 2003 World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson led the list of this year's 12 inductees into the Rugby Hall of Fame.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby's Chief Executive tried to allay fears about Japan's readiness to stage the 2019 World Cup, saying the country was three years ahead of where 2015 hosts England were at the same point.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales and France are the only movers in the top 10 on the world rankings after an action-packed weekend of rugby.

INJURY UPDATE: Springboks' star lock Eben Etzebeth will play no part in Saturday's match against Italy due to concussion.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Clermont's Camille Lopez has been included in the France squad to face Australia on Saturday after first-choice flyhalf François Trinh-Duc was ruled out with a broken arm.

REACTION: Veteran loose forward Willem Alberts has come out in defence of under-fire Springbok coach Allister Coetzee.

At its annual Awards Dinner at the London Hilton, World Rugby gave a shared Referee of the Year Award for the first time.

INJURY UPDATE: Australia have lost lock Adam Coleman for the rest of their end-of-year tour.

NEWS: Flyhalf Beauden Barrett led a hat-trick of titles for world champions New Zealand at the World Rugby awards, as he collected Player of the Year.

TOP 14 WWRAP: Australian flyhalf Zack Holmes kicked two late penalties to give La Rochelle a 25-19 win over Toulouse to move back into second place in the French Top 14 on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLGHT: Jonny May said he "feared this moment would never come again" after marking his return to England duty with a try against South Africa.

NEWS: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika added eight new faces to his touring party.

REPORT & REACTION: The South African Sevens team outplayed fellow World Series contestants, Kenya, by 31-10 to win the warm-up tournament played at the Dome Sports Arena in Swakopmund on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Former Junior Springbok and Southern Kings loose forward Cornell du Preez has become the latest addition to Scotland's South African contingent.

REACTION: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said some personnel changes are on the cards as he looks to salvage something from a disastrous year-end tour.