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Planning is advancing for the inauguration of a new competition for top South African schools to start in 2021 with further development the following year.

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

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: The European Champions Cup field is down to eight.

SPOTLIGHT: Just before the 2020 Super Rugby season kicks off on January 31, franchises have organised a few matches to familiarized themselves with the competitive nature of the competition.

SUPER RUGBY PREVIEW 2020 – TEAM BY TEAM: There are good reasons why bookmakers are listing the Sharks as rank outsiders - with long odds of 34-1.

SUPER RUGBY PREVIEW 2020 – TEAM BY TEAM: After a couple of seasons of mediocrity, not much is expected from the Stormers in 2020.

SUPER RUGBY PREVIEW 2020 – TEAM BY TEAM: Something borrowed, something blue, something old and very little new…

OPINION: When Richie Mo’unga helped guide the Crusaders to their third Super Rugby title on the trot in 2019, Mo’unga Mania hit its peak.

SUPER RUGBY PREVIEW 2020 – TEAM BY TEAM: It is a new season and, as is traditional, the year is met by baroque hopefulness and idealism.

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: 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.

SPOTLIGHT: On the eve of the start of a new Super Rugby season, Ben Smith takes a look at the declining interest in the game.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens' demotion from the Premiership could have an unexpected spin-off for one South African franchise.

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.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones hopes a "long debrief" will allow England to focus firmly on the Six Nations.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones was in a high-spirited mood as he addressed the media on Monday.

REACTION: Although his side suffered a pre-season defeat to Stormers, Sharks coach Sean Everitt was left very content in Soweto on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls received a timely boost ahead of the start of the Super Rugby season.

REACTION: It seems like Stormers head coach John Dobson will have to rethink his 'explosive power-based game' tactic for the upcoming Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Cheetah Kicking and Skills Coach Albert Keuris is another South African mentor that will join Italy ahead of the Six Nations.

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.

INJURY UPDATE: Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann hopes the injury Louis Rees-Zammit picked up during his side’s 14-35 defeat at Toulouse is minor enough to allow him to contribute for Wales at the Six Nations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones has named his 34-man squad for the 2020 Six Nations.

NEWS: SANZAAR has announced the names of the 12 referees who will referee Super Rugby in 2020. They have axed two referees from 2019.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions suffered a massive pre-season setback, following their 35-40 loss to the Bulls in a pre-season outing in Soweto this past Sunday.

NEWS: England has revealed more changes to the coaching set-up under Eddie Jones, including a Rugby League import.

INJURY UPDATE: England are set to be without the services of star loose forward Billy Vunipola for a substantial portion of the Six Nations.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Toulouse rounded off the Champions Cup pool stages with a commanding 35-14 win over Gloucester, securing a home quarterfinal in the process.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: A late Cornal Hendricks try helped the Bulls edge the Lions 40-35 in an entertaining pre-season encounter in Soweto on Sunday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Saracens came out 27-24 victors over Racing 92 in an epic Champions Cup Pool Four clash at Allianz Park on Sunday.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Stormers edged the Sharks 21-19 in a pre-season encounter in Soweto on Sunday.

NEWS: Saracens have broken their silence after Premiership Rugby's decision to automatically relegate the club for breaching the salary cap.

INJURY UPDATE: The Hurricanes could have star loose forward Ardie Savea back from his significant knee injury earlier than expected.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Montpellier won a see-saw encounter with Connacht 35-29 at the Stadium as these two sides bowed out of this season’s Champions Cup by producing a thriller.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Munster may have failed to qualify for the Champions Cup quarterfinals but they finished this season’s campaign in style with a 33-6 bonus-point victory over winless Ospreys in Pool Four.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Six encounter between Toulouse and Gloucester at Stade Ernest Wallon.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Six encounter between Saracens and Racing 92 Allianz Park.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Super Rugby pre-season encounter between the Lions and Bulls in Soweto.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: New Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland won't be thinking too much about his team's 19-26 loss to the Blues in a pre-season match on Friday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls have finally announced that Tonga centre Nafi Tuitavake will join the Super Rugby franchise.

MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs secured a Champions Cup home quarter-final after a dominant 33-14 win over La Rochelle at Sandy Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: A stirring second-half display saw Ulster make sure of progress to the knockout stages of the Champions Cup but winless Bath made them work hard for their 22-15 success in Belfast.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: European and English champions Saracens are to be relegated at the end of the season due to breaching the salary cap, Premiership Rugby announced on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY PRE-SEASON: They may be World Cup winners and superstars, but the Stormers' Springboks have their feet firmly planted on the ground.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors kept themselves in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup with a runaway 45-7 win over Sale Sharks.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Northampton kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions Cup with a dramatic 36-24 win over Lyon at the Matmut Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: Clermont Auvergne were made to dig deep as they saw off Harlequins 26-19 to top Champions Cup Pool 3.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster duly clinched top seeding and a home quarter-final in the Champions Cup by securing a 100 percent record in Pool 1 with an 18-0 victory over a battling Benetton side in Treviso.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Super Rugby pre-season encounter between the Sharks and Stormers in Soweto.

SUPER RUGBY PRE-SEASON: South African teams need to have a 're-think' about how they approach the SANZAAR tournament.

PRE-SEASON: The Crusaders recorded an impressive 40-19 win over the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby pre-season match in Ashburton on Saturday.

REACTION: Saracens have reiterated they will do whatever is "reasonably required" to prove they are operating within the salary cap for the current season.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Six encounter between Exeter Chiefs and La Rochelle at Sandy Park.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Jaguares got their preparations underway for this year's Super Rugby tournament with a convincing 66-3 win over a Georgia XV side in Mar del Plata on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Six encounter between Ulster and Bath at Kingspan Stadium.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Stormers recruit Jamie Roberts made it clear that still be available to play for Wales if they need him.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Six encounter between Lyon andNorthampton Saints at Matmut Stadium de Gerland.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Blues survived a second-half fightback from the Chiefs to record a 26-19 victory in their pre-season match in Waihi.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Brumbies are confident they can clinch another Australian conference title despite losing five Wallabies in the Super Rugby off-season.

WARM-UP MATCH REPORT: The Southern Kings gave the star-studded Stormers a timely wake-up call.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: Filipo Daugunu crossed five times as the Queensland Reds feasted in a Super Rugby trial game mismatch against Melbourne on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY PRE-SEASON REPORT: A three-try blitz midway through the second half helped the Bulls claim victory in the first of two matches against the Lions this weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England Sevens acting head coach James Rodwell has named his maiden 13-player travelling squad for the World Sevens Series tournament in Hamilton, New Zealand on January 25-26.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Following the exodus of the powerful pack, Sharks are in dire need of a new attacking option for the upcoming Super Rugby season.

WATCH as now-retired Springbok Schalk Brits speaks about the emotion of bringing back the Webb Ellis Cup to South Africa and the dramatic scenes that unfolded.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Still searching for consistency, Australian sevens coach Tim Walsh has sprung a leadership change just six months out from the Olympic Games.

NEWS: Defending champions Saracens could be relegated from the English Premiership if they fail to adhere to the division's salary cap this season, according to a report.

SUPER RUGBY PRE-SEASON REPORT: For the second successive week the Sharks demolished the Russian national team.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt wasted no time in rushing his Springboks back for their Super Sunday pre-season outing.

LAST CHANCE SALOON: The Six Nations looms large on the horizon, but first we turn our attention to the European Champions Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: After months after speculation, Springboks Warren Whiteley has finally been confirmed as the Lions' line-out coach for the 2020 Super Rugby season.

On Saturday, 18 January 2020, the final of the  Coppa Italia will be played in the northern Italian town of Rovigo between Rovigo and Petrarca of Padua.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scotland lock Richie Gray is to return to the club where he began his career Glasgow Warriors after a successful spell in France in what is head coach Danny Wilson's first signing.

TRANSFER NEWS: The worst-kept secret in Cape Town has been confirmed.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: A youthful Waratahs side have overcome a horror start to beat the Highlanders 40-21 in a Super Rugby pre-season match at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.

SPOTLIGHT: As the European Cup pool stage reaches its climax this weekend, we bring you a pool by pool breakdown of what’s at stake.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Hurricanes coaching staff have named a 34-man squad to take on the Crusaders in Ashburton this Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers will conclude their pre-season fixtures this weekend as they face the Southern Kings in Knysna on Friday and the Sharks in Soweto on SuperHero Sunday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Following last week’s announcement of Sam Underhill, Jack Walker and Max Wright putting pen to paper on long-term contracts, Bath confirmed the re-signing of homegrown loose forward, Tom Ellis on a new two-year deal.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland revealed that loose forward Sam Cane will captain the Chiefs for the upcoming Super Rugby season.

REACTION: Wales boss Wayne Pivac has hailed Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit as "a great finisher" after handing the 18-year-old a Six Nations call-up.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The New Zealand coach Clark Laidlaw has changed up his team for the next leg of the World Sevens Series, on home turf in Hamilton next week.

NEWS: Harlequins announced that back-row forward Alex Dombrandt has extended his contract, following two successful years at the club.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former BlitzBok star Vuyo Zangqa will coach of the Southern Kings, as they face the Stormers in a warm-up match in Knysna on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds have announced a 28-man squad for their opening pre-season fixture against the Melbourne Rebels in Gladstone on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders will kick off 2020 with their first pre-season game this Saturday, as they prepare to meet the Hurricanes in Ashburton.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders will travel with a squad of 28 to play the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday, in the first of two pre-season games for the Dunedin side.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls have announced their matchday team for their #SuperHeroSunday clash with the Lions.

VIDEO: @rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson looks at some Cheslin Kolbe 'magic' and analyses if his actions were legal!

NEWS: The "high tackle technique warning" will be trialled during Super Rugby this year as World Rugby aims to improve player safety.

NEWS: Siyamthanda Kolisi and his Springbok team are up for yet another award.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Saracens prop Rhys Carre has had an eventful Wednesday of wildly different emotions.

Its the last round of pool matches in the Heineken Cup and the Challenge cup. After this come the quarterfinals in April.

SIX NATIONS TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Wales coach Wayne Pivac has named his first squad - which features 38 players, including five who are uncapped.

SIX NATIONS NEWS: New Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named a 35-man squad - including a surprise as captain - for the 2020 Championships.

TRANSFER NEWS: World Cup winner Isaia Toeava will leave French Top 14 club Clermont at the end of the season, the former New Zealand full-back said on Wednesday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Stuart Hogg has been named Scotland captain for the 2020 Six Nations.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Stedman Gans will captain the Springbok Sevens squad to Hamilton and Sydney for the third and fourth tournaments of the World Rugby Sevens Series, taking over the captaincy armband from the injured Siviwe Soyizwapi.

NEWS: The Hurricanes announced the captaincy for the 2020 Super Rugby season will be shared between TJ Perenara and Dane Coles.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Karmichael Hunt is happy to take on more responsibility as he prepares to lead the Waratahs after his first "decent" Super Rugby pre-season in several years.

OPINION: England’s World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward has called for incumbent English boss Eddie Jones to stage a trial match before finalising his Six Nations squad later this month.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There has been a sizable backlash in the Scottish rugby community after the staggering salaries paid to Scottish Rugby Union executives has been made public.

NEWS: Northampton Saints have confirmed that scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will leave at the conclusion of this season.

NEWS: Former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen has joined the Junior Wallabies 2020 program, as he pursues a coaching career in the national set-up.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks XV will take on the Russian national side in a pre-season warm-up match at Kings Park on Friday.

NEWS: Former NSW and Australia Rugby League representative Phil Bailey wants the Waratahs to display more aggression and dominant tackling in their defence.

NEWS: South Africa's World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi was voted the 2019 Rugby Writers' personality of the year.

WATCH as the Rugby Pod gets stuck into the 2020-21 rumour mill.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi speaks about leading the Stormers in their last season at Newlands.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Southern Kings prop Pieter Scholtz has been handed a four-week suspension for a dangerous tackle. 

WATCH as we went behind the scenes with one of the most iconic clubs in the world, as they prepared for a clash with Wales in Cardiff.

NEWS: The future stars will converge on Italy for the 13th edition of the World Rugby U20 Championship from June 28 to July 18.

NEWS: England head coach Eddie Jones has appointed Matt Proudfoot and Simon Amor as his new assistant coaches.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Journeyman and new Waratahs hooker Robbie Abel expects to be a calming voice to the youngsters on the team.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: PRO14 side the Southern Kings will get an opportunity to test their depth against a near Super Rugby strength squad when the Eastern Cape franchise clashes with the Stormers in a friendly in Knysna on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Angus Blyth is simultaneously learning the finer points of rugby and still getting schooled in the gym by his Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn.

TEAM NEWS: Stormers coach John Dobson is keeping his cards close to his chest as to the make-up of his teams for their final two pre-season outings.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: It is the BIG question in New Zealand. Will Aaron Cruden be recalled to the All Blacks, now that he is back in New Zealand?

SUPER RUGBY PREVIEW 2020: It’s understandable why the Highlanders will be written off by many pundits heading into new Super Rugby season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former Junior Springbok Duhan van der Merwe has taken a step closer to getting a Scotland call-up after his decision to extend his contract with Edinburgh.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy legend Sergio Parisse was not named in the 35-man squad unveiled on Monday for the Six Nations tournament with Alberto Sgarbi recalled after six years and three newcomers included.

TRANSFER NEWS:  Former All Blacks loose forward Adam Thomson has capped off a miraculous late-career recovery as he signs for the Chiefs.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Brumbies are poised to again dominate the Australian conference of Super Rugby and have the potential go at least one step further and make the tournament’s final in 2020.

NEWS: Welsh utility back James Hook is to retire from rugby at the end of the season and initially focus on writing children's books, he said on Monday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne Rebels recruit Andrew Kellaway says he's disappointed by the departure of Jack Maddocks even if it helps him break into their line-up.

NEWS: Louis Rees-Zammit, considered one of the hottest prospects in Rugby Union, has been rewarded for his strong form with a long-term contract by English Premiership side Gloucester.

OPINION: Andy Goode gives his view on the latest developments surrounding the Saracens salary-cap saga.

PRE-SEASON SPOTLIGHT: World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi will lead an array of stars out at Soccer City in Soweto next Sunday.

NEWS: Crusaders continue their link with the Northern Hemisphere.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Waratahs stalwart Jed Hollway says their new-look squad must build on the legacy left by a host of departing stars and drive new standards.

CHAMPIONS CUP REACTION: Racing 92's South African-born France international Antonie Claassen said his side need to keep their feet on the ground despite reaching a fifth Champions Cup quarterfinal in six season

NEWS: Paul Zacks will be stepping down as Western Province Rugby Group CEO on January 31.

NEWS: Henry Hadfield, of Fylde RFC, has been banned from all sport for two years for an anti-doping rule violation.

POST-MATCH REACTION: Munster coach Johann Van Graan admitted Racing 92's late sucker punch was a bitter pill to swallow, as his team's Champions Cup hopes were all but ended.

REACTION: Ulster head coach Dan McFarland believes his side let slip a golden opportunity to win in France as they slipped to a 13-29 defeat to Clermont Auvergne.

REACTION: Western Province and Stormers boss Paul Zacks has dismissed a report that he has departed the franchise.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Exeter’s thrilling 31-all draw at Scotstoun ended on a high when Stuart Hogg’s 60-metre last gasp penalty kick hit the crossbar, coming so close to snatching an away win.

COACH'S COMMENT: The Southern King and Stormers will be out to test their respective squad depth, when they take each other on in a friendly encounter in Knysna on Friday, January 17.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Leinster collected another bonus-point success in Pool One.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Northampton Saints survived a tremendous Benetton effort to stay on course for the quarterfinals - with a 33-20 victory at Franklin's Gardens.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Northampton Saints survived a tremendous Benetton effort to stay on course for the quarterfinals.

MATCH REPORT: Gloucester kept their Champions Cup quarter-final hopes alive with a 29-6 bonus-point win over Montpellier in Pool 5 on Saturday at Kingsholm.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Toulon came from behind to beat Scarlets - and progress from Pool Two to the quarterfinals.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Five encounter between Racing 92 and Munster at the Paris La defence Arena.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Tom Vinicombe takes a look at some of the key changes faced by the 10-time champion Crusaders, ahead of the 2020 season.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Five encounter between Leinster and Lyon the RDS Arena.

WATCH as Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton discuss what the future holds for Saracens after Nigel Wrays decision to leave the club.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Stormers secured hard-fought wins over CPUT, UCT, and Maties, however, fell short against their provincial side Western Province.

MATCH REPORT: Four-time winners Toulouse qualified for the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a 21-7 win over Connacht on Saturday.

REACTION: New Sharks coach Sean Everitt was 'pleased' with his team's first hit-out of the year.

MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs secured a spot in the Champions Cup quarter-finals after a thrilling 31-31 draw with Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Five encounter between Glasgow Warriors and Exeter Chiefs at the Scotstoun Stadium.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: Jade Stighling scored a hat-trick as the Bulls gave early notice of their intentions in the 2020 Super Rugby season.

MATCH REPORT: ASM Clermont Auvergne put in a terrific second-half display to defeat Ulster Rugby 29-13 and secure a Champions Cup quarter-final spot.

MATCH REPORT: Defending Champions Saracens kept their quarter-final hopes alive with a 22-15 win over Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

REACTION: Bath boss Stuart Hooper has moved to play down an injury scare surrounding England star Anthony Watson.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Five encounter between Clermont Auvergne and Ulster Stade Marcel-Michelin.

PREVIEW: With the Southern Hemisphere’s sights firmly locked on the upcoming Super Rugby season, it’s easy to forget that one of the world’s most star-studded leagues is just days away from commencing.

Cheslin Kolbe has grabbed the limelight yet again with another moment of magic in the Champions Cup.

OPINION: The Hurricanes finished their 2019 season with another semi-final defeat to the Crusaders, their second straight season-ender in Christchurch.

I have a nightmare that I wish to swap for a dream, a death wish that I want to swap for a wishlist, so that I can exchange my fears for rugby's future with more of the joy and excitement that has filled my life since reaching the age of reason.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers' game plan for the upcoming Super Rugby tournament will be a "very simple" one.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The 2020 Varsity Cup, fortunately, will have no law changes however, this year's fixtures will have a later kick-off times.

INJURY UPDATE: Sale flyhalf AJ MacGinty has been ruled out for up to four months, after dislocating his shoulder in Friday’s 30-23 European Cup pool defeat to La Rochelle.

NEWS: England loose forward Sam Underhill has signed a new deal with the Premiership side Bath.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Sharks hammered Russia 64-14 in a pre-season friendly in Durban on Friday.

NEWS: Wales will face Japan and New Zealand in three test matches as part of their 2020 June Tour.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Harlequins came out on top against Bath 25-19 in a highly entertaining Pool Three match that resulted in three tries apiece.

NEWS: Olly Robinson has reaffirmed his commitment to Cardiff Blues with a new long-term deal at the Arms Park.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: La Rochelle scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow put in a terrific performance as the French side defeated Sale Sharks 30-23 on Friday at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

OPINION: Beauden Barrett’s signing with the Blues for 2020 and beyond has been hailed as a huge coup for a franchise that has underperformed for the better part of the last two decades.

EURO SPOTLIGHT:  Eddie Jones believes Sale flank Ben Curry, twin brother of Tom, could become an international scrumhalf.

NEWS: Northampton Saints confirmed that Mikey Haywood has signed a contract extension.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Five encounter between La Rochelle and Sale Sharks at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

REACTION: Charles Ollivon, named captain of the French team, "is not a miracle worker" but "someone who works hard," his club coach said on Thursday.

NEWS: Top New Zealand referee Glen Jackson announced Friday he was giving up the job, just months after being overlooked for a role at the World Cup.

NEWS: Saracens have revealed Nigel Wray's successor.

IN THE HOME STRAIGHT: French Top 14 giants Racing 92 and Toulouse can clinch quarterfinal spots with victories over Irish opposition this weekend.

It's the second last round of pool matches in the European Professional Club Rugby's competitions. That's where Europe's big clubs are.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Pote Human has opted for a 'mix-and-match' approach for the team's pre-season opener.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Reds will be without star man Samu Kerevi this season, but in James O'Connor and Jordan Petaia boast an alternative route to success.

INJURY UPDATE: The Highlanders suffered a setback before their season even had a chance to get off the ground.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A 28-man Stormers squad will get a thorough work-out against four different teams at Florida Park in Ravensmead on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Waratahs have received a big boost ahead of the Super Rugby season.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Northampton wing Tom Collins has been dealt a two-week suspension, following his sending off in last weekend's Premiership win over Wasps.

REACTION: Wales scrumhalf Rhys Webb, who was already told he would never play for Toulon again, had his freeze-out confirmed Thursday.

NEWS UPDATE: The latest casualty in the ongoing Saracens salary cap saga has been revealed.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: As the Champions Cup takes centre stage again this weekend, we look at what's at stake in each pool.

LISTEN as Ellis Genge speaks to the Rugby Pod in a brilliantly candid call.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New France coach Fabien Galthie said his squad for the upcoming Six Nations was assembled with a view towards the World Cup on home soil in 2023.

INJURY UPDATE: Munster has confirmed Joey Carbery will definitely miss the entire Six Nations campaign with Ireland.

PRO14 DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Dragons prop Brok Harris has been banned for two weeks.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: The Sharks will prepare for this season's Super Rugby tournament with two matches against Russia.

CONTRACT NEWS: Edinburgh have continued to strengthen their squad ahead of next season with the re-signing of Scotland international prop Rory Sutherland.

SQAUD ANNOUNCEMENT: Toulon's relatively inexperienced back-row Charles Ollivon was named as France captain as new head coach Fabien Galthie unveiled a revamped 42-man Six Nations squad featuring a remarkable 19 uncapped players.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: There are several questions to be answered by the New South Wales Waratahs of 2020.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Brendan Venter and Schalk Brits share their thoughts on the looming job and pay cuts at Saracens.

OPINION: Andy Goode takes a look at the REAL legacy of now-retired Saracens boss Nigel Wray!

SPOTLIGHT: Like great performers leaving the stage one by one, the eye-watering list of Glasgow departures grows by the season.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Exeter Chiefs have tasted success on the domestic front. Now they are keen on replicating it on as more global scale.

NEWS: Italy legend Sergio Parisse has revealed that he will play his final Test for his country on home soil during this year's Six Nations tournament.

NEWS: He's only 22, but new Queensland Reds captain Liam Wright has the smarts, skill and respect to lead his team back to the Super Rugby finals, says coach Brad Thorn.

TRANSFER NEWS: Worcester Warriors have signed flyhalf Billy Searle from Wasps on a two-year contract from the start of the 2020/21 season.

UPDATE: English Premiership club Worcester announced on Tuesday that lock Michael Fatialofa had undergone successful surgery to relieve pressure on his spinal cord.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: The Stormers will get the preparations for their 2020 Super Rugby campaign underway at Florida Park in Ravensmead on Saturday against some of the best young talent in the Western Cape.

NEWS: Saracens hope to minimise the distress caused by any possible player departures enforced by their breach of salary cap regulations by focusing on their older stars or those near the end of their contract.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland new head coach Andy Farrell seems to have a flyhalf crisis ahead of the Six Nations with both Johnny Sexton and Joey Carbery sidelined with injuries.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: Elusive Wallabies utility Jack Maddocks could become the Waratahs' fullback in a player swap deal with the Melbourne Rebels ahead of the Super Rugby season.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sunwolves have once again dipped into the offshore player market.

WATCH as Toulon's collection of international stars entertain guests during New Year's revelry.

NEWS: Edward Griffiths, the new Saracens chief executive, has told the club’s high-profile squad some players may have to leave or face salary cuts to prove they are operating within the Premiership salary cap this season.

NEWS: Scotland international loose forward Magnus Bradbury has become the latest player to commit his future to Edinburgh after today putting pen-to-paper on a new deal.

NEWS: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar says there will be no excuses come round one of Super Rugby, despite bushfires throwing their pre-season into disarray.

NEWS: Reports suggest England head coach Eddie Jones is in hot pursuit of Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit, the Welsh wing star that’s breaking Premiership try-scoring records.

SPOTLIGHT: Since their loss to South Africa in the World Cup Final last month, England's 'pundits' have properly spat the dummy.

NEWS: Northampton Saints announced the appointment of Ian Vass as their defence coach.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks star Julian Savea has lifted the lid on what competition he prefers out of Super Rugby and the Top 14.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Super Rugby's early start might have loads of critics, however, SANZAAR's decision has somehow found one supporter.

PRO14 REACTION: Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie felt his side were below par against Zebre and he warned that they needed to find their form to remain in contention for a possible play-off spot.

NEWS: Wales scrumhalf Rhys Webb will no longer feature for French Top 14 side Toulon after club owner Bernard Lemaitre hit out at the "dishonest" attitude surrounding the player's return home.

OPINION: It is the time of the year when people look back to the past and pick teams.

NEWS: The Brumbies are moving their Super Rugby training base to Newcastle.

TOP 14, SATURDAY WRAP: Wing Teddy Thomas staked a claim for inclusion in France's Six Nations squad in a try-scoring display in Racing 92's 27-19 victory over Clermont in the French Top 14 on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Welsh rugby icon Alun Wyn Jones has turned on senior Ospreys management in a no-holds-barred press conference at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.

World Cup-winning back row Duane Vermeulen is now a household name in World Rugby.

REFEREE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at an incident in a Top 14 match in France, when Bayonne played Brive.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Jonny May crossed for two tries as Leicester Tigers secured their second win of the season with a 31-18 bonus-point triumph over Bristol Bears.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Sam Hill scored two tries as Exeter Chiefs maintained their hot form with a six-try 45-28 victory away at London Irish.

PRO14 REPORT: Adam Warren's late try sealed a dramatic 25-18 victory for Dragons over Ospreys in an absorbing Welsh derby at Rodney Parade.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Worcester coach Alan Solomons said Saturday he had "massive concern" over Kiwi lock forward Michael Fatialofa who suffered a serious neck injury in his team's 5-62 English Premiership loss to Saracens.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Late heroics from Taqele Naiyaravoro rescued a 35-31 victory from the jaws of defeat for Northampton Saints as they claimed their first league win at the Ricoh Arena.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Gloucester cemented their place in the top three on the standings with a bonus-point 29-15 victory over local rivals Bath on Saturday.

PRO14 REPORT: Glasgow Warriors produced the perfect response to last week’s 1872 Cup disappointment by overcoming a battling Benetton side 38-19 in a pulsating encounter at the Stadio Monigo.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION:  Harlequins head of rugby Paul Gustard branded England prop Joe Marler’s actions “absolutely ridiculous”.

PRO14 REPORT: Lightning-fast wing Charlie Walker grabbed a double in Parma as Zebre got their second win of the season in swashbuckling style.

PRO14 REPORT: Ulster boosted their title credentials with a thrilling Round 10 win over Irish rivals Munster at the Kingspan.

PRO14 REPORT: Leinster's winning streak this season showed no signs of stopping, as they produced a sensational display with a 54-7 demolition of Connacht.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scotland lock Jonny Gray will leave Glasgow to join English Premiership club Exeter Chiefs at the end of the season.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Saracens bounced back from their defeat at Exeter last week to claim a precious bonus-point victory in their pursuit of survival after routing Worcester 62-5.

OPINION: Alex Shaw’s names his top 30 players of the year. Guess who is at No.1?

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Pro14 Round 10 encounter between Leinster and Connacht at the RDS Arena.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Premiership Round Eight encounter between Saracens and Worcester Warriors at Allianz Park.

PRO14 REPORT: Scarlets produced a battling performance to edge Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues 16-14 on their own turf and leapfrog Munster – who lost at Ulster – at the top of the Conference B table.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Sale Sharks returned to winning ways in with a sensational 48-10 bonus-point victory against Harlequins at the AJ Bell stadium.

PRO14 REPORT: Edinburgh built on last weekend's 1872 Cup success with a nine-try (61-13) win over 13-man Southern Kings, who fought courageously on their first appearance since November.

NEWS: New Wales coach Wayne Pivac received a timely boost on the eve of the Six Nations tournament.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Pro14 Round 10 encounter between Ulster and Munster at the Kingspan Stadium.

NEWS: Josh Navidi has committed his long-term future to Cardiff Blues by signing a new four-year deal at the Arms Park.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Exeter and England prop Harry Williams was hit with a two-week ban on Thursday.

TWISTS AND TURNS: Exeter Chiefs ended 2019 top of the Premiership pile, but in the first round of the New Year it is anyone's guess as to which four teams will contest the semifinals in June.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: The two South African franchises will hit the ground running with matches that are of vital importance to both campaigns this weekend.

REACTION: Decorated veteran Jamie Roberts is both big enough and secure enough in his abilities to be able to take a pop at his himself.

NEW DAWN: We stand at the new decade's dawn and after counting up the numbers they show that Round Nine capped off the 2010s in serious style - with five sell-outs across six derby matches.

NEWS: Nigel Wray has retired as Chairman of Saracens with immediate effect.

CONTRACT NEWS: Leicester Tigers, still hovering in the relegation zone, have kicked off the New Year with the announcement of new contracts for George Ford, Ellis Genge, George Worth and Sam Aspland-Robinson.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: This weekend is the last round of matches before France's new coach Fabien Galthie names his squad on January 8 for the upcoming Six Nations.

TRANSFER NEWS: The exodus from Glasgow Warriors is gathering momentum.

And in this week we hit 2020, often such a desirable number. May all referees have 20/20 vision in this new year.

INJURY UPDATE: Surgery could put an end to Quin Roux's hopes of a Six Nations return.

INJURY UPDATE: World Cup-winning lock Lodewyk de Jager has made a remarkable recovery from shoulder surgery.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa dominate a list of five nominees in contention to be named The Rugby Union Writers’ Club personality of the year for 2019.

SPOTLIGHT: Andy Goode takes a look at the changes to the game over the last 10 years!

SPOTLIGHT: Change the laws and you change the game. Add in ways of playing that are not laws and you have, perhaps, set the game on an unhappy road.

DISCIPLINARY DECISIONS: Munster team doctor Jamie Kearns and Sale Director of' Steve Diamond were both disciplined for recent transgressions in European competitions.

NEWS: The Ospreys and Allen Clarke have finally gone their separate ways after a month of behind the scenes legal wranglings.

CONTRACT NEWS: Scotland international back row Cornell du Preez has committed his future to Warriors until the end of the 2021/22 season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Rhys Webb is returning home to the Ospreys.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: A World Cup indiscretion has come back to haunt Samoan international Motu Matu’u.

TEAM NEWS: The Southern Kings head out yo Scotland on Tuesday, ahead of their Pro14 clash against Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Saturday, January 4.

NEWS: Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen became Sir Stephen on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby Sitaleki Timani has been red-carded in his Top 14 clash for Clermont against Castres over the weekend after committing a bizarre retaliation.

REACTION: Exeter boss Rob Baxter said that the Chiefs could put their anger at Saracens’ salary cap breach behind them.

RESULT: Dan Carter has beaten out fellow All Black great Richie McCaw to be voted the player of the decade.

REACTION: Gloucester coach Johan Ackermann said he was both 'proud and frustrated' in equal measures, after his team's 26-33 loss to Northampton Saints.

REACTION: England prop Kyle Sinckler has no recollection of the World Cup Final, despite watching much of his side's defeat by South Africa from the sidelines.

INJURY UPDATE: England centre Henry Slade will miss the start of the Six Nations because of the ankle problem sustained on Premiership duty for Exeter.

PRO14 NEWS: The Cheetahs named a powerful squad for their first match of 2020.

CONTRACT NEWS: Experienced prop Brok Harris has signed a new contract to extend his time with Dragons.

REACTION: New Zealand rugby fans reacted furiously Sunday after All Blacks star Jordie Barrett was reportedly kicked out of the Melbourne Cricket Ground by security staff during the Black Caps' second Test against Australia.

COMPLETELY FALSE: World Cup-winning Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has finally spoken out about the infamous Langebaan incident.

TOP 14 WRAP: South Africa's World Cup winner Handre Pollard's first try in the French premier competition was not enough to secure his club a win.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Leicester Tigers coach Geordan Murphy saluted his struggling side's determination, as they came from 14 points down to draw 30-all with Harlequins in front of a 75,000 crowd at Twickenham on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wales scrumhalf Rhys Webb will leave Top 14 side Toulon at the end of the season due to personal reasons.

TOP 14 WRAP: Argentina wing Santiago Cordero scored two tries as Bordeaux-Begles regained first place in the French premier competition, with a 27-23 victory at Pau on Sunday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs took revenge on arch-rivals Saracens in their first meeting since the salary-cap scandal broke.

PRO14 REPORT: Leinster’s flying campaign continued on Derby Day in Round Nine, with a 13-6 victory at the home of Munster in the latest instalment of the old rivalry.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Premiership Round Seven encounter between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens at Sandy Park.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Louis-Rees Zammit scored a brilliant hat-trick, but it was not enough to prevent Gloucester from going down to a Springbok-inspired Northampton Saints.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Duncan Weir's contribution of 13 points at Sixways proved crucial as Worcester Warriors beat 14-men London Irish 20-6.

PRO14 REPORT: The 1872 Cup numbers for this season now read one apiece, after one of the best matches in its history was edged 29-19 by a superb Edinburgh performance on home turf.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Faf de Klerk guided South Africa to World Cup glory in Japan, with the hosts setting the tournament alight with an unexpected run to the quarterfinals.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Rhys Priestland went on a one-man crusade to ensure that Bath beat Sale Sharks by a whisker, 16-14.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Leicester Tigers came from 14 points down in the second half to draw 30-all with Harlequins in the Big Game 12.

NEWS: Young All Black superstar Jordie Barrett has found himself on the wrong side of the law for a second time.

PRO14 REPORT: Kieran Crowley’s Benetton fought back from an early red card to Nacho Brex to deliver a compelling six-try (36-25) win over Italian rivals Zebre.

The laws are not always easy to apply and that includes the act of scoring a try, the most important occurrence in a rugby match, the game's crowning glory.

PRO14 REPORT: Dan McFarland's Ulster bounced back from defeat to Leinster with an impressive 35-3, five-try victory over Connacht in Belfast.

NEWS: Young All Black superstar Jordie Barrett has found himself on the wrong side of the law for a second time.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Bristol missed a chance to go top, as Springbok Nizaam Carr's last-minute try gave Wasps a 26-21 win at Ashton Gate on Friday.

And Wednesday is Christmas Day, the world's big family day and we should like to wish the whole Rugby family a Happy and a Blessed Christmas, a day of peace to all people of good will - including players, coaches, administrators and all match officials, in the hope that this generosity will extend into the future.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scottish Rugby announced two key appointments to their coaching team ahead of the 2020 Six Nations.

TRANSFER NEWS: Rugby Australia has moved another step closer to finalising its new-look Wallabies coaching team,

TRANSFER NEWS: The Waratahs confirmed that defence coach Steve Tandy will depart the organisation to take up a role overseas.

PRO14 REPORT: Ryan Conbeer and Steff Evans both scored twice as Scarlets ran in six tries without reply against an injury-hit Ospreys at Parc Y Scarlets.

PRO14 REPORT: Cardiff Blues made it four straight victories, as they edged past Dragons (16-12) at Cardiff Arms Park.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scarlets received a belated Christmas gift, with the news that one of their favourite sons is returning home.

NEWS: High-scoring French international fullback Thomas Ramos has extended his stay with Top 14 champions, Toulouse, until 2023.

Pro14 SPOTLIGHT: The Southern Kings could be set to surprise people when they return to action from a mid-season recess early in the new year.

Pro14 SPOTLIGHT: Saturday's top of the conferences clash between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park takes centre stage in the post-Christmas week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Mark Alexander’s hopes of getting the Springboks coaching roles filled by the end of 2019 appear to have been dashed due to an agent involved in negotiations reportedly being away on holiday.

BRAGGING RIGHTS: The derbies certainly delivered in Round Eight, as five of the six went down to the final play.

VIDEO: Francois de Klerk is known by many as a small, attractive shetland of a man who is coincidentally very good at rugby.

THE RACE IS ON: In the final battles of 2019 there is just five points separating the top half of the table, with plenty of twists and turns expected over the festive season.

SPOTLIGHT: Raelene Castle has been Chief Executive of Rugby Australia for only two years. Yet, she has put her stamp firmly on one of the most disappointing decades in the game.

TRANSFER NEWS: It is not exactly a secret that New Zealand wanted his services. Now they have him!

NEWS: Injury will prolong England loose forward Brad Shields’ absence from the international arena'

REACTION: World Rugby insists controversial changes to the Sevens World Series format will not be revoked.

REACTION: There has evidently been no World Cup hangover for South African lock Eben Etzebeth.

REACTION: Joey Mongalo will look to rebuild his life and coaching career, after being cleared on a charge of indecent assault.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: New Ireland coach Andy Farrell has insisted that Rob Kearney’s international career is not over following his exclusion from a 45-man mini training camp in Dublin.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The maverick Munster medic at the centre of the incident which sparked a 30-man brawl in Saracens’ European Cup win over the Irish province earlier this month is set for a hearing.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The New Zealand Rugby Union is beginning to show 'zero tolerance' towards off-field violence by players.

UPDATE: Livewire Lyon scrumhalf Baptiste Couilloud has been ruled out of action for six weeks with a shoulder injury, coach Pierre Mignoni said Monday.

REACTION: Retired dual international Wendell Sailor continues to support the Australian national anthem, despite suggestions that the words are 'offensive' to indigenous people.

CONTRACT NEWS: Shane Lewis-Hughes has celebrated a man-of-the-match performance in Cardiff Blues' Pro14 derby victory over the Ospreys with a new long-term contract.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: Hard fought derby wins for Johann van Graan's Munster side and defending champions Leinster set up a mouth-watering clash this coming weekend.

TOP 14 WRAP: All Black wing Ben Smith was sent off on his Pau debut as his team went down 18-21 to strugglers Stade Francais on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Two All Blacks legends will go head-to-head in the final of World Rugby’s fan-voted player of the decade award.

TOP 14 REPORT: World Cup-winning Springbok Eben Etzebeth had a far more successful French debut than his South African teammate Handre Pollard.

WATCH as we bring you some of the fanciest feet that the World Cup had to offer, as we were treated to some spectacular action out wide.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Bath powered to a 38-10 victory away to London Irish as they recorded their first away win of the season.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Leicester’s head coach Geordan Murphy explained an incident with a fan in the stand at the end of a frustrating game was an apology for his use of bad language.

TOP 14 WRAP: South African World Cup winner Handre Pollard wasted eight points from the boot on his French debut, as Montpellier lost 25-29 at Racing 92.

PRO14 REPORT: A late try from George Turner earned Glasgow Warriors bragging rights.

It's Christmas 2019, a beautiful island of peace in a hurried world, "But at my back I always hear/Time's winged chariot hurrying near." And it's 2020 already and announcements about the referees for the end of Europe's pool matches.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Saracens made a big statement about their survival in the top flight.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Don Armand's try double helped Exeter Chiefs continue their recent dominance over Leicester Tigers with a comeback 31-22 bonus-point victory at Welford Road.

PRO14 REPORT: Munster rule the roost at the top of Conference B, after they held on to claim a 19-14 win away at Connacht.

NEWS: South Africa's domestic competitions are set for an influx of more foreign teams.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Sale Sharks held strong in defence and continued their remarkable record against Northampton Saints at the AJ Bell Stadium with a well-deserved 22-10 victory.

PRO14 REPORT: A Jason Tovey penalty ensured Cardiff Blues claimed their first win in Swansea since 2005 as they overcame Ospreys 19-16 in their opening Welsh derby dust-up at the Liberty Stadium.

OPINION: This past weekend brought the final round of Champions Cup action for 2019 and a particularly competitive form XV.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry has taken a few swipes at New Zealand Rugby as they enter a new era.

SPOTLIGHT: England and Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi talks about all things British and Irish Lions, including their prospects in South African in 2021.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Harlequins recovered from a 17-point deficit to inflict a fifth defeat of the season on Wasps - winning 28-22 in a thriller at the Ricoh Arena.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Premiership Round Six encounter between London Irish and Bath the Madejski Stadium.

PRO14 REPORT: A late Sam Davies drop-goal kicked Dragons to a memorable 22-20 derby day victory over Scarlets at a rain-soaked Rodney Parade.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Blues are optimistic. It is December, after all, and not a shot has been fired.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Louis Rees-Zammit is the latest name to light up the domestic stage.

The world knows Christmas Day. It is probably the best-known date on the calendar, which gives happenings on Christmas day an added meaning. That includes birth and death.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Pro14 Round Eight encounter between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh at the Scotstoun Stadium.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Premiership Round Six encounter between Saracens and Bristol Bears at Allianz Park.

PRO14 REPORT: Leinster won a whirlwind encounter against Ulster to extend their unbeaten start to the season and Conference A hegemony at the RDS Arena.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Louis Rees-Zammit scored a stunning second-half brace as Gloucester ran in five tries in 20 minutes to claim a bonus-point victory against Worcester Warriors at Kingsholm.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: The Reds highlighted the importance and strength of the franchise's pathway.

YEAR-END SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand, just displaced as the top-ranked team after a decade at No.1, needs a bigger say in how the game is run.

SPOTLIGHT: Former England captain Chris Robshawspeaks about what the future holds for him.

SALARY CAP SPOTLIGHT: Premiership Rugby has announced it is in discussions with Saracens over the 'additional measures' needed for the double winners to prove they are operating within regulations for the current season.

SPOTLIGHT: Fixing the game in Australia will require more, much more, than just a cursory 'band-aid'.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: South Africa's World Cup winners Eben Etzebeth and Handre Pollard are expected to make their French Top 14 bows this weekend for Toulon and Montpellier.

SPOTLIGHT: Unsurprisingly, four All Blacks have made it to the last four of the fans’ vote for the World Rugby player of the decade.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It would be charitable to describe the public’s reaction to Ian Foster’s appointment as head coach of the All Blacks as lukewarm.

IT'S DERBY TIME: After two more rounds of European action, the Pro14 returns this weekend with six derbies across four countries.

REACTION: New head coach Ian Foster is working hard on the final piece of the All Black puzzle, but it is what he already has that excites him.

REACTION: John Plumtree is adamant his successor will be able to take the Hurricanes to the next level.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Pro14 Round Eight encounter between Leinster and Ulster at the RDS.

Most get ready for Christmas. A few have to get ready for a match, a serious match not just one to work up an appetite for Christmas delights.

LOCAL IS LEKKER: The Premiership returns with three consecutive weekends of rip-roaring action - starting with a Christmas cracker of a Round Six.

NEWS: Greig Laidlaw, who captained the Scotland team a record 39 times, announced his retirement from Test rugby.

NEWS: France flank Alexandre Lapandry has extended his contract with Clermont by three years to 2023, the Top 14 giants announced Friday.

NEWS: The Brumbies have announced a profit for the third consecutive year.

NEWS: Former France back row forward Ibrahim Diarra has died at the age of 36, following a heart attack.

SPOTLIGHT: World Cup-winning Springbok Handre Pollard is set to make his Montpellier debut this Saturday.

NEWS: World Cup-winning Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira has decided to continue playing, but in the fledgeling United States Major League Rugby competition.

COACHING SPOTLIGHT: England's top Rugby Union official has said the example of South Africa's World Cup-winning supremo Rassie Erasmus means they can avoid rushing into a decision on Eddie Jones.

NEWS: Newly appointed New Zealand head coach Ian Foster unveiled the bulk of his coaching team, revealing what must be the worst kept secret in the whole process.

REACTION: Wallaby flank Lopeti Timani says he has struggled with his mental health since being the victim of an attack by former Melbourne Rebels teammate Amanaki Mafi in New Zealand.

SPOTLIGHT: Pro14 side Scarlets appeared to be resigned to losing their head coach Brad Mooar to Ian Foster’s All Blacks coaching team.

NEWS: An English club player has been slapped with a four-year, after testing positive with three different metabolites in his system.

REACTION: Wallaby stalwart Reece Hodge speaks about leaving the Michael Cheika era behind and embracing Dave Rennie's time as national team coach.

REACTION: Former Wales assistant coach Rob Howley on Tuesday issued a public apology after being banned from rugby over a breach of betting rules as he "battled demons" following his sister's death.

NEWS: World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi is one of eight Springboks who have signed contract extensions with Western Province Rugby and will play for the Stormers in 2020 and beyond.

NEWS: England are prepared to bide their time over a possible contract extension for coach Eddie Jones

AWARDS: Two-time winner of the SA Rugby Player of the Year Award Pieter-Steph du Toit has again been nominated for the top prize. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw would like to see a stop-clock introduced to rugby during scrum time in a bid to prevent time-wasting.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The departure of John Plumtree from the Hurricanes, after just one season as head coach, seems a fait accompli.

NEWS: Former Samoa forward Joe Tekori celebrated his 36th birthday by signing a two-year contract extension with Toulouse on Tuesday, the French Top 14 title holders announced.

NEWS: Japan loose forward Amanaki Mafi has avoided a conviction for attacking a former teammate Lopeti Timani.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have added six new players to their squad for the 2020 Super Rugby season.

WATCH as we bring you the seven best players from the Cape Town leg of the Sevens World Series.

The Bible has the Book of Wisdom; rugby football has the Craven Stories, a distillation of one of the greatest South Africans and most probably the greatest rugby man who ever lived.

NEWS: Former Wales assistant coach Rob Howley received a lengthy ban for breaching betting rules.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: If you’ve been watching the last five weekends of rugby, you could be forgiven for thinking someone changed the northern hemisphere’s premier club tournament from the European Champions Cup, to the Franco-Irish Champions Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black Sonny Bill Williams is reportedly eyeing a return to international rugby league but it might not be in the familiar black jersey.

SEVENS REACTION: Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell lamented two missed opportunities in their final against New Zealand at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: New Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named a 45-man squad for his first camp since succeeding Joe Schmidt.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors Assistant Coach Jason O’Halloran will leave the club at the end of the season.

NEWS: Centre George Taylor has committed his future to Edinburgh after signing a contract extension with the capital club.

NEWS: Tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have confirmed they will probe a mass brawl during Saracens' 15-6 Champions Cup victory over Munster.

WATCH ten of the best tries during the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

NEWS: Steve Hansen has urged fans to get behind new All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

CHAMPIONS CUP NEWS: South African wing Cheslin Kolbe, who played a major role in the Springboks' World Cup triumph, suffered a rib injury in Toulouse's European Champions Cup win against Montpellier on Saturday.

REACTION: England hooker Jamie George was the target of an alleged taunt by Munster’s chief medic which sparked a giant brawl during Saracens 15-6 victory.

WATCH all the highlights from all three days at the Cape Town Sevens.

MATCH REPORT: A last-gasp Robin Copeland try made sure Connacht bagged a hard-fought 27-24 Champions Cup victory over Gloucester on Saturday.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby is still interested in seeing the Rugby Championship expanded in the future.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors’ chances of reaching the Champions Cup quarter-finals are hanging by a thread after they suffered a 7-12 defeat to La Rochelle in grizzly conditions at Scotstoun.

DAY THREE WRAP: New Zealand edged hosts South Africa 7-5 in the Cup Final of the Cape Town Sevens on Sunday.

NEWS: The Scarlets have issued a statement confirming that the All Blacks have made an approach over their head coach Brad Mooar.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There is certainly no love lost between Lions new recruit Roelof Smit and his former Super Rugby side the Bulls.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: ASM Clermont Auvergne ran in eight tries as they closed up on Champions Cup Pool Three leaders Ulster with a 52-26 bonus-point win over Bath.

MATCH REPORT: Saracens defeated Munster Rugby 15-6 on Saturday in Champions Cup Pool 4 to give their hopes of defending their crown a much-needed boost.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Brothers Sam and Joe Simmonds scored 21 of Exeter's points as they took a step towards a place in the European Champions Cup quarterfinals on Sunday with an 35-10 home victory over Sale.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster were at their blistering best as they scored seven tries in a 50-21 Champions Cup Pool 1 win over Northampton Saints at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night.

CHAMPIONS CUP REACTION: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen had mixed feelings about his side’s seven-try performance despite a comprehensive 50-21 bonus point victory over Northampton in the Champions Cup.

MATCH REPORT: Toulouse made it four wins from four but had to wait until the dying seconds to clinch a 26-18 success over Montpellier in Pool 5 of the Champions Cup at the Altrad Stadium.

DAY TWO WRAP: South Africa, New Zealand, France, Ireland and Kenya finished the pool stages of the Cape Town Sevens 2019 unbeaten to march into the Cup quarter-finals in style.

REACTION: Blitzboks forward JC Pretorius credited the defensive effort of the squad as crucial in their seven-try romp over Japan in their Pool A opener at the Cape Town Sevens on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton snatched their first win in Pool 1 of the Champions Cup after Marco Lazzaroni’s dramatic try edged them to a thrilling 25-22 win over Lyon in Treviso.

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen managed to ease Ireland's supporters worry with some good news regarding their star flyhalf Johnny Sexton.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For Siya Kolisi, who led South Africa to World Cup victory, the praise and prizes keep pouring down, but, he insists: "I'm still Siya."

OPINION: It’s the news every Chiefs fan has been hoping for: Damian McKenzie will be fit for the opening match of the Super Rugby season.

It's Sevens time in Cape Town - big party time with rugby as the excuse. Rugby needs referees and the referees have also had a chance to enjoy summer days at the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the globe, as Sir Francis Drake, pirate, described it in 1579.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Ulster remained top of Champions Cup Pool Three after a commanding 34-10 victory over Harlequins on Friday, with scrumhalf John Cooney scoring 19 points in the win at Twickenham Stoop.

DAY ONE WRAP: Hosts South Africa, the winners in Dubai, and beaten finalists New Zealand both started with comfortable wins on Day One of the Cape Town Sevens.

REACTION: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson broke his silence after losing out on the All Blacks coaching job.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby could be left to fork out a large financial sum to bring together Ian Foster’s coaching group in the wake of his announcement as the next boss of the All Blacks.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis is hoping he can add some real value to the Lions' Super Rugby campaign in 2020.

NEWS: One of France's rising stars, Matthieu Jalibert, has extended his contract with Bordeaux-Begles for two years until 2023, the Top 14 club announced on Thursday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Four match between Harlequins and Ulster at Twickenham Stoop, Twickenham.

CHAMPIONS CUP: Toulouse's South African loose forward Rynhardt Elstadt says clinching a place in the European Champions Cup quarterfinals is on the squad's mind ahead of facing Montpellier this weekend

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Racing 92 continue to set the pace at the top of Pool Four in the Champions Cup as they saw off a late Ospreys rally to clinch a 40-27 success at the Paris La Défense Arena.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING: This year’s tournament will be the first time that Cape Town will be hosting both the men’s and women’s competitions from Friday, December 13 to Sunday, December 15.

NEWS: Rugby Australia has announced key appointments to the Wallabies staff, including Scott Wisemantel as an assistant to Dave Rennie on a four-year deal.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: The coaching team that will work alongside Stormers head coach John Dobson in the 2020 Super Rugby season has been confirmed.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Chiefs assistant coach Tabai Matson has revealed what may see the odds swing in favour of Scott Robertson in the All Blacks coaching race.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell named an unchanged tournament squad for the Cape Town Sevens, which kicks off on Friday at the Cape Town Stadium.

NEWS: High-flying Exeter Chiefs have handed Rob Baxter and three of his staff contract extensions taking through to 2023.

World Rugby moves its Sevens party from Dubai to Cape Town this week, and in European Professional club Rugby we have the repeat of last week's matches but at the "other" venue.

NEWS: Wasps’ Alex Rieder has been advised to retire from professional rugby on medical grounds.

NEWS: The Highlanders have named James Lentjes as their new captain for the upcoming 2020 Super Rugby season

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ian Foster pledged to restore the All Blacks' aura of invincibility and is tasked with rebuilding the three-time world champions after a disappointing World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Warren Gatland has left a tremendous legacy however its time for new Wales coach Wayne Pivac to build on it says, captain Alun-Wyn Jones.

NEWS: Scotland's Tommy Seymour has retired from international rugby, the Glasgow wing announced on Wednesday.

OPINION: This weekend played host to Round Three of the Champions Cup, the beginning of the vitally important December back-to-back games

THE AFTERMATH: Thousands of flag-waving rugby fans cheered Japan's national team at a celebratory parade in Tokyo on Wednesday, hailing the Brave Blossoms' best-ever World Cup performance.

AWARDS: Ardie Savea collected three awards at this year’s NZ Rugby Awards in Auckland.

NEWS: Ian Foster has been appointed the new Head Coach of the All Blacks, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced on Wednesday.

NEWS: A string of high-profile sports and entertainment events have been cancelled or postponed due to massive democracy protests.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Schalk Brits believes England will be the "perfect fit" for Matthew Proudfoot.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson has urged SANZAAR to bring back the Super 12.

TRANSFER NEWS: Star Fijian lock Leone Nakarawa is reportedly on the verge of a sensational return to his former club Glasgow Warriors, according to French media.

DISPLICANRY UPDATE: Munster loose forward Arno Botha has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in London on Wednesday.

NEWS: Munster's Arno Botha will face a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday after he was sent off during his team's 10-3 win over Saracens in the Champions Cup last Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Another flying Fijian has re-committed with Brad Thorn’s Reds until 2023.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie is banking on the second half of the Pro14 competition to help seal a lucrative play-off place.

REACTION: Colleagues say new All Blacks coach Ian Foster possesses "a real rugby brain" and believe he will have no problem emerging from predecessor Steve Hansen's considerable shadow.

World Rugby has announced the match officials for the women's Six Nations in 2020.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Renowned kicking coach Vlok Cilliers will be helping France take their game to the next level in 2020.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Russia’s involvement in the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been thrown into serious doubt following a new ban for doping offenses.

INJURY UPDATE: The Super Rugby season for new Highlander Connor-Garden Bachop is over before it starts.

SEVENS NEWS: Hacjivah Dayimani has been withdrawn from the Springbok Sevens squad for this weekend's Cape Town Sevens.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Hacjivah Dayimani plans well for most things in life, so it was not that unexpected when his phone rang and he received the message to join the Blitzbok squad for the Cape Town Sevens.

AWARDS: The Springbok trio of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Herschel Jantjies and Dillyn Leyds walked away with the top accolades at the WPRFU awards on Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Worcester Warriors loosehead prop Ethan Waller has described his decision to sign a two-year contract extension as one of the easiest he has had to make.

NEWS: Former Parramatta NRL Rugby League forward Tepai Moeroa is trying to establish himself as a centre with the Waratahs Super Rugby team.

NEWS: In an unorthodox move, Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) has announced the appointment of co-coaches to lead the Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup side from 2020.

NEWS: Chiefs hooker Liam Polwart has announced he is retiring from rugby following issues with concussion.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland could be without star flyhalf Johnny Sexton for during their Six Nations campaign.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: France's Romain Ntamack scored twice as Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe made his Toulouse return in a 23-9 over Montpellier.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia has played down one of its most tumultuous years, and reassured that Raelene Castle's role as Chief executive is under no threat.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Fresh from their triumph in Dubai, the BlitzBoks have another tricky challenge this weekend in Cape Town.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ardie Savea has been voted the best All Black of 2019 by his fellow players.

NEWS: Southern Kings director of rugby Robbi Kempson will continue performing the role of head coach to the Eastern Cape team until the end of the current Pro14 season.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs had to dig deep to see off a determined Sale Sharks side and clinch a 22-20 win at the AJ Bell Stadium in Champions Cup Pool Two on Sunday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Gloucester collected all five points as they were too strong for Connachtin a 26-19 Champions Cup Pool Five victory on Sunday at Kingsholm Stadium.

SEVENS NEWS: Wallaby Sean McMahon will join the Australian Men’s Sevens team for Round Two of the Sevens World Series in Cape Town