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PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Three first-half tries saw Exeter Chiefs move into the top four of the Premiership table after a scrappy 21-3 win away at Sale Sharks.

PRE-MATCH HYPE: England coach Eddie Jones responded to Australia counterpart Michael Cheika's claim he had a "chip on his shoulder" by promising to remain "respectful" ahead of Saturday's clash at Twickenham.

DAY ONE, ROUND THREE WRAP: England put down a big marker on the opening day at the Dubai leg of the Sevens World Series on Friday.

ROUND TWO WRAP: All the big guns advanced unscathed through the second round of the opening leg of the Sevens World Series in Dubai on Friday.

NEWS: The Australian Rugby Union is reportedly considering a rugby league-style "State of Origin" match to help fill a dead zone during the June Test window.

NEWS: Blue Bulls hooker Bandise Maku will no longer be running onto the field as a player but will remain involved with the Union after announcing his retirement from the professional arm of the sport.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For those who think money talks loudest in 21st Century sport, take a look at the French Top 14 rugby table, where little La Rochelle are punching above their weight.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has hit back at comments from Glen Ella that he was still having "nightmares" over England's 3-0 series win by indicating the former Australia international was not a man for tough times.

Round One Wrap: There were plenty of tries in the opening eight matches at the Dubai leg of the World Sevens Series on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The battle to reach the Pro12 final is closing in on the halfway point and already it is impossible to project just who will reach the semi-finals come May.

MIND GAMES: England coach Eddie Jones believes his side are now at their most vulnerable as they go in search of a record-equalling win against his native Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: Gregor Townsend has decided to stick with his upcoming role as Scotland coach rather than join the British and Irish Lions backroom staff in New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones and Australia counterpart Michael Cheika continued their war of words ahead of this weekend's Test at Twickenham.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Argentina prop Enrique Pieretto was given a seven-week ban for stamping.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland and Ulster centre Jared Payne will miss the opening rounds of the Six Nations.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With just three points separating five teams in the middle of the Premiership table, you can get set for another compelling weekend of top flight action across England.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian coach Michael Cheika made four changes ahead of his team's final match of the year - against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa will be looking for a solid start to the Sevens World Series, when the first tournament of the 2016/17 season kicks off in Dubai on Friday.

NEWS: The Irish Rugby Football Union and Leinster have signed lock Devin Toner on for another three years.

SEVENS WORLD SERIES: Fiji start their campaign to win a third successive Sevens World Series title in Dubai on Friday, with one eye also on the defence of their Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2020.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones made two changes to his side to play Australia in Saturday's final match of the year-end Tests.

NEWS: Springbok and Lions wing Ruan Combrinck will miss the start of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: November's internationals have witnessed the "return of the north".

Ben Crouse blows the noonday whistle  to start the Dubai Sevens on Thursday.

DUBAI SEVENS:  New Zealand stalwart DJ Forbes is in line to achieve the Sevens World Series all-time tournament appearance record.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim, in a bumper year-end edition, look at the good, the bad and the ugly of 2016.

NEW BEGINNINGS: Olympic champions Fiji will have a massive target on their backs when the 2016/17 Sevens World Series get underway in Dubai on Friday.

REACTION: Steve Borthwick came to the defence of Dan Cole, after Australia coach Michael Cheika accused the England prop of scrummaging illegally throughout his career.

NEWS: World Rugby announced record annual financial results, with revenue of nearly £345-million (US$430-million, €406-million) generated in 2015 mainly on the back of last year's World Cup in England.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones and Australia counterpart Michael Cheika can continue their verbal jousting.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Nigel Owens is not just the best referee in the world, he is also the best at putting players down!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Michael Cheika versus Eddie Jones show might be the media highlight this week, but the Australian coach is not being distracted by the sideshow.

NEWS: The Six Nations Council announced the introduction of a bonus points system in the Six Nations and the Under-20 Six Nations Championships.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann, in his final contribution of the year, looks at the Springboks' arrival back home earlier this week, following a disastrous year-end tour.

DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS: Northampton Saints' Kieran Brookes and Newcastle Falcons' Calum Green have both been given suspensions for foul play.

NEWS: The Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) has announced the five finalists from both the Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams for the Rugby Sevens Players' Player of the Year Award.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England have retained 25 players to prepare for their final November Series game against Australia at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: The newly capped Welsh international Sam Davies has signed a new long-temr deal with Ospreys Rugby.

UPDATE: Troubled Fijian Rugby League star Semi Radradra was forced to surrender his passport Wednesday over domestic violence charges, as a touted move to French union side Toulon was thrown into further doubt.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Australia forward Dean Mumm escaped sanction for foul play after a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

NEWS: Former France captain Abdelatif Benazzi on Tuesday parted company with French Top 14 side Montpellier, where he has held a management role for the past year.

NEWS: England Sevens skipper Tom Mitchell believes his team can improve on last year's eight-place finish at the Sevens Series opener in Dubai on  Friday.

The storm has passed and the rugby world is more sedate now that the November window is closed.

NEWS: England scrumhalf Ben Youngs  urges his side to give more as they look to end their Series on a high note against Australia on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok star Bryan Habana said 2016 has been an unprecedented low in his rugby career.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: South Africa Rugby Sevens Academy coach Paul Delport aims is to produce the next generation of players for the Springbok Sevens team.

NEWS: Israel Dagg and Malakai Fekitoa have become the latest players who are rumoured to be heading to French side Toulon.

REACTION: Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee said he wants overseas-based players to arrive in better condition before they link up with the national team.

REACTION: Fijian Rugby League star Semi Radradra's manager Tuesday hit out at French union side Toulon for announcing it had signed the troubled wing, who faces domestic violence charges.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia coach Michael Cheika has fired back at Eddie Jones by insisting it is England rather than Australia who scrum illegally.

NEWS: England back Elliot Daly was given a three-week ban, after being sent off for what officials deemed a "reckless" tackle on Argentina's Leonardo Senatore at Twickenham at the weekend.

NEWS: Italy lock Quintin Geldenhuys announced his retirement from international rugby, after a 67-cap career that saw him captain the Azzurri five times.

OPINION: The Celtic nations made a big statement at the weekend and they have been duly rewarded in rugby365's famous selection.

INTERVIEW: South Africa coach Allister Coetzee arrived home Monday from a disastrous European tour and likened his perilous position to that of a predecessor, Jake White.   

NEWS: Toulon have signed Fiji wing Semi Radradra from Australian Rugby League side Parramatta Eels, the French Top 14 club said on Monday.

NEWS: The Springboks have dropped down to sixth in the world rankings after their loss to Wales in Cardiff last weekend. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England head coach Eddie Jones has tarnished the legacy of his achievements with his native Australia, his Wallabies counterpart Michael Cheika said on Monday.

World Rugby's Sevens Series starts this week in Dubai. It is splendid opportunity for players and spectators (and referees.

NEWS: Kenya's striking Sevens players agreed to resume training on Monday after a deal was reached to pay them their outstanding bonuses for the 2015-2016 season, the Kenya Rugby Union said.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland Sevens head coach Anthony Eddy has named a new breed of players to take part in the first tournament in the 2016/2017 Sevens World Series in Dubai.

OPINION: Jan de Koning asks if Springbok coach Allister Coetzee will be true to his word and fall on his sword.

INTERVIEW: England head coach Eddie Jones has called for the media from his native Australia to show "respect" ahead of the two countries' year-ending showdown at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: combined total of 84 players from the Pro12 were involved in victories over 2015 World Cup semifinalists in November.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Seabelo Senatla believes Sevens will one day be the "equivalent" to the XV-man game on the world stage.

INJURY UPDATE: England No.8 Billy Vunipola faces a race to recover in time for the Six Nations after being ruled out for at least three months on Sunday following knee surgery.

PRO12 SUNDAY WRAP: Flyhalf Angus O'Brien won the battle against his former mentor, Jason Tovey, as Newport Gwent Dragons ran out 27-19 winners over Edinburgh in an entertaining match at Rodney Parade.

PREMIERSHIP, SUNDAY WRAP: Two tries from Ashley Johnson plus Rob Miller's brace in as many minutes got Wasps back to winning ways against a Sale Sharks side who refused to bow down to defeat.

REACTION: Even the most cynical of observer would have bet on a chink appearing in the armour after New Zealand lost the likes of talismanic captain Richie McCaw and goal-kicking playmaker par excellence Dan Carter.

REACTION: Retired Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss has thrown his weight behind a decision by SA Rugby Union president Mark Alexander to overhaul the administration of SA Rugby as well as a Springbok review process.

REACTION: Wales coach Rob Howley said his side "need to go to the next level" after ending their November programme with a 27-13 win over South Africa in Cardiff.

REACTION: Ireland captain Rory Best says beating Australia 27-24 and other results going the Northern Hemisphere countries way suggests the void people had spoken about between them last year has been filled.

REACTION: Australia coach Michael Cheika says the Wallabies will rebound after getting over the hurt of Ireland dashing their dreams of emulating the 1984 side in a Grand Slam sweep of the Home Nations.

REACTION: No sooner had Wales beaten South Africa 27-13 in Cardiff to end a wretched 2016 for the Springboks, then the President of the South African Rugby Union announced plans for a review and governance overhaul.

OPINION: New Zealand were not at their best, but they were still too classy for France.

OPINION: France again flattered to deceive, losing 19-24 to New Zealand in Paris on Saturday.

OPINION: Wales outclassed South Africa when they secured a 27-13 victory in Cardiff on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Munster scored seven tries to move to the top of the Pro12 with a bonus point 46-3 win over Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park.

OPINION: A dismal and disappointing season-ending game saw South Africa lose 13-27 to Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia's hopes of achieving a first Grand Slam over the Home Unions since 1984 were dashed when they went down 24-27 to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

OPINION: Ireland showed great resilience when they beat Australia 27-24 in Dublin on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: World player of the year Beauden Barrett helped stretch New Zealand's winning streak over France to 10 games with a hard-fought but ultimately comfortable 24-19 victory on Saturday

MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs scored eight tries as they eased past Worcester Warriors in 57-22 victory Sandy Park.

REPORT: Tonga's Tane Takulua capped a superb all-round display by slotting over a last-minute penalty to seal a 19-17 win over Italy in a see-saw Test in Padua on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Scotland absorbed the shock of conceding a fourth-minute try to scrumhalf Vasil Lobzhanidze before steamrollering Georgia with six tries of their own to win 43-16.

REPORT: England, despite playing with just 14 men for 75 minutes, scored a 27-14 win over Argentina in London on Saturday.

REPORT: An injury-ravaged Ireland became the first Northern Hemisphere side since England in 2003 to complete wins over the three major Southern Hemisphere teams.

REPORT: Wales finish their year on a high, as South Africa continued to plummet to the depths of despair.

IN THE SPOTLGHT: Rory Best will follow in the large footsteps of Irish icons Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell in reaching the 100 cap landmark on Saturday when he leads them out against Australia.

PRE-MATCH BUILD-UP: South Africa may finish their year in the red, but there could be a big pointer to the future in Cardiff on Saturday.

REPORT: Two drop-goals by flyhalf D'Angelo Leuila helped Samoa secure a hard-fourth 25-23 win over Canada in Grenoble.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Both Niki Goneva and Ellis Genge bagged late tries to help Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers secure respective victories over Northampton Saints and Bristol.

PRO12 FRIDAY WRAP: A nine-try thriller saw Scarlets beat Leinster, with the hosts eventually running out 38-29 bonus-point winners while Connacht and Ospreys bagged wins of their won.

World Rugby has made known five law changes which will be introduced by way of a trial on 1 January 2017 in the South and on 1 August in the North.

World Rugby has made known five law changes which will be introduced by way of a trial on 1 January 2017 in the South and on 1 August in the North.

World Rugby has made known five law changes which will be introduced by way of a trial on 1 January 2017 in the South and on 1 August in the North.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks captain Kieran Read says they go into their final "massive" match of a long season at the Stade de France on Saturday alive to the threat posed by the French scrum.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Pivotal centre Jared Payne and outstanding flank Sean O'Brien sat out training on Friday, deepening Ireland's injury worries on the eve of their Test with World Cup finalists Australia.

NEWS: Sean McMahon will be among Australia's replacements for Saturday's international against Ireland in Dublin after Wallaby coach Michael Cheika finalised his bench on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones said Elliot Daly faced the same choice of being "good or happy" that confronted his childhood friends, the Ella brothers, in his quest to become an established international.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia captain Stephen Moore says his side will have to be on their best form to beat Ireland on Saturday and keep their hopes alive of emulating the 1984 team and record a Grand Slam over the Home Nations.

REACTION: The Eastern Cape region is never far from controversy and so it proved yet again.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Four of the most experienced Springbok Sevens players were included in Neil Powell's 13-man squad that will travel to Dubai for the opening tournament of the 2016/17 World Rugby Sevens Series.

SEVENS NEWS: The venues and dates have been set out for the High School Sevens Series in South Africa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Italy centre Tommaso Benvenuti pledged they will plug the gap left by captain Sergio Parisse's absence when they host "physical" Tonga a week after stunning South Africa for the first time.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales Sevens coach Gareth Williams has included four new players for the first leg of the 2016/2017 Sevens World Series in Dubai.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Georgia coach Milton Haig believes Scottish Rugby have made "a massive mistake" in not offering his old playing and coaching partner Vern Cotter a new contract after guiding Scotland to seventh in the world rankings.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia Sevens head coach Andy Friend has named a new-look squad to represent Australia in the first tournament in the 2016/2017 Sevens World Series in Dubai.

PARIS POWER PLAY: The All Blacks go into the last game of their long season prepared for what they say will be a "titanic" battle against France at the Stade de France.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones could not resist building up to Saturday's international at home to Argentina by taking a side-swipe at his native Australia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Georgia head coach Milton Haig has made three changes to his starting XV for the Test against Scotland on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The French Barbarian have secured a 19-11 victory over the Wallaby XV at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Cheika's rejuvenated Australia will bid to beat Ireland on Saturday and move to within one victory of emulating the legendary 1984 side's Grand Slam of the Home Nations.

DANCE OF THE DESPERATES: Paul Dobson gives us his unique view on the year-ending Test between Wales and South Africa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Pro12 season continues to go from strength-to-strength as Round Eight saw all 12 outfits maintain the record-setting pace when it came to scoring tries.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at Beauden Barrett's controversial try against Ireland last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade has made three changes to the side who will be taking on England at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT:  Ireland will be without star playmakers Johnny Sexton or Robbie Henshaw when they face Australia on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Mark Bennett will make his first Scotland appearance since starring for Great Britain's silver medal-winning Olympic Sevens team in Saturday's clash with Georgia, head coach Vern Cotter announced on Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After failing to sneak to the top of the Premiership table, Wasps scrumhalf  Dan Robson is addimint that his side can redeemed themselve against Sale Sharks this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Jamba Ulengo and Uzair Cassiem will make their Springbok debuts against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia coach Michael Cheika has recalled a host of big-name players for the Test against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors centre Ryan Mills has been given a two-week suspension for a dangerous tackle during their Premiership against Northampton Saints.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has made four changes to his side to play Argentina at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales made one change from the side that beat Argentina a fortnight ago to face South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM UPDATE: Italy coach Conor O'Shea on Thursday replaced suspended captain Sergio Parisse with Zebre flank Andries Van Schalkwyk for this weekend's Test against Tonga.

NEWS: D-Day for the 2019 World Cup draw is May 10 next year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Camille Lopez will start at flyhalf for France in their Test against world champions New Zealand on Saturday in one of three changes from the team that narrowly lost to the Wallabies.

NEWS: Scarlets loosehead prop Wyn Jones stated that the hard work is paying ahead of their Pro12 encounter against Leinster on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jamie Cudmore will turn out for Canada for Friday's November Tour finale against Samoa.  

NEWS: Ian Oosthuizen and Tythan Adams will attend a six-month international exchange following their excellent performance in the 2016 Gold Cup.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Canada Sevens head coach Damian McGrath has inluded 11 experienced players in his 13-man squad for the the World Sevens Series opener in Dubai.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim looks at the good and the bad of Adriaan Strauss' career, as well as what awaits Alister Coetzee's Springboks!

NEWS: Just days before the Sevens Series in Dubai commence, Kenya Sevens captain Andrew Amonde and his troops refuse to attend training or participate in any rugby-related activities due to unpaid bonuses.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Northampton Saints' Calum Clarke has been banned for three weeks for striking an opponent with his elbow during a Premiership match last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Aaron Smith has been dropped as the All Blacks shake up their backline for Saturday's Test against France in Paris, with TJ Perenara taking over at scrumhalf in their "best possible" side.

NEWS: Italy captain Sergio Parisse has been hit with a three-week disciplinary ban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs lock Will Skelton will lead the Wallaby XV in their non-cap encounter with the French Barbarians at Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux on Thursday.

INTERVIEW: It looks almost certain that Wales are going to unleash their Tonga-born battering ram Taulupe Faletau on South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.

In keeping with a worldwide trend, three referees will take charge of their first games in the Pro 12 this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With wholesale changes imminent, some Springboks decided to 'make a point' on the training field.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The likes of Gaston Revol, Franco Sabato and Fernando Luna will all be running out for Argentina Sevens in Dubai for the World Sevens Series opener in December.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Uganda return to Dubai for the first time in 11 years when they line up alongside South Africa in Pool B of the World Sevens Series opener.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens' Kyle Brown has relinquished the captain's armband as he feels the time is right to do so as the Blitzboks look for fresh, new ideas.

NEWS: Former Blue Bulls Under-19 and University of Pretoria-Tuks coach, Jaco Pienaar has been unveiled as the Sharks' forwards coach after signing a two-year deal with the franchise.

NEWS: Italy coach Conor O'Shea warned the triumphant Azzurri not to rest on their laurels ahead of their final November Test against Tonga on Saturday.

NEWS: Irish flank Josh van der Flier dismisses suggestions he has replaced icon Paul O'Connell as the workhorse of the team.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at the suggestion that the Springboks have hit rock bottom!

NEWS: England coach Eddie Jones has gone against his word of keeping Semesa Rokoduguni after dropping the Fiji-born wing once again.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Coming off the back of disappointing outings in the 2015/16 World Sevens Series campaign and the 2016 Rio Olympics, New Zealand Sevens are as excited as ever for the new Series.

OPINION: rugby365's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson looks at some of the reasons for uneasy feelings amongst Springbok supporters.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand play their last international of the year against France on Saturday and All Black stars Israel Dagg and Julian Savea said both sides have to overcome the pain of past defeats.

NEWS: Liam Williams has been told his prospects of playing for Wales next season could depend on a wildcard selection if he joins English Premiership champions Saracens.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Malakai Fekitoa is set to miss New Zealand's match against France in Paris on Saturday after being given a one-week ban on Tuesday for a dangerous tackle.

INTERVIEW: The All Blacks are no different to anyone else and they have not 'destroyed us yet', despite all the hype, French lock forward Sébastien Vahaamahina said Tuesday.

NEWS: Gloucester Rugby confirmed hooker Richard Hibbard as their latest player to remain at the club after his new contract signing.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors have lured 26-year-old Canadian flyhalf Connor Braid to bolster their Premiership side until the end of the season.

REACTION: Ollie Devoto insists Exeter Chiefs must use their victory at Newcastle Falcons as the springboard to continue climbing up the Premiership table.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Argentina were given a boost ahead of their match against England with the news that star flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez is free to play after a disciplinary hearing.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy coach Conor O'Shea made only one change from the side that secured a historic 20-18 win over South Africa last weekend for their third November Test against Tonga.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand Under-20 coach Craig Philpott have named a 49-man squad to attend the developemnet camp ahead of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australian rugby coach Michael Cheika admitted to AFP in an interview he had to reset to zero after some disappointing results earlier in the year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France are clear underdogs for their clash against New Zealand on Saturday, but the world champions will not be taking their opponents lightly.

NEWS: Former Reds flank Liam Gill has  been named the 2016 Pilecki Medal for players' player of the year for a second time after winning it in 2015 for the first time.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs confirmed that 30 players of their 2016 35-man squad have stayed with the franchise for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Management of the Western Force said while a decision to cut one of the five Australian Super Rugby franchise teams at the end of the 2017 season had been delayed, the Western Force was yet to secure its future.

INTERVIEW: South Africa must dump two of its six Super Rugby teams to revive the ailing Springboks, World Cup-winner Joel Stransky said Tuesday, arguing weak provincial sides were fostering a losing mentality.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli is adamant the best way for the Pumas to beat England at Twickenham on Saturday is by sticking with an attacking approach.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Joseph Cheika's courage in leaving Lebanon over 60 years ago to travel alone to Australia is part of the fearless identity his son Michael is trying to bring to the Australian rugby team.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING: Joe Launchbury is set to miss England's final two Tests of 2016 against Argentina and Australia.

INJURY UPDATE: Robbie Henshaw will miss Ireland's final international of 2016 against Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales go into their final match of the year, against South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday, in 'Cup Final' mode.

There are roughly 20 International matches in which national teams are playing.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Under-fire Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is standing firm that he will NOT resign.

OPINION: It was, without a doubt, the most entertaining match of the weekend - not just because of the skill levels, but also the physicality and intensity.

REACTION: Former Australia captain James Horwill is eager to return to action after being hailed as "hard as nails" for making light of a nasty-looking finger injury during Harlequins' 6-25 defeat by Leicester last weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England Sevens have named an experienced squad for the first tournament of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai next week.

REACTION: England great Jeremy Guscott has called on referees to "look harder" when dealing with New Zealand players after two All Blacks were cited following the world champions' win over Ireland.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Six 2016 Rio Olympic gold medallists will feature for Fiji in the season-opening World Sevens Series event in Dubai on December 2-3.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens forward Tim Agaba has been ruled out of the opening two tournaments of the 2016/17 World Rugby Sevens Series, to be played in Dubai and Cape Town respectively.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Brumbies have named a strong squad for the 2017 Super Rugby season, as the players returned to training this week.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: France Sevens will head into the World Sevens Series opener in Dubai on December 2-3 without their top scorer of the 2015/16 season, Virimi Vakatawa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa have dropped down to fifth in the world rankings after their 18-20 defeat to Italy in Florence last weekend. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia will face the sternest of challenges against Ireland next Saturday as they bid to maintain their quest to emulate the 1984 Wallabies and achieve a Grand Slam over the Home Nations, said coach Michael Cheika.

OPINION: Jan de Koning looks into the background of what is really behind the Springboks' dramatic fall from grace this year.

NEWS: The Pumas have increased their depth by signing flyhalf Sias Ebesohn from the Free State Cheetahs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After another embarrassing defeat, it came as no surprise that Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee was once again in the firing line of South Africa's passionate rugby public.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Saracens forward George Kruis has joined the England camp ahead of Saturday's game against Argentina at Twickenham Stadium.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named the Wallaby XV squad ahead of their tour game against the French Barbarians in Bordeaux on Thursday.

NEWS: England lock Joe Launchbury has been cited for kicking Asaeli Tikoirotuma during Saturday's 58-15 victory over Fiji, disciplinary chiefs said on Sunday. 

TOP 14 SUNDAY WRAP: France flyhalf Jules Plisson kicked seven penalties to help Stade Francais to a 21-17 victory over Montpellier in the Top 14 on Sunday.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Alex Lozowski kicked 13 points as a Saracens side shorn of their international players won 28-13 at Sale on Sunday to return to the English Premiership summit.

REACTION: Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee could not believe the number of try-scoring opportunities his team spurned during their historic 18-20 defeat to Italy in Florence on Saturday.

REACTION: Australia will "reset to zero" for next weekend's Test against Ireland, coach Michael Cheika vowed after seeing his Wallaby team edge France in a thriller.

REACTION: Bryan Habana has revealed his future with the French Top 14 side Toulon will depend on future commitments with South Africa as he looks towards a possible ambassadorial role in the game following retirement.

REACTION: Wales coach Rob Howley fears his side will face a "wounded animal" when South Africa arrive in Cardiff.

REACTION: Joe Schmidt professed to being proud of his players but frustrated too at not clinching a second successive win over world champions New Zealand on Saturday.

REACTION: Eddie Jones took a moment away from heaping praise on his England side for making light work of Fiji to aim a taunt at the All Blacks.

REACTION: Scotland coach Vern Cotter saluted the "grit and character" of his players after their dramatic 19-16 win over Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday.

REACTION: World Champions New Zealand showed real character in rebounding from a shock defeat a fortnight ago to beat the same side Ireland 21-9 in Dublin on Saturday said coach Steve Hansen.

REACTION: As if the criticism from their compatriots wasn't enough, Wales had to suffer England coach Eddie Jones telling them they had been "complacent" in just beating Japan 33-30 in Cardiff on Saturday.

REACTION: A quartet of key players - including flyhalf Jonathan Sexton - are major injury doubts for Ireland's Test with Australia next weekend.

REACTION: Italy captain Sergio Parisse revealed that a sitdown with coach Conor O'Shea over coffee in Paris set the wheels in motion for a historic 20-18 victory over South Africa on Saturday.

REACTION: South African coach Allister Coetzee admitted enduring the "darkest hour" of his coaching career on Saturday.

OPINION: France was a drop-goal away from a famous win over Australia in Paris on Saturday.

REPORT: Phil Mack scored a lone Canadian try as they were narrowly edged 16-21 by Romania in Bucharest on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia hung on desperately, but made it three-from-three on their year-end tour by beating France 25-23 in Paris on Saturday.

REPORT: A penalty three minutes into overtime by Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw secured a dramatic last-gasp 19-16 victory against Argentina.

OPINION: They may have come into the match claiming the underdog tag but it was the amount of fight they showed on defence that enabled them to bag a 21-9 victory over Ireland in Dublin.

OPINION: Ireland proved just how far they have progressed with a machine-like effort, despite going down 9-21 to New Zealand in Dublin on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Gloucester's late show ensure them a 36-18 impressive bonus-point victory over high-flying Wasps at Kingsholm.

OPINION: Italy displayed relentless and resilience when they outclassed the Springboks 20-18 in Florence on Saturday.

OPINION: South Africa suffered an embarrassing 20-18 defeat at the hands of Italy in Florence on Saturday.

REPORT: Sam Davies held his nerve to hit a drop-goal with just nine seconds remaining to seal a 33-30 triumph for Wales over Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.

REPORT: Fiji-born England wing Semesa Rokoduguni scored a brace as Eddie Jones' team buried an overpowered Fiji under an avalanche of tries.

REPORT: A last-ditch drop goal attempt by Camille Lopez sailed agonisingly wide as France nearly fought back against Australia in Paris.

REPORT: Two tries from Malakai Fekitoa dashed Irish hopes of successive wins over world champions New Zealand.

LIVE NOW: Welcome to the LIVE CHAT facility for the match between Ireland and New Zealand in Dublin.

REPORT: Georgia upset the odds with a 20-16 win over Samoa and an arm-wrestle in Tbilisi on Saturday.

REPORT: Italy made history when they recorded their first-ever win over South Africa in Florence in Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina captain Agustin Creevy believes the pain his side still feel from their last visit to Murrayfield will inspire the Pumas when they return to Scotland's home ground on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales No.8 Taulupe Faletau could return to international duty against South Africa next weekend.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones defended his handling of back row Teimana Harrison.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Exeter Chiefs scored four tries as they edged an intriguing Premiership battle at Newcastle Falcons 32-19 to secure their third win of the season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks captain Adriaan Strauss believes only a clinical performance with improvement in all areas of the field can help South Africa avoid the ignominy of an historic defeat to Italy.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France's clash with Australia at the Stade de France on Saturday will be a key test of coach Guy Noves's team-building, captain Guilhem Guirado warned.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina flank Javier Ortega Desio has admitted Los Pumas head into Saturday's match against Scotland at Murrayfield in danger of losing their second-tier seeding for the 2019 World Cup draw.

INTERVIEW: The much-loved New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu who died a year ago on Friday will add extra motivation to the All Blacks when they face Ireland on Saturday, captain Kieran Read says.

INTERVIEW: If Ireland are to become the first side in seven years to beat world champions New Zealand twice in a row they must play better than they did in Chicago, captain Rory Best claimed on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales hope to avoid the pitfalls of the past after making ten changes to the side that will play Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Italy captain Sergio Parisse says that he and his teammates are not getting ahead of themselves when they face and out-of-form and wounded Springbok team in Florence on Saturday.

NEWS: The European Champions Cup match between Racing 92 and Munster, postponed after the death of the Irish province's coach Anthony Foley, has been rescheduled for January 7, organisers announced Friday.

TEAM UPDATE: Australia coach Michael Cheika has finalised his bench for Saturday's match against France, omitting No.8 Lopeti Timani from the matchday 23.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Flyhalf Handré Pollard is expected to make a return to the playing field on January 28, 2017 when the Bulls will face a South African Super Rugby opponent in Zimbabwe.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's Nizaam Carr is ready to show thousands of Springbok hopefuls what it means to pull on the green and gold jersey when he lines up, out of position, against Italy in Florence.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Much-loved New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu's loss is keenly felt by the rugby world and on Friday it will mark a year to the day he passed away aged just 40 after years of battling kidney disease.

TOP 14 WEEK 12: Defending champions Racing 92 will seek to bolster their mid-table position when they host struggling Grenoble in Top 14 action on the weekend.

NEWS: Gloucester's preperations have been boosted with tge confimations that Ben Morgan has agreed a new deal with the Premiership club.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Sevens stars Seabelo Senatla and Albertus 'Kwagga' Smith will gain some valuable match fitness on Saturday when they run out for the SA Rugby Sevens Academy side in the WP club Rugby Sevens tournament in Goodwood, Cape Town.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones wants England to batter Fiji into submission with a display of "fish and chips" rugby at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt advised All Blacks coach Steve Hansen to never become a bookmaker after claims of underdog tag ahead of the sides rematch in Dublin.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England have recalled Fiji-born wing Semesa Rokoduguni to play against the Pacific islanders at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A straight-faced New Zealand coach Steve Hansen stood by his claim that his side are the underdogs heading into the match against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: South Africa coach Allister Coetzee has embraced the return of wizard wing Bryan Habana as the wounded Springboks look to rebound from defeats to New Zealand and England by beating Italy on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has made four crucial changes ahead of their tough encounter against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

NEWS: The annual Australian National Sevens Championship returns to Adelaide on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France will aim to build on their crushing victory over Samoa with a morale-boosting win over Australia on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Canada head coach Mark Anscombe has made three changes to his starting XV which is going to take on Romania on Saturday.

UNDERDOGS' REVENGE: World champions New Zealand will bid on Saturday to teach Ireland a lesson and prevent them from becoming the first team since South Africa in 2009 to beat them twice in a row.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji head coach John Mckee has named a much more experienced side to take on England at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Paul Dobson takes, in his unique way, a look at the Test match between Italy and South African in Florence on Saturday.

The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have announced the referees for Rounds 3 and 4 of the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.

NEWS: England have delayed announcing their team to play Fiji until Friday in a bid to give the injured trio of Elliot Daly, Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes more time to prove their fitness.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt made just one change to his starting XV for the return match against New Zealand in Dublin on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Pumas Daniel Hourcade has made one change to his starting XV that lost to Wales last weekend for their clash against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

NEWS: Following in the footsteps of fellow backs Billy Burns and Henry Purdy, scrumhalf Willi Heinz has signed a new contract with Gloucester Rugby.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has named uncapped loose forward Magnus Bradbury among four personnel changes to his team to start against Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After a two-week break the Premiership return with an action filled weekend as Sale Sharks face a difficult challenge when they lock horns with the reigning champions Saracens on Sunday.

TEAM UPDATE: Treviso pair Nicola Quaglio and Simone Ferrari could come off the bench to make their Italy debuts against South Africa in Florence after being named among the replacements by coach Conor O'Shea.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The return of veteran wing Bryan Habana is one of three changes to the Springbok starting XV to face Italy in Florence on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales made 10 changes to their side to face Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.

Because of the increasing incidence of concussion, consideration is being given to making tackling below the waist obligatory.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made twelve changes to his starting side for the Test against France at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Guy Noves has made five changes to the side who will take on a very confident Australia side at the Stade de France on Saturday.

REACTION: Springbok centre Damian de Allende will not be earning any Japanese yen for the next two years.

NEWS: Stormers star centre Huw Jones is a wanted man in Scotland, according to reports in that country.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim discuss the Springboks' ranking problems and the possibility of them being drawn in a pool with the All Blacks for the 2019  World Cup.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Perth-born Harry Scoble has concluded the Western Force squad after becoming the latest rising star to join Super Rugby franchise for the 2017 season.

NEWS: Argentina have made history in 2016 as they now have three representatives in Rugby Union's governing body World Rugby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England's Nathan Hughes has insisted he will have no divided loyalties should the loose forward make his first Test start against Fiji, the land of his birth, at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Blacks will go into their Ireland rematch as "underdogs" Saturday, claimed coach Steve Hansen, despite recalling the world champion's big names as they seek to avenge their historic loss.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Luke Charteris believes Wales will face a much-improved Japan side when they take on the Cherry Blossoms in Cardiff on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ben Te'o said it was his former Brisbane Broncos teammate Israel Folau who gave him the confidence to switch from Rugby League to Rugby Union in a move that has seen him become an England international.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland lock Jonny Gray believes his side will be going up against one of the best teams in the world when they face Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand assistant coach Ian Foster said there is "an edge in the air" ahead of their return clash with Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland still vividly remember how they let a first-ever series win over South Africa slip out of their hands.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There is plenty of French influence in the Wallabies squad, with Mario Ledesma and Michael Cheika both playing and coaching in France and four French-based players coming in and out of the squad this season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Brendan Venter, the driving force behind the recent indaba to improve South African rugby, could be a key factor in the demise of the Springboks in Florence on Saturday.

NEWS: Harlequins have received a boost ahead of their 150th anniversary match against the Maori All Blacks at The Stoop on Wednesday, November 16 with the news of James Chisholm re-signing with the club.

NEWS: Flyhalf Billy Burns will remain with the Cherry and Whites after penning an extension to his current contract, which was due to expire at the end of the current season.

NEWS: The Blues' fans will have to wait some time before seeing All Black centre Sonny Bill Williams don their jersey as he continues to undergo rehabilitation on his Achilles tendon.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland's 2023 World Cup bid is hoping the large Irish diaspora in the United States could be their trump card.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at ways that will help the Springboks end their losing streak.

NEWS: Former Scottish Sevens player Clark Laidlaw has taken over from Gordon Tietjens as the head coach of the New Zealand Sevens team.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Despite the Springboks' dismal performance against England, forwards coach Johann van Graan believes their set-piece play was the shining light on a gloomy day.

NEWS: Southern Kings have boosted their squad ahead of 2017 season with the signature of Super Rugby winning prop Ross Geldenhuys from the Highlanders.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Conor O'Shea underlined his long-term plan for Italy by making only four changes, two of them injury-enforced, from the side hammered 68-10 by New Zealand for their second November test against South Africa.

NEWS: Ireland on Tuesday formally announced their entry into the 'Candidate' phase of the selection process to determine the host for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

INTERVIEW: Australian coach Michael Cheika says his young Wallaby side are improving ahead of Saturday's Test against France and insists results are not the main objective of the tour.

NEWS: Australian-born wing Ratu Tagive has signed a one-year deal with Pro12 side Glasgow Warriors.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black prop Owen Franks says he and his teammates feel the pressure heading into their much-anticipated second encounter with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland will be out to avoid giving away soft tries when they face the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

NEWS: Rising stars Fereti Sa’aga, Ikapote Tupai and Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano have extended the Melbourne Rebels roster' when the three signed development contracts.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay looks at the roller coaster ride that comes with following the Wallabies.

NEWS: The Western Force have signed Australia Under-20 prop Shambeckler Vui for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head Coach Colin Cooper has made three changes to his Maori All Blacks run-on side for their tour-closing match against the Harlequins on Wednesday.

INTERVIEW: China's ambitious sporting plans will see them bid to host a Rugby World Cup 'sooner rather than later' according to World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper.

REACTION: Fuming Fiji said they were gutted that none of their nominees won at the World Rugby awards this week and planned to make their feelings known to the sport's governing body.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ben Youngs has it in him to become as influential a scrumhalf for England as South Africa's Fourie du Preez was for the Springboks, according to Eddie Jones.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales have released Taulupe Faletau to English Premiership side Bath for their west country derby against Bristol on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: England's Billy Vunipola is doubtful for Saturday's international against Fiji because of what team management intriguingly labelled "upper body soreness".

INJURY UPDATE: Leonardo Ghiraldini and Andrea Lovotti are out of Italy's remaining November Tests.

This week the top match could well see the revenge of the All Blacks when Jaco Peyper referees the Dublin match.

OPINION: England became the second Northern Hemisphere team to send a strong message to their rivals south of the equator.

NEWS: England's 2003 World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson led the list of this year's 12 inductees into the Rugby Hall of Fame.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby's Chief Executive tried to allay fears about Japan's readiness to stage the 2019 World Cup, saying the country was three years ahead of where 2015 hosts England were at the same point.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales and France are the only movers in the top 10 on the world rankings after an action-packed weekend of rugby.

INJURY UPDATE: Springboks' star lock Eben Etzebeth will play no part in Saturday's match against Italy due to concussion.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Clermont's Camille Lopez has been included in the France squad to face Australia on Saturday after first-choice flyhalf François Trinh-Duc was ruled out with a broken arm.

REACTION: Veteran loose forward Willem Alberts has come out in defence of under-fire Springbok coach Allister Coetzee.

At its annual Awards Dinner at the London Hilton, World Rugby gave a shared Referee of the Year Award for the first time.

INJURY UPDATE: Australia have lost lock Adam Coleman for the rest of their end-of-year tour.

NEWS: Flyhalf Beauden Barrett led a hat-trick of titles for world champions New Zealand at the World Rugby awards, as he collected Player of the Year.

TOP 14 WWRAP: Australian flyhalf Zack Holmes kicked two late penalties to give La Rochelle a 25-19 win over Toulouse to move back into second place in the French Top 14 on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLGHT: Jonny May said he "feared this moment would never come again" after marking his return to England duty with a try against South Africa.

NEWS: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika added eight new faces to his touring party.

REPORT & REACTION: The South African Sevens team outplayed fellow World Series contestants, Kenya, by 31-10 to win the warm-up tournament played at the Dome Sports Arena in Swakopmund on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Former Junior Springbok and Southern Kings loose forward Cornell du Preez has become the latest addition to Scotland's South African contingent.

REACTION: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said some personnel changes are on the cards as he looks to salvage something from a disastrous year-end tour.

REPORT: Germany pulled off a shock 24-21 last-minute win over Uruguay on Saturday in the first of three ear-end Test  matches against South American opposition.

REACTION: Australia coach Michael Cheika was scathing of his team's concentration in their win over Scotland at the weekend.

REACTION: Interim coach Rob Howley insists Wales 'restored pride' with their 24-20 victory over Argentina in Cardiff.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen admits his current crop might struggle to emulate Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.

REACTION: Ever-demanding Eddie Jones wants even more from England after they made it 10 wins out of 10 under him.

TOP 14 WRAP: Rock-bottom Bayonne stunned French Top 14 leaders Clermont 22-14 on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: An inexperienced Ireland backed up last week's historic win over New Zealand with an eight-try, 52-21 dismantling of Canada at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Wales ended their five-game losing run with a scrappy but desperately-needed 24-20 victory over Argentina on Saturday.

REACTION: Stand-in captain Sam Cane hailed a youth-filled New Zealand after a 68-10 thrashing of Italy left the All Blacks poised to avenge their recent, stunning defeat to Ireland in Dublin next week.

OPINION: The Springboks produced another dismal performance this year when they went down 21-37 to England at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: England triumphed over the Springboks for the first time since 2006 when they outsmarted them by 37-21 at Twickenham on Saturday. 

MATCH REPORT: France's Fiji-born wing Virimi Vakatawa showcased all his sevens skills with a hat-trick of well-taken tries as Guy Noves' team ran out comfortable 52-8 winners over Samoa on Saturday.

REACTION: Eddie Jones gave his England side a "pass mark" after they made it 10 wins out of 10 under their Australian coach with a 37-21 victory over South Africa on Saturday.

OPINION: The Wallabies again broke Scottish hearts with a narrow 23-22 win at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

OPINION: The new Italian era under coach Conor O'Shea got off to the worse possible start as they were hammered 10-68 by the All Blacks in Rome on Saturday.

OPINION: Scotland put in a spirited performance against the Wallabies, but could not close out the game when they were in front.

OPINION: The All Blacks made the most of playing a clueless opposition by running in 10 tries, however, their performance was not faultless.

MATCH REPORT: England extended their winning streak to 10 games with a comprehensive 37-21 victory over South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: A late try by centre Tevita Kuridrani helped Australia edge Scotland 23-22 at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Saturday.

REPORT: Japan kicked off their European tour with a confident 28-22 win over Georgia at Tbilisi's Mikheil Meskhi Stadium on Saturday.

REPORT: The All Blacks were by no means at the top of their game but still managed to run in 10 tries to trample an awful Italy 68-10 in Rome on Saturday

NEWS: England players have agreed a new four-year elite squad deal with the Rugby Football Union worth a reported £20 million ($25 million, 23 million euros).

MATCH REPORT: It was never going to be a run-of-the-mill encounter, but no-one could have expected to witness such an incredible spectacle with Munster beating the Maori All Blacks 27-14 at a sold-out Thomond Park on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Barbarians beat the weather and Fiji to win 40-7 on a cold, wet Friday night in Belfast.

NEWS: Australia captain Stephen Moore says the Wallabies are braced for Scotland to be at their best when the teams meet for the first time since last year's World Cup at Murrayfield on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand captain Sam Cane admits improvement across the board is their focus when a second-string All Blacks face the "flair" of Conor O'Shea's new-look Italy in Rome on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa captain Adriaan Strauss has insisted his side are not solely reliant on forward power after England coach Eddie Jones suggested the Springboks "never change" ahead of Saturday's clash at Twickenham.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England forward coach Steve Borthwick is looking forward to how Courtney Lawes will perform at the line-outs in his 50th cap against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade wants his side to stick to their attacking approach against Wales on Saturday despite the risks involved.

NEWS: Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young has confirmed that Newcastle Falcons loosehead prop Ben Harris will join the squad on a short-term loan deal.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell stated that the squad need to prove match temperament during the sevens warm-up tournament in Namibia on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee believe the selection of veteran loose forward Willem Alberts is key to his team's ability to beat England at the power game.

The Golden Lions Rugby Referee’s Society (GLRRS) has announced its first professional committee.

TOP 14 WEEK ELEVEN: Mike Ford's Toulon will bid to get their rollercoaster Top 14 season back on track when they host a depleted Stade Francais on Sunday.

NEWS: World Rugby told leading referees to be "especially vigilant" when dealing with players guilty of dangerous tackles that risk opponents' heads during the upcoming November internationals.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Martin Iosefo will become the United States' 500th Eagle (national team player) when they face Romania at Stadionul Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest on Saturday.

NEWS: South African lock Wilhelm van der Sluys has joined Worcester Warriors on trial.

NEWS: Japan's Sunwolves will have the 'pleasure' of heading deep into the South Island of New Zealand for their encounter with the Highlanders next year.

NEWS: Veteran hooker Heath Tessmann has re-signed with the Western Force for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Germany's rugby team will face South American opposition in the coming weekends in their first end-of-year international series, part of their bid to qualify for the 2019 World Cup.

RANKINGS RACE: Wales and Argentina insist there is more than just pride at stake when they meet in Cardiff on Saturday, with important world rankings points up for grabs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt insisted he had rejected a 'break clause' in his newly-signed contract extension that sees him stay in Ireland until the 2019 World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France coach Guy Noves has backed continuity as his team bid to extend their winning streak over Samoa to four when they clash on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Thoughts of avenging a first defeat to Ireland in over a century will take a back seat, for 80 minutes at least, when the All Blacks face a new-look Italy on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw will have the chance to put the family record straight when his team set out to avenge their controversial World Cup quarterfinal defeat by Grand Slam-seeking Australia at Murrayfield on Saturday.

CHESS ON STEROIDS: rugby365's Paul Dobson says, given performances this year, the lion of England must be in with a great chance against the limping Springboks.

After 59 years of absence the Barbarians return to Belfast in their match with Fiji.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones and South African counterpart Allister Coetzee agree on one thing: the game is won or lost up front.

REACTION: The All Blacks seek to bounce back from a rare defeat by overcoming Italy side in Rome on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade has made three changes to his starting XV for their clash against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Peter O'Mahony will captain a new-look Ireland team against Canada in Dublin on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Springboks have made several changes for the important opening Test of the year-end tour.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers' playmaker Huw Jones will make his first start for Scotland against Australia at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has made just the one change to his starting side for the Test against Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have made six personnel changes to their starting XV to face Argentina in the second match in November on Saturday.

RIP: One of South Africa's best and best-known schoolboy coaches, Basil Bey, died Thursday morning. Paul Dobson produced the tribute.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Elliot Daly will start his first game for England in their clash against South Africa at Twickenham Stadium. 

NEWS: Doctors had initial fears that Springbok and Lions tighthead prop Julian Redelinghuys would never walk again after he suffered a neck fracture during the Currie Cup semifinals.

NEWS: A New Zealand club player has been banned from playing rugby for two years after he admitted using a prohibited substance.

NEWS: Northern Suburbs Shute Shield Premiership winning head coach Simon Cron will be the new head coach of the Australia Under-20 side in 2017.

NEWS: Samoa tackle France on Saturday desperate to erase the misery of their 2015 World Cup campaign on their return to Europe.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim, in their weekly ramblings, look at the Western Province liquidation saga and this week's internationals.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Elliot Daly could be in line for his first Test start when England coach Eddie Jones names his side to play South Africa on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has made 12 changes to his starting team that lost to Ireland last week for their clash against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

NEWS: Following a productive outing in the Currie Cup for Western Province, current World Sevens Player of the Year, Werner Kok, is looking forward to returning to the format he dearly missed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Maori All Blacks will field no less than five debutants after head coach Colin Cooper rang the changes for their match against Munster at Thomond Park on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Alex Corbisiero believes England successor Mako Vunipola is now the "best loosehead prop in the world".

NEWS: Wales' Hallam Amos is set to be out of action until at least the New Year as he set to undergo surgery following a shoulder injury he picked up against the Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: John Barclay has warned Scotland to beware of what happened to Wales in their defeat by Australia when they face the Wallabies in Edinburgh on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scrumhalf Ben Youngs says it is time for England to end a decade of despair against South Africa and earn their first win in 10 years.

NEWS: The Harlequins  will be boosted with the arrival of  experienced Namibia captain Renaldo Bothma for the 2017/2018 season.  

INTERVIEW: The results this year may not reflect that, but South Africa are on the way to once again become one of the world's best teams.

NEWS: Harlequins Mathew Luamanu has been slapped with a five-week suspension.

OCEANIA SEVENS: Qualifying places for future World Sevens Series tournaments are up for grabs when the Oceania Sevens Championships kick-off in Suva, Fiji on November 11.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have named a high-powered panel to examine sexism in the game following recent scandals.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at the most destructive player this past weekend

NEWS: Any chance of England flyhalf George Ford giving up his international career to rejoin his father at Toulon has been kicked into touch.

MATCH REPORT: The Barbarians ran in 11 tries to cruise to a 71-0 victory as they entertained fans in Eastern Europe in the biggest game in the Czech Republic’s rugby history.

NEWS: Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter believes new signing Niko Matawalu can add some real ‘X-Factor’ to his backline.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scott Spedding admitted that the pressure will be on France and coach Guy Noves ahead of his first full season in charge starting with Saturday's rugby international in Toulouse against Samoa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy's new coach Conor O'Shea has gambled on a youthful line-up sprinkled with a few old heads for his first home match in charge, against the All Blacks on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks coach Ian Foster admits the world champions paid the price for being "too predictable" when they went down to a landmark defeat by Ireland at the weekend.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke looks at how the domestic game in South Africa is being neglected.

NEWS: Wales lock Bradley Davies is determined to restore the nation's pride against Argentina on Saturday.

NEWS: The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) will review the 2016-2020 Australian Rugby Strategic Plan following a meeting of key rugby constituents in Sydney.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have added a Cricket World Cup winner to the high performance department with the appointment of Damian Mednis as the team's new Head of Performance.

NEWS: Justin Tipuric followed fellow Wales international back-row forward Dan Lydiate in committing to Welsh region Ospreys as he signed a new contract.

NEWS: Italy forwards coach .Giampiero De Carli said they are not focussing too much on what the All Blacks can do ahead of their meeting on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's Allister Coetzee has promised the Springboks will relish the "physical battle" when they face an England side coached by his former colleague Eddie Jones at Twickenham on Saturday.

REACTION: England and South Africa may be in opposition this weekend but both camps were united in lauding Ireland's stunning victory over world champions New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland's Peter Horne is desperate to face Australia again following his side's heart-breaking World Cup quarterfinal loss to the Wallabies.

REACTION: Front-row forwards are rarely in contention for individual prizes, so it was understandable that Dane Coles' nomination for World Rugby's Player of the Year award was labelled "awesome" by New Zealand teammate Wyatt Crockett.

NEWS: South Africa's Eben Etzebeth is "definitely" going to play for an English Premiership side, said Springboks coach Allister Coetzee.

REACTION: Who would want to be in Italy's boots this week?

INJURY UPDATE: Jordi Murphy's joy at scoring one of Ireland's five tries in the historic win over world champions New Zealand has been tempered by being ruled out for up to nine months.

OPINION: We have had the first weekend of November internationals - which produced one extraordinary result and bucketloads of entertainment.

The All Blacks lost their invincibility in Chicago. They will want to get up and put matters right in Rome.

On Tuesday afternoon the Barbarians play against the Czech Republic in the beautiful city of Prague.

REACTION: Players representing Western Province and the Stormers can breathe a little easier. Tauriq Ebrahim reports from Newlands.

NEWS: England's so far unbeaten year under Australian coach Eddie Jones was recognised Monday with three internationals from Saracens providing 50 percent of the nominees for the 2016 World Rugby Player of the Year award.

NEWS: Former Boland Cavaliers captain Ryan Nell will bring his talent to Mpumalanga in the outside centre position after signing for the Pumas. 

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa flank Roelof Smit will miss the rest of his country's tour of Europe after suffered a torn bicep on Monday.

BREAKING NEWS: Western Province (Pty) Ltd has become the third South African rugby outfit to go bankrupt.

NEWS: The Southern Kings have added flyhalf Lionel Cronje and promising hooker Tango Balekile to their squad for next year's Super Rugby tournament.

NEWS: Wales have called Cardiff Blues duo Cory Allen and Tomos Williams into their squad.

NEWS: New Zealand have lost two full rating points after their 29-40 defeat to Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago. 

INTERVIEW: Australia are wary of Scotland's slow poison tactics, as the build-up started ahead of the second match of their year-end tour.

NEWS: English side Bristol has sacked Director of Rugby Andy Robinson after the team failed to win a match after seven rounds in this season's Premiership.

NEWS: Wallaby hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has joined the Western Force ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian Men's Sevens head coach Andy Friend is throwing open opportunities for young players to vie for selection in his final 2016/17 squad.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has assembled an exciting squad of 34 players at Pennyhill Park to train for the game against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Centre George Moala will miss the rest of the All Blacks' Northern Hemisphere tour after injuring his elbow in Saturday's historic loss to Ireland, team officials said Monday.

FRENCH TOP 14 SUNDAY WRAP: Three-time European champions Toulon slumped to a shock 13-27 defeat to Lyon on Sunday with Frederic Michalak, Delon Armitage and Mickael Ivaldi scoring against their former employers.

NEWS: France coach Guy Noves believes Ireland's historic defeat of the All Blacks gives his team "a little bit of hope" ahead of their Paris showdown against the world champions.

INJURY UPDATE: Lions centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Blue Bulls flyer Jamba Ulengo will remain with the Springboks for the duration of the November Tests.

FRENCH TOP 14 WRAP: Leaders Clermont narrowly avoided a humiliating defeat at relegation-threatened Grenoble on Saturday with a late penalty from replacement flyhalf Patricio Fernandez securing a 21-20 win.

REACTION: An injury-hit Springbok camp could open the door for some young players, who played against the Barbarians, to remain with the squad for the remainder of the November Test matches.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand centre duo Ryan Crotty and George Moala are likely to be ruled out of the remainder of the All Blacks' tour after suffering injuries in the historic defeat to Ireland on Saturday.

REACTION: Captain Rory Best said Ireland's pre-match tribute to Anthony Foley was "the right thing to do" following his team's historic upset of New Zealand on Saturday.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen refused to blame the All Blacks' injury crisis after his side crashed to a stunning first ever defeat to Ireland here Saturday.

REACTION: Bernard Foley said he and his Australian teammates were set on ignoring any criticism, instead focusing on ever-improving performances after demolishing Wales in their tour opener.

REACTION: Ireland captain Rory Best revealed that a determination to be bold had paid off after his team ended a century-long losing streak against New Zealand on Saturday.

REACTION: Barbarians coach Robbie Deans believes the future is bright for South African rugby despite his side's holding the Springboks to a dramatic 31-31 draw at Wembley.

REPORT: Scarlets turned on the second-half style to complete their fifth successive Pro12 victory, getting the better of a Glasgow Warriors side far from their best at the Parc y Scarlets.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok fullback Jesse Kriel could miss South Africa's clash against England at Twickenham next week.

OPINION: It almost seems silly to rank the players according to their individual performances. They are all heroes, all history makers.

OPINION: The All Blacks found life tough during their 29-40 defeat to a passionate Irish team at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday.

REACTION: Wales coach Rob Howley said he was "very disappointing and very frustrating" with his team's performance in Cardiff on Saturday.

REACTION: Australian coach Michael Cheika refused to get carried away, after watching his team destroy Wales 32-8 in the opening match of their gruelling six-game year-end tour.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland achieved their biggest victory in their history when they beat the All Blacks 40-29 at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday.

OPINION: Let's not kid ourselves, this Wales team is a shambles and never threatened Australia.

OPINION: A new-look Springbok team showed some promise in their 31-all draw against the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: The Barbarians were out to entertain on Saturday and they did just that during their 31-all draw against the Springboks.

PRO12 MATCH REPORT: An Adam Byrne hat-trick ensured Leinster returned to the top of the Pro12 table with a bonus-point  33-10 victory against Zebre at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

OPINION: Australia hardly moved out of second gear, but they were still good enough to ease past a very ordinary Welsh team.

MATCH REPORT: The Springboks scored two tries in the final ten minutes to help them earn a 31-31 draw against the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT: Glenwood have changed their first XV coaches, bringing in Derek Heiberg and Jeremy Mclaren.

MATCH REPORT: Australia started their Grand Slam tour on an impressive note - dismissing Wales 32-8 in Cardiff on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England No.8 Billy Vunipola dreams of challenging himself by playing American football in the NFL.

MATCH REPORT: Argentina ran in seven tries to two to beat a willing, but outclassed, Japan 54-20 in their Test in Tokyo on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand captain Kieran Read says the All Blacks will target Ireland halfbacks Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton when the two nations battle it out at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: New Zealand's Maori team cruised past the United States Eagles 54-7 to open their three-match tour of North America and Europe with a comfortable victory.

PRO12 FRIDAY WRAP: Dave Kilcoyne scored a try-double as Munster sewed up a bonus-point victory with ruthless efficiency at the expense of Ospreys.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland captain Rory Best said his team will not fear New Zealand as they chase an elusive first victory over the world champions in Chicago on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia head into Saturday's match against Wales in Cardiff with just three wins in their last 11 Test but captain Stephen Moore insisted they are focusing on the future.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Springbok Sevens will head to Namibia for a Sevens tournament to be played at The Dome in the coastal town of Swakopmund, with a highly experienced squad.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee has backed under fire backline coach Mzwandile Stick to come good - eventually.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A rare piece of rugby history could be made at Soldier Field on Saturday with New Zealand fielding two sets of brothers at once for the first time in more than half a century.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: When Leigh Halfpenny went down clutching his knee in agony in a pre-World Cup warm-up match last year, there was a collective sigh of despair throughout Wales.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland lock Donnacha Ryan says his teammates are determined to write their own piece of history as they attempt to upset the All Blacks at Chicago's Soldier Field this weekend.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales coach Rob Howley has admitted the team's crushing June whitewash at the hands of the All Blacks had been a wake-up call.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Statistics do not lie. Wales' record in the November Tests is a dismal one, notably against opponents from the Southern Hemisphere.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Australia coach Robbie Deans said Friday the British and Irish Lions were "absolutely" capable of beating the All Blacks in next year's blockbuster Test series.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels have been boosted with the signature of New Zealand rising star Jackson Garden-Bachop for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland will attempt to emulate the Chicago Cubs by ending more than a century of futility on Saturday against a record-breaking New Zealand side chasing rugby immortality.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Barbarians are one of two teams that have beaten the Springboks more often than they have lost to them.

TOP 14 WEEK TEN: Struggling Lyon will look to their Toulon old boys to stun the big-spending, three-time European champions when they clash in the Top 14 on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt wasted no time in recalling flyhalf Johnny Sexton to his starting XV.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Aaron Smith returns at No.9 for the All Blacks in Chicago on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Patrick Lambie will play at flyhalf when he leads the Springboks against the Barbarians in London on Saturday.