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SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks, topping the Super Rugby standings, has had to find other ways for players to entertain themselves - as the COVID-19 lockdown gets into full swing.

VIDEO: Before Eben Etzebeth there was Bakkies Botha.

SPOTLIGHT: No rugby and boredom is a dangerous combo. @rugby365com freelancer Angus Opperman ended up making a forgotten Stormers XV.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby's hot-button rankings remain a powder keg in the game.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson believes some of the criticism levelled at Damian Willemse is unfair.

LISTEN as Jake White makes some eye-opening disclosures to @rugby365com's Jan de Koning, revealing which players he might be targeting to help revive the ailing Bulls.

STAT ATTACK: Across the last decade of Super Rugby action there have been but a handful of players who have carried their team’s workload in both attack and defence.

'When two lions meet one must die,'

BRAINTEASER: @rugby365com's oracle Paul Dobson has decided to make this a bit easier, so can you at least get 50 percent?

NEWS: The playing future of one of South Africa's most promising players is still uncertain.

SPOTLIGHT: In the second of this new series Alex Shaw examines the prototypes of every position in the modern game and what makes for the perfect player.

REACTION: Former Brumbies and Wallaby prop Ben Alexander says Rugby Australia need to stop the blame game and get creative about the future to save the sport.

NEWS: Former French rugby captain Thierry Dusautoir said that he felt "lucky" after surviving coronavirus infection along with former teammate Sebastien Chabal.

NEWS: Another unprecedented idea has been floated amid the current rugby vacuum caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.

REACTION: European Professional Club Rugby has reacted with dismay to the proposal of a new Club World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has told England to expect a radical overhaul before the next Rugby World Cup despite reaching the final in Japan in November.

NEWS: The British and Irish Lions and the All Blacks could have a decider in London next year.

WATCH as Quade Santini Cooper puts on display the outrageous skills that made him a legend in Australian rugby.

ONE-ON-ONE: Listen as one-time Springbok Nicolaas Vlok Cilliers talks to @rugby365com about why the Six Nations is a better fit than the Rugby Championship.

INTERVIEW: Israel Folau may be 'public enemy No.1' for some in Rugby Australia, but there are those who regard his return as part of the solution to their ever-growing crisis.

Teams number their players now but it was not always so. In fact there was a time when numbering players was frowned upon as it smacked of tawdry professionalism.

SPOTLIGHT: In the first of a new series Alex Shaw examines the prototypes of every position in the modern game and makes for the perfect player.

REACTION: Under-fire All Black Richie Mo'unga moved swiftly to clear up some misconceptions over the Crusaders' breaking of New Zealand's lockdown regulations.

Sometimes, all it takes is one player to have a rush of blood and it costs his team dearly. Enjoy watching some of the best brain farts over the years.

SPOTLIGHT: Despite being scattered across the Australian continent, the Rebels have found a way to ensure they are ready for whenever Super Rugby resumes.

SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones has used Springbok stalwart Tendai Mtawarira as an example for controversial England prop Joe Marler to follow.

REACTION: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had some choice words this week for the minority of people who were not following rules.

SPOTLIGHT: British and Irish Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan believes he knows how to overcome the Springboks, a feat he has achieved as a player and a coach.

NEWS: Rugby Australia could lose more than just their chief executive should Raelene Castle be axed from her position.

REACTION: The Super Rugby champion Crusaders have been forced to apologise after several members of their squad were caught flouting New Zealand's isolation rules.

WATCH as Christiaan Stander goes to unusual lengths to keep his fitness ticking over during the rugby lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

NEWS: French Rugby Federation President Bernard Laporte wants to introduce a new Club World Cup tournament as part of the ticket he is running on for the upcoming World Rugby elections.

REACTION: Rugby Australia keeps toeing the 'positive' line, as the chorus of outcries for change grows.

SPOTLIGHT: The debacle surrounding axed Wallaby Israel Folau could be in for another twist if the sport’s governing body is forced into insolvency.

NEWS: Former Scotland captain Dougie Morgan has died at the age of 73 after an illness.

JUST FOR LAUGHS: The game of rugby is filled with many diverse characters and it would seem that these characters can be - to some extent - placed inside a box per position.

BRAINTEASER: Take on @rugby365com‘s oracle Paul Dobson in this mental challenge!

SPOTLIGHT: There is no guarantee the tours would even happen, but exiled flyhalf Finn Russell sees himself heading to South Africa and New Zealand.

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama says two international players have put the whole country at risk after they absconded from quarantine following visits abroad.

REACTION: Wallaby legend Nick Farr-Jones has painted a bleak picture for the code in Australia after years of "atrocious" management by the governing body.

What's better than watching some great Springbok tries against the old foe?

Never forget the moment the Springboks' Impi was remembered for the wrong reasons.

NEWS: The Premiership season could reach a conclusion with teams looking very different to how they looked when the campaign was suspended last month due to the coronavirus pandemic.

WATCH as two-time former World Rugby Junior Championship winner Eugene Eloff shares his lockdown message with the rugby community and the rest of the world.

COVID-19: Two France-based World Cup winners are hunkering down during the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa - but under very different circumstances.

OPINION: The Springboks heading North will be great for South Africa.

NEWS: The South African rugby 'industry' have come together in an unprecedented act of unity to prepare a long-term strategy to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

REACTION: Eddie Jones revealed that his ambition to win the World Cup has cost him dearly in other aspects of his life.

NEWS: The Springbok and BlitzBok coaches have started to share their expertise online.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The big "farewell season" for Newlands Stadium is turning out to be a disaster.

WATCH a couple of the biggest upsets the Bulls managed over the Sharks in Durban.

Marius Jonker is a well-known citizen of Richards Bay, a harbour town up on Northern KZN coast, just under 180 km from Durban.

NEWS: Dragons have just been dealt a massive blow for next season – the loss of Wales lock Cory Hill.

WATCH as we go down memory lane to 2001 to revisit a famous and quite funny tackle.

REACTION: Rugby Australia appears to be imploding at an alarming rate, with Chief Executive Officer Raelene Castle in the firing line.

OPINION: The 2019 Rugby World Cup Final feels a lifetime ago right now.

OPINION: Jan de Koning believes he has a solution for the current cash-crunch facing South Africa's franchises.

REACTION: There has already been threats of 'legal action', but the Newcastle Falcons' promotion to the Premiership has been described as a "fair and balanced outcome".

Watch the Wimbledon men's final, an epic battle, and there you will see challenges about whether the ball was in nor pout, and they use hawk-eye. Watch the cricket between Sri Lanka and Pakistan and there will be referrals to the match referee via television replays. Rugby does it, too. In fact it did it before cricket or tennis.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby will not decide on whether Test matches in July will go ahead before the end of April, French rugby federation chief Bernard Laporte told AFP Thursday.

NEWS: England head coach Eddie Jones and the RFU have agreed to a contract extension which will see him continue his role until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

REACTION: As appeals for greater transparency grow, Rugby Football Union boss Bill Sweeney says national unions are collaborating on ways to help Rugby Australia.

REACTION: A grim short-term future for Australia's rugby professionals bracing for steep pay cuts.

SPOTLIGHT: It appears the costly pay-out to Israel Folau was not the only financial blunder during Raelene Castle's reign as Rugby Australia Chief Executive Officer.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones just won't stop planning.

Tackling are an essential aspect of rugby football. It is also the most dangerous and complex aspect of the game and the most difficult to manage. World Rugby has now issued new guidelines aimed at making tackling clearer for players and referees.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Worcester lock Michael Fatialofa says his ability to walk again is "just the tip of the iceberg" as he battles back from a horrific spinal injury.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus delivers yet another one of his impressive coaching insights.

NEWS: The 2019/20 domestic rugby season in Scotland has been classified as null and void, the Union confirmed.

BRAINTEASER: Take on @rugby365com's oracle Paul Dobson in this mental challenge!

STAT ATTACK: It takes an impressive display of strength and agility to be able to evade defenders and push through a gap in the defensive line.

OPINION: Leezil Hendricks takes a look at the selection 'headache' facing new Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.

REACTION: Former Australian Test player and 1999 World Cup winner Rod Kafer has heavily blasted Rugby Australia.

VIDEO: Social media is currently awash with players adopting unique and sometimes bizarre methods to continue training while staying at home.

Willem Kenton was a ballet dancer. He was also a rugby player. It is an unusual combination. I was about to say 'unlikely combination', but I'm not so sure. For both pursuits require the utmost physical fitness, an awareness of the agility and strength of the human body, team work, and, for excellence, a sense of rhythm and timing that is usually both innate and cultivated. So perhaps Willem's interests were more logically complementary than most people would realise.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby announced wage cuts for all staff Wednesday.

OPINION: It's probably safe to say that the Pro14 will never be as popular as Super Rugby for South African fans.

NEWS: Australia's Super Rugby franchises plan to lean on emergency JobKeeper funding as the code braces for a three-month survival period.

NEWS: The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have announced Newcastle Falcons will be promoted from the Greene King IPA Championship to the Premiership next season.

NEWS: Scotland Rugby head coach Gregor Townsend has agreed a 25 percent salary deferral and Wales boss Wayne Pivac will cut his wages by the same figure in response to the financial woes caused by the coronavirus.

WATCH as we bring you a collection of the most dramatic last-minute winning moments.

WATCH as one-time Springbok Siyabonga Ntubeni takes readers through his home while he is in lockdown.

NEWS: A French-based agent has laid bare the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sport in France.

WATCH as the Southern Kings embarrassed the Waratahs in Sydney in 2017.

It is sometimes the injured rugby player's journey - from rugby ground to hospital.

A SHORT STORY: John Gardener entertains the readers with a tale of fiction (or is there some truth in it) about referee's additional time.

RUGBY FROM THE BUNKERS: Former two-time Junior World Cup-winning coach Eugene Eloff has dusted off his laptop and produced a lollapalooza for @rugby365com's readers.

NEWS: Three-quarters of Rugby Australia's (RA) staff will be stood down for the next three months.

REACTION: Several of South Africa's leading players have a tough decision to make: Choose between the 15-a-side and Sevens codes.

SPOTLIGHT: The coronavirus continues to cause havoc as three more Springboks legends of the 1981 squad reportedly tested positive.

REACTION: The Australian rugby landscape could change dramatically in the next year, including the culling of another franchise.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wasps forward Thibaud Flament's unorthodox path to professional rugby reflects his experience during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

NEWS: USA Rugby officially filed for bankruptcy as the federation’s financial implications have worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.

SURVIVAL MODE: Wage cuts will be on the agenda when Rugby Australia meets its players' association on Tuesday, with fears that the game is in a financial black hole.

WATCH as the Cheetahs and the Hurricanes produced a spectacle of running rugby in Bloemfontein in 2011.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former England loose forward James Haskell has heavily criticised rugby’s ‘diabolical’ and out of date coverage in a four-minute online rant.

NEWS: Rugby Australia's alarming financial state heading into the coronavirus shutdown was revealed Monday.

BRAINTEASER: Take on @rugby365com‘s oracle Paul Dobson in this challenging quiz!

SPOTLIGHT: Known as a destroyer of defences and knocking people down with his determined tackling, but since the COVID-19 pandemic Werner Kok had to change his ways quite a bit.

REACTION: It is not what any employee ever wants to hear, but New Zealand's top players know it is coming.

NEWS: England loosehead Joe Marler is understood to have become disillusioned with rugby after receiving a 10-week ban for grabbing Wales captain Alun-Wyn Jones by the genitals.

PREMIERSHIP UPDATE: Salary cuts are a reality, but reports of potential player strikes have been dismissed as 'fake news'.

NEWS: NEWS: It appears imminent that the July tests are set to be cancelled as rugby calendar continues to be disrupted. 

WATCH as the Stormers host the Highlanders in the 1999 Super Rugby semifinal at Newlands.

INTERNATIONALS: COVID-19 has plunged Tier One nations into a financial crises which the Pacific Islands nations deal with every year, says Pacific Rugby Players Welfare chief executive officer Dan Leo.

NEWS: A fortunate encounter helped Springboks No.8 Duane Vermeulen return to South Africa.

OPINION: Leezil Hendricks takes a look at the impact of COVID-19 on the Six Nations tournament.

WATCH as we bring you a collection of the worst mistakes by players and match officials in the game.

BRAINTEASER: Take on @rugby365com's oracle Paul Dobson in this challenging quiz!

SPOTLIGHT: Tom Vinicombe looks at the unexpected alternative for the Wallabies' No.10 jersey.

NEWS: Rugby Australia is set to discuss large player wage cuts and staff layoffs at an Annual General Meeting on Monday.

WATCH as the new Director of Rugby at the Blue Bulls Company Jake White reveals how he plans to take the Pretoria-based franchise from also-rans to genuine contenders.

COVID-19: All Black coach Ian Foster has confirmed he will be taking a pay cut, and that players will follow suit, as New Zealand Rugby looks to limit its costs.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby’s Heartland Championship has been axed for the 2020 season.

NEWS: The coronavirus is continuing to claim high-profile casualties.

WATCH as we bring the first win by the most successful team in Super Rugby history - the Crusaders.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It is no secret that South African rugby industry are not only facing salary cuts but also faces unemployment due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. 

WATCH as World Cup-winning captain Siyamthanda speaks about how he deals with being in lockdown for COVID-19.

VIDEO: Rugby loves its villains and Owen Farrell is no exception.

INTERVIEW: George Kruis hopes to see medicinal cannabis introduced as an alternative to painkillers to help players cope with the wear and tear caused by the modern game.

BRAINTEASER: Take on @rugby365com‘s oracle Paul Dobson in this challenging quiz!

WATCH as we bring the first Final of Super Rugby's professional era - the Auckland Blues hosting the Natal Sharks at Eden Park.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: British and Irish Lions Test series winner Alex Corbisiero has revealed a recent battle with testicular cancer.

TRANSFER NEWS: Kurtley Beale will be heading north to Europe.

COVID-19: The Lions players and staff will receive their salaries for March, but future 'cost-cutting' has not been ruled out.

BRAINTEASER: Take on @rugby365com‘s oracle Paul Dobson in this challenging quiz!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: At least one prop jokingly admits he's going a bit crazy missing his regular scrummaging sessions.

WATCH as we bring you the first-ever Super Rugby Final.

NEWS: England coach Eddie Jones will be asked to emulate the Rugby Football Union’s executive team by taking a pay cut in excess of 25 percent.

NEWS: Bath have become the latest Premiership club to announce 25 percent pay cuts for players and staff.

NEWS: The new Bulls Director of Rugby is keen to play his part in keeping South Africa No.1 in the world.

COVID-19: Veteran Welsh centre Jamie Roberts has had a dramatic change of heart and left South Africa on a late night flight on Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Cheika has opened up about his turbulent tenure as Wallabies head coach.

NEWS: Italian rugby chiefs announced Friday that they were definitely scrapping the 2019-2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stade Francais may be the bottom side in the suspended Top 14 league, but they are top of the charts in France when it comes to their generosity.

SPOTLIGHT: From perfecting pizza dough to fermenting tea.

REACTION: England's Rugby Football Union admitted the financial implications of the COVID-19-enforced cancellations will be huge.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar has found a silver lining amid all the chaos brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TOP BILLING: Take on @rugby365com's oracle Paul Dobson in this new quiz!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Billy Vunipola is staying at Saracens and the No.8 is preparing for playing in the Championship.

VIDEO: In 2007 we probably saw the most dramatic ending to a Super Rugby Final.

READERS' FORUM: The @rugby365com team came up with a novel idea of a 'fantasy' tournament to entertain the readers - a Tri-Nations series.

WATCH as @rugby365com editor Jan de Koning sits down with Stormers coach John Dobson for an evocative interview.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones is to join other top officials at Twickenham in taking a pay cut of more than 25 percent for up to three months.

In the beginning there were no points in the game as played at Rugby School. The goal counted. The aim (goal) was to get the ball over the crossbar. That ended the game. Grounding the ball over the opponents' line gave you the opportunity to attempt (try) to improve (convert) the effort into a goal. The try did not count. The goal did. And, of course, a goal could be scored from the field of play.

FEATURE: This year it's the coronavirus that has prevented the completion of the International Championship that this year is called the Six Nations. In fact, the very first one was not completed, not that there was a pandemic that year.

OPINION: Acclaimed @rugby365com writer Paul Dobson takes a look at an ugly, soccer type, attitude that is creeping into Rugby Union.

NEWS: World Rugby has relentlessly been conducting plans to salvage the under threat July Internationals, Rugby Championship and the Six Nations amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. 

After the article on the creation and development of referees, a query arrived about what happened when the score seemed to be change in a Varsity Cup match. We have a look at it.

TRANSFER NEWS: Springbok and Stormers scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies has signed a two-year contract extension with Western Province Rugby.

NEWS: Several Springboks are stranded in Japan after an international airline cancelled all flights to South Africa.

NEWS: Former Springboks head coach Jake White move to the Bulls appears imminent - now more than ever.

#WATCH as several Springboks stars shared what they have been up to during self-isolation.

REACTION: SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said that the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games, due to be held in Tokyo later this year, was disappointing news, but that the steps taken were necessary to assist in countering the COVID-19 pandemic.

VIDEO: It's 2004, the Blues were the defending Super 12 champions and the Stormers travelled to Eden Park to destroy them.

NEWS: The BlitzBoks will have to wait another year to contest for the Olympic Sevens title after Tokyo Games officials decided to postpone the event until 2021.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls have had an interesting array of jerseys in the last few years.

NEWS: All Blacks hooker Dane Coles is prepared to take a pay cut to help New Zealand Rugby in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic that has prematurely ended the Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Martyn Phillips has agreed to stay on at the helm of Welsh rugby for the foreseeable future, despite previously announcing his intention to step down.

WATCH as Ben John, coach at Manor London, show youngsters ways to improve their skills and stay on top of their fitness.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Veteran Welsh centre Jamie Roberts suspect he may already have played his last game in South Africa.

VIDEO: In the first installment of our Match of the Day series we go back to 2007 when the Bulls destroyed the Reds at Loftus Versfeld.

OPINION: Love him or hate him, Jake White is good at what he does.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With Super Rugby in limbo, evaluating a player’s form has become a very daunting task for international coaches – especially Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.

NEWS: Plans by Australian and New Zealand franchises to stage domestic competitions were put on hold Monday and the international season is also in doubt.

WATCH as we bring you the Springboks Top 10 tries in 2019.

NEWS: Former Scotland international Rory Lawson has issued a warning targeted at younger people as he battles coronavirus in quarantine.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Mathieu Bastareaud may have played his last game of Major League Rugby (MLR) following the cancellation of the American competition due to the spread of the coronavirus.

NEWS: European rugby officials have bowed to the inevitable.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Italian international Maxime Mbanda has leapt from the back row on the rugby pitch to the front line in the fight against the coronavirus.

FEATURE: Acclaimed @rugby365com writer Paul Dobson takes us back in time to where 'refereeing' was first introduced to the game.

NEWS: England international Harry Williams has agreed terms on a new long-term deal with Gallagher Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs.

SPOTLIGHT: England Rugby Players' Association  (RPA) boss Damian Hopley revealed there are no threats of a players strike, as English rugby struggles to cope with the financial ramifications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEWS: Another club takes action during this coronavirus pandemic.

NEWS: Australia has pulled out of this year's Tokyo Olympics amid the coronavirus pandemic.

UPDATE: The Bulls and Lions received some good news as both teams tested negative for the COVID-19 coronavirus.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers and Wales centre Jamie Roberts is doing his bit in the ongoing battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

NEWS: Ulster fullback Louis Ludik plans to stay in Ireland where he wants to settle with his family after his rugby career is over.

IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR: While #COVID-19 has put the sport in an unexpected hiatus, we decided the lull is a good time to revisit our pre-season predictions.

OPINION: Not long ago Curwin Bosch was the "forgotten flyhalf of South African Rugby". Warren Fortune shines the spotlight on the No.10 race.

NEWS: The Japan Rugby Top League has decided to cancel their season as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, meaning they will have no final standings for the season.

VIDEO: With all the doom and gloom we've experienced the last few weeks, watch as we try to bring you something to smile or maybe laugh about.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com’s  Law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at another contentious incident during the Hurricanes win over the Chiefs on Friday.

OPINION: Tom Vinicombe takes a look at which players could make the cut when new All Black coach Ian Foster names his first squad of the year.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus gives some more insights into his 'coaching motto'.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England centre Manu Tuilagi should ‘never be let on a rugby field again’ following his latest red card offence.

The game started as a catch-as-catch-can, every-man-for-himself affair. Gradually it became more structured and settled into positions. This was an important facet of the game as it became a game for all shapes and sizes and for all sorts of skills.

SPOTLIGHT: Nigel Owens had revealed details of conversations he has had with Owen Farrell’s about the England skipper’s controversial tackle technique.

OPINION: Momentum is everything in Super Rugby and the Sharks just lost it.

NEWS: World Rugby has postponed the men's World Sevens Series tournaments in London and Paris until September due to the coronavirus.

#COVID-19: The first batch of players have agreed to a pay cut in the face of the Coronavirus outbreak.

NEWS: Rugby Football Union CEO Bill Sweeney has confirmed the end of the 2019/20 season for all league, cup and county rugby in England.

NEWS: New developments regarding a makeshift New Zealand-only Super Rugby competition have been unveiled.

OPINION: This will be the last weekly selection by @rugby365com for a while.

NEWS: The suspension of the 2019/20 season of Pro14 is now on an indefinite basis due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

INJURY UPDATE: Worcester Warriors lock Michael Fatialofa is back walking unaided just weeks after he suffered a serious spine injury in what his wife described on Saturday as a "miracle".

OPINION: Another round of Super Rugby has come and gone and it's time for @rugby365com's famous Team of the Week.

#COVID-19: The Irish Rugby Football Union has become the latest organisation in Europe to implement pay cuts.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls have paid a dear price for their one-match tour to Australia.

COVID-19: New Zealand Rugby's plan to stage derbies involving their Super Rugby franchises is set to be canned.

INTERVIEW: The flow of Australian, New Zealand and South African players to Japan is nothing new to the game of rugby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Western Force are set to make one of the most improbable comebacks to top-flight rugby the code has ever seen following the formation of a five-day domestic competition next month.

NEWS: Major League Rugby announced Thursday that it will cancel the remainder of the 2020 campaign due to the coronavirus outbreak.

NEWS: Numerous Premiership clubs asked players to consider drastic pay cuts to enable them to survive the COVID-19 suspension.

NEWS: World Rugby has announced further action in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk has come up with an interesting selection for the Springboks' No.8 role.

SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson looks at yet another bizarre incident where the wind takes over and the ball doesn't go where the player wanted it.

#COVID-19: The Welsh Rugby Union says it expects to make a substantial financial loss this year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster is not allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to scupper his plans of getting New Zealand back to the top in world rugby.

NEWS: Leicester Tigers have failed to get their man.

NEWS: Australian Super Rugby players insisted it's "business as usual" as they resumed training despite a coronavirus shutdown that has left the competition facing an uncertain future.

SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson looks at a weird incident which saw the wind blow the ball back over the player's head.

SPOTLIGHT: World Cup-winning Springbok Francois Louw believes rugby will increasingly become a younger man’s game due to the ferocity of its collisions.

#COVID-19: As SANZAAR and the rest continue to scramble for ideas it seems like the introduction of a 'locally-based derby competition' is the best option.

#COVID-19: While officials scramble to find solutions, the Stormers management has come up with creative ways to keep their players active and 'rugby ready'.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: French officials haven’t given up hope yet that Marseille can still host this season’s Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals despite the coronavirus outbreak.

It is a wonderful book for those interested in schools, their histories, their people and their contribution to South African society.

WATCH as we bring a team of truly cringe-worthy thugs - all the baddies in the same team.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England back Mike Brown has heavily criticised Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones' reaction after Joe Marler's testicle grab.

NEWS: World Rugby are poised to formally announce the cancellation of this year’s Under-20 Championship due to the coronavirus outbreak.

NEWS: Leicester Tigers are no longer up for sale after the club pulled the plug on the process due to a lack of offers.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson fears that the Super Rugby suspension could lead to major job losses.

INJURY UPDATE: World Rugby player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit was at risk of losing his leg after a seemingly innocuous knock against the Blues a fortnight ago.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward has called on rugby administrators to draw a line under the 2019/20 season and start planning immediately for 2020/21 instead.

WATCH as a player gets smashed after too much showboating at the Border School Rugby Day over the weekend.

One of the best rugby pictures ever had John Solomon as its central figure. He is being carried off Newlands by two Springbok forwards, Chris Koch and Ernst Dinkelmann, after his Wallabies had beaten the Springboks on the famous ground. It was the first time that the Springboks had lost a Test match since 1938.

These are bad times for sport, big and small. In South Africa, tournaments are being cancelled because of the coronavirus in the wake of the wake of the President's declaration of a state of disaster.

NEWS: Rugby Australia has confirmed that two of its sevens team members who were tested for coronavirus have returned with negative results.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Super Rugby is exploring domestic derbies as a way of resuming competition after its coronavirus suspension.

NEWS: While others fear salary cuts and job losses, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle is confident the organisation will survive the financial strains despite asking for a government bailout. 

#COVID-19: Super Rugby has confronted numerous problems during its 25 years, but experts warn the coronavirus pandemic may prove a knockout blow for the Southern Hemisphere's premier franchise competition.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Eben Etzebeth opens up about life in the French Riviera.

OPINION: Covid-19 could be the re-making of rugby in New Zealand. Hamish Bidwell looks at the real issues facing the game!

WATCH as we bring some of this season's best Super Rugby matches after seven Rounds.

INJURY UPDATE: Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa broke his arm in the 47-14 win over Waratahs at the weekend, the club said, but with Super Rugby suspended indefinitely it is unclear how many matches the Wallabies prop might miss, if any.

NEWS: The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has suspended all rugby activity in England.

NEWS: The European Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup have become the latest top rugby tournaments to be postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.

NEWS: South African Rugby has announced a raft of measures in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Mostly, when school meets school, there is more than just the 1st XV that plays. It is our devout wish that we record all the matches played right down to Under-14F.

SPOTLIGHT: A series of crucial meetings in the next few days may give a clearer picture of the full impact of the #COVID-19 cancellations.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  @rugby365com's  Law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at a contentious incident during the Hurricanes win over the Chiefs on Friday.  

If the plans go ahead, Newlands will close down as a field of dreams at the end of this season and today's schoolboys will be the last schoolboys to play at the great ground, a home to many generations of rugby men.

SUPER RUGBY UPDATE: The Lions have become the second South African franchise to go into self-isolation after returning from New Zealand.

TRANSFER TALK: This might be the last season that the Tongan-born brothers Billy and Mako Vunipola are seen playing in England.

#COVID-19: New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association boss Rob Nichol hasn’t eliminated the prospect of pay cuts.

OPINION: New Zealand Rugby’s announcement of the All Black XV on Monday brought with it plenty of intrigue nationwide. Alex McLeod plays selector and reveals what the team could look like!

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Brumbies are open to a Super Rugby draw shuffle that would see them complete Australian conference matches.

OPINION: Former England flyhalf Andy Goode and current England coach Eddie Jones are never short of an opinion.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland boss Gregor Townsend admits their June Test trip to South Africa could come under threat from the coronavirus.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: Pro14 Rugby has given their reason for not playing matches behind closed doors.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SANZAAR Chief Executive Andy Marinos has revealed that Super Rugby's failure to resume in five weeks could have dire consequences for the 2020 season.

Kearsney hosted Clifton College in Botha’s Hill on a hot summer’s afternoon. The visitors were deemed the underdogs, but full credit to them for their determined efforts.

St Andrew’s College 1st XV met Framesby on Saturday. It was never going to be an easy game to call, and so it proved on Saturday as the College 1st XV got their season under way with a tight 15-12 win against a motivated and solid Framesby team at the Graeme College Rugby Day.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A couple of Super Rugby coaches have offered various alternatives and solutions following the suspension of the tournament.

NEWS: The Bulls will be the first South African franchise to undergo self-isolation after returning from Australia.

REACTION: From the kick-off, it seemed like the Sharks were in a far better state than their opponents the Stormers.

MATCH REPORT: The Brumbies raged to a 47-14 Super Rugby victory over NSW Waratahs in the Canberra derby on Sunday.

WATCH as we compare South African superstar Cheslin Kolbe and Australian counterpart Kalyn Ponga - both incredibly athletic players!

WATCH as we bring you 15 of the most unusual and bizarre moments in the game.

SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson gets stuck into some refereeing decision which not have been to everybody's liking.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Super Rugby bosses admit it would be "premature" to talk about alternative fixtures after the season was suspended due to the coronavirus, however, they had already begun work to find a solution.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Stormers flank Johan Du Toit finds himself in heaps of trouble following his moment of madness against the Sharks on Saturday.

Graeme College produced a rousing finish to the 22nd Graeme Rugby Day when they recorded a thrilling 21-18 victory over Marlow Agricultural in Grahamstown on Saturday, 14 March 2020.

It is devoutly to be wished that schools rugby in South Africa is not to become a victim of the coronavirus, as is happening to so much rugby around the world.

NEWS: The worldwide COVID-19 outbreak has now resulted in a decision to suspend the Global Rapid Rugby season amid concerns that the virus could spread among players.

REACTION: The Sharks and Stormers players have spoken out about the decision to suspend Super Rugby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Union's English Premiership is set to be suspended on Monday due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to British media reports.

REACTION: He'd love to see Super Rugby return in 2020, but Reds coach Brad Thorn admits sport is not a priority amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Members of the Australian Sevens program are to be tested for COVID-19 after showing coronavirus symptoms.

BREAKING NEWS: The infamous COVID-19 virus has claimed another sport.

The Highlanders will be self-isolated in New Zealand after their Super Rugby match in Argentina was aborted because of the coronavirus threat.

#CORONAVIRUS: The first season of Global Rapid Rugby isn't expected to last more than one day as the coronavirus continues to cause havoc in world sport.

MATCH REPORT: The Crusaders have overcome a resolute Sunwolves in Saturday's relocated Super Rugby match in Brisbane.

REACTION: Chiefs boss Warren Gatland has called into question two calls made by referee Jaco Peyper which impacted his side’s 24-27 injury-time defeat to the Hurricanes in Hamilton on Friday.

BREAKING NEWS: Wales' Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday has been postponed.

NEWS: SANZAAR has decided to call off one of the only two remaining Super Rugby matches to be played.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks may have finished the season as the competition's top team, as doubt remains over the future of the tournament.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Seven encounter between the Sharks and Stormers at Kings Park.

MATCH REPORT: The Reds produced an impeccable second-half to beat the Bulls 41-17 in Brisbane on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Seven encounter between the Reds and Bulls in Brisbane.

NEWS: George North slammed the social media trolls who aim online abuse at Wales rugby union players.

NEWS: The Super Rugby season was in serious doubt Saturday after New Zealand ordered everyone entering the country to self-isolate for 14 days in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.

NEWS: The French Top 14 rugby championship has been suspended due to coronavirus worries, the National Rugby League (LNR) said on Friday.

MATCH REPORT:  The Blues showed what a threat they can be as they recorded a comfortable 43-10 win over a hapless Lions side in Auckland on Saturday.

NEWS: Another World Cup-winning Springbok has decided to pack away his boots and walk off into the sunset.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has recalled James Slipper, Joe Powell and Andy Muirhead to the starting side for Sunday’s clash with fierce rivals the NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium.

BREAKING NEWS: SA Rugby announced the cancellation of international events featuring the Junior Springboks on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs boss Rob Penney has welcomed back three key players to his side ahead of a must-win Australian derby clash against the Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday.

TEAM UPDATE: Waratahs were forced to make two late changes to their squad to face the Brumbies on Sunday.

NEWS: Fans will be locked out of all Super Rugby games in Australia following this weekend's fixtures.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There will be no love lost between the Sharks and Stormers when they take to the field on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Seven encounter between the Blues and Lions in Auckland.

NEWS: SANZAAR has taken the unprecedented step of playing a game behind closed doors, as a response to the ever-growing threat of the coronavirus.

NEWS: World Rugby has taken the decision to postpone the women's Sevens Challenger Series tournament that was due to be played in Stellenbosch on March 28 and 29.

REACTION: Maverick England prop Joe Marler has gone into hiding on social media.

There will be 38 teams playing enterprising rugby at Paarl Gim on Saturday, 21 March 2020.

PREVIEW: The scheduled 'Super Saturday' finale of the 2020 Six Nations Championship will now see just the match between Wales and Scotland going ahead after the coronavirus pandemic ripped up sporting schedules around the world.

All three of Rugby Europe's International Championship matches have been postponed.

NEWS: The RFU have released a statement in the aftermath of Eddie Jones’ comments regarding the referee following the Six Nations match between England and Wales last weekend.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Six Nations has delivered its verdict on the disciplinary hearings of three England players - Manu Tuilagi, Courtney Lawes and Joe Marler.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Jordie Barrett kicked a penalty five minutes into injury time to secure the Hurricanes a 27-24 win in a brutal arm-wrestle in Hamilton on Friday.

The corona virus is disrupting Six Nations Rugby with seven postponed matches out of nine in this last round. This includes decisive matches, amongst them deciding who will be the winner of the senior men's competition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Whether at fullback, wing or evens flyhalf having Cheslin Kolbe in your side it's an absolute dream.

PREVIEW: If you mention teams like the Bulls, Lions, Highlanders and Waratahs you wouldn't normally associate them with exiguous performances.

WATCH as Leon MacDonald joins The Breakdown panel to give an inside look at the Blues camp in 2020.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ash Dixon will lead the Highlanders team to face the Jaguares on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers have made several changes for their coastal Super Rugby clash against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed that Saturday's Six Nations clash with Scotland in Cardiff will go ahead as planned.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt named an unchanged from last week as they prepare for Saturday’s Super Rugby showdown with the Stormers at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Seven encounter between the Chiefs and Hurricanes in Hamilton.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Gregor Townsend named three changes to the starting Scotland team for this Saturday’s Six Nations finale against Wales in Cardiff.

NEWS: The current PRO14 season has been suspended in response to the evolving Coronavirus outbreak.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England scrumhalf Danny Care believes Alun Wyn Jones’ post-match protest at having his testicles grabbed by Joe Marler was motivated by Wales losing at Twickenham.

The main match at the two-day rugby festival in Porterville on the Western Cape's Weskus is between Paarl Boys' High and Hoërskool Monument of Krugersdorp - Boishaai vs Monnas, two of South Africa's top rugby schools.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face the Blues in Auckland on Saturday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: France prop Mohamed Haouas has learnt his fate, following the costly punch in the team's Six Nations loss to Scotland.

Wales Under-20 host Scotland Under-20, and that is the only Six Nations Under-20 match that will be played on this, the final weekend of Under-20 Six Nations.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions team of 2020 is a pale shadow to the sides that reached three consecutive finals in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

ROUND SEVEN: The Chiefs, buoyed by their second-half shut-out of the Waratahs last week, will look to put their stake down in one of two crucial conference matches at the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sale Sharks coach Steve Diamond mounted a staunch defence to those who critic the club's strong South African contingent.

All three of the weekend's matches in the Women's Six Nations have been postponed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will equal the world record for Test appearances in Cardiff on Saturday.

OPINION: Having a player's eligibility captured will be a big talking point going forward after the unveiling of the new All Blacks XV.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blues head coach Leon MacDonald has named his team to face the Lions in their Super Rugby Round Seven encounter in Auckland.

A disciplinary process has ruled that Connacht's Peter Robb is free to play following the red card he received against Southern Kings in Round 13 of the PRO14.

Warriors have decided to use to the Premiership match against Harlequins as a day of fundraising for Michael Fatialofa after the lock suffered serious neck injuries against Saracens earlier this year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made six changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Bulls at Suncorp Stadium.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks are confident they can expose the Stormers' weaknesses in their Round Seven showdown at Kings Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have revealed their team to face the Crusaders in Brisbane on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has made a number of changes to his team to face the Sunwolves in Brisbane on Saturday.

OPINION: Despite the game between Ireland and Italy being called off, the fourth round of the Six Nations still offered up a veritable feast of international rugby in its two surviving fixtures.

Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux opted for continuity in selection when naming the SA Rugby Academy squad on Wednesday, with 27 of the 45 players having featured in the SA Under-19 team last season, while 37 of them attended the SA Rugby alignment camps last month.

NEWS: Veteran prop James Slipper has signed a new two-year extension with Rugby Australia and the Brumbies, to remain in the nation’s capital until at least the end of 2022.

NO REGRETS: Stormers coach John Dobson admitted he will have conflicting emotions at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: Cardiff Blues fullback Rhun Williams has been forced to retire after failing to recover from the neck injury sustained against Zebre two years ago.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls head coach Pote Human has revealed his team to face the Reds in their Super Rugby Round Seven encounter in Brisbane on Saturday.

NEWS: Rugby Australia has issued a statement following the news that a Super Rugby spectator at last weekend's Melbourne Rebels game tested positive for coronavirus.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: There is a lot more riding on Saturday's Kings Park showdown between the Sharks and Stormers than a mere four league points.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Lions, currently on an Australasian Super Rugby tour, have lost the services of yet another senior player.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee accepted a guilty plea from Jaguares hooker Santiago Socino.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has only made two changes to his starting XV to take to the field for Friday’s New Zealand derby against the Hurricanes.

SIX NATIONS ANALYSIS: We look at three points to take away from a rejuvenated France, who, after a decade of disappointing results, beat England, Italy and Wales before losing in Scotland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dane Coles has been named in the Hurricanes’ starting line-up for the first time this year, as the team gets set to take on the Chiefs in Hamilton.

NEWS: All Round 14 and 15 Pro14 fixtures involving Benetton and Zebre have now been postponed due to restrictions enforced by the Italian government that will prevent the teams from travelling.

OPINION: Scotland may have been assisted by a moment of madness from the French, but they will celebrate a rare win over Les Bleus.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Cheslin Kolbe shares a message with the Stormers ahead of their Super Rugby crunch match with the Sharks.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Reds are set to get a key player back for their clash against the Bulls in Brisbane.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Not even a record-breaking loss to the Chiefs can break the Waratahs' spirit.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: All Black flyhalf Beauden Barrett has the perfect match in mind to make his debut for the Blues this season.

SIX NATIONS NEWS: Les Bleus team manager Raphael Ibanez confirmed that prop Mohamed Haouas will go in front of a disciplinary panel in London on Wednesday.

NEWS: France team manager Raphael Ibanez has asked the Six Nations to look into Scotland's Nick Haining allegedly gouging Mohamed Haouas in the weekend's loss at Murrayfield.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Joe Marler has been cited after grabbing Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones by the genitals in England's 33-30 Six Nations win at Twickenham, tournament organisers said on Monday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Pote Human named his touring for their four-week tour of Australasia.

The annual Barthés Trophy tournament for Under-20 teams has been postponed because of fears for problems caused by the corona virus

OPINION: France’s Six Nations Grand Slam bid ground to a halt on Sunday, as they fell to a 28-17 loss to a fired-up Scottish side at Murrayfield.

OPINION: The conclusion of the 2020 Six Nations tournament might currently be uncertain but the importance of an England versus Wales fixture is never in doubt

OPINION: England wrapped up their Six Nations spring campaign with a 33-30 win over Wales at Twickenham.

WATCH as Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton unpack all things Joe Marler, after some questionable behaviour in England's powerful display against Wales.

NEWS: European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have issued a statement ahead of April’s Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-finals, as sporting fixtures across Europe continue to be affected by the spread of the coronavirus.

NEWS: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will lead a delegation of World Cup 2019 squad the Eastern Cape on Wednesday and Thursday as the second instalment of Trophy Visits across South Africa kicks off this week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France's home Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday has been postponed due to the coronavirus, according to multiple sources on Monday.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Sharks’ winning streak has set the perfect platform for an enticing coastal derby against the Stormers this weekend.

NEWS: The Japan Rugby Football Union said Monday it would scrap three rounds of matches after a player was arrested on suspicion of using drugs, insisting the cancellations had nothing to do with coronavirus.

NEWS: World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White has an important meeting in Pretoria on Monday.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Lock Paul Willemse said France were "still in the mix" for the Six Nations title despite Sunday's 17-28 loss at Scotland ending their hopes of a first Grand Slam since 2010.

DAY TWO WRAP: New Zealand beat Australia 17-14 to win the Vancouver Sevens Sunday and solidify their lead in the World Rugby Sevens Series.

NEWS: Centre Anton Lienert-Brown has signed a contract extension keeping him with the All Blacks until the 2023 World Cup, New Zealand Rugby announced Monday.

Schools rugby is still well under way, though there are many who believe it is still summer, a season in which cricket is played. Many prefer to use all of the winter for rugby.

It's early march but already schools are playing rugby. This match between Kearsney College of Botha's Hill outside Durban and Northwood High of Durban North was played at beautiful Kearsney.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Santiago Socino of the Jaguares has been cited for foul play during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

REACTION: The Stormers will regather on Monday, after their weekend bye, to the headlines that there is a staff strike looming at their headquarters.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced that a new high performance team will assemble this year and undertake a mini tour of Northern Hemisphere venues.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: One-time All Black Tyrel Lomax has pleaded guilty to a foul play charge.

INJURY UPDATE: The idiom suggests you 'add insult to injury'. For the Lions it is the antipodean.

REACTION: Shock and horror. Those were the overriding emotions in the wake of Scotland's 28-17 Six Nations win over France on Sunday.

SIX NATIONS MATCH REPORT: A red card to prop Mohamed Haouas late in the first half played a massive role in Scotland's 28-17 upset win over France in Edinburgh on Sunday.

REACTION: Fedup Waratahs fans have taken to social media to voice their displeasure in the 51-14 thumping at the hands of the Chiefs - suggesting Israel Folau should return.

REACTION: Alun Wyn Jones said he hopes World Rugby will act against England prop Joe Marler.

SPOTLIGHT: Brumbies loosehead prop James Slipper has played at three World Cups but believes his best rugby is ahead him.

In the second last round of Rugby Europe's International Championship, sometimes nicknamed the Six Nations B, Georgia look set fair for taking the title again.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones slammed referee Ben O'Keeffe for the "bizarre" sending off Manu Tuilagi late in a 33-30 win over Wales in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday that clinched the Triple Crown.

REACTION: Two former internationals - Gareth Thomas and Andy Goode - went toe-to-toe in a social media spat over England prop Marler disgusting act to grab a fellow player's testicles.

DAY ONE WRAP: Hosts Canada raised the roof of BC Place in Vancouver - Round Six of the Sevens World Series.

England were second on the log, Wales bottom. England were playing at home, Wales away. England score four tries to two. But England did not have the boot of Sam Costeloe and Wales won. It was the shock of the tournament this season.

OPINION: Respected rugby wizard Alan Zondagh has made some more thoughtful suggestions of changes to the Laws of Rugby Football.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Being a professional athlete is a challenging journey and can be lonely.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Bulls recorded their first win of the season when they smashed the Highlanders 38-13 in Pretoria on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: A Luke Morahan first-half double ensured Bristol Bears claimed their fifth Premiership win on the bounce with a 28-15 triumph over Harlequins at Ashton Gate.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Six Nations Round Four encounter between Scotland and France at Murrayfield.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Four tries in a clinical first-half display helped in-form Wasps see off Gloucester 39-22 at the Ricoh Arena.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks climbed to the top of the overall Super Rugby standings when they beat the Jaguares 33-19 in Durban on Saturday.

WATCH as Jaguares replacement hooker Santiago Socino delivers a vicious stamp on the head of Sharks counterpart in their Super Rugby encounter in Durban at the weekend.

WATCH as we bring you all them highlights from the main matches of the past weekend!

SIX NATIONS REPORT: England beat Wales 33-30 at Twickenham on Saturday to win the Triple Crown and keep alive their Six Nations title hopes in a match that ended with them down to 13 men.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs continue to lead the way at the top of the Premiership table after a rampant display at Sandy Park which saw them run in eight tries against Bath for a 57-20 win.

NEWS: Former Wales centre Matthew J Watkins has died at the age of 41 from cancer, it was announced on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Alex Lewington helped himself to a double against his former club as Saracens overcame Leicester Tigers 24-13 at Allianz Park.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Rebels recorded their first-ever win over the Lions in their Round Six outing in Melbourne on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Hurricanes were made to pay dearly for their lack of discipline, as the Blues won a scrappy all-New Zealand derby 24-15 in Wellington on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FOUR: France coach Fabien Galthie says his side are "on alert" against complacency as they travel to Scotland on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Crusaders could be without star fullback David Havili for some time.

The only match in the 2020 Women's Six Nations that was played was the one at The Stoop between England and Wales and that was a one-sided affair.

REACTION: Waratahs coach Rob Penney slammed his players after an abysmal second-half performance against the Chiefs on Friday which saw them lose 14-51.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Six Nations Round Four encounter between England and Wales at Twickenham.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Six encounter between the Bulls and Highlanders at Loftus Versfeld.

MATCH REPORT: Springbok Lood de Jager’s Premiership debut ended in delight as Sale Sharks maRched to a conformable 39-0 win over London Irish.

PRO14 REPORT: An outstanding Benetton Rugby performance at Rodney Parade kept their Finals Series hopes alive as they secure a 37-25  bonus-point win over Dragons.

MATCH REPORT: Northampton Saints put an end to their four-game losing streak in Premiership Rugby with a hard-fought 16-10 victory over Worcester Warriors at Sixways Stadium.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Six encounter between the Sharks and Jaguares in Durban.

NEWS: Former French coach Philippe Saint-Andre was named as director of rugby at Top 14 side Montpellier. 

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: They have only one win to show for their efforts so far this season and the early part of this year appears to have been a step backwards from where they were at the end of 2019.

TRANSFER TALK: The Waratahs are set for a major blow as reports emerge that that veteran utility back Kurtley Beale is close to signing a deal in France.

On the weekend of Friday 13 and Saturday 14 March 2020, the Porterville Bull Festival will take place with lots of exciting schoolboy rugby.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Six encounter between the Rebels and Lions in Melbourne.

In the 25th edition of the Women's Six Nations, England, the title-holders, look set fair for their 16th championship victory with a Grand Slam a distinct possibility.

WORLD SERIES ROUND SIX: New Zealand and South Africa will continue their ding-dong battle at the top of the standings at BC Place stadium on Saturday and Sunday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Nick Tompkins is preparing himself for a "surreal" experience when he takes the field for Wales international at Twickenham on Saturday having once been an England Under-20 international.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Six encounter between the Hurricanes and Blues in Wellington.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs turned a half-time deficit into a comprehensive bonus-point win over the Waratahs in Wollongong on Friday.

WATCH as a group of 'overzealous' Bulls fans get into a sideline ruck(us) - with some humorous commentary.

OPINION: Alan Zondgh is a great thinker on the great game and he is concerned about the game and its future.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FOUR: Manu Tuilagi will hope to get England off to another speedy start when they face Wales in the Six Nations Championship at Twickenham on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders moved to joint first on the standings after a hard-earned 24-20 win over the Reds in Christchurch on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has made three changes to his team for Sunday's Six Nations Test against France in Edinburgh.

In the second last round of Rugby Europe's International Championship, sometimes nicknamed the Six Nations B, Georgia look fair to taking the title again.

TRANSFER NEWS: Gloucester has revealed the replacement they have signed for the now departed Springbok loose forward Jaco Kriel.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With just ten points separating second and ninth in the Premiership Rugby table, the Round 13 fixtures promise to throw up more twists and turns.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wing Damian Penaud will return from injury to replace Teddy Thomas for France's Six Nations visit to Scotland this weekend, head coach Fabien Galthie announced on Friday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones has some interesting views ahead of his team's encounter with their United Kingdom neighbours.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby is poised to remove the rule that allows a player to score a try by bringing the ball into contact with the foam pad surrounding the base of the posts.

Ireland, already assured of wearing the Triple Crown, are beat placed to win this year's Under-20 Six Nations and are the only country which can win the Grand Slam.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Six encounter between the Waratahs and Chiefs in Wollongong.

TRANSFER NEWS: The signing of South African schoolboy players has gone into overdrive.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies moved to the top of the Super Rugby standings, at least for a few hours.

NEWS: The deadly Coronavirus outbreak appears to have claimed another match.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: George Ford has no problem accepting there are things that are "more critical than us playing in a rugby game" after the coronavirus forced the postponement of England's Six Nations finale away to Italy.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales made four changes to their starting XV to play England at Twickenham on Saturday.

CROWDED AT THE TOP: Two South African teams are sitting pretty at the top of the standings, but by the end of the round they may well have been overtaken by New Zealand franchises.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round Six encounter between the Crusaders and Reds in Christchurch.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones has named his 23-man squad to play Wales in the fourth round of the Six Nations at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: From "dreaming" of playing on sun-drenched fields to feeling like "headless chickens" in exile, Scottish players have enjoyed colourful careers in France.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sibusiso Nkosi is one of a handful of changes to the Sharks team that has been named for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash with the Jaguares in Durban.

Referees get more flak when they are right than when they are wrong. Here we look at  two cases of getting something wrong but still avoiding any criticism.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has made three changes to his starting team for Saturday's Super Rugby Round Six clash against the Melbourne Rebels.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Joe Marler has revealed that England have been encouraged to use the scrum as an attacking weapon by the man who plotted their downfall in last year's World Cup final.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell swopped the roles of Mfundo Ndhlovu and JC Pretorius for this weekend's Canada Sevens.

DOUBLE-HEADER: The Sunwolves fans might feel shortchanged, but the relocation of two of their team's games has left us with an unexpected spin-off.

The Six Nations is great for the rugby played and also for the ceremonies around the matches. These ceremonies include those moments of proud emotion when the anthems are sung.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders have named a very experienced side to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Six Nations with its strong traditions is back in action this week with a round to go and France in line for a Grand Slam/Chelem.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: The 2020 World Schools Festival has been cancelled due to global concerns over the coronavirus.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels have named an unchanged matchday squad to tackle the Lions at AAMI Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues will call on their depth after a short week and long trek from South Africa to take on the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

ROUND 11 CATCH-UP MATCH: With a fortnight’s break until Round 14 of the Championship the silver lining of this week is the rearranged clash between the Dragons and Benetton.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: France continue their quest for a first Grand Slam in a decade this weekend despite concerns the coronavirus could wreck the closing rounds of the 2020 Six Nations Championship.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Exeter Chiefs utility back Ollie Devoto has been slapped with a four-week ban for a high tackle.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The prestigious  South African school Glenwood Preparatory School have issued an apology after fielding overage players to play in their 2018 and 2019 rugby squads.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia Sevens team has been named for round six of the World Sevens Series in Vancouver this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls head coach Pote Human has revealed his team to take on the Highlanders in Pretoria on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions are preparing for a physical onslaught when they face the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday.

NEWS: Japan cancelled the Tokyo Olympics' rugby test event on Wednesday in the latest disruption caused by the new coronavirus.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Union internationals between England and Wales are often passionate and fiercely-contested affairs.

TRANSFER NEWS: English wing Chris Ashton has found a new club following his departure from Sale Sharks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It seems like the Stormers' backline woes have forced them to bring in some world-class expertise in the shape of World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont has praised "hugely encouraging" player welfare results from World Cup 2019.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has made several changes to his starting XV to challenge the Waratahs in Wollongong on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Vince Aso will play his 50th game for the Hurricanes as they get ready to face the Blues in Wellington on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have made wholesale changes to their team to face the Brumbies in Wollongong on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named his team to face the Reds in Christchurch on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has named Ryan Lonergan for his first career start when his side clashes with the Sunwolves in Wollongong on Friday.

WATCH as The Breakdown team delves deep into the recent McKinsey Review and analyse Super Rugby.

NEWS: Saracens confirmed that Mako Vunipola has been training with Premiership club amid Coronavirus fears.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar is "ticking all the boxes" in his bid to be fit for Saturday's Six Nations match with England, according to Sam Warburton.

INJURY UPDATE: Springboks and Stormers flank Pieter-Steph du Toit reportedly underwent a second surgery on Monday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made three changes to their starting XV for Friday’s clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has released seven players from his squad ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Wales.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs will play out of Wollongong for the first time in their history, hosting the Chiefs at WIN Stadium on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland assistant coach Danny Wilson hopes the fact Finn Russell has helped provide some background information about France to Gregor Townsend is a sign that the end of the flyhalf's exile from Test rugby union is now in sight.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland flyhalf Joey Carbery’s injury-hit season is officially over.