All News

It was a better attacking display from the Sharks last week, but they are well aware of the need to improve their defensive game against the Bulls.

Toulouse clinched a 21-12 victory over Stade Francais in the Top 14 on Friday, capitalising on the Paris club having to play more than half the match with 14 men.

NEWS: The game of rugby is set for a significant boost on the American continents with confirmation that a new Six Nations tournament is on the cards.

NEWS: Saturday's Super Rugby clash between the Stormers and the Bulls at Newlands is officially a sell-out.

Edinburgh's superb run of form continued against Zebre at Murrayfield, as they secured a vital 37-0 bonus-point victory in the race for the Pro12 top six.

Craig Gilroy's 11th try of the season put Ulster into the semifinals of the Pro12, with a 26-10 victory over Leinster.

Bath produced a stirring second half blitz to boost their chances of a home Premiership semifinal with a 43-18 bonus-point triumph over London Irish at the Rec.

Top 14 leading duo Toulon and Clermont return to domestic duties on Saturday with one eye on their European Champions Cup final on May 2.

REACTION: For the second time this year, the Reds have been left fuming about an early announcement on the departure of one of their players.

NEWS: World Cup-winning former Springbok assistant coach Eddie Jones will return to Super Rugby after eight years.

Ian Prior of the Force received a red card for foul play during a Super Rugby match against the Chiefs on Friday.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee knows that the Bulls will be a completely different prospect from the team they beat at Loftus Versfeld.

REPORT: The Brumbies produced a commanding first-half performance to run out 31-18 winners over the Highlanders on Friday.

BREAKING NEWS: Wallaby playmaker Quade Cooper has turned his back on Australia. He signed a two-year contract with French giants Toulon.

REPORT: The Chiefs recorded a bonus-point 35-27 win over the Western Force on Friday, to reclaim first place on the Super Rugby standings.

Maties skipper Braam Venter knows that with Varsity Cup players available, his side have their work cut out to retain their Varsity Sevens title.

NEWS: The Sharks were dealt a cruel blow on the eve of their departure on a four-week Australasian Super Rugby tour.

Classic Clashes are once again upon us with Landboudal taking on Augsburg Landbou this Saturday.

NEWS: The ARU locked away two key members of the Wallabies' forward pack - re-signing the experienced Reds duo James Slipper and Rob Simmons.

England should scrap their "old-fashioned" policy of refusing to select overseas-based players, according to World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward.

Saturday will truly be a derby day. However, it is at Newlands were the spotlight will shine brightest. Jan de Koning shares his predictions.

If the attacking talents of George Ford and Jonathan Joseph were not enough to worry about, London Irish will be just as wary of Bath's pack.  

EXCLUSIVE: Pierre Spies still has  a "burning desire" to play for the Springboks, that is why is also why he has 'evolved' his own game.

INTERVIEW: Schalk Burger will have fetching obligations for the Stomers, as he starts at No.6 jersey for their Super Rugby encounter with the Bulls.

Toulouse face a tough challenge against Stade Francais on Friday in a revival of their Top 14 "Classique" as the chase for play-off spots intensifies.

Newport Gwent Dragons' former Wales fullback Lee Byrne has been forced to retire due to a shoulder injury.

Harlequins have signed Samoa centre Winston Stanley from New Zealand Super Rugby side the Highlanders.

Injuries have been forced the Stormers into changing their wings for Saturday's North-South Derby against the Bulls at Newlands.

Springbok scrumhalf Piet van Zyl will earn a third start for the Bulls on Saturday when the Pretoria franchise play the Stormers in Cape Town.

EXCLUSIVE: AussieBoer, in his latest contribution to rugby365, spoke to Springbok great Theuns Stofberg.

Augsburg Landbou captain Bruwer van Zyl said he feels honoured to lead his team in their Classic Clash against Landboudal this weekend.

Landboudal captain Teubes Brits has warned his team to not have excuses for any slipups when they face Augsburg Landbou in their Classic Clash this weekend.

Tony McGahan has re-introduced Sam Jeffries and Dom Shipperley into the squad, after naming his teams to face the Waratahs.

Michael Cheika has made a number of changes to his team to face the Rebels at ANZ Stadium, as he welcomes back Wallaby hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Only the top five teams can now make the Pro12 play-offs, but with European Cup spots up fro grabs there is still everything to play for.

Waratahs lock and captain Dave Dennis has re-signed with the ARU and Sydney outfit until the end of 2017.

REACTION: Former Wales captain Dai Young has urged England to stick with their policy of only selecting home-based players for Tests.

Derrick Minnie has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury picked up in training, as the Lions prepare to face the Cheetahs.

NEWS: The NZRU said they had no plans to emulate Australia and relax eligibility rules so overseas-based players can represent the All Blacks.

Wallaby flank Matt Hodgson will make his long awaited return to Super Rugby for the Force when he runs out against the Chiefs on Friday.

Nehe Milner-Skudders has been ruled out of action this week due to a calf injury and is replaced by James Marshall for the Hurricanes trip to Suncorp Stadium.

Richard Graham has made four changes to his starting side, with injuries playing their part in a backline shuffle for when the Reds take on the Hurricanes.

Todd Blackadder has made four changes to last week’s starting line-up, including a return for All Black centre Ryan Crotty.

For the first time Brumbies history, brothers will start together in the front row, with JP Smith and Ruan Smith lining up for the clash against the Highlanders.

NEWS: Toulon fullback Delon Armitage will miss the European Champions Cup Final against Clermont.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Keven Mealamu has been handed the Blues' captain in the absence of regular skipper Jerome Kaino.

This week's Round 11 Super Rugby matches will see the Australian Rugby Union and New Zealand Rugby Union join forces.

SHORTLIST: Players from the Champions Cup finalists, ASM Clermont and RC Toulon, are in the running for the EPCR European Player of the Year.

All eyes will be on Diamantveld High School in Kimberley, when the only two unbeaten teams left in the South Section of the Vodacom Cup clash.

EXCLUSIVE: The Lions may be on a four-match winning streak, but it is tries they desire to add to their already impressive resume.

Edinburgh confirmed that Ulster utility back, Michael Allen, will join the club at the end of this season.

The Brumbies have granted lock Sam Carter a leave of absence to be with his family after the death of childhood friend Nicholas Tooth.

Saracens and England centre Brad Barritt has committed his future to the club signing a long-term deal at Allianz Park.

Omar Mouneimne has become the latest addition to the Pumas coaching contingent after he controversially departed from the EP Kings setup earlier this year.

The Rebels have secured two-time Super Rugby winner Toby Smith until the end of the 2017 season.

Western Force stalwart Pek Cowan will earn his 100th Super Rugby cap for the club when he runs out against the Chiefs this Friday in Waikato, New Zealand.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 cartoonist Matthew Ackermann, in his latest contribution, looks at the amazing story of Schalk Burger

OPINION: Alan Zondagh has made some suggestions for law changes which could break the cycle of stodgy predictability plaguing the game.

The Cheetahs were dealt another blow ahead of their Super Rugby encounter with the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Unsurprisingly, Nigel Owens of Wales has been appointed by the European Professional Rugby Clubs (EPRC) to referee the Final of the Champions Cup while Jérôme Garcès of France will referee the Challenge Cup Final.

The Reds returned home from South Africa boasting one victory, and will next face the tall order of competing against the Hurricanes at Brisbane on the weekend.

Oudtshoorn's High School is hosting a rugby tournament over the long weekend with matches on Saturday and Monday, and they have a good array of schools to take part.

Warren Gatland has confirmed he will be joining the crowd at Judgement Day  to run the rule over potential Wales World Cup squad members.

The New Zealand Under 20 squad assembles in Auckland on Friday, 24 April 2015, ahead of the 2015 Oceania Rugby Junior Championship to be played on Australia’s Gold Coast next week.

NEWS: The Australian Rugby Union relaxed eligibility rules to allow senior players at overseas franchises and clubs to represent the Wallabies.

Neil Powell chatted to Tauriq Ebrahim about the BlitzBoks preparation for the Glasgow leg of the World Sevens Series and the Varsity Sevens event.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made several changes to his side to play the Western Force on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has overhauled his team for this Friday's Super Rugby encounter with the Brumbies.

Die Brandwag went up from Uitenhage into the mountains to Marlow Agricultural School outside Cradock and beat the Wolramme a close 22-20.

REPORT: The Junior Springboks were made to work hard for their 31-24 victory over the Varsity Cup Dream Team in front of an electric crowd in Stellenbosch.

Kobus van Wyk has been ruled out of action for six weeks, after picking up a patella injury against the Western Force last weekend.

Leicester Tigers may have won ugly at times this season but Matt Smith admits his side will take victories any way they come in pursuit of the semifinals.

Toulon have quashed reports that Paul O'Connell has signed for them, but rumours are still circulating around Quade Cooper.

Scarlets' coach Wayne Pivac admits there is no guarantee Rhys Priestland will start the Scarlets' Pro12 clash with Newport Gwent Dragons this weekend.

Europe's finalists were decided last weekend and now it's back to club contests - but with internationals in Europe, Asia and South America. No rest for referees.

With the Pro12 drawing to a close and just three matches left, Ulter captain Rory Best believes there is no margin for error.

Owen Farrell will remain at the club that he has called 'home' since the age of 14, after he put pen to paper on a new deal at Saracens.

One is a man who clearly loves his guns, the other played Rambo.

In a highly anticipated match, two of the Borders’ archrivals met at Queen’s College. The conditions at the Recreation Grounds were perfect for running rugby.

Cheetahs general Joe Pietersen has been moved to fullback in a forced change to their injury-depleted starting line-up to face the Lions.

The upheavals of this week are of such a magnitude as to register in the Richter scale and cause big changes to the Top 20. 

Leicester Tigers have agreed a move for second row forward Mike Fitzgerald from the Chiefs.

The Cheetahs have offered Varsity Cup winning Shimlas coach, Franco Smith, the Currie Cup job at the Free state side for 2015.

Aaron Cruden's World Cup hopes have been diminished severely, while Highlanders in-form flyhalf Lima Sopoaga has played himself into All Blacks' contention.

After suffering their first defeat, the Hurricanes have taken a second blow as Jason Woodward's season was prematurely ended by a broken ankle.

Muir hosted Kirkwood on a perfect day for rugby. Muir convincingly beat a spirited Kirkwood side 51-10. The College led 29-3 at the break.

Wynberg Boys' High have organised their annual rugby Festival, with some 60 teams to take part in the two-day Festival which takes place on 25-27 April.

The Crusaders, a few weeks after dishing out a performance that caused the Sharks to apologise to their fans, have now had to do the same.

The Australian Rugby Union has announced a AU$6.3-million loss for 2014.

Nicolaas Hanekom has been cleared to play, after recovering from a knee injury sustained just before the Currie Cup play-offs last year.

RUBRIEK: Jan de Koning is van mening dat Pierre Spies besig is om Springbok afrigter Heyneke Meyer 'n hele paar hoofbrekens te besorg.

OPINION: There is no doubt. Pierre Spies is currently causing a few headaches for Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer. Jan de Koning reports.

Itembelihle Comprehensive School went down from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town and with Table Mountain as its background played rugby.

NEWS: The Bulls suffered a double injury setback ahead of their big north-south Super Rugby derby this coming weekend.

NEWS: The hapless Cheetahs were dealt a number of injury setbacks ahead of their Super Rugby Round 11 encounter with the Lions on Saturday.

The Waratahs showed their credentials by finally halting the Hurricanes' unbeaten streak, as such, they are the favourites in the team.

Australia and Waratahs wing Peter Betham has agreed a move to join Leicester Tigers at the end of the Super Rugby Season.

London Irish have announced the signing of Eoin Sheriff from Saracens.

Scarlets Coach Wayne Pivac said he is pleased with the signing of Australian-born loosehead prop Dylan Evans.

Not just the 1st XV plays and though their results are most noteworthy, there are lots of other schoolboys playing with enthusiasm, skill and bravery. We hope by these results to reflect their efforts.

The Hurricanes need to get used to being targeted as the team to beat according to Assistant Coach Clark Laidlaw.

A little reminder of what Willie le Roux can do on his day.

Jeppe High School for Boys turns 125 this year and a part of the celebrations is a 1st XV rugby festival over the coming long weekend.

Blues coach John Kirwan is set to give his most prolific player, captain Jerome Kaino, a break when they head to Christchurch this week.

Matt O'Connor said his Leinster players were 'gutted' in the dressing room after an intercept try all but won the semifinal in extra-time for the Toulon.

Western Force captain Matt Hodgson is confident his body will not surrender to another injury for the remainder of the Super Rugby campaign.

NEWS: James Broadhurst has decided he likes what's going on at the Hurricanes and is keen to stay put.

Wallabies and Waratahs centre Kurtley Beale admits contract talks have been playing on his mind.

Two newbies have entered the rugby365 Super Bru pool with a bang, Suicidal Racoon comes straight into 11th, while Budz tops the standing.

The Australia and NSW rugby unions have been shocked by the news that club player Nicholas Tooth has died after suffering a blow to the head.

REACTION:  Matt Giteau has said that they will never replace Johnny Wilkinson, but having Leigh Halfpenny to knock over kicks is almost as good.

Bryan Habana is hoping to help write Bakkies Botha, Carl Hayman and Ali Williams into the history books against Clermont  in the European Cup Final.

NEWS: All Black flyhalf Aaron Cruden is holding out faint hope, despite reports that he has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury.

The South Africa College High School (SACS) hosted the farmers from Boland Landbou in the first league game of the season.

Hope may not be lost for the Chiefs and All Blacks should Aaron Cruden's knee injury turn out to be a severe ACL problem.

A Bryan Habana try in extra time gave the reigning champions a 25-20 victory over Leinster in a tight European Cup semifinal.

Gary Gold has said his suspended players owe the team a lot when they return from their respective bans on the Sharks' overseas tour.

The Baby Boks have named four players who represented the team at the 2014 Junior World Championship to face the Varsity Cup Dream Team.

Allister Coetzee believes that his team may have gone into their last fixture on tour expecting an easy victory, especially after the highs of Sydney.

A try in the left-hand corner by playmaker Cornel Smit was enough to see Bishops edge out visitors Paarl Gym 35-32 in a truly spectacular advertisement for the schoolboy game.

Matt Hodgson is set to make his return to Super Rugby after being named in the Western Force’s 25-man travelling squad.

REACTION: After leading the way to a drought-breaking win, James O'Connor believes the Reds can beat any team on their day.

The Bulls see their victory in Durban as the perfect foundation for their remaining fixtures away from home, as well as their Australasian tour.

There were surprises this weekend - Glenwood's huge victory over College, Paul Roos's big win over Grey PE and Bishops beating Paarl Gim.

WRAP: There were tries aplenty as the Vodacom Cup shifted up a gear with the quarterfinals moving into sight for the 16 teams vying for the title.

Michael Foley has lashed out at SANZAR's 'farcical' Super Rugby fixturing, leaving the coach pondering why they have been treated so poorly.

REACTION: Saracens skipper Brad Barritt said his side left St Etienne with their heads held high - despite losing to Clermont.

In a curtainraiser to the Sharks match with the Bulls on Saturday Glenwood played Maritzburg College and produced a record win of 57-12 after leading 25-7 at half-time.

REACTION: Nick Abendanon believes this is going to be Clermont's season and they can finally win the European Cup after so many years of trying.

REACTION: The Stormers were happy to have 'won ugly', after they held on to record a hard-earned 13-6 win over the Force on Saturday.

REPORT: The Reds survived a late charge from the Cheetahs to record their first win on the road this season - a 18-17 triumph on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls outmuscle the Sharks in a tense Super Rugby encounter in Durban on Saturday, winning 17-10.

REPORT: Clermont scored a 13-9 win over Saracens on Saturday to become the first team to reach the 2015 European Champions Cup Final.

POST-MATCH REACTION: The Waratahs tackled like demons and the Hurricanes were uncharacteristically sloppy.

REPORT: The Stormers ended the Australian leg of their tour unbeaten when they edged a willing Western Force 13-6 in Perth on Saturday.

Their focus firmly on this year's World Cup, Japan struggled to beat South Korea 56-30 on Saturday in the opening game of the inaugural Asian Championship.

The Rebels handled the slippery conditions better to pick up a 13-8 victory over the Brumbies and win for the first time in Canberra.

The Highlanders held off a resurgent Blues side to pick up a hard-fought 30-24 victory in Dunedin.

The Waratahs beat the Hurricanes 29-24 in Wellington, to hand the home side their first defeat of the season.

 Franck Azema insisted that last year's 46-6 thrashing at the hands of Saracens would have no bearing on Saturday's semifinal between the pair.

Newcastle Falcons have added further proven international talent to their side for next season, with the signing of Nili Latu.

NEWS: Wallaby Luke Burgess signed a deal to leave the Melbourne Rebels and join Italian Pro12 side Zebre next season

The Sharks Board have decided that suspensions, no matter how harsh, are not punishment enough for foul play.

The Chiefs will be sweating over the knee injury suffered by All Black flyhalf Aaron Cruden in their emphatic 26-9 Super Rugby victory over the Crusaders.

EXCLUSIVE: There will be many mini battles, but the war will be won by the team controlling the set pieces. Jan de Koning reports.

INTERVIEW: The Reds have listed Springbok outcast Heinrich Brüssow as the biggest threat to their prospects of turning around their season.

The Chiefs have made it two from two against the Crusaders this season, with a 26-9 victory in Christchurch on Friday.

Maritzburg College and Glenwood will continue their rivalry this coming Saturday when they face-off in a curtain-raiser at Kings Park in Durban.

Saracens knocked Clermont Auvergne for six at the European Cup semifinal stage last season, will it be repeat or redemption this time around?

Tom Franklin and Jason Emery, have re-signed with the Highlanders for a further two years, signalling their commitment to the team.  

The Brumbies have been forced into a late change ahead of their Super Rugby Round 10 encounter with the Rebels in Canberra on Saturday.

NEWS: France international back Wesley Fofana has signed a new deal with Clermont, staying until 2019.

Matt O'Connor admits his side will have to be at their best if they are to upset reigning Cup holders Toulon in Marseille.

Ulster and Ireland prop Declan Fitzpatrick, who played in the 2012 European Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium, has been forced to retire on medical grounds.

The spotlight will shine brightly on the South African teams in this edition of our preview, even though two of the matches are cross-conference encounters.

INTERVIEW: Leinster flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth has vowed to stop RC Toulon at source, as they plot their path to the European Champions Cup Final.

Argentine international centre Marcelo Bosch has put pen to paper to extend his stay with Saracens in the English Premiership.

Paul Roos, in their 150th year, will represent South Africa at this year's Sanix Youth Rugby Tournament at the Global Arena in Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is the 15th such tournament.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Clermont stalwart Julien Bonnaire is determined to end his career at the club he loves by lifting the European Champions Cup.

A compilation of some of the best steps from Rugby Union and League for 2014

INTERVIEW: Allister Coetzee has commended Schalk Burger for his Laureus Sports award he received in Shanghai, China, on Thursday.

The Sharks are well aware that they cannot fall into any off-the-ball traps the Bulls might set for them, after coming under such scrutiny for foul play this season.

NEWS: Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has added some serious muscle to his pack for the Super Rugby crunch match with the Sharks on Saturday.

SA Referees have announced the match officials for the Wildeklawer Super Schools Rugby Tournament in Kimberley later this month. There are 13 referees and five coaches.

The Waratahs have secured the signing of Super Rugby-winning flyhalf Bernard Foley on a flexible three-year contract extension with the ARU.

Flank Chris Alcock returns to the starting line-up for the Western Force’s clash against the Stormers in his 50th appearance.

Allister Coetzee has made four personnel changes in the Stormers starting XV ahead of their final Super Rugby tour match against the Force.

The Reds have thrust recently recalled suspended lock James Horwill and Wallaby back James O'Connor into the starting line-up.

All Black Tamati Ellison will make his 100th Super Rugby appearance as part of an unchanged Rebels matchday 23.

Michael Cheika has shaken up his starting XV as the defending champions look to make amends for last weekend’s loss when they meet the Hurricanes.

The Sharks have largely kept the same side that fell just short against the Lions last weekend, with only two changes coming in the front row.

The Brumbies have been forced into a number of changes due to injures, especially in the backline, for their clash against the Rebels in Canberra on Saturday.

Outstanding teenage prospect Akira Ioane will make his Super Rugby debut for the Blues against the Highlanders on Saturday.

Highlanders’ head coach Jamie Joseph has shuffled his forward pack for the clash against the Blues this Saturday. 

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has named a similar starting side to that which faced the Stormers, with the inclusion of Ardie Savea, to face the Waratahs

Two delectable north-south derbies in New Zealand, a trans-Tasman showdown and an all-Australian encounter is what we look at.

INETRVIEW: Leinster legend Leo Cullen is expecting a test of mammoth proportions in their European Champions Cup semifinal against RC Toulon.

INTERVIEW: Saracens starlet Maro Itoje said he is ready to make the big step up to the European Champions Cup stage.

Saracens's England lock George Kruis has given his side a boost ahead of their European Champions Cup semifinal by signing a new contract.

The six teams occupying positions two to seven on the South Section log clash in three encounters this weekend.

Franco Smith has not been back in Bloemfontein long, but he has already made waves by taking Shimlas to their first Varsity Cup title.

NEWS: Springbok loose forward Schalk Burger has won the 'Comeback of the Year' at the annual Laureus sport awards.

Scarlets' flyhalf Rhys Priestland believes that European qualification is a must for the team despite his departure to Bath at the end of the season.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at an interesting incident - interesting and complicated.

OPINION: AussieBoer, in his latest contribution to rugby365, continues his quest to fine the best all-time XV. In this edition he looks at No.10.

NFL's Philadelphia Eagles' stadium  will host the ground-breaking Independence Cup fixture between Leicester Tigers and the NRFL's Rough Riders.

South African-born England Sevens player Jeff Williams will leave the shorter version of the game to join Bath next season.  

INTERVIEW: Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia believes the Cheetahs will use the same 'bullying tactics' as the Bulls did last week.

All Black stars Richie McCaw and Kieran Read have said they a ready for when the time comes to walk in the rugby sunset.

The NZRU are reconsidering their concussion procedures after a Highlanders player remarkably returned to the field in a Super Rugby game last weekend.

Kieran Read has changed his mind and declined the opportunity to play at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The traditional Classic Clashes will return with a bang in 2015 with more than 50 exciting matches on the cards.

The charge of foul play against Billy Vunipola was dismissed by an RFU disciplinary panel and he is available for the European clash against Toulon.

We would like to welcome cartoonist Ackers to the ever-growing rugby365 family. We are looking forward to his contributions. Here is the first offering!

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made five changes to his backline for the all-New Zealand Super Rugby derby, against the Crusaders.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder wasted no time in drafting in All Black legends Dan Carter and Richie McCaw for the Super Rugby against the Chiefs.

Saracens and England Saxons lock Maro Itoje has committed his future to Saracens by signing a new contract.

France's Top 14, the world's richest rugby championship, suffered a record deficit of US$25.5-million last season as player salaries soared.

Sean Cronin has called on his Leinster teammates to play the best game of their careers when they face two-time champions Toulon.

Springbok flank Juan Smith, and Welsh fullback Leigh Halfpenny, have both been included in Toulon's European Cup semifinal squad to take on  Leinster.

Robbie Fleck says that the Force's big kicking game will pose a major challenge for the Stormers defence this weekend.

Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck said that the Force will pose a different challenge as the defending champions did in Round 9 of Super Rugby.

Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck said that the Force will pose a different challenge as the defending champions did in Round 9 of Super Rugby.

Boland Landbou had a succesful European Tour recently winning two games comfortably against Italian opposition.

De Wet Barry says the likes of Burger Odendaal, Andre Esterhuizen and Jesse Kriel are proving their worth at senior level this season.

Springbok fullback Willie le Roux will sit out the Cheetahs clash with the Reds this weekend due to an agreement with SA Rugby.

Few schools have played during this holiday week, especially as we included Easter Monday's results in last week's Top 20, but still there are some changes.

London Welsh have announced the re-signing of front rowers Nathan Trevett, Koree Britton, Nathan Morris and Ben Cooper.

Simon Mannix has extended his contract as coach of Pau, ensured of promotion to the Top 14 next season, through until 2018.

Europe is back in cut-throat action with the semifinals. There is a Final in Scotland and a Final in Spain. In South Africa, Varsity Cup has its Finals.

Northampton Saints announced that former Baby Bok Pat Howard will be leaving South Africa to join the club next season.

Some members of the South African Rugby Referees Association (SARRA) are at loggerheads with SARU's manager of referees, André Watson.

The decision of Colin Slade to head to Europe after the World Cup has made coach Steven Hansen very aware that the exodus of players is not yet over.

Samu Kerevi has been a stand-out performer in a struggling Queensland team, and expects to play a role in assisting the inside backs.

The schoolboys from EG Jansen has had a mixed bag of results so far this year, winning three and losing three matches.

After the Crusaders match a fortnight ago, the Sharks had no choice but to step up their game, and Sean Everitt believes he is seeing a spark.

Taqele Naiyaravoro will miss Saturday's Super Rugby showdown with the unbeaten Hurricanes because of visa restrictions.

Matt Hodgson will continue his career with the Force after starting it in Perth in 2005, by extending his contract through to the end of the 2016.

Wallabies prop Paddy Ryan has recommitted to the Waratahs for the 2016 season, his sixth with the franchise.

Saracens back row forward Billy Vunipola is to face a RFU disciplinary panel, after being accused of foul play last weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: Bulls coach Frans Ludeke will be able to call on a host of returning Springboks when they face the Sharks on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: All Black and Crusaders back Colin Slade said he "remains committed" to New Zealand, until he leaves for France later this year.

NEWS: All Black flyhalf Colin Slade has signed a three-year contract with Pau, who have just won promotion to the Top 14.

VARSITY CUP: UFS-Shimlas beat NWU-Pukke 63-33 in an epic final in Bloemfontein on Monday to claim their first Varsity Cup title.

Last weekend the supporters of Clermont and Leinster were dancing in the stands, but a week on things were totally different.

European Professional Club Rugby has announced the referees for the semifinals of their Champions Cup and Challenge Cup this weekend.

Saracens will have Brad Barritt and Owen Farrell back in contention to play against Clermont Auvergne in this weekend's European Cup semifinal re-match.

The rugby365 Team of the Week is littered with men from the Republic, which is unsurprising in a weekend that saw a number of upsets.

One is a leader of London, the other is a leader of Loftus.

Following an injury to his left shoulder, sustained during the final game of the 6 Nations, Edinburgh centre Matt Scott underwent surgery last week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at the Blues team's recent complaints about penalties against them.

REACTION: SANZAR sidestepped the latest attack on their integrity, telling SARU President Oregan Hoskins to "follow the proper channels".

Leigh Halfpenny could miss Toulon's European Champions Cup semifinal after damaging his right shoulder against Grenoble.

Leading points scorer Ian Madigan is confident Leinster can stop Toulon's charge for a third-straight European Champions Cup.

NEWS: Muir College bounced back from a first game defeat to win their final two matches of the Oakdale Rugby Festival.

Ryan Crotty has been ruled out of the Crusaders' clash with the Chiefs as a precautionary measure.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac said there is room for improvement, despite his team's 28-26 Pro12 victory over Zebre at the weekend.  

Flank Callum Gibbins is set to stay in Wellington for another year, having recently extended his contract with Hurricanes until the end of 2016.

NEWS: Sikhumbuzo Notshe has been called up to join the Stormers ahead of their final Super Rugby tour match.

Willem Alberts reminds the world why he is called the Bone Collector.

Western Force inside centre Luke Burton will remain with the Force for a further two seasons, extending his contract to 2017.

Kyle has jumped five places to top spot in rugby365's SuperBru standings this week, while our Yellow Cap for the round is Flash.

The Brumbies are facing a test of their squad depth after their Super Rugby defeat last Friday against the Blues.

Rondebosch travelled to the KES Easter festival and then on to Namibia and returned home unbeaten.

Pierre Mignoni will leave his job as backs coach at Toulon at the end of the season to take over the helm at Top 14 rivals Lyon.

SARU President Oregan Hoskins has spoken out strongly against the inconsistency of recent rulings at disciplinary tribunals.

REACTION: The Stormers have paid a dear price for their impressive 32-18 win over the defending Super Rugby champion Waratahs.

REPORT: James Benjamin scored two late tries as Newport Gwent Dragons produced a surprise 25-22 victory over Leinster.

REPORT: Alex Lewington's try double proved vital as London Irish dented Sale Sharks' hopes of a Premiership top-six finish.

REPORT: Tom Varndell grabbed a hat-trick against London Welsh, as Wasps recorded their first away Premiership win of 2015.

REPORT: Exeter Chiefs produced a devastating display of power and control to defeat Northampton Saints 21-10.

Michael Cheika may have been cleared by SANZAR, but he is set to face a new trial by media in New Zealand this week.

WRAP: It was business as usual at the top of the Vodacom Cup's North and South Section logs.

Both the UFS-Shimlas and NWU-Pukke will be gunning for their first title when they meet in the Varsity Cup Final on Monday.

REACION: Reds coach Richard Graham has made a dramatic about turn in his stance on suspended Wallaby lock James Horwill.

Interview: Gary Gold has said that his time at the Sharks has been a 'tremendous challenge' due to the many regime changes recently.

For lots of schoolboys this is holiday time, but thanks to keen schoolmasters they are kept from boredom by the excitement of playing rugby.

Munster kept pace with their fellow top-four contenders as a second-half onslaught saw them overcome Edinburgh with a dominant 34-3 victory.

REPORT: The Bulls ran in six tries to beat the Reds 43-22 in a high-scoring Super Rugby game at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Defending champions Toulon returned to the summit of the Top 14 on Saturday while Clermont were upset at home to Oyonnax.

REPORT: The Lions came back after conceding two first-half tries to beat the Sharks 23-21 at Ellis Park on Saturday and keep up their winning run.

Saracens kept up the chase at the top of the table after a superb second-half performance handed them a 22-6 victory over Leicester Tigers

Rhys Priestland's last-gasp penalty saw Scarlets snatch a dramatic 28-26 victory over bottom side Zebre at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Tommy Bowe's try double helped Ulster strengthen their grip on a semifinal spot as the visitors secured a 27-20 triumph over Connacht.

Harlequins gave their hopes of qualifying for next year's European Rugby Champions Cup a boost with a dramatic 29-26 win over Gloucester.

The Western Force, despite having the lion's share of the possession and territory, were unable to finish off a spirited Cheetahs team in Perth.

REPORT: The Cheetahs snapped their five-match losing streak with a much-needed 24-15 win over the embattled Western Force in their clash in Perth.

Wasps No.8 Nathan Hughes has had his three-week ban for kneeing Northampton's George North in the head annulled.

Two late tries saw the Stormers claim an impressive 32-18 bonus point victory over the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.

The Highlanders fought back to claim a 25-20 victory over the Crusaders in their clash in Christchurch on Saturday.

NEWS: The French Rugby Federation launched the application process to find the successor to incumbent coach Philippe Saint-Andre.

La Rochelle extended their unbeaten run to six matches as they battled Top 14 title challengers Stade Francais to a 19-all draw on Friday.

REPORT: Bath's backs shared the spoils as they kept their Premiership title ambitions on course with a 10th consecutive victory.

REPORT: Hat-trick hero Peter Horne fired Glasgow Warriors to an emphatic 36-17 victory over Cardiff Blues.

REPORT: Ospreys scored three tries in the final 15 minutes, to grab an unlikely bonus-point 33-13 win at Stadio Monigo.

Connacht have completed their internal review of the circumstances surrounding the questioning of Mils Muliaina in relation to an alleged sexual assault.

The Cheetahs management have expressed concerns as to the teams poor performance and log position.

EXCLUSIVE: The Reds should not expect the start of their South African safari to be a picnic. Jan de Koning reports.

Stephen Larkham admitted that the Blues first half lead was difficult to chase down as their valiant second half comeback fell agonisingly short.

INTERVIEW: Reds fullback Karmichael Hunt said he is prepared for a high-ball bombardment from the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Sean Maitland has played his last game for the Glasgow Warriors and is facing a race against time to be fit in time for the World Cup.

REPORT: The Blues recorded their first win of the Super Rugby season, a dramatic 16-14 victory over the Brumbies in Auckland on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Matt Hawkins looks at what the future holds for Sevens, which appears not to include Japan as a stop in the World Series.

NWU-Pukke coach Robert du Preez says that what happened in last year’s Varsity Cup final is ‘not a consideration’ in this year's final.

NEWS: Chiefs prop player Ben Afeaki has decided to retire from the game due to medical reasons.

FEATURE: New Zealand are already beginning to contemplate life after Dan Carter. The search is on for his replacement as All Black flyhalf.

Bath hooker Ross Batty insists there is no chance of his side underestimating Newcastle Falcons as the Premiership run-in reaches the business end.

INTERVIEW: The Stormers will need to front-up physically if they are to have any chance of beating the defending Super Rugby champions, the Waratahs.

There will be a lot of desperation on display in the second half of the weekend's Super Rugby matches. Jan de Koning reports.

The intensity of the Vodacom Cup is expected to rise significantly this weekend as the pool stages reach the halfway stage.

Jacques Burger, has been suspended for one week following a disciplinary hearing after being cited in their European Cup match.

Leaders Glasgow Warriors open this round of Pro12 action by hosting Cardiff Blues at Scotstoun on Friday.

The Reds attended a coaching clinic with the Jabulani Rugby Club in Soweto

London Irish has bolstered its options at hooker for next season with the signing of Tom Cruse from Rotherham Titans.

La Rochelle can take a significant step towards Top 14 survival if they extend a five-match unbeaten run in the league by beating Stade Francais.

Sharks boss Gary Gold said if he had the choice he would not be resting Springboks Jannie du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira the Lions.

NEWS: Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has opted to extend the lay-off period for Springboks Handré Pollard and Jan Serfontein.

UFS-Shimlas may be unbeaten, but coach Franco Smith knows that there is a massive hurdle standing between them and the Varsity Cup title.

The Bulls played the Lions last Saturday and lost. Pierre Spies complained about the refereeing of the end-game.

Landboudal sent a total of five teams to take part in the Southern Cape Sports Tours (SCST) from April 4 to April 8, winning ten of their 15 games played

Dane Haylett-Petty will return to the Western Force starting line-up for the franchise's 10th season anniversary match against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

With captain Duane Vermeulen resting this week against the Waratahs, Stormers coach Alister Coetzee has tinkered with his loose trio.

Karmichael Hunt will make his first start for the Reds since his six-week ban, when he dons the No.15 jersey against the Bulls at Loftus.

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika and South African referee Jaco Peyper have both been reprimanded by SANZAR for their 'inappropriate' conduct.

Gary Gold has made a number of changes to his team to take on the Lions, welcoming back two players from injury to bolster his side.

Jamie Joseph has kept faith with the team that beat the Stormers, by naming an unchanged line-up for the match against the Crusaders. 

Dan Carter has returned to the Crusaders team via the bench, after coach Todd Blackadder named an unchanged backline.

The Brumbies starting XV is unchanged for its clash against the Blues, having come through last week’s win over the Cheetahs unscathed.

NEWS: New Zealand's World Cup-winning lock turned Leicester captain Brad Thorn is to retire at the end of the English season.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. It may be a well-worn cliche, but it certainly rings true for a few of the teams in Round Nine.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at what he feels is the 'muddled thinking of Australian referee Rohan Hoffmann.

Ulster have signed lock Peter Browne and scrumhalf Paul Rowley, both from London Welsh.

Saracens back row, Jacques Burger, has been cited following the European Cup quarterfinal against Racing Metro 92 on Sunday, April 5.

Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has named Sevens flyer Mark Richards in his team to face the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Returning Springbok loose forward Willem Alberts has come out in defence of his under-fire Sharks teammates.

OPINION: AussieBoer, in his latest contribution to rugby365, continues his quest to fine the best all-time XV. In this edition he looks at No.12.

Lent is over and so is Easter but rugby continues, in the North as a club contest, in the South dominated by Super Rugby.

Former Stormers and Sharks flyhalf, Tim Swiel has signed a full-time contract with Premiership club Harlequins after a highly successful four month loan.

A total of 42 matches have been played on the first two days of the Glenwood Rugby Festival with both the 1st and 2nd teams in action.

Worcester Warriors have announced the signing of New Zealand wing Bryce Heem, who will join the Club in July from Super Rugby giants Waikato Chiefs.

The Blues have named two openside flanks in their starting XV for their match against the Brumbies in Auckland on Friday.

Canterbury Head Coach Scott Robertson will have a new coaching team supporting him this season, with Assistant Coaches moving to other teams.

Waratahs Head Coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged starting side for the match against the Stormers in Sydney.

The Sharks have been put under pressure from their fans after a hammering from the Crusaders, and a possible ill-discipline problem.

NEWS: Outstanding loose forward Steven Luatua has pledged his allegiance to the Blues and New Zealand Rugby for a further two years.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby is in the black for the third year in a row, after announcing a profit of NZ$373,000 for the 2014 financial year.

The Cheetahs have named live-wire scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius in the starting XV for their match against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.

Welshman Nigel Owens headed a list of 12 referees to officiate at the World Cup, which was announced by World Rugby on Tuesday.

Ospreys hooker, and serving soldier, Matthew Dwyer has signed a new one-year deal at the Liberty Stadium.

The Reds arrived in Johannesburg hoping to have left their baggage of losses behind in Australia.

It has been confirmed that veteran Springbok lock Victor Matfield will have surgery on his knee, ruling him out for three to four weeks.

This is our first schools Top 20 of the season, we have lots of results but ranking the teams is as hard as it has ever been.

The Stormers  will regain the services of Springbok centre Juan de Jongh, among others, who will set the tone for an attacking threat posed to the Tahs.

NUUS: Die 36ste Agri Oakdale-rugbytoernooi is met groot sukses deur die Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale op Riversdal aangebied.

#FanUp: rugby365 and Vodacom have combined to give five lucky readers a chance to win tickets to Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, April 11.

The Sharks have been dealt another hefty blow by SANZAR, after Jean Deysel was banned for seven weeks on Tuesday following a red card offence.

Sharks and Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie has been ruled out for six weeks, following a neck injury sustained against the Crusaders in Durban.

The Oakdale Rugby Week, played at the school in Riversdale, came to an End on Easter Monday with many tries.

Singapore look set to take over from Tokyo as a new Asian destination for the Sevens World Series at its National Stadium next year.

The most important piece in the puzzle for Argentina's new Super Rugby franchise has been put in place, with the signing of Agustin Creevy.

Mils Muliaina faces an internal review from his Irish province Connacht, as he fights to clear his name of sexual assault allegations.

Former England star Jason Robinson has revealed that he considered killing himself during a troubled period of his career.

NEWS: The Bulls will get a number of Springbok back this week, but there is growing concern over the knee injury of veteran lock Victor Matfield.

Durbell kicked a late penalty in the dying minutes of a gripping Community Cup final against defending champions Rustenburg Impala to secure a hard-fought 31-30 victory.

Easter schools rugby festivals around the country came to an end with some big matches on Monday.

INTERVIEW: The absence of Springbok superstar Duane Vermeulen has thrust Nizaam Carr back into the Super Rugby spotlight.

The eighth Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival wrapped up with bursaries for five players to the Sharks Academy for 2016.

UKZN handed Wits a 29-24 defeat in Johannesburg on Monday to claim their first Varsity Shield title.

In the 'breakfast game' Henties at last got a win at the KES Easter Festival, beating Southdowns College of Pretoria, 20-10.

The much anticipated penultimate game between Grey College and Dr EG Jansen did not disappoint as the Bloemfontein side finished the weekend unbeaten.

Menlopark adapted well to windy conditions in the second half to pick up a narrow win against Glenwood at the Kearsney Easter Festival.

Our ultimate gentleman writer, MdV, has dutifully stepped aside to allow his girlfriend, JFM, to take up the Yellow Cap on SuperBru this week.

After putting 50 points over the Sharks - in their own back-yard - it is unsurprising that 10 Crusaders make it into rugby365's Team of the Week.

Viadana of Northern Italy, thumped on the first day, have won their next two matches, coming from behind on the third day from 19-7 down at half time to win 24-19.

 HTS Middelburg did not panic in difficult conditions as they ground out a solid 23-15 win over Selborne, the boot of Brandon Par-Bailey being the difference.

We run through seven of the best tries from the Tokyo Sevens. Which is your favourite?

Munster confirmed on Monday that they signed Blues centre Francis Saili on a two-year contract.

The second game started off in sunlight after some rain in the previous game. Affies won an easy 57-0.

The final day of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival opened with a match between unbeaten SACS and Westville who eventually prevailed 34-26.

Australian veteran hooker Stephan Moore, has backed the trend of foreign league sabbaticals as a way of keeping the Wallabies's best talent in the country.

INTERVIEW: Reds captain James Slipper is hoping to use the nightmares of previous visits to Loftus Versfeld to charge up his team this week.

All Black Mils Muliaina is "distressed" and in shock over a sexual assault allegation levelled against him in Wales.

Nick Abendanon's outstanding form for Clermont has sent out a timely reminder to England coach Stuart Lancaster ahead of this year's World Cup.

INTERVIEW: Sharks coach Gary Gold has taken full accountability after his team's dismal 10-52 loss against the Crusaders at the weekend.

France had a massive win over Georgia in the Final of Europe's Under-18 Championship. France won 57-0.

We have many, many matches this week. The Easter activities have ensured that as many teams have played more than one match over the weekend.

If there is further improvement in the caliber of rugby on the third day of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, those attending are in for a treat.

Crusaders captain Kieran Read said, despite his teams emphatic victory over the Sharks, some of his players need lessons in fair play.

REACTION: Wasps coach Dai Young said they gave the star-studded French club, Toulon, too much respect in the early exchanges.

REACTION: Director of Rugby Mark McCall described Saracens’ performance at Racing Metro as one of the most courageous he has ever seen.

Toulon will continue their defence of European club rugby's premier crown in a Marseille semifinal showdown with Leinster after beating Wasps 32-18.

Marcelo Bosch kicked a last-gasp penalty to hand Saracens a dramatic 12-11 victory over Racing-Metro,

Kyle Brown has said it was not his team's night as they went down 14-21 to England in the Final of the Tokyo leg of the Seven World Series.

The Reds have James Horwill behind as they departed for South Africa on Sunday, following his second red card of the season.  

There was lots and lots of enthusiastic rugby around South Africa at Easter school festivals.

The second day of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival provided some thrilling rugby, dogged defence and surprising upsets.

With the Sharks match and conditions becoming quite dark, the crowd had thinned for the final match on the second day of the Kearsney Easter Festival.

Gary Gold has said there is no ill-discipline rot in Durban, and that the multiple red cards this season have been isolated incidents.

Jean Deysel, after receiving a red card against the Crusaders on Saturday, has been cited, as the Sharks prepare to again tussle with SANZAR.

England won their first Cup title since the 2013 Wellington Sevens, beating South Africa 21-14 in the final of the Tokyo Sevens.

There were many close scores on Day 2 of the Oakdale Rugby Week in Riversdale on Saturday, except for the hosts' big win over Voortrekker of Bethlehem in the Eastern Free State.

WRAP: Defending Community Cup champions and tournament hosts Rustenburg Impala on Saturday booked their place in the Final on Monday.

REACTION: Dylan Hartley was quick to acknowledge that English rugby flag bearers Northampton Saints had been taught "one hell of a lesson."

REACTION: Influential Stormers captain Duane Vermeulen will return to Cape Town for a further two-week rest period.

In the early match on Day 2 of the KES Easter Festival, DHS, beaten by Rondebosch on Day 1, beat St David's Marist of Inanda 33-10.

REPORT: Northampton were put firmly in their place by Clermont as the French giants ran out all-too-comfortable 37-5 victors.

REACTION: Mike Ford highlighted the "small margins" in the wake of their 15-18 defeat by Leinster that ended hopes of more European glory for the 1998 champions.

New Zealand star Mils Muliaina has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, Connacht confirmed on Saturday.

REACTION: Jamie Heaslip accepts Leinster will need to move up another gear if the three-time European champions are to be present at Twickenham

REPORT: Hooker Armand van der Merwe charged over for the game's only try on full-time, as the Lions edged the Bulls 22-18.

REPORT: Ian Madigan slotted six penalties to hand Leinster a dramatic 18-15 victory over Bath to advance to the European Champions Cup semifinal.

The penultimate match on the second day at the Kearsney Easter Festival saw local side Glenwood taking on HTS Middelburg. It was a tough, closely fought encounter, resulting in a 22-11 win for the Rooibulle, which meant all three KwaZulu-Natal teams lost their second day fixtures.

REPORT: The Sharks were given a real lesson , and a hiding, by the Crusaders - who won their spiteful Super Rugby encounter 52-10.

In the fourth match of the second day, Affies took on SACS and one of the festival's most fancied sides were upset by the newcomers.

NEWS: The South African Undeer-20 squad has been boosted by a number of players with Super Rugby experience.

NEWS: Carl Hayman insists history-chasing Toulon cannot afford to look beyond their European Rugby Champions Cup quarterfinal clash against Wasps.

NEWS: Springbok and Bath flank Francois Louw is relishing the back row battle against Leinster in the European Rugby Champions Cup quarterfinal.

In an entertaining contest hosts Kearsney held Greyy College until the last quarter when they scored two good tries to win 28-10.

By the time the second match between Westville and Dale College had begun, the sun was shining at the Kearsney Easter Festival and the crowd had swelled.

In contrast to the ideal conditions on the first day of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, the first match of day two, between Selborne College and Menlopark, started with a slight mist over the ground. This soon cleared, but the ball remained slightly slippery. This did not prevent some good rugby and a second win for Selborne, this time 28-20.

REPORT: The Brumbies maintained their stranglehold on the Australian conference with a 20-3 win over the hapless Cheetahs on Saturday.

NEWS: Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper has suffered a new injury setback and is out for eight weeks with a broken shoulder blade.

St Charles led St Benedict's 7-3 at half-time in the Battle of Saints at St John's Easter Tournament on Holy Saturday but in the end the Bedfordview side beat the Pietermaritzburg side 24-14, scoring three tries to two.

SANZAR's consistency in dealing with judicial matters will again be under the spotlight, after Reds lock James Horwill was given a slap on the wrist.

REPORT: The Chiefs cemented their place in the top six of the Super Rugby competition with a hard-earned 23-16 win over a combative Blues.

WRAP: Defending Tokyo champions Fiji and South Africa book their place in the Cup quarterfinals with 100 percent records on Day One.

Late changes have been made to the referees for the two Super Rugby matches in South Africa on Saturday.

Argentina wing Martin Bustos Moyano has extended his contract with Bayonne, the French Top 14 outfit said Friday.

REACTION: The Hurricanes have equalled their best ever Super Rugby winning streak - but it was almost not to be.

REACTION: The Rebels claimed their first home victory of the season, beating a dogged Reds outfit 23-15 in a Good Friday clash.

REACTION: Reds coach Richard Graham expressed his disappointment, but also had praise for his team.

NEWS: Northampton's Wales wing George North will be out until at least the end of April, after a series of head injuries.

Two-time defending champions Toulon welcome back veterans Bakkies Botha and Matt Giteau for a European Champions Cup quarterfinal.

NEWS: Super Rugby's new bad boy, Wallaby and lock James Horwill, is facing a ban after his latest act of thuggery.

It was a beautiful autumn day when Oakdale's big rugby tournament kicked off on 2 April 2015 with a match between Hermanus and Durbanville.

The second day of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival has some interesting fixtures and dramatic results are again anticipated.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Matt Hawkins looks at the storylines that emerged from the famous Hong Kong Sevens tournament.

New Zealand-born France prop Uini Atonio has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension with La Rochelle.

REPORT: The Rebels recorded their win at home this season, beating the Reds - reduced to 14 men for the best part on an hour - 23-15 on Friday.

Todd Blackadder has noticed an improvement in the Sharks scrum, as his own impressive forward pack prepare to battle it out at Kings Park.

REPORT: The Hurricanes cemented top spot on the Super Rugby standings with a 25-20 win over a willing Stormers team in Wellington on Friday.

Will Genia's move to Stade Francais was made official by the club's President Thomas Savare, leaving the Reds fuming.

Defending Community Cup champions Rustenburg kept alive hopes of winning back-to-back titles with a last-gasp penalty.

Three of the four quarterfinals are taking place on French soil, and all three of those against English opposition - has the feel of the Hundred Year War.

SUPER SATURDAY It is going to be a spicy Easter weekend and for some certainly not such a Holy Saturday. Jan de Koning reports.

There are several Easter rugby festivals where schools' 1st XVs are playing. As far as possible we are giving the results of the first day's play on Maundy Thursday.

A late penalty saw Grey College secure a hard-fought 22-19 victory over HTS Middelburg at the Kearsney Easter Festival on Thursday.

NEWS: Australia and Reds scrumhalf Will Genia has joined the exodus to the cash-flush French clubs.

The third mach of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival saw local side Westville beat Menlopark from Pretoria 27-25 in an exciting game.

After a scoreless first half, Glenwood pulled away from Framesby to record a 31-0 win at the Kearsney Easter Festival.

NEWS: Harlequins revealed that loosehead prop Owen Evans will join the London club next season from Newport Gwent Dragons.

Gary Gold has had to bite his tongue on the issue of Frans Steyn's ban, after SANZAR would not allow him to speak out about the proceedings.

Pretoria's Affies scored six tries to one as they crushed EG Jansen from the East Rand 41-5 in the fourth match of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival.

NEWS: Ulster has signed Australian flyhalf Sam Windsor on a one-year contract.

SACS outscored Dale College by three tries to two to pick up a 22-12 win in the second match at  the Kearsney Easter Festival.

Pat Lambie's style of captaincy has an air of Springbok great Gary Teichmann's leadership approach, according to coach Gary Gold.

Welcome to rugby365's new and improved LIVE match centre - up and running for Round Eight of Super Rugby and the European Cup play-offs!

EXCLUSIVE: Three-times capped Springbok Jano Vermaak is returning home to South Africa with a World Cup dream. Jan de Koning reports!

Things are heating up in the Sevens World Series as we look closer to Round Seven in Japan with the top three teams separated by only three points.

Glasgow Warriors captain Al Kellock will retire from rugby at the end of the season.

NEWS: The Bulls were dealt a cruel blow ahead of their Super Rugby Round Eight encounter with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Selborne powered their way to a 48-7 victory over hosts Kearsney in the first match of the Easter Festival in Bothas Hill on Thursday.

Dane Haylett-Petty has extended his stay with the Western Australian franchise for a further two seasons.

Hudson Park of East London kicked off the KES Easter Festival with a massive 53-10 victory over Hentie Cilliers of Virginia.

Teams for schools participating in Easter weekend rugby festivals have been announced.

David Pocock will make his second start this year on the back of a solid return two weeks ago, from the bench, against the Waratahs.

Patrick Lambie has been named to captain the Sharks in their Super Rugby crunch encounter with the Crusaders in Durban on Saturday.

Waratahs assistant coach Daryl Gibson will take over from head coach Michael Cheika for the 2016 Super Rugby season.

All Black captain Richie McCaw has been replaced by Matt Todd in the starting line-up to face the Sharks.

Brodie Retallick will return to the Chiefs starting XV after injuring his shoulder in Round Three, as the Waikato team prepare to take on the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday.

Rebels head coach Tony McGahan has made just two changes to his starting XV as Lopeti Timani returns and Paul Alo-Emile gets his first start of the season.

Cocaine-tainted code-hopper Karmichael Hunt has been recalled to the Reds team for their encounter with the Rebels this Friday.

You may well call it freaky Friday - two games featuring four teams with vastly differing fortunes. Jan de Koning reports!

NEWS: Ulster loose forward Nick Williams has been given an eight-week discount by a Pro12 disciplinary hearing.

Connacht Rugby have announced that Mils Muliaina will finish with the province at the end of the season moving to Italian side Zebra.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SANZAR moved swiftly to defuse the storm that erupted in the wake of Springbok Francois Steyn's five-week ban.

Francois van der Merwe has grown up with the Racing Metro's dream of mixing it with the best clubs in Europe and now he is living the reality.

NEWS: Wales wing George North will miss Northampton's European Champions Cup quarterfinal at Clermont Auvergne this weekend

Utility back Ruhan Nel was on Wednesday called up as a replacement for the injured Stephan Dippenaar who returns home with a hamstring injury.

Ulster confirmed the signing of New Zealand international, Charles Piutau, on a two-year contract.

The European Under-18 Championship is set for a Final of the Elite Division between France and Georgia, both of whom one close encounters in the semifinals.

EXCLUSIVE: The Lions' success on their Australasian tour  has been put down to their sound defensive system. Jan de Koning reports.

Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has named his 23-man side to face the Bulls in Saturday’s local Super Rugby derby match.

Scarlets confirmed today that lock Tom Price will join the region from Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2015-16 season.

Former All Black Sevens player Pita Ahki will make his season debut for the Blues in their Super Rugby clash against the Chiefs on Saturday.

Hurricanes midfielder Ma'a Nonu will join an elite club of four when he runs on against the Stormers this Friday night.

Wales lock Ian Gough had his conviction for assaulting his glamour model ex-girlfriend overturned by a south London court.

INTERVIEW: While the Sharks have been shocked by SANZAR's ruling on Frans Steyn, Fred Zeilinga is trying to look to the future.

The Kearsney Easter Festival, such a high-profile addition to schools rugby at Easter, kicks off at the school in Botha's Hill on Thursday, 2 April 2015.

Nathan Hughes of the Wasps has been found guilty and charged for striking with George North's head with his knee during the match against Northampton.

Welsh centre Jamie Roberts admits he is trying to put the uncertainty over his club future to the back of his mind.

Not so long ago, there was only the Saints' tournament at Easter. Now there are several. We are giving the fixtures at each tournament in one bundle.

NEWS: SARU made a small operating profit – exceeding forecasts – in a very difficult economic environment, to record a fourth successive year of profit.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has named his team to take on Australian conference leaders the Brumbies in a Super Rugby clash on Saturday.

Sharks centre Frans Steyn has been slapped with a five-week ban for a tip-tackle incident he was cleared of only a week ago.

Lions utility back Nicolaas Hanekom is making progress on his knee injury and is expected to be available for selection within the upcoming four weeks.

The 2015 KES Easter Rugby Festival has again attracted top schools from many parts of the country - from Ben Vorster in the far north to Rondebosch in the deep south.

Ospreys have announced that scrumhalf Tom Habberfield has become the latest player to sign a new deal with the region.

EXCLUSIVE: RUGBY365 COLUMNIST MATT HAWKINS LOOKS AT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR SEVENS, WHICH APPEARS NOT TO INCLUDE JAPAN AS A STOP IN THE WORLD SERIES.

EXCLUSIVE: RUGBY365 COLUMNIST MATT HAWKINS LOOKS AT THE STORYLINES THAT EMERGED FROM THE FAMOUS HONG KONG SEVENS TOURNAMENT.