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

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: The Stormers were taught a lesson in the realities of the European competition when Clermont beat them 24-14 in the Champions Cup Round One outing on Saturday.

DAY TWO WRAP: Hosts South Africa stayed on course to end their Cape Town drought as they reached the semifinals of Round Three of the World Sevens Series.

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.

MATCH REPORT: Stade Rochelais began the defence of their Champions Cup crown with an emphatic 46-12 victory over Northampton Saints at the Stade Marcel Deflandre on Saturday.

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

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: The Lions and the Dragons played out a thrilling 31-31 draw in a Challenge Cup opener in Johannesburg on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls were made to hang on desperately in the second half, as a willing Lyon threatened to spoil their Champions Cup debut party.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Leinster made a statement in their opening Champions Cup game of the season on Saturday as they claimed a 42-10 victory at Racing 92.

MATCH REPORT: Gloucester produced an extraordinary comeback to win 22-17 and stun a Bordeaux-Bègles side that had controlled the game for the first hour of Saturday's Champions Cup contest.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Sharks started their Champions Cup campaign with a thrilling 39-31 win over Harlequins in Durban on Saturday.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Glasgow Warriors survived a late scare to win away in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday, twice finding themselves pegged back by a determined Bath side before ultimately claiming a deserved 22-19 victory.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: The Cheetahs made a huge statement when they started their Challenge Cup campaign with a 21-16 win over Section Paloise in France.

NEWS: South Africa's Gary Gold has resigned as United States national rugby team coach after the Eagles failed to qualify for next year's World Cup in France.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Montpellier produced a fightback to defeat 14-man London Irish 32-27 on the opening day of the European Champions Cup on Friday.

CHALLENGE CUP FRIDAY WRAP: The 2017 EPCR Challenge Cup winners Stade Français Paris relied on a stunning second-half showing to overcome a resilient Benetton 24-14 at the Stade Jean-Bouin on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round One European Cup encounter between the Bulls and Lyon at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round One European Cup encounter between Clermont Auvergne and the Stormers at Stade Marcel-Michelin.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has confirmed that Siyamthanda Kolisi will be his team's captain for the duration of their Champions Cup campaign.

WATCH as star centre Jesse Kriel opens up about the Springboks' to-do list ahead of the World Cup.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round One Challenge Cup encounter between Section Paloise and the Cheetahs at Stade du Hameau, in Pau.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round One European Cup encounter between the Sharks and Harlequins at Kings Park in Durban.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round One Challenge Cup encounter between the Lions and Dragons at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: Sporting history will be made this weekend when South Africa's franchises enter European Rugby's Champions Cup for the first time.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Leicester Tigers prop Francois van Wyk has been handed a three-week ahead of the opening round of the European Champions Cup season.

WATCH as @king365ed chats to Cheetah coach Hawies Fourie and Lions counterpart Ivan van Rooyen about their Euro debuts!

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Steven Kitshoff will captain the Stormers in their historic Champions Cup debut match against ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday.

DAY ONE WRAP: Hosts South Africa kept alive their dream of a first win on home soil since 2015, the first year in which the event was held in Cape Town, when they came from behind in a 17-7 win over Canada.

SPOTLIGHT: Toulouse scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, the 2021 World Player of the Year, has hit out at the inclusion of South African teams in the new-look Champions Cup on Thursday, saying it was "no longer the European Cup".

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed a new-look team for their Champions Cup opener against Lyon in Pretoria on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Exeter boss Rob Baxter said it would be "fantastic" if Steve Borthwick's success in the Premiership paved the way for his appointment as England rugby head coach.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Captain Siyamthanda Kolisi returns to lead the Sharks in Saturday’s opening round Champions Cup clash with Harlequins at Kings Park.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has shown his respect for Eddie Jones, who was given the boot by the Rugby Football Union this week.

Out-of-favour Queensland backrow Harry Wilson will cling onto hope of winning a World Cup recall, despite another frustrating season in the Wallabies wilderness.

NEWS: Scotland wing Darcy Graham has been ruled out until February because of a knee injury that now threatens his involvement in the early rounds of this season's Six Nations Championship.

NEWS: Three female match officials have been promoted to join Aimee Barrett-Theron on the national refereeing panel in a ground-breaking move, announced by SA Rugby on Friday.

STAT ATTACK: Stormers centre Ruhan Nel produced some impressive stats in his first United Rugby Championship out of the season last weekend.

The Stormers are in for a very hostile reception in their debut Champions Cup fixture against Clermont on Saturday. 

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The 2022/23 Champions Cup season kicks off at the Brentford Community Stadium with London Irish taking on Montpellier.

SPOTLIGHT: Northampton Saints wing Courtnall Skosan believes the English Premiership side have the ability to go “all the way” in this season’s Champions Cup.

REACTION: Exeter boss Rob Baxter said he was "surprised" by the timing of Eddie Jones' exit as head coach of England.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Sevens coach Sandile Ngcobo has included Darren Adonis in the Blitzboks’ playmaking role for this weekend’s Cape Town Sevens at Cape Town Stadium.

WATCH as Blue Bulls Company CEO Edgar Rathbone unpacks the timeline and events leading up to and how they found missing Springbok Sibusiso Nkosi.

NEWS: Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter will not be throwing his hat into the ring for the England head coach job after signing a new contract extension at the Premiership club.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby on Wednesday named former governor general Patsy Reddy as chair, the first woman to hold the position in the 130-year history of the governing body.

PARTY TIME: Outside of Hong Kong, the Cape Town leg of the World Sevens Series is the biggest 'party' on the circuit.

SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks are well aware of the threat Andre Esterhuizen will pose when they come up against the Harlequins.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives his players a crash course in the challenges they will face in the European Cup.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie and captain Victor Sekekete talk about their Challenge Cup debut this week.

REACTION: Wallaby great Matt Giteau insisted England had made a "big mistake" in sacking head coach Eddie Jones nine months out from a Rugby World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones was sacked as England coach on Tuesday, some seven years after the Australian was appointed to the role.

REACTION: The South African players' union, MyPlayers, has thrown its collective weight behind the steps to support embattled Springbok Sibusiso Nkosi in his battle with his mental health issues.

SPOTLIGHT: Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell said Tuesday he is on the "same page" as head coach Gregor Townsend after originally being omitted from their squad for the recent year-end Tests.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen unpacks his team's debut in Europe - where they will face a team they have already beaten this year and a legendary French club.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed that Eddie Jones has been dismissed as the England head coach. 

NEWS: Irish rugby great Ronan O'Gara has extended his contract as head coach with European champions La Rochelle until 2027, the French Top 14 club confirmed.

SPOTLIGHT: This weekend marks another historic time for South African rugby.

Springboks star Handre Pollard has hinted it will take South African teams a couple of very challenging seasons to adjust to the European Champions Cup.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A 26-man Stormers squad leaves for France on Monday ahead of their Champions Cup debut against ASM Clermont Auvergne on Saturday.

With the Cape Town Sevens approaching as fast as the athletes, here is a look at all the highlights of the action-packed event.

BREAKING NEWS: Wasps and Worcester's efforts to overturn relegation from the English Premiership have been rejected by the Rugby Football Union.

Former France flank Alexandre Lapandry announced on Monday his retirement, blaming his club Clermont for failing to take a concussion he suffered in 2020 seriously.

NEWS: The Blue Bulls Company confirmed that contracted player Sibusiso Nkosi has been located, safe and sound - ending several days of speculation about his whereabouts.

REACTION: Warren Gatland said the prospect of being involved in a World Cup again was a key factor in the decision to put his legacy on the line by returning for a second stint as Wales coach.

The Bulls are going to give World Cup-winning Springbok Sibusiso Nkosi the 'space and time' to seek the help he needs.

NEWS:  Warren Gatland has been reinstated as head coach of Wales. 

TRANSFER NEWS: England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has signed a three-year contract with Montpellier starting next season, the French Top 14 champions announced on Monday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sweet revenge will be at the forefront for the Dragons, when they face the Lions in the opening round of the European Challenge Cup.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White speaks about the value of his team's world-class backs.

England head coach Eddie Jones could find out within the next 48 hours if he still has a job following a Rugby Football Union (RFU) review into the team's woeful year-end campaign.

REACTION: Players at Wales' four regions are being "detrimentally impacted" by the financial uncertainty surrounding their futures, the Welsh Rugby Players Association said on Sunday.

REACTION: Stormers need to eliminate their soft underbelly after their win over Dragons on Saturday. 

REACTION: It was not pretty, but the Sharks' win on Friday was much-needed a relieved Director of Rugby Neil Powell admitted.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions continued their climb up the United Rugby Championship rankings with a 32-15 bonus-point win over the Scarlets at Ellis Park, in Johannesburg, on Sunday.

WATCH as Stormers star Manie Libbok shows why he could be South Africa's best flyhalf at the moment.

NEWS: South African Sevens coach Sandile Ngcobo has added three players to his squad that assembled in Cape Town on Monday, as they prepare for their home leg in the World Series.

REACTION: The Blue Bulls Company has dismissed as 'untrue' reports in relation to Springbok Sibusio Nkosi’s whereabouts.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff's run of victories came to an abrupt end at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, in Pretoria, on Saturday.

SATURDAY WRAP: A scintillating performance by Argentina international Santiago Carreras inspired Gloucester to a 34-19 victory over Northampton at Kingsholm.

SATURDAY WRAP: South Africa won their fourth-successive title at the Dubai leg of the Sevens World Series.

WEEKEND WRAP: New Zealand wing George Bridge scored on his Montpellier debut as his new side lost 14-19 at Clermont in the French Top 14.

MATCH REPORT: Replacement Caolin Blade claimed a 66th-minute bonus point as Connacht overcame Benetton 38-19 at the Sportsground on Saturday.

Glasgow Warriors survived an early period of Zebre Parma pressure to emerge with a 45-17 bonus-point victory from their match in Italy.

STATEMENT: The Blue Bulls Company on Saturday confirmed that Springbok and Bulls contracted player Sibusiso Nkosi has been absent without leave for the past three weeks.

WATCH as we bring you all the United Rugby Championship Round Nine highlights!

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Nine encounter between the Lions and Scarlets at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster produced a stunning response to Cian Healy's first-half sending-off as captain Garry Ringrose's classy second-half brace inspired a 38-29 bonus-point win over Ulster at the RDS.

NEWS: Harlequins' victory celebrations after an impressive 19-13 Premiership win over Bath on Friday were dampened by an injury update on England flyhalf Marcus Smith.

The Stormers continue their winning run, beating Dragons 34-26 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium. 

MATCH REPORT: Munster produced a storming fightback to claim a bonus-point 38-17 victory away to Edinburgh in their United Rugby Championship Round Nine encounter on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones will learn if he is to continue as England head coach next week with the Rugby Football Union's review into a dismal November set to conclude on Tuesday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Nine encounter between the Bulls and Cardiff at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

NEWS: Ireland rugby great Ronan O'Gara ruled himself out of the running to replace under-pressure England coach Eddie Jones.

URC REPORT: The Sharks have finally got back to winning ways with a scrappy 25-10 win over the Ospreys in Round Nine of the United Rugby Championship in Durban on Friday.

Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi has not reported for duty at Loftus Versfeld for about three weeks.

TEAM UPDATE: The Lions were forced to make a late change to their starting XV for their United Rugby Championship clash against Scarlets after centre Henco van Wyk received a three-game suspension for foul play.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Nine encounter between the Stormers and Dragons at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: The Stormers are hoping to turn Nelson Mandela Bay stadium into a 'home' away from home.

SPOTLIGHT: Kurt-Lee Arendse enjoys nothing more than proving all those people who told him he was too small to play rugby wrong.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Jaco Kriel makes a return to the Lions' starting XV for Sunday’s United Rugby Championship match against the Scarlets at Ellis Park.

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

DAY ONE WRAP: With qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games resting on this season's standings, the Sevens World Series has taken on an extra edge.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Ospreys expect a fierce backlash from a Sharks team in dire need of some uplifting news.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, in his own words, explains why he took to social media and what his strategy for Twitter is.

The Bulls have been given a huge Springboks boost for their United Rugby Championship Round nine fixture against Cardiff

NEWS: A public vote has revealed the best player of the end-of-year internationals and it is someone from the north

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Sevens squad will start the Dubai Sevens on Friday with a healthy dose of reality, but also the expectation that the hard work done on the training field will bring some change.

England rugby coach Eddie Jones has labelled Clive Woodward "sad" after his predecessor's stinging criticism following a lacklustre Year-end campaign that left the Australian fighting to stay in his job.

SPOTLIGHT: Unless the authorities seize the problem of traumatic head injuries "by the scruff of the neck" parents will not allow their children to play the sport.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers coach John Dobson wasted no time in bringing back some serious Springbok muscle.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens have bolstered their scrumhalf stocks with another Springbok.

WATCH as former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers shares his thoughts on a variety of subjects - including the RassieGate saga and team selection.

The Super Rugby Pacific competition will remain intact until at least 2030 following a joint agreement between Australian and New Zealand rugby bosses announced Friday.

REACTION: Senior Springboks Siyamthanda Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth played a significant role in helping the Sharks through their tumultuous coaching revamp at Kings Park this week.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Joel Stransky believes the Bulls will not have enough firepower to go all the way in the United Rugby Championship this season.

SPOTLIGHT: One of rugby's big names has reportedly emerged as the top contender for the England job if the Rugby Football Union decides to sack Eddie Jones.

INTERVIEW: Former Springboks captain Bobby Skinstad has backed the trenchant way Rassie Erasmus defended South Africa during their recent year-end Tests.

NEWS: Sharks captain and Springbok prop Thomas du Toit has been informed of the outcome of his disciplinary hearing, following his red card in the year-end Test against England this past weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: European officials refused to put a deadline on an agreement for the creation of a Club World Cup, but remain hopeful the groundbreaking plan will get off the ground.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have welcomed back a number of returning Springboks for their United Rugby Championship clash against Ospreys at Kings Park on Friday.

INTERVIEW: Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar said that he has big ambitions with his new club Toulon, saying "I want to be champion of France".

SPOTLIGHT: Handre Pollard believes England has left it too late to sack Eddie Jones.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Joel Stransky believes the relationship between Neil Powell and Sean Everitt at the Sharks was always destined for failure.

SPOTLIGHT: Wearing the mantle of defending champions and nine-time winners of the Dubai Sevens is one thing, but arriving at The Sevens Stadium bereft of top form, playing in a tough pool and with a number of new players, is something else.

NEWS: World Rugby has revealed a new framework for the future of the Sevens World Series.

WORLD SEVENS SERIES ROUND TWO: It's the second event in this season's World Rugby Sevens Series calendar and it all takes on the pitch at The Sevens Stadium.

NEWS: The match officials for the United Rugby Championship Round Nine fixtures have been confirmed.

Rugby officials have defended the manner in which Australia scrumhalf Nic White was allowed to play on after he was concussed against Ireland this month.

NEWS: Former Highlanders' co-captains Nasi Manu and Ben Smith have joined the 2023 Highlanders' management team.

WATCH as retired refereeing legend Nigel Owens unpacks some of the refereeing howlers of the past weekend - including why South Africa's controversial try should not have stood.

The Cheetahs will make their EPCR Challenge Cup debut this season and announced their squad for the Rounds one and two matches played in December 2022.

Bulls assistant coach Pine Pienaar revealed the South African franchise face a real test at home against Cardiff on Saturday.

YEAR-END REVIEW: Tournament hosts France head into next year's Rugby World Cup as favourites but an enthralling series of November internationals suggests the 2023 edition could be the most competitive yet.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flyhalf Damian Willemse has opened up on some of his moments of brilliance against England at Twickenham.

The Springboks have been reaping the rewards since South African teams opted to swap Super Rugby for the United Rugby Championship. 

OPINION: The year-end Tests have come and gone, with some interesting and intriguing results. Jan de Koning names his Team of the Month for November!

NEWS: Springbok prop Thomas du Toit will attend a disciplinary hearing for an act of foul play against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

UPDATE: Kenya's Rugby Sevens players, who launched an appeal for donations to pay their bills, will be paid their overdue salaries this week ahead of the season-opening Dubai series, the country's sports minister said Monday.

NEWS: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.

The Springboks crushed England into submission with a demoralising 27-13 win at Twickenham but the manner in which they constructed their win was largely the same for the most part.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen is a happy man after his team's United Rugby Championship Round Eight win over the Dragons on Sunday.

Sunday's United Rugby Championship Round Eight fixture against Cardiff was a dark and gloomy one for the Sharks.

Ieuan Evans promised to "strive for more" after being appointed chair of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

SPOTLIGHT: Former England coach Clive Woodward said Saturday's defeat by South Africa had rounded off the "worst week in English rugby history".

NEWS: Six Nations Rugby announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Ben Morel, has decided to step down at the end of the current 2022/23 rugby season.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers are hoping that one of their Boks will not be on the sidelines for a lengthy period.

REACTION: David Kriel is slowly but surely hitting his strides with every Bulls outing.

REPORT: Warren Gatland is in line to return as Wales coach should Welsh rugby chiefs decide Wayne Pivac has to be replaced ahead of next year's World Cup, according to media reports.

REACTION: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has paid tribute to the "huge legacy" left by Doddie Weir following his former teammate's death from Motor Neurone Disease.

TOP 14 WRAP: Top 14 leaders Toulouse slipped to a 14-21 defeat at Lyon on Sunday as their French national skipper Antoine Dupont began a four-week suspension.

SPOTLIGHT: At the start of the year, as Ricardo Duarttee walked back to his car after a meeting Philip Snyman – then still the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport Sevens Academy coach – his mind was racing.

REACTION: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi believes that his team's win over England at Twickenham was more proof that they are not one-trick ponies.

Thomas Young starred for Cardiff as they thrived in the Durban rain to claim a famous 35-0 victory over the Sharks.

REACTION: Cardiff boss Dai Young says his team need to back up their "outstanding" United Rugby Championship victory away to the Sharks when they take on the high-flying Bulls on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT:  The Lions recorded their first home win, beating Dragons 33-25 at Ellis Park on Sunday. 

SPOTLIGHT: The Rugby Football Union will conduct a review following England's dismal year-end series. 

Kenya's Rugby Sevens launched a public appeal for donations on Sunday, claiming the team has not been paid in months and players badly needed money ahead of several international matches.

ROUND EIGHT REVIEW:: After another interesting weekend of URC action, the top four began to draw away from the rest as Leinster, Ulster, the Bulls and the Stormers put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.

REACTION: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac did not sound like a man whose job is under extreme pressure.

REACTION: Dave Rennie has hailed the Wallabies' rollercoaster end-of-year tour a success after watching his brave, makeshift outfit complete an epic 39-34 comeback win over Wales.

OPINION: The end-of-year international series produced some sparkling rugby auguring well for next year's World Cup in France.

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

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Eight United Rugby Championship encounter between the Lions and Dragons at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

MATCH REPORT: Munster ended a run of five interprovincial derby defeats as their pack powered them to a 24-17 bonus-point victory over Connacht at Thomond Park.

REPORT: Australia came from 13-34  down to beat Wales 39-34 in an extraordinary Test in Cardiff on Saturday.

REACTION: Eddie Jones has again faulted himself after his England team subsided to a dispiriting 13-27 defeat by South Africa at Twickenham and most fans would for once agree.

REPORT: World champions South Africa ended 2022 with a 27-13 win over England in their concluding November series international at Twickenham on Saturday.

Rob Russell scored a hat-trick of tries as Leinster eased to a 40-5  United Rugby Championship victory over Glasgow Warriors.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber admitted that his team's 27-13 win over England on Saturday will rank high among the "special results" his team has achieved.

OPINION: The Springboks ended 2022 on a high with an emphatic 27-13 win over England at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: A deja vu scenario, but with quite a damaging outcome for England on this occasion.

OPINION: The Wallabies had a point to prove against Wales on Saturday, as they looked to avoid a four-match losing streak to end their season.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Sale Sharks’ fine start to the Premiership season continued with a resilient 25-20 victory over Bristol Bears at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Benetton climbed into the top half of the United Rugby Championship table after a hard-fought 24-17 win over Edinburgh Rugby.

OPINION: It’s a difficult time to back Wales. Their brilliant win over Argentina feels like a lifetime ago because, as Wayne Pivac says, seven days is a long time in rugby.

FRIDAY WRAP: Danny Care produced a man-of-the-match performance as Harlequins sent Gloucester crashing to a third consecutive league defeat with a 21-12 victory at the Stoop.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end international between England and South Africa at Twickenham in London.

Former Scottish rugby international Doddie Weir has died at the age of 52 after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), his family announced on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end international between Wales and Australia in Cardiff.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson was a proud man after his team recorded a big win over an experienced Scarlets side in Cape Town on Friday.

The United Rugby Championship Round eight clash between the Bulls and Ospreys has been pushed back by 30 minutes.

MATCH REPORT:  Ruan Nortje kicked off his reign as Bulls captain with a comfortable 43-26 win over Ospreys on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld. 

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Eight United Rugby Championship encounter between the Bulls and Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

REACTION: World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White believes it will take a while for South Africa's battered image to recover from the RassieGate sage.

NEWS: It has been revealed that World Rugby has had "constructive discussions" with Rassie Erasmus after he received a ban for criticising refereeing decisions on social media recently.

SPOTLIGHT: Dave Rennie is confident Wallabies steam-roller Taniela Tupou will be back from injury in time for next year's World Cup while promising a review into the causes of Rugby Australia's colossal casualty list.

SUNDAY PREVIEW: It is all about South Africa versus Wales during Sunday's United Rugby Championship Round eight clashes.

SPOTLIGHT: England's leading administrators were in the firing line on Thursday as a committee of UK lawmakers took aim at their "shambolic" response to the chaotic collapse of Worcester and Wasps.

SPOTLIGHT: With a big clash at Twickenham looming, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was again asked for his opinion on the whole Rassie Erasmus saga.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: You will not find a single bookmaker making a Welsh region favourite in any round-eight match this weekend.

MATCH REPORT: The defending United Rugby Championship team, the Stormers, restarted their campaign with an impressive 36-19 win over a willing Scarlets outfit in Cape Town on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs will be heading to Welkom on Friday, November 25, for their second warm-up match against the Griffons.

PREVIEW: Wales host Australia in the two teams' final rugby Test of the year on Saturday with both badly in need of a win.

MATCH REPORT: Two tries from hooker Tom Stewart helped Ulster to a six-try bonus-point victory, as they defeated bottom team Zebre 36-15 at Ravenhill Stadium on Friday.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Bob Skinstad gives his informed opinion about how to solve the chaos that erupted around referees in the game.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Eight United Rugby Championship encounter between the Stormers and Scarlets in Cape Town.

PREVIEW: Ahead of Saturday's big clash at Twickenham, Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber described England as a team that just "doesn't go away".

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Unloading his 'young guns' on a seasoned Scarlets outfit is a risk John Dobson is prepared to take.

NEWS: Englishman Wayne Barnes, the man at the heart of the RassieGate saga, will be involved when South African teams make their debut in the European Cup next month.

INTERVIEW: England coach Eddie Jones said referees had to be treated with respect ahead of his team's meeting with a South African side who will be without Rassie Erasmus at Twickenham.

NEWS: The Bulls have revealed their new captain as the European season resumes after the international window.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions have named their team to face the Dragons in a United Rugby Championship Round Eight clash at Ellis Park on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face Ospreys in a United Rugby Championship Round Eight clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: James Venter will lead the Sharks against Cardiff Rugby on Sunday at Kings Park as they return to United Rugby Championship action following the November test window.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has revealed his team to face the Wallabies in Cardiff on Saturday.

WATCH as Former Springbok captain Bobby Skinstad confirms his interest in the Stormers and unpacks the qualities of the URC.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx will have some extra motivation heading into Saturday’s clash against England in London.

WATCH as Sharks flank Vincent Tshituka chats to @king365ed about the double threat of facing top European opponents in the URC and Champions Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok centre Damian de Allende is ready to put his body on the line again at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named the 23-player England team that will take on South Africa this weekend.

INTERVIEW: Len Ikitau says the Wallabies players need to be better to end their lean year-end tour on a happier note against an equally desperate Wales.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers will be without the services of their Junior Springbok captain and flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for a considerable period of time.

NEWS: A group of former players, including England World Cup winner Steve Thompson and All Black Carl Hayman, are to file legal action in France against the national rugby bodies over concussion.

NEWS: La Rochelle coach Ronan O'Gara has been suspended for 10 weeks for "harming the best interests of rugby", the French Rugby Union league (LNR) said on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: After a difficult Test debut from the bench, Ben Donaldson has earnt his first start.

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber explains the values that flyhalves Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok bring to the team.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales newcomer Josh Macleod believes they are ready for Australia's challenge after some "very honest" conversations following a humiliating defeat against Georgia.

SPOTLIGHT: Portugal will not travel to next year's Rugby World Cup in France as "pushovers" despite being the 20th and last team to qualify for the tournament, according to coach Patrice Lagisquet.

SPOTLIGHT: Jamie George believes a match against South Africa represents the "perfect test" for an England pack still "hurting" after their display in last week's thrilling 25-25 draw with New Zealand.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach John Dobson has revealed his team to face Scarlets in Round Eight of the United Rugby Championship in Cape Town.

SPOTLIGHT: England forward coach Matt Proudfoot has opened up on the "mindset challenge" his team will face in the scrums against the Springboks.

SPOTLIGHT: There should be high levels of discomfort and an element of desperation in several teams when the next phase of the United Rugby Championship gets underway at the weekend.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Wallabies have issued another injury update ahead of their clash against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Bulls forwards coach Russell Winter provided a very positive assessment as the team resume their United Rugby Championship campaign without some key players.

SPOTLIGHT: The disappointment of three tight losses is driving the decimated Wallabies to finish their marathon end-of-year on a high as they prepare to take on Wales.

OPINION: Ben Smith gives his rather brutal take on the real damage RassieGate is doing to South African rugby.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England have retained a 26-player squad for their match against South Africa this weekend.

REACTION: RassieGate, or rather the social media firestorm created by South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, could soon settle down.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Highlanders have added their last player to their 2023 squad with the signing of Argentinian, Martin Bogado.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 8 fixtures have been confirmed

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber made eight changes and one positional switch to his matchday squad to face England at Twickenham on Saturday. 

SPOTLIGHT: Wales' four regional teams face tough assignments when they travel 13,000 kilometres south to tackle South African franchises at the resumption of the URC.

REACTION: The South African team and management have been skilful in their attempts to tap dance their way around the RassieGate saga, working in an environment shrouded in secrecy.

INJURY UPDATE: All Blacks veteran Thomas Perenara ruptured his Achilles tendon in last weekend's draw with England,

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Neil Jenkins has insisted "there is no hiding place" for Wales as they conclude their final year-end Test against Australia in Cardiff on Saturday, a week after a shock defeat to Georgia.

REACTION: Japan's Dylan Riley said his side need to play more Test matches to "keep building" before next year's Rugby World Cup.

ONE-ON-ONE: @king365ed sat down with Jordan Hendrikse for a chat about rugby and to get some insights into the Hendrikse brothers.

France No.8 Gregory Alldritt said on Sunday his side are "keeping their feet on the ground" despite a record unbeaten run less than 10 months out from hosting the Rugby World Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: The Wallabies' loss to Ireland has ended in carnage, with six injured players sent home from the year-end tour, missing their final Test against Wales.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers' flyhalf depth will be put to the test against the Scarlets, when they resume their United Rugby Championship title defence in Cape Town on Friday.

Springboks could be without another 2019 World Cup-winning star when they face England on Saturday at Twickenham.

SQUAD UPDATE: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber called up six players to his squad for Saturday's final Year-end Tour Test against England.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named an unchanged squad for England's final year-end Test against South Africa this weekend.

WATCH AS Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber unpacks the values that 'rookie' flyhalf Manie Libbok brings to the team. @king365ed reports.

WATCH as we bring you an insightful video that shows six simple changes that could save the game.

OPINION: Finn Morton rates the Australian players after their heartbreaking 10-13 loss to Ireland at the weekend!

World Rugby announced the Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year on Sunday at Monaco. However, the absence of two international superstars has left fans shocked and confused.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones has already turned his sights on South Africa, after his team produced an astonishing fightback from 6-25 down with nine minutes left against New Zealand.

NEWS: France and Montpellier prop forward Mohamed Haouas will be back in court in January charged with "willful violence" in an incident on New Year's Day 2015.

WATCH as Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi speaks about overcoming the Rassie Erasmus saga and focussing on the game.

REACTION: Springbok hooker Mbongeni Mbonabi has come under fire for his comments towards English referee Matthew Carley in South Africa's 63-21 demolition of Italy at the weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: South African international flyhalf Elton Jantjies has joined French second-division side Agen, the club announced.

REACTION: Jamie Roberts has pointed the finger firmly at Wayne Pivac following Wales' shock 13-12 loss to Georgia in Cardiff.

REACTION: Another five Wallabies have joined the injury list - with prop Taniela Tupou possibly in danger of missing the World Cup after a suspected Achilles tendon injury.

Ireland flank Josh van der Flier was named men's World Rugby Player of the Year

MATCH REPORT: Ireland beat Australia 13-10 to secure a record-equalling 12th home Test success at Lansdowne Road on Saturday despite missing talismanic captain Johnny Sexton.

Maro Itoje has insisted that the year-end match against South Africa can not come soon enough given England's dramatic draw with New Zealand at the weekend.

MATCH REPORT: Wing Damian Penaud scored twice as France beat Japan 35-17 in the year-end Nations Series on Sunday to continue their winning run before next year's Rugby World Cup on home soil.

REACTION: Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi did his most eloquent tap-dance to suggest it won't be a distraction, but the Rassie Erasmus-saga is not going to go away quietly.

PREVIEW: Next year's World Cup hosts France finish their year-end campaign on Sunday by facing Japan in Toulouse with head coach Fabien Galthié's mind already turned towards the tournament.

REPORT: Georgia came from nine points down at half-time to beat Wales for the first time in a dramatic 13-12 year-end upset in Cardiff on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT:  England scored three late tries to snatch a dramatic 25-all draw with New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. 

OPINION: Daniel Gallan rates the Ireland players after their narrow (13-10) escape against Australia!

REPORT: South Africa made the perfect statement to World Rugby two days after Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus was banned ... again.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Ireland and Australia at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.

OPINION: Another November Saturday, another intriguing England versus New Zealand collision.

OPINION: After mixed seasons, both England and the All Blacks entered their final Test of 2022 with points to prove.

SPOTLIGHT: Kyle Sinckler said he was "raring to go" in England's latest "massive occasion" clash with New Zealand.

REPORT: Darcy Graham scored a hat-trick of tries as Scotland thrashed Argentina 52-29 in a bad-tempered clash at Murrayfield littered with ill-discipline from the visitors.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between England and New Zealand at Twickenham in London

QUALIFICATION WRAP: Portugal became the 20th team to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 as they secured a 16-16 draw in a nail-biting deciding match of the Final Qualification Tournament against USA.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Scotland and Argentina at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

OPINION: South Africa produced a second-half masterclass to blow Italy away in Genoa on Saturday. Jan de Koning rates the Springbok players!

SPOTLIGHT: Dan Carter has warned England that New Zealand will be fuelled by revenge when the nations clash for the first time since their dramatic 2019 World Cup semifinal.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Italy and South Africa.

WATCH as Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi uses all his guile to void getting caught up in the media maelstrom swirling around the head of South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus.

Wales take on Georgia for just the fourth time in history on Saturday as Wayne Pivac’s side bid for back-to-back year-end Nations Series wins.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for the men's internationals in Europe this weekend.

PREVIEW: England coach Eddie Jones compared playing New Zealand to climbing Everest as he urged his side to scale a mountainous challenge against the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Sam Whitelock had some important words to say to his team ahead of their clash against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Maxime Lucu will replace World Rugby player of the year Antoine Dupont in France's side to face Japan in the year-end Nations Series this weekend, Les Bleus head coach Fabien Galthie said on Friday.

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph said on Friday he had dropped former Clermont wing Kotara Matsushima to the bench for this weekend's year-end Nations Series Test with France for "physicality reasons".

Ireland host Australia in their final international of the year bidding for a record-equalling 12th successive home Test success on Saturday and frank their status as the top-ranked rugby team in the world.

NEWS: Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has been suspended by World Rugby.

URC SPOTLIGHT: When Jacques du Toit left the Cheetahs to join Bath last year, little could he have known he would be back facing South African opposition so soon.

MATCH REPORT: South Africa 'A' side suffered a disappointing 18-26 defeat against the Bristol Bears at a packed Ashton Gate Stadium on Thursday.

PREVIEW: Before South Africa's year-end journey got underway, most - if not all - would have listed November 19 as the least challenging of the Springboks' Tests.

TRANSFER NEWS: England international Joe Launchbury is joining Verblitz in Japan for the upcoming season, the latest big signing as the country's League One strives to attract global talent.

WATCH as South Africa 'A' coach Mzwandile Stick unpacks the reasons for his team's dismal and winless tour of Ireland and England.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland coaching group have named the final Ireland matchday squad of 2022 for Saturday’s clash against Australia at Aviva Stadium.

PREVIEW: Scotland and Argentina will face off for the fourth time this year, when they meet at Murrayfield on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Owen Farrell will become only the third English rugby player to reach a century of caps for his country when he leads out the team against New Zealand on Saturday at Twickenham.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jack Dempsey is set to make his first start for Scotland after being named in the run-on XV to play Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday.

OPINION: It was another hard lesson in cohesiveness handed to the South Africa ‘A’ side at the Ashton Gate on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has revealed his team to face Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.

NEWS: Springbok superstar Pieter-Steph du Tout and France captain Antoine Dupont both received their suspensions on Thursday after acts of foul play last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Buoyant Italy have made two changes to their starting line-up for their clash with South Africa in Genoa.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end mid-week tour match between Bristol Bears and South Africa 'A' at Bristol Bears v South Africa 'A'.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named Brodie Retallick for his 100th All Blacks Test against England at Twickenham.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby's Head of Match officials Joël Jutge has been left confused with Rassie Erasmus' attitude towards referees.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales prop Harri O’Connor will head back to South Africa next week having benefited hugely from his “unreal” experience out there earlier this year.

SPOTLIGHT: Hopes in Scotland that Richie Gray would escape a ban following the citing that arose from last Sunday’s defeat to the All Blacks have been dashed.

SPOTLIGHT: Evan Roos is heading into Saturday's clash against Italy full of confidence after he got a message of support from his childhood hero.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dave Rennie is demanding the Wallabies hit back after naming a full-strength line-up to face the top-ranked Irish in Dublin.

WATCH as South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus opens up about Grant Williams' chances of making the Springbok cut.

MIDWEEK PREVIEW: A stadium-record crowd is expected when Bristol Bears host South Africa 'A' at Ashton Gate on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok utility back Manie Libbok has opened up on his Bok debut against France last weekend.

REACTION: South African rugby authorities should have a word in Springbok Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus's ear and tell him to stop criticising match referees, says former Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton insists he would rather beat Australia than be crowned World Player of the Year.

SPOTLIGHT: In-form Ireland wing Mack Hansen is looking forward to "going to war" against his native Australia and has no concerns about receiving on-field stick as the Wallabies squad "can't sledge for sh*t".

WATCH: Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies finally broke his silence on his recent exclusion from the international side.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie has revealed his team for their match against the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor has insisted the All Blacks' dramatic 2019 World Cup semifinal defeat by England will count for little at Twickenham on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Lions have boosted their front row stock with the signing of hooker Michael van Vuuren.

REACTION: Former referee Nigel Owens is the latest high-profile name to step into the debate around Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and his methods of social media use.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton paid tribute on Wednesday to Owen Farrell who is set to become only the third English player to reach the 100 cap milestone saying "his leadership is outstanding".

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber unpacks the selection decisions in the team to face Italy in Genoa on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies are pledging to perform against Ireland as they look to help extend the contract of their "phenomenal coach" Dave Rennie past next year's Rugby World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Japan wing Akihito Yamada said he hopes his country can "check themselves to see where they are" as they play France on Sunday.

TEAM UPDATE: Two key players are missing from the England team ahead of their year-end encounter with New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus gives the reasons for his increased activity on social media and dispel some myths about the motivation behind his many posts on Twitter.

TRANSFER NEWS: England scrumhalf Dan Robson has joined Pau after being made redundant by the crisis English club Wasps.

OPINION: Once again All Blacks No.8 Ardie Savea has been unequivocally snubbed for the second year in a row after World Rugby announced their four nominees for Player of the Year: Lukhanyo Am, Josh van der Flier, Johnny Sexton and Antoine Dupont.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber has revealed his team to face Italy on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Joe Joyce will captain Bristol Bears against South Africa 'A' in front of a record Ashton Gate crowd.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scarlets loose forward Josh Macleod is set to make his long-awaited Wales debut after being named in a much-changed starting XV to face Georgia in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM NEWS: Charles Ollivon will captain France in the Six Nations champions' final Test of the year against Japan on Sunday in the absence of the suspended Antoine Dupont.

TEAM NEWS: Saracens lock Callum Hunter-Hill was called into the Scotland squad ahead of this weekend's year-end Test against Argentina at Murrayfield.

SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies have vowed to wield the axe on serial penalty offenders in a bid to defy the doomsayers by winning next year's Rugby World Cup in France.

SPOTLIGHT: Kyle Sinckler heads into this Saturday's Test with New Zealand buoyed by the memory of how coach Eddie Jones's novel use of a samurai sword and a kiwi fruit paved the way for a remarkable win at the 2019 World Cup.

REACTION: South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus is not taking a step back in his latest 'stand-off' with critics on social media.

AWARDS: World Rugby has unveiled the nominees for the prestigious Player of the Year award, which will be presented in Monaco on Sunday.

NEWS: The Cheetahs will face the Sharks in a pre-season warm-up game on Friday, November 18.

SQUAD UPDATE: The French Rugby Federation have issued a press release on Jonathan Danty.

REACTION: South Africa, while sweating over the outcome of a disciplinary hearing for veteran loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, has staunchly defended their spotty disciplinary record this year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: South Africa ‘A’ head coach Mzwandile Stick made five changes to his starting team to face the Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate Stadium on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa 'A' head coach Mzwandile Stick explained some of his selections for the clash against Bristol on Thursday.

POST-MATCH ANALYSIS: South Africa is within a single score of the two top teams in the world and making significant progress on their year-end tour.

SQUAD UPDATE: Adam Radwan and Will Stuart have been recalled to a 36-man squad for England's Test against New Zealand at Twickenham this weekend, the Rugby Football Union said on Monday.

SQUAD UPDATE: Ireland could face a selection crisis at flyhalf for their final Test of the year against Australia on Saturday.

AWARDS: World Rugby has unveiled the shortlist for the World Rugby Coach of the Year award, which will be presented in Monaco on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Damning statistics have revealed the Wallabies' discipline is worsening despite repeated warnings.

REACTION: Hong Kong's government reacted with fury on Monday after a popular democracy protest song was played instead of the Chinese national anthem.

SPOTLIGHT: England's rising star Freddie Steward is determined his boyhood admiration for the All Blacks will not distract him from rising to the challenge of playing New Zealand for the first time.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Ian Foster hailed a hard-fought 31-23 win over Scotland on Sunday as a sign of his side's progress over the past 12 months.

REPORT: Saracens captain Ben Earl hailed his side's character after they staged a remarkable rally to beat Northampton 45-39 on Sunday and preserve their unbeaten start to the English Premiership season.

AWARDS: Fans can cast their vote and select their winners for the two International Rugby Players Men’s and Women’s Try of the Year categories until Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber praised his team's fighting spirit in their 26-30 loss to France in Marseille on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: New Zealand held out for almost an hour of fierce Scottish raids, but two late tries saw them score a deserved 31-23 win at Murrayfield on Sunday.

REACTION: South Africa may be winless on their year-end tour, but they continue to back themselves to be a force at next year's World Cup in France.

SQUAD UPDATE: The South Africa 'A' squad lost one of the big names ahead of their clash against Bristol.

REACTION: France fullback Thomas Ramos said it was "too early" to claim his side were favourites for next year's Rugby World Cup after Saturday’s win over holders South Africa in Marseille.

REACTION: Fed-up former World Cup captain Stirling Mortlock says Rugby Australia must draw a line in the sand after the Wallabies' "train wreck" loss to Italy.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby bosses hope a show-stopping end to the women's Rugby World Cup will spur much-needed investment in the women's game after decades of neglect.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones insisted defeating New Zealand was far from a "mission impossible" as he promised his side would "go after" the All Blacks following a 52-13 win over Japan at Twickenham.

OPINION: Tom Vinicombe rates the New Zealand players after their 31-23 win over Scotland on Sunday.

OPINION: Gavin Harper rates the Scotland players after their heartbreaking 23-31 loss to New Zealand.

WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION WRAP: Portugal and the United States have set up a Rugby World Cup 2023 Final Qualification Tournament decider after both teams made it two wins from two at The Sevens Stadium.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Scotland and New Zealand at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa'sDirector of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has released a series of videos on social media that hint at some issues with the refereeing in his side's clash against France.

SATURDAY WRAP: Newcastle turned the form-book on its head with a thrilling 27-21 victory in a remarkable game at Gloucester.

REPORT: Wales bounced back from their huge defeat to the All Blacks with a morale-boosting 20-13 win over Argentina in Cardiff on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: France stretched their winning streak to 12 consecutive matches when they edged South Africa 30-26 in a game where both teams lost players with red cards.

WATCH as South Africa 'A'-team coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Thomas du Toit speak about their loss to Munster and the game against Bristol Bears next week.

MATCH REPORT: Nick Timoney scored two tries as Andy Farrell's fresh-faced Ireland beat a defiant Fiji 35-17 at the Aviva Stadium.

REACTION: Kieran Crowley said he is trying to build an Italian team that the game's big guns respect after the Azzurri claimed a landmark 28-27 win over Australia on Saturday.

REACTION: France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Saturday his side "are on the right path" for next year's Rugby World Cup after edging Webb Ellis trophy holders South Africa 30-26 in Marseille.

OPINION: France stretched their winning streak to 12 consecutive matches when they edged South Africa 30-26 in a game where both teams lost players with red cards. Jan de Koning rates the Springbok players!

OPINION: Another week, another heartbreaking loss for the Wallabies, who were beaten by Italy for the first time ever in Florence on Saturday.

OPINION: Wales put their year-end campaign back on track by beating Argentina 20-13 in an arm-wrestle of a Test match in Cardiff on Saturday. Tom Vinicombe rates the Welsh players!

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between France and South Africa at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille.

REPORT: Guy Porter scored his first two Test tries as England revived their end-of-year campaign with a 52-13 win over Japan at Twickenham on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Wales and Argentina in Cardiff.

OPINION: I got a sense of deja vu in the wake of the South African 'A' side's defeat to an under-strength Munster side in Cork on Thursday.

MATCH REPORT: Italy recorded their first-ever win over Australia, beating the Wallabies  28-27 in Florence.

OPINION: Eddie Jones’ England tuned up for next weekend’s showdown with the All Blacks with an encouraging seven-try demolition of an out-of sorts Japan to draw a line under last Sunday’s loss to Argentina.

INJURY UPDATE: Argentina captain Julian Montoya has been ruled out of Saturday's match against Wales with a rib injury, the Pumas have announced.

WATCH as Ben Donaldson makes a horror start to his international career.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between England and Japan at Twickenham in London.

PREVIEW: Scotland will "throw the kitchen sink" at New Zealand as they go in search of a first win over the All Blacks.

OPINION: Fiji entered their Saturday fixture with Ireland on the back of a 12-28 loss to Scotland.

OPINION: A lot of the pre-game chat was around Fiji coach Vern Cotter’s remarks that Ireland would treat the game like a training session and it looked like the opposite was the truth when the Fijians strolled over the try line after just two minutes.

TEAM UPDATE: Injury and illness have hit Wallabies camp in Florence, forcing Nick Frost out of Dave Rennie's inexperienced side to face Italy.

New Zealand's running game trumped  14-player England's power to win a thrilling final of the women's World Cup 34-31 in Auckland on Saturday and clinch a sixth world title.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Italy and Australia at Stadio Artemio Franchi, in Florence.

SPOTLIGHT: We are set for another interesting weekend of end-of-year internationals and World Rugby has published a new batch of ranking permutations.

PREVIEW: England captain Owen Farrell has urged his side to shed their fear of failure when they try to revive their November campaign against Japan at Twickenham on Saturday.

PREVIEW: Michael Cheika may have orchestrated a famous win for Argentina at Twickenham, but the Pumas' Australian coach is adamant that his men are the underdogs against Wales.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Co-coaches Scott Robertson and Ronan O’Gara have named their Barbarians team for Sunday’s match versus an All Blacks XV in London.

NEWS: South Africa has been forced into a late change ahead of their year-end Test against France at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille on Saturday.

PREVIEW: Australia are already looking ahead to next year's Rugby World Cup as they prepare to face in-form Italy in their third end-of-year Test on Saturday.

NEWS: Ireland's governing body remains optimistic the country's four professional provinces won't fall victim to the financial crisis engulfing the English club game, despite forecasting turbulent times ahead.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus unpacks the value of a year-end tour, especially with the World Cup just 10 months away.

PREVIEW: Ireland will be out to continue their winning streak when they host Fiji on Saturday in Dublin.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has made seven changes to the side that will face Scotland on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: French prosecutors are scrutinising the use of company cars by the sacked former boss of the 2023 World Cup organisers as well as the ticketing system for the competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Finn Russell has been summoned straight back into Scotland's starting line-up to play New Zealand at Murrayfield on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks XV head coach Leon MacDonald has named a strong team to challenge the Barbarians in their closing match at Tottenham Spur Stadium this Sunday.

PREVIEW: France may be keen to play down their 'favourites' tag, but South Africa is a team in desperate need of some remodelling.

MATCH REPORT: Munster ended a 50-year wait to get their first win over a South African representative team.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina named an unchanged side to play Wales in a year-end Test in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland named Tadhg Furlong to captain the team as they take on Fiji at Lansdowne Road Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dave Rennie has made 11 changes to his team for their encounter with Italy at Stadio Artemio Franchi, in Florence, on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France have revealed their team to face the Springboks on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Monty Ioane will face his home country for the first time in his career after being selected for the Italy team taking on Australia in the Nations Series this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named the team for England’s match against Japan at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

One of the first things you learn on coaching courses is that there are certain prerequisites you need in a successful team.

OPINION: South Africa 'A' were given a lesson in team cohesion and determination by a second-string Munster team in Cork on Thursday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the mid-week tour match between Munster and South Africa 'A' at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, in Cork.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara believes he’s “ready” to bring his unique approach to rugby back to the Test arena if called upon to play against Scotland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan coach Jamie Joseph has announced the Brave Blossoms team to take on England at Twickenham on Saturday.

"Captain Grumpy" Allan Alaalatoa will lead the Wallabies for the first time after being rushed straight back in for Australia's spring tour clash with Italy in Florence.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac had made three changes to the side that will take on Argentina on Saturday.

Regarded as the favourites for the 2023 World Cup, France has shown very few signs of weakness in the last year.

TRANSFER NEWS: Steven Kitshoff will continue playing for the Stormers for the rest of the 2022/23 season before heading to Ireland to join Ulster.

The Welsh Rugby Union and Principality Stadium are supporting South Wales Police’s appeal for witnesses to an incident which occurred during the Wales rugby match against New Zealand at Principality Stadium last weekend.

WATCH as seasoned Springbok Francois de Klerk explains to @king365ed the progress the Boks have made since 2018 and his face-off with French rival Antoine Dupont.

INTERVIEW: Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok has an opportunity to showcase his talent on the international stage this Saturday when South Africa faces France.

Organisers of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France said police raided their offices Wednesday as part of a legal probe into the management of the competition under former chief executive Claude Atcher.

PREVIEW: Favourites England will refuse to be intimidated by an anticipated sell-out crowd at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday as they face hosts New Zealand in the women's World Cup Final.

MATCH OFFICIAL NEWS: French referee Mathieu Raynal has been handed a reprieve following the fallout from his controversial time-wasting penalty in the final minute of last September’s Rugby Championship match between the Wallabies and the All Blacks in Melbourne.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan said that his team are “never satisfied” after a big win, as they prepare to take another step up against Scotland this weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England boss Eddie Jones has trimmed his 36-strong squad down to 25 and has included the fit-again Jamie George.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Munster team has been named for Thursday’s historic clash against South Africa 'A' at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

MIDWEEK PREVIEW: It has been more than five decades since Munster had the opportunity to host a South African national team.

SPOTLIGHT: With an unbeaten record that stretches 18 Tests, the Wallabies have identified their clash with Italy in Florence this weekend as a dangerous game.

REACTION: Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber has shed light on his bold team selection for Saturday's Test against France.

All Blacks back-row Ardie Savea has revealed the one thing he would love to change about rugby, predicting that the popularity of the sport should explode in the coming years.

INJURY NEWS: Highlanders and All Black scrumhalf Folau Fakatava has elected a non-operative approach initially for his injured knee.

OPINION: The world's No.1 ranked team, Ireland, are moving on from their gritty win over world champions South Africa to take on crowd-pleasing Fiji next Saturday while the Springboks face Six Nations Grand Slam champions France.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has urged his England players to bounce back from Sunday's shock loss to Argentina, but says he will continue to use the November internationals to experiment with an eye on next year's World Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: England boss Eddie Jones will put Courtney Lawes' health first after hinting his captain will not return from a concussion during the current November Nations Series.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former SA Under-20 flyhalf Manie Libbok has been included on the Springbok bench for Saturday’s Test against France in Marseille as head coach Jacques Nienaber named a team showing five changes and two positional switches from the side that ran out against Ireland last weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Utility back Johan Goosen believes he is in the right mindset to fight for a spot in the Springbok team.

SPOTLIGHT: Having previously delivered under pressure against Italy, Wallabies scrumhalf Jake Gordon is relishing another crack in the No.9 jersey.

NEWS: England have appointed Brett Hodgson as defence coach to start after the Nation Series.

The Bulls confirmed that Walt Steenkamp will bid farewell to the franchise after two years.

SQUAD UPDATE: Finn Russell is back in the Scotland squad for Sunday's Test against New Zealand.

South Africa ‘A’ coach Mzwandile Stick has included 14 capped Springbok players in his match-day squad to face Munster at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork on Thursday

SQUAD UPDATE: Scrumhalf Conor Murray has been ruled out of Ireland's remaining two November Test matches.

SQUAD UPDATE: France have called up 15 extra players ahead of their Test against South Africa, including a replacement for injured lock Killian Geraci.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa 'A' coach Mzwandile Stick had some explaining to do after he revealed his team to face Munster on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: Prop Cyril Baille said France are "on alert" before facing world champions South Africa in Marseille on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids is confident that he has world-class replacements for lock Lodewyk de Jager.

SQUAD UPDATE: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has called up an experienced player from the All Blacks XV squad.

ENGLAND REACTION: Eddie Jones says England has no real, big, structural issues within their game after the heartbreaking 29-30 loss to Argentina.

SPOTLIGHT: Argentina have been rewarded for their 30-29 win over England at Twickenham on Sunday with a two-place rise in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings.

REACTION: Working with Lebanon in the Rugby League World Cup in the days leading up to the Pumas beating England 30-29 at Twickenham on Sunday has energized Argentina coach Michael Cheika.

SQUAD UPDATE: Hooker Jamie George has been named in the England squad to face Japan at Twickenham on Saturday despite initially being expected to miss the entire November campaign.

NEWS: The Wallabies have suffered a setback with the news that try scorer Lalakai Foketi has suffered a suspected leg fracture and will be returning home.

REPORT: Argentina ended a 10-match losing streak against England with a dramatic 30-29 victory in their November series opener at Twickenham on Sunday.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Ian Foster hailed Ardie Savea's performance as "icing on the cake" as the All Blacks crushed Wales 55-23 in a comprehensive eight tries to two victory in Cardiff.

WRAP: Australia clinched a thrilling final 20-17 to claim the Hong Kong Sevens crown and bring to an end Fiji’s dominance that had seen them take the last five titles in Hong Kong.

REACTION: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton said beating world champions South Africa on Saturday was "right up there" with other memorable victories but said he wants trophies to round off his career.

REACTION: South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has tweeted about the ‘small margins’ in Ireland’s victory over South Africa on Saturday.

REACTION: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and captain Siya Kolisi rued a number of missed opportunities following their heart-breaking 16-19 defeat against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Barbarians have named a star-studded panel of players for their upcoming match with an All Blacks XV at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

NEWS: Wayne Smith says the Black Ferns have nothing to lose and will throw everything into their Rugby World Cup final against the "frightening" English next Saturday.

REPORT: Wing Damian Penaud scored in the 76th minute as France beat Australia 30-29 in Paris on Saturday.

REACTION: Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber refused to blame his goal-kickers for Saturday's defeat to Ireland on Saturday.

OPINION: England’s November Test series is being billed as a dress rehearsal for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Test between England and Argentina at Twickenham in London.

NEWS: The Blizboks crashed out of the Hong Kong Sevens when they were defeated 12-7 by Fiji in the quarter-final on Sunday.

OPINION: The Springboks will be kicking themselves after they fell to a 16-19 defeat to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

OPINION: The Wallabies took on France in front of a boisterous Stade de France crowd.

OPINION: Ireland player ratings live from Aviva Stadium: This was a humdinger to warm the Irish hearts. It was four years ago, just after the Springboks were shellacked on their last visit to Dublin, that Rassie Erasmus hatched his grand plan to return home from Munster and gloriously revive the World Cup-winning South Africa.