All News

Bristol's hopes of topping European Challenge Cup Pool One were dashed despite a comfortable home win over Bucuresti.

Serge Blanco heaped much of the blame on his league's decision to boycott the Heineken Cup on the RFU on Thursday, after the English governing body refused to enter an agreement with Premier Rugby over a share of ERC governance as the FFR had done with the LNR.

With Round Six of the European Challenge Cup upon us, there are still seven quarter-final berths up for grabs.

The battle for the three best runners-up places in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals promises to be a tight contest, with NEC Harlequins desperate to stay in the mix with a home win over Connacht Rugby at The Stoop on Saturday.

With his whistle in his bag and the fate of two nations in his hands, Wayne Barnes is off to Casablanca to referee the World Cup Qualifier between Morocco and Portugal.

Glasgow Warriors will collide with Saracens at Hughenden on Friday night with an automatic European Challenge Cup quarter-final place on the line, so expect it to be a full bloodied game full on tension.

Having lost away to the Dragons last week Bristol coach Richard Hill insists the Welsh region are now firm favourites to qualify for the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals as Pool One winners.

SANZAR, the body which organises the Tri-Nations and the Super 14, has announced the referees for the first four rounds of the 2007 Super 14.

There is a World Cup qualifier in Casablanca this weekend. Neither team would qualify as "usual suspects" for neither has been to the World Cup before.

Saracens wing Tomas De Vedia scored four tries as the English side put Narbonne to the sword by running out 47-20 victors in their European Challenge Cup clash on Sunday.

Worcester were made to pay for a shocking start as Clermont Auvergne scored a crucial European Challenge Cup Pool Five win at Sixways.

Eric Sauls, the new coach of the South African Under-19 team has invited 45 players to a trials camp in Saldanha on 14-21 January.

Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were stunned in Wales as the Dragons roared to European Challenge Cup success at Rodney Parade on Friday night.

Wayne Barnes of England will blow his whistle at Stade Flaminio in Rome and the 2007 Six Nations will come to life, for he is the referee and this is the first match of the 2006 Six Nations. Recently, Wayne became England's youngest full-time referee, and clearly a referee going places.

Pierre Mignoni and his Clermont Auvergne team-mates are just a win away from qualifying for the European Challenge Cup knock-out stages – but the international scrum-half is adamant they must overcome their stern test against Worcester Warriors at Sixways on Saturday.

Marius Jonker, whose progress in the world of refereeing has been rapid, has been appointed to referee the Calcutta Cup match, this year at Twickenham in the opening match of the Six Nations. What a great occasion for the young man from Zululand.

Bath captain Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock will line up together in the second row for the first time since September 9, when the England duo to battle in the European Challenge Cup against Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway on Friday.

We have an incident from a match played in White River near the Kruger National Park which may be of interest.

Gareth Llewellyn has helped take, and keep, Bristol Rugby at the top of the Guinness Premiership and the re-born West Country giants are also riding high and chasing glory on the European front.

Jerome Bonvoisin is immensely proud of Brive’s performances in the current European Challenge Cup and he wants to go all the way and lift the silverware in late May.

The new Scottish Super Cup has become the latest laboratory to test law changes which may have a radical effect on the game. The first of these matches was played at Old Anniesland in Glasgow between Glasgow Hawks and Boroughmuir.

The Heineken Cup has a two-week splurge to end the Round Robin part of the competition which is now heading for the knock-outs.

England Under-19 found Italy Under-19 tough but they beat them 18-11 at London Irish club in Sunbury on Friday afternoon.

Recently the IRB sent out a set of recommendations for sanctioning players guilty of foul play. These had their first possible test this past week.

The European Cup has announced the referees appointed to Rounds 5 and 6 of the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup.

Paddy O'Brien, the IRB's referees manager who will be based in Invercargill home but working around the world, has send out a decree that the ball is to be put in straight to the scrum.

It is the middle of summer heat in South Africa at present but warm-up matches are about to happen, for the Samoans are in the country, the Super 14 is at hand and the Vodacom Cup will soon be on the go.

Hugo Ellis of London Wasps will captain England Under-19 in their first match of 2007 - against Italy at Sunbury on Friday afternoon.

From 1 January 2007, the procedure for scrum engagement will change.

England have announced a squad of 30 to represent its Women's Under-19 team this year.

England and Italy meet in an Under-19 international at Sunbury on Friday afternoon.

Rugby gets back to fuller action this weekend, perhaps a bit sluggishly after all the celebrations.

Christmas festivities past, teams go straight back into action - but there are not many of them.

It is always good to get readers' comments on laws and the law discussions we have. From time to time we publish what they have to say or ask. Here are some to end 2006.

We have Peter Shortell of Cheltenham to thank for this incident taken from the Heineken Cup match between Ulster and London Irish last Friday. Later this week we shall publish some things readers have had to say on the laws.

Christmas is at hand. In the hot parts of the Southern Hemisphere they sing See amid the Winter's Snows and eat gargantuan meals, but they do not play rugby.

Newcastle Falcons claimed an emphatic 35-0 victory over a poor Montauban side at Kingston Park on Sunday to keep alive their hopes of some European silverware.

Bristol put one foot into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a predictable mauling of Bayonne at the Memorial Stadium on Friday night.

Bristol supporters will get their first opportunity to see Shaun Perry in action at the Memorial Stadium since he became a full England international, with the scrum-half named in a strong Bristol line-up for Bayonne on Friday.

André Watson, South Africa’s manager of referees, has made known new panels of referees for 2007. There are radical changes.

France international prop Franck Tournaire will be out of action for three months after undergoing thumb surgery, his club side Narbonne said.

The Planet Rugby Your Say page! The best place to chew the fat with fellow Union fans. Keep sending in all your views on all things relating to the game.

Not content with being at the summit of the English Premiership Bristol and Director of Rugby Richard Hill have their sights firmly set on bigger achievements, namely the Heineken Cup next season.

Languishing at the bottom of Pool Four with not a point to their name you would be forgiven for thinking French side Albi had given up the ghost as far as the European Challenge Cup is concerned.

The Heineken Cup reaches Round 4 and, it being the second Tuesday in December, the Varsity Match will take place at Twickenham with all that tradition.

Winger Joe Maddock stunned Harlequins fans with a last-minute try to give Bath a 24-18 win and the upper hand in their European Challenge Cup pool.

Newcastle's hopes of European silverware took a severe battering, with Montauban emerging 16-10 victors from a monumental forward battle at Stade de Sapiac.

Newcastle have recalled Captain Matthew Burke to the team after missing last weekend’s EDF Energy Cup victory over NEC Harlequins, with England centre Jamie Noon also resuming club duties after starting all four autumn Tests for England.

Saracens go into their clash with GRAN Parma on Sunday as one of the six sides in the European Challenge Cup to have won both their opening round fixtures, with wins against Glasgow and Narbonne respectively.

Montauban will be seeing stars when Newcastle Falcons travel to Stade Sapiac for their Challenge Cup clash on Friday night.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) Council has approved a change to the Law that governs the scrum. This follows a review of the scrum by the IRB Rugby Committee and its Law Project Group following recommendations made by the IRB's Medical Committee.

The SANZAR nations (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia) had a trial run with the new scrum laws in Sydney this week and the initial reactions were not nearly as positive as the International Rugby Board (IRB) brainstrust would have hoped.

Matches between Montpellier and Connacht Rugby are becoming something of a European Challenge Cup tradition – this is the third successive campaign in which the French and Irish teams have been drawn against each other.

Newcastle Falcons skipper Matt Burke insists Friday’s trip to Montauban is the ideal chance to get his side’s European Challenge Cup campaign back on the rails.

This weekend we have Sevens in George and the Heineken Cup in Europe.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the match official appointments for the RBS Six Nations 2007 which kicks-off on 3 February.

The two panels of referees drawn up and published in November 2006 are unchanged from the two panels promulgated earlier this year.

Scottish Rugby has reached agreement with the International Rugby Board to try out a number of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) in the new Premier 1 Club Super Cup which starts on 6 January 2007.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) on Thursday announced the pools, seedings and schedule for the IRB Under-19 World Championship 2007.

Michael Cupido, lone of South Africa’s top-tanked referees, is to move from the middle of the field to its edges, changing from refereeing at the top level to becoming a specialist touch judge, in keeping with the restructuring plans for South African referees.

There were six incident-filled matches, and we shall look at just a few incidents as a way of refreshing our knowledge and understanding of the laws of the complicated game.

There were six incident-filled matches. We look here at four incidents which concerned tries or possible tries or unlikely tries in four of the matches.

All six Six Nations teams were in action again, this time with Canada back in the mix, playing a Test in Pordenone under the Dolomites for the very first time.

After the banquets of November it's back to bread-and-butter this weekend. The hectic Test period is suddenly over, the Southern hordes have receded to aestivation, and clubs plod back into action.

Ireland gave the crumbling stands of Lansdowne Road a fitting send-off on Sunday afternoon, punctuating a glorious chapter of the stadium's history with a handsome 61-17 victory over the Pacific Islanders.

Ireland gave the crumbling stands of Lansdowne Road a fitting send-off on Sunday afternoon, punctuating a glorious chapter of the stadium's history with a handsome 61-17 victory over the Pacific Islanders.

Ireland gave the crumbling stands of Lansdowne Road a fitting send-off on Sunday afternoon, punctuating a glorious chapter of the stadium's history with a handsome 61-17 victory over the Pacific Islanders.

Ireland gave the crumbling stands of Lansdowne Road a fitting send-off on Sunday afternoon, punctuating a glorious chapter of the stadium's history with a handsome 61-17 victory over the Pacific Islanders.

South Africa bought their beleaguered coach some breathing space by securing a gritty 25-14 victory over England on Saturday, with four drop-goals from Andre Pretorius handing the visitors their first win at Twickenham since 1997.

Australia pulled out a superb second-half performance to sink Scotland 42-15 in Edinburgh on Saturday to end their tour of Europe on a high note.

France recorded their first win of the November series on Saturday, beating Argentina 27-26 in Paris, but it was a close-run match, in which the visitors clawed their way back from 27-9 down in the final half-hour, and nearly pinched a famous victory.

Australia pulled out a superb second-half performance to sink Scotland 42-15 in Edinburgh on Saturday to end their tour of Europe on a high note.

Australia pulled out a superb second-half performance to sink Scotland 42-15 in Edinburgh on Saturday to end their tour of Europe on a high note.

South Africa bought their beleaguered coach some breathing space by securing a gritty 25-14 victory over England on Saturday, with four drop-goals from Andre Pretorius handing the visitors their first win at Twickenham since 1997.

South Africa bought their beleaguered coach some breathing space by securing a gritty 25-14 victory over England on Saturday, with four drop-goals from Andre Pretorius handing the visitors their first win at Twickenham since 1997.

New Zealand completed their Northern Hemisphere tour with another comprehensive victory, beating Wales 45-10 in front of a sold-out Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

France recorded their first win of the November series on Saturday, beating Argentina 27-26 in Paris, but it was a close-run match, in which the visitors clawed their way back from 27-9 down in the final half-hour, and nearly pinched a famous victory.

Australia pulled out a superb second-half performance to sink Scotland 42-15 in Edinburgh on Saturday to end their tour of Europe on a high note.

South Africa bought their beleaguered coach some breathing space by securing a gritty 25-14 victory over England on Saturday, with four drop-goals from Andre Pretorius handing the visitors their first win at Twickenham since 1997.

New Zealand completed their Northern Hemisphere tour with another comprehensive victory, beating Wales 45-10 in front of a sold-out Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

New Zealand completed their Northern Hemisphere tour with another comprehensive victory, beating Wales 45-10 in front of a sold-out Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

France recorded their first win of the November series on Saturday, beating Argentina 27-26 in Paris, but it was a close-run match, in which the visitors clawed their way back from 27-9 down in the final half-hour, and nearly pinched a famous victory.

New Zealand completed their Northern Hemisphere tour with another comprehensive victory, beating Wales 45-10 in front of a sold-out Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

France recorded their first win of the November series on Saturday, beating Argentina 27-26 in Paris, but it was a close-run match, in which the visitors clawed their way back from 27-9 down in the final half-hour, and nearly pinched a famous victory.

They marched on London and conquered it. Then they marched on Rome and conquered it. Now they are marching on Paris.

They marched on London and conquered it. Then they marched on Rome and conquered it. Now they are marching on Paris.

They marched on London and conquered it. Then they marched on Rome and conquered it. Now they are marching on Paris.

The last of the Asian World Cup qualifiers have been played in Hong Kong and one of the referees for the occasion is James Leckie of Sydney.

It hasn't been the most distinguished week in either the Welsh or the New Zealand rugby press this week, a crying shame too, for the build-up to what might be New Zealand's toughest task of the 2006 November series has focussed on entirely the wrong things.

It hasn't been the most distinguished week in either the Welsh or the New Zealand rugby press this week, a crying shame too, for the build-up to what might be New Zealand's toughest task of the 2006 November series has focussed on entirely the wrong things.

It hasn't been the most distinguished week in either the Welsh or the New Zealand rugby press this week, a crying shame too, for the build-up to what might be New Zealand's toughest task of the 2006 November series has focussed on entirely the wrong things.

Alain Rolland of Ireland damaged a calf muscle at Twickenham last Saturday. He has withdrawn for this Saturday, his place taken by compatriot Alan Lewis.

Scrums continue to trouble law-makers, partly because there is danger in a scrum, and partly because they can so easily break down the quality of a game.

Again the Six Nations' teams were in ardent action with the roof closed in Cardiff and the rain pouring down in Dublin. Again, mercifully, there was nothing controversial in the refereeing.

Apart from all the matches attracting numerous watchers, there are two World Cup qualifiers which will decide two more teams for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, leaving just two répechage teams to be decided.

Again we had great sides in action around the Six Nations and again we provide some statistics from the matches, as Ireland prove the best of Europe, New Zealand the best of the world.

Ireland allowed their fans to dream of world domination after conquering not only Australia but tempestuous conditions in Dublin on Sunday, recording a remarkable 21-6 victory over the touring Wallabies.

Ireland allowed their fans to dream of world domination after conquering not only Australia but tempestuous conditions in Dublin on Sunday, recording a remarkable 21-6 victory over the touring Wallabies.

Ireland allowed their fans to dream of world domination after conquering not only Australia but tempestuous conditions in Dublin on Sunday, recording a remarkable 21-6 victory over the touring Wallabies.

Ireland allowed their fans to dream of world domination after conquering not only Australia but tempestuous conditions in Dublin on Sunday, recording a remarkable 21-6 victory over the touring Wallabies.

Argentina staged a superb second-half comeback to claim a 23-16 victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.

England fought back from 6-18 down to beat South Africa 23-21 at Twickenham on Saturday, bringing to an end the worst run of defeats for over thirty years, but increasing the clouds above Jake White's office.

Argentina staged a superb second-half comeback to claim a 23-16 victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.

New Zealand completed a series whitewash over France courtesy of a hard-fought 23-11 victory at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday evening. The locals put in a hugely improved performance, even notching up the day's first try, but the All Blacks warmed to the task and order was soon restored via the impeccable orchestration of Daniel Carter.

Scotland underlined their burgeoning stature with a well-taken 34-22 victory over a game Pacific Islanders side at Murrayfield on Saturday. But the win, in which the hosts had led 31-5, was marred by injuries to Johnnie Beattie and Chris Cusiter, both of whom now look doubtful for Scotland's match against Australia next week.

England fought back from 6-18 down to beat South Africa 23-21 at Twickenham on Saturday, bringing to an end the worst run of defeats for over thirty years, but increasing the clouds above Jake White's office.

England fought back from 6-18 down to beat South Africa 23-21 at Twickenham on Saturday, bringing to an end the worst run of defeats for over thirty years, but increasing the clouds above Jake White's office.

Argentina staged a superb second-half comeback to claim a 23-16 victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.

New Zealand completed a series whitewash over France courtesy of a hard-fought 23-11 victory at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday evening. The locals put in a hugely improved performance, even notching up the day's first try, but the All Blacks warmed to the task and order was soon restored via the impeccable orchestration of Daniel Carter.

Scotland underlined their burgeoning stature with a well-taken 34-22 victory over a game Pacific Islanders side at Murrayfield on Saturday. But the win, in which the hosts had led 31-5, was marred by injuries to Johnnie Beattie and Chris Cusiter, both of whom now look doubtful for Scotland's match against Australia next week.

England fought back from 6-18 down to beat South Africa 23-21 at Twickenham on Saturday, bringing to an end the worst run of defeats for over thirty years, but increasing the clouds above Jake White's office.

Argentina staged a superb second-half comeback to claim a 23-16 victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.

New Zealand completed a series whitewash over France courtesy of a hard-fought 23-11 victory at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday evening. The locals put in a hugely improved performance, even notching up the day's first try, but the All Blacks warmed to the task and order was soon restored via the impeccable orchestration of Daniel Carter.

Scotland underlined their burgeoning stature with a well-taken 34-22 victory over a game Pacific Islanders side at Murrayfield on Saturday. But the win, in which the hosts had led 31-5, was marred by injuries to Johnnie Beattie and Chris Cusiter, both of whom now look doubtful for Scotland's match against Australia next week.

Scotland underlined their burgeoning stature with a well-taken 34-22 victory over a game Pacific Islanders side at Murrayfield on Saturday. But the win, in which the hosts had led 31-5, was marred by injuries to Johnnie Beattie and Chris Cusiter, both of whom now look doubtful for Scotland's match against Australia next week.

New Zealand completed a series whitewash over France courtesy of a hard-fought 23-11 victory at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday evening. The locals put in a hugely improved performance, even notching up the day's first try, but the All Blacks warmed to the task and order was soon restored via the impeccable orchestration of Daniel Carter.

All of the Six Nations were in action against invaders from east and south this last weekend. Mercifully, they were matches free of refereeing controversy, but there were still incidents to keep as sharp on our laws as we look at them in action.

Wales look in fine form for their match against New Zealand next week, after they beat Canada 61-26 at the Millennium Stadium on Friday, scoring nine tries.

Wales look in fine form for their match against New Zealand next week, after they beat Canada 61-26 at the Millennium Stadium on Friday, scoring nine tries.

Wales look in fine form for their match against New Zealand next week, after they beat Canada 61-26 at the Millennium Stadium on Friday, scoring nine tries.

Craig Joubert is in Rome to referee the Test between Italy and Argentina who are on a high after beating England at Twickenham last weekend.

Recently we gave some feedback on the meeting of elite referees and referees managers in Lensbury. Here Peter Shortell of Cheltenham gives his response.

Taizo Hirabayashi of Japan is a touch judge at Twickenham on Saturday, as he was in Dublin last weekend. He is the top Japanese referee and the first to get onto the International Rugby Board's panels.

New Zealand referee, Chris Pollock is off to Hong Kong this weekend for a World Cup qualifier between Hong Kong and Japan, his first IRB Test.

In the first week of November 2006 the IRB’s elite referees and their referee managers met at the Lensbury Club in South London to discuss the Laws of the Game.

Two of South Africa’s top referees, both with test experience, Shaun Veldsman and Johann Meuwesen, are to become specialist television match officials (TMOs) from 2007.

It's all go again this weekend with tests in Europe as well as some hectic club activity. It's a great time to be a top referee.

If England thought Saturday's defeat to Argentina was the nadir, they hadn't reckoned on Sunday's papers. Look away now if your name is Andy Robinson...

After all the hectic activities of Saturday, we publish some statistics from matches hosted by the Six Nations.

New Zealand recorded a terrific win over France, on Saturday with the visitors comprehensively beating their hosts 47-3 at a rain-soaked Stade Gerland in Lyon.

New Zealand recorded a terrific win over France, on Saturday with the visitors comprehensively beating their hosts 47-3 at a rain-soaked Stade Gerland in Lyon.

Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a late try to seal a narrow 25-18 win fover Italy at Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the home side by three tries to none, but six penalties by fly-half Ramiro Pez kept the Azzurri in the hunt and the heat on the visitors.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden tasked his men to "smash" their first opponents of the November series, and they duly delivered, notching up a 48-6 victory over Romania at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a late try to seal a narrow 25-18 win fover Italy at Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the home side by three tries to none, but six penalties by fly-half Ramiro Pez kept the Azzurri in the hunt and the heat on the visitors.

Ireland underlined their Rugby World Cup credentials by notching up a handsome 32-15 victory over South Africa at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.

Four first-half tries were enough to see Wales home to a 38-20 victory over the Pacific Islanders at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, but this error-ridden game never quite lived up to its billing.

Argentina made their most emphatic statement yet that they should be competing in meaningful competition after beating England 25-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.

New Zealand recorded a terrific win over France, on Saturday with the visitors comprehensively beating their hosts 47-3 at a rain-soaked Stade Gerland in Lyon.

Four first-half tries were enough to see Wales home to a 38-20 victory over the Pacific Islanders at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, but this error-ridden game never quite lived up to its billing.

Ireland underlined their Rugby World Cup credentials by notching up a handsome 32-15 victory over South Africa at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.

Four first-half tries were enough to see Wales home to a 38-20 victory over the Pacific Islanders at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, but this error-ridden game never quite lived up to its billing.

Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a late try to seal a narrow 25-18 win fover Italy at Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the home side by three tries to none, but six penalties by fly-half Ramiro Pez kept the Azzurri in the hunt and the heat on the visitors.

Ireland underlined their Rugby World Cup credentials by notching up a handsome 32-15 victory over South Africa at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.

Four first-half tries were enough to see Wales home to a 38-20 victory over the Pacific Islanders at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, but this error-ridden game never quite lived up to its billing.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden tasked his men to "smash" their first opponents of the November series, and they duly delivered, notching up a 48-6 victory over Romania at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Argentina made their most emphatic statement yet that they should be competing in meaningful competition after beating England 25-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.

Argentina made their most emphatic statement yet that they should be competing in meaningful competition after beating England 25-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden tasked his men to "smash" their first opponents of the November series, and they duly delivered, notching up a 48-6 victory over Romania at Murrayfield on Saturday.

New Zealand recorded a terrific win over France, on Saturday with the visitors comprehensively beating their hosts 47-3 at a rain-soaked Stade Gerland in Lyon.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden tasked his men to "smash" their first opponents of the November series, and they duly delivered, notching up a 48-6 victory over Romania at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Argentina made their most emphatic statement yet that they should be competing in meaningful competition after beating England 25-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.

Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a late try to seal a narrow 25-18 win fover Italy at Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the home side by three tries to none, but six penalties by fly-half Ramiro Pez kept the Azzurri in the hunt and the heat on the visitors.

Ireland underlined their Rugby World Cup credentials by notching up a handsome 32-15 victory over South Africa at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.

Matt Goddard will referee his fifth Test at Murrayfield On Saturday, his first in Europe, when Scotland play Romania.

The RFU's promotional material for Saturday's encounter at Twickenham features an England jersey suspended from a meat hook. It's an odd motif for a struggling team to flaunt, especially when in full view of a pride of ravenous Pumas.

The RFU's promotional material for Saturday's encounter at Twickenham features an England jersey suspended from a meat hook. It's an odd motif for a struggling team to flaunt, especially when in full view of a pride of ravenous Pumas.

The RFU's promotional material for Saturday's encounter at Twickenham features an England jersey suspended from a meat hook. It's an odd motif for a struggling team to flaunt, especially when in full view of a pride of ravenous Pumas.

The RFU's promotional material for Saturday's encounter at Twickenham features an England jersey suspended from a meat hook. It's an odd motif for a struggling team to flaunt, especially when in full view of a pride of ravenous Pumas.

Jacques Brunel, France's forward, coach has incurred some Kiwi wrath for suggesting that the All Blacks are trading on refereeing leniency to get a head start at scrum time.

Phew! we have been busy this week and there is the possibility of even greater busy-ness next week end when there are even more matches.

Carlo Damasco, Italy's top referee is heading for Tblissi in Georgia this weekend for a vital World Cup qualifier between Georgia and Portugal - a big journey for the man from Naples.

The Guardian newspaper reports that Paddy O'Brien, the International Rugby Board's (IRB) referees manager, has said that England should have been awarded the try by Jamie Noon which the television match official refused to recommend.

Not only are all Six Nations teams embroiled in battle this weekend but there are also two World Cup qualifiers.

There was some concern about the timekeeping at Millennium Stadium on Saturday when Wales and Australia played to a draw. And the referee of the day has his say on the ending.

The match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham was just four minutes old when the television match official was called upon to give his advice. His advice caused much English grief and consternation.

Guy Fawkes Day, and Tests exploded in Europe with the promise of more to come - and what an exciting start at Cardiff, to be followed by a seven-try match at Twickenham..

Twickenham's refurbished South Stand endured a baptism of fire as New Zealand recorded a handsome 41-20 victory over England on Sunday, with Dan Carter bagging 26 points as the holders of the Rugby World Cup fell to their heaviest home defeat of all time.

Twickenham's refurbished South Stand endured a baptism of fire as New Zealand recorded a handsome 41-20 victory over England on Sunday, with Dan Carter bagging 26 points as the holders of the Rugby World Cup fell to their heaviest home defeat of all time.

Twickenham's refurbished South Stand endured a baptism of fire as New Zealand recorded a handsome 41-20 victory over England on Sunday, with Dan Carter bagging 26 points as the holders of the Rugby World Cup fell to their heaviest home defeat of all time.

Following the meeting of top referees and their managers in Lensbury on Tuesday, the International Rugby Board (IRB) has said that the referees have been instructed to stamp out stamping and backchat. This will start with Saturday's match between Wales and Australia in Cardiff.

The November Tests are on the doorstep. We shall then give stats and do Law Discussions as we usually do.

Christophe Berdos, the top French referee, experienced recently the full range of ups and downs.

Fireworks starts this week as November tests explode all over Europe. The display gets more spectacular as the month moves on.

Paddy O'Brien, recently retired as one of the world's top referees and now the IRB's referees manager, has asked for less talk to and by referees.

Australian fly-half Chris Malone clinched a dramatic injury-time European Challenge Cup victory for Bath over Connacht at the Rec on Saturday.

Australian fly-half Chris Malone clinched a dramatic injury-time European Challenge Cup victory for Bath over Connacht at the Rec on Saturday.

Australian fly-half Chris Malone clinched a dramatic injury-time European Challenge Cup victory for Bath over Connacht at the Rec on Saturday.

Australian fly-half Chris Malone clinched a dramatic injury-time European Challenge Cup victory for Bath over Connacht at the Rec on Saturday.

Former Newport man Jason Strange kicked his old team into touch as Bristol put one foot into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a win over the Dragons in Bristol on Friday.

Former Newport man Jason Strange kicked his old team into touch as Bristol put one foot into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a win over the Dragons in Bristol on Friday.

Former Newport man Jason Strange kicked his old team into touch as Bristol put one foot into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a win over the Dragons in Bristol on Friday.

Former Newport man Jason Strange kicked his old team into touch as Bristol put one foot into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a win over the Dragons in Bristol on Friday.

Worcester Warriors know what it takes to win on French soil – they beat Montpellier in last season’s European Challenge Cup – but coach Anthony Eddy accepts that high-flying ASM Clermont Auvergne will be an even tougher challenge.

Newcastle Falcons star Mathew Tait has become England's latest injury casualty ahead of their Twickenham appointment with the All Blacks on Sunday week.

Christophe Berdos, the French referee, had a memorable weekend. The unwitting cause of chagrin, he left the field bleeding and was replaced.

Recently there has been much discussion about changes to the Laws of the Game. We give now some reaction from readers.

Worcester centre Dale Rasmussen has been banned for three weeks after pleading guilty to a dangerous tackle on Gloucester's Jonathan Pendlebury at Sixways Stadium on Friday.

We have just had two Southern Hemisphere Finals - the Currie Cup in South Africa and the Air New Zealand Cup. They were both tense affairs on the field, both colourful fiestas off the field, both with top referees. We are going here to look at just one incident from one of the matches, an interesting incident.

Domestic rugby ended in New Zealand on Saturday with three finals, but that is not a year's end by any means.

Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.

Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.

We have had in successive weeks two massive finals - the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein and the Air New Zealand Cup Final in Hamilton - both grand occasions with packed stadiums, and cheerful, colourful spectators in festive mood.

Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.

Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.

The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.

An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.

The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.

An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.

The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.

An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.

An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.

The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.

Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.

Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.

Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.

Bryce Lawrence of Bay of Plenty has been appointed to referee the first Air New Zealand Cup Final. He has high hopes of a great match.

Geoff Miller, one of the great historians and statisticians of the rugby world, has written down some titbits about New Zealand's provincial competition as the final of the Air New Zealand Cup between Waikato and Wellington approaches.

Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.

Bryce Lawrence of the Bay of Plenty has been appointed to referee the first Air New Zealand Cup Final, the lineal descendant of the NPC finals.

While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.

Bryce Lawrence will referee the Air New Zealand Cup finals between Waikato and Wellington in Waikato Stadium on Saturday evening.

While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.

It's also the weekend of finals in New Zealand, and - can you believe it? - it's the first round of the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup already.

While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.

While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.

All referees who have refereed a Currie Cup final will say that it was a, if not the, highlight of their refereeing career, even those who have refereed Test matches. And Jonathan Kaplan talks about the excitement of it all.

We have received quite a response to the announcement of the proposed IRB scrum and breakdown law changes, with particular attention given to the scrum and the likely introduction of the word 'touch' between 'hold' and 'engage'.

Malcolm Changleng of Scotland will referee Spain versus Romania in Madrid this Saturday as the Rugby World Cup Qualifiers continue to produce the finalists for France 2007. After their victory in Georgia, if they win at the University of Madrid Stadium, the Romanian Oaks will qualify and join New Zealand and Scotland in Pool C.

Paul Honiss and Bryce Lawrence have been appointed to referee the Air New Zealand Cup semi-finals.

The Cheetahs (née Orange Free State) have played the Blue Bulls (née Northern Transvaal) seven times in finals. The score is 6-1 to the Blue Bulls.

The first Currie Cup Final was played in 1939, at Newlands when Transvaal beat Western Province. That was the last time Western Province lost a final at Newlands.

The International Rugby Board (IRB), whose primary function is to formulate the Laws of the Game, is concerned about player welfare and is looking at possible law changes in the interests of player welfare.

Jonathan Kaplan becomes just the fifth referee in South Africa's rugby history to have refereed more than two Currie Cup Finals. Only 22 referees have refereed finals. But then there have been only 45 finals.

In South Africa there is all the excitement of the Currie Cup final this weekend, still a great occasion, still the hardest match to get tickets for in South Africa. After all it has been in competition for 114 years.

Unsurprisingly Jonathan Kaplan is to referee Saturday's Currie Cup final in Bloemfontein when the Cheetahs, the holders of the Currie Cup, play the Blue Bulls.

Wayne Barnes of England will referee the World Cup qualifier between Romania and Georgia in Bucharest on Saturday, a Round 5 European qualifier for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.

On Saturday the USA play Uruguay in Stanford in the second leg of their World Cup qualifier, and the referee is Rob Debney of England.

Tension does not abate this weekend as a great Currie Cup season goes into the semi-finals. Semi-finals have not always been with us - not by a long chalk. In fact they are not even 40 years old.

As spring springs higher in the south, the Air New Zealand Cup heads for quarter-finals and South Africa's Currie Cup heads for the semi-finals. It is a tense time when the difference between victory and defeat is so dramatic.

The International Rugby Board's selection committee to appoint match officials met in Dublin and announced the match officials for 29 Tests between 28 October and 26 November.

Following a meeting of the Match Official Selection Committee in Dublin the IRB has announced the match official panels. There are no changes to the panel of referees.

Here we go again - back to lines and line-outs. It is astonishing how often it comes up.

The New Zealand RFU has appointed the referees for the quarter-finals of the Air New Zealand Cup. The top referees are in action.

George Clancy of Ireland is in Ururguay where he will referee his first Test and it is a World Cup qualifier between Uruguay and the USA, the first leg of a qualifier which will decide which of the two will head straight for France in 2007.

There have been some disturbing statistics over the past couple of weeks, which show more clearly than ever that rugby's media bubble is apparently bursting. But it is not the fans who are deserting the game, as some would have you believe, merely that they are not interested in artificial realities, according to Danny Stephens.

Romania kicked off the European Under-20 Championship with a big win over Spain in Sopot, Poland. The reigning champions, Georgia, had a tough time against Russia.

Russia and Spain carry good wins from their first legs which were away. The match in Montevideo is crucial. This is an exciting time for the teams as the carrot of France 2007 dangles in front of them.

Former Australia captain Andrew Slack believes there needs to be a rule change in rugby to allow for more exciting play.

The IRB has made known the referes for its Sevens Series which starts in Dubai in December. Taizo Hirabayashi, the impressive Japanese referee, will referee at all eight tournaments.

The number of Tests has dwindled to just a few in Africa.

The South African panel of referees' selectors has chosen the referees for the semi-finals and finals of the three main SA Rugby Union's competitions.

The Tri-Nations has now run its long, cumbersome course. Sadly it lost its competitive edge when New Zealand won so early.

Andrew Small, rugby referee, enjoys travelling, and this weekend he is off to Ricany, a small town in Central Bohemia, to referee a World Cup qualifier between Spain and the Czech Republic.

Ireland's Simon McDowell will referee the final of the Women's World Cup being played in Edmonton Canada.

"Go West, young man." That was the American exhortation as the country opened up. Port Elizabeth could not go east as it would then tumble down the hill and into Algoa Bay. Instead it went west along the Cape Road, and where the Cape Road meets the Kragga Kamma Road is the upmarket suburb of Framesby.

The Women's World Cup reaches its knock-out stages this week, with semi-finals on Tuesday and the winner to be decided on Saturday. Simon McDowell of Ireland will referee the final.

There are the stats from the match between South Africa and Australia at Ellis Park, plus some totals for all nine weeks of the Tri-Nations including the most penalised player for Tri-Nations 2006, and he is not a "fetcher".

The big match of the pool section of the Women's World Cup, taking place in Edmonton, is between England and France this Friday.

In this year when we celebrated the centenary of the first team to be called the Springboks, the team captained by Paul Roos, Paul Roos end the season as the No.1 team in the FNB Top 20.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the nominees in three of the twelve categories ahead of the ceremony to be held on 26 November at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, Scotland.

The penultimate match of the big 2006 Tri-Nations was played in remote Rustenburg between South Africa and New Zealand.

Hosts Wynberg gave their fans plenty to cheer about when they won the annual Wynberg Under-15 Sevens tournament at the weekend, with a comprehensive 47-17 win over Bishops in the Final.

As expected Bishops won the 2006 Villager Sevens title on Friday night. In front of a small but enthusiastic crowd Diocesan College beat the South African College School (SACS) 19-14 in the final.

Just before half-time in the match between New Zealand and South Africa at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace outside the mining town of Rustenburg, with the All Blacks trailing 13-10, New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore dives under the South African posts and clearly grounds the ball. But the referee asks the television match official for his advice.

The 2006 Tri-Nations ends at Ellis Park on Saturday with the last match for 2006 between South Africa and Australia.

The second round of the Women's World Cup, being played in Canada, takes place on Monday, 4 September in Edmonton.

What a great comeback by South Africa! It's a long journey from 49-0 in Brisbane to 21-20 in Rustenburg.

The Cionfederation of African Rugby's Under-18 tournament is taking place in Casablanca from 25 August to 3 September.

This opens in Edmonton on Thursday, 31 August 2006.

Only three of the teams in the FNB Top 20 played this last weekend - Paul Roos, Bishops and Marlow. Two of those teams met.

It is not often that a scholar from a so-called “smaller” school finds himself in the company of the very best players from the top rugby schools in his province. One has to be a special player to reach the top of such a distinguished bunch of schoolboys, and that is exactly what Johan van Wyk of Hoërskool Gelofte has achieved.

The Tri-Nations goes on, this week in the unusual town of Rustenburg in South Africa's northwest. In England the Premiership starts.

Paul Roos, ranked top of the FNB Top 20, beat Marlow of Cradock 50-12 in the Big Schools final of Die Burger's competition which stretches from Western Province to Eastern Province.

Yet again the cool All Blacks came from behind for a convincing victory, this time beating South Africa 45-26 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria..

The results this weekend have dwindled down to a precious few, and then they will stop altogether. In one of them Wynberg won the last FNB Classic Clash of 2006.

Earlier this season Bishops beat Rondebosch 71-3 in an FNB Classic Clash at Rondebosch. This time they won 75-22 at Bishops.

Wynberg beat SACS 42-3 in the final FNB Classic Clash of the year - and they had a lot to thank SACS for.

Paul Roos Gymnasium and Marlow Agricultural School meet on the Markötter Field in Stellenbosch on Saturday in the final of Die Burger's competition for schools.

The two oldest schools in South Africa meet on the rugby field on Saturday when Wynberg Boys' High host the South African College School (SACS) in a FNB Classic Clash. The match will be televised live on Supersport 1 and MNET (kick-off: 12.25)

Adelaide Gimnasium just beat Winterberg Agricultural 10-7 in Fort Beaufort on Saturday, an FNB Classic Clash.

England's referees have urged the International Rugby Board (IRB) to confirm whether they can implement proposed new laws designed to discourage teams from deliberately forcing uncontested scrums.

A loose forward who was an instant hit as a prop, big, strong Frik Kirsten is our FNB Player of the Week.

The Tri-Nations match between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland certainly produced drama - and lots and lots of emotional argument - all of claiming impartiality of course!

The season is drawing to a close but even in these dying embers there is the bright spark of great matches which have affected the FNB Top 20.

The oldest school in South Africa, the South African College School (SACS), plays the second oldest, Wynberg Boy’s High, on Saturday in an FNB Classic Clash. The match will be played at Wynberg and will be televised live on Supersport. Zack Beukman has the honour of leading SACS.

In Saturday's dramatic match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies, Lote Tuqiri tackled Richie McCaw in what is often called a spear-tackle. Even the New Zealand Prime Minister has had her say about it.

The Tri-Nations moves to South Africa this week. The winner may have been decided but there is still a lot of pride and rivalry at stake.

There were two incidents in Saturday's gripping encounter between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Auckland that have whipped up lots of emotion.

The Queen’s 1st XV ended their 2006 season with a convincing 24-3 victory over Dale College on the Rec on Saturday afternoon, bringing to a close a season which will be remembered as one of the finest in many years.

Affies beat Waterkloof 17-7 in the final of the Beeld Trophy, played at Waterkloof on Saturday.

It was cold and wet in George on Saturday, putting a literal damper on the Pukke/Kwagga Sports Day.

At the Outeniqua Sports day, in the rain and the cold, Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage beat Worcester Gim 10-0.

Paul Roos travelled up to Bloemfontein and beat Grey College 16-11 in their FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. The match was televised.

There was not the fluency in Bishops play that there had been the week before against SACS as Wynberg competed with zest, but they still won 45-8.

The big All Black second half decided the outcome of the 2006 Tri-Nations. It was a match with controversial parts - the Elsom try and the Tuqiri tackle, amongst other things.

Paul Roos, the top team on the FNB Top 20, won their FNB Classic Clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

On a fine but chilly morning at Rondebosch, SACS were full value for their win if only by virtue of the fact that they scored the only two tries of the match. The final score was a bit closer than in the first game, SACS eventually beating their hosts 16-9.

Adelaide Gimnasium play Winterberg Agricultural in Fort Beaufort on Saturday, an FNB Classic Clash.

Waterkloof play host to Affies in the Beeld Trophy Big Schools Final on Saturday. Waterkloof are ranked 2nd on the FNB Top 20, Affies 3rd.

Adelaide Gimnasium travel 30 kilometres out of town on Saturday to face local rivals Winterberg Agricultural College in a FNB Classic Clash. Ricky de Gouveia captains Adelaide.

Two of South Africa’s great rugby schools meet on Saturday when Grey College of Bloemfontein play host to their traditional rivals Paul Roos Gimnasium from Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The match is a televised FNB Classic Clash and centre Wayne Stevens captains the hosts.

The harmony Sports Academy is a school with a difference - a school and yet not a school. It contracts out the academic side of school life and gets on with the sporting side.

Scott Young, the top referee, has decided to call active refereeing a day and get on with business.

With the Springboks in the throws of a very disappointing season, David Morris beseeches South Africa's selectors to open their eyes to alternatives...

Marlow Landbou of Cradock beat Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday.

This is a big one - Grey against Paul Roos in an FNB Classic Clash - the lion and the unicorn battling it out all over Bloemfontein top see who will wear the crown.

Winterberg Agricultural College host Adelaide Gimnasium in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Gerhard Strydom captains the hosts from the side of the scrum.

In their FNB Classic Clash with Klein Nederburg New Orleans won again but just 7-5.

The Queen's 1st XV continued on their winning way but made heavy weather of their 34-19 victory over Cambridge un East London on Saturday afternoon.

Outeniqua’s annual sports day takes place kin George on Saturday. 16 rugby teams will take part

After a great career as an international referee, Scott Young of Australia has decided to end his refereeing career at the end of the current domestic season in Australia.

Against SACS on Saturday Mathew Turner, the Bishops left wing, scored six tries. He is the FNB Player of the Week.

Paul Roos are the No.1 ranked team in the country and captaining them is a real honour. Stephan van der Merwe has that honour.

In their FNB Clash in Malmesbury on Saturday Schoonspruit beat Wesbank 36-10, a record score for this derby.

Gill College of Somerset East, overwhelming favourites in their FNB Classic Clash against Cradock High won 10-9 with a penalty a minute before the end.

There are fewer matches now but there have also been some top flight matches - great schools going head to head with each other with a few surprising results which have produced changes in our FNB Top 20, where so many great rugby schools run each other so close.

In an exciting clash of the youngsters, the New Pretenders to the senior rugby thrones of Kenya and Uganda faced off against each other in the second Elgon Cup curtain-raiser match at the famous Harlequins ground in Nairobi last Saturday. The hosts emerged convincing victors, scoring 29 points to Uganda’s 10.

New Zealand play Australia in Auckland. They could well decide the fate of the Tri-Nations by winning the match, even though there are three matches still to be played.

The Springbok rugby team has not had a great year, certainly one of the worst since the return from isolation in 1992 - with a four-match losing streak. Dave Morris takes a look at what is available in terms of player power.

Graeme captain and flyhalf Lorenzo Southey dominated against Muir on Saturday to give Graeme a surprise but convincing 29-13 victory.

There were few matches this weekend but some big ones, including four FNB Classic Clashes.

Saving their best for last, Glenwood's 'Green Machine' produced a champions look about it’s 14-10 victory over highly ranked Grey College on Dixons Field in Durban on Saturday.

Bishops beat SACS 76-14 on the Piley Rees Field at Bishops on Saturday.

Union High beat near neighbours Volkskool 30-3 in an FNB Classic Clash in Graaff-Reinet on Saturday.

In cold, windy Uitenhage, Daniël Pienaar beat Port Rex 48-13 on Saturday after leading 19-6 at half-time.

Schoonspruit and Wesbank, both keen rugby schools in Malmesbury, meet in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday afternoon.

Klein Nederburg and New Orleans meet in an FNB Classic Clash at the Faure Street ground in Paarl on Saturday.

Malmesbury plays host to a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday when Wesbank and Schoonspruit meet. Talented loose forward Vincent Roberts will lead out Schoonspruit.

Union High and Volkskool are just down the road from each other, and the rivalry between the two has been great down the years.

Cradock High travel the 110 km across to Somerset East for their FNB Classic Clash with Gill on Saturday.

Union High and Volkskool, near neighbours, play in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday, a match which will be televised.

Elrich Kroutz leads Klein Nederburg against New Orleans in the second successive week of big Paarl Derbies at the Faure Street Sportsground, another FNB Classic Clash.

Wesbank Sekondere Skool is a big school in Malmesbury, a keen rugby school.

The Graaff–Reinet derby between Volkskool and Union High is another FNB Classic Clash. Gareth Light will lead out Union High.

Malmesbury plays host to a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday as local schools Schoonspruit and Wesbank face each other in the town derby. Melvin Lazarus captains the underdogs on their big day out.

Nottingham High School from England, founded in1513, are touring South Africa and in the third game of their tour they faced the South African College High School (SACS), the oldest school in South Africa. Founded in 1829 SACS may give away more than 300 years in history to Nottingham but the hosts were more than a match for their visitors on the rugby field. SACS running out comprehensive winners by 48 points to five.

The original inter-schools derby between Gim and Boishaai may have taken place in Paarl last week but an equally important FNB Classic Clash takes place in the town this week as New Orleans and Klein Nederburg do battle. For the second year in a row Herschall Collins captains New Orleans. 

Cradock High School travel to Somerset-East on Saturday to face Gill College in a FNB Classic Clash. Hannes Lombard will lead out the visitors in what is his forty-seventh game for the 1st XV.

Graaff-Reinet hosts a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday as Volkskool and Union High meet in the local derby. Iaan Fourie captains Volkskool from the scrumhalf position.

Gill College of Somerset East host Cradock High in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Hlanga Nodongwe captains the host team.

The Beeld Trophy for big Schools is building to a climax and will crown a new winner this hear after Waterkloof knocked out Monument.

France's Top 14 starts on 18 August wuith the match between Biarritz and Clermont Ferrand.

Possibly the outstanding result of the weekend was Waterkloof' victory over Monument, a big turnabout from what happened earlier in the season and ending Monnas' reign as Beeld champions.

In the wet South Western Districts Marlow Landbou of Cradock beat Oakdale Landbou of Riversdale 25-18 un a close FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.

It is quieter this weekend without Tri-Nations matches, but there is an important World Cup qualifier in Newfoundland.

Despite a spirited performance from the plucky young Hangklip side, they were no match for the superior Queen’s 1st XV who dominated the match from start to finish and ran out worthy winners by 44 points to nil, playing some entertaining rugby in the process.

There were some big results this weekend including two FNB Classic Clashes-in Riversdale and Paarl.

SACS produced their best performance of the season in outplaying the highly rated Strand outfit by 41 points to three in Newlands on Saturday. The field may have been wet from the week's rain but the weather and the SACS team were hot.

Beaten in Pietermaritzburg Glenwood turned the tables on College by beating them 19-14 in Durban.

It was a strange match in Sydney when Australia beat South Africa 20-18 - mostly drab but with a thrilling finish.

Paarl Gim duly won their great Interschools in Paarl, beating Paarl Boys' High 23-17 in their FNB Classic Clash.

Gill College of Somerset East is one of the grand old schools of South Africa. As with several great schools, like SACS, Bishops and St Andrew's it was part university. In Somerset East!

Hilton received DHS on Saturday and beat them 26-15.

In an attractive FNB Classic Clash played at Boland Stadium on Saturday, Bergrivier beat Wellington rivals Weltevrede 14-0.

Australia played New Zealand in Brisbane and lost. For the first time this Tri-Nations there were no post-match complaints about the refereeing. A mercy!

There is only really one true Interschools, although many have tried to adopt the name, and that is Boishaai against Gimnasium in Paarl. Thys-Koch Burden will lead out the men in blue at Faure Street on Saturday afternoon.

Muir College of Uitenhage defeated Despatch 20-17 in an entertaining schools rugby match played in dampish conditions in Uitenhage on Tuesday, 1 August 2006.

Oakdale Agricultural High School of Riversdale host Marlow of Cradock in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Johan Mõller captains the hosts.

 It is the Interschools in Paarl on Saturday when Bloedwors and Galpil meet and it is an FNB Classic Clash - the grandest and most intense schools match of the year in South Africa.

On Saturday there will be the usual massive turn-out at the Faure Street ground in Paarl when Gim play Boys' High in Interschools, an FNB Classic Clash. Super-captain Jean Rossouw captains Gim.

Lots of people speak of Interschools but really there is only one called the *Interschools - when Gim and Boys' High meet in Paarl in the third term each year.

Die Burger has a rugby competition in its main distribution area. Two of those competitions are complete and third is due soon for a final.

More and more fewer and fewer schools are playing but still there were some big ones in action this last weekend, enough to produce some jostling on the FNB Top 20.

Welkom Gimnasium are well ahead of Goudveld in derby victories dating back to 1963.

Oakdale of Riversdale is one of South Africa's top rugby schools, situated in the green and beautiful South Western Districts, where the Garden Route gets going.

In an FNB Clkassic Clash in Welkom on Saturday, hosts Welkom Gimnasioum were much too strong for Goudveld and won 45-11.

The Tri-Nations rattles on - in Sydney this week. In Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa provincial championships carry on.

Bishops and Paarl Gim played to a thrilling 15-all draw on the Piley Rees Field at Bishops on Saturday. It was a wonderful advertisement for schoolboy rugby by teams who had been ranked equal on the FNB Top 20..

In what turned out to be a lovely afternoon in Stellenbosch, Paul Roos put on a wonderful display of total rugby in beating SACS 52-10.

Daniël Pienaar have come on leaps and bounds this season and follow their victories over Framesby and Grey with a 33-21 over Dale, an attractive match played at a high tempo.

There were three FNB Classic Clashes this weekend, a battle between the Greys, an upset in KwaZulu Natal, a close affair in Pretoria and a great match in the Cape.

Outeniqua won the FNB Classic Clash 29-7 on Struisiesdag, showing too much skill and speed for willing Oudtshoorn.

Australia vs New Zealand in Brisbane - what a great Test - an old-fashioned one where every bit of nerve and sinew was harnessed with absolute concentration and determination as two great sides met.

On Saturday Graeme College beat Kingswood for the first time since 1996.  Played in damp and cold conditions, the game was not the biggest spectacle, and was thus a low scoring affair, the final score 14-7.

In the third match of their South African tour Italy Under-18 beat the Golden Lions 43-24 at the Roodepoort Rugby Club on Wednesday afternoon.

In Week 1, there were complaints by the losing side about the referee - hefty ones. In Week 2, the complaints by the losing side were there, insistent though quieter. In Week 3, the complaints were by the winning side and much, much quieter.

South African Schools B beat the touring Italian Under-18 side 22-5 in Witbank on Friday evening, a curtainraiser to the Currie Cup match between the Pumas and the Valke.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has honoured 21 Australian Test Referees at ceremony in Brisbane, with a further 17 referees being honoured in Sydney tomorrow.

Bergrivier face off against local rivals Weltevrede in the Wellington derby on Saturday afternoon. The match is a FNB Classic Clash and Jameson Jones captains Bergrivier from the eighth-man position.

The small Boland town of Wellington comes to a stand still on Saturday afternoon as Weltevrede and Bergrivier meet in a FNB Classic Clash. Weazel Zealand captains Weltevrede from the back of the scrum.

Noord-Kaap of Kimberley won the big one on the Saturday and were again on the winning side on the Monday. They beat Diamantveld on Saturday and Dulwich from South London on Monday.

On Saturday Goudveld play arch rivals in an FNB Classic Clash, the great Welkom derby which attracts some 10 000 spectators - ardent spectators.

There is always great enthusiasm when the Kwaggas and the Struisies meet, as they do this Saturday in an FNB Classic Clash. Schoeman Laubscher captains the Struisies.

This Saturday, Welkom Gimnasium, the favourites, play arch rivals Goudveld in an FNB Classic Clash, and Wynand Pienaar is their captain.

The name says it all. Welkom is built because of gold and Goudveld is in Welkom because the Goldfields grew so rapidly and needed schools.

The holidays are over, Craven Week has come and gone, and many of South Africa's top rugby schools are at it again, hammer and tongs.

The Queen’s 1st XV went on a try scoring spree in the first half of their match against the visiting Port Rex, to record a convincing 36-7 victory, after leading 24-0 at halftime.

Cecil Afrika comes as a breath of fresh air in the stifling biff-bang of modern rugby. He is an exciting young player of verve and infinite promise.

NEC Harlequins - double winners of the European Challenge Cup title - will kick-off their bid for a tournament treble with a challenging Pool Four trip to Galway to take on Connacht on the opening weekend.

We profile Welkom Gimnasium of the Goldfields.

NEC Harlequins - double winners of the European Challenge Cup title - will kick-off their bid for a tournament treble with a challenging Pool Four trip to Galway to take on Connacht on the opening weekend.

The big match is the rematch between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane. New Zealand one the first one in New Zealand and since both have had comfortable wins over South Africa.

NEC Harlequins - double winners of the European Challenge Cup title - will kick-off their bid for a tournament treble with a challenging Pool Four trip to Galway to take on Connacht on the opening weekend.

Westville Boys’ High School’s 1st XV lived up to their reputation by winning both games at the DHS 140th Anniversary Rugby Festival over the past weekend.

Durban High School is celebrating 140 years of its foundation. art of its birthday fun was a rugby festival over the weekend.

NEC Harlequins - double winners of the European Challenge Cup title - will kick-off their bid for a tournament treble with a challenging Pool Four trip to Galway to take on Connacht on the opening weekend.

Craven Week is over, the term has started gain and lots of schools are again in action. Some schools have taken off rugby till next year, which must leave boys wondering what on earth to do! And in Bloemfontein SA Schools beat Italy Under-18 39-13.

At Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon, South African Schools beat Italy Under-18 39-13. At half-time the home side led 8-3.

Pau and Toulon are down from the Top 145 and into Pro D2 this season. Gaillac is up from the Federal leagues. The matches start on the first weekend of September

France's Top 14 season kicks off on 18 August when Biarritz play Clermont Auvergne in Biarritz. It ends with the final on 9 June 2007.

On Goldstone's on Saturday Maritzburg College beat visitors Kearsney 20-10.

Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage pulled off a thrilling, narrow victory over Grey of Port Elizabeth which was far greater than a one-point difference would suggest. They won 19-18 after leading 6-5 at half-time.

SACS beat Paarl Boys' High 12-10 in an enthralling encounter at SACS on Saturday. The game was played in overcast conditions and underfoot conditions were difficult for both sides but the teams still managed to produce entertaining and enterprising rugby.

Kicks counted when New Zealand beat South Africa 35-17 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday night, but then kicks are very often the result of pressure.

Bernd Gabbei of Berlin has decided that the time has come to hang up his whistle after 13 years as a Test referee.

The 2006 South African Schools side will play against Italy Under-18 in Bloemfontein on Saturday - a match the South Africans would be expected to win.

It is only the second week of Tri-Nations and for the second time the coach of the well-beaten team has complained about the referee. This could easily become a boring weekly occurrence.

At Newlands on Saturday, Rassie Erasmus, the Cheetahs' coach, was twice told to leave the playing enclosure and twice he refused. He led to an exchange of unpleasantries.

Australia broke records in beating South Africa 49-0 and the score could have been even bigger. Australia were actually over the line on ?? occasions while the South Africans seldom threatened.

New Zealand thumped Australia, and then Australia thrashed South Africa. What will happen this week? And in Montevideo there is an important 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifier.

The 43rd Craven Week ended ion Johannesburg after five playing days of rugby with lots of tries. On the final day the Blue Bulls proved their worth by beating the Golden Lions in the prestigious final match of the tournament.

The final day of the Independent Schools Festival was played at Kearsney College, Botha's Hill on Saturday.

Let's compare, by province,  the standings of the FNB Top 20, the results from Craven Week and the Academy Week and the number of players in the two national teams..

At the end of the 2006 Craven Week which ended in Johannesburg on Saturday two representative schools teams were announced - a South African Schools team and a South African Schools A team.

The Blue Bulls are the undisputed kings of Craven Week 2006 after their big win over the Golden Lions, an even bigger win than the score suggests.

There were two interesting decisions in which the television match official gave advice. They are interesting because they talk about two important facets of scoring a try.

The 43rd Coca-Cola Craven Week for Under-18 players been held at the University of Johannesburg has once again produced rugby fitting of the man after whom the tournament is named. The schoolboys have tried their best to play attacking rugby at all times and there has been lots of talent on display.

Not at all surprisingly, the Blue Bulls and the Golden Lions play the final fixture of the 2006 Craven Week. They have been the outstanding teams.

It was sunny but windy in Johannesburg for the fourth day of the 2006 Craven Week and it started with a mismatch as Griquas blew away Border Country Districts. In fact it was a day with only one close match out of five.

Bob Dwyer, coach of that last remaining bastion of amateur principles, The Barbarians, said of last Saturday's man-in-the-middle Jonathan Kaplan: "If he is a good referee, then I have never coached a rugby team in my life. He is a joke. Rocky Elsom's sin-binning wasn't even an offence."

The rain was pelting down in the south of the country but up in Johannesburg the weather was calm and perfect for rugby as the 2006 Craven Week went into Day 3.

On Tuesday evening Victor Vermeulen spoke to nearly 400 schoolboy rugby players taking part in Craven Week and at the end of his inspirational address, they rose to applaud the young man who spends much of his life in a wheelchair.

Paul Honiss is set to break the record of Tests for a New Zealand referee, presently held by the great Paddy O'Brien.

So much controversy in the first week of the Tri-Nations. Let's hope for a more peaceful conclusion to this week's match.

As Stuart Dickinson was to South Africans, so Jonathan Kaplan is to Australians - or so it seems. Let's have a look at the latest outburst following Australia's 32-12 defeat at the hands of the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday.

If you did not watch the Griffons play the Valke on the second day of Craven Week you missed getting a taste one of the great individual performances of the 43 Craven Weeks. Cecil Afrika of the Griffons is magnificent. You also missed a wodnerful rugby match.

Argentina captain Agustín Pichot is looking to next year's Rugby World Cup in France as an opportunity to erase some painful memories.

Towards the end of April, Jan Preuyt, generally considered the father of Craven Week, died in Cathcart in the Eastern Cape. He was 83.

The fixtures for the first two days of Craven Week have been made. The other three days' fixtures depend on what has gone before.

The 2006 Craven Week takes place at the University of Johannesburg from Monday, 11 July. Nine referees have been appointed to the week.

Danie Craven has been dead for 13 years. Lest anybody forget the greatest man in South Africa's rugby history and in case some do not know why the Craven Week is named after him, we give a short biography.

This year's Craven Week will be the third held in Johannesburg. Its centre of activities will be the University of Johannesburg, where the old RAU used to play its rugby.

Craven Week, the greatest schoolboy rugby tournament in the world, seems to have been around forever. But like all things, it had a birth. It was a healthy birth but not universally welcomed. There were those who thought it a bad idea.

Craven Week 2006 opened at the University of Johannesburg on Monday with a trans-border match between Limpopo and Zimbabwe - on a sunny, slightly windy day.

Tri-Nations broke our in Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand on Saturday, and again there is much to interest referees.

The Under-18 Craven Week starts at the Univeristy of Johannesburg on Monday, 10 July.

Cooler conditions descended on the Klein Karroo after overnight rain and players in the opening matches on the final day were greeted by a cold, damp and frosty field. The laurels in the Week's final match went to the Golden Lions, who scored a 14-10 win over a brave Mpumalanga side.

Thursday was Day 3 of the Under-13 Craven Week taking place in Oudtshoorn, and there was a surprise result.

The IRB have announced the names of 12 women referees to take part in the Women's Rugby World Cup to be played in Edmonton, Canada, from 29 August.

Top Welsh referee Nigel Whitehouse has cast an officious eye over proceedings in Germany and has urged soccer to take a leaf or two out of rugby's book of laws.

New Zealand has announced a new panel of 20 referees to handle Air New Zealand Cup and Heartland Championship matches. Four of the two are new to the panel.

The Under-13 Craven Week continued in Oudtshoorn on Tuesday with Mpulamanga, the Leopards, Golden Lions, Blue Bulls and Western Province winning their matches.

The ostriches are not the only ones running barefooted in Oudtshoorn this week for the Under-13 Craven Week is on the go.

After the Currie Cup match between Western Province and Natal at Newlands on Saturday there was a press conference with a slight difference as the referees were also there.

The new Tri-Nations starts this month at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. It's new as now each country plays each other three times. Tests get more and more;  the wear and tear on players gets more and more.

The first of the warm-up matches before the restructured NPC will be played in Whangarei on Saturday when Northland play Manawatu.

The Academy Week for provincial schools ended in the Humansdorp area of the Eastern Cape on Thursday.

The Grant Khomo Week for provincial Under-16 teams ended in Wellington on Thursday afternoon with a victory for KwaZulu Natal, thus crowning them the unofficial Under-16 champions for 2006.

Fiji coach Wayne Pivac has made three changes to his XV ahead of Saturday's Pacific Five Nations encounter with Japan in Osaka.

Tonga coach Adam Leach has named his side's for Ikale Tahi's final Pacific Five Nations game - Saturday's encounter with Samoa in Gosford, Australia.

There are World Cup qualifiers and there are matches in a new competition - an Asian 6th Division tournament in Cambodia. Again there are sides playing Test rugby for the first time.

This week we have the statistics for three Tests - Australia vs Ireland, South Africa vs France, and Argentina vs Australia.

The All Blacks managed to hold on in the face of a strong late charge to beat Argentina 25-19 in their one-off Test at Vélez Sársfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The visitors outscored the Pumas by three tries to one to maintain their unbeaten record against the South Americans.

The All Blacks managed to hold on in the face of a strong late charge to beat Argentina 25-19 in their one-off Test at Vélez Sársfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The visitors outscored the Pumas by three tries to one to maintain their unbeaten record against the South Americans.

The All Blacks managed to hold on in the face of a strong late charge to beat Argentina 25-19 in their one-off Test at Vélez Sársfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The visitors outscored the Pumas by three tries to one to maintain their unbeaten record against the South Americans.

Springbok coach Jake White has once again pledged his commitment to South African rugby - but he wants the assurance of being able to call upon his big-name players after the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

The All Blacks managed to hold on in the face of a strong late charge to beat Argentina 25-19 in their one-off Test at Vélez Sársfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The visitors outscored the Pumas by three tries to one to maintain their unbeaten record against the South Americans.

France made it a weekend of 2-0 in victories over South Africa, when the French beat the Baby Boks 24-13 in the Final of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship at Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand, in France on Sunday.

New Zealand coach Greg Cooper has made six changes, including two positional switches, to the starting line-up for his team's third-place play-off match against Australia at the International Rugby Board Under-21 World Championship in France on Sunday.

It could have been a scene from a holiday programme - bronzed figures relaxing beside a hotel swimming pool under the Auvergne sun.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll accepted fatigue had got the better of his side in their 37-15 defeat to Australia in Perth.

The Springboks and Jake White's unbeaten run at home has come to an end. France sent the Boks packing by recording an impressive 36-26 victory in Saturday's one-off Test at Newlands in Cape Town - a margin that belies the superiority of the visitors.

Australia continued their impressive mid-year form when they smashed Ireland, recording a 37-15 win in their one-off Test at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the Irish by five tries to two and were in command of the game for all but 10 minutes.

The Springboks and Jake White's unbeaten run at home has come to an end. France sent the Boks packing by recording an impressive 36-26 victory in Saturday's one-off Test at Newlands in Cape Town - a margin that belies the superiority of the visitors.

Australia continued their impressive mid-year form when they smashed Ireland, recording a 37-15 win in their one-off Test at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the Irish by five tries to two and were in command of the game for all but 10 minutes.

Australia continued their impressive mid-year form when they smashed Ireland, recording a 37-15 win in their one-off Test at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the Irish by five tries to two and were in command of the game for all but 10 minutes.

The Springboks and Jake White's unbeaten run at home has come to an end. France sent the Boks packing by recording an impressive 36-26 victory in Saturday's one-off Test at Newlands in Cape Town - a margin that belies the superiority of the visitors.