All News

UPDATE: The Western Province Rugby Football Union's off-field and boardroom drama just got elevated to the next level. Jan de Koning reports.

DEVELOPING NEWS: Suspended WPRFU executive member Junaid Moerat launched a scathing attack on President Zelt Marais and close confidant Tony McKeever.

REACTION: Pacific Rugby Players Welfare chief executive Dan Leo has questioned rugby’s residency rules after Ireland No.8 CJ Stander announced his shock retirement at the end of this season.

NEWS: There are some changes in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings after the latest round of fixtures in the Six Nations and Rugby Europe Championship.

OPINION: For the past four seasons, Richie Mo’unga has been one of, if not the best performer at Super Rugby level. Why can't he replicate that at Test level?

NEWS: Former England international Dan Scarbrough had joined a legal case against authorities over their alleged failure to protect players from the risks of concussion.

WATCH as Ireland's now retired South African-born loose forward Christiaan Stander speaks after his final game for his adopted country.

OPINION: Warren Gatland will now have a fairly good idea of who is going to be in his British and Irish Lions squad later this year. Josh Raisey looks at his options.

SPOTLIGHT: Queensland Reds inside centre Hunter Paisami has a baby on the way but it wasn't the only reason he ran with a spring in his step on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Leicester Tigers confirmed Freddie Burns back to the club ahead of the 2021/22 season.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt could not resist talking about some of his youngsters after their match against the Lions, especially the explosive Ntuthuko Mchunu.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Blues replacement hooker Kurt Eklund has been handed a ban after his reckless illegal tackle during the defeat to Crusaders.

CONTRACT NEWS: Highlanders lock Pari Pari Parkinson has opted against leaving Dunedin and instead extended his contract for one more year.

PRO14 WRAP: Scarlets edged Cardiff Blues in the race for a much sought-after European spot.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen said his team's processes are more important than the final score in the preparation series.

VIDEO: Sam Smith looks at an incident in the Blues versus Crusaders Super Rugby Aotearoa match that is causing a stir in New Zealand.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says his players can use their Six Nations victory against England as a "reference point" for future success.

ANALYSIS: Eddie Jones' future as England coach is in the spotlight after a woeful Six Nations campaign.

NEWS: Harlequins announced that club captain Stephan Lewies has signed a new long-term contract.

OPINION: Andy Farrell called for a 'statement' performance in the lead-up to this Six Nations finale.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the Welsh players after their agonisingly close loss to France!

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: France second row forward Paul Willemse and Ireland centre Bundee Aki have been given a date for their disciplinary hearings.

NEWS: Two Blues players have been cited for foul play during the Blues' 27-43 loss to the Crusaders at Eden Park on Sunday.

SUPER AU SPOTLIGHT: As if they didn't have enough problems, now the Waratahs' training base has been flooded.

SQUAD UPDATE: Sean Maitland has been dropped from the 29-man Scotland squad preparing to face France in Friday's Six Nations finale.

REACTION: The Bulls Director of rugby Jake White has urged his team to be more mindful of the rugby laws.

REACTION: France coach Fabien Galthie accused Wales of specialising in getting opposition players sent off after Paul Willemse received a red card in the Six Nations match between the two sides in Paris.

REACTION: The Stormers No.8 Juarno Augustus has been urged to take the 'good with the bad' after his team's 29-34 defeat to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday. 

REACTION: There has been a mass outcry against England bad boy Ellis Genge, following what appears to be a deliberate act of foul play.

REACTION: The Western Force's cohesion is growing by the week, and prop Tom Robertson is confident they can upset the Brumbies in Canberra.

NEWS: Gloucester's Matt Banahan and Leicester's Kobus Van Wyk will each appear before an online independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday.

NEWS: France centre Gael Fickou will leave Stade Francais at the end of the season to join local rivals Racing 92.

MATCH REPORT: Sam Davies kicked 16 points as Dragons pulled off a morale-boosting 26-17 victory over Glasgow Warriors at the Principality Stadium.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sales Sharks recorded a 41-13 win over London Irish at the AJ Bell on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France denied Wales a Grand Slam and kept their Six Nations title hopes alive with a dramatic 32-30 win in Paris on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: France flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert said Sunday he was out of the Six Nations decider against Scotland after suffering a blow to the head in the victory over Wales.

INTERVIEW: Sir Clive Woodward, the World Cup-winning coach, has called on Twickenham chiefs to ask Eddie Jones to explain why England have “gone backwards at a rate of knots” following the heavy loss to Ireland.

MATCH REPORT:  Crusaders kept their flawless record intact with a 43-27 win over the Blues on Sunday at Eden Park. 

REACTION: Maro Itoje insists Eddie Jones does not deserve the blame for England's Six Nations flop because the players are responsible for the dismal campaign.

SIX NATIONS MATCH REPORT: France stayed alive in the championship with an amazing come-from-behind win over Wales in a bizarre game in Paris on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Young fullback Tiaan Swanepoel kicked an injury-time penalty to secure the Lions a thrilling 43-40 win over the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

WATCH as Stormers No.8 Juarno Augustus commits the cardinal sin - losing the ball in the act of scoring a match-winning try.

PREVIEW: History will be made this weekend when Round 16 of PRO14 action sees Hollie Davidson take charge of the match between Munster and Benetton on Friday.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Exeter Chiefs closed the gap on Premiership leaders Bristol Bears with a seven-try victory over visiting Leicester Tigers.

SIX NATIONS MATCH REPORT: Scotland thrashed Italy 52-10 in their international at Murrayfield on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs finally have a Super Rugby Aotearoa win.

REACTION: Wasps coach Lee Blackett defended the television match official's decision to avoid intervening in an eye-gouging incident.

SUPER RUGBY AU REPORT: The Reds had to battle right to the very end before overcoming a committed Western Force outfit 26-19 at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls edged the Stormers 34-29 in a hard-fought match in Pretoria.

OPINION: England arrived in Dublin favourites to make it five wins from five against the Irish and exit the Six Nations on a high.

PRO14 FRIDAY WRAP: Alex McHenry, Keynan Knox, Roman Salanoa and Ben Healy all collected their first senior tries in Munster’s 31-17 bonus-point win over Benetton in the final round of the PRO14 at Thomond Park.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Four match between the Blues and Crusaders at Eden Park.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Brad Shields and Tom West scored second-half tries as Wasps came from behind to claim a 20-18 win over Newcastle Falcons.

SIX NATIONS MATCH REPORT: Ireland, reduced to 13 men at the end, beat England 32-18 to end a run of four successive defeats by their opponents.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round Five match between France and Wales in Paris.

SPOTLIGHT: 'Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; truth isn't.'

OPINION: Campbell Burnes gives us his considerable view on why Super Rugby Aotearoa is leaving the Six Nations for dead.

MATCH REPORT: Flyhalf Eddie Fouché scored all the Pumas' points in a 22-15 win over the Cheetahs in Nelspruit on Friday.

NEWS: One of Scotland's stars will be available for next weekend's potential Six Nations title decider with France.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round Five match between Ireland and England in Dublin.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the South African Preparations Series match between the Lions and Sharks at Ellis Park.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said on Friday the goal for this weekend's trip to France was to claim a maiden Six Nations Grand Slam for coach Wayne Pivac.

WHISTLE WATCH returns, as Nigel Owens takes us through the world of rugby through a referee’s eyes.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Four encounter between the Hurricanes and Chiefs in Wellington.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the South African preparation match between the Bulls and Stormers at Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt has explained former Springbok assistant coach Brendan Venter's role with the team.

BIG NORTH-SOUTH DERBY: South Africa's Europe-bound franchises are finally starting to filter in some of the big names. Jan de Koning reports.

GRAND SLAM: Wales head to Paris on Saturday 80 minutes away from a Six Nations Grand Slam but face a deeply talented France side with title aspirations of their own.

NEWS: European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have admitted that they are continuing the review the feasibility of staging the final of the European competition in Marseille, the chosen venue for the 2021 tournament.

SURVIVAL: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has no doubt, perennial strugglers, Italy should keep their place in the Six Nations Championship ahead of this weekend's match at Murrayfield.

NORTH-SOUTH DERBY: It is not often that the big North Island versus South Island clash has some gloss taken off by a losing streak.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FIVE: Ireland host England in their final Six Nations match on Saturday with both sides hoping to end on a high note after mixed campaigns.

PREVIEW: The 2020/2021 Premiership season enter's Round 14 this weekend with some interesting fixtures.

NEWS: The delayed Six Nations international between France and Scotland in Paris will be played on March 26, tournament organisers said Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders have made some minor alterations for their crunch Super Rugby Aotearoa match against Blues on Sunday.

NEWS: Former England dual rugby international Sam Burgess had a conviction for intimidating his ex-father-in-law overturned Friday, Australian media reported.

REACTION: New Zealand's National Referee Manager Bryce Lawrence has fronted up following the referees' round three review.

NEWS: Wins over France and Scotland have seen England and Ireland both improve their position in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Leon MacDonald has selected an experienced and largely unchanged Blues team to host the Crusaders at Eden Park on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: The Rebels celebrated their first game in Melbourne in over a year with a crushing 33-14 victory over the winless Waratahs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Fabien Galthie named an unchanged side on Thursday to host Wales in a potential Six Nations Grand Slam decider.

NEWS: England’s Wayne Barnes, will be in charge of a major clash in the Champions Cup Round of 16 when two former tournament winners, Munster Rugby and Toulouse, go head-to-head on Saturday, April 3.

INJURY UPDATE: The Cheetahs have been forced into a late change ahead of their Preparation match against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have made one change for their Six Nations finale against France on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has made seven changes to his starting XV for the Six Nations match against Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England has made just one change to their team to play Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: James Lowe has been dropped entirely from Ireland’s matchday squad as Andy Farrell makes six changes to the starting fifteen that beat Scotland in last weekend’s Six Nations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has brought out some heavy hitters for his team's encounter with the Stormers in Pretoria on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springboks flyhalf Elton Jantjies will lead an experienced Lions team when they host the Sharks in their second home game of the Preparation Series on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has made a number of changes to his side for their clash against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy coach Franco Smith has made four changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations finale against Scotland in Edinburgh.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has named his team for the Preparation match against Pumas on Friday in Nelspruit.

WATCH: Jesse Kriel has inspired his Canon Eagles side to a 40-32 win over Yamaha Jubilo in the latest round of the Japan Top League, but a gruesome injury soured his day somewhat.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Stormers have managed to retain the services of one of their Springbok hookers.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Highlanders have secured some quality depth at scrumhalf.

NEWS: Alan Gilpin has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of World Rugby.

MATCH REPORT: Griquas added the proverbial insult to injury when they whitewashed a hopelessly outclassed Eastern Province Elephants in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes debutant Orbyn Leger will start at flyhalf against the Chiefs, with Jackson Garden-Bachop unavailable due to the injury sustained against the Crusaders.

WORLD'S BEST: Reece Hodge says Melbourne's backs need to match the form of their wing Marika Koroibete, whom he says sits among the world's best rugby players.

SPOTLIGHT: England is increasingly confident that centre Henry Slade will be fit for their Six Nations finale away to Ireland on Saturday.

WATCH as new Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat speaks to the media about the responsibility of leading the big Trek north. Jan de Koning reports.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former Junior Springbok prop Marné Coetzee is set to make a return for the Pumas after missing the entire 2020 season due to injury when they face the Cheetahs in Nelspruit on Friday.

WATCH as utility back Marco Jansen van Vuren speaks about his decision to cross the Jukskei - from Johannesburg to Pretoria

TRANSFER NEWS: Francois Hougaard has put pen to paper for a new team.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Flank Peter O'Mahony says his three-game ban following a red card in the opening Six Nations match against Wales will not change his physical approach.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys believes Wales will face "one of the best teams in the world" when they target Grand Slam glory in the Six Nations.

NEWS: One of New Zealand's top rugby players has decided his future.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has named his Chiefs team to hunt down the Hurricanes for their first win of their Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lock Salmaan Moerat will captain the Stormers in their preparation match against the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Force coach Tim Sampson made three changes to the starting XV, as the Perth-based franchise prepares to battle the undefeated Reds.

INTERVIEW: South Africa's Player of the Year Duane Vermeulen believes the astute management of Jake White took the Bulls from also-rans to leaders of the pack.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: While most high-flying stars are heading for the exit door, Damian Willemse opted to stay in Cape Town.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels has made four changes ahead of the team's Round Five Super Rugby AU clash against the Waratahs.

SPOTLIGHT: France forwards coach Williams Servat said his side must be wary of a "selfless" Grand Slam-chasing Wales this weekend.

NEWS: Western Province Professional Rugby (WPPR) revealed the man that will be in charge of tasks until a permanent CEO is in place.

REACTION: Johnny Sexton says he was shocked to learn about teammate CJ Stander's decision to retire.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs have named their team to face the Melbourne Rebels in Round Five of Super Rugby AU.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made just the one change to their starting XV for Saturday’s home match against the Western Force Force at Suncorp Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am believes the big names in the squad will feel the pressure ahead of the next few games.

UPDATE: The full extent of the Lions' injury crisis was revealed on Tuesday, with the front row beginning to look arid.

INTERVIEW: Western Force prop Greg Holmes will notch his 150th Super Rugby game in Saturday's clash with the Reds.

NEWS: Exeter Chiefs will continue the defence of their Champions Cup title when they host Lyon at Sandy Park on Saturday, April 3.

FIRST-TIME WINNER: Two winless teams go head-to-head on Wednesday in a rescheduled match with a lot more at stake than you would expect of such lowly outfits.

NEWS: The most successful export from South African rugby, Christiaan Johan Stander, is finally going to hang up his boots.

SPOTLIGHT: Queensland Reds captain James O'Connor has fond memories of his time as a teenage tearaway at the Western Force but he'll be doing no favours for his former team in Saturday's Super Rugby AU clash.

SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks selection puzzle hasn’t become any clearer after the opening few weeks of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Japan's Top League clubs are busy zoning in on England's star players.

NEWS: The final chapter of the Pro14 will take place on March 27 where defending champions Leinster will face Munster at the RDS Arena with a 17:00 (GMT) kick-off time.

TRANSFER NEWS: One of Australia's biggest names is heading to the Western Force.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers coach John Dobson has addressed the latest Pieter-Steph du Toit transfer rumours.

NEWS: The Lions said goodbye to one of their top players.

SQUAD UPDATE: James Ryan and Garry Ringrose have been ruled out of Ireland's final Six Nations clash against England in Dublin.

INJURY UPDATE: Scotland star Finn Russell is set to be sidelined during the Six Nations match against Italy. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Eastern Province Elephants coach Peter de Villiers has named his team to face the Griquas in the Preparation Series match on Wednesday.

OPINION: The Italy fixture is fast becoming each weekend’s foregone conclusion, but Wayne Pivac named a strong side as they pursue a Six Nations Grand Slam.

OPINION: Le Crunch found two teams on the opposite side of the Six Nations momentum charts.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas made seven changes to their starting team to face Eastern Province in their preparation series match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday.

REACTION: Despite Ireland’s confidence-boosting Six Nations win over Scotland at Murrayfield, wing James Lowe is once again in the crosshairs of critics.

INJURY UPDATE: Italian lock Marco Lazzaroni will miss the remainder of the Six Nations in order to have an operation on his left arm, the Italian rugby federation announced on Monday.

NEWS: Two players have returned to France's Six Nations squad after recovering from Covid-19, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced on Monday.

REFEREE WATCH: Rugbypass contributor Paul Smith takes a closer look at the officiating during the Six Nations Round four clashes. 

INJURY UPDATE: Crusaders' 39-17 win over the Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday has been accompanied with a major setback.

WATCH as Ireland's giant prop forward Tadhg Furlong steps two opponents like a fleet-footed back!

SPOTLIGHT: Maro Itoje believes he can still "thread the needle" that will see him retain his aggressive style of play while staying on the right side of referees.

OPINION: The pace and brutality of the game were right up there in what was a bitterly close contest between two desperate sides. Ian Cameron rates the Irish players.

OPINION: Scotland’s winless run against Ireland extended to six matches as the visitors recorded a 27 – 24 win Gavin Harper rates the Scottish players.

REACTION: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton says he wants to round off the Six Nations campaign by beating England.

TRANSFER TALK: World Player of the Year Pieter Steph du Toit is set to cash in with a stint in Japan, according to reports coming out of South Africa.

REACTION: Richie Mo’unga has now settled the debate as to who is New Zealand's best flyhalf.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones said his side had stolen a march on 2023 World Cup hosts France after Maro Itoje's late try sealed a come-from-behind 23-20 win over Les Bleus in the Six Nations at the weekend.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Cardiff Blues kept alive their hopes of Champions Cup qualification after fighting back to beat strugglers Benetton 29-14 in Italy.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: London Irish produced a backs-to-the-wall defensive display to clinch victory over Worcester Warriors on Sunday.

REACTION: Wales coach Wayne Pivac warned his side were expecting a "different proposition" against France next weekend.

SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA MATCH REPORT: The Blues continued to enhance their claim as the only real threat to the Crusaders' dominance.

REACTION: Losing Brumbies coach Dan McKellar says the result doesn't matter after the Reds' Super Rugby AU win had fans gushing again for the spectacle.

PRO14 WRAP: Edinburgh's Nathan Chamberlain converted his own last-minute try to rescue a 15-14 victory from the jaws of defeat against 14-man Connacht at the Sportsground.

NEWS: Melbourne Rebels will be without one of their stars for the next three weeks.

SPOTLIGHT: Here are some highs and lows from the sporting career of New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams.

REACTION: The WPRFU has drawn the laager and launched a scathing attack on the media. Jan de Koning reports.

SPOTLIGHT: WPRFU officials are presenting a seemingly united front, but it appears nothing could be further from the truth.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Northampton Saints edged Sale Sharks 17-14 at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS MATCH REPORT: Ireland ended Scotland's championship hopes with a 27-24 victory at Murrayfield in a thrilling encounter on Sunday.

WATCH as Crusaders flyer Leicester Fainga'anuku shows extraordinary athleticism to score what could early contender for try of the year.

SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning takes a look at the job specifications for the position of CEO of WPPR and asks if the wording was done with a specific person in mind?

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Maro Itoje's try four minutes from time saw England dash France's hopes of a Grand Slam with a 23-20 victory in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round Four encounter between Scotland and Ireland in Edinburgh.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Wales moved one step closer to the Six Nations title after they thumped Italy 48-7 in Round Four in Rome on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: Jordan Petaia scored a stunning late try as the Reds snatched a 40-38 win over the Brumbies in Canberra.

PRO14 WRAP: Joey Carbery looks to be finding form at just the right time after impressing in Munster’s 28-10 bonus-point win over Scarlets at Thomond Park.

REACTION: Captain Charles Ollivon said he was confident about France's hopes of winning the Six Nations despite the weekend's late defeat to England.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Leaders Bristol made light of their injury problems with a long-awaited 37-20 win over Wasps on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Three encounter between the Blues and Highlanders in Auckland.

AWARDS: For the first time in the Bulls' history two players have been named the franchise's  Player of the Year award.

BREAKING NEWS: Western Province have managed to beat the Bulls to the signature of a highly sought-after World Cup-winning Springbok.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round Four encounter between England and France in London.

SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA MATCH REPORT: The Crusaders were a class apart as they cruised past a hapless Chiefs team in Christchurch on Saturday.

NEWS: Duane Vermeulen has added more accolades to his already stacked deck of awards.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Johnny Sexton remains Ireland's undisputed first-choice flyhalf at the grand old age of 35.

STEEP CLIMB: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is bracing for three Six Nations matches in three weeks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Struggling England have turned up the heat on referee Andrew Brace ahead of this Saturday’s Six Nations round four showdown with France at Twickenham.

WATCH as Duane Vermeulen, the two-time SA Rugby Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year, explains how he keeps going at the age of 34.

INTERVIEW: South Africa's Player of the Year Duane Vermeulen said it is vital that the Springboks have some 'international' competition before tackling the B&I Lions.

AWARDS: The winner of the SA Rugby Player of the Year Award has been revealed.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Three encounter between the Crusaders and Chiefs in Christchurch.

SOUTH AFRICAN INFLUENCE: While Super Rugby Aotearoa has thrilled fans globally, there is no doubt that there’s less diversity in the competition.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND FOUR: Franco Smith's Italy take on Six Nations leaders Wales in Rome on Saturday not only trying to avoid a 31st consecutive loss but with questions over their future in the tournament.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Gregor Townsend has made four changes to his starting line-up to face Ireland.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: The Melbourne Rebels held on for a narrow win over the Western Force in a bizarre, drama-filled match in Perth on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues have promoted two of their All Blacks props to their starting side to face the Highlanders.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND FOUR: Six Nations title-contenders France are ready for an "immense challenge" when they go in search of their first win over England at Twickenham in 16 years on Saturday.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Bristol Bears, six-point leaders, open up Round 13, entertaining last season's runners-up, Wasps on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders have chopped and changed from their side that defeated the Chiefs in Hamilton last Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are three changes to Ireland's starting XV for their Six Nations Round Four clash against Scotland.

NEWS: Two leading coaches - Jason Holland and Chris Gibbes - have extended their contracts with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby through to the end of 2023.

REACTION: The Cheetahs may have escaped with a 'W' and there are many positives. However, the team also still has too many 'soft moments'.

SUPER RUGBY AU SPOTLIGHT: Reds coach Brad Thorn is looking for improvements from his star-studded backline as they face the Brumbies in a battle of the unbeaten sides.

PREVIEW: With this season’s two finalists already determined in PRO14, attention will now turn to the Champions Cup qualification, with a host of games set to determine the entries into next season’s European competitions.

REACTION: Remember the name Ntuthuko Mchunu. He may just be the next 'Beast' to come out of Durban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has revealed his England team to face France at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy coach Franco Smith has made five changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's match against Six Nations leaders Wales in Rome.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Fabien Galthié has revealed his France team to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Six Nations Rugby has agreed to sell a stake in the tournament to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners in a five-year deal.

NEWS: Dual-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams announced his retirement from rugby Thursday but the New Zealander isn't giving up on sport.

SPOTLIGHT: Brad Thorn has been riled by the prospect of Izack Rodda's Australian rugby return less than a year after he left the Queensland Reds over a pay dispute.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England star-prop Mako Vunipola has given his reaction to last Saturday’s shock debut defeat for Saracens in the Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has named his Chiefs team to challenge the Crusaders in their second game of this year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Johnny Sexton says Ireland must prevent his opposing flyhalf, Finn Russell, from producing his "full box of tricks".

MATCH REPORT: A late penalty kick from Francois Steyn helped the Cheetahs edge the Sharks 39-38 in a thrilling match in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.

MATCH REPORT: Red and yellow cards were at the fore of the Preparations match between EP Elephants and Lions on Wednesday.

NO BAD BLOOD: Halfway through the Super Rugby AU season and both Round 4 fixtures are carrying plenty of weight as all eyes will be on Perth and Canberra this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has made two changes for Saturday's Six Nations fixture against Italy in Rome.

WATCH as Springbok World Cup hero Cheslin Kolbe defies conventional play with a Houdini-like escape act in Toulouse’s win over Brive in the French Top 14.

WATCH as former Wales number eight Andy Powell put in a brutal no-arms tackle on Springboks loose forward Duane Vermeulen.

NEWS: The Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU)  has confirmed that  Ronald Bantom has been elected the Union's Vice President. 

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England's Ben Youngs says he will be going up against the "best scrumhalf in the world" should he face Frenchman Antoine Dupont in the Six Nations on Saturday.

REACTION: Despite a very pleasing performance by the young Bulls team, Director of Rugby Jake White admitted there are still one or two things that could do with some improvement.

REACTION: Stormers coach Rito Hlungwani opens up on his team's performance against Griquas in Kimberley.

SPOTLIGHT: France No. 8 Gregory Alldritt said on Tuesday the squad are happy to be back together at their Marcoussis training base after a Covid-19 outbreak caused the postponement of their Six Nations match with Scotland.

NEWS: The national junior rugby programme will resume in April after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the SA Rugby Academy set to kick off in Stellenbosch.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the South African Preparation match between the Cheetahs and Sharks in Bloemfontein.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders are back at home again on Saturday, where they will host the Chiefs in Round Three of Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021.

TEAM UPDATE: The Cheetahs have made some late changes to their matchday 23 that will face the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the South African Preparation match between the Eastern Province Elephants and Lions in Port Elizabeth.

NEWS: Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell believes Gregor Townsend has built the strongest Scotland team he will have faced as a player or coach as the teams prepare for their Six Nations clash on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Super Rugby could finally have Pacific Island representation by next year according to New Zealand media reports.

NEWS: A player has been banned from all sport for four years following a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).

NEWS: SA Rugby announced that club rugby, from Under-19 level upwards, will be permitted to move to contact training

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls' powerful scrums and maul steered them to a 48-31 win over Pumas in Nelspruit on Tuesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Lions are putting extra plans in place should they be without the experienced Elton Jantjies going forward.

SPOTLIGHT: Jake White has opened up on possible selections ahead of the Pro16.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Tim Sampson has named a powerful starting XV to take on the Melbourne Rebels this Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels’ head coach, Dave Wessels, has named an unchanged starting XV for Friday’s Super Rugby AU clash against the Western Force at HBF Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Tom Cusack will become the 18th captain of the Brumbies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made two changes to their starting XV from their victory over Melbourne for Saturday’s clash against the Brumbies in Canberra.

TRANSFER NEWS: Edinburgh continued to fortify their forward pack for the forthcoming season.

NEWS: Holders Exeter Chiefs will welcome Lyon in the last 16 of the European Champions Cup next month after the draw was made by tournament organisers on Tuesday.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers held on to secure a thrilling 38-32 to win over Griquas in Kimberley on Tuesday.

WEEK TWO: The coaches of South Africa's four Europe-bound franchises continue to live up to the name of the series - PREPARATION!

INTERVIEW: Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons believes Hurricanes wing Julian Savea has put himself back in line for a national call-up, four years after his last appearance for the All Blacks.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the South African Preparation match between the Pumas and Bulls in Nelspruit.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the South African Preparation match between Griquas and Stormers in Kimberley.

NEWS: The LA Giltinis have announced the signing of former Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau. 

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Women had a visit from Springbok scrum coach Daan Human as they continue their preparations in Stellenbosch for the World Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Peter de Villiers has revealed his Eastern Province Elephants team to face the Lions.

SPOTLIGHT: Starting French language lessons have made it tough for Brandon Paenga-Amosa not to focus on his impending Australian rugby departure.

TRANSFER NEWS: Leicester Tigers made a giant leap towards challenging Sale Sharks as the team with the most South Africans.

NEWS: Rugby Australia has approved plans to seek an injection of private equity.

REACTION: British and Irish Lions chiefs have denied they have already been assured of government money to underwrite a ‘home’ series against the Springboks.

NEWS: Ireland and Munster wing Keith Earls has become the latest senior player to extend his contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale has returned to Andy Farrell's squad for Sunday's Six Nations clash with Scotland after missing the opening three matches of the championship.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England boss Eddie Jones said his players have taken responsibility for the indiscipline that damaged their Six Nations title defence.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions have picked another host of young players to face the EP Elephants on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has named his team for the Preparation match against Sharks on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has opted for continuity in selection.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks name their side to face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Wednesday in the second of the series of preparation matches.

WATCH as Stormers coach Rito Hlungwani and fullback Sergeal Petersen talk about their midweek outing against Griquas in Kimberley.

NEWS: It is one of the worst-kept secrets, but the Bulls have confirmed the departure of a star Springbok.

INJURY UPDATE: France fullback Thomas Ramos said he will miss the remainder of the Six Nations due to a calf injury he picked up while playing for Toulouse at the weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: Another Wallaby has joined the Western Force squad, with Sitaleki Timani returning to the club as an injury replacement for the remainder of the season after leaving France for family reasons.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Two big names were on Sunday included in France's 31-man training squad for the Six Nations match against England.

NEWS: The Sharks provided an update on their coach Sean Everitt.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Harlequins moved up to third in the Premiership standings after they beat Northampton Saints 37-19 at Twickenham Stoop on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA: The Crusaders made it two wins from two matches in Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021 after they thumped the Hurricanes 33-16 in Round Two on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas head coach Scott Mathie has revealed his team to face the Stormers in Kimberley on Tuesday.

REACTION: After blowing a second successive Super Rugby AU victory, Melbourne coach Dave Wessels has declared his team's failure to close out games "unacceptable".

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Three-week bans seem to be the norm for SANZAAR disciplinary committees.

NEWS: France suffered a big injury blow ahead of key Six Nations clashes.

ANALYSES: Each week of the Six Nations, former England Sevens international and broadcaster Rob Vickerman will shed light on a pivotal aspect of the weekend’s matches.

NEWS: Next month's much-heralded Western Province Rugby Football Union meeting is no longer about the election of a vice-president.

PRO14 SATURDAY WRAP: Holders Leinster booked their place in the Pro14 Final by securing a 38-19 bonus-point victory over their only challengers Ulster.

NEWS: A decision has been made on Rugby Australia’s (RA) audacious bid to host the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour.

INJURY UPDATE: Brumbies' dramatic 27-24 win over Melbourne Rebels has proven to be a costly victory for their pack. 

REACTION: Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson hailed the “world-class” qualities of South Africa scrumhalf Faf De Klerk following his side’s victory over Newcastle.

NEWS: Saracens were stunned on their debut in the second tier of English rugby on Saturday with a 17-25 defeat to Cornish Pirates.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have made 10 changes to their starting XV for Tuesday's match against the Bulls in Nelspruit.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP:  Billy Twelvetrees’ late penalty gave 14-man Gloucester a nail-biting 20-19 victory at Wasps that lifted them off the bottom of the table.

SUPER RUGBY AU: Replacement scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan landed a monster penalty three minutes after the full-time hooter sounded to give the Brumbies a 27-24 win over the Melbourne Rebels.

REPORT: Glasgow climbed back to fourth in Conference A after battling to a 31-20 PRO14 victory at Zebre.

WATCH as England captain Owen Farrell is caught doing exactly what he spat the dummy about after his team lost to Wales last week.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Two match between the Crusaders and Hurricanes in Christchurch.

NEWS: Edinburgh’s home PRO14 match against Benetton on Sunday has been postponed after a positive coronavirus test.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson has confirmed that he will be without one of his backline players for a lengthy period.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: A trio of France internationals including Romain Ntamack made their return from injuries to help guide league leaders Toulouse to a six-try 42-17 victory over Brive.

REACTION: The defiant Waratahs maintain they boast a "championship-winning" roster despite suffering yet another historic Super Rugby AU defeat.

TOP 14 REPORT: Alex Lozowski converted three late penalties as Montpellier fought back to beat visiting Clermont 22-16 on Friday and pull further away from the Top 14 danger zone.

PRO14 REPORT: Munster will contest their first Pro14 Final in four years after defeating closest challengers Connacht 20-17 at Thomond Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Outside backs Sergeal Petersen and Sihle Njezula come into the Stormers starting line-up for the preparation match against Griquas.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Sale powered into second place in the English Premiership after crushing Newcastle 31-16 at the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA REPORT: The Highlanders have bounced back in fine style with a 39-23 win over Chiefs on Friday.

NEWS: The draws for the knockout stages of the 2020/21 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland next Tuesday, March 9.

REACTION: An internal investigation into the outbreak of Covid-19 within the France Six Nations squad has concluded that the health protocol was "well developed" and "respected" by the team, French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said on Friday.

WATCH as we bring you the ultimate coast-to-coast try in the Highlanders' come-from-behind 39-23 win over the Chiefs.

NEWS: Ireland and Leinster loosehead prop Cian Healy has become the latest player to sign a one-year extension to his IRFU contract up to the end of the 2021/22 season.

SPOTLIGHT: South African World Cup-winning wing Cheslin Kolbe said on Thursday he was happy to "play anywhere".

TOP 14 PREVIEW: France's COVID-hit Six Nations squad will receive a much-welcome boost.

REACTION: Wales have three scrumhalves who are "good to go" according to assistant coach Stephen Jones.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jason Holland has made five changes to the Hurricanes' starting XV for their Round Two clash with the Crusaders this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has got some serious firepower back for his team's rescheduled Round Two Super Rugby Aotearoa match.

MATCH REPORT: The Western Force have heaped more misery on the NSW Waratahs with a hoodoo-busting 20-16 Super Rugby AU victory in Sydney.

FRIDAY DOUBLE-HEADER: We move into the second half of the season in the Premiership this weekend with six compelling fixtures.

PREVIEW: There are two blockbuster matches in Ireland in Round 14 which could determine the teams who will contest the Pro14 final.

NEWS: French rugby chief Bernard Laporte is to appear before two ministers on Friday as part of a probe into a Covid-19 outbreak among France's Six Nations squad.

NEWS: Fit-again Adam Hastings won’t be available to Scotland for their Six Nations matches against Ireland and Italy.

SPOTLIGHT: There are more important challenges ahead for some than the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: It has been three decades since the Sharks won their first Currie Cup title and the architect of that win has now been honoured.

REACTION: Highlanders coach Tony Brown revealed the reason behind the decision to demote co-captain Aaron Smith to the bench.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Two match between the Chiefs and Highlanders in Hamilton.

NEWS: Wales suffered a setback ahead of their final two matches in the Six Nations.

SUNDAY FUNDAY: New Zealand fans will again flock to the stadium when the Crusaders host the Hurricanes on Sunday in Christchurch.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Faf de Klerk will captain Sale Sharks in the absence of Jono Ross.

SPOTLIGHT: Fractious WPRFU President Zelt Marais has become almost synonymous with controversy. Jan de Koning searches for reasons!

OPINION: In the opening round of Super Rugby Aotearoa for 2021, last year’s two most impressive teams flexed their muscles.

NEWS: The Cheetahs may not yet know what competition they will be playing in, but they certainly know which players they want on their books.

NEWS: Ireland and Munster backrow Peter O’Mahony has signed a two-year extension to his IRFU contract keeping him at Munster until 2023.

FILTHY AND DESPERATE: The Western Force are keen to break their Super Rugby duck, eyeing the Waratahs as their first scalp since their return from 'exile' last year.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper says his short-term move to Japan has proved "refreshing" and he is enjoying the chance to get to know former All Blacks captain Kieran Read.

NEWS: Steve Borthwick is firmly on Warren Gatland’s radar to potentially work with him for the British and Irish Lions.

TRANSFER NEWS: Harlequins announced that exciting young wing Louis Lynagh has signed a long-term contract extension with Harlequins.

SPOTLIGHT: The heat is on the NSW Waratahs following a horror start to the season, and they will be looking to bounce back in Friday's clash with the Western Force.

SPOTLIGHT: Watch as Stormers coach John Dobson speaks about some of the major concerns heading into the Rainbow Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: England forward Courtney Lawes could be out of action for up to 12 weeks following a chest injury.

WATCH as Munster and South Africa lock RG Snyman started running for the first time in nearly seven months this week as he steps up his recovery from an ACL injury.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced the 2021 High Performance Referee Squad that will officiate all national competitions, including the Super Rugby Aotearoa season which kicked off last weekend.

NEWS: Castres' South African-born scrumhalf Rory Kockott has made a decision about his playing future.

NEWS: Top 14 officials in France have landed the jackpot for their league, securing a 17 percent increase in the value of TV rights.

NEWS: The Crusaders have become the first franchise to take advantage of New Zealand Rugby's new 'perpetuity' licences.

INJURY UPDATE: England coach Eddie Jones has called up Northampton Saints lock David Ribbans for the remaining Six Nations matches.

NEWS: Coach Fabien Galthie has been cleared of any wrongdoing before the French team's COVID outbreak, which forced the postponement of their Six Nations match.

UPDATE: The Lions paid a dear price for their 32-28 victory over the Pumas in their preparation match at Ellis Park last Friday.

NEWS: Rugby Football Union officials appear to just continue paying lip service, despite the outcry over the ongoing surge in red-card offences.

SPOTLIGHT: Cape Town Sevens will take on a new mantle after World Rugby announced that the popular event in the Mother City will be the final leg of a revamped and shortened World Rugby Sevens Series in 2021.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders coach Tony Brown has resisted making any major changes to his starting team to play the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has named his first team to take on the Highlanders.

REACTION: Sharks are busy building something big.

BREAKING NEWS: The World Cup-winning Springboks will signal their return from international rugby exile by a warm-up match at home.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby recognised World Rugby’s decision to recommend the postponement of the 2021 Rugby World Cup to next year, saying although it is disappointing it was understandable and sensible.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former Sharks loose forward Brynard Stander will lead the Western Force out as run-on captain this Friday against the NSW Waratahs at Bankwest Stadium in Western Sydney.

INTERVIEW: New Eastern Province Elephants coach Peter de Villiers has never been scared to speak his mind. Jan de Koning listened as he named his first EP team.

INJURY UPDATE: Brumbies prop James Slipper will miss the Super Rugby AU clash with Melbourne after a training mishap left the veteran Wallaby in a knee brace.

SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls will not restrict themselves to just one approach when they eventually start their European campaign.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers has become the second South African team to adopt the new coaching rotation policy during their 'Preparation series'. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs host their first home match of the season, taking on the Western Force at one of the country’s premier venues, Bankwest Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: Defending Six Nations champions England have slipped to fourth place in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings after their defeat to Wales.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels Head Coach, Dave Wessels has made four changes to his side for Saturday’s Round three clash against the Brumbies at GIO Stadium.

NEWS: France's participation in the Six Nations hangs in the balance.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stalwart prop, Scott Sio will make his first appearance in his 10th Super Rugby season as the only change to Dan McKellar's starting side for Saturday's clash against the Melbourne Rebels at GIO Stadium.

NEWS: Ireland and Leinster captain Johnny Sexton has signed a one-year contract extension with the Irish Rugby Football Union.

NEWS: New Zealand rugby managed to keep one of their most prized assets.

SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com contributor Philip Bendon takes a look at the main talking points from Round Three of the Six Nations - including the latest refereeing blunders.

SPOTLIGHT: French referee Pascal Gauzere has admitted he made two errors in Wales' controversial Six Nations win over England on Saturday.

NEWS: SA Rugby announced on Monday that coaches, parents and players from schools across the country will be invited to a series of webinars as preparations step up a gear for a return to action later in the year.

SPOTLIGHT: The list of nominations for the SA Rugby Player of the Year Awards for 2020 has a distinct blue tinge to it.

INJURY UPDATE: Powerhouse England centre Manu Tuilagi has taken up salsa dancing as part of his bid to recover from an Achilles injury.

WATCH as Super Rugby Aotearoa referee Ben O’Keeffe admits he should have yellow-carded Crusaders prop Joe Moody.

WATCH: There was an uncomfortable interview with Owen Farrell following his side’s 24-40 loss to Wales in the Six Nations.

REACTION: The Eastern Province Elephants suffered a major setback.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Ireland coaching group will retain a 23-man group for the two-day mini-camp on Thursday and Friday.

INTERVIEW: The Waratahs appear set for a season of doom and gloom after two heavy losses, but the Western Force will be on guard for a fierce backlash on Friday.

NEWS: A spike in COVID-19 cases in Auckland has resulted in a fixture change for Super Rugby Aotearoa.

REACTION: French rugby chief Bernard Laporte confirmed that national coach Fabien Galthie had left the Six Nations secure bubble to watch his son play a game, but that his job was not in danger.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones tried to make his frustration clear while refusing to criticise referee Pascal Gauzere following the reigning Six Nations champions' 24-40 loss away to Wales on Saturday.

OPINION: The inevitable came to pass in Rome, Ireland getting their expected Six Nations win over Italy.

OPINION: In what was a game that will be remembered as much for the refereeing decisions as it will for the rugby that was played.

OPINION: Few would have called this setup going into Round Three of the Six Nations.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Coach Franco Smith predicted it could take eight years for the young Italy side he is building to be able to compete at the highest level in rugby.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks put in a strong second-half performance to beat Griquas 35-10 in Durban on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls ran in 12 tries to beat the Eastern Province Elephants 87-10 at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

REACTION: The Waratahs have thrown their support behind embattled coach Rob Penney following two record losses to start the 2021 Super Rugby AU season.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Wales coach Wayne Pivac promised no let-up from his side after a decisive 40-24 win over England in Cardiff on Saturday secured the Triple Crown.

REACTION: Waratahs coach Rob Penney said his team are "shattered" and he is prepared to stand down if it is decided he is not the right man to lead the side.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Bath delivered a resilient display to record a 23-22 win against an in-form Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday.

NEWS: Italy prop Cherif Traore is facing surgery after breaking his right arm during his side's bruising Six Nations loss to Ireland, the Italian rugby federation (FIR) said Sunday.

NEWS: Reds prop Feao Fotuaika has been banned for three weeks.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: Toulouse inflicted La Rochelle's first home loss in the Top 14 in two years on Saturday with a 14-11 victory which allowed them to claim pole position in the table.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of South Africa's Preparation series match between the Bulls and Eastern Province Elephants at Loftus Versfeld.

PRO14 REPORT: Scotland international Adam Hastings was sent off as Glasgow Warriors lost 21-40 at reigning Pro14 champions Leinster.

MATCH REPORT: Sevens sensation Rosko Specman scored a hat-trick as the Cheetahs came from behind, twice, to beat the Stormers.

SIX NATIONS MATCH REPORT: Wales beat England 40-24 in Cardiff on Saturday to win the Triple Crown.

INJURY UPDATE: The Crusaders are waiting on the return of scan results before they know the full extent of the injury of an All Black star.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live scoring of South Africa's Preparation series match between the Sharks and Griquas at Kings Park.

NEWS: It's not just players the Sharks are signing.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Bristol extended their advantage at the top of the Premiership to six points with a hard-fought 17-3 win over a spirited Leicester at Ashton Gate.

SIX NATIONS MATCH REPORT: Ireland got their first win this campaign with a 48-10 victory over Italy as the hosts fell to their 30th consecutive defeat in the tournament.

PRO14 WRAP: Scarlets boosted their hopes of clinching a place in next season's Champions Cup while severely denting Edinburgh's own chances by claiming a 27-25 victory at Murrayfield.

REF WATCH: What would a weekend of rugby be without a couple of contentious refereeing decisions?

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: The Brumbies scored nine tries to humiliate the Waratahs 61-10 in their Super Rugby AU match in Canberra on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA REPORT: Ardie Savea's 100th game for the Hurricanes ended in defeat as the Blues recorded a 31-16  victory in Wellington on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has already plugged the gap left by the departure of Springbok scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Exeter hooker Jack Yeandle became the latest player to be shown a red card in the English Premiership as the reigning champions suffered a 20-25 loss away to Sale on Friday.

NEWS: World Rugby and the France 2023 Organising Committee have announced the much-anticipated match schedule for Rugby World Cup 2023.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Six Nations Round Three encounter between Wales and England in Cardiff.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the South African Preparation match between the Stormers and Cheetahs in Cape Town.

PRO14 FRIDAY WRAP: Munster spoiled Cardiff Blues’ return to the Arms Park with a hard-fought 20-11 victory to maintain a nine-point lead at the top of the Pro’s Conference B.

ANALYSIS: @rugby365com contributor Philip Bendon takes a look at the numbers and what it says about the decline of the Irish game.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Cup winner Lood de Jager believes switching the British and Irish Lions tour from South Africa to the United Kingdom will certainly a 'unique' phenomenon.

SPOTLIGHT: The 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season is just days away from kick-off. Alex McLeod brings you a 'Hype XV' - players expected to light up the competition.

SPOTLIGHT: Don't expect to see Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi in action in South Africa's Preparation Series - which gets underway this week.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round One match between the Hurricanes and Blues in Wellington.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our score updates of the Preparation match between the Lions and the Pumas at Ellis Park.

MATCH REPORT: Tiaan Swanepoel made a big statement as he steered the Lions to a 32-28 win over the Pumas on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: Hooker Alex Mafi scored two tries as the Reds came from behind to steal a late winner against the Rebels in Brisbane on Friday.

NEWS: England's Six Nations title defence suffered a setback on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has revealed his team to face Griquas in a preparation match at Kings Park in Durban on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA MATCH REPORT: The defending-champion Crusaders send a strong message to their rivals - they are still the team to beat.

TURNING BACK THE CLOCK: The name says it all. It is an opportunity for South African teams to prepare, with the move to the Northern Hemisphere in mind.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND THREE: Wales coach Wayne Pivac has insisted England "remain the team to beat" as his side head into Saturday's clash against the Six Nations champions in Cardiff on the brink of a Triple Crown.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND THREE: Flyhalf Paolo Garbisi has urged Italy to seize the day on Saturday to end their Six Nations drought against an Irish side who have lost their opening two games.

JERSEY LAUNCH: The Bulls have unveiled their 2021 kit.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls will take to the field sporting a team that is dominated by the next generation of stars.

NEWS: Toulouse said on Friday that South African World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe will start in the unfamiliar position of flyhalf for their top-of-the-table clash with La Rochelle.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Cheetahs' 30-plus club is growing, following the addition of another veteran Springbok. Jan de Koning reports.

TAKING A BACKSEAT: The Premiership's Round 11 kicks off on Friday to the backdrop of an increasingly intriguing Six Nations tournament.

PREVIEW: Six more matches take place in the Pro14 this weekend as the race to compete in the March 27 final and next season’s European competition continues.

UPDATE: A decision has finally emerged from the Zander Fagerson appeal hearing that was held on Tuesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy coach France Smith made no changes to his starting line-up named Thursday for this weekend's Six Nations game against Ireland in Rome.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa, Round One, encounter between the Highlanders and Crusaders in Dunedin.

NEWS: SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has addressed issues raised after the 2020 season.

THE RETURN OF THE MACK: And just like that Super Rugby Aotearoa is back for its second edition and it all kicks off in Dunedin on Friday, with the Highlanders hosting the Crusaders.

BREAKING NEWS: The on-again-off-again France versus Scotland match has been postponed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has made two changes to his England team to play Wales in a Six Nations Round Three match in Cardiff on Saturday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The Premiership independent disciplinary panel has revealed the verdict on three hearings after the red card mayhem during Leicester Tigers and Wasps match last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland coaching group have made seven changes to the side for their Six Nations Round Three clash against Italy in Rome.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs got plenty of experience back for their historic first-ever encounter with the Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium.

THE BEST OF ENEMIES: Noah Lolesio and Will Harrison weren’t even born when the fuse was lit on the fractious rivalry between the Brumbies and NSW Waratahs.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson speaks about his options to fill the leadership vacancy left by departed Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi.

REACTIONS: England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot has insisted all is well within the Six Nations champions' squad after cricket great Ian Botham said they "don't look a happy camp".

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: George North is set to win his 100th Wales cap after being named in coach Wayne Pivac's starting XV to face England in Saturday's Six Nations international at Cardiff.

SPOTLIGHT: A proposal that would see Fiji enter a franchise into Super Rugby in 2022 has taken a major step forward, the Fijian Rugby Union have confirmed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ardie Savea’s first game as captain of the Hurricanes, will also be his 100th cap for the side when they take on the Blues in Wellington on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby's crown jewels are in the sights of investors seeking to exploit the untapped potential of the market as struggling governing bodies try to replenish their coffers.

NEWS: The French rugby federation on Thursday reported another player had tested positive for coronavirus ahead of their Six Nations match against Scotland.

INTERVIEW: England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot has warned his side to brace themselves for a bruising battle up front as he looks to improve his own record against Wales.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Three debutants and nine All Blacks are included in the Blues line-up to travel to Wellington for Saturday’s first round of Super Rugby Aotearoa against the Hurricanes.

WHISTLE WATCH: Referee Nigel Owens has said that "something needs to change", after a spate of red cards in the Premiership this weekend.

NEWS: The European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments will both feature a Round of 16.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders have named a near full-strength team to face the Highlanders in the Super Rugby Aotearoa season-opener at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Worcester Warrior have announced the signing of England international scrumhalf Willi Heinz for the 2021/22 season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions, much like the Bulls did last month, might regret giving the bulk of their youngsters a run on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Canberra product Connal McInerney is set to start for the Brumbies when they take on the NSW Waratahs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers have named the team for their preparation game against the Cheetahs at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs head coach Rob Penney has made four changes to his starting XV, with injuries and suspension disrupting the team after their loss to the Reds.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Eastern Province Elephants coach Peter de Villiers said his chosen captain 'ticks most of the boxes'.

WATCH as retired referee Nigel Owens goes through viewers' questions once again.

NEWS: Gloucester Rugby announced that Australian flank Jordy Reid has signed a new contract with the Cherry & Whites.

NEWS: The Six Nations match between France and Scotland will go ahead this weekend as planned despite an outbreak of coronavirus cases in the home camp, tournament organisers said on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne's Matt To'omua says the Rebels were initially upset they can't return home for another two weeks, but are getting on with preparations to face the Reds.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders have sprung a playmaking surprise for the Super Rugby Aotearoa season-opener against the Crusaders in Dunedin on Friday.

The British and Irish Lions versus South Africa tour seems more likely to happen in the United Kingdom after South Africa Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa's big admission.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made just the one change to their starting XV for Friday's Super Rugby AU clash against the Melbourne Rebels in Brisbane.

NEWS: Two-time World Cup winner Conrad Smith has left his role as head of player development with French Top 14 side Pau having returned home to New Zealand, the club announced on Tuesday.

NEWS: The coronavirus-affected France Six Nations camp reported no further positive tests ahead of Wednesday's decision on the fate of their game against Scotland this weekend.

REACTION: Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee addressed rumours linking Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe and England lock Maro Itoje with the Durban-based side.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will be under new management during their preparation matches.

SPOTLIGHT: Johnny Sexton is certain Ireland are heading in the right direction and will arrive at the 2023 World Cup in peak form, even if he is unsure he will last until then.

SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones along with captain Owen Farrell have again come under scrutiny ahead of the Six Nations clash against Wales.

SIX NATIONS BUILD-UP: England defence coach John Mitchell said the recent spate of red cards must not deter players from making dominant tackles as they prepare to take on Wales in the Six Nations.

INJURY UPDATE: Italy flyhalf Tommaso Allan has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations game against Ireland in Rome, the Italian rugby federation (FIR) confirmed on Tuesday.

NEWS: Another Springbok has decided to head north and join the influx of South Africans in the Premiership.

NEWS: 'The Lions received a timely boost ahead of the start of South Africa's 'preparations series' matches this coming weekend.

NEWS UPDATE: France's COVID-hit Six Nations squad reported no new cases from the latest batch of tests conducted late Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio won't write off the depleted NSW Waratahs when they head to Canberra for Saturday's Super Rugby AU clash.

NEWS: There will be some changes at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

SPOTLIGHT: The news of the Stormers move from Newlands to Cape Town Stadium has been a highly publicized topic. 

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland attack coach Mike Catt said criticism of the team's lack of cutting edge was justified as they seek their first win of the 2021 Six Nations campaign against Italy.

NEWS: A Cheetahs player has opened up on his move to English club Saracens.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A short look at the PRO14 clubs the South African teams will face during the “Rainbow Cup” competition later this year

NEWS: The Chiefs have confirmed that scrumhalf Brad Weber will join All Blacks captain Sam Cane as co-captain of the Chiefs for 2021.

WATCH as Super Rugby Aotearoa players reveal what rugby means to them in an emotional two-minute video.

SPOTLIGHT: The first round of Japan's Top League was full of action with Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks stars stealing the show.

UPDATE: France will find out on Wednesday if this weekend's Six Nations clash with Scotland will go ahead after captain Charles Ollivon was among five players to be ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19.

NEWS: Franck Azema will step down as head coach of Clermont at the end of the season, the Top 14 club announced on Monday, in order to take up the same role at Montpellier.

SUPER RUGBY AU: James O'Connor is working another dimension into his game that involves NRL wing Suliasi Vunivalu.

NEWS: A former England rugby star Sam Burgess was arrested in Australia on Monday, local media reported.

UPDATE: France captain Charles Ollivon was among five players on Monday ruled out of this weekend's Six Nations clash against Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19.

SUPER RUGBY AU: The Waratahs are bracing for life without key players as coach Rob Penney called for less "toilet seat moments" in Saturday's Super Rugby AU clash with the Brumbies.

SQUAD UPDATE: Ireland coach Andy Farrell rushed back some big names ahead of his team's trip to Rome and a crucial clash with Italy.

SQUAD UPDATE: England coach Eddie Jones has been forced to call up an injury replacement ahead of the Round Three Six Nations encounter with Wales.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Paddy Jackson completed a late conversion as London Irish staged a remarkable fightback to secure a 34-all draw with leaders Bristol.

NEWS: France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont was omitted from the squad to face Scotland in the Six Nations as COVID-19 cases continued to multiply in the camp.

SQUAD UPDATE: Bath back row forward Josh Bayliss has been called up to the Scotland squad.