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WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi explains how the Sharks turned his career around.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus, in his first public event since returning from a two-month ban, interviews Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi.

SPOTLIGHT: @king365ed reports on the latest breaking news in the polemical Newlands saga - with confirmation of criminal charges.

SPOTLIGHT: @king365ed reports on the latest, behind the scenes, developments in the aeonian Newlands saga - with new threats of legal action.

SPOTLIGHT: Once he was rampaging through opposition defensive lines, but now the only thing former Springbok back row Joe van Niekerk crashes throw is the dense foliage of the Costa Rican jungle.

NEWLANDS UPDATE: The decision by WPRFU officials to court the discredited former Southern Spears CEO Tony McKeever has come back to haunt them.

PREVIEW: France may be "red-hot favourites" to win the Six Nations according to England coach Eddie Jones, but several sides will fancy their title chances.

SPOTLIGHT: Another bruising encounter can be expected when the Bulls take on the Lions on Saturday in the return game of the United Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: In South Africa, he is enemy No.1. In Australia, he is a national hero.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Jaque Fourie unpacks the Lions' defensive frailties in their last few URC matches.

CURRIE CUP REPORT:  Sharks' second-half surge made sure their record a 35-20 win over Western Province at Kings Park on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders have named the first team of 2022, to play the Crusaders in a pre-season outing in Weston on Friday.

NEWS: Dunedin’s Forysth Barr Stadium will host scheduled night matches for the opening three weeks of the Super Rugby Pacific season, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced.

CURRIE CUP REPORT:  The Cheetahs recorded a hard-fought bonus-point 38-25 win over the Bulls on Wednesday at Loftus Versfeld. 

INJURY UPDATE: Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson is poised to unleash fit-again duo Manu Tuilagi and Francois de Klerk in this weekend’s Premiership action.

NEWS: Eddie Jones is facing a selection headache ahead of England's opening Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday.

WATCH as South Africa's all-conquering Sevens team show why they are such a big hit, both on and off the field.

SPOTLIGHT: World-renowned referee Nigel Owens has pinpointed a major flaw regarding the modern-day referees.

SPOTLIGHT: It would be fair to suggest that this Friday’s hit-out between Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs is one of the most anticipated pre-season matches in Super Rugby’s 26-year history.

INTERVIEW: Scotland scrumhalf Ali Price said Gregor Townsend's men must build on an impressive set of wins over the past year.

SPOTLIGHT: All six of the New Zealand-based Super Rugby sides will pack up next week and temporarily move to a hub in Queenstown in a bid to avoid COVID-19 wreaking havoc on the fixtures.

TRANSFER NEWS: Munster Rugby confirmed that Malakai Fekitoa will join the province from Premiership side Wasps ahead of the 2022/23 season.

SPOTLIGHT: Newly-appointed Worcester Warriors director of rugby Steve Diamond has been linked with a raid on his former club Sale Sharks’ playing resources.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Sharks and Western Province at Kings Park.

REACTION: James O'Connor says stepping down as Queensland Reds captain has lightened a load that took its toll during a run to the Super Rugby AU title.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Argentinean international Pablo Matera will make his first appearance for the Crusaders in the franchise's pre-season clash against the Highlanders.

NEWS: French Top 14 leaders Bordeaux-Begles' trip to Clermont this weekend has been postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak at the host club.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Griquas recorded a comfortable 41-20 win over the Pumas on Wednesday in Kimberley. 

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Bulls and Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: Veteran Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu has been named captain of New Zealand's Moana Pasifika for their debut Super Rugby season.

OPINION: Hamish Bidwell takes a look at what we can expect from Super Rugby Pacific and which players are on trial.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Three encounter between Griquas and the Pumas in Kimberley.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales back row forward Ross Moriarty is available for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Ireland after proving his match fitness, assistant coach Stephen Jones said.

INJURY UPDATE: Racing 92 wing Teddy Thomas will miss France's opening two matches of the Six Nations.

NEXT LEVEL CONTEST: The Currie Cup may have had to settle for to midweek airtime thus far, but there is a heightened excitement and interest in a competition.

SPOTLIGHT: Stade Toulousain's Antoine Dupont, the World Player of the Year and current European Player of the Year, is in the running for another prestigious individual accolade.

NEWS: The troubled England build-up to their Six Nations opener against Scotland has eased slightly.

INTERVIEW: Johnny Sexton talks about Ireland versus Wales Six Nations opener on Saturday.

NEWS: Ireland appear set to have a full deck of cards to play with going into the opening weekend of the Six Nations, following an update from Portugal.

SPOTLIGHT: Toutai Kefu will coach a Tongan invitational side against a classic Reds team for charity, after the island nation was devastated by a volcano and tsunami.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: An exciting Bulls side will take on the Cheetahs in a Currie Cup encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flyhalf Tim Swiel will captain Western Province in their Currie Cup encounter with the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs will be travelling with a bolstered team when they head north to Pretoria to face the Bulls on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The KwaZulu-Natal versus Western Cape rivalry continues when the Sharks welcome Western Province to Kings Park on Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: The debate on whether Damian Willemse and Warrick Gelant can start in the same backline will go on until it eventually happens.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White expects a 'backlash' from the Lions when the two teams meet in a return match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

NEWS: Wallabies flyhalf Mike Harris has brought his two-year contract with Pau to a premature end after an injury-plagued year-and-a-half in south-western France.

NEWS: England added uncapped Louis Lynagh to their squad on Sunday ahead of their Six Nations opener away to Scotland after his Harlequins teammate Joe Marchant tested positive for Covid-19.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has made just one change to his team for their Currie Cup Round Three encounter with Griquas in Kimberley on Wednesday.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok lock Lodewyk de Jager produces a sublime juggling act for his English club Sale Sharks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Injuries and departures will impact Griquas in the next few rounds of their Currie Cup campaign.

INJURY UPDATE: Jamie Bhatti has withdrawn from the Scotland squad ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against England because of injury.

REACTION: Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell applauded the effort of his squad on Sunday, when they beat Australia by 33-7 in the Final of the Spain Sevens in Seville.

NEWS: Super Rugby's Western Force will move from their Perth base to eastern Australia for early season fixtures to minimise coronavirus-related travel disruption, competition organisers said Monday.

TOP 14 WRAP: Toulon captain Baptiste Serin said South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe brings 'serenity to the team' even though he was unable to inspire them to victory on his Top 14 bow for the club.

REACTION: It was pure luck and resilience.

DAY THREE WRAP: The Springbok Sevens won another World Rugby Sevens Series tournament – their 34th successive match and fourth title in the 2022 season.

REACTION: Sharks coach Sean Everitt admitted his side were their own worst enemy following the 22-all draw against the Stormers on Saturday.

REACTION: Lions flank Jaco Kriel was far from happy with his team's lacklustre attitude following their latest United Rugby Championship defeat on Saturday.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers and the Sharks latest draw in the United Rugby Championship put on show some of the most talented fullbacks in South Africa, with Aphelele Fassi going head-to-head with Damian Willemse.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sale Sharks produced a stunning second-half fightback to defeat Leicester Tigers 35-26 and consign the runaway Premiership leaders to a second straight league defeat.

SQUAD UPDATE: World player of the year Antoine Dupont and his Toulouse halfback partner Romain Ntamack have been called up to the France squad after recovering from Covid-19, the French Rugby Federation announced on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Jarrod Evans held his nerve to fire over a 45-metre penalty with the last kick of the game to give Cardiff their first win over Leinster since 2011 in a thrilling 29-27 United Rugby Championship victory at the Arms Park.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Bob Skinstad believes last weekend's United Rugby Championship (URC)  fixtures much-needed 'spectacle of rugby' for the South African franchises.

WATCH as the Bulls' new Currie Cup coach Gert Smal opens up about the reasons for his departure from Cape Town after five years as Director of Rugby at the WPRFU.

URC MATCH REPORT: The Sharks and Stormers played to a 22-all draw in a dramatic finish to their encounter in Durban on Saturday.

URC MATCH REPORT: The Bulls bounced back from last week's shocker when they demolished a very poor Lions team 34-10 at Ellis Park on Saturday.

URC WRAP: The Ospreys overturned an 11-point half-time deficit to beat Edinburgh 23-19 in Swansea.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: The Steve Diamond era at Worcester Warriors began in losing fashion at Sixways as Northampton recorded a 29-13 victory.

DAY TWO WRAP: South Africa will be contesting their 10th consecutive Sevens World Series semifinal when they take on Ireland on Sunday.

TOP 14 WRAP: Bordeaux-Begles dominated Castres to win 23-10 on Saturday and increase their lead at the top of the French table.

URC WRAP: Ulster returned to United Rugby Championship action with a 27-15 bonus-point win over Scarlets in Belfast.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls will be without the services of their highly-rated, veteran lock Jacques du Plessis for the foreseeable future.

SPOTLIGHT: While England will launch their title quest away to Scotland at Murrayfield on February 5, Eddie Jones was keen to take a swipe at their final round opponents France at the official Six Nations launch.

NEWS: World Rugby have introduced a new scrum law trial for the upcoming Six Nations.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 11 match between the Sharks and Stormers at Kings Park.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen explains to @king365ed how they are coping with both their No.5 locks out injured.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 11 match between the Lions and Bulls at Ellis Park.

REPORT: The NSW Waratahs have run out 24-14 winners against the Brumbies in their opening trial match of 2022.

COME IN NO.1: Winning the South African conference in the United Rugby Championship carries additional weight - a spot in Europe's premiers competition - the Champions Cup.

NEWS: Discussions are reportedly underway to relocate New Zealand’s five Super Rugby Pacific teams, as well as Moana Pasifika, to Queenstown.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Bath eked out a 21-17 victory over English champions Harlequins for only their second Premiership win of the season.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Italy coach Kieran Crowley has spoken with English Premiership backs Louis Lynagh and Alex Lozowski about their potential availability for the Azzurri.

NEWS: Mark McCall, the long-serving Director of Rugby at Saracens, is to take a break from his role at the Premiership club.

URC SPOTLIGHT: Ruan Pienaar is a respected figure that has made his mark on the international stage, so any advice he hands out is worth taking on board.

SPOTLIGHT: Springboks star Willie le Roux is primed to make his first Japan Rugby League One appearance this season after being named to start for Toyota Verblitz this weekend.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe is in line to make his Toulon Top 14 bow at Stade Francais on Sunday.

FRIDAY SHOWDOWN: The busy United Rugby Championship (URC) programme gets underway on Friday with two exciting fixtures.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are two injury-enforced changes to the Stormers forward pack for the United Rugby Championship encounter with the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: English Premiership club Exeter Chiefs have decided to abandon their controversial Native American branding from July.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Marcel Coetzee will return to lead the Bulls during the must-win United Rugby Championship (URC) match against the Lions on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Willem Alberts is set to start in the second row for the Lions ahead of their Round 9 United Rugby Championship (URC) encounter against the Bulls this Saturday.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby has revealed a new playing and training kit for its teams.

SA RUGBY GONGS: South Africa revealed their stars for 2021 on Thursday, with a few surprises.

Some of the most controversial sending offs have occurred due to players being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

URC SPOTLIGHT: Jacques van Rooyen has an intimate knowledge of the Lions' inner workings, so he knows the back-to-back Trans-Jukskei derbies will be brutal arm-wrestles.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers suffered a cruel setback with the news that Salmaan Moerat, a co-captain, will be sidelined for about two months.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks team named to take on the Stormers at Kings Park on Saturday shows just two changes to the side that defeated the Lions last week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: ACT local Ryan Lonergan will captain the Brumbies against the NSW Waratahs in this Saturday's Super Rugby trial at Bowral club.

NEWS: James O'Connor led the Queensland Reds to the Super Rugby AU title last season but won't captain in 2022, with Tate McDermott promoted alongside Liam Wright.

INJURY UPDATE: France head coach Fabien Galthie said captain Antoine Dupont is "doing well" after contracting COVID-19 and is likely to feature in next month's Six Nations openers.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's players' union, MyPlayers, has won a moral battle against World Rugby in the wake of Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus's ban.

Lions star Vincent Tshituka could be out of action for up to two months assistant coach Albert van den Berg revealed.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales coach Wayne Pivac said his squad's fitness problems, lack of playing time and poor recent results for the country's domestic sides "is not ideal".

NEWS: Former Wales international Phil Davies has been appointed World Rugby's new Director of Rugby, the global governing body announced on Wednesday.

NEWS: Gloucester has formed a new relationship with Kingswood College, a co-educational boarding school located in the heart of the Eastern Cape in South Africa.

NEWS: England captain Owen Farrell has been ruled out of the entire Six Nations with an ankle injury, coach Eddie Jones said on Wednesday.

NEWS: Harlequins announced that legendary scrumhalf Danny Care has signed a new deal with the Club.

As the Blitzboks are preparing for the fourth tournament of the 2022 World Series, the Spain Sevens in Seville this weekend, flyhalf Dewald Human said they will again apply the same principles that brought glory in Malaga last weekend.

Stars from across the game of rugby have responded to show their support for an under-12s rugby player that has been the victim of online trolls.

SPOTLIGHT: The success of the Irish province in the European Cup has again highlighted the enormity of the challenge faced by South African teams in the URC.

While the Sharks' backline has been enjoying the spotlight, the pack have been improving with each match.

INTERVIEW: All Black star Owen Franks has set a date for his Hurricanes debut, despite having been ruled out for this season with a serious injury.

TRANSFER NEWS: Steve Diamond will become Worcester Warriors Director of Rugby from the end of this season on a two-year contract.

NEWS: Joe Marler has pulled out of England's pre-Six Nations training squad in Brighton after testing positive for Covid-19, the Rugby Football Union announced Tuesday.

OPINION: We bring you a list of the top 10 players in the world. Which members of the No.1-ranked South African team made it?

NEWS: New NSW Waratahs coach Darren Coleman is hopeful Kurtley Beale will return to the club from France, but says it won’t happen until 2023 as the Wallabies talent eyes a fourth World Cup campaign.

SPOTLIGHT: Siyamthanda Kolisi and Mbongeni Mbonambi’s presence in the Sharks team won’t make any difference to the Stormers ahead of the United Rugby Championship match on Saturday.

WATCH as @rugby365com brings you - with the assistance of contributor @AngyboyJ - the match-winning try by the Stormers that nobody saw.

NEWS: The Bulls have managed to secure the services of one of South Africa's greatest scrumhalves.

SPOTLIGHT: Waratahs confirmed the signing of Wales, and British and Irish Lions International Jamie Roberts on a one-year injury coverage contract for the 2022 season.

REACTION: The Lions are not about to throw the baby out with the bathwater, following their loss to the Sharks at the weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: Flyhalf George Ford has received a belated call-up to the England Six Nations team.

NEWS: Covid-19 restrictions have forced the cancellation of two Super Rugby Pacific pre-season fixtures less than a month out from the beginning of the new season.

INJURY NEWS: Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies will be out of action for up to three months.

NEWS: Having already seen their head coach and defence coach sign for Bath, a report has now emerged which suggests Munster may also lose influential centre Damian de Allende to the English Premiership’s basement club.

NEWS: Hooker Pierre Bourgarit has pulled out of France's squad preparing for the upcoming Six Nations after contracting COVID-19.

CONTRACT NEWS: Harlequins announced that exciting fullback Tyrone Green has signed a new long-term deal to remain at the Club

NEWS: Springbok Sevens captain Siviwe Soyizwapi has been ruled out of this weekend's Spain Sevens tournament at Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson talks about the conundrum he has at fullback and flyhalf.

TRANSFER NEWS: He previously joined the Stormers for some Super Rugby. Now the Waratahs is on his wishlist for another stint in the Southern Hemisphere.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White spells out how his team will prioritise the URC and Currie Cup competitions.

CONTRACT NEWS: Wednesday turned out to be a very good news day for Munster, as Simon Zebo has escaped a ban following his United Rugby Championship red card.

DAY THREE WRAP: The inaugural Spain leg of the Sevens World Series provided a weekend to remember in Málaga.

NEWS: Following the conclusion of the Champions Cup pool stage, the matchups in the Round of 16 have been confirmed.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Montpellier Hérault triumphed 37-26 over Exeter Chiefs on Sunday to secure the last available Round of 16 place.

TRANSFER NEWS: Australian star Kurtley Beale is to leave Top 14 side Racing 92 and return home, a source close to the affair told AFP.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Sale Sharks rounded off their Champions Cup pool stage campaign with a commanding 49-10 win over Ospreys on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: France manager and former captain Raphael Ibanez has laughed off suggestions that Les Bleus are favourites for this season's Six Nations championship.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Joris Segonds last-gasp penalty kept Stade Français Paris’ hopes of qualification alive in a thrilling 37-31 victory over Connacht.

REACTION: The Sharks are certainly not bashful about selling their array of international backline stars as the team's match winners.

WATCH as Western Province coach Jerome Paarwater unpacks his team's humbling 21-40 loss to the Bulls in a Currie Cup Round Two match in Cape Town this week.

DAY TWO WRAP: The inaugural Spain Sevens served up a treat, with dominant displays, major upsets and individual masterclasses on show at the Stadium Ciudad de Málaga.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Munster beat Wasps 45-7 at Thomond Park on Sunday, ending their opponents' hopes of reaching the Round of 16.

URC MATCH REPORT: The Sharks held off a second-half charge by the Lions to score a 47-37 win in an 11-try thriller at Ellis Park on Saturday.

URC MATCH REPORT: The Stormers scored two late tries to halt the Bulls' impressive home record - a 30-26 win in a thrilling encounter at Loftus Versfeld.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Wing Jimmy O’Brien scored four tries as Leinster claimed a dominant 64-7 victory at Bath on Saturday.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Bristol Bears underlined their title credentials as they rounded off their Pool B campaign with a 52-21 victory over Scarlets in an entertaining match at Parc y Scarlets.

REACTION: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen remained relatively tight-lipped about the rumoured signing of Munster second row Jason Jenkins.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Ulster survived a late ASM Clermont Auvergne comeback to run out 34-31 winners at Kingsholm Stadium on Saturday.

REACTION: The cancellation of Toulouse's match against Cardiff has "discredited" the European Champions Cup, the LNR.

NEWS: Europe's Champions Cup competition was dealt another hammer blow, with a game called off as a result of COVID.

WATCH as we bring you 10 of the most brutal tackles of all time.

REACTION: Toulouse President Didier Lacroix said the club will "take legal action" after European Champions Cup organisers cancelled this weekend's home game with Cardiff.

MATCH REPORT: Alex Dombrandt scored his third try of the game deep in added time to give Harlequins a 36-33 victory over Castres on Friday.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Glasgow Warriors face an anxious wait over their play-off fate, after Stade Rochelais claimed a 38-30 win at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Glen Young and Freddie Owsley scored two tries each in Edinburgh's emphatic 66-3 victory against Brive.

INJURY UPDATE: England captain Owen Farrell's prospects of featuring in the Six Nations suffered a fresh setback.

WRAP: Current Series pace-setters South Africa remain on course for a third tournament win of the campaign following a day of thrills at the Spain Sevens.

CONTRACT NEWS: France remains a popular stomping ground for South African players.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Eight match between the Bulls and Stormers at Loftus Versfeld.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Eight match between the Lions and Sharks at Ellis Park.

INTERVIEW: Sharks coach Sean Everitt's powerful team is missing a few key players for their trip to Johannesburg and the resumption of URC hostilities.

NORTH-SOUTH DERBY: South African teams return to action on the United Rugby Champion stage for the first time in almost two months.

TRANSFER NEWS: Leinster is set to fill an impending second row void with the signing of a Springbok lock that is currently on the books of Munster.

NEWS: Newcastle's European Challenge Cup game against Toulon on Saturday has been cancelled, after a COVID-19 outbreak at the English Premiership club.

OPINION: RugbyPass columnist and former England flyhalf Andy Goode has a very interesting take on what to expect in 2022.

RANKINGS REVIEW: The Springboks started and finished the year as the world's No.1 ranked team, but they had to endure a rocky road on their journey.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Waratahs have signed the younger brother of All Blacks star Patrick Tuipulotu as one of two new recruits ahead of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.

NEWS: Upcoming Sevens World Series tournaments in Vancouver and Los Angeles have been rescheduled due to COVID-19 concerns.

SPOTLIGHT: The likely departure of Springbok centre Damian de Allende would be a big loss for Munster revealed assistant coach Stephen Larkham.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have a 'new' captain and several changes to the team for their URC encounter with the Stormers in Pretoria on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face the Sharks on Saturday at Ellis Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers have named a number of Springboks for their trip to Pretoria on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has named a powerful line-up in his team’s first United Rugby Championship clash of the year for their derby against the Lions on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Henry Slade appears to be available for all of England's Six Nations matches, after Exeter said he was in contention for their Champions Cup match against Montpellier.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Wales wing Alex Cuthbert has been given a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle during the Ospreys' Champions Cup clash with Racing 92.

NEWS: Is a dark day for the French Rugby fraternity as they mourn the sudden death of flyhalf Jordan Michallet.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Ireland centre Bundee Aki will be available for Connacht's final Champions Cup pool game of the season against Stade Francais.

REPORT: The Sharks opened their Currie Cup campaign with a victory over the Griquas on Wednesday.

PREVIEW: Harlequins will be out to clinch the top spot in Pool B when they host qualification-chasing Castres Olympique on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Tonga prop Ben Tameifuna said on Wednesday a tsunami that hit the Pacific Island nation last weekend will "knock it back a few steps" after also struggling due to coronavirus restrictions.

REPORT:  Bulls continued their impressive Currie Cup dominance with a comfortable 40-21 win over Western Province at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday. 

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Pumas recorded their first win of the season with an emphatic 50-9 win over the Lions at Ellis Park on Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Blues head coach Leon MacDonald has issued a blunt warning to his side, and Super Rugby Pacific as a whole, as the ever-present threat of Covid-19 continues to loom large.

PREVIEW: Attention now switches to Spain for the next leg of the Sevens World Series!

WATCH as Bulls Currie Cup coach Gert Smal talks about the role of retired Springbok Werner Kruger as Bulls' new scrum consultant.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Gregor Townsend named five uncapped players in his 39-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones believes Alfie Barbeary has the mentality as well as the talent to make his mark on the international stage.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: It’s probably fair to say the World Rugby Sevens Series is a globetrotting exercise on the high end of the sporting entertainment scale.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Two encounter between Western Province and the Bulls in Cape Town.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Two encounter between the Sharks and Griquas at Kings Park.

REACTION: Wales coach Wayne Pivac is confident the extra responsibility of captaincy will "add' to the game of Dan Biggar.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named two uncapped players in his 37-strong squad for the upcoming Six Nations campaign.

NEWS: Gloucester Rugby announced that Charlie Chapman has penned a new deal to stay at Kingsholm.

WATCH as the Lions' backline, attack and skills coach Ricardo Loubscher speaks to @king365ed about the visit of the Springbok-laden Sharks URC side to Ellis Park this week.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Two encounter between the Lions and Pumas at Ellis Park.

NEWS: World Player of the Year Antoine Dupont has been named in France's Six Nations squad by head coach Fabien Galthie despite not having played since December 11.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Wasps' Jacob Umaga is set for another frustrating stint on the sidelines.

INJURY UPDATE: Munster have confirmed that Springbok centre Damian De Allende will remain on the sidelines for a number of weeks due to an abdominal injury

MIDWEEK SHOWDOWN: Round two of the Currie Cup will see the Sharks open their campaign against the Griquas on Wednesday.

SQAUD ANNOUNCEMENT: Owen Farrell will captain England in the upcoming Six Nations after coach Eddie Jones announced a 36-man squad on Tuesday.

NEWS: Dan Biggar will captain title-holders Wales during the Six Nations in place of the injured Alun Wyn Jones, the Welsh Rugby Union announced on Tuesday.

NEWS: Bath has confirmed the arrival of two more South Africans at The Recreation Ground.

WATCH as new Sharks Currie Cup coach Etienne Fynn explains to @king365ed the reasoning behind working with one large squad for two different competitions and the prestige of the Currie Cup.

REACTION: Eddie Jones has explained his reasoning behind the decision to name Owen Farrell as England's Six Nations captain.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have named a number of Springboks in their team for their Currie Cup Round Two encounter with Western Province.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have named their team ahead of their second Currie Cup encounter.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Marcel Theunissen will start at flank in one of three changes to the Western Province forward pack for their Currie Cup clash with the Bulls at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has been forced into making a number of changes to his team for their Currie Cup encounter with the Lions.

VIDEO: Rassie Erasmus is set to resume his duties as South Africa Director of Rugby this week and his daughters couldn't be happier.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok prop Frans Malherbe has been ruled out of this weekend’s United Rugby Champions match against Bulls on Saturday.

INJURY NEWS: All Blacks star Beauden Barrett has revealed he is still struggling with concussion symptoms a month out from the kick-off of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season.

NEWS: Fijian Drua have rescheduled their home debut as the Australian-based outfit grapple with COVID-19 in two countries ahead of a maiden Super Rugby Pacific season.

REACTION: Western Province coach Jerome Paarwater has identified a few work-ons following his team's Currie Cup win over Lions on Saturday.

NEWS: Zebre have announced the appointment of Emiliano Bergamaschi as their new Head Coach.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls announced the inclusion of former prop, Werner Kruger, as a coaching consultant focused on working with the team’s front row.

NEWS: Gloucester Rugby announced that the club has signed Fijian international Albert Tuisue ahead of the 2022-23 season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Despite their opening loss to the Cheetahs, Griquas coach Pieter Bergh has kept faith with the team for their Round Two trip to Durban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Etienne Fynn has named a strong, experienced side to host Griquas in Round Two of the Currie Cup.

REACTION: Griquas have high ambitions, but they know that their obvious 'potential' will not automatically translate into success.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's leading referee Jaco Peyer has been appointed to officiate in the Six Nations Championship that kicks off on February 5.

CURRIE CUP REACTION: Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi believes his team’s lack of discipline played a huge part in their 36-48 defeat to the Western Province on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: ASM Clermont Auvergne grind out a 25-19 victory over Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup on Sunday – keeping their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage alive.

EUROPEAN CUP:  Leinster were absolutely ruthless, recording an 89-7 win over Montpellier in Dublin on Sunday.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Louis Bielle-Biarrey starred on his Champions Cup debut as the Union Bordeaux-Begles fullback notched a hat-trick in their 45-10 win over Scarlets.

NEWS: All athletes who wish to compete in France will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19, government sources told AFP on Monday.

REACTION: Ireland midfielder Bundee Aki will hope that his tweeted apology will be enough to stave off a possible EPCR citing.

SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby is reportedly set to reward South African-based players during the Springboks end-of-year tour.

WATCH as we bring you a collection of very special and skilful plays in the game.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Wing Hosea Saumaki handed Leicester Tigers a dramatic 29-28 win at Connacht on Saturday, as he scored in the final play of the game.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: New recruit Angelo Davids scored a hat-trick of tries as Western Province got their campaign off to a winning start with a 48-36 triumph over the Lions in Cape Town.

SEVENS NEWS: Fiji on Saturday pulled out of next weekend's round of the World Rugby Sevens series in Spain after some players tested positive for Covid.

REACTION: Gert Smal promised the Bulls will be more of an attacking threat when they face the Western Province.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs got their 2022 campaign off to a winning start, beating a gritty Griquas 30-20 in a scrappy affair in the season-opener in Bloemfontein.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Toulon recorded a 34-23 victory at Worcester Warriors in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday to make it two wins from two in Pool A.

MATCH REPORT: Bristol Bears overcame Stade Français Paris 28-17 in a breathless Champions Cup contest at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Fullback Michael Lowry scored a try brace as Ulster Rugby won 24-20 at Northampton Saints on Sunday to confirm their qualification for Champions Cup Round of 16.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup Round Three match between Leinster and Montpellier in Dublin.

OPINION: Rugbypass contributor Jamie Horner looks at the key challenges facing the sport in 2022.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs produced a scintillating second-half display as they thrashed Glasgow Warriors 52-17 on Saturday

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Three-time runners-up Racing 92 claimed a last 16 place as they beat the Ospreys 25-10 after the Welsh region deservedly led by two points at the break.

POST-MATCH REACTION: Coach Johann van Graan was proud of his Munster side after they came from behind to make it three wins from three in the Champions Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok World Cup star Pieter-Steph du Toit has been named to make his Japan Rugby League One debut for Verblitz this weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: The Varsity Cup, South Africa's premier university tournament, will return with a few new gimmicks next month.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Centre George Wacokecoke scored a try in the last play of the game as Newcastle Falcons grabbed a dramatic 17-13 win at Biarritz Olympique on Friday.

EUROPEAN CUP WRAP: Marcus Smith set up three tries, scored one and booted a penalty with the last kick of the game Friday to give Harlequins a 36-33 victory in Cardiff.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Lock Rémi Picquette scored a try brace as Stade Rochelais cruised to a 39-21 win over Bath on Saturday.

NEWS: Six Nations matches in Wales will be able to go ahead after the Welsh government announced on Friday it was easing coronavirus restrictions in the coming weeks.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Wasps earned a fantastic 30-22 win over Stade Toulousain in the Champions Cup on Saturday.

NEWS: Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Chris Boyd will miss the next two matches, after being banned for referee abuse.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round One encounter between the Cheetahs and Griquas in Bloemfontein.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round One encounter between Western Province and the Lions in Cape Town.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup Round Three match between Wasps and Stade Toulousain in Coventry.

NEWS: Italy's most capped player Sergio Parisse will miss their two opening matches of this year's Six Nations as he recovers from a wrist issue.

NEWS: Edinburgh centre George Taylor said he had retired from Rugby Union at the age of 25 following a "history of head injuries".

MATCH REPORT:  The Bulls avenged last season Currie Cup opener to Pumas with a 33-19 victory at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday. 

SPOTLIGHT: Which teams impressed and which teams regressed during the 2021 Test season?

Super Rugby Pacific is still a month-and-a-half away from kick-off, but footy fans in the Asia-Pacific corner of the globe can get their rugby fix as early as this weekend.

NEWS: World Rugby has confirmed that the New Zealand Sevens team will no longer compete in the Spain legs of the World Series.

ROUND THREE PREVIEW: With the postponed Round two fixtures declared draws, this weekend's Champions Cup Round Three fixtures are vital.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round One encounter between the Pumas and Bulls in Nelspruit.

ROUND THREE, FRIDAY PREVIEW: We take a look at the two European Champions Cup fixtures on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Sevens playmaker Justin Geduld will return to the Sevens World Series for the first time in two years.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN: @king365ed looks at the opening weekend of South Africa's premier domestic competition, which is on the verge of becoming a development campaign.

INTERVIEW: South African prop Trevor Nyakane said he moved to French club Racing 92 because he needed a new "challenge" before a potential debut for his new side on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Toulouse's World Rugby player of the year Antoine Dupont will miss this weekend's European Champions Cup game at Wasps with an unspecified injury.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa World Cup-winning loosehead Tendai Mtawarira may have retired from international rugby more than two years ago, but he still appears to be in great shape.

NEWS: Lions and Springbok scrumhalf Ross Cronje has called time on his professional career.

NEWS: An England international arrested over the alleged rape of a teenager has been suspended by club side Sale.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province will have a 'new' captain when they start their Currie Cup campaign against the Lions in Cape Town on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have unveiled their new Currie Cup captain, ahead of their Round One match against Western Province.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas have named 12 players who will make their first appearance for the Kimberley-based outfit when they face the Cheetahs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs have gone 'experience heavy' for their opening match in the 2022 Currie Cup season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse is eager to see how his 'new-look' team will shape up against what is expected to be the Bulls' URC combination.

REACTION: Bordeaux-Begles coach Christophe Urios said the decision by Euro Cup organisers to declare last month's postponed games as draws mean the competition is now "rubbish".

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cornal Hendricks will captain a strong Bulls team in their opening match of the side's Currie Cup defence.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province forward coach Lucas Floors has taken the Cape Town team's attitude to another level, according to flyhalf Tim Swiel.

NEWS: European tournament games involving British clubs in France this weekend look set to go ahead as planned.

SPOTLIGHT: Scottish rugby officials have exhaled a massive sigh of relief following the confirmation that they will be allowed to welcome a full capacity crowd to Murrayfield.

SPOTLIGHT: The latest acquisition by French outfit Racing 92, World Cup-winning Springbok Trevor Nyakane , took his first tentative steps in Paris this week.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Northampton Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd is set to face a disciplinary hearing for criticising the performance of referee Adam Leal in his team's loss to Saracens.

OPINION: The Springboks finished the season still holding World Rugby’s No.1 ranking, but were they the best team?

OPINION: With the World Cup in two years time, the big question is who are the contenders for the coveted title.

OPINION: The rugby season started with Covid-19 postponement and now it is ending on the same note.

NEWS: England rugby player – who cannot be named for legal reasons – has reportedly been arrested on the suspicion of raping a teenager last weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: It’s no secret that Australia’s Super Rugby franchises have struggled to foot it with their Kiwi counterparts in recent years, but the Brumbies are looking to change that in 2022.

NEWS: SA Rugby has revealed their kick-offs times and venues for the 2022 Currie Cup season.

INTERVIEW: The Lions have decided to 'split' their United Rugby Championship and Currie Cup squads.

SPOTLIGHT: No team has won more Currie Cup trophies than the Western Province.

NEWS: Fixtures originally postponed in the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup last month have been declared draws, the tournament organisers announced on Tuesday.

NEWS: Bath has confirmed they will only fulfil their Champions Cup fixture against La Rochelle on Saturday if French travel restrictions are eased.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has been urged to follow the lead of rugby league in the fight to reduce the effect of repeated head knocks.

NEWS: Harlequins announced that England number eight and fan favourite Alex Dombrandt has signed a new long-term deal with the Club

The Bulls have unveiled a skilled team of coaches that will oversee the defence of their Currie Cup title.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ireland international Simon Zebo has signed a new two-year contract to stay with Munster until the end of the 2023-24 season.

REACTION: Worcester Warriors head coach Jonathan Thomas believes there is “an issue with the law” after Scotland prop Rory Sutherland was sent off in his team 22-19 Premiership defeat at Bath.

Quarantine rules in France have left UK teams travelling there this weekend fearful that they could be left stranded following Champions and Challenge Cup matches.

Northampton Saints are reportedly set to promote from within to fill the vacancy created on Monday by the revelation that the highly-regarded Chris Boyd will head home to New Zealand at the end of the 2021/22 season in England.

SPOTLIGHT: Super Rugby Pacific expansion franchise Moana Pasifika have added two new coaches to its management staff just over a month out from the kick-off of the new competition.

REACTION: Former Ireland and Munster scrumhalf Peter Stringer believes Johann van Graan is not really committed to Munster's cause for the rest of the rest.

Kick tennis is a part of rugby that many spectators, and even players, do not necessarily like, but begrudgingly accept that it is part of the modern game.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Wasps ended Leicester's perfect start to the season with a 16-13 victory in the English Premiership on Sunday as Bath won for the first time this campaign by defeating 14-man Worcester.

Munster are reportedly in the market for a new centre.

NEWS: Premiership Rugby confirmed that London Irish have been awarded four match points and Bath two following the cancellation of their Premiership Round 12 game.

NEWS: Northampton is set to announce later this week that Chris Boyd is stepping down from his role as Saints Rugby Director.

URC REPORT: A gritty backs-to-the-wall effort saw Munster overcome Simon Zebo’s early sending-off to defeat Ulster 18-13 in the United Rugby Championship at Thomond Park.

SPOTLIGHT: On the global stage he was the ultimate Lions slayer. Now record-breaking Springbok and Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn is ready to start putting back into the game.

TOP 14 WRAP: New Zealander Ben Botica kicked 12 points to send Castres to third place in the French Top 14 in Saturday's 15-9 home win over Stade Francais.

REACTION: Harlequins assistant coach Jerry Flannery has paid Andre Esterhuizen an awesome tribute after the out-of-favour Springboks midfielder produced a powerhouse display against Exeter.

SPOTLIGHT: Wasps boss Lee Blackett has voiced fears that the Premiership will lose some of its glamour as a result of reductions to the salary cap.

SPOTLIGHT: Controversial cross-code athlete Isreal Folau would be welcomed into Tonga's Test set-up in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup reveals former captain Aleki Lutui.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Andre Esterhuizen delivered yet another incredible performance as his late converted try helped Harlequins secure a crucial 14-12 win over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Toulon president Bernard Lemaître has labelled Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth as a 'handicap' due to the lock being expensive and often unavailable through injury and international commitments.

URC REPORT: Edinburgh shot to the top of the United Rugby Championship table after bagging four first-half tries against Cardiff Blues.

REACTION: Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson struggled to mask his frustration following a 15-32 Premiership defeat against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.

URC SPOTLIGHT: Fresh from the festive break, the Lions are hard at work on their preparations ahead of their first United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture.

NEWS: Toulon's game at home to La Rochelle in the Top 14 and the match between Toulouse and Montpellier, both scheduled for Sunday, have been called off due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

MATCH REPORT: Bristol Bears ended a run of four successive Premiership defeats as they continued Sale Sharks’ away-day blues by winning 32-15 at Ashton Gate.

NEWS: The organisers of the European Champions Cup said on Friday games in this season's pool stages later this month will take place as normal after receiving an exemption on travel rules from the French government.

INJURY NEWS: Springbok centre Damian De Allende will not feature in Munster's crucial United Rugby Championship (URC) match against Ulster on Saturday.

NEWS: Toulon head coach Franck Azema said on Friday an unnamed squad member has been hospitalised after contracting coronavirus, two days before South African star Cheslin Kolbe's league debut for the club.

REPORT: Josh McKay scored his first Glasgow Warriors try as they earned a bonus point against the Ospreys with a dominant second-half display.

SPOTLIGHT: Playmaker Johan Goosen has a new role at the Bulls while he recovers from his knee injury.

SPOTLIGHT: Munster will be feeling the pressure after their shock loss to Connacht last weekend as they host Ulster in a mouth-watering Irish derby in the pick of this weekend’s United Rugby Championship fixtures.

NEWS: London Irish confirmed that Agustin Creevy has put pen to paper to extend his time with the Exiles.

INJURY UPDATE: France star Charles Ollivon is likely to miss the Six Nations, head coach Fabien Galthie has said.

NEWS: Springbok centre Jan Serfontein has extended his stay with French club Montpellier.

NEWS: Former Wallabies boss Michael Cheika is reportedly in the firing line over the arrest of former NRL star Blake Ferguson on the eve of the Japan Rugby League One season.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks loose forward Dylan Richardson has opened up on his decision to represent Scotland on the international stage.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has rekindled his rivalry with 2003 World Cup-winning England coach Clive Woodward on Twitter.

NEWS: Former France flyhalf Camille Lopez is to leave Clermont for Bayonne on a two-year deal, with an option for a third, from next season, it was announced Friday.

TRANSFER NEWS: United Rugby Championship club Cardiff on Thursday announced the signing of Wales international fullback Liam Williams from Welsh rivals Scarlets.

WATCH as South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus shares a story about Makazole Mapimpi's character.

SPOTLIGHT: Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter has suggested that the Six Nations should be played in one country.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls prop Lizo Gqoboka is looking to bury the demons from 2021.

PREVIEW: Brive's Argentine wing Axel Muller said this week he wants to benefit from a recent eligibility rule change to be able to represent the United States at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Ireland skipper Keith Wood had read Munster the riot act, accusing them of playing a “turgid nonsense” style of rugby.

NEWS: South Africa sevens speedster Angelo Davids has signed a two-year contract with Western Province Professional Rugby.

NEWS: There seems to be little light at the end of the tunnel for the massively virus-affected United Rugby Championship.

NEWS: The showpiece opening game of Japan's new rugby union championship was scrapped Wednesday because of coronavirus cases, two days before it was due to take place at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Tuesday that November's win over New Zealand gives his side "hope" of winning a title.

SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand superstar Sonny Bill Williams has revealed his sons would prefer playing for the Springboks instead of All Blacks.

INTERVIEW: Mziwakhe Nkosi will lead the Lions ahead of the 2022 Currie Cup campaign.

NEWS: Former Ireland scrumhalf Michael Bradley has been removed from his position as head coach of Zebre, the Italian rugby outfit announced on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Japan's rugby union season kicks off on Friday with big ambitions, tongue-twister team names and a rebrand that has left some fans wondering which version of the sport they will be watching.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales legend Shane Williams has revealed that at one time he "hated Welsh rugby and head coach Steve Hansen with a passion".

NEWS: Saracens revealed that loose forward Jackson Wray suffered a fractured skull during their weekend Premiership victory over Northampton.

TRANSFER TALK: Springboks legendary prop Os du Randt is reportedly set to join the coaching team of Russia.

NEWS: Blake Ferguson's arrest and subsequent sacking has sent his Japanese rugby club into damage control.

NEWS: Munster forwards coach Graham Rowntree has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain with the province until at least June 2024.

REACTION: Andre Esterhuizen is hoping to hear from Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber in the near future.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok assistant coach Gert Smal has officially started his tenure at the Bulls.

REACTION: Northampton Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd suggested referee Adam Leal “didn’t have enough nuts” to award a penalty at a crucial stage of a 6-30 Premiership defeat by Saracens.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Joel Stransky believes Handre Pollard is not enjoying his rugby with the Springboks.

REACTION: Munster head coach Johan van Graan has defended his players' commitment on the field after their 8-10 defeat to Connacht in Round Nine of the United Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Former Australia Rugby League international Blake Ferguson has been fired by his Japanese club without playing a game after being arrested in Tokyo on drug charges, the team said.

STAT ATTACK: The Springboks have plenty of talent when it comes to versatile forwards and it was on display in the Premiership on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen picked up another man-of-the-match award as Harlequins edged Gloucester 20-17 at Kingsholm on Sunday.

The Bulls turned back the clock to revisit "one of the best tries you will ever see".

SPOTLIGHT: The Japan Rugby Football Union is in talks with both the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship to ensure regular international games.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has opened up about the rumours linking him to the British and Irish Lions job.

STAT ATTACK: Harlequins fullback Tyrone Green is one of the best players in the Premiership at the moment.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales star Dan Biggar fears playing the Six Nations behind closed doors could harm the champions' prospects of a successful title defence.

REPORT: Johnny McNicholl scored two tries in the final quarter to earn a 22-19 victory for the Scarlets over the Ospreys in a hard-fought Welsh derby in Llanelli.

URC REPORT: Bundee Aki’s first try of the season saw Connacht win a fiery United Rugby Championship contest as they edged out Munster 10-8 at the Sportsground.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sale Sharks were triumphant in their first Premiership game since November as they powered past Wasps 26-18 for a bonus-point success at the AJ Bell Stadium.

NEWS: Bath’s Premiership match at London Irish on Monday has been called off after the club returned more positive Covid-19 test results.

TOP 14 WRAP: Italy wing Federico Mori scored the first double of his senior career as Bordeaux-Begles moved five points clear as leaders of the French Top 14 on Sunday with a 30-27 home win over Biarritz.

REACTION: Newcastle Falcons loose forward Carl Fearns is clearly not a fan of Springbok No.8 Jasper Wiese.

INTERVIEW: International referee Andrew Brace opens up about the impact of the Rassie Erasmus video on officials.

NEWS: England's 2022 Six Nations hopes received a significant boost on Friday.

WATCH as we bring you the list of the most drop goals in World Cup history.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: Champions Toulouse may be short of match practice due to their last two games being postponed but they travel to Clermont for Saturday's Top 14 clash boosted by several stars having committed to the club.

NEWS: In-form Montpellier's Top 14 clash with Toulon due to be played on Sunday has been called off owing to the latter having a surfeit of Covid-19 cases the French League (LNR) announced.

TOP 14 WRAP: Veteran flyhalf Camille Lopez kicked Clermont to a 16-13 home win over French Top 14 champions Toulouse on Saturday, to move into the play-off places.

NEWS: The Lions Rugby Company have secured the services of four Pumas players on a full-time basis.

SPOTLIGHT: With the majority of the fixtures in Round Nine postponed, the United Rugby Championship faces major concerns.

STATS ATTACK:  A look at how rugby has evolved at a remarkably rapid rate.

NEWS: England received some good news ahead of their 2022 Six Nations campaign.

SPOTLIGHT: Former British & Irish Lions and England hooker Brian Moore has described Warren Gatland’s tactics against South Africa this year as a “mistake and an avoidable one at that.”

SPOTLIGHT: Following significant disruptions to recent rounds of the United Rugby Championship, three further fixtures have been called off ahead of the first weekend of the new year.

PICTURES: South African franchises have all picked where they left off following the Christmas break.

NEWS: Jasper Wiese will miss Leicester Tigers' next two games.

TRANSFER TALK: Anthony Watson’s time at Bath is coming to an end after it was revealed that the England wing is eager to turn over a new leaf at a new club.

NEWS: Argentina loose forward Guido Petti has signed a contract extension keeping him at Bordeaux-Begles until 2025, the French club announced on Thursday.

NEWS: Leicester confirmed they were cooperating with a Premiership Rugby investigation into historical image rights payments after meeting officials over a potential breach of salary-cap regulations.

NEWS: The Italian derby between Benetton and Zebre has become the latest United Rugby Championship fixture to be postponed due to Covid-19 cases.

TOP 14 WRAP: Montpellier maintained their Top 14 charge with a 27-12 away win and a bonus point at rock-bottom Biarritz on Monday.

NEWS: Scheduling for the URC up to Round 17 has been completed with adjustments made to cater for postponed and rescheduled fixtures

NEWS: Premiership Rugby confirmed that Newcastle Falcons have been awarded four match points and Sale Sharks two following the cancellation of their Premiership Round 11 game.

TRANSFER TALK: Springbok and Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch could soon ply his trade at English Premiership side Bath.

SPOTLIGHT: England prop Joe Marler had plenty of praise for South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus in a recent interview.

REACTION: Centre Andre Esterhuizen will definitely be a hard man to ignore when Jacques Nienaber selects his first Springbok squad in 2022.

REPORT: Harlequins move into third place in the English Premiership with a 41-27 win over Northampton Saints on Monday.

NEWS: The first leg of the 1872 Cup between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh, which was due to be played on Monday, has been postponed.

REACTION: Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick insists his Premiership leaders will be galvanised by the investigation into a potential salary cap breach at Welford Road.

Springbok superstar Duane Vermeulen took some time out to learn some Ulster slang.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok superstar Duane Vermeulen still has a lot he wants to achieve on the rugby field.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls have a history of producing some of the country’s best locks in South Africa.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Leicester Tigers extended their unbeaten record in the Premiership this season as the leaders snatched a thrilling 28-26 victory at Bristol Bears on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Bullied by the Crusaders and overlooked by Wallabies selectors, there are many motivations for Queensland Reds players next season.

ANALYSES: Naysayers may scoff at the suggestion, but veteran loose forward Duane Vermeulen remains a formidable force that could be invaluable to the Springboks at the World Cup in France in 2023.

NEWS: England sevens great Ben Gollings has been appointed coach of Fiji's dual Olympic champion men's rugby sevens team.

NEWS: The English Premiership match between Newcastle and Sale on Sunday has been cancelled because of Covid-19 positives.

OPINION: @rugby365com contributor Angus Opperman looks at the depth of South Africa and New Zealand, with a view to a midweek game between their second-string teams in 2022.

URC ROUND EIGHT: The scheduled action-packed Christmas weekend suffered a major curveball with key derby clashes postponed due to Covid-19.

VIDEOS: The South African Rugby Legends Association sent a special message of support for Rassie Erasmus.

NEWS: Former BlitzBok star and utility back Cornal Hendricks has signed a contract extension with the Bulls.

NEWS: Former Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir has been appointed as Russia's new head coach.

NEWS: Ireland and Leinster Rugby have announced that Andrew Porter has signed an IRFU contract which will see him play his rugby in Ireland until at least July 2025.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: The resumption of the Top 14 immediately after Christmas has been disrupted by coronavirus as the league on Friday cancelled two games, including the one involving leaders Bordeaux Begles.

NEWS: Champions Toulouse's home game on Sunday with Stade Francais became the fourth Top 14 clash to be called off due to a surfeit of Covid-19 positive tests in the visiting club.

NEWS: England internationals Billy and Mako Vunipola have both signed new contracts at Saracens, it was announced Friday.

TRANSFER TALK: Sale Sharks face a tough battle to retain World Cup-winning Springbok lock Lood de Jager.

NEWS: The Super Rugby Pacific draw for next year has been revised to delay trans-Tasman travel for as long as possible and minimise potential disruption from Covid-19 restrictions.

NEWS: Cardiff's United Rugby Championship Round Eight clash against Scarlets on Sunday has been postponed due to Covid-19 cases.

SPOTLIGHT: It seems the Bulls are not ignoring the fact that they have issues in the front row.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen revealed he has no qualms regarding the latest rescheduling of fixtures announced by the United Rugby Championship (URC).

NEWS: Ulster's game against Irish rivals Connacht on Sunday has become the latest United Rugby Championship fixture this weekend to be postponed because of the coronavirus.

Whether it is a tongue-in-cheek video, a compliment or just a statement, the South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus continues to take Twitter by storm.

NEWS: Ireland star Conor Murray has made a decision on his playing future.

NEWS: Stuart Hogg has responded to reports on his playing future.

URC REPORT: Benetton confirmed their current superiority over Italian rivals Zebre Parma with a dominant 39-14 United Rugby Championship victory at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

URC ROUND EIGHT: The festive fare in the United Rugby Championship starts on Christmas Eve, Friday, with the Italian derby between Zebre and Benetton, the visitors from Treviso, in Parma.

OPINION: The major talking point and concern among All Blacks supporters is the man in the driver seat, Ian Foster.

SPOTLIGHT: England head coach Eddie Jones has two very different ratings for Rassie Erasmus' infamous 62-minute video.

NEWS: Another United Rugby Championship Round Eight clash has been postponed due to Covid-19 cases.

SPOTLIGHT: Damian McKenzie wants to stake his claim for the All Blacks' No.10 shirt

NEWS: French international flank Kevin Gourdon has had to end his playing career at 31 following the discovery of a heart problem, his club La Rochelle said on Tuesday.

STATS ATTACK:  The United Rugby Championship team have taken look back over the last 12 months of URC and Pro14 to see which players have stood out using the URC StatMaster expected points (xp) metric.

REACTION: Cardiff Rugby Director of Rugby Dai Young revealed it will “take a bit of convincing” to return to South Africa.

NEWS: Spanish rugby international Kawa Leauma has died after an accidental fall following a match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, the national rugby federation announced on Tuesday.

NEWS: Cross-code star Suliasi Vunivalu has been linked with a move back to the NRL and is reportedly considering quitting rugby union halfway through his two-year deal with the Reds.

NEWS: Sunday's United Rugby Championship Round Eight clash between Ospreys and the Dragons has been postponed due to Covid-19 cases.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scotland centre Nick Grigg will leave Glasgow at the end of this year after agreeing on an early release from his contract to join Japanese club NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.

REACTION: Leicester Tigers boss Steve Borthwick says Cyle Brink has been an important part of his squad, despite the injuries he suffered.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok centre Damian de Allende produced an outstanding performance for Munster in their 19-13 win over Castres in a Champions Cup Round Two match on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls have bolstered their back-row stocks.

NEWS: Scotland lock Sam Skinner admits it's with a heavy heart that he will be calling time on his Exeter Chiefs career at the end of the current campaign.

NEWS: Italy great Sergio Parisse, who is set to retire from rugby at the end of the season, will be recalled for the Six Nations if he has recovered sufficiently from his recent wrist injury.

TRANSFER TALK: The Sharks are reportedly eager to lure the Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Daniel, back to South Africa.

NEWS: The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) in France are reportedly set to reduce the salary cap in French rugby.

REACTION: Springbok superstar Cheslin Kolbe is grateful to be back on the rugby field after a lengthy injury lay-off.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Cheslin Kolbe makes his debut for Toulon.

NEWS: Ospreys hooker Ifan Phillips on Sunday revealed he needed his leg amputated after a motorbike accident earlier in December.

WATCH as Scotland's Stuart Hogg takes on South African Willie le Roux to find out which of them can make the longest spiral kick!

INTERVIEW: NZ Rugby Chief Executive Mark Robinson is adamant Trans-Tasman rugby will go ahead in 2022 despite the growing threat of the Omicron virus.

MATCH REPORT: Leicester Tigers recorded their second win in two Champions Cup games this season as they toiled to a 29-23 win over Connacht at Welford Road on Sunday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Sale Sharks announced that British and Irish Lions and England lock Jonny Hill has signed a long-term contract to join the club ahead of the 2022/23 Premiership season.

MATCH REPORT: Munster flyhalf Ben Healy kicked 14 points for the Irish province as they outlasted a stubborn Castres Olympique side in a 19-13 Champions Cup Pool B victory.

EURO CUP REPORT: Harlequins made it two wins from two in the Champions Cup as they ran in six tries to beat a fearless Cardiff side 43-17 at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

NEWS: Former BlitzBok star Vuyo Zangqa is Russia's new Sevens head coach.

EURO CUP REPORT: Flyhalf Ross Thompson kicked 15 points as Glasgow Warriors battled to an excellent 22-7 win over Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.

WATCH as Werner Kok took some time out to give his new teammate Ben Tapuai a lesson in South African lingo.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Springbok superstar Cheslin Kolbe started his Toulon journey with a win in the European Challenge Cup on Friday.

OPINION: Former England flyhalf Andy Goode takes a look at the complicated roster issues presented to organisers of the European Cup.

EURO CUP REPORT: Ulster survived a last-quarter fightback by visiting Northampton to win 27-22 and start their Champions Cup campaign with two victories.

SPOTLIGHT: Former World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper has revealed his one regret from his long stint in charge of the game’s governing body.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Controversial referee Romain Poite was wrong in issuing a red card against England international Brad Shields.

BREAKING NEWS: This weekend's European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup matches between teams from the UK and France have been postponed.

INTERVIEW: Watch as World Cup-winning Springbok loose forward Duane Vermeulen gives his first interview since joining Ulster.

NEWS: Wallaby great David Pocock announced Friday he is moving into politics, launching a bid to reach the Australian Senate in next year's general election.

OPINION: The Stormers' search for a suitable replacement for departed Springbok stalwart Mbongeni Mbonambi has rattled a few cages.

NEWS: A familiar face will be in the Hurricanes' colours when the new Super Rugby Pacific tournament starts in February.

REACTION: Bath Director of Rugby Stuart Hooper has spoken for the first time since the English club confirmed the appointment of Munster boss Johann van Graan.

WATCH as we bring you some of the best moments of former Springbok No.8 Pierre Spies - a freakish athlete if there ever was one!

NEWS: Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe is set to make his Toulon debut on Friday, 112 days after it was confirmed he had agreed to a shock transfer from Toulouse.

NEWS: Several players have extended their contracts with the Sharks.

NEWS: Friday's European Champions Cup Round Two clash between Montpellier and Leinster has been called off due to new positive Covid cases.

TRANSFER NEWS: England prop Ellis Genge will return to the Bristol Bears next season after five years with Leicester.

BREAKING NEWS: Another French club received five free points in the European Cup, as COVID threatens to wreak havoc.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Bath wing Will Muir has been banned for four weeks.

NEWS: Former Auckland, Blues and Tonga player Taniela Moa has passed away at age of 36 leading to tributes from his former teams.

ROUND TWO FRIDAY PREVIEWS: There will only be one European Champions Cup clash on Friday.

INTERVIEW: Experienced Argentina wing Juan Imhoff says he is unlikely to feature for his country any time soon after withdrawing from this season's November internationals due to coronavirus restrictions.

TRANSFER NEWS: England prop Ellis Genge announced on Wednesday that he will leave Premiership leaders Leicester Tigers at the end of this season.

NEWS: All Black, Crusaders and Canterbury hooker Codie Taylor has become the latest top player to recommit long term to New Zealand Rugby.

SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson is adamant trans-Tasman matches will go ahead in 2022 despite the growing threat of the Omicron virus.

CHALLENGE CUP DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: A citing complaint against the Section Paloise second row Daniel Ramsay has been dismissed.