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REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson made no excuses for his team's dismal start in their 30-16 win over Clermont on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Munster were defeated 16-20 in an enthralling Champions Cup Round 4 tussle with Stade Toulouse at the Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: London Irish’s hopes of reaching the Round of 16 went up in smoke after Montpellier completed an incredible comeback to draw 21-21 in the Champions Cup at GGL Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster secured a place in the Champions Cup Round of 16 in dramatic fashion as they beat Sale Sharks 22-11 in Belfast on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT:  The Stormers booked their spot in the Round of 16 with an emphatic 30-16 win over Clermont on Saturday in Cape Town. 

REACTION: The BlitzBoks dropped two close results at the New Zealand Sevens on Sunday and finished in a disappointing seventh place at the FMG Stadium in Hamilton.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: A last-minute penalty kick by Siya Masuku made sure the Cheetahs earned a spot in the Round of 16. 

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: The Lions booked a home tie in the Round of 16 with a hard-fought 30-25 win over the Dragons on Sunday. 

WRAP: A host of South African players were on the try scoring list in round five of Japan Rugby League One.

REACTION: Adapting to the Northern Hemisphere weather conditions continues to be a major challenge for the Bulls.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Four Challenge Cup encounter between the Cheetahs and Section Paloise in Parma.

MATCH REPORT: Connacht Rugby missed out on home advantage in the Challenge Cup Round of 16 as they were beaten 35-21 at Newcastle Falcons on Saturday

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Four Challenge Cup encounter between the Dragons and the Lions in Newport.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff Rugby missed the chance to top Challenge Cup Pool A as they were beaten 37-24 at Brive on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton Rugby couldn’t quite make it to the top of Pool B in the Challenge Cup – but they put in a determined display to edge Stade Français Paris 35-32 on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Gloucester Rugby hooker George McGuigan was the hero as he dotted down twice in a 26-17 win over Union Bordeaux-Bègles on Saturday to earn a place in the Champions Cup Round of 16.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster secured the top spot in Champions Cup Pool A and home advantage in the knockout stage as they overcame Racing 92 26-10 in Dublin on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs earned a home tie in the Champions Cup Round of 16 after an emphatic 40-3 mauling of Castres Olympique at Sandy Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Northampton Saints exited the Champions Cup as they fell to a 13-31 defeat at the hands of defending champions Stade Rochelais in their Pool B meeting at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.

SEVENS WRAP: Argentina secured World Rugby Sevens Series gold on a dramatic day two in Hamilton.

NEWS: European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) confirmed that it has been decided to move the venue of the Challenge Cup, Round four fixture between the Dragons and the Lions.

MATCH REPORT: The Harlequins produced a stunning performance, beating the Sharks 39-29 at the Twickenham Stoop in London. 

MATCH REPORT: Scarlets sealed top spot in Challenge Cup Pool B and a home match in the Round of 16 as they romped to a 20-7 win at Aviron Bayonnais in Round 4 on Saturday.

DAY ONE WRAP: A late try by Zain Davids against Argentina ensured that the BlitzBoks team finished the opening day of the New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton unbeaten as they progressed to the quarter-finals on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Four Champions Cup encounter between the Stormers and Clermont in Cape Town.

TRANSFER NEWS: Experienced lock Ruben van Heerden will join the Stormers this week on a short-term contract.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Bulls will have to wait a little longer to see if they qualify for the Round of 16 in the Champions Cup after they suffered a 7-31 defeat to Lyon at Matmut Stadium de Gerland.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: RC Toulon secured a home tie in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 as they eased to a 14-5 victory over Zebre Parma at the Stade Félix Mayol on Friday.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Glasgow Warriors ensured they will have home advantage in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 with an entertaining 19-19 draw with Bath at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday.

NEWS: Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale was granted bail and ordered to surrender his passport on Saturday after being charged over an alleged sexual assault at a Sydney pub last month.

WATCH as Eben Etzebeth shows why he is not just a big strong physical second row star, but the Bok is actually a rugby genius.

WATCH as SARU designated Administrator Rian Oberholzer and WPRFU General Manager of Amateur Rugby Danny Jones unpack the process of the sale of Newlands Stadium.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Four Champions Cup encounter between the Harlequins and the Sharks In London.

DO-OR-DIE: It’s all to play for at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday when the Stormers welcome Clermont Auvergne in Round Four of the Champions Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: SARU's designated Administrator for the Western Province Rugby Football Union, Rian Oberholzer, says there is some impatience when it comes to money that is owed to Flyt/Dreamworld.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: The Lions and the Cheetahs will be targeting strong finishes to their Challenge pool fixtures as they aim to finish in the top six in Pool B of the competition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced that it approved a tackle height reduction across community rugby in England.

NEWS: Rugby World Cup said it was focussed on sailing into calmer waters following all the scandals that rocked the French Rugby Federation (FFR) in recent months.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: A new halfback pairing will dictate the backline of the Stormers when they host Clermont Auvergne in the Champions Cup at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Bristol Bears picked up a 33-19 bonus-point win over Perpignan at Ashton Gate on Friday as they ended their EPCR Challenge Cup Pool A campaign in style.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Ospreys qualified for the Champions Cup Round of 16 as an 88th-minute Jac Morgan score, converted by Owen Williams, handed them a 27-26 win at Leicester Tigers on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks team to take on Harlequins this weekend in their final pool match of the Champions Cup shows five changes from the side that defeated Bordeaux at Kings Park last weekend.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Four Champions Cup encounter between Lyon and the Bulls at Matmut Stadium de Gerland.

NEWS: Wallabies playmaker Kurtley Beale was reportedly detained Friday over an alleged sexual assault, with Rugby Australia saying it was "aware of the situation".

BREAKING NEWS: Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs have suspended Kurtley Beale from all forms of Rugby with immediate effect.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Bulls, who are currently in sixth place in Pool A of the Champions Cup, will line up against Lyon at Matmut Stadium de Gerland in the opening match of the weekend on Friday.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Glasgow Warriors seek a fourth win in the EPCR Challenge Cup as they welcome Bath on Friday.

VIDEO: Watch as SARU designated Administrator Rian Oberholzer opens up about the possibility of legal action if the Wynand Claassen heritage crusade succeeds.

SPOTLIGHT: The Western Province Rugby Football Union has provided a summary of their legal opinion on why Newlands Rugby Stadium should not be declared a heritage site.

NEWS: Eddie Jones has dropped his first selection hints in the wide-open race to wear the Wallabies' No.10 in France and it doesn't bode well for Quade Cooper.

JAPAN LEAGUE PREVIEW: Springbok Malcolm Marx returns to action this weekend for the Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay clash with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in round five of the Japan Rugby League One which kicks off in Kanagawa on Saturday.

WORLD SEVENS SERIES: After a short break for the holiday season, the World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 continues with New Zealand kicking off what will be a thrilling year for sevens.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions forwards coach Albert van den Berg says some "hard calls" need to be made if his team are to become a force in Europe.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have made a few changes to their personnel in their matchday 23 that will duel French side, Lyon on Friday in Round Four of the 2022/23 Champions Cup.

REACTION: Chris Robshaw believes Eddie Jones will be determined to avenge his sacking by England and predicts Australia will benefit from an immediate uplift following his appointment as their head coach.

NEWS: Stephan Lewies, captain of Harlequins, has re-committed to the club for the 2023/24 season.

NEWS: Retired back row Sam Warburton said his old boss, new Wales coach Warren Gatland, is held in high regard and could still make a huge impact.

NEWS: The sale of Newlands Stadium remains crucial to the future sustainability of Western Province Rugby.

NEWS: Scotland wing Rufus McLean has been suspended by club side Glasgow after pleading guilty to domestic abuse charges.

NEWS: More than 55 former amateur rugby players have sent a letter to World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union, which oversees English rugby, and the Welsh Rugby Union alleging that not enough is done to protect them from brain injuries ahead of a potential lawsuit.

NEWS: Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg is expected to be fit for the upcoming Six Nations despite a heel injury, his club Exeter's director of rugby said on Wednesday.

NEWS: Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named Jonny Sexton to lead Ireland while his understudy, Joey Carbery, has been omitted from the squad for the Six Nations.

REACTION: Sacked Wallabies coach Dave Rennie insisted he had the support of the players and staff as his successor Eddie Jones laid out his vision of a more attacking style of rugby.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sharks star Makazole Mapimpi will not be able to play his team's Round Four Champions Cup clash against Harlequins on Saturday.

NEWS: The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have handed the Bristol Bears a suspended fine of €10,000 while five match points were also deducted.

NEWS: Christophe Urios said on Wednesday he was "thrilled" to take over from sacked former New Zealand loose forward Jono Gibbes as two-time French Top 14 winners Clermont's head coach.

NEWS: The South African rugby public is finally set to get answers or closure relating to Newlands Rugby Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: Ruhan Nel has opened up about the weight on his shoulders that comes with wearing the Stormers' No.13 jersey.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls scrumhalf Zak Burger wants his team to adapt quickly to the climate and travelling schedule ahead of Friday's Champions Cup match in France.

NEWS: The ‘outstanding rugby intellect’ of Ken Owens impressed Wales coach Warren Gatland to the point where he appointed the Scarlets hooker as Wales captain for the Six Nations.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade is free to play after his red card against the Bulls was dismissed.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has named a 28-man touring squad that will travel to London for their Champions Cup return leg pool match against Harlequins.

SPOTLIGHT: Black humour has become the order of the day down Twickenham way after news that Eddie Jones is back "like Freddie Krueger in a tracksuit to haunt English dreams".

NEWS: Gregor Townsend said on Tuesday it dawned on him this week after naming his 40-man squad for the Six Nations that he could be leading his country into the tournament for the last time.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman provided some positive news on two of his team's Springboks ahead of their final Champions Cup pool match against Clermont on Saturday.

NEWS: The ‘dislike’ of England, especially by Scotland, is something the Roses should thrive on in the upcoming Six Nations, says England defence coach Kevin Sinfield.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Lock Paul Willemse was named in France's Six Nations squad after missing five Tests last year with a knee injury, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Former England wing Ruaridh McConnochie was named in Scotland's 40-man squad for the Six Nations on Tuesday, with Ireland under-20 international Ben Healy also among a group of four uncapped players.

OPINION: Aside from having quality players, a team also need the right man in charge if they want to be crowned the 2023 World Cup champions.

NEWS: Springbok prop Frans Malherbe has put pen to paper.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT: There is no question that the Sharks are a different beast when they got their full contingent of Boks playing for them.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ken Owens was named as Wales captain for the Six Nations on Tuesday as returning coach Warren Gatland announced his 37-man squad for the championship.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls confirmed the signing of Henry Immelman from Scottish side Edinburgh, on a three-year deal.

NEWS: Cameron Woki, a pivotal figure in France's Six Nations Grand Slam last season, will miss this year's tournament due to a broken wrist, sources close to the player told AFP.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones believes the Wallabies' Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in July will be a "pivotal game" in their build-up to the World Cup in France this year.

REACTION: Steve Borthwick has no concerns about the prospect of Jones using any 'inside knowledge' gained from seven years as England coach against his former employers.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have named a 31-man  squad for a two-match tour to France and Wales.

NEWS: English Premiership clubs have been warned that their financial situation is "clearly unsustainable" in a damning report on the cash crisis crippling the domestic game.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi finds himself in hot water after a potential eye-gouge during the Sharks' European Champions Cup's win over Bordeaux in Durban on Saturday.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Sevens stalwart Ryan Oosthuizen will be completing a personal milestone this weekend at the New Zealand Sevens tournament in Hamilton.

REACTION: New coach Eddie Jones will mastermind a "reset" of the Wallabies ahead of the World Cup and has matured since his previous stint in charge, Rugby Australia's boss told AFP.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls assistant coach Pine Pienaar has placed a huge target on Lyon's Arno Botha as the two teams prepare to go head-on-head this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The South African franchises will have to play their home semifinal matches in Europe - should they progress that far in the tournament.

REACTION: England coach Steve Borthwick retained Owen Farrell as captain while recalling veterans Dan Cole and Elliot Daly as he announced his first Six Nations squad on Monday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson says rugby is facing problems with laws relating to safety and the number of red cards that are being dished out week in and week out.

NEWS: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has been discharged from the hospital.

NEWS: Ailing French rugby powerhouse Clermont sacked head coach Jono Gibbes on Monday, with the humiliating 29-44 home defeat in the Champions Cup by Leicester the final straw.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Borthwick has named his first England squad that will meet for a Six Nations training camp next week.

REACTION: The Lions are in desperate need of overturning their fortunes after another difficult outing in Europe.

NEWS: Former England boss Eddie Jones was appointed the new Australia coach on Monday in "a major coup" after Dave Rennie was sacked, and vowed to steer them to World Cup glory in France this year.

REACTION: Former England flyhalf Andy Goode has slammed the decision to give Exeter captain Henry Slade a red card in Saturday's Champions Cup Round Three tie against the Bulls in Pretoria.

REACTION: The Sharks' coaching staff will be keeping a close eye on some of their injured Springboks ahead of their trip to London to face Harlequins in Round Four of the Champions Cup.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson will have to think about his flyhalf options ahead of the Champions Cup Round Four clash against Clermont.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Harlequins recovered from 18 points down to lead Racing 92 in the Champions Cup on Sunday, but a last-gasp Nolann Le Garrec penalty snatched a 30-29 victory for the Top 14 side in Paris.

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE WRAP: The back-to-back league finalists Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights and Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath scored big wins in the fourth round of Japan Rugby League One.

MATCH REPORT: Bath Rugby fell to a 35-23 defeat to RC Toulon at Kingsholm Stadium on Sunday as the visitors secured their passage to the Challenge Cup Round of 16

REACTION: The Bulls will still be going forward with their plans to shift Wandisile Simelane around in the backline, despite the 24-year-old showing some encouraging signs in the outside centre position.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia delivered some surprising news on Monday in the form of Eddie Jones becoming the new head coach of the Wallabies.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Stormers are on the cusp of qualifying for the Round of 16 of the Champions Cup after a 28-14 win over London Irish in a Round Three encounter in Brentford.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Bulls have bounced back in the Champions Cup with a 39-28 win over Exeter Chiefs in a Round Three encounter in Pretoria.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Sharks remained unbeaten in this season's Champions Cup after a 32-3 win over Bordeaux in Durban on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff Rugby booked their spot in the Challenge Cup Round of 16 thanks to a dominant 42-10 home win over Newcastle Falcons at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Munster held off a second-half surge by Northampton Saints to complete a thrilling Champions Cup Pool B double over the Premiership side by a 27-23 margin at Thomond Park.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Edinburgh battled to a brilliant 34-21 bonus-point win over Heineken Champions Cup Pool A rivals Castres Olympique at the Pierre Fabre Stadium on Sunday to qualify for the Round of 16.

MATCH REPORT: Bristol Bears scored six second-half tries as they won 34-11 at Zebre Parma on Saturday to seal their progression to the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 with a game to spare.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Three Champions Cup encounter between London Irish and the Stormers in Brentford.

WATCH as Sale Sharks forward Cobus Wiese produced a dangerous clear-out in his team's Champions Cup Round Three clash against Toulouse.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors confirmed their progression to the Challenge Cup Round of 16 as they held on to win 40-26 in an 10-try cracker against Perpignan at USAP on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Leinster produced a clinical display in the Champions Cup with a 49-14 win over Gloucester at Kingsholm Stadium on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Sale Sharks were eventually beaten 27-5 by Stade Toulousain in the Champions Cup on Saturday despite offering stern resistance after being reduced to 14 men early on.

MATCH REPORT: Connacht Rugby’s power off the bench made the difference as they ended up beating a battling Newcastle Falcons side 22-8 in the EPCR Challenge Cup in Galway on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton Rugby ensured their qualification for the knockout stage of the Challenge Cup on Saturday with a comfortable 26-7 home victory over rock-bottom Aviron Bayonnais in Pool B.

CHAMPION CUP REPORT: Saracens qualified for the Champions Cup Round of 16 as Elliot Daly’s stunning seven-minute hat-trick helped them thrash Lyon 48-28.

NEWS: England coach Steve Borthwick is set to get a timely boost ahead of this year's Six Nations tournament, which begins in February.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Alex Cuthbert crossed twice as Ospreys secured a phenomenal 35-29 victory over Montpellier in Swansea on Saturday, making it back-to-back wins over the TOP 14 champions in the Champions Cup.

NEWS: Bath’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round Three match against RC Toulon scheduled for Saturday at the Recreation Ground has been postponed.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Joel Sclavi’s 81st minute try cost Ulster a famous Champions Cup victory over defending champions Stade Rochelais, as they fell to a 3-7 defeat in Pool B at the Stade Marcel Deflandre on Saturday.

NEWS: France and Montpellier prop forward Mohamed Haouas will be back in court in May charged with "wilful violence" in an incident on New Year's Day 2014 after a court on Friday refused that he be represented by his lawyer.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Three Champions Cup encounter between the Bulls and Exeter Chiefs in Pretoria.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Three Champions Cup encounter between the Sharks and Bordeaux in Durban.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Leicester Tigers confirmed their place in the Round of 16 as they claimed an impressive 44-29 win at Clermont on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Cheetahs suffered their second Challenge Cup defeat when they were edged out 17-20 by Scarlets on Friday. 

MATCH REPORT: The Lions have suffered their first defeat in the European Challenge Cup as they went down 7-17 at Stade Jean Bouin on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Three Challenge Cup encounter between Stade Francais and the Lions in Paris.

MATCH REPORT: Dragons secured a hard-earned win in the south of France on Friday as they recorded a 21-12 victory at Section Paloise in the Challenge Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales' scrum could be strengthened significantly for this year's World Cup in France.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT: The match statistics have painted a picture of why the Cheetahs suffered a 17-20 defeat to Scarlets in their Round Three Challenge Cup fixture in Llanelli on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Former Boland Kavaliers standout, Jaiden Baron, has been named in the South Africa Sevens squad that will travel to Australasia to contest the NZ Sevens and Sydney Sevens tournaments later this month.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Queensland Reds forward Connor Vest has revealed the mindset the squad will have when playing against New Zealand teams in this year's Super Rugby competition.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: There will be desperation for some and concern about seedings for others so everyone has much to play for as the Champions Cup pool phase goes into the third round this weekend.

JAPAN LEAGUE PREVIEW: Round four of Japan Rugby League One kicks off in Tokyo on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson says the main reason behind the changes in his backline for Sunday's clash against London Irish in the Champions Cup is to improve his team's defensive system.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers have opted for experience blended with youth for their Champions Cup clash with London Irish at 15h00 SA time on Sunday at the Gtech Community Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has picked a powerful side to take on Union Bordeaux-Bègles in Saturday’s Round Three Champions Cup clash at Kings Park.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY PREVIEW: Lions will look to maintain their unbeaten European Challenge Cup record as they head to Stade Jean Bouin to take on Stade Français on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Three Challenge Cup encounter between the Scarlets and the Cheetahs in Llanelli.

CHAMPIONS CUP, FRIDAY PREVIEW: Springbok Handre Pollard is set to make his first Champions Cup start for Leicester Tigers when they visit Stade Marcel-Michelin to face ASM Clermont Auvergne in Round three on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Robert Du Preez's incredible form might just make sure his name gets tabled when it comes to Springboks debate.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Cheetahs will be out to bounce back as they head to Llanelli to face Scarlets in the Round three clash on Friday.

NEWS: Japan No. 8 Tevita Tatafu will join French outfit Bordeaux-Begles next season, his Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath announced on Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It seems the Sharks might be losing another Springbok.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have revealed a settled team for the Round Three Champions Cup clash against the Exeter Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

NEWS: Nick Evans, England's new attack coach, believes the misfiring Marcus Smith-Owen Farrell creative axis can be ignited by providing the clarity that was missing under the previous regime.

SPOTLIGHT: South African lock Jandre Marais said his club Bordeaux-Begles "are not on holiday" as they prepare to face the Sharks in his home country in the Champions Cup on Saturday.

NEWS: Former England international, Alex King, has been appointed as attack chief by Wales coach Warren Gatland while Sale Sharks assistant Mike Forshawn will take charge of defence.

NEWS: Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani is of the opinion that his side struggled on the 4G pitch in their 24-17 loss to the Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium in the United Rugby Championship last Sunday.

NEWS: Three South African players have been suspended after testing positive for banned substances during last year’s SA Schools Craven week rugby tournament.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Lions are in desperate need of overturning their fortunes when they take on Stade Francais in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday.

NEWS: Munster have finally opened up the transfer rumours surrounding Springbok star Malcolm Marx.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: England captain Owen Farrell has been suspended for a shoulder-led high challenge during Saracens’ 19-16 Premiership victory over Gloucester.

NEWS: After the financial meltdown of Wasps, most of the players at the club have managed to rebound and find new homes, some even shining in the Top 14 a few days later.

Following a memorable 2022, Stormers rookie Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is back after a short injury and looking forward to what he expects to be a cracking Champions Cup match against London Irish on Sunday.

TRANSFER NEWS: South African centre Burger Odendaal will join a new team ahead of the 2023/24 season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has labelled his side’s European Challenge Cup Round three tie with Cheetahs on Friday as “another massive game” as the Welsh region aim to hang on to the top spot in Pool B.

NEWS: Former England and British and Irish Lions rugby international David Duckham has died at the age of 76, his former club Coventry announced on Tuesday.

UPDATE: Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie could miss England's entire Six Nations campaign after suffering an ankle injury that may require surgery.

NEWS: The captain of South Africa's first black team to play outside the country Dougie Dyers has died, SA Rugby announced on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls captain Ruan Nortje says he is not reading too much into the criticism directed at him and his team after a poor run of results.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Exeter Chiefs head coach Ali Hepher believes his team's European Cup Round Three clash against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld will be a good test of their championship credentials.

France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Tuesday that his team has been making the country's rugby "shine" even though the French federation's president Bernard Laporte has been handed a two-year suspended prison sentence on corruption charges.

WATCH as All Black Aaron Cruden was shown a red card for a reckless clean-out on Springbok star Faf De Klerk.

NEWS: Scotland announced on Tuesday they will play four warm-up Tests - including two matches against Rugby World Cup hosts France - as they gear up for the tournament, which starts in September.

NEWS: Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple has moved swiftly to refute claims that Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen is heading for the exit door.

The United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Round 6 fixtures involving Sharks and Lions that were postponed in October will now take place at the end of next month.

UPDATE: South Africa Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White is out of danger after a successful abdominal surgery.

NEWS: Springboks Francois 'Faf' de Klerk has been accused of racial abuse and threatening to “kill” a Stellenbosch police captain.

UPDATE: The Rugby Football Union confirmed on Monday that Owen Farrell will be facing a disciplinary hearing this week for foul play.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson believes his team produced one of their "poorest" performances of the season far at Scotstoun Stadium against Glasgow.

REACTION: Bulls scrum coach Werner Kruger has praised the team after their win over Dragons amid a very unbecoming period for the franchise.

INJURY UPDATE: Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong are expected to be fit to play for Ireland in the Six Nations, which starts next month, Irish provincial side Leinster said on Monday.

NEWS: Former France hooker Yannick Bru, who is currently with the Sharks' coaching team, has signed to become manager of Bordeaux-Begles next season, club president Laurent Marti said Tuesday.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers rely heavily on their rush defence to subdue opponents, but it seemed to fall apart in their Round 12 United Rugby Championship fixture against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium.

NEWS: The Scottish Rugby Union have confirmed that assistant coach AB Zondagh has left his position with immediate effect.

NEWS: The Bulls will be without the service of Director of Rugby Jake White for a month after he underwent successful emergency abdominal surgery on Sunday.

ROUND 12 REVIEW: With several important games being decided with late scores, there was certainly a lot to engage rugby fans and have them biting their nails in the latest round of the United Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: The use of Toulon’s megastar wing Cheslin Kolbe has come under question as fans grow frustrated with the Springboks star and the hefty price tag he brings.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sale Sharks overcame an early injury to Tom Curry to sweep aside Premiership title rivals Harlequins 24-16 at a rain-soaked Twickenham Stoop.

NEWS: Former France forward Sebastien Chabal denied any wrongdoing following a claim that he had obtained more than a hundred tickets for this year's Rugby World Cup in France.

MATCH REPORT:  A last-minute converted try from Seb Cancelliere saw Glasgow Warriors earn a 24-17 win over Stormers at the Scotstoun in Glasgow.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has poured cold water on the prospect of a World Cup union with Eddie Jones, while revealing his messages to two key squad omissions.

WRAP: It might have taken three weeks, but Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx has started making up for lost time, bagging a hattrick during the Kubota Spears  77-14 rout of the Liners in Osaka.

REACTION: Owen Farrell could miss England's Six Nations opener against Scotland next month if he is cited for a dangerous tackle during Saracens' 19-16 Premiership win over Gloucester on Saturday.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: La Rochelle beat visiting Toulouse 30-7 in the French Top 14 on Saturday to end an eight-match losing streak against the 21-time champions.

REACTION: Sharks coach Joey Mongalo believes crucial turnovers in the strike zone ultimately proved costly for his team in their 12-24 defeat to Connacht in Galway on Saturday.

URC REPORT: Leinster crossed for two late tries to stretch their winning streak in the United Rugby Championship to a dozen games with a last-ditch 24-19 win against the Ospreys in Swansea.

NEWS: Irish heavyweights Munster have tabled a sizeable deal in a bid to land Springbok World Cup winner Malcolm Marx, according to RugbyPass.

URC REPORT: Connacht proved they were too strong for an understrength Sharks team in a United Rugby Championship Round 12 clash in Galway on Saturday.

NEWS: Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions fullback Ken Scotland has died at the age of 86, the Scottish Rugby Union announced Sunday.

URC REPORT: A late penalty from Rhyno Smith saw Benetton move into the top five of the United Rugby Championship following a 31-29 victory over Ulster at the Stadio Monigo.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round 12 United Rugby Championship encounter between Glasgow Warriors and the Stormers at Scotstoun in Glasgow.

URC REPORT: Edinburgh brought a run of four United Rugby Championship defeats to an end with a last-minute try from Patrick Harrison helping them to a 24-17 win over Zebre Parma.

REACTION: The Lions are in dire need of solutions following their 3-33 defeat to Munster on Friday. 

REPORT: England captain Owen Farrell faces an anxious wait to discover if he is cited for a shoulder-led high challenge during Saracens' 19-16 Gallagher Premiership victory over Gloucester.

INJURY UPDATE: The Cheetahs could head to Europe without three of their Springbok stars.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls recorded a deserved 29-14 win over the Dragons at Rodney Parade, in Newport, on Friday to cement their place in the top four of the United Rugby Championship standings.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Exeter bounced back from a five-try drubbing by Premiership leaders Saracens last weekend to sweep Northampton aside 35-12 at Sandy Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Munster taught the Lions a harsh lesson in European rugby, with a 33-3 win in their United Rugby Championship Round 12 outing on Friday.

NEWS: Harlequins coach Nick Evans will join England as an attack coach for the upcoming 2023 Six Nations Championship.

URC REPORT: Leigh Halfpenny kicked 13 points to give Scarlets a 28-22 United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff at the Arms Park.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round 12 United Rugby Championship encounter between Connacht and the Sharks at the Sportsground in Galway.

SPOTLIGHT: Japan-bound All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo'unga warned Friday that New Zealand rugby faces a chronic talent drain unless authorities allow overseas-based players to represent their country.

INJURY UPDATE: Stormers head coach John Dobson revealed that Herschel Jantjies' injury was worse than what he expected.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: If there is one man that has the knowledge and experience to outwit the Stormers it is Franco Smith.

SPOTLIGHT: With the dust net yet settled on Jurie Roux's departure from the Chief Executive Officer hot seat at the South African Rugby Union, the attention turns to a possible replacement.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby released an official statement following the departure of Jurie Roux, SA Rugby’s CEO for the past 12 years.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: The Sharks and Stormers have adopted different approaches leading up to their Round 12 United Rugby Championship encounters this weekend.

NEWS: Adam Hastings looks likely to miss the Six Nations, adding to Scotland's injury problems in the lead-up to the tournament, which starts next month.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round 12 United Rugby Championship encounter between Munster and the Lions at Musgrave Park, in Cork.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round 12 United Rugby Championship encounter between the Dragons and Bulls at Rodney Parade in Newport.

WATCH as veteran Springbok Jaco Kriel wrestles with the question of why the Lions can beat top European teams, but fall flat against South African opposition.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Two South African teams - the Lions and Bulls - are entering the 'desperation' stages of their campaigns, after a forgettable fortnight over the Christmas and New Year weekends.

REACTION: England and Harlequins bad boy Joe Marler revealed that his own wife rebuked him over the MortherGate saga.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have revealed a new-look team for Saturday's Round 12 United Rugby Championship clash against Connacht in Galway.

EURO REFEREE NEWS: The return of EPCR's tournaments will see history made when an all-women's team of match officials takes charge of a Challenge Cup Round Three fixture.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There is a slight shuffle in the Stormers backline for the United Rugby Championship match against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Sunday.

JAPAN LEAGUE PREVIEW: The second edition of Japan Rugby League One resumes this weekend after a break for the New Year holiday.

SPOTLIGHT: Glasgow Warriors are hard at work putting plans in place to deal with the Stormers' rush defence.

NEWS: It was without much fanfare or a formal announcement, but Jurie Roux has vacated his office as Chief Executive Officer of the South African Rugby Union.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers are well aware that they will be facing one of their toughest battles of the season when they come up against Glasgow Warriors in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship at Scotstoun Stadium on Sunday.

NEWS: The Bulls might not have Director of Rugby Jake White with them at Rodney Parade in Newport when they face off against the Dragons in a United Rugby Championship Round 12 match on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has named a 44-man squad for a camp on the Gold Coast next week as the long countdown to this year's Rugby World Cup begins.

BREAKING NEWS: Attack coach Scott Wisemantel has surprised the Wallabies by announcing he won't be part of their World Cup plans, opting to focus on his family.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face Munster in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship at Musgrave Park in Cork.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has shuffled his backline for Friday's Round 12 United Rugby Championship clash against the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie has revealed his squad for their upcoming Challenge Cup matches in Europe.

SPOTLIGHT: World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi has opened up about how he deals with 'criticism'

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks' lock stocks could be a concern heading into the World Cup in France later this year.

SPOTLIGHT: History was made as the overall attendance record for a single round in the United Rugby Championship was broken in Round 11.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 12 fixtures have been confirmed.

OPINION: As preparations start for a World Cup year and teams are solely focused on securing the Webb Ellis Cup, @rugby365com looks at those who will continue to shine at the global showpiece.

NEWS: Dragons, the Newport-based United Rugby Championship franchise, has finally officially confirmed the departure of Dean Ryan.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT: South African players feature prominently in the statistical analysis of the past year's United Rugby Championship matches.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit faces a race against time to be fit for the Six Nations opener at home to Ireland next month.

SPOTLIGHT: Defending champions South Africa will confront its greatest rivals New Zealand twice in the build-up to the 2023 World Cup in France.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland and Leinster flyhalf Johnny Sexton is set to undergo surgery after suffering a cheekbone injury.

BREAKING NEWS: The Sharks revealed that Springbok and World Cup-winning captain Siyamthanda Kolisi has been granted an early release from his contract.

INJURY UPDATE: France centre Jonathan Danty will miss the start of the Six Nations with a knee injury that could see him sidelined for at least two months.

SPOTLIGHT: Five wins on the trot, a boost in confidence and a nine-day wait will allow Franco Smith's side to lay the perfect ambush for the Stormers as they head to Glasgow for their URC clash on Sunday.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen speaks about the drive to end his team's losing streak and stop the 'inconsistencies; bedeviling their game.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White opens up about the lack of experience from some members of his leadership group.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France defence coach Shaun Edwards has dropped some gems following his team's perfect winning record in 2022.

FULL VERDICT: Referencing other players’ mothers was Joe Marler’s ‘go-to’ line when sledging opponents – the Harlequins prop told an RFU disciplinary committee last week.

NEWS: Eight Argentine players went on trial Monday for allegedly beating to death a teenager outside a nightclub three years ago in a crime that shocked the nation.

NEWS: Stellenbosch University confirmed that former Springbok assistant coach Matt Proudfoot will join the Maties for next season's Varsity Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a 29-man touring squad for his team's upcoming fixtures in the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup.

SQAUD ANNOUNCEMENT: A 28-man  Stormers touring squad leaves Cape Town on Monday for a two-match trip which will see them take on Glasgow Warriors and London Irish.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has confirmed the 28-man travelling squad for Wales.

NEWS: Argentina will host South Africa in Buenos Aries in preparation for their World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: An absorbing and pulsating double round of festive season United Rugby Championship matches ended on New Year's Day with two Irish derbies that both made big statements.

SPOTLIGHT: An absorbing and pulsating double round of festive season United Rugby Championship matches ended on New Year's Day with two Irish derbies that both made big statements.

WATCH as Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell unpacks his team's five-try demolition of the Bulls and the European challenges that await.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White speak about the 'hurt' of the 20-47 loss to the Sharks and how his team will come back from it.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson unpacks the challenges his team will face in juggling their resources in the URC and European Cup.

MATCH REPORT: United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster begin 2023 with a comprehensive seven-try 41-12 victory over Irish rivals Connacht.

MATCH REPORT: Toulouse celebrated their first win at Clermont since 2002 on Sunday with a 32-13 victory that consolidated their seven-point lead at the top of the French Top 14.

MATCH REPORT: Munster snatched a 15-14 victory over Ulster in the United Rugby Championship as Ben Healy's injury-time try and conversion stunned the home side.

MATCH REPORT: Scarlets produced a brilliant second-half performance as they recovered from Sione Kalamafoni's red to beat Dragons 33-17.

MATCH REPORT: Owen Williams kicked a late penalty to earn the Ospreys a 22-19 victory over Cardiff at the Arms Park in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

SATURDAY WRAP: Saracens bounced back from their shock defeat to London Irish by crushing arch-rivals Exeter 35-3 in a Round 14 outing.

TOP 14 WRAP: Stade Francais ran in six tries to defeat Pau 37-3 on Saturday, racking up a third consecutive Top 14 victory to stay on the trail of leaders Toulouse.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers went an entire calendar year without losing a home match.

UPDATE: A video with the audio of what Harlequins’ England prop Joe Marler said Jake Heenan has been published online.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks, lead brilliantly by Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi, made a massive statement of intent when they demolished the Bulls at Kings Park, in Durban, on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Federico Ruzza scored a hat-trick of tries to help Benetton to a comfortable 40-17 victory over Zebre in Parma on Saturday.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White responds to Stormers claims that his decision to cite Willie Engelbrecht was 'sour grapes'.

England prop Joe Marler has been handed a six-week ban following comments made towards flank Jake Heenan during the Premiership match between Harlequins and Bristol Bears.

PREVIEW: Being able to adapt to the conditions is going to be at a premium as the second round of the year-end South African derbies takes place on Old Year's Eve.

NEWS: The World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 have released its schedule for the men’s and women’s events taking place at Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round 11 United Rugby Championship encounter between the Stormers and Lions in Cape Town.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round 11 United Rugby Championship encounter between the Sharks and Bulls at Kings Park in Durban.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors produced a dominant second-half performance at BT Murrayfield to claim a 32-25 BKT United Rugby Championship victory over Edinburgh and secure the 1872 Cup.

MATCH REPORT: Impressive Sale beat Leicester 40-5 to record a bonus point and notch a sixth home win out of seven in the Premiership.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Stormers coach John Dobson has reacted with 'disappointment' to confirmation of a failed attempt by the Bulls to cite loose forward Willie Engelbrecht.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jake White, Director of Rugby at the Bulls, has made three changes to the starting line-up which includes a new halfback pairing for the United Rugby Championship encounter with the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: John Dobson, coach of the Stormers, made only one change to the Stormers starting line-up for the United Rugby Championship clash with the Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will have a new captain to lead them onto the field for their United Rugby Championship clash with the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks see out the 2022 year with a New Year's Eve derby against the Bulls at Kings Park in what should be a tense and exciting United rugby Championship clash.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Veteran Bulls centre Lionel Mapoe foresees that the match-up in midfield will probably be much more physical than last weekend when they face the Sharks in Durban in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

NEWS: The match officials’ appointments for the United Rugby Championship Round 10 festive fixtures have been confirmed.

NEWS: As Clermont struggles to keep big-name players, they are also preparing to host Toulouse at the Stade Marcel Michelin this weekend.

REACTION: Harlequins prop Joe Marler has publicly apologised to Bristol flank Jake Heenan for the comments that triggered a fracas during the two sides’ Premiership game at the Stoop.

Twelve unbeaten games in all competitions and a squad that can be interchanged to suit their goals - that’s what Leinster coach Leo Cullen has at his disposal.

NEWS: Handre Pollard, one of the most highly-rated Premiership signings of the 2022-23 season will make his starting debut for Leicester on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: World Cup-winning coach Steve Hansen has issued a very concerning warning to the New Zealand Rugby Union.

WATCH at Dawie Snyman, the Stormers' backline and attack coach, speaks about the threats the Lions will bring to the game on Saturday.

WATCH as Michael Yormark, President of Roc Nation Sports, reveals how he is going to improve the contract at talented Lions flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse.

OPINION: The year 2023 is going to be massive for the game. Leezil Hendricks shines the spotlight on some of the biggest stars!

NEWS: The United Rugby Championship recorded the highest attendance figure in the history of the competition over the Christmas season as 117,000 fans flocked to see the rugby.

ROUND 11 PREVIEW: Edinburgh has been boosted by the return of a Scotland quartet ahead of the 1872 Cup decider against Glasgow Warrior at Murrayfield on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Exeter supremo Rob Baxter has forecast there will be further surprise results in England's Premiership while relegation no longer remains an option.

NEWS: Wales coach Warren Gatland has confirmed that assistants Jonathan Humphreys and Neil Jenkins will stay on as part of his coaching team as he finalises his staff ahead of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

NEWS: Another Scotland international is set to play for Bath next season after agreeing a contract extension with the English Premiership club.

NEWS: New England coach Steve Borthwick’s maiden tour will be to New Zealand in 2024 for a test series against the All Blacks.

The Bulls assistant coach Chris Rossouw expects the Sharks to roll out the heavy artillery when the rivals face off in a highly anticipated United Rugby Championship match on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Lions defence coach Jaque Fourie said his team needs to 'muscle up' to avoid being bullied by the Stormers.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson explains the reasoning behind his decision to also coach the franchise's Currie Cup team in 2023.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson explains why a win against the erratic Lions is "non-negotiable".

MATCH REPORT: The Ospreys recorded a bonus-point United Rugby Championship victory over 14-man Scarlets after Argentina flank Tomas Lezana was red-carded in the fourth minute of the West Wales derby in Swansea.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White reveals his plans for dealing with the defensive issues that emerged in some of his team's losses this season.

A lot has been written about the game with the oval ball. It stirs all the emotions, from extreme happiness to extreme anger and everything in between. Grown men cry when their team wins, and also when they lose.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff maintained their impressive winning run over Dragons with a hard-fought 29-24 United Rugby Championship[ win in a thrilling derby at Rodney Parade.

MATCH REPORT: AJ MacGinty's try-saving tap tackle prevented a late Harlequins comeback as Bristol Bears clung on for a 15-12 victory at a sodden Twickenham Stoop.

REACTION: The Stormers have once again shown why they deserve all the respect as South Africa's best team in the United Rugby Championship competition. 

OPINION: After Round 10 of the United Rugby Championship matches, it is safe to say that this competition is set to be dominated by South Africa for years to come.

SOUTH AFRICANS IN JAPAN: Israel Folau scored a hat-trick as he continued to dominate for the Johan Ackermann-coached Urayasu-based D-Rocks team in the Second Division of the Japan League One season.

SPOTLIGHT: A few weeks ago there was talk of the top four on the United Rugby Championship log drawing away from the rest, but that top four could itself be splintered before we get properly into 2023.

REACTION: The Sharks were expected to steamroll the Lions and for a vast majority of the United Rugby Championship Round 10 match they did just that.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster scored two tries during Max Deegan's sin-binning to edge out Munster 20-19 and win the first Christmas inter-provincial derby at Thomond Park in three years.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White unpacks his team's 27-37 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town at the weekend and what the future holds for his team.

OPINION: The big question, as we approach the end of another year, is: 'How do you measure success?' @king365ed unpacks the Springbok class of 2022!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks coaching great Steve Hansen believes Eddie Jones's big focus on next year's Rugby World Cup probably cost him his England job.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Leicester Tigers hand Richard Wigglesworth a first win as interim head coach, while Exeter Chiefs edged Bath Rugby in a hotly contested west country derby.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: London Irish survived a spell with just 12 men to hand Saracens their first Premiership defeat, while Newcastle Falcons completed a thrilling second-half fightback to beat second-placed Sale Sharks.

TRANSFER NEWS: Playmaker Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell have become the latest All Blacks stars to head to Japan.

WATCH as three World Cup-winning Springboks - Francois de Klerk, Malcolm Marx and Jessie Kriel - get together for an impromptu post-match chat.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton scored six tries as they eased to a 38-5 bonus-point win over Italian rivals Zebre at the Stadio Monigo.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions suffered a number of serious injuries in their humbling 10-37 loss to the Sharks in a United Rugby Championship Round 10 match at the weekend.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster recorded a narrow 22-20 win over Connacth at The Sportsground in Galway in the United Rugby Championship on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors battled to a 16-10 home victory over Edinburgh in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT:The Stormers moved above the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship table after a thrilling 37-27 home victory.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks built on their impressive Champions Cup form to beat the Lions 37-10 in Durban.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks received some good news with Munster reporting that Rudolph 'RG' Snyman is poised to make his long-awaited return in the new year.

WATCH as rival coaches John Dobson and Jake White speak about the biggest rivalry in South Africa - the Stormers versus the Bulls - and what it means for the game.

NEWS: World Rugby announced that a time limit for kicks at goal will be introduced at the start of next year in an attempt to speed up the game.

INTERVIEW: Sacked England coach Eddie Jones said on Friday the last three years had taken a toll and it would be "difficult" to bounce back and coach another team at next year's World Cup.

REACTION: The Italian Rugby Federation said that Benetton has suspended an unnamed player after black prop Cherif Traore received a rotten banana as a Christmas gift in a race row which has also prompted a formal investigation.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round 10 United Rugby Championship Round 10 encounter between the Stormers and Bulls in Cape Town.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round 10 United Rugby Championship Round 10 encounter between the Sharks and Lions at Kings Park in Durban.

SPOTLIGHT: The recent FIFA World Cup host Qatar is reportedly eager to stage big rugby showpieces.

NEWS: Springbok legend Piet Visagie, called an "amazing" flyhalf by South Africa Rugby Union President Mark Alexander, has died at the age of 79, the national body announced on Friday.

PREVIEW: The BIG derby is in Cape Town, but Durban is where the weekend's 'festivities' will get underway.

NEWS: Leinster hooker James Tracy has announced he has been forced to retire from the game on medical grounds.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives his very unique take on the use of stats!

NEWS: The Stade Toulousain fullback Thomas Ramos has been suspended for five weeks.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson gives an alarming injury update, including the shocking news about a Springbok's race against time to be fit for the World Cup.

OPINION: Tom Vinicombe explains how the Champions Cup has seemingly inherited the problems that plagued Super Rugby in its latter years.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Phepsi Buthelezi will lead the Sharks side against the Lions in the United Rugby Champions at Kings Park in Durban on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ruan Nortje returns to lead the Bulls as Director of Rugby, Jake White made some wholesome changes for their United Rugby Championship clash with the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday.

NEWS: Benetton have been ordered to take action against anyone involved in the racial abuse of Cherif Traore by the United Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Former New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen is relishing the prospect of another meeting with former England boss Eddie Jones next summer.

NEWS: Black Italy prop Cherif Traore said he would no longer stay silent about the racism he has suffered after a club team-mate gave him a rotten banana as a Christmas present.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers coach John Dobson made three changes for the much anticipated derby with the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship in Cape Town on Saturday.

JAPAN LEAGUE PREVIEW: Japan Rugby’s second round of the League One kicks off this weekend and will see a host of Springboks in action.

INTERVIEW: Eddie Jones said he had no complaints about the way he was sacked as England coach, just nine months before the start of the World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé says the loss in last season's United Rugby Championship Final hurt a lot, but it is in the past.

PREVIEW: It will be a South African affair when Edinburgh and Glasgow meet on Friday in their United Rugby Championship derby to commemorate 150 years of intense clashes between the two clubs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Lions' new signing Johannes Pretorius could announce himself with a powerful URC statement if he takes to the field this Friday against the Sharks.

NEWS: Wayne Barnes helped launch the first representative body for senior officials, after the English referee and his family were subjected to threats on social media.

NEWS: Max Brito, who was left a tetraplegic during his country Ivory Coast's 1995 Rugby World Cup pool match with Tonga, has died aged 54, his family announced on Tuesday

BREAKING NEWS: Champions Cup organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) said on Tuesday it has started an investigation after last weekend's game between Ulster and La Rochelle was moved to Lansdowne Road.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks flank Phepsi Buthelezi says the Sharks want to improve their standing in the United Rugby Championship and it all starts against the Lions in Durban on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wandisile Simelane has been a revelation at fullback in recent matches for the Bulls, but the exciting back says he still prefers outside centre.

When the United Rugby Championship resumes over the festive period, plenty is at stake for the teams battling for supremacy in the respective national conferences, which will mean an easier passage through the knock-outs.

NEWS: The match officials' appointments for the United Rugby Championship Round 10 festive fixtures have been confirmed.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Friday's much-anticipated north-south derby between the Stormers and Bulls has been taken to a whole new level.

INTERVIEW: Jasper Wiese epitomises the impact new England coach Steve Borthwick can have on individual players, helping the No.8 into one of the most effective forwards in Europe.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions travel to Durban on Friday to face the Sharks for Round 10 of the United Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: The North-South derby is, without doubt, the biggest rivalry in South Africa.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions have confirmed that Henco van Wyk will miss this Friday's United Rugby Championship match against the Sharks. 

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath confirmed the signing of Finn Russell, an exciting addition to Johann van Graan’s squad.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Steve Borthwick vowed to get Twickenham "roaring" after being appointed head coach of the England rugby team on Monday with just nine months to revive their flagging fortunes until the 2023 World Cup.

NEWS: French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Bernard Laporte, facing a suspended two-year jail sentence for corruption, will offer to step down when he meets the Sports Minister this week, at least until his appeal is heard, the FFR announced Monday.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is apparently willing to break one of its own rules in order to grant star utility back Beauden Barrett an exemption to continue his international career with the All Blacks while playing for an overseas club.

REACTION: Sharks coach Neil Powell said the victory over Bordeaux Bègles in the Champions Cup on Friday will probably only be understood in years to come.

Steve Borthwick has been appointed as the new head coach of England on a five-year contract, the Rugby Football Union announced Monday.

REACTION: Two Rounds down and the Lions are still unbeaten in the European Challenge Cup.

NEWS: The United Rugby Championship resumes this week with some teams making their re-entry in a quite different space to where they were when the competition went into the break for the European competitions a couple of weeks back.

NEWS: The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is well aware that Eddie Jones might just pop up at the World Cup in France next year to bite them.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson delivered a bleak injury assessment in the wake of his team's first European Champions Cup win in Cape Town.

NEWS: France's women’s coach, Thomas Darracq, has stepped down as coach of the national team in what the French Rugby Federation (FFR) calls "for family reasons".

NEWS: Kurtley Beale is set to start at fullback next season as the Waratahs plan their next step towards Super Rugby title contention.

NEWS: Bath looks set to land the services of Springbok prop Thomas du Toit when his contract with the Sharks ends.

REACTION:  The only way South African teams will be a major threat in the Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship, is when the country's top talent return to the local franchises.

MATCH REPORT: Bristol Bears eased to a bonus-point win in the Challenge Cup as they defeated Zebre Parma 35-19 at Ashton Gate on Sunday.

NEWS: Former England lock Steve Borthwick is set to be named as the country's new head coach on Monday, according to British media reports.

MATCH REPORT: Gavin Coombes enjoyed a first half to remember as the Munster No.8 twice crossed the whitewash in a 17-6 win over Northampton Saints at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in Champions Cup Pool B on Sunday.

JAPAN LEAGUE WRAP: Three Springboks stars kicked off their Japan League One careers in fine fashion.

Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie revealed his team is not in the Challenge Cup to be spectators, their aim is to go through to the final 16.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers recorded their first European Champions Cup win, beating London Irish 34-14 at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Leicester Tigers made it back-to-back wins at the start of this season’s Champions Cup as they overcame ASM Clermont Auvergne 23-16 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday.

WATCH as Sharks wing Werner Kok executed one of the most bizarre cleanouts during his team's Champions Cup match against Bordeaux-Begles.

MATCH REPORT: Harlequins recorded their first win in this season’s Champions Cup as they did enough to see off 14-man Racing at a rain-soaked Twickenham Stoop on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster suffered their second successive Champions Cup Pool B loss on Saturday when they were edged out 29-36 by defending champions Stade Rochelais in a seven-try thriller at the Aviva Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: Stade Toulousain made a huge Champions Cup statement, beating Sale Sharks 45-19  in Round two on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff Rugby ran rampant for the second week running in the EPCR Challenge Cup, following their 41-0 home drubbing of CA Brive last weekend with a 47-10 romp at Newcastle Falcons in Pool A on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Dragons RFC were beaten 27-21 by Section Paloise in a thrilling EPCR Challenge Cup contest at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton Rugby recorded their first win in this season’s EPCR Challenge Cup as they thrashed Aviron Bayonnais 45-7 at Stade Jean Dauger on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Saracens defeated Lyon 28-20 in a hard-hitting game in Round 2 of the Champions Cup at Matmut Stadium de Gerland on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Scarlets made it two out of two in the EPCR Challenge Cup with an impressive 45-26 win over Toyota Cheetahs in Parma on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks claimed another French scalp for South Africa when they edged Bordeaux-Bègles 19-16 at a freezing Stade Chaban-Delmas on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Ospreys recorded their first win in Europe in two years as they battled to a 21-10 win against Top 14 champions Montpellier in the Champions Cup.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Connacht defeated Brive 31-24 at the French side’s Stade Amédée-Domenech in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Two Champions Cup encounter between the Stormers and London Irish in Cape Town.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Two Challenge Cup encounter between the Cheetahs and Scarlets at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, in Parma.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Bulls have been given a harsh reality check by Premiership club Exeter Chiefs on Saturday. 

MATCH REPORT: Edinburgh claimed an important 31-20 win over Castres Olympique in the Champions Cup on Saturday.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Bath Rugby were comfortably beaten in Round two of the Challenge Cup as RC Toulon claimed a 29-7 win at Stade Félix Mayol on Saturday.

NEWS: Worcester's hopes of returning to rugby union next season have suffered a blow after a takeover bid was rejected on Friday, while fellow crisis club Wasps were given the green light to feature in the English Championship.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY PREVIEWS: The pride of South Africa goes up against two Premiership teams in another round of firsts for Europe's premier competition.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: The Cheetahs will continue their Challange Cup adventure with another huge task in Parma.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Two Champions Cup encounter between Exeter Chiefs and the Bulls at Sandy Park.

SPOTLIGHT: The prospective new owners of cash-strapped English club Worcester have accused the Rugby Football Union of "seeking to impose onerous operational conditions" on their bid.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions produced an impressive bonus-point win in Johannesburg on Friday, seeing off the famed Stade team 30-12.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales star George North could still be involved in their opening match of the Six Nations despite undergoing surgery for a cheekbone injury, according to club boss Toby Booth.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Glasgow Warriors secured back-to-back wins in the EPCR Challenge Cup as they held on for a 26-18 victory over Perpignan at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster made it two bonus-point wins from two in the Heineken Champions Cup as they ran in nine tries to beat Gloucester 57-0 at RDS Arena on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Two Champions Cup encounter between Bordeaux-Bègles and the Sharks at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Two Challenge Cup encounter between the Lions and Stade Francais at Ellis Park in Johannesburg

SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks captain Justin Marshall has pulled no punches in his criticism of the New Zealand side’s 2022 international season.

UPDATE: Former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen's virtuous crusade to turn the Newlands Stadium into a Heritage Site has received some serious pushback from the very communities he hoped would support him.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok forwards Frans Malherbe and Marvin Orie have been included in the Stormers team to face London Irish in a Champions Cup encounter at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have made minimal changes to the side that will take on Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday.

BREAKING NEWS: South Africa’s most-capped Springbok Sevens player, Branco du Preez, has retired from international sevens rugby and will leave the Blitzboks with a bouquet of career records, gold medals and highlights.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Section Paloise coach Sébastien Piqueronies has been handed a 10-week ban.

NEWS: The French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the French league (LNR) is in search of a new president after Bernard Laporte was found guilty of corruption.

PREVIEW: Japan Rugby League One kicks off in Tokyo on Saturday with several of the heavy hitters squaring off to start the new season.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell is banking on the experience of his international stars to avoid his side being 'French-fried' on Friday.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Lions will be looking for their first win of the European Challenge Cup as they welcome Stade Français Paris on Friday.

INTERVIEW: The Springbok-laden Sharks team arrived in Bordeaux this week with a feared reputation - mainly for the quality of the individuals in the line-up.

REACTION: They may be the United Rugby Championship title holders, but the Stormers needed to do some serious introspection after their debut weekend in the European Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie confirmed that Springbok Frans Steyn will return to South Africa and miss the Challenge Cup Round Two match against Scarlets.

NEWS: The Japanese Rugby League One will feature a host of Wallabies, 14 in total, while former Aussie coach Robbie Deans’ Wild Knights prepare to defend their title.

TRANSFER NEWS: One of the stars of the Springbok Women and Springbok Women’s Sevens will join Nagato Blue Angels in Japan on a six month contract in January 2023.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks team to meet Bordeaux-Bègles for Friday's Champions Cup clash at Stade Chaban-Delmas shows minimal changes.

NEWS: The Stormers are under pressure as they chase a full house when they host London Irish in this weekend’s second round of the Champions Cup in Cape Town on Saturday evening.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The English referee Wayne Barnes revealed he was close to giving up the whistle after officiating France’s Test against South Africa.

EXCLUSIVE: Zelt Marais, the suspended President of WPRFU, is calling on South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to 'assist' him in his battle with SARU.

NEWS: Springbok youngster Kurt-Lee Arendse has been nominated for the South Africa Player of the year in his first season in the Green and Gold jersey. 

NEWS: European Professional Club Rugby confirmed that the Challenge Cup, Round two fixture between Glasgow Warriors and Perpignan will be moved from Glasgow to Edinburgh.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens confirmed that England pair Jamie George and Elliot Daly have signed new contracts with the Premiership club.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: London Irish hooker Agustin Creevy has been suspended for four weeks following the Champions Cup Round One match against Montpellier Hérault Rugby at the Gtech Community Stadium.

DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Sharks prop Retshegofaditswe Nche has been suspended for three weeks, following his red card in the Champions Cup Round One win over Harlequins in Durban.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White dropped a bombshell on Tuesday by stating that the odds are 'stacked' against a South African team winning the European Cup.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby is reeling after the owner of Altrad, the sponsor of their All Blacks shirts, was given a suspended sentence in France on Tuesday.

NEWS: The Chiefs have imported a 34-year-old Ireland prop, John Ryan, to join their ranks for the 2023 Super Rugby campaign to cover for one of their injured.

NEWS: Ulster coach Dan McFarland admitted confidence in the side after the 39-0 mauling at the hands of Sale Sharks this past weekend that was spearheaded by Springbok Robert du Preez.

BREAKING NEWS: Disgraced French boss Bernard Laporte has walked away from his position as vice-president of World Rugby.

OPINION: Ben Smith runs the rule over the All Blacks' 2022 performances and names his WINNERS and LOSERS!

Two Lions players, Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Travis Gordon, are part of six nominees for the United Rugby Championship Unity Awards together with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. 

REACTION: World Rugby Executive Committee is to hold a meeting, following confirmation that a court in France sentenced French President Bernard Laporte to a two-year suspended prison sentence.

Sacked England coach Eddie Jones is set to make another visit to Twickenham, this time in May as the coach of the Barbarians when they face a World XV.

NEWS: Jake White, director of Rugby at Loftus Versfeld, has awarded the men who beat Lyon last week by sending them to England to face the Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup this Saturday.

The services of another coach of one of South Africa’s national women's teams have been abruptly ended.

SPOTLIGHT: England star Anthony Watson has paid tribute to departing national team coach Eddie Jones, describing him as "a world-class coach - and a world-class human".

DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS - ROUND ONE: Section Paloise coach Sébastien Piqueronies is facing a long, possibly a life ban.

The Black Ferns have shown girls that they can do anything after clinching the World Cup in dramatic fashion last month, says New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions backline coach Ricardo Loubscher will be imparting some valuable knowledge to his players ahead of their Challenge Cup clash against Stade Francais in Johannesburg on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: A French court is set to deliver its verdict in the trial of Bernard Laporte on Tuesday.

With one exception, it was all new for the South African teams making their debuts in the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup this past weekend, but it may have been the games featuring the overseas teams that told us more about what to expect.

SPOTLIGHT: Following the past weekend's Challenge Cup Round One matches, we look at the key data and top performers.

WATCH as the Bulls' Director of Rugby Jake White reveals to @king365ed his selection policy moving forward in Europe.

SPOTLIGHT: Following the past weekend's Champions Cup Round One matches, we take a look at key data and the top performers.

REACTION: England captain Owen Farrell feels the decision to sack Eddie Jones as head coach was "unbelievably disappointing".

Border rugby was finally, after four years, restored to full membership of the South African Rugby Union following an extended period of administrative control by the mother body.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced an independent panel of four experienced directors to undertake a review of its governance structures.

REACTION: The Cheetahs have paid a dear price for their impressive come-from-behind 21-16 win over Section Paloise in a Challenge Cup Round One outing in Pau at the weekend.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson unpacks his team's 14-24 loss to Clermont at Stade Marcel-Michelin in their European Cup debut at the weekend.

MATCH REPORT: Sale Sharks began their Champions Cup campaign with a dominant 39-0 win over Ulster at Salford City Stadium on Sunday.

REACTION: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell had plenty of praise for Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse after Saturday's Round One Champions Cup encounter against Harlequins in Durban.

FINALS WRAP: After three days of Sevens action at the Cape Town leg of the World Series, Samoa ended the event - and 2022 - in style.

MATCH REPORT: Leicester Tigers' Champions Cup campaign began with a battling 23-17 win against Ospreys in Swansea on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Saracens marked their return to the Champions Cup with a bonus-point win as they defeated Edinburgh 30-26 in a thrilling encounter in London on Sunday.

NEWS: Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan and Eddie Jones had phone discussions this weekend, a report said Sunday, with the governing body keen to entice the sacked England coach home.

REPORT: Stade Toulousain showcased their European quality with a combative 18-13 victory over Munster in their Round One Champions Cup encounter at Thomond Park on Sunday.

REACTION: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell believes the referee's decision to give Ox Nche a red card against Harlequins was harsh.

MATCH REPORT: Scarlets kicked off their Challenge Cup campaign in style as they thrashed Aviron Bayonnais 39-7 at Parc y Scarlets on Sunday.

REACTION: Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson said his team made life too easy for the Sharks in their Round One Champions Cup encounter in Durban on Saturday.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Toulon battled to a 24-21 win against a stubborn Zebre Parma side in their opening EPCR Challenge Cup game at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs kicked off their Champions Cup campaign with a commendable 24-12 win over Castres Olympique at Stade Pierre Fabre on Saturday.

REACTION: Lions head Ivan van Rooyen is expecting to lose one of his key players for a lengthy period.