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Graeme College of Grahamstown well again host its excellent Graeme Day, this time on 14 March 2020.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson takes a close look at a rugby man turned winemaker.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe is fast becoming the most versatile player on the planet after his performance at flyhalf at the weekend.

OPINION: The Stormers and the Chiefs are still unbeaten after three rounds of Super Rugby.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Acclaimed @rugby365com writer Paul Dobson takes a look at the match-winning try at Ellis Park and what it meant for both the Lions and Stormers.

WATCH as we bring you all the highlights from Super Rugby's Round Three action!

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks have some injury concerns but there is also some good news.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls received a timely boost, as they return from their bye to prepare for their Round Four encounter with the Blues on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Brumbies are determined to end an almost six-year Super Rugby losing streak in New Zealand when they face the Chiefs on Saturday in Hamilton.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The World Cup-winning Springboks added another fantastic award to their impressive list of recent accolades. 

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson looks at yet another contentious incident.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: Highlanders wing Sio Tomkinson has been slapped with a three-week suspension for his hit on Tom Banks, but that will be of little comfort to the Brumbies.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ruhan Nel's winning try against Lions might be proof that everything good is finally heading the Stormers' direction.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland are optimistic that time away from the international scene will benefit Stuart Hogg before facing Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday following a difficult start to his time as Test captain.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Andy Farrell has assembled a 36-strong Ireland squad to prepare for next Sunday’s Six Nations trip to England.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit has given his support to a list of players’ principles that the International Rugby Players (IRP) insist must form the basis of any future tournaments.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Two players including All Black Rieko Ioane have come off the injury list to join the 27-man Blues squad that is en route to South Africa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales boss Wayne Pivac could be forced to abandon the union’s 60-cap selection rules due to the ongoing injury crisis at flyhalf.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For professional rugby players, the constant pressure and strains of having to be the best can have dire consequences.

WATCH as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi delivers his speech after the Boks won the World Team of the Year award at the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Strap yourself in for blue-chip showdown that may well prove to be the conference decider.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tom Vinicombe analyses the candidates in the race for New Zealand's next All Black flyhalf.

REACTION: Springbok World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe said he was holding discussions with the South African Rugby Union to play at this year's Tokyo Olympics.

PRO14 REACTION: South Africa's two entries are simply not on par with the best that Europe has to offer.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Eben Etzebeth goes on a try-scoring run for his French club Toulon.

SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson looks at the vexed issue of uncontested scrums.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi speaks about his season-ending hamstring injury and subsequent surgery.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions at least have something to celebrate following their 30-33 defeat to the Stormers at Ellis Park.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Highlanders wing Sio Tomkinson has been charged with a dangerous tackle after escaping with a yellow card in his team's win over the Brumbies.

It is presumably the last time there will be a Schools Day at Newlands. Let's hope the schools provide again the exciting rugby that has been a feature of Schools Day, even though it is a sad farewell to glory.

REPORT: Wallaby Israel Folau, who was sacked last May by Rugby Australia over social media posts, scored on his Catalans Dragons debut in Saturday's 36-18 Super League win over Castleford.

SOCIAL MEDIA OUTRAGE: All Black hooker Dane Coles has earned the ire of Sharks fans for yet another cheap shot!

TOP 14 WRAP: An added-time try stopped South Africa's World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe from marking his first career appearance at flyhalf with a win.

REACTION: Brumbies' young playmaker Noah Lolesio was forced into mistakes in a tough Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders, but he's being backed to learn from it.

TOP 14 WRAP: Semi Radradra scored two tries as Bordeaux-Begles shoved Lyon off the summit of the French premiers league with a 37-19 home victory on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Two tries in two minutes ensured Bristol Bears fought back to secure a 20-14 victory against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Premiership Round 10 encounter between Northampton Saints and Bristol Bears at Franklin's Gardens.

OPINION: It was always going to take something rather significant to get Saracens out of the headlines this season, although few likely expected the prospect of South Africa joining the Six Nations to be the story that would finally do it.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Saracens returned to Premiership action with a four-try win over Sale Sharks at Allianz Park on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Leigh Halfpenny hopes history will repeat itself this season as Wales look to win the title, despite a defeat at the hands of Ireland.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: A last-gasp try by centre Ruhan Nel helped the Stormers edge the Lions 33-30 in a thrilling encounter at Ellis Park on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS NEWS: Exeter Chiefs second row forward Sam Skinner and Glasgow Warriors back row forward Matt Fagerson were added to the Scotland squad.

PRO14 REPORT: Conference A leaders Leinster extended their unbeaten run in the Pro14 to 11 games after beating Cheetahs 36-12 in treacherous conditions at the RDS Arena.

PRO14 REPORT: Jack Carty produced a masterful performance to steer Connacht to a bonus-point 29-0 victory over Cardiff Blues in the Pro14.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: James O'Connor shone, but frustrating losses has left Australian sides with zero wins against foreign outfits this season.

Hard as it may be to believe but there are no Test matches this weekend, not that there will not be lots of rugby to test referees in both wintry north and summery south.

PRO14 REPORT: Ospreys turned around a terrible run of recent form with a hard-fought and incredibly dramatic 26-24 win against second-placed Conference A rivals Ulster.

WATCH as Rassie Erasmus produces another pre-World Cup special.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Bath survived a late scare to secure a slender 22-21 victory over Worcester Warriors at Sixways Stadium, as Duncan Weir missed a conversion to win it for the hosts.

CONTRACT NEWS: Elliot Daly has followed the lead of England teammate Jamie George in committing his future to Saracens.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Curtis Rona scored two tries as London Irish claimed a comfortable 29-15 Premiership victory over Harlequins at The Stoop.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Second-half tries from Greg Bateman and Telusa Veainu were enough for Leicester Tigers to overcome Wasps 18-9 at Welford Road.

PRO14 REPORT: Edinburgh did the double over rivals Scarlets to return to the top of Conference B in the Pro14 courtesy of a 14-9 triumph in Llanelli.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Replacement Teariki Ben-Nicholas scored deep into additional time from the Highlanders to end the Brumbies' well-documented home run.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks winning start to the season came to an abrupt end at the Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com‘s law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at an incident during the match between Reds and the Lions.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Pro14 Round 11 encounter between Ospreys and Ulster at the Liberty Stadium.

REACTION: After their worst ever start to a Super Rugby season, including a 10-24 loss to the Rebels, Waratahs captain Rob Simmons admits his team is in deep a hole.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs ended the Sunwolves' chances of a dream start to their last season in the competition.

REACTION: Mako Vunipola has insisted he has no regrets over the joint business ventures that helped pave the way for disgraced title-holders Saracens' relegation from the English Premiership.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby discard Israel Folau said he had thought about retiring after he was sacked last May by Rugby Australia.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Premiership Round 10 encounter between Saracens and Sale Sharks at Allianz Park.

MATCH REPORT: Stuart Hogg scored on his return to Exeter colours as the visitors weathered the first-half storm to beat Gloucester 26-15 at Kingsholm.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors boosted their hopes of reaching the PRO14 quarter-finals with an eight-try 56-24 victory over Zebre at Scotstoun Stadium.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Pro14 Round 11 encounter between Leinster and the Cheetahs in Dublin.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens have announced the signing of Fijian Eroni Mawi.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Three encounter between the Lions and Stormers in Johannesburg.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Maro Itoje has said it felt like an "invasion of privacy" after he unexpectedly found himself at the centre of the Saracens' salary cap scandal.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders bounced back from last week's loss to the Chiefs to demolish the Chiefs in an entertaining encounter in Auckland on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Three encounter between the Brumbies and Highlanders in Canberra.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Rebels won their first game of 2020, when they beat the Waratahs 24-10 in a drab encounter in Melbourne on Friday.

NEWS: Rugby Australia tabled their "whole of rugby" media rights package.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Three encounter between the Hurricanes and Sharks in Wellington.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Premiership Round 10 encounter between Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs Kingsholm.

MATCH REPORT: Munster claimed a commanding 68-3 PRO14 bonus-point victory as they thrashed Southern Kings at Irish Independent Park.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at a contentious incident during the match between Stormers and Bulls.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Pro14 Round 11 encounter between Munster and Southern Kings in Cork.

BACK WITH A VENGEANCE: After intense SIx ANtions matches, Premiership Rugby rushes back onto the screen in style.

UNBEATEN: All five teams that remain unbeaten will be in action on Saturday - a day that could see some significant movement on the standings.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares head coach Gonzalo Quesada has made five changes to his starting team for their clash against the Reds in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It’s been a while, but after the excitement of the second weekend of Six Nations it’s time for the Pro14 to return to centre-stage once again.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds have made five changes to their starting XV for Saturday's Round Three Super Rugby encounter with the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are four changes to the Stormers starting line-up to take on the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has produced a midfield surprise ahead of the Super Rugby Round Three encounter with the Stormers.

SQUAD UPDATE: Anthony Watson may miss the whole of the Six Nations after England coach Eddie Jones ruled him out of next week's third-round match at home to Ireland.

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

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There is one change to the Sharks side that takes on the Hurricanes in a Super Rugby Round Three encounter on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP NEWS: Jamie George has become the first England player to commit his future to Saracens despite the disgraced Premiership and European champions imminent relegation to the Championship.

TRANSFER NEWS: A Springbok prop will be off to England at the end of the current Super Rugby season.

NEWS: After being dramatically relieved of first-team duties earlier in the week, Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young could be in line for a shock return to Wales with a potential switch to the Ospreys.

TOP 14, WEEK 15: Finn Russell's Racing 92 host champions Toulouse as France's Top 14 returns this weekend, with the flyhalf continuing his Six Nations exile.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland's 24-14 win over defending Six Nations champions Wales made sure they climb one spot to fourth place.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dane Coles has been named in the 23-man squad set to take on the Sharks in Wellington on Saturday.

NEWS: World Rugby, the Hong Kong Rugby Union and Sport Singapore have taken the decision to reschedule the Hong Kong and Singapore rounds of the World Sevens Series.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Kurtley Beale rates NSW Waratahs teammate Will Harrison is a special player but knows better than anyone the pressure associated with steering the side around the park at a young age.

DERBY DAY: This week we open with two intriguing domestic derbies - one in New Zealand and the other across the Tasman Sea in Australia.

WATCH as All Black coach Ian Foster fronts up to answer fans' questions in a new segment on The Breakdown!

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have made two changes to their team for their Round Three encounter with the Chiefs on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Chiefs have ventured overseas this week and have travelled to Tokyo to face the Sunwolves at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders have revealed their team to take on the in-form Brumbies at fortress Canberra on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made three changes to the starting XV ahead of their showdown with the Highlanders in Canberra on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Despite their rocky start, Lions fullback Andries Coetzee is confident that his side has the prowess to end Stormers' pristine run on Saturday at Ellis Park.

OPINION: It was a weekend of surprises - the Chiefs, Sharks and Hurricanes all coming away with important wins.

OPINION: The second weekend of the 2020 Six Nations offered a mixed bag of performances.

SQUAD UPDATE: Three big names are expected to return for unbeaten France's Six Nations trip to Wales two weeks' time, the French Rugby Federation announced on Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Destructive USA international and former NFL star Paul Lasike has committed his future to Harlequins.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Cheetahs captain Ruan Pienaar knows all too well how tough it will be to try and beat runaway PRO14 Rugby log leaders Leinster in their own back yard.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt believes Aphelele Fassi has become a more balanced player in 2020.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders are on the road again this week and will travel to Auckland head of their Friday match against the Blues at Eden Park.

OPINION: France were on a hiding to nothing in this match against a heavily unfancied if developing Italian outfit in Paris.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blues head coach Leon MacDonald has named his team to face the Crusaders at Eden Park on Friday.

NEWS: The Hong Kong Sevens is set to be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs coach Rob Penney has made several changes to his Round Two side for their clash against the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: An estimated 200 players face being unemployed after the Rugby Football Union (RFU) stunned second-tier Championship clubs by informing them they were slashing their budgets by 50 percent next season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ryan Louwrens will get his chance to audition for the Melbourne Rebels starting scrumhalf role in their crunch Super Rugby clash against the Waratahs on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Henry Slade has been called up by England for the first time in the 2020 Six Nations as he steps up his recovery from an ankle problem.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales flyhalf Owen Williams has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations with a hamstring injury, the Welsh Rugby Union announced on Tuesday.

NEWS: Wasps boss Dai Young has been relieved of his duties ahead of the club’s weekend Premiership derby with midlands rivals Leicester – but hasn’t officially left the club.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Frustrated Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson says the players are doing their part as the franchise desperately searches for ways to bring back Super Rugby crowds.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls' campaign just took another blow with two players joining the ever-growing injury list.

INJURY UPDATE: In less than three weeks, the Stormers' on-field celebrations have turned into off-field headaches.

After the close Round 1 results, those of Round 2 are the opposite - clear-cut wins by big margins. The smallest winning margin was 19 points. In fact the average difference between victory and defeat was 32 points!

NEWS: World Rugby has unveiled details of the inaugural Sevens Challenger Series event for women, which will take place at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, South Africa on March 28-29. 

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has given a rare insight into his half-time team talks after the Hamilton franchise completed their second successive second-half comeback against the Crusaders.

TRANSFER NEWS: Highly-rated Argentina prop Enrique Pieretto signed for Glasgow Warriors on Tuesday, just the sort of "abrasive" scrummager incoming coach Danny Wilson said the team required.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend believes Finn Russell has shown he is unwilling to "align himself" with the standards expected of players in his squad.

After the first two rounds of the Under-20 Six Nations this year, Ireland, with two bonus-point wins, top the log, while Wales languish at the bottom.

OPINION: England head coach Eddie Jones rang the changes following his side’s demoralising loss to France in their tournament opener and it paid off as they emerged 13-6 winners at Murrayfield against Scotland.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has cautioned the Six Nations against expanding the Northern hemisphere tournament.

SIX NATIONS UPDATE: France wing Vincent Rattez has announced he suffered a fracture of his fibula in the 35-22 victory over Italy on the weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: Springboks wing Sibusiso Nkosi has been ruled of Sharks' Australasia tour with a hamstring injury.

OPINION: Dreadful conditions killed this game as a spectacle and it was a hard day to be judged, but yet that is what we must do.

REACTION: New All Black coach Ian Foster is more than pleased with the current relationship between the All Blacks and Super Rugby franchises, but there is to be a review of the player resting policy.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings will travel with a 27-man squad on Monday for a PRO14 two-week tour.

South African Rugby's Director of Rugby took to his newly created Twitter account to publish a frank discussion with players about what it means to be a Springbok.

REACTION: South Africa's Director of Rugby has vehemently denied weekend rumours that he is in talks to join the England coaching set-up.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions' hopes of bolstering their team with a seasoned Springbok has been dealt a cruel blow.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Paul Willemse has warned France to cut out the indiscipline to stay in the hunt for a first Six Nations title in 10 years.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Italy lock Dean Budd said his side are targeting the visit of Scotland in two weeks' time to end their record winless streak of 24 straight Six Nations matches.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne's Test centre Reece Hodge is putting his hand up to help lead the Rebels out of their Super Rugby early-season slump, starting with the NSW Waratahs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sean Maitland believes Finn Russell will be welcomed back into the Scotland fold if he can find a way to work out his differences with coach Gregor Townsend.

SIX NATIONS UPDATE: Scotland will be without Jonny Gray for the rest of the championship.

After two rounds of Rugby Europe's International Championship, Georgia and Portugal remain unbeaten while Belgium have done themselves a huge favour en route to avoiding relegation with a big win over Russia.

NEWS: The Springboks could join an expanded Six Nations tournament in 2024.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Failing to score a try in their first two games of the season is a massive concern for the Bulls' coaching team.

SIX NATION REACTION: Scotland star Finn Russell has blamed a breakdown in relations over "a long time" with national coach Gregor Townsend for his ongoing exile from international Rugby Union.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has released 13 players from his Six Nations squad as attention turns to the trip to face England in Twickenham on February 23.

NEWS: Legendary Wallaby David Campese has today re-joined Australian Rugby in the newly formed role of Rugby Ambassador.

OPINION: Wayne Pivac described this game as the toughest of his coaching career and it was certainly much more challenging than last week’s assignment against Italy.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: France staved off a comeback to beat Italy 35-22 on Sunday and secure their second win from two matches in this year's Six Nations in strong winds caused by Storm Ciara.

OPINION: Following Ireland's 24-14 win over Wales, we can more properly judge the baby steps of this new Andy Farrell era in charge of Ireland.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson knows that his team could have put up a bigger score the Bulls if they played to their full potential on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Eddie Jones accused spectators at Murrayfield of lacking "manners" after England captain Owen Farrell was booed during a hard-fought 13-6 win over Scotland.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Gregor Townsend came to the defence of Stuart Hogg after the Scotland captain's second costly error in as many games helped prove decisive in a 6-13 Calcutta Cup loss to England

WATCH as we bring the highlights from the past weekend's main matches - Six Nations and Super Rugby!

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Hurricanes produced a fantastic come-from-behind effort to beat the Jaguares 26-23 in a pulsating encounter in Buenos Aires.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Six Nations Round Two encounter between France and Italy in Paris.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Top-tier professional players heading abroad is one of the main challenges facing South African Rugby.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: England got their Six Nations campaign back on track with a 13-6 win over Scotland at a rainswept and windy Murrayfield on Saturday that saw them regain the Calcutta Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A photograph snapped in Murrayfield of World Cup-winning Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has set the England coaching job rumour mill alight.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions bounced back from a horrendous Super Rugby opener with a hard-fought 27-20 win over the Reds.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Wing Mark Telea scored a hat-trick as the Blues beat the Waratahs 32-12 in Newcastle on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen knows that his team will have their work cut out for them ahead of their clash against the Stormers.

SIX NATIONS ROUND TWO: France head coach Fabien Galthie said he was looking for 'consistency' in the next stage of his youthful side's development as they host Italy in the Six Nations on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs produced a strong second-half performance to upset defending champions the Crusaders 25-15 in their Super Rugby Round Two clash in Hamilton on Saturday.

NEWS: European Champions Cup holders Saracens were on Friday fined 50 000 euros ($54,732) but escaped a ban for fielding an ineligible player in a pool-stage win against Racing 92.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Two encounter between the Stormers and Bulls in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: Stormers made it two wins from two matches this season with a 13-0 victory against the Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Six Nations Round Two encounter between Ireland and Wales in Dublin.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Ireland kept their hopes alive of a second Six Nations Grand Slam in three years while ending Wales' hopes of a repeat with a deserved 24-14 win at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Six Nations Round Two encounter between Scotland and England Edinburgh.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Two encounter between the Lions and Reds in Johannesburg.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Christiaan Stander has hit out at the anonymous keyboard warriors who launched personal attacks on his family via social media.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi speaks about the injury that will sideline him for two months.

OPINION: Tom Vinicombe rates the teams after the opening weekend of Super Rugby.

SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson again tackles the most contentious decisions of the past week.

SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson analyses the laws around kicking the ball beyond the dead-ball line.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks got their Australasian tour off to a fantastic start with a convincing 42-20 win over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday.

OPINION: The Stormers lead the way with three players in our Team of the Week for Round One of Super Rugby 2020.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Leezil Hendricks delves into the murky world that is performance enhancing substances in South African rugby.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Two encounter between the Waratahs and Blues in Newcastle.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy's South African coach Franco Smith made just one change to his starting line-up to face France, after last weekend's humiliating 0-42 Six Nations loss at Wales.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Two encounter between the Chiefs and Crusaders in Hamilton.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: French coach Fabien Galthié has made one enforced change to his team for their Six Nations Round Two encounter with Italy.

BIG NORTH-SOUTH DERBY: The Sunwolves' stay at the top of the Australian conference will be brief, but there are other very delectable games to look forward to.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Scotland captain Stuart Hogg wants his side to follow their 2018 example by "turning over" arch-rivals England at Murrayfield on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP NEWS: Saracens’ crisis season continues to limp from one staggering twist to the next.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has told Finn Russell he will not consider bringing the shamed star back into the fold until after this weekend's Six Nations clash with England.

NEWS: Wing sensation Sevu Reece signed a contract extension Friday that will keep him with the All Blacks and Super Rugby's Crusaders until 2022, New Zealand Rugby said.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies have won 10 straight games at home after dispatching the Melbourne Rebels in an Australian Super Rugby derby on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: France have lost in-form centre Virimi Vakatawa and back Kylan Hamdaoui for the Six Nations match against Italy on Sunday due to injuries, the team announced.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Ireland will be able to adapt to conditions if Storm Ciara hits Dublin during their Six Nations clash with Grand Slam holders Wales on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Two encounter between the Highlanders and Sharks in Dunedin.

SIX NATIONS ROUND TWO: Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar will be battling for their jobs on Saturday, one on the field against Wales and the other at the polls in a general election.

NEWS: Newcastle will host its first-ever Rugby Championship later this year, with the Wallabies to play Argentina at McDonald Jones Stadium on September 5.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton mounted a strong defence of his long-time halfback partner Conor Murray on Thursday.

SIX NATIONS ROUND TWO: Passion is guaranteed when Scotland play England but it may take more than raw emotion to secure a win in the latest edition of rugby union's oldest international match.

The Six Nations has not just been about the senior team of each of the six countries. It has involved age-group teams as well, and since 2008 it has been an official competition run alongside the senior teams.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls received a timely boost ahead of their Super Rugby trip to Cape Town.

REACTION: Nigel Owens is renowned as a no-nonsense referee. He is equally brutal off the field.

Lance Nel, who came from Port Elizabeth to Stellenbosch and was something of a boy wonder, has died.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones has made a number of significant changes to his team to play Scotland in the second round of the Six Nations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Magnus Bradbury is the only change Scotland’s starting line-up for this Saturday’s Six Nations Test against England at Murrayfield.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Andries Coetzee makes a return to the Lions team for their first Super Rugby game at Ellis Park against the Reds on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have made only one change to their starting XV to face Ireland this weekend.

NEWS: Jacob Stockdale, the 2018 Six Nations player of the tournament, has revealed what the future holds for him.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Reds coach Brad Thorn has made four changes to the starting XV for Saturday's Super Rugby Round Two match against the Lions in Johannesburg.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Injured lock Sintu Manjezi has recovered from his shoulder injury and will return in time for the Cheetahs crucial tour of Ireland and Wales which starts next week.

ROAD TRIP: The Sharks start their four-match tour of Australasia against tournament latecomers the Highlanders on Friday in a game that will answer many questions.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former NRL forward Tepai Moeroa is poised to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench for the Waratahs in Saturday’s home game against the Blues in Newcastle.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Two major changes have been made to the Hurricanes starting line-up set to take on the Jaguares in Buenos Aires this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers coach John Dobson has been forced to make a couple of changes to his team for the big north-south Super Rugby derby.

Round 2 of Six Nations in three groups and Round 2 of Super Rugby will bring out the best in the best referees.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: There will be many battles across the park in the big north-south derby at Newlands on Saturday, perhaps none more intriguing than scrumhalf.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named his side for the highly-anticipated Round Two clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues have named a largely unchanged team to head across the Tasman to take on the Waratahs in Newcastle on Saturday in Round Two of Super Rugby.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Scotland prop Allan Dell expects Eddie Jones to pick his words more wisely ahead of Saturday’s Calcutta Cup duel.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: In 2011, New Zealand travelled to the Under 20 World Championship in Italy with arguably the best age-grade rugby side in the history of the game.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Jaco Kriel believes the 'hurt' of the humiliating loss to the Jaguares will help the Lions grow.

OPINION: The Six Nations is back and the opening round of competition saw an abundance of impressive individual performances from the 138 players involved.

OPINION: Former England flyhalf and media pundit Andy Goode has decided to give Eddie Jones some selection advice.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Wayne Pivac and Wales are a "nice marriage", but Ireland coach Andy Farrell says his side can disrupt their wedded bliss at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England wing Anthony Watson has again been ruled out of Six Nations action after it was announced Wednesday he would miss this weekend's match away to Scotland with a calf injury.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt has named his team to take on the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday.

NEWS: James Ryan has signed a three-year IRFU  contract up to the end of the 2022/23 season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has named his side to challenge the defending champions the Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sale Sharks centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg has been cleared to play for his Premiership side after appearing before an independent disciplinary panel.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors have thrown their support behind a campaign to raise funds for injured lock Michael Fatialofa.

SQUAD UPDATE: Uncapped forwards Dewi Lake and Taine Basham have been called into Wales’  Six Nations squad ahead of Saturday’s match against Ireland.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has branded Scotland “niggly” ahead of a Calcutta Cup showdown that will be missed by Manu Tuilagi.

REACTION: Those who live in glass houses ...

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Aaron Mauger has selected six Highlander debutants in his team to play the Sharks in the season opener on Friday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Ireland coach Andy Farrell says his side are brimming with confidence ahead of their match with Grand Slam holders Wales.

NEWS: Newlands will not get the farewell Cape Town fans wanted.

SIX NATIONS NEWS: Wales back Liam Williams is set to miss the games against Ireland and France this month.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: South Africa-born back row forward Braam Steyn said he had been 'adopted' by Italy and denied any preferential treatment from new interim head coach Franco Smith.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Stormers coach John Dobson says he hopes that 'cheap shots' doesn't become a trend in the game.

WATCH as Andy Goode eats humble pie after talking up England's chances of a Grand Slam.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels has made several changes to his side that will take on Brumbies on Friday.

REACTION: The Lions are 'desperate' to bounce back from their worst start to a season in a decade.

In Round 1 of Rugby Europe's International Championship, Georgia, Spain and Portugal won. Spain's victory over Russia was all the more laudable for being played in Russia. Georgia and Portugal won at home.

NEWS: Israel Folau has begun training with his new teammates in the south of France as Catalans Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch prepares to face the music over the controversial signing.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made one change to the matchday 23 for the side's round two Super Rugby clash against the Rebels on Friday at GIO Stadium.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France have moved above Australia and into sixth place in the World Rugby Rankings after defeating England 24-17 at the Stade de France on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers have paid a dear price for their shut-out of the Hurricanes in a spiteful opening round Super Rugby match.

INJURY UPDATE: INJURY UPDATE: The Blues will have an early test of their depth with three players receiving significant injuries during their opening defeat to Chiefs.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Finn Russell has not been recalled to the Scotland squad for their Six Nations clash against England on Saturday.

OPINION: Galthie’s team of athletic, young Frenchman might have been light in experience but they made up for it with attacking accuracy, dynamism and aggression.

OPINION: Paris played host to the latest edition of ‘Le Crunch’ on Sunday afternoon, with a rejuvenated French side running out 24-17 victors in what is one of the most emotionally-charged rivalries in international rugby.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Sale Sharks centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg will face a disciplinary hearing over a dangerous tackle against Exeter Chiefs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Caelan Doris will miss Ireland's crucial Six Nations clash with reigning Grand Slam champions Wales.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It was an inauspicious start on Sunday for the coaching team of Eddie Jones, John Mitchell, Steve Borthwick, Matt Proudfoot and Simon Amor. 

INJURY UPDATE: Manu Tuilagi will miss England's Six Nations clash with Scotland next weekend because of a groin strain.

REACTION: The applause was so sonorous, you would have thought the Sharks had already won the game.

ROUND ONE WRAP: UP-Tuks started their 2020 Varsity Cup campaign on a winning note following their hard-fought 42-40 victory against NWU-Pukke on Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Chiefs have confirmed that they will have to cope without three All Blacks this week, with Damian McKenzie, Angus Ta’avao and Nepo Laulala all likely to miss the massive derby.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Brumbies shored up their midfield by extending the stay of a New Zealand-born star.

TRANSFER NEWS: It has been confirmed. Jaco Kriel is back at Ellis Park.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland centre Garry Ringrose will miss the Six Nations matches against Wales and England.

OPINION: Liam Heagney rates the Ireland players after their 19-12 win over Scotland in the opening round of the Six Nations.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the Scotland players after the error-filled 12-19 loss to Ireland in their Six Nations opener.

This is what we learned from the three matches of the opening round of the 2020 Six Nations.

NEWS: The Bulls have confirmed that Alan Zondagh has stepped down as the union's Director of Rugby.

INJURY UPDATE: Two players have joined the Bulls' injury list ahead of their clash against the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

REACTION: The Stormers put down a massive marker with their 27-0 demolition of the Hurricanes on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Wing Damian Penaud has been ruled out of rejuvenated France's Six Nations game against Italy this weekend.

SQUAD UPDATE: England head coach Eddie Jones has again opted to leave out in-form Harlequins No.8 Alex Dombrandt after announcing an updated Six Nations squad.

OPINION: Rhiannon Garth Jones rates the Welsh players after their 42-0 Six Nations shut-out of Italy.

NEWS: Former England captain Chris Robshaw has announced he will leave Harlequins at the end of the season after 16 years with the club.

REACTION: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie believes his team’s 45-0 whitewash of the Southern Kings on Saturday was the perfect build-up for their tough tour of Ireland and Wales.

Three matches, three close results - a summary of a good round of Women's Six Nations rugby to start 2020.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Andy Farrell praised the grit the Ireland team showed securing his first win as head coach in the 19-12 Six Nations clash with Scotland on Saturday at Lansdowne Road.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Waratahs forward Harry Johnson-Holmes says the Blues would do well not to underestimate their scrum, because he is set to play in an unfamiliar role.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: It was certainly the dawn of a new era as the new-look France side recorded an impressive 24-17 win over England on Sunday.

REACTION: Italy interim coach Franco Smith has defended their right to be in the Six Nations championship despite 23 successive defeats in Europe’s elite competition.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: France's South Africa-born lock Paul Willemse said on Sunday he was "scared" by the potential in the squad after opening their Six Nations campaign with a 24-17 victory over England in Paris.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Jaguares showed why they are fancied to repeat last year's performance of reaching the Final.

AUSTRALIA SEVENS DAY TWO WRAP: Fiji were crowned Sydney Sevens champions after a narrow 12-10 win over BlitzBoks on Sunday. 

WATCH as veteran centre Nafi Tuitavake talks about the opportunity to move from New Zealand and play his rugby in South Africa.

INJURY UPDATE: A cheap shot from Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli may result in a lengthy lay-off from Stormers and Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Stuart Hogg cursed himself for "the schoolboy error" which saw him drop the ball as he went to touch it down.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: The Southern Kings talked a big game, with plenty of fighting talk in the build-up.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Johnny Sexton scored all Ireland's points to give new coach Andy Farrell a 19-12 victory over Scotland in his first match in charge.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at a contentious incident in last week's spiteful derby between the Southern Kings and Cheetahs.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at a contentious incident in last week's spiteful derby between the Southern Kings and Cheetahs.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Six Nations Round One encounter between France and England in Paris.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Melbourne Rebels' bid to finally make the Super Rugby finals has started in rocky fashion, but they are refusing to panic following a loss to the Sunwolves.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt revealed the 27-man squad that will depart on a four-week Australasian tour.

NEWS: France wing Damian Penaud will miss this weekend's game with England due to a calf injury, the French Rugby Federation said on Saturday.

WATCH all the highlights from the opening weekend of Super Rugby.

MATCH REPORT: The reigning champions Crusaders opened their campaign with a comfortable 43-25 win over Waratahs in Nelson on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Super Rugby Round One encounter between the Jaguares and Lions in Buenos Aires.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Reigning Grand Slam champions Wales began their title defence with a 42-0 thrashing of Italy in Cardiff on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Sunwolves started their final season with an impressive 36-27 win over Rebels on Saturday in Tokyo.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Stormers managed to start John Dobson's coaching tenure with a bonus-point win over a very spiteful Hurricanes outfit.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks started their Super Rugby campaign with a hard-fought 23-15 win over the Bulls at Kings Park in Durban on Friday.

WATCH as Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union, gives his views on the make-up of the coach Springbok coaching panel and transformation at Super Rugby level.

REACTION: Jacques Nienaber may have the 'title', but Rassie Erasmus will still be the de facto head coach of the Springboks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The fear of losing his place in the Springbok team was the driving for behind Pieter-Steph du Toit's decision to stay in South Africa and not follow the cash to the north.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Six Nations Round One encounter between Ireland and Scotland in Dublin.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Pro14 catch-up encounter between the Cheetahs and Southern Kings in Bloemfontein.

TRANSFER NEWS: After numerous reports, Munster Rugby and the IRFU finally revealed that Damian de Allende and RG Snyman will join the province at the beginning of the 2020/21 season.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Six Nations encounter between Wales and Italy in Cardiff.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England attack coach Simon Amor said on Saturday he was prepared for the "wonderful threats" among France's three-quarters ahead of their opening game this weekend.

SIX NATIONS ROUND ONE: Eddie Jones has promised "absolute brutality" from England against France in Paris on Sunday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Super Rugby Round One encounter between Crusaders and Waratahs in Nelson.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Super Rugby Round One encounter between the Stormers and Hurricanes in Cape Town.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England skipper Owen Farrell says the lost World Cup final is well behind him as he and his team warily eye a France side "capable of unlocking a game".

SIX NATIONS ROUND ONE: Ireland host Scotland in their opening Six Nations clash in Dublin on Saturday with both sides desperate to put a disappointing World Cup behind them.

SIX NATIONS ROUND ONE: New coach Wayne Pivac wants Wales to expand their attacking game but has urged fans to be patient when the reigning Grand Slam champions begin their Six Nations title defence against Italy.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Ireland must prevent Scotland's halfback partnership of Adam Hastings and Ali Price dictating play in Saturday's Six Nations clash in Dublin.

AUSTRALIA SEVENS DAY ONE WRAP: The Blitzboks are assured of top spot in Pool B after beating France and Argentina on the opening day of the Sydney Sevens that also saw hosts Australia, USA, England and Fiji go unbeaten.

ROUND NINE CATCH-UP MATCH: If last weekend’s South African derby was anything to go by, Pro14 supporters are in for a cracking game of rugby on Saturday as the Cheetahs and Southern Kings renew hostilities.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies overcame a strong first half by the Reds to edge a scrappy Australia derby.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs bounced back from a 14-point half-time deficit to start their campaign under new coach Warren Gatland withy a sensational 37-29 win over the Blues.

FINAL FLING: The Sunwolves start their final season in the SANZAAR playpen against the Rebels, as the tournament celebrates its 25th season in the professional era.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Hurricanes are ready for the physical challenge they will face when they take on the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

ROUND FOUR: The next leg of the World Sevens Series takes place at Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium in Sydney on February 1-2.

NEWS: Some of rugby’s leading tier two nations could have a meaningful, competitive tournament to partake in by next year should World Rugby have its way in the coming months.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Super Rugby Round One encounter between Sharks and Bulls in Durban.

It used to be France's domain but this century Georgia have dominated. They are the reigning champions and it would be a surprise if they did not win the title again this year.

Rugby Australia has announced its match official panels to control top domestic rugby throughout Australia in 2020. Several top achievers are back.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has selected his side to play France in England’s opening match of the Six Nations in Paris on Sunday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Super Rugby Round One encounter between Blues and Chiefs in Auckland.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: The first Six Nations following a World Cup is often a time of renewal but the 2020 Championship has a particularly fresh feel ahead of this weekend's opening round.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares coach Gonzalo Quesada has named a very experienced team top host the Lions in the opening round of Super Rugby, in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy interim coach Franco Smith has made some bold moves as he revealed his first squad for their opening Six Nations fixture against Wales on Saturday.

This is a massive day for world rugby - the start of two great international competitions - the Six Nations in Europe and SANZAAR's big Super Rugby involving the rugby of five continents.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have named one uncapped player in their starting XV to kick off the 2020 Six Nations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has started to show his hand, ahead of the opening match of the Super Rugby season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Retired New Zealand Test referee Glen Jackson has been named as Sanzaar's first tackle technique review officer.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Super Rugby Round One encounter between Brumbies and the Reds in Canberra.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales and British and Irish Lions international Jamie Roberts will make his Stormers debut against the Hurricanes at Newlands on Saturday. 

NEWS: Gloucester's South African star Ruan Ackermann's holiday has nearly turned tragic.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has confirmed his 25-man squad that has travelled to Paris ahead of England’s Six Nations match against France on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves start their final season in Super Rugby with a host of South African discards - including two Springboks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels admits he considered walking away from the game after the bitter disappointment of last Super Rugby season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian-born and Edinburgh No.8 Nick Haining will make his Test debut in a new-look Scotland side named to face Ireland in the opening round of the Six Nations in Dublin.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens hooker Joe Gray has returned to Harlequins to add depth and experience to the squad currently heaped with injuries.

TIME FOR CHANGE: Super Rugby launches its 25th season on Friday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS: Perth will host the World Champion Springboks in 2020.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallaby Matt To'omua will steer a largely new-look side when the Melbourne Rebels open their Super Rugby campaign against the Sunwolves in Fukuoka on Saturday.

In his playing days, Gert Kotzé was an extremely strong, silent prop, a man of stature.

INJURY UPDATE: France's New Zealand-born prop Atonio Uini has been called up ahead of the team's Six Nations opener against England on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New France coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday named nine survivors from the World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Wales.

PREDICTION TIME: It is time! You get to challenge the @rugby365com editorial staff.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: TJ Perenara and Jordie Barrett are set to start for the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby opener against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Scott Robertson has named his Crusaders team to face the Waratahs at Trafalgar Park, and it includes two Super Rugby debutants.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson talks about the assistance his team has been getting from the new Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.

SPOTLIGHT: RugbyPass editor Ian Cameron reveals some shocking truths about the salary cap scandal involving Saracens.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby chiefs signalled the start of the race for valuable ranking points on Wednesday.

The Varsity Cup again starts brightening Monday evenings on 3 February 2020. Like many other competitions and tournaments the Varsity Cup has become a laboratory for experimenting with the laws of the game, the players guinea pigs.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: Maintaining discipline will be a strong focus ahead what is expected to be another brutal clash between South African rivals the Cheetahs and Southern Kings.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have named a strong matchday squad for their Super Rugby season opener against the Sharks at Kings Park on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Chiefs coach Warren Gatland suffered a setback before the season has even started.

INJURY UPDATE: The Chiefs received some bad news ahead of the start of their Super Rugby campaign.

NEWS: Israel Folau will be heading to Europe.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Waratahs coach Rob Penney has declared complete confidence in his Super Rugby rookies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray was Tuesday selected ahead of John Cooney for the Six Nations opener against Scotland, while Caelan Doris will make his international debut.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: The 2020 Six Nations Championship starts on Saturday with four of the teams under new management following last year's World Cup in Japan.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Europe's esteemed and historic championship gets underway this week. Josh Isaacson looks at some talking points.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Six players will make their debuts in an exciting Blues side.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has named four Super Rugby first-timers in the side that will take on the Reds in their Super Rugby opener on Friday at GIO Stadium.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com’s law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at an incident during the match between the Lions and Bulls at Soccer City in Soweto.

WATCH as Welsh legend Jamie Roberts steps off the training pitch and fronts up to the media to explain the reasons behind his decision to move to Newlands.

NEWS: Ed Griffiths has resigned as interim chief executive of disgraced Saracens with immediate effect, the English Premiership champions announced Tuesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has named his team to face the Bulls in their Super Rugby opener in Durban on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY INTERVIEW: Veteran Welsh international Jamie Roberts will make his Stormers debut at Newlands on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies wing Henry Speight is one five players in line to debut for the Queensland Reds against his former team, the Brumbies, in Friday's Super Rugby season opener in Canberra.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has named his side to face the Blues in their opening game of the 2020 Super Rugby season against the Blues at Eden Park.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Japanese international back Kotaro Matsushima, one of the revelations of the recent World Cup, will join Clermont on a two-year contract, the Top 14 club announced on Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Not only is veteran Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis in their Super Rugby tour squad, but the Lions have confirmed the signing of another seasoned player.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Hurricanes will have to brace themselves for a very powerful pack when they face the Stormers in their opening Super Rugby game at Newlands.

WATCH AS We gather up a host of familiar faces to discuss the Home Nations' chances in the upcoming Six Nations.

NEWS: Former Scotland rugby mentor Vern Cotter was announced Tuesday as the new Fiji coach.

NEWS: Former Saracens star Chris Ashton defended his decision to invest in a property with the club's owner Nigel Wray.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions will be something of an unknown factor when they front up to the Jaguares in their season opener on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Facing the formidable three-time defending Super Rugby champions the Crusaders first up might seem a scary prospect, but it's a challenge Waratahs prop Tom Robertson welcomes.

NEWS: The Brumbies have decided to take the Stormers back to the past.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Running out in front of Brumbies fans may be nothing new to Henry Speight, who considers Canberra "home".

NEWS: Former Queensland Reds flyer Luke Morahan is making a late bid for selection in the Australian men's Sevens team for the Tokyo Olympics.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks loose forward Marcell Coetzee has been nominated for the prestigious EPCR European Player of the Year 2020 award.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Saracens are reportedly in talks with world champions South Africa over a potential fixture next year at Allianz Park.

WATCH the best tackle from the 2018 Varsity Cup Final.

SQUAD UPDATE: Racing 92 hooker Camille Chat has been replaced by uncapped club teammate Teddy Baubigny in France's Six Nations squad after suffering a calf injury, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced on Monday.

SPOTLIGHT: Tom Vinicombe takes a look what it takes to be a modern All Black loose forward and who fits the bill in 2020.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have revealed a 25-man squad for their Super Rugby opener against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Izack Rodda wasn't sure what more he could've done to win the Queensland Reds captaincy this season.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors loose forward Caleb Montgomery has signed a two-year contract extension.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bristol Bears have announced the capture of British & Irish Lion Kyle Sinckler, who arrives on a two-year deal.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Incoming Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has given his tick of approval to the Melbourne Rebels' Super Rugby preparations ahead of their opening match on Saturday.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Sevens squad have their plans laid out as they prepare to tackle Argentina, Samoa and France in Pool B of the Sydney Sevens this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has been linked to a move to Premiership side Bath.

PRO14 REACTION: An apoplectic Southern Kings coach Robbi Kempson suggested that the Cheetahs can expect some retribution in the their return match this week.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Sunwolves head into their final season of Super Rugby being on a hiding to nothing.

REACTION: South Africa's players and management staff will have to take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror, following their horror show at the Hamilton leg of the Sevens World Series.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com's  Law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at an incident during the match between Stormers and Sharks at Soccer City in Soweto. 

February is a dreary month in the north, a hot, bright month in the South, and it starts, in north and south, with a rugby bang. Its first day is of great importance in the rugby calendar - the start of Six Nations in the North and the start of Super Rugby in the South. Divan Uys is not involved in either but it remains an important date in his refereeing career.

INJURY UPDATE: The Brumbies suffered a massive setback ahead of the start of the 2020 Super Rugby season.

SEVENS NEWS: New Zealand has shelved plans to transfer its round of the Sevens World Series to Fiji next year.

PRO14 REACTION: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie said he hoped the 'spiteful' nature of this past weekend's game will not spill over into their return fixture.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Sale Sharks survived a late fightback as they secured a narrow 22-19 victory over Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Harlequins handed a relegated Saracens team their biggest defeat in four years at Twickenham Stoop on Sunday.

TOP 14 WRAP: Lyon rebounded from a disappointing European campaign to beat third-place Toulon 27-12 on Saturday to jump to first place, at least for a day.

TOP 14 WRAP: Thomas Ramos, who was released from France's Six Nations squad this week, scored 12 points as his Toulouse side stopped Bordeaux-Begles from returning to the summit with a 22-14 victory on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Reds coach Brad Thorn has encouraged his young backline to continue their enterprising approach to the game as they target a play-off spot.

WELLING DAY TWO WRAP: South Africa's dramatic slide down the Sevens World Series rankings continued, as New Zealand won the third leg of the global circuit on Sunday.

PRO14 REPORT: Rhyno Smith broke Southern Kings hearts in Port Elizabeth with two late tries that sealed a captivating 31-30 comeback victory in the South African derby.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Premiership Round Nine encounter between Harlequins and Saracens at Twickenham Stoop.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Tom Homer scored two tries as Bath boosted their Premiership semifinal prospects with a narrow 13-10 win against Leicester Tigers.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: A late Dan Robson try saw Wasps edge Worcester Warriors 30-26 at Sixways to claim their third Premiership victory of the season.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: The Bristol Bears outplayed Gloucester on their way to a 34-16 win at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Hurricanes have named a squad of 27 players that will travel to South Africa and Argentina for the start of the 2020 Super Rugby campaign.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Here are the issues the crisis-engulfed club will have to face going forward.

NEWS: World Cup-winning Springbok Eben Etzebeth's infamous Langebaan incident is set to return to the Equality Court.

NEW ZEALAND SEVENS DAY ONE WRAP: England are assured of top spot in Pool B at the Hamilton leg of the World Series.

WATCH all the highlights from Round Two of the 2020 Japanese Top League.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Premiership Round Nine encounter between Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks at Sandy Park.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Pro14 catch-up encounter between the Southern Kings and Cheetahs in Port Elizabeth.

NEWS: New Saracens Chief Executive Edward Griffiths has denied working as a cricket agent, following claims he has been reported to the England and Wales Cricket Board.

REACTION: Queensland Reds have beaten the NSW Waratahs 28-19 in the sides' final hit-outs before the Super Rugby season begins next weekend.

REACTION: A disappointing trial loss to Queensland has ensured a busy week for Waratahs coach Rob Penney ahead of their Super Rugby season opener against the Crusaders.

BREAKING NEWS: The worst-kept secret in South African rugby has been confirmed.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England's Ollie Thorley says coach Eddie Jones has talked about his determination to avoid a dip in form after the heartache of defeat in the World Cup final ahead of their Six Nations opener.

INJURY UPDATE: Cardiff Blues wing Owen Lane has been released from Wales’ Six Nations squad following a “significant” hamstring injury sustained in training.

NEWS: World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont has confirmed he will run for a second term in charge of the global game's governing body.

MATCH REPORT: Dave Porecki’s late try gave London Irish a dramatic victory over 14-man Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens.

REACTION: Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Chris Boyd was unhappy with a number of issues after his side missed the chance to go top of the Premiership following a 20-16 defeat against London Irish.

SQUAD UPDATE: Worcester Warriors flyhalf Duncan Weir has been added to the Scotland squad ahead of the national team’s Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Premiership Round Nine encounter between Northampton Saints and London Irish at Franklin’s Gardens.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Pieter-Steph du Toit capped off phenomenal 2019 season when he added the prestigious SA Rugby Player of the Year award to his World Rugby Player of the Year accolade.

ROUND EIGHT CATCH-UP MATCH: The Pro14 is back this weekend with the first of the South African derbies in what could prove to be crucial matches in the race for the Final Series.

MATCH REPORT: The defending champion Crusaders put down an impressive pre-season marked when they thrashed the Highlanders 41-7.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Head Coach John Dobson has confirmed the 45-man squad for their 2020 Super Rugby campaign.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Blues edged the Hurricanes 29-28 in their Super Rugby pre-season encounter at Onewa Domain in Takapuna.

TOP 14, WEEK 14: France's Top 14 makes a brief reappearance this weekend between the European Champions Cup and the Six Nations.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Premiership Rugby is back with six compelling Round nine fixtures this weekend, kicking-off at Franklin’s Garden where Northampton Saints entertain London Irish.

TRANSFER NEWS: It is not exactly a secret, but Premiership outfit Harlequins have signed a Springbok.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt does not want "lack of leadership" to be a topic that comes up during his team's Super Rugby campaign in 2020.

MATCH REPORT: The Queensland Reds have defeated the New South Wales Waratahs 28-19 in Dalby in their final pre-season hit-out ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season.

ROUND THREE: The first World Sevens Series tournament of this Olympic year will take place in Hamilton, New Zealand on Saturday and Sunday - January 25 and 26.

REACTION: Discredited former Saracens boss Nigel Wray has spoken out after the release of the full report on the club's salary cap breaches.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls head coach, Pote Human, has selected his 40 man squad that will do duty in this year’s Super Rugby.

MEDICAL UPDATE: Worcester Warriors lock Michael Fatialofa is "making good progress" as the New Zealander recovers from spinal surgery.

SIX NATIONS NEWS: Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell will miss the Six Nations opener against Ireland after being sent home from their training base on Thursday for a "breach of team protocol".

NEWS: The Sharks are set to lose one of their Springbok centres at the end of the Super Rugby season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After outcry from rugby fans and professionals alike, the content of the comprehensive report outlining Saracens’ salary cap breaches has finally been revealed.

MATCH REPORT: The Brumbies lost 157 Test caps in the off-season, without making any major signings, but they didn't miss a beat in a Super Rugby trial against the Melbourne Rebels.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Ireland coach Andy Farrell said Wednesday that he believes Eddie Jones will use the Saracens' salary cap scandal to "galvanise" England in the upcoming Six Nations Championship.

WATCH as former Springboks captain Warren Whiteley tries to shed light on his never-ending knee injury and his new role at the Lions.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has challenged the players to make the most of the final opportunity to stake claims for starting spots.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Hurricanes have named a 32-man squad to take on the Blues in Auckland this Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues will have their final pre-season outing at North Harbour on Friday ahead of the Super Rugby season.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Waratahs have made another addition to their Super Rugby squad, securing the signature of damaging outside-back, Siosifa Lisala on a one-year deal.

NEWS: Premiership Rugby said on Wednesday it would release a report into Saracens' breaches of the league's salary cap rules after the club said they were keen for it to be published in full.

WATCH as Andy Goode and Brendan Venter get into a heated debate over Saracens salary scandal.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Southern Kings coach Robbi Kempson believes this weekend’s PRO14 derby match against the Cheetahs in Port Elizabeth is the ideal opportunity for his side to draw a line in the sand and show how much they have improved over the past six months.

This week there is the lull before the storm - a time of expectant tumult, the week before Six Nations starts in Europe, the week before Super Rugby bursts out on four continents.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scotland international lock Ben Toolis has today extended his stay in the capital after penning a new deal with Edinburgh Rugby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Four 2019 Junior Springbok from the Under20 World Championship Cup players and another 10 who travelled to Georgia with the SA U19 team in December were included in a 19-man squad invited to the first of four SA Rugby Academy alignment camps in Stellenbosch in February.

=TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Michael Hooper has stepped down as skipper of the Waratahs just over a week from the start of the new Super Rugby season, but said he still wants to lead the Wallabies.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: The Queensland Reds are reeling after try-scoring machine Filipo Daugunu copped a five-match ban for a dangerous tackle.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have announced a 26-man squad for their second pre-season fixture against the Waratahs in Dalby on Friday.

NEWS: Bulls scrum coach  Daan Human has been appointed as the new Springbok scrum coach.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney has refused to rule out the possibility of allowing England to select Saracens players who move abroad following the salary cap scandal.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENTS: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has announced the two squads that will play in Super Rugby pre-season trials against the Melbourne Rebels in Albury on Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: In preparation for the new Super Rugby season, Beauden Barrett has been working on his kicking game with acclaimed elite performance coach Dave Alred.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders will play their final pre-season fixture this Friday in Wanaka, when they take on the Highlanders in the annual Farmlands Cup fixture between the two sides.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: Cheetahs captain Tian Meyer believes the pressure is on his side ahead of this weekend’s Pro14 derby against the Kings to return to the standards they have set themselves as a team.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: All Black lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been confirmed as captain of the Blues for the 2020 Super Rugby competition.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am will captain the Sharks during the 2020 Super Rugby competition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has been officially welcomed and will start meeting the nation's Super Rugby teams from Wednesday, on a whistle-stop tour of the country.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former France coach Philippe Saint-Andre will take over from Vern Cotter as director of rugby at Montpellier, the French Top 14 team announced on Tuesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Sevens Series has become synonymous with all-out action, tries galore, big hits and watching some of the premier athletes in the game trying to outrun each other - all at breath-taking speeds.

TRANSFER NEWS: Steve Borthwick is to join Leicester Tigers as head coach with Geordan Murphy appointed to the role of director of rugby.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: Wallabies outside back Dane Haylett-Petty will captain Melbourne Rebels again as the Victorian club strives for a first Super Rugby finals spot.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Saracens Will Skelton has been suspended for four weeks following his red card in the 27-24 win over Racing 92 in their European Champions Cup pool match last Sunday.

NEWS: Wallabies tighthead prop and self-described "joker" Allan Alaalatoa has vowed not to change after being named the Brumbies captain for 2020 Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Ali Price has followed up his Man of the Match performance against Sale Sharks on Saturday by signing a new two-year contract with Glasgow Warriors.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia have declared they “are going to go heavy” in pursuing former Wallabies lock Will Skelton in the wake of the Saracens salary cap scandal.