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The next stop on our Japanese Rugby Wolrd Cup host city guide is Kumamoto on the southern island of Kyushu.

World Rugby's Sevens caravan moves down from Arabia to the bottom of Africa, European clubs are going into Round 3 of their Championship and Challenge Cup and the Varsity matches take place at Twickenham.

REACTION: Pundits appear to be getting ahead of themselves in the ongoing debate over the Premiership's promotion-relegation saga.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South African Super Rugby teams will be assigned a Super Hero as their look for the home derbies next season.

WATCH as Rob Vickerman breaks down last week's Dubai Sevens and some of the incredible rugby on show.

NEWS: One of New Zealand’s top schools has been ‘kicked out’ of the 1A Auckland First XV competition.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wasps are lined up to lose three of their biggest stars by the end of the season.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The three-time losing finalists, the Lions, have unveiled their new look for 2019.

WORLD SERIES SPOTLIGHT: Still smarting from their below par performances in Dubai last week, the South African players are looking to put up a "special" performance on home soil.

SPOTLIGHT: Chris Jones interviewed Wasps deputy chairman Nick Eastwood about the rumours of a looming player exodus as a result of the club's cash crunch.

OPINION: Andy Goode, a RugbyPass pundit and former England flyhalf, gives his reasons for retaining the promotion-relegation system in the Premiership.

EURO SPOTLIGHT: Leinster will enter a crucial period of their campaign, as they look to retain both their titles - the Champions Cup and the Pro14.

SPOTLIGHT: The third and fourth rounds of European competition are now upon us and with arguably the most competitive relegation battle in the professional era, is it time for certain Premiership clubs to cash in their chips and turn away from Europe for the season?

REACTION: SANZAAR Chief Executive Andy Marinos has hit back at the latest rumours surrounding a Super Rugby revamp.

One of the oldest rugby matches takes place on Thursday, 6 December 2018, the first Thursday of December. That is the day that Oxford and Cambridge meet on the rugby field as they did for the first time on 10 February 1872 when Oxford won by a goal to nil.

NEWS: New Zealand's two-time World Cup winner Victor Vito has signed a three-year contract extension with La Rochelle.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Two players have been slapped with bans by the Rugby Football Union, followed this weekend's Premiership action.

DESTINATION CAPE TOWN: Two of the main protagonists in Round Two of the Sevens World Series are having contrasting fortunes ahead of this coming weekend's tournament.

NEWS: Munster and the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed 12 player contract extensions for the province.

The hopes of playing at next year’s World Cup for former All Black utility back Charles Piutau have taken a significant hit, with attempts to bring forward an Olympic-qualifying Sevens tournament forward failing.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scotland and Glasgow centre Huw Jones appears to have made a dramatic about-turn.

Banks Yantolo, the manager of South African referees, has announced the match officials' panels for 2019. There are few changes.

WATCH as we build towards the second leg of the Sevens World series, in Cape Town this coming weekend!

ROUND THREE SPOTLIGHT: It is with great excitement that the spotlight shifts from the domestic stage to Europe's premier competition.

NEWS: European Professional Club Rugby revealed why the opening round of the 2019-20 Champions and Challenge Cups will be delayed.

OPINION: The Premiership signed off for the upcoming European window in fine fashion, with Round Nine of the competition offering up some eye-catching results.

NEWS: Another of New Zealand's prominent coaches will be heading to Europe to further his career.

REACTION: Gloucester coach Johan Ackermann brushed aside the ongoing tug-of-war with the Golden Lions over the services of Springbok lock Franco Mostert.

VIDEO: The next stop on our Rugby World Cup guide is the prefecture of Oita on the southern island of Kyushu.

New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew has cleared up rumours surrounding All Black coach Steve Hansen.

In the first of our Rugby Wolrd Cup city guides, Jaybor Staunton visits the prefecture of Fukuoka, which sits on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It has been a maligned start to a dual-playmaking system with both Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie in the All Blacks starting line-up.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Joe Cokanasiga's late try rescued a share of the spoils for Bath in a wet and windy low-scoring Premiership clash with Sale Sharks on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Martyn Thomas looks at the value Alun Wyn Jones brings to Wales as we start building towards the 2019 World Cup.

LATEST: Springbok World Cup winner and former Super Rugby coach Naka Drotske was pictured Saturday making a thumbs-up sign from his hospital bed after being shot during an armed robbery.

NEWS: SANZAAR is set to tinker with the Super Rugby format yet again!

WATCH as another European-based Springbok sends out a timely reminder to the national selector about his credentials.

TOP 14 WRAP: France wing Yoann Huget scored twice as Toulouse beat Stade Francais 49-20 to close the gap to three points on Clermont at the summit of the Top 14 table on Sunday.

PRO14 REACTION: A second Welsh regional coach could be set for sanction after his criticism of refereeing.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Two players have been cited by the Rugby Football Union, followed this weekend's Premiership action.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill believes the struggling union are in need of a “radical overhaul” and “urgent repair”.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Montpellier lock forward will be available for France in the Six Nations after announcing on Friday that his French citizenship had been confirmed this week.

PRO14 REPORT: Leinster hit 50 for the second match in succession, as nine tries saw them emerge from Newport with a dominant 59-10 victory over the Dragons.

PRO14 REPORT: Connacht clinched a third successive victory for the first time since March 2017 with a 21-17 victory over Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

MATCH REPORT: Elton Jantjies slotted a late drop-goal as the Springbok-laden Barbarians came back from 7-28 down to post a 38-35 win over Argentina on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Saracens moved to the top of the standings, but the most intriguing results of Saturday's Round Nine matches were the big wins by Bristol Bears and Gloucester.

PRO14 REPORT: Glasgow Warriors extended their lead at the top of Conference A with a stunning victory 29-20 victory over high-flying Scarlets despite playing the majority of the game with 14 men.

PRO14 REPORT: A first-half hat-trick from Hame Faiva ensured Benetton returned to winning ways as they consigned Southern Kings to their sixth consecutive defeat.

PRO14 REPORT: John Cooney delivered the telling blows on his return from international duty as Ulster bounced back from their defeat against Scarlets with a hard-fought 16-12 win over Cardiff Blues.

NEWS: The Bulls, after months of speculation, unveiled their new Chief Executive Officer.

NEWS: The Sharks have unveiled a new addition to their coaching panel for 2019 - completing their Super Rugby roster.

REACTION: South Africa's sixth place in the Dubai Sevens at the weekend was one of their worst starts in the World Series in recent seasons.

FINAL WRAP: New Zealand ended a nine-year wait for another title in Dubai.

TOP 14 WRAP: An outstanding all-round display from scrumhalf Morgan Parra inspired leaders Clermont to a hard-fought 28-23 win at Montpellier on Saturday, moving them eight points clear at the top of the Top 14.

NEWS: Steve Hansen has reportedly been presented an offer to remain as the All Blacks head coach after next year’s Rugby World Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: Four clubs are competing for the signature of England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie.

The Barbarians are renowned for their sense of humour and their espousal of the old-school ‘social’ values of Rugby Union.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Harlequins inflicted Exeter Chiefs' first defeat of the season in an epic 28-26 showdown at The Stoop as Joe Marchant's late try sealed a stunning win.

PRO14 REPORT: Luke Morgan crossed for a treble as Ospreys claimed a bonus-point 43-0 win over Zebre at the Liberty Stadium on Friday.

NEWS UPDATE: Springbok and Super Rugby coach Naka Drotske was in a "stable" condition in hospital Friday, after being shot during an armed robbery outside Pretoria.

The clock has reached half-time with England leading Australia 13-10.

WATCH as Rosko Specman hits the jets and scores an absolute beauty for South Africa in Dubai!

SEMIFINAL WRAP: New Zealand will face the United States in the Final at the opening round of the World Series.

QUARTERFINAL WRAP: Two of the main protagonists on the World Series, Fiji and South Africa, were knocked out in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Waratahs are keen to add South African lock Le Roux Roets to their 2019 Super Rugby roster, head coach Daryl Gibson confirmed.

NEWS: There is no substance to the allegations of unfair discrimination or unfair labour practices made by Stormers assistant coach Paul Treu.

DAY ONE: There was no upsets in the opening round of matches, as the 2018/19 World Series got underway on Friday.

DAY ONE: Defending series champions South Africa were given a rude wake-up call in the opening round of the 2018-19 season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina will have the chance to end the year with a win after enduring a tough tour.

AWARDS: The Blue Bulls Company held their 2018 awards ceremony on Thursday.

PRO14 REPORT: Keith Earls crossed for a first-half hat-trick as Munster made light work of Edinburgh on Friday - winning 44-14, their sixth win on the spin.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Southern Kings hooker Kerron van Vuuren will be the latest player to make his Pro14 debut when the side takes on Benetton in a Round 10 clash at the Nelson Mandela University's Madibaz Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: One of the rising stars of the French game, Romain Ntamack, has extended his contract with Toulouse for another four years until 2023, the Top 14 side announced on Friday.

United States flyer Carlin Isles shows his outrageous pace to score this beauty at the #Dubai7s.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With another break for European action around the corner, Round nine of Premiership Rugby is crucial as clubs look to head into those clashes off the back of a promising result.

SCINTILLATING PLAY: The next round of the Pro14 is swiftly approaching and comes hot on the heels of a weekend filled with plenty of eye-catching results.

NEWS: South Africa has been rocked by the news that one of their 1995 World Cup winning squad has been shot in an armed robbery and is in critical condition.

OPINION: It has been an interesting month, with some intriguing results - which is reflected in @rugby365's famous selection.

DAY ONE: There were no upsets in the opening round of matches, as the 2018/19 World Series got underway on Friday.

NEWS: Jake White has offered to replace under-siege Michael Cheika as Wallabies coach and was due to have a phone hook-up with Rugby Australia Thursday, but it was cancelled after news of the call was leaked, reports said.

TRANSFER NEWS: France captain Guilhem Guirado will be moving to Montpellier at the end of the season, the Top 14 club announced on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Cheetahs and Connacht have both made a number of changes to their teams for the Round Pro14 encounter in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

NEWS: Wallaby loose forward Sean McMahon will play Super Rugby next year, but in the colours of the Sunwolves.

LISTEN @rugby365com team unpacks the year-end tours and reveal some interesting pointers ahead of the 2019 @rugbyworldcup.

WORLD RUGBY AWARDS REACTION: Sitting in the crowd at the World Rugby awards, you could have forgiven Malcolm Marx for feeling a twinge frustration, as Ireland swept the gongs in the coach, team and men’s categories.

TOP 14: One of the most humiliating weeks in the history of French rugby ends with a sliver of salvation as leaders Clermont head to last season's beaten finalists Montpellier to kickstart Round 11 on Saturday.

OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS: The 2018/19 World Series, which gets underway at the Sevens Stadium on Friday, will have the added spice of Olympic qualification added.

N THE SPOTLIGHT: The November Tests have concluded and the next time the Northern hemisphere's finest meets their Southern hemisphere counterparts will be at the World Cup in Japan.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath Rugby announced the re-signing of utility back James Wilson.

NEWS: France international Lionel Beauxis is to leave Top 14 side Lyon at the end of the season and switch to Oyonnax, the second division club announced on Thursday.

The colourful, extravagant presents of November's Tests have been put away now and rugby seems more ordinary, more normal but still intensely competitive for those on northern fields.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: It is all change for Argentina as they prepare to face the Barbarians in their final match of the year at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand great Wyatt Crockett will captain the Barbarians against Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday.

TRANSFER FOCUS: All Blacks’ captain Kieran Read is so keen on a post-World Cup career in Paris that he is even willing to forgo even more money elsewhere, according to reports in France.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: 'Individual egos and selfish players' played a big role in England's poor showing at the 2015 World Cup, Sam Burgess has claimed.

European Professional Club starts again on Friday, 7 December with Round 3 and continues a week later with Round 4 in both the Heineken Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: Northampton Saints revealed that centre Fraser Dingwall has put pen to paper on his first senior contract at Franklin’s Gardens.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australian referee Angus Gardner admits he was wrong not to give South Africa a penalty at the end of the match against England.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunwolves new head coach Tony Brown has revealed his 29-man squad for next year's Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Rugby in New South Wales enters a new era following the announcement of a multi-million dollar investment from the NSW Government.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Following one of the worst seasons in Wallabies history with just four wins from 13 tests, the chorus for change grows louder, with prominent former Wallabies publicly advocating for Rugby Australia to end Cheika’s reign.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok hooker Schalk Brits has opened up about his failed move to the Stormers.

NEWS: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen is set to take up a newly created role as New Zealand's Director of Rugby after next year's World Cup.

A 18-37 loss to England put the final nail into coffin of the Wallabies 2018 season, sealing it as one of their worst ever with just four wins from 13 test matches.

REACTION: Reigning champions New Zealand may remain the team to beat at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, but November's internationals confirmed that Ireland is hot on their heels.

SEVENS FOCUS: Clutching at his knee, desperately fighting off the pain of a torn knee ligament, Kyle Brown saw the chequered flag of his BlitzBoks career being waved, as he lay prone on the pitch of the Singapore National Stadium.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The mechanical engineering side of Impi Visser has taught him to be patient, scientific and pragmatic and to trust the construction of designs.

ELECTION NEWS: On a day of high drama Zelt Marais became the new President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union.

INJURY UPDATE: Exeter Chiefs and England star Jack Nowell will be out for around eight weeks with a hamstring tear.

New Zealand has chosen a panel of 34 referees for 2019. Of the 34, 12 are new to the panel and two are referees returning to the panel.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Seems like the Barbarians match against Argentina could count as an extra TEst match for the Springboks.

NEWS: Paddy Jackson’s career-saving move to France is quickly set to pay off.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson revealed his interest in taking up the role as the new New Zealand head coach after the 2019 World Cup amidst speculation of Steve Hansen's future plans.

Watch South Africa wing Aphiwe Dyantyi’s acceptance speech following his World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award.

WORLD RANKINGS: A first victory over France and an all-time high of eighth in the global standings.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa's Johan Goosen is set for a return with Montpellier, after missing more than six weeks with an ankle injury.

WATCH as the Irish Rugby Football Union confirms that Joe Schmidt will retire from coaching following the World Cup in Japan next year.

INJURY UPDATE: Italy wing Mattia Bellini looks set to miss the Six Nations after being ruled out for four months following surgery on a dislocated right shoulder picked up in the November Test against Australia, his club Zebre revealed.

REACTION: South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus doffed his cap to Wales after the Springboks went down 11-20 in Cardiff on Saturday.

NEWS: Eddie Jones may have put England’s Chariot back on track for next year’s World Cup in Japan after an impressive November series.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scarlets face an uphill battle in their pursuit of current Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels.

PRO14 REPORT: Jack Carty guided Connacht to a second consecutive Pro14 victory as they overpowered the Southern Kings 31-14 at the Madibaz Stadium.

NEWS: Just a day before their 11-20 defeat, South Africa were forced to evacuate their hotel due to a bomb scare.

OPINION: The All Blacks have capped their 2018 season with an emphatic 10-try 66-3 victory over the Azzurri in Rome.

WORLD RUGBY AWARDS: Some have cast the relationship between Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and Johnny Sexton as like father and son - and the latter has from the outset been in the precocious category.

OPINION: South Africa will have to readjust their tactics following the final November Test match against Wales.

At their sparkling awards function in Monaco on Sunday evening, 25 November 2018, Angus Gardner of Australia was named World Rugby's Referee of the Year for 2018.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Alex Lozowski inspired Saracens survived a rousing Leicester Tigers comeback to return to the top of the Premiership table with a 27-22 win.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales' 20-11 victory over South Africa have finally made the world realize that they have a solid chance of claiming the 2019 World Cup trophy.

WATCH how 2018 World Rugby Player of the year Johnny Sexton produced a very unconventional acceptance speech.

REACTION: Vice-presidential candidate Ronald Bantom confirmed that he is considering obtaining a court interdict in the wake of the Western Province Rugby Football Union election bombshell on Friday.

REACTION: Australia coach Michael Cheika says he will assess his own performance after a disappointing year for the Wallabies as the Australian Rugby Union refused to rule out changes to his backroom staff.

REACTION: Mathieu Bastareaud was an angry man after his side lost 14-21 to Fiji in Paris on Saturday.

REACTION: Australia coach Michael Cheika ripped into South African referee Jaco Peyper over two key decisions in the 18-37 defeat by England at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: England prop Kyle Sinckler has never been the shy, retiring type.

PRO14 REPORT: Munster registered their 13th straight win over Zebre but they were made to work hard for their 32-7 victory.

MATCH REPORT: Fiji beat France 21-14 on Saturday to claim a historic first victory over the French in more than 60 years less than a year before the World Cup.

TOP 14, SUNDAY WRAP: New Zealand centre George Moala scored twice as Clermont returned to the summit of the Top 14 with a 31-11 thumping of Lyon on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Wales complete their first November Test Series clean-sweep with a 20-11 win over South Africa on Saturday.

PRO14 REPORT: The Dragons won their first Pro14 match since September as they held off Edinburgh 18-12 in a gritty battle at Rodney Parade.

On Saturday in Rome, Andrew Brace of Ireland was refereeing Italy vs New Zealand at the Stadio Olimpico. Injury forced him from the field and he was replaced by Pascal Gaüzère of France, a rare occurrence in rugby football, just the 14th time in Tier 1 Tests since the first one a 106 years ago.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland's second-string overpowered an ultimately outclassed United States 57-14 in Dublin on Saturday to end a brilliant year on a high.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Cheika has denied he tried to cover-up the real reason for Kurtley Beale's surprise axing from the Wallabies team, after it emerged he was dropped for allowing women into his hotel room.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Daniel Maartens grabbed two second half tries as Cheetahs got their second win of the season with a 31-25 victory over Benetton Rugby.

MATCH REPORT: England ended 2018 with a 37-18 win over Australia at Twickenham on Saturday to claim their sixth win in a row over the Wallabies.

REACTION: Wales will not be getting carried away with themselves ahead of next year's World Cup after a victory over South Africa Saturday ensured a first-ever November cleansweep, according to coach Warren Gatland.

MATCH REPORT: Scotland beat Argentina 14-9 in their final November Test on Saturday thanks to a second-half try from Sean Maitland.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones was in buoyant mood as his side headed into a World Cup year on the back of a 37-18 victory over his native Australia.

MATCH REPORT: New Zealand bid farewell to the November Test Series with a massive statement as they marched to comfortable 66-3 win over Italy on Saturday.

REACTION: Argentina head into the final game of their European tour, against the Barbarians at Twickenham next Saturday, on a five-match losing streak but coach Mario Ledesma insists his side are making improvements on the road to next year’s World Cup.

TOP 14, SATURDAY WRAP: Toulouse went first in the French Top 14 with a 15-13 victory over Pau on Saturday despite missing a raft of players injured or on international duty including captain Julien Marchand and Scotland lock Richie Gray.

REACTION: Conor O'Shea's Italy turn their focus to next year's Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup with morale at a low after another bruising defeat 3-66 at the hands of New Zealand.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Robert du Preez, along with Denny Solomona, made sure the Sale Sharks secure an 18-13 win over Northampton Saints.

NEWS: World number one New Zealand have chosen Tonga for their final dress rehearsal before defending their crown at the World Cup in Japan next year.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Eleven points from the boot of Toby Flood on his 100th appearance for Newcastle Falcons helped them battle past Bath 16-8.

VIDEO: Fiji shocked France 21-14 in Paris on Saturday.

PRO14 REPORT: Leinster were in seventh heaven as they ran in a septet of tries, bringing up the 50-point mark in the process, as they sent out a message with a 52-7 win against the Ospreys.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Nick Schonert’s first-half try set Worcester Warriors on their way to a vital Premiership victory, 20-13 at home to Harlequins.

In this exclusive article @rugby365com's Jan de Koning puts Western Province Rugby Football Union presidency candidates Peter Jooste and Zelt Marais in a head-to-head interview.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: South African captain Siyamthanda Kolisi on Friday hailed coach Rassie Erasmus for having restored self-belief in the Springbok camp.

With the score 0-0, Jayden Hayward of Italy kicks out for a line-out to Australia about eight metres inside the Australian half on Australia's left.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Several international teams plan to wear rainbow laces in support of former Wales captain Gareth Thomas this weekend, but England may avoid a similar gesture because they do not fit into their boots.

It's the last round of the November Tests this weekend. Can we hope fervently that it, unlike the previous three weeks, will be without controversy, that all refereeing/TMO decisions will be brightly clear and obvious and intelligible in terms of law. 

DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH: Italy coach Conor O'Shea concedes his side are braced for a 'David against Goliath' challenge against world champions New Zealand in their final November Test on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico.

REPORT: Canada will face reigning champions New Zealand and South Africa at next year’s Rugby World Cup after beating Hong Kong to secure the final place at the event.

NOVEMBER INTERNATIONALS: Hundred-and-twelve after they first met, Wales and South Africa meet again - this time in Cardiff at the posh Millennium Stadium.

NEWS: Fiji-born wing Alivereti Raka could feature for France in the 2019 Six Nations and at the World Cup after his application for French nationality was confirmed earlier this month.

NOVEMBER INTERNATIONALS: England coach Eddie Jones has warned his side to stay "sharp and smart" when they bring down the curtain on their 2018 against his native Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

England will attempt to continue their dominance of Australia and in-form Wales host South Africa in another mouthwatering Test on Saturday.

HIGH FLYING: Fresh from a historic win over New Zealand, Ireland will be out to end November Test Series on a high note when they host the USA on Saturday.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Australia backs Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley-Cooper were dropped for Saturday's match against England at Twickenham after bringing women into their hotel room near Cardiff earlier on tour.

PRO14 REPORT: Scarlets kept the heat on in Conference B as Tom Prydie's second-half try helped earn a bonus-point 29-12 win to overtake Ulster.

PRO14 REPORT: Niko Matawalu marked his 100th appearance for Glasgow Warriors with two tries as they cruised past Cardiff Blues 40-15.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Fiji face France in Paris on Saturday looking to make history by beating the hosts for the first time in their history.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Argentina have insisted they will be fully focused on the task at hand when they face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday despite the death of forward Marcos Kremer's partner this week.

TOP SPOT: Another intriguing six games are on the cards this weekend as the Premiership Rugby action continues with what promises to be an exciting Round eight.

WELCOME BACK: There is a whole host of intriguing match-ups, cross-conference clashes and no shortage of attacking this week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has made five changes to his starting team that will take on Irish side, Connacht in Port Elizabeth.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand great Wyatt Crockett are among the latest group of players added to the Barbarians squad to face Argentina on December 1.

INJURY UPDATE: Australian back row forward David Pocock has been ruled out of Saturday's international against England, just over a day before the Cook Cup clash at Twickenham.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones should be given an extended contract as England coach in recognition of his achievements since taking charge, according to Australia counterpart Michael Cheika.

INJURY UPDATE: Australia star David Pocock has been ruled out of Saturday's international against England, just over a day before the Cook Cup clash at Twickenham.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Impi Visser will make his Springbok Sevens debut in Dubai next weekend after he was included in the travelling squad by BlitzBok coach Neil Powell.

NEWS: A wider Stormers training squad began preparations for the 2019 Super Rugby season this week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Springboks discard Rudy Paige has been named on the Cheetahs bench for their Pro14 match against Benetton.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: USA Head coach Gary Gold has named his match-day 23 to face Ireland on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has yet again made a number of changes to the team that will face England at Twickenham on Saturday

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy head coach Conor O'Shea has made just one change to Italy starting XV that will face New Zealand in Rome.

OPINION: On the back of last weekend’s defeat to Ireland, Steve Hansen and his fellow coaches won’t be pushing the panic button just yet but they’ll certainly have a few things to mull over.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have made one change from the side that beat Australia a fortnight ago for their final year-end Test against South Africa on Saturday.

OPINION: Ireland's impressive win over New Zealand has earned them plenty of rewards in @rugby365com’s famous weekly selection.

@rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson looks at Scotland's line-out try against South Africa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Blacks will persist with a two-pronged attack against Italy on Saturday, despite coach Steve Hansen ringing the changes after last week's loss to Ireland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has retained his winning recipe for the final match of their November campaign.

The @rugby365com team brings you the lowdown on the three candidates that are on the shortlist to replace John Mitchell as the Bulls' @SuperRugby coach.

Wales have been tough opponents for the Springboks for 112 years. It was so in the beginning and more so in the last four years.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Prop Rabah Slimani and fullback Benjamin Fall have been named in France's starting line-up to face Fiji in Paris this weekend, the French Rugby Federation announced on Thursday.

REACTION: "Excited kid" Manu Tuilagi has been promised an early sight of the ball by Leicester and England teammate Ben Youngs should he come off the bench against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Following their impressive win over the All Blacks, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has handed a worthy break to some of his star performers.

NEWS: Ireland star flyhalf Jonathan Sexton have been named the has been named the Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has named his team to play Australia on Saturday in their last Test of the 2018 November internationals.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji coach John McKee named a side Thursday he said was capable of springing an upset win over France in Paris this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Argentinean team to take on Scotland in the final match of their November tour shows a couple of changes from that which lost to France last week.

Following some impressive recent results in the November Tests, is this the smallest we've seen the gap between Southern and Northern Hemisphere sides?

New Zealand flanker Sam Cane hopes to return in time for the end of the 2019 Super Rugby season after breaking his neck against South Africa last month.

TRANSFER NEWS: Zebre Rugby confirmed the signing of New Zealand scrumhalf Joshua Renton who has joined the Parma-based franchise from the Highlanders in Super Rugby.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Wales are cock-a-hoop heading into their final year-end encounter.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Pete Samu could be the suitable candidate to don the Wallabies No.8 jersey against England, should David Pocock fail to recover from injury.

TRANSFER NEWS: Gloucester Rugby revealed that Bulls hooker Jaco Visagie has joined the club on a short-term loan deal.

INJURY UPDATE: Australia are waiting anxiously to see whether stars Bernard Foley and Israel Folau recover from illness in time for Saturday's one-off Test with England at Twickenham.

INJURY UPDATE: Manu Tuilagi has one last training session to prove his fitness for England's final November Test against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper has asked referees to show more red and yellow cards in a continued effort to stop dangerous tackles.

The Southern Kings are looking to continue their try-scoring spree at home, when the Pro14 resumes this coming weekend.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: South Africa may be on an upward trajectory, but it could all come crashing down in Cardiff on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Simon Amor has named an experienced side for the opening round of the 2018/19 Sevens World Series - which takes place in Dubai on November 30 and December 1.

Finn Russell is gone. Stuart Hogg is going. It will take a monumental offer to stop Huw Jones following and more will be on their way – of that, there is no doubt.

TRANSFER NEWS: Jordan Petaia has put pen-to-paper on a new four-year

NEWS: World Rugby's vice-chairman Augustin Pichot has drawn enormous criticism online for publishing the percentage of players in Tier 1 nations born outside of the countries they represent.

NEWS: The Blue Bulls Company, after months of speculation, has finally revealed an official shortlist for Super Rugby coach.

INJURY UPDATE: England wing Chris Ashton is unavailable for Saturday's Test with Australia, because of a calf injury.

INJURY UPDATE: Leigh Halfpenny has been ruled out of Wales’ clash with South Africa this weekend after failing to recover from a concussion.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head Coach Gregor Townsend has made nine changes to the starting Scotland line-up for the final match in the 2018 November Test series against Argentina at BT Murrayfield.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France players will wear rainbow laces during their match against Fiji in support of Gareth Thomas, the French Rugby Federation's vice president Serge Simon said on Tuesday.

WATCH as we look back to the last time Wales and South Africa met - in Washington in June.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian Sevens Head Coach Tim Walsh has named his squad for the opening round of the Sevens World Series in Dubai next weekend with NSW Waratahs’ player, Michael Wells to earn his first cap for Australia since 2014.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Wales coach Warren Gatland is under no illusion as top the enormity of the challenge his team is facing this week.

RugbyPass columnist Jamie Lyall looks into the consequences of World Rugby's lack of action in the Siyamthanda Kolisi headbutting saga.

INJURY UPDATE: England’s preparations to take on Australia at Twickenham on Saturday have taken a significant blow.

NEWS: Three bouncers have been found guilty of a brutal attack on Welsh legend Shane Williams and his brother.

The All Blacks end of year tour headlined by two blockbuster tests has been a real eye-opener, with the side scoring just one try against England in poor conditions and zero against Ireland.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus comes out in defence of match officials, following another contentious yellow card decision.

NEWS: Southland club player Shanan Kapene has received a two-year suspension from all participation in rugby after a New Zealand Rugby Judicial Committee found him guilty of anti-doping violations.

INJURY UPDATE: Scrumhalf Kieran Marmion has become the latest Ireland player to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks Sevens Coach Clark Laidlaw has named a 13-man team for the first legs of the 2018/19 Sevens World Series in Dubai and Cape Town.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: England head coach Eddie Jones felt a sense of deja vu when he heard David Pocock was a doubt to face England.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus described Wales as a 'silent assassin' heading into next year's World Cup in Japan.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa's Francois Steyn is set to return for Montpellier after injury ruled him out for more than six weeks, the Top 14 club said on Monday.

NEWS: While still ranked number two, all of Ireland will feel on top of the world after a superb 16-9 win over the All Blacks.

SQUAD UPDATE: Head coach Eddie Jones has selected a squad of 28 players ahead of England's final November Test against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The one sport which has been associated with Kenya for decades is middle-distance running but their 15-a-side rugby side are taking strides to change that.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Australia will need to get over their 'anxiety' on attack when they face England at Twickenham says veteran back Adam Ashley-Cooper

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen will announce what his future plans are before Christmas, he told a press conference.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Joe Schmidt says whether he stays on as Ireland rugby coach after next year's World Cup or moves on, with the likely destination New Zealand, will be decided by his family.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Future Bordeaux-Begles coach Christophe Urios will not be allowed to coach the French national team even if President Emmanuel Macron requests.

In the aftermath of Ireland’s heavyweight win over the All Blacks, Irish coach Joe Schmidt revealed that he gets inspiration for his play designs from watching other games, saying he ‘steals them’.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ulster prop Rodney Ah You has added his vast experience to Newcastle Falcons' propping ranks, joining the club with immediate effect.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Siya Kolisi escaped with a warning after striking an opponent with his head during the match between the Springboks and Scotland at Murrayfield.

REACTION: Bristol coach Pat Lam was left lamenting a "huge, huge call" that allowed Exeter to snatch a last-minute victory with a penalty try in the English Premiership on Sunday.

NEWS: The IRFU have released a squad update following their historic win over the All Blacks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealanders have been quick to find a way to celebrate Ireland's historic Test win in Dublin, highlighting that the All Blacks loss was at least masterminded by a Kiwi.

REACTION: Head coach Steve Hansen has lambasted New Zealand's 'dumb' first-half mistakes following the defeat to Ireland.

INJURY UPDATE: France fullback Maxime Medard will miss this weekend's Test match against Fiji because of a concussion he picked up at the weekend, the French Rugby Federation said on Monday.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen's claim that Ireland are now number one in the world and favourites for the World Cup has been dismissed as "banter" by the Six Nations champions' boss Joe Schmidt.

REACTION: Head coach Rassie Erasmus could not be more satisfied with his decision to hand Embrose Papier the No.9 jersey during South Africa's 26-20 win over Scotland.

NEWS: Australia's 26-7 win over Italy has been accompanied by a hefty price.

Hear from inside the sheds after the All Blacks loss to Ireland, where Kieran Read pays credit to Ireland.

REACTION: Italy prepare for their final Test of the November series against world champions New Zealand in Rome amid frustration at having two tries disallowed in their weekend loss to Australia.

The 2019 World Cup will be taking place in Japan in less than a year, and a sense of excitement is already evident among the participating nations and fans regarding the tournament.

The All Blacks have been beaten and held tryless by Ireland 16-9 in Dublin.

REACTION: After eight months of licking their wounds, French rugby finally had a victory to savour on Saturday when they beat Argentina 28-13 in Lille.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Coach Eddie Jones has warned England to be wary of his native Australia when they face a Wallaby side coached by "street-fighter" Michael Cheika in their final international of the year.

MATCH REPORT: A last-gasp penalty try gave Exeter Chiefs a stunning comeback win over Bristol Bears that keeps them unbeaten and top of the Premiership Rugby table.

Scotland and Glasgow Warriors centre Huw Jones looks set to be the next Scottish star to move south in search of a lucrative Premiership deal.

NEWS: Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas has released a video on Twitter after he was attacked in his home city of Cardiff.

REACTION: South Africa captain Siya Kolisi could find himself in trouble following the 26-20 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

OPINION: South Africa had to hang on for their 26-20 win over Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday. (With match highlights)

OPINION: Ireland registered their first ever win over New Zealand in Dublin.

NEWS: Waratahs’ team of coaches was finalised with the confirmation of Steve Tandy as defence coach.

OPINION: Scotland gave South Africa a fright, but in the end just fell short - losing 20-26 in Edinburgh on Saturday.

OPINION: England survived a major scare early against Japan to record a 35-15 victory over the Cherry Blossoms at Twickenham.

QUALIFIERS: Canada is one point away from a place at next year's World Cup after beating Germany 29-10 in a round-robin repechage tournament on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: France claimed their first victory in nine months by beating Argentina 28-13, less than a year from the teams' meeting at next year's World Cup.

MATCH REPORT: Joe Cokanasiga scored a try on his Test debut as England came from behind to beat 2019 World Cup hosts Japan 35-15 at Twickenham on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland held on in the face of a fierce New Zealand onslaught to win a thrilling match 16-9 in Dublin on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: South Africa held on in the face of a determined Scottish second-half onslaught to win their second match of the year-end tour.

OPINION: Jan de Koning gives some perspective to the nasty and ugly underbelly of the Western Province Rugby Football Union Presidential elections!

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew has revealed the ambitious World League concept could be presented to broadcasters and sponsors early next year.

WATCH as South African record a hard-earned 26-20 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: A first-half double by wing Marika Koroibete saw the Wallabies bounce back with a scrappy 26-7 win over Italy in Stadio Euganeo, Padova, on Saturday.

NEWS: All Blacks prop Owen Franks has become the latest New Zealand star to reveal his post-World Cup aspirations.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland will pay dearly if they switch off for even a second against world champions New Zealand on Saturday, said captain Rory Best.

MATCH REPORT: Dan Biggar guided Wales to their eighth consecutive victory, as a much-changed side scored 10 tries in a comprehensive 74-24 thrashing of Tonga on Saturday.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said he is confident Embrose Papier will be able to handle the pressure in Saturday's Test against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

SATURDAY WRAP: Youngster Joel Kpoku scored a late winner to help Saracens beat Sale Sharks 31-25 at Allianz Park.

NOVEMBER INTERNATIONALS: Scotland is no push-over, nor are South Africa.

NOVEMBER INTERNATIONALS: Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland host world champions New Zealand on Saturday in what could be termed an unofficial global final less than a year from the real thing.

THE BOGEY BATTLE: France welcomes Argentina to Lille on Saturday seeking to avoid an 11th defeat by the Pumas since the turn of the century.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales have had an impressive November Test Series campaign thus far, and on Saturday Warren Gatland's die will look to secure their third consecutive win over Tonga at the Principality Stadium.

NOVEMBER BUILD-UP: Maro Itoje believes England will be led by one of rugby's brightest minds when flyhalf George Ford captains the side against 2019 World Cup hosts Japan at Twickenham on Saturday.

KNOCK-OUT PUNCH: Italy are looking to turn the screw on Michael Cheika and gun for their first ever win over ailing Australia, who are in the mire after a terrible recent run of results

WATCH as Xander Janse van Rensburg, High-Performance Manager at Blue Bulls Company, explains the role of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus at the Pretoria franchise.

NEWS: England's Rugby Football Union announced on Friday that Chief Executive Steve Brown will stand down at the end of the year - less than 10 months from the World Cup in Japan.

TRANSFER NEWS: Sale Sharks confirmed that Springbok discard Jean Luc Du Preez will join them on a short-term contract.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Ollie Thorley’s mesmeric late score helped Gloucester return to the Premiership action in style with a record 36-13 win against Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm.

There are well over 20 Test matches this weekend as the November window stays open.

SANZAAR have released an updated tournament schedule for the 2019 Super Rugby tournament.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: England are readying themselves to face a Japan side with a point to prove when they face the 2019 World Cup hosts at Twickenham on Saturday.

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: Germany expects a bruising battle against Canada in Saturday's crunch repechage clash for the final qualifying berth for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Argentina coach Mario Ledesma said the Test match against France on Saturday had added spice because of close links between the two teams.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A radical new "rapid rugby" competition is set to kick off across the Asia-Pacific next year with 70-minute games and new rules to encourage fast-paced entertainment after being approved by the sport's global chiefs.

SQUAD UPDATE: Josh van der Flier will start for Ireland in their Test match with world champions New Zealand on Saturday after fellow flank Dan Leavy dropped out, an IRFU spokesman said on Friday.

NEWS: Chris Wyles has temporarily come out of retirement and goes straight into contention to face Sale Sharks on Saturday.

REJUVENATED: After three weekends off the Premiership Rugby roars back into league action on Friday with matches at The Twickenham Stoop and Kingsholm Stadium kicking off what promises to be an intriguing Round Seven.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jayden Hayward returns for Italy with the New Zealand-born fullback the only change for the Azzurri's second November Test match against Australia in Padua on Saturday.

NEWS: All Blacks great Tana Umaga stepped down as head coach of the Blues on Thursday after disappointing results during his three years in charge of the Super Rugby club.

@rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson looks at different matches with different referees, and similar incidents are treated differently.

NOVEMBER INTERNATIONALS: England coach Eddie Jones has no intention of getting sentimental when his side faces 2019 World Cup hosts Japan at Twickenham on Saturday despite guiding the Asian nation to their greatest Rugby Union triumph.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Blacks have made one change to their starting XV for the clash against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

NEWS: France international Uini Atonio escaped a prison term for breaking his victim's jaw during a drunken brawl when he was handed a sixth-month suspended sentence on Friday.

The match between Scotland and South Africa this Saturday will be the 27th between the two countries who have, in their meetings, made history in a rugby way.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby chiefs are refusing to get involved in a war of words with Eddie Jones.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Joe Schmidt has not taken any chances as he has named a formidable Ireland team to play New Zealand at Aviva Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Springbok team for Saturday's third Test of the year-end tour against Scotland in Edinburgh shows six changes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Jacques Brunel has opted for consistency in his line-up, making just two changes to the starting line-up for their clash with Argentina on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Seems like the battle for Southern Kings' No.9 jersey has forced former Stormers scrumhalf Godlen Masimla to mature at a rapid pace.

NEWS: The Dragons have sacked defence coach Hendre Marnitz.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has made wholesale changes for Saturday's clash against England at Twickenham.

The @rugby365com invites two experts to chat about the real magnitude of the cash crunch in rugby in South Africa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Gonzalo Bertranou replaces Tomas Cubelli in the only change by Argentina coach Mario Ledesma from the Pumas team that lost to Ireland last week ahead of Saturday's Test against France.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Under-siege Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is safe from the axe, Rugby Australia Chief Raelene Castle said Thursday despite admitting "universal frustration" at the team's dire run of results.

LISTEN as Springbok assistant coach Matt Proudfoot explains why Scotland will be a tougher challenge than France.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ellis Jenkins will captain Wales for the second time as he leads his country against Tonga at Principality Stadium this Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones has made 11 changes to the starting - XV which faced New Zealand last weekend - with two positional switches to the side that will play Japan at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland have made six changes to their team to face the Springboks at Murrayfield on Saturday.

NEWS: World Rugby has welcomed Fiji and Samoa onto an expanded Council, while Burkina Faso and Lebanon were accepted as associate members on an historic day for the international federation.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has made a number of changes to his team for Saturday's Test against Italy in Padova on Saturday.

NEWS: Mark Alexander was elected to the World Rugby’s Executive Council in elections held in Dublin on Wednesday.

Ireland’s game is often labelled as ‘low-risk’ or ‘conservative’, due to the large number of phases they use and the low number of offloads they attempt.

NEWS: Australia plan to rest key players during next year's Super Rugby season in a bid to keep them fresh and injury-free for the World Cup in Japan.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Scotland will do whatever it takes to beat the Springboks at Murrayfield says hooker Fraser Brown.

TRANSFER NEWS: England wing Anthony Watson has opted to extend his stay with Premiership side Bath.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand's Seta Tamanivalu has been sidelined for up to two months with a back injury just days after arriving at his new club, Top 14 side Bordeaux.

INJURY UPDATES: South Africa will play a waiting game on two of their key players.

OPINION: There is a real mixed bag in @rugby365com's famous weekly selection.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced Wellington’s Westpac Stadium will host South Africa in July 2019.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have confirmed their coaching staff for the 2019 Super Rugby season.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Wales great Neil Jenkins has questioned the "unbelievable" lack of action after fullback Leigh Halfpenny was sent crashing to the turf by Australia's Samu Kerevi.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland present enough of a challenge for world champions New Zealand in Saturday's Test for the Kiwis not to have to be motivated by a painful defeat in 2016, says Ryan Crotty.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Ireland's Jonathan Sexton says he wants to make more history with a home win over world champions New Zealand in a clash of the top two-ranked teams in the world on Saturday.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will have to be a lot smarter on the field when they face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

First off the Brazilian’s neutralised the Maori All Blacks’ Haka. Then they went after the scrum.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England lock George Kruis will miss his team's final two November Tests against Japan and Australia, because of a calf injury.

INJURY UPDATE: The Southern Kings continue to battle with a growing injury list after eight rounds of Pro14 action.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Andy Farrell may have got the better of world champions New Zealand three times, but Ireland's defence coach says he does not have a magic formula on how to beat them.

NEWS: Springbok wing Jamba Ulengo has reported for duty at the Cheetahs in the hope of getting a contract, OFM revealed.

TRASNFER NEWS: Wasps confirmed the signing of Italy international Michele Campagnaro.

TRANSFER NEWS: Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter is a happy man after confirming Scotland and British Lions fullback Stuart Hogg will be heading to Sandy Park next season.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Japan coach Jamie Joseph has insisted his side have no plans to follow Eddie Jones advice to "go to the temple and pray" ahead of their match against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's 29-26 win over France has helped the side narrow the deficit between them and England.

REACTION: World Rugby has decided, for now, to take a hands-off approach in the Franco Mostert saga.

SQUAD UPDATE: Sonny Bill Williams will miss the Ireland Test, however, the centre will remain on tour, with the All Blacks hopeful he will be fit to play against Italy next week.

For the second week in a row, Twickenham was host to one-point Test and a refereeing controversy late in the match which involved the use or non-use of the TMO.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have revealed that they are negotiating a contract with Springbok hooker Schalk Brits.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Springboks will be without Faf de Klerk when they face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: When Western Province Rugby Football Union clubs go to the polls later this coming week, you could see the last vestiges of professionalism being voted out.

NEWS: The All Blacks Sevens will have the services of one of their most well known and experienced players through to the Tokyo Olympics, with Kurt Baker locking in his commitment through to 2020.

REACTION: South Africa may have received some favourable rulings from Welsh referee Nigel Owens in their come-from-behind win over France at the weekend.

REACTION: Clive Woodward has blamed decisions to decline kickable penalties for England's agonising 15-16 loss to world champions New Zealand at a rainswept Twickenham on Saturday.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Joe Schmidt compared Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland to a car which required a tune-up ahead of the mouth-watering clash with world champions New Zealand.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones has advised Japan to go to the temple and pray as he promised to show no mercy when the team he coached at the 2015 World Cup come to Twickenham.

NEWS: The venues of the home and away games for the Sunwolves have been confirmed.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former New Zealand Under-20 World Cup winner Lotima Fainga'anuku has joined Perpignan as a medical joker until the end of the campaign, the Top 14 strugglers announced.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ulster Rugby confirmed that second row Ian Nagle has moved on loan from Leinster until the end of the 2018/19 season.

LISTEN as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus appears to take another subtle swipe at controversial Australian referee Angus Gardner.

OPINION: The Springboks were fortunate to get a 26-29 the win in Paris against France.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland will be without two of their biggest stars when they face the All Blacks in Dublin on Saturday.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen believes Ireland's star scrumhalf Conor Murray will play in next Saturday's clash of the top two-ranked teams in the world despite not having played any rugby this season.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth is set to return to full training this week after recovering from a foot injury he sustained against England at Twickenham two weeks ago.

NEWS: French Top 14 club La Rochelle confirmed former All Black Jonathan Gibbes as their new director of rugby.

The New Zealand Maori team was rocked back on its heels, as Brazil responded to the Haka before the sides met in Sao Paolo at the weekend.

NEWS: Sunwolves have added another two New Zealanders to their coaching ranks.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Germany took a step closer to the 2019 Rugby World Cup by starting with a win in Sunday's first-round of matches in the fortnight-long repechage tournament in Marseille.

OPINION: France will be wondering how they did not win that game against the Springboks in Paris on Saturday.

NEWS: English manager Rory Teague has left Top 14 side Bordeaux by mutual consent after only one win in five games, the club said on Monday.

WATCH as England coach Eddie Jones gets philosophical about the contentious call that cost his team a match-winning try at Twickenham at the weekend.

WATCH as All Black coach Steve Hansen reacts to his team once again getting the rub of the green from match officials.

NEWS: The Irish Rugby Football Union have bagged a tidy profit after selling off a track of prime real estate not far from Dublin city centre.

OPINION: Ireland made it 10 home Test wins in a row for the first time in their history, with a 28-17 win over Argentina in Dublin.

SQUAD UPDATE: Newcastle forward Gary Graham has been added to the Scotland squad for the 2018 November Tests, as an injury replacement for Scarlets flank Blade Thomson.

NEWS: Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg will leave Glasgow at the end of the season.

OPINION: England and New Zealand met at a rainy Twickenham on Saturday afternoon in one of, if not the most anticipated rugby fixture of the last few years, and it certainly delivered on all of the promise.

VIDEO REACTION: The Springboks were happy to celebrate another 'ugly' win, rather than an unaesthetic loss.

REPORT: Canada's Daniel Tailliferre Hauman van der Merwe scored a hat-trick of tries on Sunday, as his side powered past Kenya with a thumping 65-19 win to take a step closer to the 2019 World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Super Rugby will return to Fiji in 2019, with the Crusaders set to face the Chiefs in round 16 of next year’s campaign.

POST-MATCH REACTION: Australia skipper Michael Hooper admits ruing twice spurning kickable penalties to go for attacking line-outs, as under-fire coach Michael Cheika sought out the positives after the team's narrow 6-9 defeat by Wales.

OPINION: The All Blacks have braved the conditions and escaped Twickenham with a one-point victory over hosts England.

REACTION: World champions New Zealand edged England 16-15 in a gripping one-off Test at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: Dynamic back row forward Jack Dempsey has re-signed with Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs on a two-year deal to keep him in Australian Rugby until at least 2020.

MATCH REPORT: South Africa scored a last-gasp try to defeat France 29-26 on Saturday to remain unbeaten against their European hosts since 2009.

POST-MATCH REACTION: The news that star scrumhalf Conor Murray could make a surprise return to the Ireland team, has been tempered by the news of another major injury setback.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland made it 10 successive home wins in a 28-17 victory over Argentina on Saturday at Lansdowne Road that came at a cost for the Six Nations Grand Slam holders.

MATCH REPORT: Tommy Seymour scored a hat-trick as Scotland ran in eight tries to beat Fiji 54-17 at Murrayfield on Saturday and claim their first win of the November internationals.

MATCH REPORT: Tommaso Allan sealed a four-try victory as Italy got their November Test series off to a strong start with a 28-17 win over Georgia in Florence on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Sonny Bill Williams’ body has let him down once more.

MATCH REPORT: World champions New Zealand came from 0-15 down to beat England 16-15 in a thrilling November Test at a rainswept Twickenham on Saturday.

POST-MATCH REACTION: Warren Gatland revelled in the delicious irony of Wales grabbing victory over Australia with a late score after suffering heartbreak on numerous occasions in a terrible run of losses against the Southern Hemisphere team.

MATCH REPORT: Dan Biggar hit a late penalty to help Wales edge Australia 9-6 on Saturday and buck a 10-year, 13-match losing streak against the Wallabies.

NEWS: The ever-worsening financial situation in South African rugby has forced the Lions to start retrenching players.

NEWS: The Blue Bulls Company announced that Cornal Hendricks will join the Bulls for the upcoming 2019 Super Rugby season.

NOVEMBER TEST SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand captain Kieran Read has insisted England "can do what they like" in response to the Haka at Twickenham on Saturday.

NOVEMBER TEST SPOTLIGHT: Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has delivered silverware aplenty but his biggest legacy has been to successfully change the face of Irish rugby, captain Rory Best revealed.

NOVEMBER TEST BUILD-UP: Australia coach Michael Cheika insists he has no problem with his side being labelled underdogs for Saturday's Test match against Wales.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks are in France and play Les Bleus before over 80 000 people at Stade de France in the northern Paris suburb of St Denis, the patron saint of Paris.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has insisted the All Blacks' clash with England this weekend is even bigger than last year's series against the British and Irish Lions.

TOUGH EXAMINATION: Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has warned his players lining up for Saturday's one-off Test with Argentina they need to focus on that and not the clash with world champions New Zealand a week later.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Star flyhalf Jonathan Sexton lining up without scrumhalf Conor Murray alongside him in a green shirt is almost a collector's item.

NOVEMBER TEST BUILD-UP: South Africa's defence has to be of high quality if they want to halt the French 'game-breakers' says desperate Springboks captain Siya Kolisi.

WORLD CUP DRESS REHEARSEL: Psychological one-upmanship will be up for grabs when Wales host Australia on Saturday in a dress rehearsal of what has been billed a pool-deciding match at next year's Rugby World Cup.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: "Styles make fights" is usually the talk of boxing promoters, but it could prove true of England's long-awaited clash against world champions New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand star Beauden Barrett has admitted it will be both "exciting" and "weird" to play against his former Hurricanes teammate Brad Shields when the All Blacks face England at Twickenham on Saturday.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Sean O'Brien has been ravaged by injuries in the past four years but the flank would be one of the first names on the Ireland team list for Irish legend Brian O'Driscoll who described his countryman as a "real leader".

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Owen Farrell has insisted he has no intention of pushing the rules to breaking point, as he prepares to lead England against world champions New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

WATCH as we share with you some of the best moments from the world's most experienced referee: Nigel Owens.

It is a match with greater significance than a first glance may suggest. It is a Six Nations team playing Europe's next best, almost a promotion-relegation match.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones believes the introduction of a second referee could be Rugby Union's answer to dealing with the increasing intensity of the game.

TWICKENHAM SPOTLIGHT: England will go in search of just their eighth win over New Zealand in 41 Tests dating back 113 years when they face the world champions at Twickenham on Saturday.

New Zealand’s player depth is the envy of the world, with a seemingly endless supply of players coming off the production line.

After refereeing 37 Test matches, John Lacey of Ireland has decided to retire from refereeing Test matches at the age of 45.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand-born Hadleigh Parkes is confident Wales have enough fire-power to overcome Wallabies despite their dismal record against Micheal Cheika's men.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy captain Sergio Parisse was ruled out of the Azzurri team for Saturday's opening November Test match against Georgia in Florence.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Maori All Blacks head coach Clayton McMillan has named the Maori All Blacks team to play against Brazil, in the second leg of their end of year tour.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: The renowned partnership between David Pocock and Michael Hooper might not be utilised at the next year's World Cup in Japan.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: It’s the match we’ve all been waiting for – and it’s come one year too late.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Two big missed tackles by Scotland’s centre Huw Jones lead to two big tries and a total of 12 points for Wales.

WATCH as All Black coach Steve Hansen explains his selections and tactics for the Test against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made four changes to his starting side for their opening November tour Test against Wales in Cardiff.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones has named his matchday squad to play New Zealand in their second year-end Test at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus added plenty of experience to his team to tackle France in Paris on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: French coach Jacques Brunel has named the team to take on South Africa in their Test in Paris on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland team to play Argentina at a sold-out Aviva Stadium on Saturday has been named.

NEWS: Saracens flank Joel Conlon has confirmed he will step away from rugby with immediate effect.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has made a surprising change to the back row for their November Test match against Ireland on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Glasgow Warriors and British & Irish Lions fullback Stuart Hogg returns to the starting Scotland line-up for this Saturday’s Test against Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium.

INJURY UPDATE: All Black prop Joe Moody has been ruled out of Saturday’s Test against England after he suffered a gruesome eyelid injury in training.

The @rugby365com team analyses the reasons behind the @Springboks' horror show at Twickenham last week and what they need to do to fix it.

The 1014 explore a variety of tactics that teams have used to beat the All Blacks in the recent past.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have made three changes to their starting XV to face Australia in Cardiff on Saturday.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster revealed that centre Jack Goodhue could make his return to the All Blacks' starting team against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Maro Itoje has been told to take the fight to New Zealand with his physical play even if it leads to punishment from the officials.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has revealed a remarkably close relationship that he has with his England counterpart Eddie Jones.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji Head Coach John McKee has named a very exposed side for the clash against Scotland on Saturday at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.

NEWS: The Hurricanes will play their first 2019 pre-season match against the defending Super Rugby champion Crusaders at Levin Domain on February 2.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Hansen has revealed his All Blacks team to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: The 2019 World Cup has always been on Adam Ashley-Cooper's mind over the last few seasons.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Springboks are working extremely hard to rectify their blunders that cost them a win against England says centre Damian de Allende.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: When Camille Lopez takes the field against South Africa on Saturday with the No.10 emblazoned across the back of his French jersey, a nation will hold its breath.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Flank Tom Curry will miss the remainder of England's November Test series due to an ankle injury sustained in the victory against South Africa, coach Steve Borthwick confirmed.

PART ONE: England’s tense 12-11 victory over the Springboks was won on the back of four Owen Farrell penalties and keeping the visitors to just one try.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: All Blacks legend Dan Carter Thursday tipped Japan to reach the knockout stages of their home World Cup next year - and warned favourites New Zealand will not have it all their own way.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus believes it is difficult to judge how strong France are at the moment.

NEWS: French rugby club Racing 92 are the first to put their hand up and signal interest in the services of All Blacks captain Kieran Read after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

@rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson analyses the most contentious incident of the past week.

TRANSFER NEWS: Stormers and Western Province lock Chris van Zyl has signed for Saracens on a short-term deal.

TRANSFER NEWS: Nick Tompkins has become the latest player to commit his future to Premiership side Saracens.

WATCH as England coach Eddie Jones speaks to RugbyPass from their training base, as his side begins preparations to face New Zealand on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand has always had outside backs coming out of its ears, however, with so many talented stars who to pick especially for the 2019 World Cup becomes somewhat of a pickle for coaches.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: After a miserable 2018 and on the back of a 3-0 drubbing in New Zealand in June, France knows exactly what they need to do against South Africa on Saturday.

The Test window is flung open wide and the countries are grabbing the opportunity to go into action.

NEWS: Former Springbok flank Thando Manana was recently elected President of the Madibaz Rugby Club.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has gone from probably being sidelined for the rest of the tour to a possible starter against France.

TRANSFER NEWS: Northampton Saints have confirmed that Ehren Painter has penned his first senior contract with the club.

A video has emerged of a Springbok practice in which coach Rassie Erasmus is apparently following through on a 'promise' to change his team's tackling style.

NEWS: Ireland and Ulster back row Chris Henry has announced that he will retire from rugby with immediate effect.

NEWS: The Blue Bulls Company confirmed that three of their current contracted players have been temporarily released to play in France.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Queensland Reds have bolstered their backline depth for 2019 signing former Blues playmaker Matt McGahan, plus Queensland outside backs pairing Jock Campbell and Teti Tela.

WORLD SERIES SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Sevens team entered the final stretch of their preparations for the first two tournaments of the 2018-19 campaign - in Dubai and Cape Town - in less than a month.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones cannot wait to see how his side fare against the "benchmark for world rugby" when they take on New Zealand at Twickenham.

WATCH as retired Springboks Keith Andrews and James Dalton reminisce over one of the most infamous games of all time - when South Africa met Tucuman on their tour of Argentina in 1993.

TEAM NEWS: The first of South Africa's European reinforcement arrived in Paris, ahead of the Test against France on Saturday.

NEWS: Springboks' narrow 11-12 defeat to England didn't do any harm to their World Rankings.

If there was one area England particularly struggled in against South Africa during their 12-11 win at the weekend, it was with their midfield defence.

SQUAD UPDATE: Scotland receive a timely boost following their 10-21 defeat to Wales last weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: Tony Brown has managed to lure another New Zealand rugby player to the Sunwolves for the 2019 Super Rugby.

NEWS: Owen Farrell is available to lead England against world champions New Zealand next weekend.

NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Pablo Matera will debut as Argentina captain on a challenging tour of Europe that kicks off Saturday with a Test against second-ranked Ireland in Dublin.

TOP 14 WRAP: All Black Charlie Ngatai scored to help Lyon to their first win in three games thanks to a dominant 41-6 victory over Stade Francais on Sunday.

PRO14 REPORT: Gethin Jenkins rode off into the sunset with another victory under his belt as Cardiff Blues put Zebre to the sword in a comfortable Pro14 win.

PRO14 REPORT: Munster roared back in the closing moments to claim an incredible 30-26 win over the Cheetahs.

PRO14 REPORT: Leinster powered to a 38–31 victory against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.