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In the final episode of the year, Anton van Zyl shares his true feelings about the Cape Town Sevens and Currie Cup-winning captain Chris van Zyl joins the team in the hot seat.

VODCAST: The World Sevens Series makes its way to Cape Town and the Late Tackle team are so excited that they are giving away tickets to watch the fastest form of the game live!

REACTION: The Eastern Province Rugby Union have drawn a veil of secrecy over the surprise visit of German millionaire Hans-Peter Wild's flash visit to Port Elizabeth at weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia international Henry Speight has revealed that the option of plying his trade in Europe is tempting.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning chatted to Lions coach Swys de Bruin about a pre-season that sees the team bereft of a chunk of their frontline players.

NEWS: Wallaby scrumhalf Nick Frisby will be heading to France after he was told he was no longer needed by the Reds.

NEWS: Karmichael Hunt's prospects of remaining in Australian Rugby look tied to the outcome of his court hearing later this month. 

WATCH: England No.8 Billy Vunipola is set to miss this year's Six Nations after scans confirmed that he had fractured his forearm in a Champions Cup tie against Ospreys.

NEWS: Ireland captain Rory Best is eager to conclude contract talks before the Six Nations gets underway.

NEWS: The Bulls' Super Rugby pre-season preparations were dealt a blow with the news that they have a new addition to the long-term injury list.

NEWS: Former Australian Men's Sevens captain Ed Jenkins has been forced to retire from the game as he battles a shoulder injury.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Mathieu Bastareaud and James Haskell will discover their fate on Wednesday, after being cited for incidents during European Champions Cup matches at the weekend.

NEWS: London Irish have confirmed that it is considering a number of offers of 'investment' in the Premiership club.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP ROUND FIVE: It has been an interesting and intriguing week, to say the least. And one competition's players dominate!

REACTION: Saracens will have to improve drastically at scrum-time if they are to have any chance of making the Champions Cup play-offs 

NEWS: Gareth Steenson has spoken of his delight after putting pen to paper on a new two-year deal with the Exeter Chiefs.

INJURY UPDATE: The Southern Kings are sweating over the fitness of flyhalf Oliver Zono.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Sharks scrumhalf Cobus Reinach was one the try-scorers during Northampton Saints European Champions win over Clermont Auvergne.

NEWS: The SA Rugby Sevens Academy ended their two week South American trip on a perfect note by winning the Sudamericarugby Sevens tournament in Vina del Mar, Chile.

NEWS: Duane Vermeulen is set to return to South Africa at the end of the current European season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia's Super Rugby teams can play a vital role in lifting the game after a tumultuous 2017 season, says new Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle.

REACTION: Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud has issued an apology after appearing to utter a "homophobic" insult at an opponent in Sunday's 36-0 European Champions Cup victory over Treviso.

WATCH: Mathieu Bastareaud could be in a lot of trouble.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Leicester Tigers were soundly beaten on their first trip to the Stade Pierre Fabre in the battle of the bottom two in European Rugby Champions Cup Pool Four.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Racing 92 edged a pulsating first ever European match at the brand new U Arena but Munster's losing bonus point keeps them top of Champions Cup Pool Four.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Toulon set up a mouth-watering Pool Five finale against Scarlets as they picked up what could be a crucial bonus point against Benetton.

INJURY UPDATE: Billy Vunipola is set to miss England's Six Nations campaign after Saracens announced on Sunday that he had suffered a fractured forearm, dealing a huge blow to England coach Eddie Jones' plans.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Leinster have secured a home European Champions Cup quarterfinal after they thrashed Glasgow Warriors 55-19 in Ireland on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The latest Simon Zebo comments emerging from France have put even more distance between him and Joe Schmidt's Ireland team, although the Cork native still apparently wants to be involved in Ireland Six Nations plans.

WATCH: Suntory Sungoliath and Panasonic Wild Knights battle it out for Japanese bragging rights.

EURO CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Connacht overturned a 10-point half-time deficit to qualify for the Challenge Cup quarterfinals with a 24-24 draw at Worcester Warriors on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England were handed a double Six Nations headache on Saturday after European Champions Cup action saw flank James Haskell red-carded and No.8 Billy Vunipola suffer another injury setback.

WATCH as Wasps and England flank James Haskell is red-carded for a horrific high tackle on former Wales centre, Jamie Roberts, in their clash with Harlequins at the Stoop on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Ospreys and defending champions Saracens played to a 15-all draw in dramatic fashion at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Harlequins rallied from 12-28 down to steal a sensational 33-28 triumph over Wasps at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

NEWS: More New Zealand rugby players are set to be banned for doping offences – NZ Rugby general manager Neil Sorensen has revealed.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs breathed life in their campaign with a dominant 41-10 win over Montpellier at Sandy Park.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Northampton Saints opened the Pool Two back door with a 34-21 bonus-point win over Clermont Auvergne at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

PRO14 REPORT: Nico Lee scored a hat-trick as the Cheetahs raced to a 45-21 win in a first-ever South African derby in this European competition.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Ulster pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season when they beat French giants La Rochelle 20-13 at a packed Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.

EURO CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Solomoni Rasolea's dramatic 77th-minute try helped Edinburgh clinch a place in the European Challenge Cup quarterfinals with a stunning 34-33 victory over Stade Francais.

In the life of a professional rugby player, there’s still a long way to go before the first weekend in February when the Six Nations commences.

WATCH: As the European Champions Cup reaches a crucial stage and with Super Rugby on the horizon, we bring you the 10 best teams on the planet - as rated by BsporTV !

JERSEY LAUNCH: The Bulls will be unrecognisable in their away jersey in this season's Super Rugby tournament.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Scarlets gave a scintillating attacking display to win 35-17 at Bath on Friday and vault to the top of Pool Five in the European Champions Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers may be without the services of one of their key players for most - if not all - of the Super Rugby season.

A 125kg Japanese tighthead demonstrates the massive impact a prop can make, even as a sub.

WATCH as Aspell-Moara wreaks violent havoc for Ishikawa against other schools in Japan.

LISTEN as talented flyhalf Inny-Christian Radebe explains to Jan de Koning why he may be forced to look abroad for employment.

Dr Geoffrey Vaughan, AO, who played for the Wallabies six times in 1958, died at the age of 84.

REACTION: Waratahs scrumhalf Nick Phipps does not share the view that Israel Folau is about to go code-hopping again.

For the first time, women referees have been included in New Zealand's top panels - two in the National Squad and Four in the Wider Training Group.

OPINION: For a long time now, English rugby has been the king of the castle.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A fit-again Billy Vunipola will look to drag Saracens away from the abyss when the reigning European champions travel to Ospreys on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Teenage wing Samuel Ezeala is "doing very well" following his shocking KO last Sunday, his Clermont coach Franck Azema said on Thursday.

INJURY UPDATE: Ross Moriarty delivered some welcome good news for Wales coach Warren Gatland ahead of the Six Nations.

QUALIFICATION ON THE LINE: Holders Saracens are among the heavyweights fighting for their European lives when the pool stage concludes over the next two weekends - with coveted quarterfinal places on the line.

BACK-TO-BACK DERBIES: The Cheetahs have promised to bounce back in emphatic style when they meet the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

NEWS: Teenage star Marcus Smith's impressive performances in his maiden Premiership season has earned him a first senior professional contract, his club Harlequins announced on Thursday.

NEWS: Canadian coach Jamie Cudmore has quit Oyonnax with immediate effect over a "disagreement", the French Top 14 basement boys said on Thursday.

NEWS: The drain on South Africa's age-group resources by clubs and franchises in Europe gained more momentum this week.

WATCH: BlitzBoks star Albertus 'Kwagga' Smith went into beast mode during his side's training camp in Stellenbosch.

WATCH: The 'Run It Straight Challenge' has been around on social media for a while now, originating with Rugby League fans in Australia.

NEWS: One of Ireland's most highly-rated trainers has declined an offer to join the Springbok coaching staff.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Stormers have increased their flyhalf stocks ahead of this year's upcoming Super Rugby season.

VIDEO: David Flatman is back with his picks for round 13 of the 2017/18 Premiership season.

PREMIERSHIP PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Worcester Warriors wing Josh Adams has been named the best performer for December.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scrumhalf Will Genia said new Melbourne Rebels head coach David Wessels reminds him of Eddie Jones.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Lima Sopoaga is the latest All Black to make the decision to leave New Zealand and join English Premiership side Wasps on a two-year deal.

NEWS: One of the most talented players in Argentina, unwanted by the Jaguares franchise, is being chased by Premiership and Pro14 teams.

TRANSFER NEWS: England international wing Matt Banahan will bring his 12-year association with Bath to an end in the close season.

WATCH as Ma’ama Vaipulu is sent off in the 63rd minute of his sides 3-30 loss to Agen at the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Rohan Janse van Rensburg's stay in England will soon come to an end.

INJURY UPDATE: The Cheetahs were dealt a triple blow, as they stepped up preparations for the back-to-back Pro14 encounters with the Southern Kings.

NEWS: Australia's Super Rugby players were handed a pay rise and squad sizes were expanded to up to 40 players as part of a new collective bargaining agreement announced on Wednesday.

NEWS: Two New Zealand representatives are among four players suspended for doping offences, NZ Rugby said in a statement.

HOT OFF THE PRESS: The English Premiership has swooped on another frontline All Black with Lima Sopoaga set to announce he has signed with Wasps for the northern 2018/2019 season.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Defending Six Nations champions England will be without prop Joe Marler for at least the opening two matches of the tournament.

It's European competition again - the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup. And there is just one PRO14 match.

NEWS: Scarlets confirmed that scrumhalf Jonathan Evans has signed a new deal keeping him at the Scarlets.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Alessandro Zanni is in line to earn his 100th cap for Italy and Jake Polledri received his first call as coach Conor O'Shea named his 34-man Six Nations training squad on Tuesday.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales and Ospreys star Dan Lydiate will undergo surgery this week on the bicep injury he suffered in the New Year’s Eve win at the Dragons in the Pro14.

Ok, it's an academy by another name but it is a new venture for the Golden Lions - a Master Coach Rugby Factory with an impressive staff to make it really work.

WATCH: You know it's bad when a sheet is put up so the crowd can't see the medics working on you.  

TRANSFER NEWS: Dragons are pleased to announce that Worcester Warriors forward Huw Taylor will join the region next season on a two-year deal.

NEWS: Cardiff Blues confirmed that Nick Williams has signed a new contract to extend his stay in the Welsh capital.

TRANSFER NEWS: William Tupou is one of three additions to the Sunwolves' Super Rugby squad for the upcoming Super Rugby season.

NEWS: England head coach Eddie Jones is currently on a reconnaissance mission in South Africa to help his side prepare for their three-Test series against the Springboks in June.

NEWS: Another key member of Munster's backroom staff is set to join Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus in South Africa.

INJURY UPDATE: Cheetahs coach Rory Duncan has a tricky midfield poser to solve ahead of their back-to-back Pro14 encounters with the Southern Kings.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New recruit Rob Simmons will be looking to help lift the Waratahs after a poor 2017 Super Rugby season.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls returned to Super Rugby pre-season training on Monday, with a host of players still on the sidelines.

NEWS: There will be another chapter written in the colourful disciplinary history of England prop Joe Marler.

WATCH AS Connacht lock Quinn Roux receives a yellow card for this tip tackle on Munster’s Keith Earls during their Pro14 Irish derby match at the weekend.

REACTION: AJ MacGinty, the United States Eagles No.10, is waiting to discover how seriously he damaged his knee helping defeat Harlequins 30-29 in a Premiership match at the weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: A failed medical exam appears to have left talented flyhalf Inny-Christian Radebe without a franchise for 2018.

INJURY UPDATE: Teenage Clermont wing Samuel Ezeala was all smiles and gave the thumbs up from his hospital bed on Monday following a sickening concussion suffered against Racing 92 on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After the last round before teams head back into Europe, we have a look at all the Round 13 highlights and the stats - which tell a story all of its own.

PRO14 INJURY UPDATE: Regular captain Michael Willemse might return to the Southern Kings for their back-to-back derby encounters with the Cheetahs.

NEWS: The SA Rugby Sevens Academy showed great determination and character in Uruguay on Sunday to claim the Punta del Este tournament on the Sudamericarugby Sevens series despite only having nine players available for the Final.

UPDATE: Leinster have launched an investigation after fans had to be moved from a section of the grandstand at the RDS Arena during the Pro14 clash against Ulster.

TOP 14, SUNDAY WRAP: Defending French Top 14 champions Clermont slumped to an eight-try, 6-58 rout at the hands of Racing 92 on Sunday in a game overshadowed by a horror injury suffered by debutant teenage wing Samuel Ezeala. 

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Alex Goode scored twice as Saracens produced  38-15 bonus-point win over Wasps in a pulsating contest to move within five points of league leaders Exeter Chiefs.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Sparkling first-half scores from Sinoti Sinoti, Vereniki Goneva and Kyle Cooper inspired Newcastle Falcons to  28-20 win over table-toppers Exeter Chiefs.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ulster Rugby have confirmed that they have signed a new flyhalf, but are as of yet to name the player.

WATCH as Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann feels his side's ill-discipline and controversial referee decisions gifted Northampton Saints a win.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Joe Marler's recent reckless outburst against Sale Sharks could see the England forward miss a chunk of the Six Nations campaign.

TOP 14 WRAP: Montpellier gained a precious bonus point as they beat Stade Francais to retake first place in the Top 14 from La Rochelle, who drew at last-place Oyonnax.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: A man-of-the-match performance from George Horne helped Glasgow Warriors to a 12th victory of the season.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Dan Biggar showed off his kicking prowess to set up three tries in the Ospreys' 29-28 derby win over the Cardiff Blues in a thrilling Guinness PRO14 encounter.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Munster demolished a very poor Connacht team, winning 39-13 in their Irish derby on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: A late Francois de Klerk penalty gave Sale Sharks a 30-29 victory over Harlequins in a pulsating clash at the AJ Bell stadium.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Manu Tuilagi marked his 100th appearance in a Leicester Tigers shirt with a try as his side earned a 19-15 win at Welford Road over London Irish.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: A controversial penalty try at the death helped Northampton Saints end a seven-match losing streak.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Leinster made a big statement about their European credentials as their ran six tries past Ulster in a one-sided Irish derby.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Benetton produced a stunning second half to beat the Cheetahs 27-21 in their Round 13 match in Treviso on Saturday.

OPINION: Currently, the Springboks have a 30-cap ruling for South African-born players who ply their rugby overseas, making anyone with less than 30 Test caps ineligible to become a Bok.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Using data collected over the past number of seasons by sports agency Esportif Intelligence, an interesting picture begins to develop on the key positions in Europes three major leagues.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Six-try Bath Rugby delivered a dominant performance at Sixways to down Worcester Warriors and arrest a run of three Premiership Rugby defeats.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Rhys Patchell was at the heart of everything the Scarlets did as the reigning PRO14 champions put in a blistering seven-try showing to dispatch Welsh rivals the Dragons in style.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Edinburgh recorded their eighth win of the season with a 37-7 bonus-point victory over the South African side the Southern Kings.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England's Six Nations campaign has been given a boost with the return of star duo Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola.

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT: The sixth annual Jeppe High School for Boys Rhino Rugby Under-16 Rugby Festival will take place from March 29 to April 2.

INJURY UPDATE: Scotland  will be without Zander Fagerson for the bulk of the Six Nations after the prop suffered a foot injury.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok centre Francois Venter returns from international duty to lead the Cheetahs in their first match of 2018.

There's never a dull moment when Austin Healey is tossing around opinions.

Glasgow Warriors centre Nick Grigg was playing for Petone club in Wellington, New Zealand - where he was born and raised - before uploading a YouTube video that would change his life.

IN THE SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Beauden Barrett is unquestionably the most dangerous 10 in world rugby.

TOP 14 ROUND 15: Having bid adieu to Jacques Brunel, Bordeaux-Begles promptly turned a new page by replacing the new France coach with little-known Englishman Rory Teague, who takes on Lyon on Saturday in his first ever match as head coach not just in the Top 14, but in any professional league.

IN THE PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: Ospreys and Wales hooker Scott Baldwin says getting bitten by a Lions in South Africa was the catalyst for his improved form in recent months.

OPINION: As the new year gets underway former England utility back Andy Goode looks ahead to what the next 12 months might bring, as well as reflect on the past year.

NEWS: Englishman Rory Teague was named as coach of Bordeaux-Begles after the departure of Jacques Brunel to the France national team.

NEWS: Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young has signed a long-term contract extension with the English Premiership club, ending speculation that he could be in line for the Wales job.

CRUNCH TIME: Reigning champions Exeter Chiefs may be ten points clear at the top of the table but a mere three points cover the next four clubs, as we head into the last round of Premiership Rugby before two rounds of Europe Champions Cup.

RETURN OF THE NEWCOMERS: The Pro14 has plenty of storylines to offer in Round 13, with more Welsh and Irish derbies on the fixture list.

NEWS: The Bulls, in the midst of a retrenchment process, have lost a Springbok to Premiership strugglers London Irish.

The Crusaders have reaped the rewards of their success in 2017 - the eight-time champions finding themselves in a healthy financial position.

WATCH: This tackle, that took place in Spain recently, has caused a large amount of debate on social media.

WATCH: They’re calling it one of the most perfect flyhalf performances of all time.

NEWS: Semi Radradra belatedly returned to training with Top 14 Toulon on Wednesday, amid rumours that he will walk out on the club at the end of the season.

INJURY UPDATE: Bath's hopes of ending a three-match losing streak in the Premiership was dealt a cruel blow.

Leinster flank Josh van der Flier made an incredible 34 tackles against Connacht and in doing so broke the Pro14 record for tackles made in a single game.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sammy Arnold's red-card tackle has cost him and Munster dearly.

European Professional Rugby has made 40 referee appointments to Rounds 5 and 6 of the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former France players Julien Bonnaire, Sebastien Bruno and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde were unveiled as new coach Jacques Brunel's three assistants.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales wing George North could miss the Six Nations opener after suffering another knee injury.

Again this weekend the battles are in the English Premiership, Top 14 and PRO14 where the South African teams are shaking off their aestivation and plunging into the cold.

NEWS: A Spartans Rugby Football Club player has been handed a four-year ban for the use of anabolic steroids.

TRANSFER NEWS: English Premiership side Saracens bolstered their scrumhalf stocks with the signing of Australian Nic Stirzaker on a three-month deal.

NEWS: South African hooker Kurt Haupt, seen as no more than a journeyman and a fringe player in his country of birth, has impressed enough to earn an extended stay in the Premiership.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones believes the evolution of defensive structures will play a key role in the build-up to the 2019 World Cup.

REACTION: Japan-based Samoan Test star Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu has made an astonishing claim that cocaine use is rife in the sport.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales flank Dan Lydiate will miss part of the forthcoming Six Nations tournament after suffering a bicep injury.

NEWS: The South Africa Rugby Union's Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, has made his first significant appointment of his new term.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs bolstered their team with the inclusion of three Springboks, ahead of their trip to Italy.

 World Rugby's new law book has come into being with the New Year 2018. It is a great achievement, of which World Rugby deserves to be proud.

NEWS: The Blue Bulls Company, already under pressure because of their precarious financial position, was dealt another blow this week.

PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: It has been a frustrating festive period for London Irish.

The year 2018 is set to deliver more fantastic rugby action. And while there is no B&I Lions tour or a World Cup to look forward to, it will nonetheless be another enthralling, entertaining and intriguing 12 months.

This is an odd one. Thirty-seven minutes into this Scottish derby between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh at the weekend, the announcement could be heard: "Ladies & Gentlemen, in the interest of safety this building must be evacuated."

Toulouse scored a try in the corner against Toulon, or at least they that is how it first appears. However there’s a fairly blatant knock in the lead up, so after awarding the try, the ref resorts to the TMO.

NEWS: Hallam Amos is a doubt for the start of Wales' Six Nations campaign after suffering an ankle injury.

REACTION: Munster Director of Rugby Johann van Graan admitted his own team's lack of discipline is what cost them most.

PRO14 REPORT: Ulster came back from 0-17 down at half-time to score a sensational 24-17 win over Munster on Monday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has been forced to remove five players from the England training squad due to injuries sustained over the weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Southern Kings may be refreshed after a month-long break, but they will return to Pro14 action without a number of key players.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Max Deegan and Luke McGrath scored tries as Leinster survived a monumental late onslaught by a spirited Connacht in a tense New Year's Day clash at the RDS Arena.

NEWS: It is not new or unique, but Semi Radradra has done it again.

Rugby analysis website Rugby Vision have released their list of the 58 best 'club' sides in the world for 2017 - according to statistics.

WRAP: Castres beat defending champions Clermont 31-27 in a tense final Top 14 match of the year on Sunday to stay firmly in the race in France.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT:  Ospreys ended 2017 in style with a commanding 22-9 away win over the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

MATCH REPORT: Rhys Patchell’s try against his former club saw reigning Pro14 champions Scarlets sign off a successful 2017 with 14-11 victory over Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues.

MATCH REPORT: Gareth Steenson capped his 150th Premiership appearance with points aplenty from the boot as Exeter Chiefs went 10 points clear with an emphatic 30-6 victory over Leicester Tigers.

REACTION: Glasgow Warriors coach Dave Rennie was delighted with his side's confrontational approach in their 17-0 Pro14 victory over Edinburgh.

VIDEO: Here is a compilation of some of the best tries scored in the 2017 Super Rugby Season.

REACTION:  Director of Rugby Mark McCall said that his side looked like a 'really good team' despite what he describes as a patchy performance in a six-try win over Worcester Warriors.

We see out 2017 with a look at some of the most successful long-range attempts at goal in recent times!

REACTION: `The plaudits went, rightfully so, to match-winner Billy Twelvetrees. However, Gloucester coach Johan Ackermann reserved special praise for a couple of Springboks in the Sale Sharks team.

REACTION: Wallaby and Reds back Karmichael Hunt was stood down from any rugby activities, after he was charged with drug possession.

TOP 14 WRAP: La Rochelle bounced back from successive defeats as they retook first place in France by crushing struggling Agen 47-6  on Saturday.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Finn Russell's boot was the difference as Glasgow Warriors battled to victory over Edinburgh in the second leg of the 1872 Cup at Scotstoun, avenging last week's shock loss in the capital.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Alex Tait's brace guided Newcastle Falcons to a third straight Premiership victory as they humbled London Irish.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Danny Care's double helped Harlequins to a huge win over Northampton Saints at a packed-out Twickenham for Big Game 10.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Jackson Wray and Nathan Earle both bagged try doubles as Saracens ran in six tries in a 46-31 success over Worcester Warriors at Allianz Park.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Billy Twelvetrees kicked two crucial penalties in the final quarter to give Gloucester a crucial 20-16 win over Sale Sharks at Kingsholm in Saturday.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Dean Budd's late try helped Benetton Rugby to complete the double over Italian rivals Zebre, with a hard-fought win in Parma.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones draws strength from the fact he has always been considered an outsider, from his days growing up in Australia to his years of success in rugby.

WATCH: Football (or soccer) tends to get a lot of complaints hurled at it from rugby fans.

WATCH: The rugby rumour mill has gone into overdrive throughout the month of December, with speculation mounting over numerous players.

NEWS: The Australian Rugby Union has launched an investigation, following reports that a high-profile international player was arrested, reportedly for possessing drugs.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: A brace from Marcus Watson helped Wasps make it six wins in a row in a nine-try thriller against Bath.

Ronnie Bauser was a man of Kimberley. He was born there, went to school there, lived there and died there, and was intensely loyal to the place.

INJURY UPDATE: French international centre Wesley Fofana has been hit by a new injury blow and will miss the next three months, ruling him out of the Six Nations.

OPINION: It is fair to say that 2017 delivered its fair share of exciting rugby prospects.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi was missing from England's 34-man 6 Nations training squad announced Friday.

WATCH as Conor Murray reached new heights against Leinster - literally.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Each passing week it seems there are signs Quade to the Blues will actually happen.

TOP 14, ROUND 14: New France coach Jacques Brunel will make his Bordeaux-Begles farewell with a visit to Stade Francais on Saturday.

THE YEAR THAT WAS: It was not exactly the annus horribilis that 2016 was, but 2017 had its share of apocalyptic events. Jan de Koning shines the spotlight on South African rugby.

NEWS: Sacked France coach Guy Noves has been summoned to answer a charge of serious misconduct by the French rugby federation.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATES: Scotland prop Simon Berghan dealt a blow to his country's hopes of beating Wales in their Six Nations opener on February 3 in Cardiff.

ON THE REBOUND: An epic Round of Christmas Derby action has left fans craving for more after 84,960 people turned out to witness the tribal rivalries in full force.

YEAR-END FEAST: The festive fixtures come thick and fast and the weekend's action is undoubtedly highlighted by the mouth-watering Big Game 10 at Twickenham Stadium.

TRANSFER NEWS: Edinburgh have signed Samoan prop Jordan Lay ahead of Saturday's highly anticipated 1872 Cup second leg against Glasgow Warriors.

TRANSFER NEWS: Worcester Warriors have completed the signing of lock Anton Bresler from Edinburgh - with immediate effect.

WATCH this footage, released by the Australian Rugby Union, of one of the most devastating female players in the game.

Former All Black flanker Steven Luatua is enjoying life at Bristol, the 26-year-old indicating he would like to stay on.

With 2017 nearly at its close and 2018 knocking on the door, Alex Shaw takes a look back at a memorable year of rugby by compiling his top 30 players of the last 12 months.

REACTION: New France coach Jacques Brunel said that his immediate ambition is to win the Six Nations and end the negative spiral which has enveloped the struggling national team.

NEWS: Leicester Tigers wing Jonny May is free to play, after it was found his red card in last weekend’s clash with Saracens was punishment enough.

PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Francois de Klerk believes Sale's thrilling 32-9 win against Bath last weekend can serve as the ideal template for the club going into the second half of the campaign.

Praise and thanks to Hans Saestad. Again he has filled a hole in South Africa's rugby history.

NEWS: One of the worst-kept secrets of the year has been confirmed. France has sacked their coach.

NEWS: Bath has been fined £60,000, after admitting to having breached Premiership Rugby policies.

SPOTLIGHT: Take a look back at the year that was in this All Blacks 2017 Infographic.

INJURY UPDATE: Cardiff's Welsh international Gethin Jenkins will undergo X-rays, following a heavy collision during the Blues' tense Pro14 victory over the Dragons.

WATCH: It has been quite the year for the Scottish. The men in blue are currently one of the favourites to win the 2018 Six Nations and this videos show exactly why.

WATCH: In a bid to see which of the pair was faster, Sonny Bill Williams and Quade Cooper have had a race in the gym.

NEWS: All Black loose forward Adam Thomson is expected to make a full recovery, after being hospitalised in Japan last week.

OFF-SEASON SPOTLIGHT: Former All Black coach John Mitchell is confident that the new philosophy he’s instilled at the Bulls will reap rewards next year.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Josh Macleod's dramatic last-gasp score sent Scarlets back to the top of Conference B with a hard-fought Welsh derby victory over Ospreys.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Leinster moved to the top of Pool B with an impressive bonus-point win over Munster on Tuesday.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Cardiff Blues held off a ferocious Dragons fightback to take the bragging rights at Rodney Parade with a 22-17 success.

WATCH: Pau snatched victory from defending champions Clermont after replacement prop Beka Kakabadze lost his cool and effectively cost them the match.

NEWS: Samoan international centre Rey Lee-Lo signed a new long-term contract with the Cardiff Blues.

NEWS: The Sunwolves continued to add quality to their squad for 2018 by recruiting anther South African.

It's the last week of 2017. It's astonishing that it's over already, with its year's worth of ups and downs.

WATCH AS, With 2017 nearing an end, we look back at some of the highlights & most viewed media clips from the past year.

There was plenty drama in the an absolutely riveting 1872 Cup match, with Edinburgh prop Simon Berghan sent off for stamping on the head of Glasgow hooker Fraser Brown.

ON this day of celebration and sharing, we obtained top secret information from the North Pole - regarding the letters to Santa of several very influential men in the rugby world.

REACTION: Saracens head into Christmas with an unwanted monkey off their back, after ending their seven-match winless.

Playing their home games at We Three Kingsholm Stadium, under the guidance of Gary Five Gold Rings, the Premiership Christmas squad is revealed.

The rugby365 team want to wish a Merry Christmas to all our readers.

MATCH REPORT: Saracens' uncharacteristic winless run is finally over after securing their first win since October with victory over Leicester Tigers in a Christmas Eve feast.

FUNNY EXCHANGES: One of the enduring qualities of Twitter is that it can pitch average Joe Soaps sports fan into direct dialogues with people of varying degrees of fame, be it sporting or otherwise.

NEWS: The Welsh Rugby Union hopes to appoint Warren Gatland’s replacement in 2018, more than a year before the coach is scheduled to vacate his post.

WATCH the highlights and reaction from Round 11 of the Premiership on this Christmas weekend!

NEWS: Springbok prop Julian Redelinghuys has decided to call it a day and will exchange his playing boots for an educational role.

REACTION: Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill said his team's last-gasp victory over Glasgow as one of the highlights of his career.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Johan Ackermann was frustrated as Gloucester's recent strong run ended in Coventry at the weekend, but refused to blame off-field distractions for their 24-49 defeat to Wasps.

TOP 14 WRAP: Bordeaux-Begles gave Jacques Brunel the perfect send off in what will likely be his final home match in charge before becoming France coach with a 29-19 win over La Rochelle.

PRO14 REPORT: Ultan Dillane helped himself to a double as Connacht produced a blistering performance to overwhelm Ulster in their inter-provincial encounter at the Sportsground, running out 44-16 winners.

PRO14 REPORT: Chris Dean's dramatic late try saw 14-man Edinburgh inflict a first domestic defeat of the season for Glasgow Warriors.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Wasps moved up to second position in the standings with an impressive demolition of an in-form Gloucester team in a 10-try thriller on Saturday.

Liston Ntshongwana, great forward and captain in his day, died in the week running up to Christmas 2017.

PRO14 REPORT: Angelo Esposito helped himself to a double as Benetton claimed the bragging rights with a 27-14 victory over 14-man Zebre at the Stadio Monigo.

WATCH when the match between AURILLAC and USM MONTAUBAN turns into a mass brawl.

NEWS: One charge of rape against Ulster centre Stuart Olding has been dropped ahead of trial.

REACTION: Nick Kennedy is determined for his side to bounce back from Friday's defeat at Worcester.

NEWS: Clermont have exercised an option to sign Loni Uhila for a second year.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors has appointed a former Springbok assistant coach to replace another former Bok assistant coach as the club's permanent Director of Rugby.

WATCH: Nothing declares you want to spend several weeks on the sidelines like head-butting an opponent.

YEAR-END SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand, led magnificently by playmaker Beauden Barrett, continue to lead the pack in their bid for an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup, although they were held to a drawn series by the British and Irish Lions.

PLAYER NEWS: The Sharks have retained the bulk of a very impressive squad by resigning a number of players this month.

REPORT: Racing 92 inaugurated their new indoor U Arena home in the western Parisian suburbs with a 23-19 victory over Toulouse.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A string of coaching changes are afoot on New Zealand's South Island - with the troublesome Southland getting special attention.

TRANSFER NEWS: All Black centre George Moala has joined Clermont from Super Rugby team the Blues on a three-season deal.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: When you think All Blacks, ill-discipline isn’t the first thing to spring to mind.

REACTION: Jacques Brunel has made his mind up to leave Bordeaux-Begles and take over the France reins, one of his club players told AFP on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jim Hamilton's career began and ended with memorable spells at Leicester Tigers and Saracens.

Ken Catchpole was regarded by many as the greatest scrumhalf in the world in his day.

MATCH REPORT: A Josh Adams-inspired Worcester Warriors moved 10 points clear of bottom club London Irish in the Premiership table with a 23-8 win at Sixways.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand is widely recognised as the best in the world and has held the No.1 ranking for more than a decade. Now they also top another list.

TOP 14 ROUND 13: All Black superstar Dan Carter has failed to recover from a knee injury and will miss out as Racing 92 finally begin life at their glittering new home on Friday.

SPECULATION is rife that under-fire Guy Noves is doomed to become the first French coach axed before the end of his contract.

INJURY UPDATE: No.8 Nathan Hughes and wing Elliot Daly have been ruled out of the first half of England's Six Nations defence.

WATCH this is a compilation of some of the funniest rugby moments to grace the game in recent times.

LISTEN as Piet Heymans, spokesperson of the trade union Sport Employers Unite, explains why Western Province staff may go on strike.

There’s several school of thoughts on the old, rubbing in mistake, ironic back slapping etc that goes. Many don’t have much time for it.

NEWS: Reports coming out of France suggests that two former All Blacks are very much on the radar of French clubs as 2017 comes to a close.

DERBY DANCES: The Pro14 will make a big impact with a full slate of derby fixtures across Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales - which will all play out to the backdrop of the Christmas season.

WITH CHRISTMAS SPECIAL VIDEO: We are approaching the halfway stage in Premiership with just four points separating five teams near the top of the table, ensuring the picture could change completely over the course of the Christmas and New Year weekends.

NEWS: Ireland has won the big tug-of-war for the services of star loose forward Christiaan Stander.

NEWS: Ben Smith and Ash Dixon have been confirmed as the co-Captains for the Pulse Energy Highlanders for the second year running.

REACTION: They may be dealing with a host of boardroom issues, but the on-field future of Western Province is 'quite exciting'.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Waratahs backrower Jed Holloway says a greater focus on skills in the preseason is going to benefit every Australian Super Rugby franchise.

THE SHORT BALL: With Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina going on holiday early, James McOnie, Melodie Robinson and Liam Napier step in to spread the footy cheer with The Off Season.

REACTION: There was relief allround as England centre Manu Tuilagi was cleared of making a dangerous tackle in his comeback game.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Argentinian international Juan Imhoff was slapped with a five-week ban.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt heaved a massive sigh of relief with the news that one of his frontline props will be available for the start of the Six Nations - despite his poor disciplinary record.

NEWS: Jonny Gray has signed a new two-year contract with Glasgow.

Stan Pilecki, the son of Polish refugees to Australia, became one of the greats of Australian rugby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jonathan Sexton suffered yet another injury against Exeter last weekend which could potentially see him miss his sides upcoming interprovincial clash with Munster.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: England centre Manu Tuilagi has been cleared to play for Leicester Tigers against Saracens in a crucial Premiership match on Sunday.

PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Sebastian De Chaves is relishing Friday's trip to Worcester Warriors, as London Irish look to get their campaign back on track with a victory.

REACTION: The troubled Western Province Rugby Union has been caught up in a case of racism.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ulster’s clash with Harlequins last Friday put two flyhalves head-to-head in contrasting stages of their career. Ben Smith analyses their performances.

INJURY UPDATE: Wasps have sent England internationals Elliot Daly and Nathan Hughes for specialist evaluation after both suffered injuries in last Sunday's European Champions Cup win over La Rochelle.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland captain Rory Best may miss the start of the Six Nations, but star flyhalf Johnny Sexton could play next  week already.

NEWS: Wales international Aled Brew has extended his stay with Bath, the Premiership club revealed.

In the very first rugby Test match ever played, there was a player born on Christmas Day.

NEWS: All Black great Dan Carter was fined just €1000 when he appeared in a French court on drink driving charges in October, according to recently released court documents AFP has seen.

REACTION: Premiership club Gloucester has come out in support of underfire coach Johan Ackermann and son Ruan.

Wayne Barnes, referee and barrister, will have refereed the most matches in England's Premiership, when he referees the match between Worcester Warriors and London Irish at Sixways on Friday, 213 December 2017.  

It's Christmas, and we wish peace to all referees - peace and joy to referees and players and spectators and administrators - and all of the rest of the world. May the Christmas spirit last forever.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Despite retiring from professional rugby, Todd Clever hasn’t hung up his boots just yet.

In their Champions Cup Round Four match at the weekend, Leinster came from behind to beat Exeter and remain at the top of Pool Three.

Things are not looking particularly good for England back row forward Sam Underhill.

Rugby Australia has announced the appointment of former player Mitch Chapman as the new head coach of Australia's referees.

NEWS: Gloucester's coach Johan Ackermann and his son Ruan have been caught up in a social media storm over an allegation of assault.

WATCH as the Brumbies go back to their roots with the design of their Super Rugby home and away jerseys during the 2018 Super Rugby competition.

Four-test All Black and Blues midfielder George Moala is on the verge of signing with current Top 14 champions Clermont Auvergne, French newspaper La Montagne reports.

Former Rugby League wing and Wallabies outside back Curtis Rona has signed a new two-year deal with the Waratahs and Wallabies

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand international flyhalf Aaron Cruden will miss two to three weeks due to a knee injury.

NEWS: Veteran Welsh hooker Richard Hibbard will return, from Premiership outfit Gloucester,  home at the end of the present season.

WATCH as Springbok Willie le Roux puts in an amazing try-saving for Wasps against La Rochelle.

NEWS: Veteran French flyhalf Frederic Michalak said he would retire from the game at the end of the season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The European Champions Cup takes a break as we head to the Premiership and Pro14 for the Christmas season.

POST-MATCH REACTION: Saracens may be on an unprecedented losing streak, but Director of Rugby Mark McCall is backing them to successfully defend their title.

REACTION: Reports that another Lions Springbok is heading to Europe soon are not accurate.

WATCH as Saracens prop Vincent Koch has given us one of those special prop moments.

NEWS: Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie is set to face his former Sharks teammates in Hong Kong in February.

ROUND FOUR: The European Champions Cup goes into the Christmas break after a bruising round of games across the continent this weekend.

OPINION: The European Champions Cup pools really began to take shape this week, as the 'double header' rounds, perhaps the most tactically interesting two-week slot in the competition, were wrapped up.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: A 25-16 victory at Welford Road saw Munster seize control of European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 4 and leave Leicester's hope of reaching the quarter-finals in tatters.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Ospreys claimed second place in Champions Cup Pool 2 with their second bonus-point 32-15 win in a week over Northampton Saints.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: A late penalty courtesy of fullback Scott Spedding made sure Clermont secure back-to-back victories over Champions Cup title holders Saracens.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Elliot Daly's brace of tries help Wasps brought La Rochelle's 100 percent record to an end in Champions Cup Pool 1 with an impressive 21-3 win to avenge last week's defeat at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre.

INJURY UPDATE: Glasgow Warriors' European Champions Cup campaign has been dealt another blow after their 26-36 defeat to Montpellier. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black wing Julian Savea says he hasn’t closed the door on the possibility of playing Rugby League.

WATCH as referee JP Doyle get knocked down as Glasgow and Montpellier tear into each other like wild animals.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After receiving a yellow card in Harlequins European Champions Cup match with Ulster in Ravenhill, Kyle Sinckler has reacted to a tirade of social media criticism.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand flyhalf Aaron Cruden suffered a knee injury during Montpellier's 36-26 European Champions Cup victory over Glasgow on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Bath blew Pool Five in the European Rugby Champions Cup wide open with a rare 26-21 triumph over three-times European champions Toulon at The Recreation Ground in a memorable showdown in the English West Country.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Racing 92 revived their hopes of reaching the European Rugby Champions Cup quarterfinals with a crucial 29-7 bonus-point triumph over French Top 14 rivals Castres Olympique at the Stade Yves Du Manoir on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Dreams of the European Rugby Champions Cup knockout stages remain alive for Scarlets following a comfortable 31-12 bonus-point victory against Benetton Rugby at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday.

NEWS: Lions standout Jaco Kriel has been heavily linked with a move to Gloucester in the Premiership, according to reports.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Leinster tightened their grip on European Rugby Champions Cup Pool Three with a tense 22-17 triumph over Exeter Chiefs in a classic continental encounter at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Benoit Paillaugue kept Montpellier afloat in the European Champions Cup with a match-winning performance in a 36-26 victory over Glasgow on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Wales head coach Warren Gatland said he will look to coach in Super Rugby once his current contract comes to an end after the 2019 World Cup.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Ulster kept the dream of a European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final berth alive with a 52-24 triumph over Harlequins a thrilling Friday encounter at the Kingspan Stadium.

TRANSFER SPOTLIGHT: Peter O'Mahony has signed a three-year contract with the IRFU which will see him continue with Munster until at least 2021.

TRANSFER SPOTLIGHT: Ireland tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong has signed a three-year IRFU contract to remain at Leinster up to June 2021.

TRANSFER NEWS: Academy product Stan South has extended his time with the Premiership side the Harlequins.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Japan's national rugby team can boost ticket sales for the 2019 World Cup if they carry their fine recent form into next year, organisers said Friday.

NEWS: SA Rugby will only confirm their decision on Allister Coetzee's future in the new year. 

NEWS: The Sunwolves announced that the Super Rugby match against the Melbourne Rebels is now to be played in Tokyo.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Leinster may be building towards a tilt at a first European Champions Cup title since 2012 but scrum coach John Fogarty is wary of an Exeter reaction in Dublin on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Australian loose forward Tala Gray has signed a deal to join Stade Francais from next season, the French Top 14 side announced on Thursday.

NEWS: Wasps have confirmed the signing of current Cardiff Blues head coach Danny Wilson and Nottingham Rugby head coach Ian Costello, both are set to arrive in Coventry during pre-season to complement the coaching talent already in place.  

INJURY UPDATE: Saracens lock Maro Itoje will be available for the start of England's Six Nations title defence after his club said he faces a maximum of four more weeks of rehabilitation.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After a tough weekend last time out in the European Champions Cup, Harlequins are the first of the Premiership sides looking to turn the tables in Round Four.

NEWS: The Lions have confirmed that defence and assistant coach JP Ferreira will join Irish Province Munster.

AWARDS: The Black Ferns dominated the New Zealand Rugby Awards on Thursday. 

TRANSFER NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have accepted a request from Gloucester to grant hooker James Hanson an early release from his Super Rugby contract.

UPDATE: Lyon wing Timilai Rokoduru has been suspended for seven weeks for a dangerous tackle against Toulouse last week in the European Challenge Cup, the organisers announced on Wednesday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Crusaders' injury list continues to grow ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season.

WATCH: The 1014 team pick their 2017 World XV and examine three nominations in each position. 

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Glasgow Warriors hooker George Turner has been handed a four-week suspension following his yellow card during his side's European Championship clash.

The biggest interest this weekend will - weather permitting - be in the three competitions of European Professional Club Rugby - the Champions Cup, the Challenge Cup and the Continental Shield.

World Rugby has made known the match officials for the Six Nations early in 2018.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Phil Thomson will take over as Chairman of the Brumbies board following Rob Kennedy’s decision to step down from the position at the Annual General Meeting.

TRANSFER NEWS: Michael Ruru is the latest former Western Force player to switch to the Rebels, the franchise confirmed.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Allister Coetzee looks set to learn his fate this week as SA Rugby’s executive council meet to conduct a review of the Springboks 2017 season.

NEWS: A new five-team women's competition will kick-off early next year, Rugby Australia confirmed, building on the fast-growing momentum for female sports throughout the country.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia has signalled its intent to secure the hosting rights for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: All Blacks captain Kieran Read will miss the start of next year's Super Rugby season as he undergoes surgery to fix a back problem, the Crusaders confirmed.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales forward Taulupe Faletau could miss the whole of the Six Nations after English Premiership side Bath said on Tuesday he had suffered medial knee ligament damage.

REACTION: Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall says the European champions have given themselves six weeks to save their season after crashing to their sixth successive defeat.

INJURY UPDATE: South African flank Wiaan Liebenberg is set for a three-month spell on the sidelines as he needs an operation on a broken wrist, his French club Montpellier said on Tuesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Northampton Saints confirmed that director of rugby Jim Mallinder will leave his position at the Premiership club with immediate effect.

INJURY UPDATE: The Springbok Sevens team will be without their most experienced player for the remainder of the World Rugby Sevens Series after Chris Dry was ruled out due to a knee injury.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) are now favourites to buy the financially challenged Worcester Warriors – according to reports.

WATCH as Siyamthanda best known as 'Siya' Kolisi reflects on his inspirational journey from Eastern Cape township to Springboks player of the year nominee.

WATCH as the 1014 team - in Part two - explores how the Six Nations teams developed during the November Tests Series.

INJURY UPDATE: Tonga international Telusa Veainu faces several months out of action after suffering a double fracture of the jaw in his club Leicester's European Champions Cup defeat to Munster.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: First, the Black Ferns claimed the World Rugby's Team of the year awards and now New Zealander Raelene Castle has become the first woman to be appointed Chief Executive Officer of Rugby Australia.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Alivereti Raka scored a hat-trick of tries as French champions Clermont ran defending two-time European titleholders Saracens ragged in a 46-14 hammering on Monday - the most points they have conceded in European competition.

SYDNEY SEVENS: The reigning Sydney Champions the Blitzboks have been drawn with England in Pool C.

REACTION: All Blacks Sevens did it the hard way but claimed their first World Sevens tournament in South Africa since 2012.

NEWS:The Springboks' Rugby Championship home fixtures for 2018 were confirmed on Monday with matches scheduled for Pretoria, Durban and Port Elizabeth in the 22nd edition of the Southern Hemisphere championship.

REACTION: Blitzboks head coach Neil Powell admitted his side failed to 'implement the systems' after claiming the bronze in the Cape Town leg. 

SUPER RUGBY PRE-SEASON: The Stormers have bolstered their squad further ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season.

WATCH: Castres walked away with a 16-13 victory against Racing 92 in their Round Three European Cup fixture on Saturday. 

WATCH: Joe Ravouvou is a big guy, especially for Sevens. Yet 105kg wing had no right to score this try, no matter how big and strong he is.

NEWS: A match between fierce rivals Waratahs and the Queensland Reds will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground next year for the first time since 1983, organisers said Monday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Leinster took charge of European Rugby Champions Cup Pool Three on Sunday courtesy of Jack Conan's bullocking late try which gave them an 18-8 success over Exeter Chiefs.

DAY TWO, FINALS WRAP: New Zealand were crowned 2017 Cape Town Sevens champions when they hammered Argentina 38-14 in their Cup Final on Sunday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Ulster boosted their bid for a place in the last eight of the European Rugby Champions Cup with a hard earned 17-5 win win over Harlequins in near blizzard conditions at Twickenham Stoop. 

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Fijian flank Levani Botia scored a brace of tries to help La Rochelle cement their place atop Pool One of the European Champions Cup with a thrilling 49-29 victory over Wasps on Sunday.

DAY TWO, SEMIFINALS WRAP: New Zealand advanced to the Cup Final at the Cape Town Sevens when they beat the BlitzBoks in the semifinals on Sunday.

NEWS: The much-anticipated European Champions Cup match between Saracens and Clermont was postponed Sunday because of poor weather.

DAY TWO, QUARTERFINALS WRAP: The BlitzBoks staged a second-half fightback to beat Fiji 31-26 in their Cup quarterfinal on Sunday.

It's Day 2 of the 2017-18 Sevens Series at Cape Town. The day of the big knock-out which will lead to the final and the champions for this leg.

WHAT'S IN A NAME? The All Blacks went 13-1-2 this year. Pretty good right? Not if you’re actually a New Zealander it seems, with questions being asked if the cracks are starting to show in the world champion's armour.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Ospreys collected their first European Rugby Champions Cup win of the campaign on Saturday with a 43-32 success over Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens in an enthralling continental showdown.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Castres Olympique fought from behind to defeat Top 14 rivals Racing 92 and move top of European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 4 with a 16-13 triumph at the Stade Pierre Fabre on Saturday.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Munster Rugby picked up a crucial bonus point victory against Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Three-times European Rugby champions RC Toulon left it late to claim a 24-20 triumph over Bath Rugby to take control of Champions Cup Pool 5 at the Stade Felix Mayol on Saturday.

DAY ONE, ROUND THREE WRAP: The Blitzboks kept their perfect record intact after a win over Kenya in their final match on Saturday.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Scarlets kept their hopes of reaching the Champions Cup knockout stages with a 33-28 victory over Benetton Treviso in a tumultuous affair at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

NEWS: England star Chris Ashton says he is delighted to have quit the English Premiership for French Top 14 giants Toulon, escaping the negative remarks that plagued him at home.

DAY ONE, ROUND TWO WRAP: Blitzboks star Seabelo Senatla reached his 200th try milestone in his side's 31-5 win over France.

INJURY UPDATE: Semesa Rokoduguni could miss England’s 2018 Six Nations campaign after Bath confirmed the wing is set to undergo shoulder surgery.

DAY ONE, ROUND ONE WRAP: Blitzboks star Seabolo Senatla produced a phenomenal performance in his side's first match on Day one at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Tonga international and former Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna has signed a two-year contract extension with Racing 92, the French Top 14 club announced.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Montpellier kept their hopes of qualifying for the knock stages alive when they bagged a crucial 29-22 bonus-point win against Glasgow Warriors in Glasgow on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton will miss the Six Nations after the Welsh Rugby Union announced on Friday he had undergone knee surgery.

NEWS: SA Rugby on Friday announced that the Mpumalanga and Griqualand West Rugby Unions had been identified as the preferred candidates to assume places in inter-continental competitions, should opportunities arise.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Australian Men's Sevens team will be aiming to improve on their fifth-placed finish in the Dubai Sevens last weekend with the side striving to take a spot in the top four.

NEWS: Macauley Cook is the latest player to pledge his future to Cardiff Blues with a new long-term contract at the Arms Park.

TRANSFER NEWS: Head coach Bernard Jackman has confirmed Jordan Williams will become the latest player to return to Wales to join the Dragons ahead of the 2018/19 campaign on a two-year contract.

The Sevens series is about to hit Cape Town and well over a hundred thousand people are going to enjoy the party at Cape Town Stadium.

JERSEY LAUNCH: The Sharks have joined the party by releasing their new jerseys for the 2018 Super Rugby season.

JERSEY LAUNCH: The Stormers have taken another bold step into the future with the launch of the 2018 home and away jersey without an apparel sponsor. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Director of Rugby Mark McCall brushed aside Saracens' five-match losing streak as the European champions prepare to host last year's beaten finalists Clermont this weekend.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: A fairytale run to the 2019 World Cup quarterfinals by hosts Japan would give a massive lift to a "ground-breaking" tournament, the country's organising chief told AFP.

WORLD SERIES ROUND TWO: Experience and then some - that is the statistical reality of the Springbok Sevens team, who will start the Cape Town Sevens this weekend as the most experienced BlitzBok team ever. 

NEWS: The Lions have unveiled their jerseys for the 2018 Super Rugby season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former Lions forward Armand 'Akker' van der Merwe has signed a two-year contract extension with the South African franchise the Sharks.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: French coaches Fabien Galthie and Christophe Urios, who "behaved like children" were given a four-week touchline ban over a physical altercation between the pair when their sides met two weeks ago.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Defending Champions England Sevens head coach Simon Amor has made two changes to his side for the upcoming Cape Town Sevens on December 9 and 10.

EUROPEAN SPOTLIGHT: European heavyweights will be vying for supremacy when the Champions Cup returns with the top two clubs in each pool kicking off the key back-to-back fixtures.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After France's disastrous showing in their November internationals, the European Champions Cup restarts - with Montpellier's trip to Glasgow - as detractors debate the cause of the national team's malaise.

NEWS: Cardiff Blues can confirm Lloyd Williams has committed his future to the region by signing a new contract.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: 2017 will be remembered as a year of controversy for a lot of things, and rugby was no different. Jamie Wall looks at the moments on and off the field that made for an interesting season.

NEWS: Is the South African Rugby Union set to reduce the Currie Cup to junk status?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ruan Ackermann has been in fine form for Gloucester in the 2017/18 Premiership season so far.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby's project of simplifying the laws of the game will come to fruition on January 1, 2018 when its Simplified Law Book becomes available.

INJURY UPDATE: Leicester's Ellis Genge faces a race against time to be fit for the Six Nations after the England prop was ruled out for two months.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell has named an unchanged squad for the highly anticipated Cape Town Sevens. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Reports emerging have put a figure on how much Christiaan Johan 'CJ' Stander was being offered – at least initially – by the IRFU in their ongoing efforts to keep him in Ireland.

TRANSFER NEWS: Argentinian international prop Lucas Noguera has joined Bath Rugby, the Premiership club confirmed.

NEWS: Former Western Force skipper Matt Hodgson says ‘unreasonable demands’ from Rugby Australia have forced the  Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship to slowdown.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ulster Rugby confirmed that Ireland flank Jordi Murphy will join the Pro14 side next summer on a two-year deal from Leinster.

REACTION: Australia utility back Kurtley Beale believes his good mate Quade Cooper will return more determined after being axed from the Reds Super Rugby squad.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South African and Lions flank Albertus 'Kwagga' Smith was awarded for his amazing performance in the Barbarians jersey.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks flyhalf, and World Rugby's player of the year for the past two years, Beauden Barrett finished the international year with another credit – most points by any player.

WATCH as the Blitzboks in collaboration with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra presents an enticing performance ahead of a thrilling Sevens weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: The young, dynamic trio of Josh Bayliss, Tom Ellis, and Elliott Stooke have all extended their contracts with Bath.

NEWS: English Premiership club Bath has been charged for releasing star loose forward Taulupe Faletau to Wales outside of the international window.

It's quiet now without Tests, which do not recrudesce till 2018, but this week the Sevens caravan moves down to Cape Town, and Europe's Champions Cup, Challenge Cup and B&I Cup come back to life.

NEWS: Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield will introduce a new Power Play rule to the tournament in 2018.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The BlitzBoks will be using last year's loss to England in the Cup Final at the Cape Town Sevens as motivation when they take to the field at Cape Town Stadium.

INJURY UPDATE: Alex Waller sustained a broken forearm during last Friday's clash with Newcastle Falcons at Franklin's Gardens.

REACTION: France's rugby federation said on Tuesday it was "delighted" that President Bernard Laporte's alleged favouritism case has been passed to the public prosecutor.

INJURY UPDATE: Top 14 leaders La Rochelle have suffered a hammerblow with news that barnstorming Fijian No.8 Jone Qovu will be sidelined for several months with ruptured knee ligaments.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wasps captain and England lock Joe Launchbury has signed a contract extension with the Premiership side.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The always outspoken Mourad Boudjellal has started a new column and already has taken aim at one player, Dan Carter.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England lock Maro Itoje is in doubt for the Six Nations campaign due to an injury according to reports.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: French rugby supremo Bernard Laporte could find himself in legal hot water after the French sports ministry transferred a report on alleged favouritism to the public prosecutor.

WORLD U20 CHAMPIONSHIP: The Junior Springboks have been drawn to face hosts France in Pool C of the 2018 World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ospreys Rugby confirmed the signing of Welsh international scrumhalf Aled Davies.

WATCH as the 1014 Rugby team takes a look at the match between Wales and South Africa in Cardiff.

WATCH as the 1014 team - in Part one - explores how the Southern Hemisphere and some Tier 2 teams developed through the November Tests Series.

INJURY UPDATE: Montpellier flank Wiaan Liebenberg is out of Friday's European Champions Cup clash with Glasgow due to a wrist injury, the French club confirmed.

WATCH Blitzboks star Seabelo Senatla literally stepping any opposition – no matter the size, strength or space!

INTERVIEW: Springbok Sevens talisman Rosko Specman can’t wait for the Cape Town Sevens to kick off on Saturday, as the BlitzBoks rate their home tournament as a special highlight in the season. 

INJURY UPDATE: Flyhalf Luke McAlister faces two months on the sidelines with a fractured hand, further plunging Clermont into a halfback injury crisis less than a week away from their crunch Champions Cup clash with Saracens

NEWS: Kenya fired its national Rugby Union coach Jerome Paarwater on Monday after five years in charge during which he came close to leading the country to a maiden World Cup appearance.

TRANSFER NEWS: Montpellier have signed South African prop Justin Ackerman as cover for the injured Antoine Guillamon, the club announced on Monday.

CHAMPIONS CUP: A dramatic weekend of domestic competition has set up the European Rugby Champions Cup doubleheaders in Rounds 3 and 4 perfectly, with thrills aplenty possible from first to last.

NEWS: The Springboks will end 2017 where they started it, in sixth place in the World Rugby Rankings after falling one place on the back of their loss to Wales in Cardiff.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Gloucester confirmed that Coaches Jonny Bell and Tim Taylor have agreed on new contracts with the club, extending their respective stays at Kingsholm and providing stability in the coaching team over the seasons to come.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Powerhouse Edinburgh centre Robbie Fruean is set to call time on his career on medical grounds – according to reports.

NEWS: Springbok and Lions hooker Malcolm Marx leads the nominations for the SA Rugby Player of the Year 2017 awards with three, closely followed by four players who bagged two nominations each.

CAPE TOWN SEVENS: Dubai champions South Africa will play in Pool A at the Cape Town Sevens against Kenya, France and Russia as they aim to make it two tournament wins in a row. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Reds coach Brad Thorn has been cleaning out the closet, first Quade Cooper and now another Wallaby discard is on his way out.

WATCH: Cheetahs wing Craig Barry shows what real speed looks like. Imagine trying to tackle this at altitude.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The new coach of Japan's Sunwolves Super Rugby side said he was targeting a top-five finish next season, despite the team being on the wrong end of multiple hidings in recent years.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Momentum is growing among All Blacks to lobby World Rugby to allow them to represent the Pacific Island nations of their heritage.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Nobody was left in any doubt about which team sits atop the world rugby pecking order, New Zealand's clinical finishing and robust defence in their November campaign once again proving they are streets ahead of their rivals.

TOP 14 WRAP: Defending champions Clermont shipped four tries yet still managed to scrape a 35-26 home win over Agen in France's Top 14 on Sunday ahead of a challenging European double header with Saracens.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: A last-minute try for Tim Visser gave Harlequins a dramatic 20-19 win over Saracens as the European Champions suffered a fifth straight defeat in all competitions.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The CEO of Lions Rugby Company Rudolf Straeuli has announced his coaching structure for 2018, and it seems as if JP Ferriera is on his way out.

IN THE SPOTLIGT: Munster head coach Johann van Graan is understood to be in talks with Lions defence coach JP Ferreira to join the team in Limerick.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks flank Siya Kolisi profusely defended under-firing Allister Coetzee's role as head coach, claiming that he is fitting of the position.

TOP 14 WRAP: La Rochelle won their top-of-the-table duel with Montpellier 26-14 at home on Saturday to depose the visitors at the head of the French Top 14.

SEVENS REACTION: Blitzboks coach Niel Powell praised his players for their success in  Dubai, but revealed there is a minor glitch that needs sorting ahead of the Cape Town leg.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby pivot Quade Cooper will not get any game time under Queensland Reds new Super Rugby coach Brad Thorn, according to reports.

REACTION: Warren Gatland expressed his "relief" after seeing his Wales team sucked into an arm wrestle before edging South Africa 24-22 on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Allister Coetzee has passionately defended his record as South Africa head coach following reports Saturday’s 22-24 defeat to Wales would be his last match at the helm.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Kearnan Myall popped up at the death to earn Wasps a 32-25 win over Leicester Tigers in a Premiership thriller at the Ricoh Arena.

PRO14 REPORT: Ian Keatley was near-perfect from the tee as Munster claimed a 36-10 win over Ospreys in their bid to reach the top of Conference A.

OPINION: The Springboks produced another below average performance when they lost 22-24 to Wales on Saturday.

OPINION: Hadleigh Parkes proved that it is never too late to make your international debut.  

PRO14 REPORT: James Lowe's debut double helped power Leinster to an impressive away victory over Benetton, keeping up the pressure on Scarlets at the top of Conference B.

PRO14 REPORT: Craig Barry bagged a brace as the Cheetahs racked up their second successive home victory in the Pro14 by besting the Scarlets at the Free State Stadium.

PRO14 REPORT: Zebre secured just their third win of the Pro14 season as tries from Johan Meyer and Giovanbattista Venditti saw off Connacht 24-10.

DUBAI SEVENS, FINALS WRAP: The BlitzBoks put in a powerful performance to beat New Zealand 24-12 in their Cup Final at the Dubai Sevens on Saturday.