All News

Harlequins scrumhalf Karl Dickson believes his side will be up for the fight under the lights at Franklin's Gardens on Friday.

There is a massive game between England and Ireland in the Six Nations this weekend as well as Round Three of Super Rugby!

INTERVIEW: Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské is confident they can reproduce the form that saw them beat the Sharks, when they face the Blues.

REAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Glasgow's Peter Horne has been drafted in to replace suspended flyhalf Finn Russell for Scotland's clash with Italy.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The physical presence of centurion Jerome Kaino will be the key to the Blues turning around their losing streak.

NEWS: Bulls coach Frans Ludeke handed scrumhalf Rudy Paige a first Super Rugby start, when he named his team to play the Sharks on Saturday.

Gary Gold believes the battle of the two Springbok No.10s this weekend will be one of running versus kicking, as the Bulls host the Sharks.  

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers have been boosted by the return of two Springboks - one in the starting XV and another on the bench.

Stephen Moore returns to Captain the Brumbies on Saturday as they travel south for an Australian derby with Melbourne’s Rebels.

Springbok Marnitz Boshoff has paid the price for his poor start to the Super Rugby season, with coach Johan Ackermann axing the flyhalf.

World Rugby has sent out a clarification of Law 5 by the designated members of its Rugby Committee. Such a clarification is not (yet) law but has the force of law.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders got one All Black back, but are still without two others through injury.

Rebels scrumhalf Nic Stirzaker is the only change to the Rebels team that was defeated by the Waratahs as he returns from suspension.

Dave Rennie has shuffled his forward pack, bringing Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane into the starting line-up against the Crusaders

All Blacks Charlie Faumuina and Patrick Tuipulotu will make their first starts of the season for the Blues against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

The Sharks have brought in  Andre Esterhuizen as well as Ryan Kankowski, who recently returned from Japan, for their match against the Bulls.

Loosehead prop Pek Cowan will return to the Western Force starting line-up to face the Hurricanes at the NIB stadium on Friday.

The Reds have selected James O'Connor at flyhalf again after he was a late withdrawal against the Force last weekend. 

Jamie Joseph has named his team for this Friday’s clash against the Reds including several changes from their loss to the Crusaders.

It may be early days yet, just two rounds played, but already some interesting trends are beginning to develop Super Rugby 2015.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England lock George Kruis insists it would be a dream come true to face Paul O'Connell in a crunch Six Nations clash.

REACTION: French coach Philippe Saint-Andre denied accusations in a book that the team were consumers of amphetamines during the 1980's.

NEWS: Fijian-born New Zealand wing Waisake Naholo has agreed a two-year deal with Top 14 club Clermont.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy coach Jacques Brunel made six changes to his starting XV ahead of this weekend's Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.

NEWS: Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell will definitely miss his country's Six Nations clash at home to Italy on Saturday.

BREAKING NEWS: England fullback Mike Brown has been ruled out of Sunday's Six Nations match against Ireland.

Recently re-appointed EP Kings defensive coach, Omar Mouneimne has parted ways with the team to take up a consultancy position at Lyon in France.

Fijian international forward Netani Talei has extended his stay with Premiership side Harlequins until the end of the season.

INTERVIEW: Ireland flank Peter O'Mahony said the defending Six Nations champions must dominate the English pack on Sunday..

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske made two changes to his side for their Super Rugby encounter against the Blues at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Hooker Dane Coles will make his captaincy debut for the Hurricanes when they take on the Force in Perth in Round Three of Super Rugby.

Scrumhalf Morgan Parra and fullback Brice Dulin have been recalled to the France team for Saturday's Six Nations encounter with Wales at Stade de France.

Former New Zealand international, Mark Hammett, will vacate his position as director of rugby of Cardiff Blues citing personal reasons.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning chatted to SARU CEO Jurie Roux about the role of the Kings in transformation and bringing black Africans through.

Ulster centre, Stuart McCloskey has been banned for four-weeks following for a red card he received in a Pro12 match against Edinburgh on February 20.

Deon van Blommestein will be flying to Dublin tomorrow to act as TMO in the crunch match between Ireland and England. He takes the place of Shaun Veldsman who is in hospital and who has great news.

The Springboks were at the receiving end of some Spencer brilliance at the 2003 World Cup.

REACTION: An All Black legend said he was not surprised at new allegations Les Bleus were on amphetamines at the time.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning spoke to SARU CEO Jurie Roux about the famed Strategic Transformation Plan and so-called quotas.

Scotland's Finn Russell will have his appeal against a two-week ban heard in London on Wednesday.

Hoër Landbouskool Jacobsdal is holding its Sports Day on Saturday, 28 February 2015, and four schools are taking their rugby teams there for matches.

Landboudal - or to give it its full name Hoër Landbouskool Jacobsdal - in the Southern Free State has made known its list of 16 fixtures for 2015.

Ireland have called in loose forward Roger Wilson and lock Billy Holland to their training squad ahead of the game against England.

Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach believes that the Sharks have set a good platform to grow from for both their kicking and their ball in hand attack.

Stormers' Dillyn Leyds scored one of the tries of the season against the Blues but he has put that behind him as he looks to secure a regular spot.

Gloucester have added experience and quality to their scrumhalf ranks next season with the capture of Crusaders' Willi Heinz.

Samoan wing and former Stormer Sailosi Tagicakibau has extended his contract to stay at Wasps next season.

Wales have recalled wing George North in place of Alex Cuthbert for the Six Nations match against France.

The Strategic Transformation Plan (STP) of the South African Rugby Union was the culmination of two years' hard work and consultation.

This morning Shaun Veldsman is still in the Mediclinic at Stellenbosch but with uplifted spirits.

A court in southern France called for further inquiries to be held into allegations of assault against Toulon's Steffon Armitage.

Newcastle Falcons have secured the signature of England Sevens International star Marcus Watson and will join the club for the 2015/2016 season.

The Lions have managed to secure the signature of lock Andries Ferreira with immediate effect as well as extending the contracts of another two players.

NEWS: Welsh Rugby Union Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, has announced that he will be leaving the Union in October after the completion of the 2015 World Cup.

Stuart Lancaster admits Jack Nowell is pushing his claims for a start against Ireland on Sunday.

Wales centre Jonathan Davies is looking forward to going up against some familiar faces this weekend when wales head to Paris.

Martin Castrogiovanni is one of three injury concerns for the Italians ahead of Saturday's Six Nations game against Scotland.

The finals of the Rugby Night Series hosted by Hoërskool Port Natal take [place at the school on Friday, 27 February, starting at 16.00.

The World Rugby Sevens Series is expanding next season with a 10th tournament confirmed for Vancouver, Canada.

The ARU has re-signed promising Western Force prop Tetera Faulkner on a new two-year contract extension through until the end of 2017.

Crusaders prop Owen Franks has pleaded guilty for striking a player in their match against the Highlanders and has been hit with a two-week ban.

INTERVIEW: Ireland flank Sean O'Brien has passed his first test. Now he wants to leave his mark on the Six nations championship.

England coach Stuart Lancaster warned his players to stay out of trouble, as Steffon Armitage prepares to discover the ruling over his assault charge.

NEWS: England fullback Mike Brown is unlikely to return to action in time for the crucial Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.

WRAP: Table-topping UP-Tuks made a big statement with a comprehensive 53-8 victory over three-time Varsity Cup champions Maties in Pretoria on Monday.

NEWS: The Bulls received a timely boost, with the news that Springbok prop Marcel van der Merwe has been cleared to return to the playing field.

OPINION: AussieBoer, in his latest contribution to rugby365, decided to put on a coach and selector's cap - naming his Springbok team.

There was a fairly even split in honours with 13 of the 14 teams being represented in rugby365's team of the week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at scrums, the nadir of Super Rugby's Round Two action!

INTERVIEW: George Ford believes England must consider the threat carried by the entire Ireland team.

The Six Nations is back in action this week after a week off and Super Rugby rumbles on.

BREAKING NEWS: Stormers flank Rynhardt Elstadt has officially been ruled out of action for at least four months.

Northampton Saints revealed that scrumhalf Tom Kessell is joining the club ahead of the 2015/16 season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The excitement is already building ahead of a potential Six Nations tournament-decider between Ireland and England!

rugby365 is looking for young aspiring television presenters, who are passionate about rugby.

Leone Nakarawa, the Glasgow Warriors lock forward, has been cited for allegedly striking an opponent with his head.

Even with most people's SuperBru suffering after a turbulent Round One there still has to be a leader.

Scotland coach Vern Cotter added five internationalists to their Six Nations squad, five days out from the round three Test against Italy on Saturday.

TMO Shaun Veldsman was stabbed on his way home to Robertson afte the Newlands match between the Stormers and the Blues.

Having thrown everything but the kitchen sink at the Melbourne Rebels this past weekend, the Waratahs will now look to shore up their defence.

Darryn Pollock looks into the inconsistancies that are coming out of the judicial hearings following six citings in two rounds of Super Rugby.

Karmichael Hunt will not be selected for Friday's Super Rugby match against the Highlanders as he awaits a court appearance.

Blues lock Hayden Triggs has been suspended for a week for punching Stormers captain Duane Vermeulen during their match in Cape Town.  

France's embattled coach Philippe Saint-Andre described the 10-week suspension imposed on lock Pascal Pape as being far too severe.

NEWS: Highlanders replacement Kane Hames has been slapped with a five-week ban for punching.

Newport Gwent Dragons captain Rynard Landman saw a red card after just 15 minutes in his side's 25-30 defeat at the hands of Connacht.

Leicester Tigers dug deep to secure a 12-6 Premiership victory over London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

Gary Gold sighed a sigh of relief when his team managed to bounce back and pick up an unlikely bonus point at a flooded Kings Park against the Lions.

Pat MacArthur believes Glasgow Warriors' hard-fought Pro12 win over Ospreys is proof of the strength and unity of the squad at Scotstoun.  

Henry Slade underlined his growing stature as his 27-point haul helped Exeter Chiefs to a 32-21 victory away to Harlequins on Saturday.

Although happy to take a win against the Blues, Stormers coach Allister Coetzee knows that his team still has plenty to work on.

Although the Stormers have lost Rynhardt Elstadt to injury for around six months, they do have a few players returning to action this week.

A few games to relive as we look back at Round Two of Super Rugby

Blues coach John Kirwan admitted that his biggest concern is his team's discipline, which cost them dearly against the Stormers.

Johan Ackermann believes that Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis taught his young front row some tough lessons in Durban.

Taulupe Faletau believes the best is yet to come from Sam Warburton as he prepares to equal a Wales Test match record next weekend.

Grant Jarrold has been elected the new Chairman of the Crusaders.

The third round of the Varsity Cup on Monday will feature four intense rivalries including the first-ever Bloemfontein derby .

NEWS: Stade Francais flyhalf Jules Plisson has replaced injured Pierre Bernard in France's squad for next week's Six Nations game against Wales.

Veteran Blues lock Hayden Triggs will front up to a SANZAR disciplinary hearing, following a red card he received in his team's Super Rugby loss to the Stormers.

Fijian wing Noa Nakaitaci produced a late try to help earn Clermont a 13-all draw against a Racing-Metro side starring Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton.

REPORT: Replacement JJ Hanrahan rescued a 25-all Pro12 draw for Munster as Ian Keatley converted his last-gasp try to deny Scarlets.

REPORT: Peter Horne kicked a 75th minute penalty to move Glasgow Warriors clear at top of the Pro12 after a close 19-16 win over Ospreys at Scotstoun.

REPORT: Henry Purdy grabbed a pair of second-half tries as Gloucester secured maximum points against Premiership bottom side London Welsh.

REPORT: Saracens' away form in Premiership let them down once again as they were downed 14-10 by Sale Sharks.

REPORT: Exeter's Henry Slade gave England boss Stuart Lancaster a timely Six Nations reminder as he produced an all-star show for the Chiefs.

REPORT: Bath's long wait for a win over Northampton Saints goes on after the defending Premiership champions strengthened their hold on top spot.

REPORT: The Sharks got their Super Rugby campaign back on track with an impressive 29-12 win over the Lions at a very wet Kings Park.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers got their second win of the season, a 27-16 triumph over the Blues at a sun-bathed Newlands on Saturday.

REACTION: Western Force coach Michael Foley and captain Sam Wykes bemoaned the team's lack of enthusiasm in their 6-18 loss to the Reds.

REACTION: Reds coach Richard Graham was full of praise for his team in the wake of their scrappy 18-6 win over the Western Force on Saturday.

Owen Franks of the Crusaders and Kane Hames of the Highlanders have been cited for breaching rule 10.4 (a) in their match in Dunedin.

REACTION: Nic White has vowed to work with halfback partner Matt Toomua to take more control of games in clutch moments.

NEWS: Rising Waratahs star Taqele Naiyaravoro learnt two big lessons in Melbourne on Friday, after being sent off against the Rebels.

REACTION: Hurricanes' coach Chris Boyd might have guided his side to two consecutive wins to start the Super Rugby season but he isn't satisfied.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at Bulls lock Grant Hattingh's almost try against the Hurricanes.

REACTION: Following two consecutive home defeats, the Bulls seem to be taking one step forward and two step backwards.

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young admits his side owed their 23-23 draw against Newcastle Falcons to some magic play by centre Elliot Daly.

The Reds scored the only two tries of the game to secure an 18-6 victory over the Force in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Crusaders held on for a tough 26-20 victory over the Highlanders at the Forsyth-Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday.

Darren Cave's second-half try proved to be the match winner as Ulster ended Edinburgh's winning run at Murrayfield to climb up to second in the Pro12 table.

Jimmy Gopperth inspired a second-half Leinster comeback as the reigning Pro12 champions saw off a brave Zebre effort at the RDS Arena.

Elliot Daly's stunning showing failed to bring a victory for Wasps, whose hopes of a top-four Premiership finish were hit by pulsating 23-all draw at Newcastle.

New Zealand fullback Jayden Hayward helped himself to 20 points, as Benetton Treviso sealed just their third Pro12 victory of the season.

Wales duo George North and Samson Lee are on track to return to Six Nations action against France in Paris next week.

Montpellier's New Zealand lock Tom Donnelly has dislocated his shoulder and will be out of action  for two months.

REPORT: The Hurricanes hung tough in a gruelling final 10 minutes to edge the Bulls 17-13 at Loftus Versfeld, in Pretoria, on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: Lions coach Johan Ackermann spoke to Jan de Koning about the reasons behind his team's poor start to the season.

REPORT: The Waratahs had to fight to the bitter end, but 10 points in the final 10 minutes saw them edge the Rebels 38-28 on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: MATT HAWKINS, RUGBY365'S SPECIALIST SEVENS COLUMNIST, TAKES A LOOK BACK AT THE LAST TWO ROUNDS OF THE WORLD SERIES.

REPORT: All Black Aaron Cruden slotted a penalty right on full-time to secure the Chiefs a 19-17 win over the Brumbies on Friday.

Cyclone Marcia could force only the second abandoned match in Super Rugby, with the clash between the Reds and Force in major doubt

EXCLUSIVE: Matt Hawkins, rugby365's specialist Sevens columnist, takes a look back at the last two rounds of the World Series.

Blues captain Jerome Kaino is looking forward to 'butting heads' with his Stormers counterpart Duane Vermeulen at Newlands.

The Reds have made no formal moves on Karmichael Hunt's cocaine allegations, but they have withdrawn him from Saturday's match.

Clermont, locked in a three-way tussle with Stade Francais and Toulon at the head of the Top 14 table, face arguably the toughest test of the weekend.

Karmichael Hunt is facing charges of supplying cocaine, with two Gold Coast NRL players also reportedly implicated.

It is going to be an interesting Saturday, because most of the teams in action will be chasing their first win of the season.

Table-topping Northampton Saints take on second-placed Bath in the weekend's standout clash, with both sides looking to pull away from the clubs chasing hard in pursuit.

The one knows his stuff and the other acts like he does!

Danny Cipriani has handed Sale Sharks argaubly their most important result of the season by signing a new two-year deal with the club.  

South African-born Canadian winger DTH van der Merwe will join the Scarlets from Glasgow next season.

Shane Jennings has this afternoon announced his decision to retire from Leinster and professional rugby at the end of the current season. 

A Six Nations disciplinary committee banned French lock Pascal Pape for 10 weeks, for charging with his knee into the back of Ireland's Jamie Heaslip.

EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning chatted to Bulls coach Frans Ludeke about the reoccurring errors that cost his team so dearly last year.

EP Rugby CEO Charl Crous confirmed reports that Kings defence coach Omar Mouneimne has been approached by French team Lyon.

All Black Charles Piutau shifts to fullback for the Blues in their clash with the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

The NZRU contracted a specialist monitoring service to ensure match-fixing does not taint All Blacks, Super Rugby or domestic matches.

Round two of Super Rugby is here, and if Round One is anything to go by, this should be a cracker! - catch it all here LIVE

Italy centre Michele Campagnaro has signed a two-year deal with Exeter Chiefs, joining the English Premiership side at the end of the season.

Gary Gold's late return from Japan has meant that the coach has had to learn very quickly what his players are all about.

Toulon scrumhalf Sebastien Tillous-Borde has recovered from a knee injury in time to get called up for France's Six Nations game against Wales.

NEWS: All Black skipper Richie McCaw on Thursday dropped the strongest hint yet he will retire after this year's World Cup in England.

The Sharks have not put a date of return for their injured quartet, but it seems that they won't miss more than a few weeks.

Ita Vaea will complete a remarkable and dramatic comeback from a serious heart condition to start for the Brumbies for the first time since 2012.

Johan Ackermann has changed things around with his pack for the clash against the Sharks in Durban, but he has kept the backline intact. 

Siya Kolisi replaces Jurie van Vuuren on the bench for the match against the Blues, with the latter being promoted to the starting line-up.

Super Rugby started this weekend past and the concentration was on the players and the surprising results rather than on anything referees did.

Francois van Wyk will make his first appearance in the starting XV when the Western Force takes on the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.  

Israel Dagg will make his return to Super Rugby when the Crusaders take on the Highlanders this Saturday. 

Tony McGahan has made one forced change to the side that defeated the Crusaders in Round One, as the Waratahs head to AAMI Park.

James O'Connor will complete his return to Australian rugby when he runs out on the No.10 jersey against the Force.

Jamie Joseph has named South African journeyman Ross Geldenhuys at tighthead for the big South Island clash against the Crusaders on Saturday.

The Sharks have made a 'Giant' change at lock for the match against the Lions at Kings Park on Saturday with Lubabalo Mtyanda starting.

It was all change in the play-off zone after the weekend's fixtures with all four teams moving around in the table. 

Will the madness continue or will we have some semblance of normality when Super Rugby's Round Two gets underway on Friday?

NEWS: In-demand All Black midfielder Malakai Fekitoa has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby and the Highlanders for another two years.

The Scottish Rugby Union confirmed their intention to appeal the two-week suspension of flyhalf Finn Russell by a Six Nations disciplinary committee.

OPINION: AussieBoer, a regular rugby365 contributor from Down Under, hangs his head in shame before picking up the prediction baton again.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors signed of Italian flank Simone Favaro on a two-year contract from Benetton Treviso.

Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell will miss Scotland's Six Nations game against Italy next week, after being slapped with a two-week suspension.

Ulster and the Irish Rugby Football Union are pleased revealed that Ireland international Iain Henderson has signed a new three-year contract.

Irish flank Peter O'Mahony has signed a new three-year deal with Munster, the Irish Rugby Football Union announced on Wednesday.

The Brumbies will travel to New Zealand on Friday expecting a massive physical onslaught from the Chiefs in their Round Two Super Rugby match.

The Waratahs may have been well below par in Super Rugby's Round One, but they are not about to throw out the baby with the bath water.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ma'a Nonu will play his first game for the Hurricanes in four years when they take on the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday.

As part of the celebrations of Shrove Tuesday, Kearsney announced that Lent would end on a happy note at its eighth Easter Festival which attracts some of the country's top rugby schools.

It will be much of the same for the Stormers when they take on the Blues despite the New Zealanders posing a bigger threat than the Bulls.

Salesi Ma’afu of Northampton Saints will appear before an RFU Disciplinary panel charged with striking contrary to Law 10.4(a).

The Chiefs have injected some All Black experience for the Round Two match against the Brumbies on Friday.

Castres scrumhalf Rory Kockott has been ruled out of Saturday's crucial Top 14 game with Oyonnax, after suffering a quadriceps injury.

EXCLUSIVE: The Sharks, despite a less than auspicious start to their campaign, remain one of the fancied teams in the Super Rugby competition.

OPINIE: AussieBoer, rugby365 se gereelde rubriekskrywer, is van mening dat die veel-besproke K-woord, kwota, nou met verdwyn.

The Cheetahs suffered a major setback when it was revealed that Lodewyk de Jager will miss between six and eight weeks due to an elbow injury.

The Crusaders will unleash a needed dose of excitement and flair this week as they look to bounce back against the Highlanders.

Ireland and Munster hooker Damian Varley has retired due to injury he sustained in 2013 that has not come right.

Mike Brown is still suffering concussion symptoms after sustaining a head injury against Italy in the Six Nations.

Tom Marshall and Tim Nanai-Williams have been ruled out of the Chiefs team for their Super Rugby home match against the Brumbies in New Plymouth on Friday.

The BlitzBokke will have a chance at retribution against the French, who caused an upset by defeating them in the pool stages of the Wellington Sevens.

The three Six Nations referees outshone those officiating in Super Rugby. That is the verdict of record-breaking former Test referee Jonathan Kaplan.

England have retained the starting XV along with Billy Twelvetrees and Jack Nowell while returning the rest of the squad to Premiership action.

Tim Swinson has been added to the Scotland squad for the Six Nations in place of Richie Gray, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the championship.

Recent Sharks returnee, Jean Deysel, is relishing a return to more physical Super Rugby action after a stint playing in Japan.

It is summer in Durban, hot and humid, but already schools, like their seniors, are playing competitive rugby, mercifully at night.

Scotland's Six Nations campaign was hit by a fresh blow on Tuesday with the news that lock Richie Gray will miss the rest of the tournament.

INTERVIEW: There is no 'free passage' for any player coming back, to get a starting spot at the Stormers.

NEWS: Leicester and England lock Louis Deacon on Tuesday announced his retirement from the sport.

SA Referees have again sent out a reminder of the minimum requirements/qualifications for a referee to referee a rugby match in South Africa in 2015.

NEWS: Regular captain and No.8 Pierre Spies will start his first Super Rugby game in more than a year when he leads the Bulls on Friday.

St Benedict's College of Bedfordview, Johannesburg, plays its rugby in the second school term. It is a school whose rugby is on the up.

Details on Dan Carter's leg injury are still fuzzy heading towards the Crusaders match against the Highlanders on Saturday.

Rebels' Lopeti Timani has signed a two year contract extension with the club, keeping him in Melbourne until at least the end of the 2017.

The Waratahs have named an unchanged starting line-up for their match against the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.

The Rebels host the Waratahs for their first home game of the 2015 with almost an entire squad available for selection.

The Sharks suffered a major injury scare on Saturday when Tendai Mtawarira left the field in pain, with the early diagnosis indicating a severe injury.

NEWS} Irish No.8 Jamie Heaslip has three fractured vertebrae and will miss at least four weeks.

NEWS: The Bulls have lost the services of two more Springbok, just one week into their Super Rugby campaign.

OPINION: Ireland and England will meet in just under a fortnight in what may well the Six Nations tournament decider.

As the world recovers from its Valentine's Day hangover, there is only one Test match when neighbours meet in Amsterdam, the fun capital of the Low Countries.

UP-Tuks beat defending champions UCT to move to the top of the Varsity Cup standings after Round Two.

REACTION: England have not accrued the silverware they should have over the past few years and that makes them extra dangerous.

Scotland paid a dear price for their bravery at the weekend, a 23-26 loss to Wales at Murrayfield - with three players set to miss their next match.

The Reds paid a dear price for their heavy (3-47) loss to the Brumbies in a Super Rugby Round One match in Canberra at the weekend.

France lock Pascal Pape will appear before a Disciplinary Committee "later this week" following his yellow card in last Saturday's Six Nations defeat against Ireland.

With Round One of Super Rugby throwing up some intriguing results it is no surprises that there are some unsung heroes in the team.

Declining energy levels and unprecedented high unforced error counts are among the biggest headaches for the South African Sevens team.

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth looks set to return from injury for the Stormers when they tackle the Lions in Johannesburg on February 28.

Round One of Super Rugby had many impressive performers, but not many of the usual suspects.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning is of the opinion that some of the game's biggest stars were relying on their reputations, rather than talent.

IN DIE KOLLIG: Jan de Koning is van mening dat sommige spelers met groot reputasie die naweek op hul louere gerus het!

Julian Redelinghuys and Robbie Coetzee has been passed fit and are in contention for selection against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

A SANZAR judicial hearing has found Scott Higginbotham of the Rebels not guilty of stamping on Richie Mccaw after he was cited for the incident.

Vern Cotter believes his improving Scotland side deserved more from their 26-23 defeat to Wales at Murrayfield.

Alun Wyn Jones believes Wales still have room for improvement in the Six Nations after beating Scotland on Sunday.

Pek Cowan has been cleared of serious injury after being carried off the pitch in the wake of a scrum collapse against the Waratahs on Sunday.

An opening round where seven teams won away from home is worth looking at again.

David Pocock will not be available for selection for the match against the Chiefs on Friday after receiving a grade-one syndesmosis to his ankle.

WRAP: Fiji moved a step closer to Olympic qualification when they won the Las Vegas leg of the Sevens World Series.

Rory Kockott may be dropped after France coach Philippe Saint-Andre promised changes for their next Six Nations game against Wales.

SARU will host the Leading Rugby Programme for Africa rugby administrators in Cape Town from February 17-19.

Newport Gwent Dragons produced a stunning display of resilience to record their first PRO12 victory over Leinster since 2009.

Semesa Rokoduguni's try double was not enough to inspire a late Bath fightback as Saracens clinched victory at Allianz Park.

Wales were forced to work hard for their 26-23 Six Nations victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Gary Gold says he is still proud of the character shown by the Sharks against the Cheetahs, but it was the simple errors that cost them.

We are just one week into the Super Rugby season and there is already a lengthy list of Springboks sidelined by injury.

The most pleasing aspect of the Cheetahs' win against the Sharks for coach Naka Drotske was the turn around in their defence.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke was left frustrated after his team suffered their first home defeat since 2013.

Rebels No.8 Scott Higginbotham will appear at a SANZAR Judicial Hearing after being cited for stamping against the Crusaders.

Whilst encouraged by their win at Loftus Versfeld, the Stormers know that they will face a different challenge against the Blues next week.

Although they have not lost yet in the Six Nations, England coach Stuart Lancaster insists that they must raise their game against Ireland.

Rebels scrumhalf Nic Stirzaker will miss the clash with the Waratahs in Melbourne on Friday after being suspended for stamping.

No further sanction will be imposed upon Reds lock James Horwill after he was issued a red card in their defeat to the Brumbies.

Bulls centre JJ Engelbrecht has been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning for a dangerous tackle on Stormers scrumhalf Nic Groom.

The Western Force started their season in style with a 25-15 bonus-point victory over the Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says his side will have to be clinical to earn what would be a significant victory over England in Dublin.

REPORT: A powerful second-half display saw Munster move to the top of the Pro12 table with 33-16 victory over a spirited Cardiff Blues.

REACTION: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt praised flyhalf Jonathan Sexton for his classy performance in the 18-11 victory over France.

Hosts USA will face New Zealand and the BlitzBokke will take on Fiji in the Cup semifinals of the Sevens World Series in Las Vegas.

REACTION: England head coach Stuart Lancaster praised Jonathan Joseph for his versatility after the centre scored a brace in the win over Italy.

REACTION: Ireland captain Paul O'Connell knows his side need to up their game in the crunch Six Nations clash with England in a fortnight's time.

Thomas Waldrom's 10th try of the Premiership season clinched a first-half bonus point as Exeter Chiefs coasted to a comfortable 46-17 victory over Newcastle Falcons.

REPORT: The Stormers laid down an early marker when they overpowered the Bulls 29-17 in their Super Rugby opener on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland held on in the face of a fierce French comeback to claim an important 18-11 Six Nations win in Dublin on Saturday.

REPORT: The Cheetahs showed that big names mean little as they recorded a 35-29 win over the Sharks in their Super Rugby match.

REPORT: England maintained their impressive start to the 2015 Six Nations campaign, with a commanding 47-17  win over a hapless Italy.

Former Wales great Shane Williams ended his illustrious career on something of a sour note in Japan on Saturday.

REACTION: Steve Tandy admits a lack of accuracy cost his young side dearly as Pro12 leaders Ospreys fell to Edinburgh at Myreside.

James Horwill of the Reds received a red card for foul play during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter says a leg injury he suffered during the Crusaders' 10-20 loss to the Melbourne Rebels on Friday is "not serious."

REACTION: Aside from the result, Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder could take few positives from Northampton Saints' Premiership win against London Irish.

NEWS: World Rugby, the international controlling body, will trial a new Hawk-Eye system to protect player welfare and aid decision making.

Two quick tries in the first half and the steady boot of young Damian McKenzie saw the Chiefs sink the Blues 23-18 at home.

South Africa are chasing their third consecutive Cup title while Mike Friday's USA look to continue their excellent recent form on home soil.

Tries from Ken Pisi and Sam Dickinson were enough to see Premiership leaders Northampton Saints edge a nervy encounter with London Irish 15-9.

Leicester Tigers moved into the Premiership top four with a claimed a narrow 18-15 win against Gloucester thanks largely to the boot of flyhalf Freddie Burns.

Tom Brown and Grayson Hart crossed in the second-half try as Edinburgh continued their fine recent form by downing Pro12 table toppers Ospreys 24-16.

Craig Gilroy marked his 100th Ulster appearance with two tries, as the Irish side eventually wore down a stubborn Benetton Treviso.  

Italy captain Sergio Parisse believes England could be vulnerable to a Six Nations upset as they bask in the afterglow of their impressive win against Wales.

Flank Alessandro Zanni will miss the rest of the Six Nations after being ruled out for five months following knee surgery.

Flyhalf Jonathan Sexton has not been rushed back into the starting line-up for Six Nations champions Ireland's game against France on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Hurricanes gave the Lions' an early wake-up call, as they beat them 22-8 in their Super Rugby season-opener.

It happened twice this week - once in the Varsity Cup and once in Super Rugby. The one in Varsity Cup raised eyebrows.

Scott Higginbotham and Nic Stirzaker of the Rebels have been cited for alleged foul play against the Crusaders on Friday in Christchurch

The Brumbies had a front-row seat on what poor discipline looks like after they hammered the Reds 47-3 in Canberra on Friday.

Wales prop Samson Lee has been ruled out of Sunday's Six Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

NEWS: Scotland coach Vern Cotter made two enforced changes to the starting XV to face Wales in their Six Nations Round Two match.

REPORT: The Brumbies made an impressive start to their 2015 Super Rugby campaign, beating a hapless Reds team 47-3 on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning chatted to Bulls coach Frans Ludeke about recruits Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane and Pieter Labuschagne.

REPORT: The Rebels caused the first upset in the opening match of the 2015 Super Rugby competition when they beat the Crusaders 20-10.

The BlitzBokke want to rectify the mistakes which characterised their performance last week in New Zealand by delivering a much more clinical showing in the USA.

English club rugby saw a 59 percent hike in concussions last season, according to an annual injury report.

Sidelined Montpellier coach Fabien Galthie has taken club president Mohed Altrad to an employment tribunal after being relieved of his responsibilities.  

Scotland will have no shortage of motivation when they run out at Murrayfield to takes on Wales in a Six Nations clash on Sunday.

The first Saturday of the Super Rugby season will be consumed by local derbies. Jan de Koning looks at Saturday and Sunday's games.

Philippe Saint-Andre never lost to Ireland as a player but as France's head coach he is still waiting for that first victory against the men in green.  

Ulster and Ireland wing, Andrew Trimble, will miss the rest of this season following confirmation that he has suffered a reoccurrence of the toe injury.

Jonathan Joseph and George Kruis are set to win their first Twickenham starts against Italy on Saturday after Stuart Lancaster named an unchanged side.

World Cup-winning former Springbok captain John Smit says the class of 2015 will be one of the favourites to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy.

NEWS: England prop David Wilson requires surgery on a neck injury, which will rule him out of the rest of the Six Nations championship.

Round 14 is the first of four straight rounds of Pro12 tournament over February/March - with just three points separating the top four teams.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton will play his first game in 12 weeks, after coach Joe Schmidt took a gamble to start him.

Harlequins flyhalf Tim Swiel believes that his side has the quality and leadership to thrive, despite missing key players on international duty.

It is a massive weekend as Super Rugby returns alongside the second round of Six Nations - catch it all LIVE here!

Pat Lambie feels that SARU's initiative to rest Springboks during the Super Rugby campaign will benefit both the national team and the bigger franchises.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Stuart Lancaster has named an unchanged team for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Italy at Twickenham.

Fantasy rugby and Super Bru are serious business, and as such you keyboard-warriors will need all the help you can get so Darryn Pollock is here to assist.

The score is 18-16 to England with five minutes or so left and England are on the attack. A try would make the game safe.

There are six Stormers debutants in the matchday squad to play the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday, three in the starting team and three on the bench.

South African Marcel Brache has been moved to the wing while Sias Ebersohn takes up the No.10 jersey for the Force when they play the Waratahs.

It has become a familiar refrain, a cliché. However, the Olympic dream is as much a driving force as overall victory in the World Sevens Series.

Waratahs wing Taqele Naiyaravoro has been named in the starting line-up for the first time in his career for the match against the Force on Sunday.

The Chiefs have selected three debutants in the starting line-up, including New Zealand Under-20 flyhalf Damian McKenzie for their clash with the Blues.

Waylon Murray's return to the Sharks has seen the centre thrust straight into the starting line-up against the Cheetahs at Kings Park on Saturday.  

Fifty-game All Black Jimmy Cowan will earn his 124th Super Rugby cap, but his first for the Blues since returning to New Zealand against the Chiefs at Albany’s QBE Stadium.  

The Rebels have named Wallabies and former Reds Mike Harris and Dom Shipperley to face the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Rory Arnold, who played for the Griquas in the Currie Cup, is one of three debutants for the Brumbies who play the Reds on Friday.

The pre-season is over and now the real games start. Jan de Koning looks at Friday's games in Round One of Super Rugby.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Unheralded lock Marco Kotze will become the latest South African to be capped by an Australian Super Rugby franchise.

OPINION: AussieBoer, rugby365's well-versed reader, challenges other readers to a game of Super Rugby 'prediction'.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Mauro Bergamasco on Wednesday earned a recall to the Italian Six Nations side to take on England at Twickenham on Saturday.

David Pocock, the former Wallabies captain, is set to lead the Brumbies on Friday - when his side takes on Queensland Reds.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has called up prop Eddy Ben Arous to face Ireland in the Six Nations on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have made one change to their side to face Scotland in a Six Nations Round Two match on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has named all his off-season recruit from the Cheetahs for their opening Super Rugby match.

INTERVIEW: SANZAR Game Manager and referees boss Lyndon Bray said coaches were driving the attitude to the laws and the application of the laws.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Hurricanes suffered a setback ahead of their opening match of the Super Rugby season., against the Lions.

All Black legends Dan Carter and Richie McCaw will both be in the starting XV when the Crusaders open the 2015 Super Rugby season.

Stormers vice-captain Juan de Jongh insists they are fully focused on themselvesahead of their opening Super Rugby game at Loftus on Saturday.

EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning chatted to newly-recruited Highlanders prop Ross Geldenhuys about the ever-changing scrum laws.

While France didn't exhibit their usual Gallic flair against Scotland, Conor Murray insists Ireland is wary of Les Bleus' game-changing backs.

Reds coach Richard Graham believes their more 'free spirited' approach to the game will suit skilful players like Karmichael Hunt and James O'Connor.

Stuart Lancaster admits prop David Wilson is facing a race against time to play some part in this year's Six Nations as he struggles to regain full fitness.

Dougie Fife has issued an early battle cry ahead of Scotland's Six Nations clash against Wales, insisting his side fear no-one.

England Sevens have named their squad for this weekend’s Las Vegas leg of the World Series with wing Alex Davis coming in to replace the injured Marcus Watson.

Blues openside flank Brendon O'Connor as well as Bulls lock Mike Williams and Tongan forward Opeti Fonua will head to Leicester later this year.

England lock Geoff Parling has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations game against Italy due to a knee injury, forwards' coach Graham Rowntree said on Tuesday.

Prosecutors have requested a five to six-month suspended prison term and £5000 fine against Toulon's Steffon Armitage who appeared in court on charges of assault.  

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs have named former Stormers fullback Joe Pietersen at flyhalf for their Super Rugby Round One clash.

Brad Mcleod-Henderson has said that Marcell Coetzee should have been named the Player of the Year over Duane Vermeulen.  

The Australian Rugby Union and former employee Di Patston looks set for another round of 'airing dirty laundry in public'.

Wales wing George North should not have continued playing after his head injury in Friday's Six Nations opener.

It is still unsure as to when Willem Alberts will return from injury as the Sharks prepare to face the Cheetahs in Round One.

NEWS: Lions coach Johan Ackermann has produced a couple of surprises in his starting XV for the opening match of the Super Rugby season.

The nature of the beast may dictate that Stormers coach Allister Coetzee  will opt for bravery over skill when they head to Pretoria this week.

George North has started his bid to be passed fit for his country's Six Nations clash against Scotland after suffering two blows to the head during.

Tim Nanai-Williams will confirm his allegiance switch from New Zealand to Samoa in May.

Teenage star Akira Ioane, older brother of Rieko, who was outstanding in the recent Wellington Sevens for New Zealand, have both been signed by the Blues.

EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning chatted to Lions coach Johan Ackermann about the different circumstances his team finds themselves in.

Willem Alberts has not been included in the Sharks 40-man Super Rugby squad as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

NEWS: South African called up Rosko Specman in place of the injured Justin Geduld for the next leg of the Sevens World Series, in Las Vegas.

France  coach Philippe Saint-André has called up Vincent Debaty and Jocelino Suta as his side prepare for the Six Nations clash against Ireland.

taly suffered a setback in their preparations for the clash with England Saturday - with Alessandro Zanni and Michele Campagnaro ruled out due to injury.

There is a growing self-belief in the England team, but coach Stuart Lancaster is wary of the threat posed by lowly Italy.

NEWS: The Bulls are looking rather thin when it comes to front row resources, as they head into their Super Rugby season-opener.

St Valentine's day is celebrated with roses, chocolates, sweet music and, hope against hope, a pleasant result, but this weekend it falls in the midst of a lot of tough rugby which is celebrated with combat, hard effort, harsh whistle and, hope against hope, sweet victory.

There were two thrilling draws in an intense opening round of Varsity Cup action on Monday.

Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip, flank Sean O'Brien and hooker Rory Best are on course to be fit for their second Six Nations game against France.

Rynier Bernardo will undergo surgery later this week and has been ruled out of the remainder of the season.

BREAKING NEWS: The Cheetahs, in a surprise move, named Francois Uys as their captain for the Super Rugby season.

OPINION: England put down an early Six Nations marker and they are rewarded in rugby365's famous selection!

Lock Sam Wykes will captain the Western Force for the start of the Super Rugby competition – the club’s 10th in the tournament.

The Stormers have been boosted by the return to fitness of Springboks Nizaam Carr and Damian de Allende as well as Ruan Botha ahead of their encounter against the Bulls.

Fullback Stuart Hogg is convinced Scotland know what went wrong against France and that they can upset Wales in Edinburgh.

Ian Keatley said his nerves almost overtook him in his fourth cap for Ireland as he steered his team to a comfortable victory against Italy.  

England fullback Mike Brown has warned his teammates that Italy would punish any hint of complacency on Saturday.

IN DIE KOLLIG: Jan de Koning neem 'n terugblik in die verlede, na 'n vergete era - toe Super Rugby nog SUPER was!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning glances back into the past, to a forgotten era - when Super Rugby was still SUPER!

The game time of a number of key Springboks will be managed throughout the Super Rugby series in the coming months.

SA Referees have announced the variation on the Laws of the Game as they will apply to primary schools in 2015.

England have been boosted by the return of three frontline players ahead of their Six Nations clash against Italy on Saturday.

South African born scrumhalf, Michael Claassens, who currently plays for Toulon, has been signed on a two-year deal at the Sharks. 

Australian Sevens coach Geraint John has named an unchanged squad for the fifth round of the Sevens World Series in Las Vegas.

Scott Curry will captain the All Blacks Sevens side in next weekend's tournament in Las Vegas.

It is that time, time to brag about your rugby knowlege by predicting scores AND naming teams!

NEWS: The South African influence at the Western Force remains massive - with David Wessels and Kevin Foote extended their stay in Perth. .

Duane Vermeulen was the star of the annual Player of the Year Awards when he walked off with three awards, including the main award.

Michele Campagnaro and Alessandro Zanni could miss Italy's biggest test of the Six Nations away to England.

A number of Scottish players will need medical assessment o determine the extent of their injuries including wing Tommy Seymour.

Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw admitted his side blew their chance to make history in Paris by letting France off the hook on Saturday.

France need to make their dominance count if they are to threaten Six Nations holders Ireland next weekend according to Philippe Saint-Andre.

Italian captain Sergio Parisse called on the Azzurri to overhaul their failing lineout or face serious punishment against the English.

REACTION: Joe Schmidt believes England set the Six Nations 'benchmark' with victory over Wales, leaving Ireland chasing to keep up.

The Varsity Cup returns to action on Monday with a big Cape Town derby headlining the first round of matches.

Godlen Masimla showcased why he is a scrumhalf to watch when he helped the Stormers claim a comprehensive 45-7 victory over the Boland.

The Australian team finished the Wellington leg of the World Sevens Series in a disappointing sixth place, after defeats to New Zealand and Fiji.

REACTION: England fell at the final hurdle of the Wellington Sevens, finishing second behind hosts New Zealand - after losing a tense Final 21-27.

The Welsh Rugby Union face scrutiny in the wake of the concussion suffered by wing George North during his team's Six Nations defeat by England.

MATCH REPORT: France held firm in the face of a fierce Scottish onslaught to start their 2015 Six Nations campaign on a winning note.

REPORT: A young Stormers team claimed a resounding 45-7 win over the Boland Cavaliers in pre-season action on Saturday.

REPORT: Ireland required just two minutes and two tries to secure a 26-3 win over Italy, as they started the defence of their Six Nations crown.

REACTION: South Africa may have hung on to their first place on the Sevens World Series table, but their mental aptitude came under scrutiny.

NEWS: Wales will be sweating over the fitness of a few key players ahead of next week's crucial Six Nations Round Two encounter with Scotland.

REACTION: Warren Gatland insisted there is no panic after his side lost 16-21 to England in their Six Nations opener in Cardiff.

REACTION: Stuart Lancaster briefly let the emotion of the moment get to him as he celebrated England's Six Nations victory in Cardiff.

REPORT: New Zealand retained their title at the Wellington leg of the Sevens World Series on Saturday, to close the gap on South Africa.

England showed great character to fight back in the second half and claim a 21-16 Six Nations win over Wales in Cardiff.

Bulls locks Jacques du Plessis and Flip van der Merwe will both take up contracts in France at the end of the domestic 2015 season.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse said the Azzurri are ready to "spit blood" in a bid to beat defending Six Nations champions Ireland.

REACTION: The Reds new flyhalf, Rugby League recruit Karmichael Hunt, has stolen the jump on his rivals to wear the Reds' No.10 jersey.

The Hurricanes depart for South African on Saturday without veteran All Black Ma'a Nonu.

Bernard Laporte has dismissed the Sharks' North-South victory over his Toulon side, stating that a match against the Waratahs would be a true test.

The Reds have passed their final pre-season test with flying colours, stunning the Crusaders 35-12 at Ballymore.

EXCLUSIVE: Matt Hawkins, rugby365's specialist Sevens columnist, takes us behind the scenes at Wellington - Round Four of the World Series!

The Waratahs ran in six tries to the Chiefs' four in a close 38-36 victory to the home side in Sydney on Friday as part of the teams pre-seaon preparation.

New Zealand managed to lift the trophy in their own backyard - here is how!

EXCLUSIVE: MATT HAWKINS, RUGBY365'S SPECIALIST SEVENS COLUMNIST, TAKES US BEHIND THE SCENES AT WELLINGTON - ROUND FOUR OF THE WORLD SERIES!

This weekend sees the beginning of the Six Nations with an important game between England and Wales up first!

The Waratahs have signed former Sharks XV player Kotaro Matsushima from Suntory Sungoliath in Japan for the 2015 Super Rugby Season. 

The Rebels have named co-captains for the first time in their history as they unveild Scott Fuglistaller and Scott Higginbotham as leaders for the season.

The Blues managed to make it one from two in pre-season games as they took the result but not the spoils from the Hurricanes with a 32-29 win in Albany on Friday.

Ireland and Italy may have finished at the opposite ends of the 2014 Six Nations table, but Joe Schmidt's camp is not viewing this as an opening-round banker.

REPORT: The United States and Kenya both topped their pools to reach the quarterfinals at the fourth round of the 2014/15 Sevens World Series.

The match officials for Rounds 1-3 of 2015 Super Rugby are known.

The Sharks completed a very impressive warm-up match against Toulon at Stade Mayol, running out narrow 12-10 victors.

Scotland have not tasted success on French soil for 16 years, but if they could handpick a coach then Vern Cotter would probably be the choice.

England will be up against it when they get their Six Nations campaign underway against Wales in Cardiff on Friday.

The All Blacks' most capped centre and Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith has confirmed that he is leaving New Zealand at the end of the 2015 season.

EXCLUSIVE: The Crusaders' famed production line, a conveyor belt that constantly produces world class players, will again play a key role this year.

NEWS: Italian coach Jacques Brunel named an experienced side to take on defending champions Ireland in their 2015 Six Nations opener.

SA Referees have laid down the playing time for school matches, from high schools to primary schools.

SA Referees have laid down the playing time for school matches, from high schools to primary schools.

SA Referees have laid down the playing time for school matches, from high schools to primary schools.

The Rebels have completed their pre-season schedule with a 25-24 come-from-behind victory over the Highlanders in a thrilling encounter.

Ian Keatley will start at flyhalf in Ireland's opening Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome on Saturday.

NEWS: Scotland coach Vern Cotter named three debutants for their Six Nations opener against France at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Friday night games in Cardiff are set to become a feature of the Six Nations Championship, after the fixtures for 2016 and 2017 were confirmed.

Scotland defensive coach Matt Taylor is predicting attacking fireworks when his side head to Paris to face France.

England Sevens star Mat Turner has been given a chance to impress with the Stormers after being included on the bench for the their final pre-season game.

Eddie Jones has dismissed reports that he will move to South Africa and take over as coach of the Stormers Super Rugby side after the World Cup this year.

EXCLUSIVE: New Western Province Currie Cup coach John Dobson spoke to Jan de Koning about his appointment and the road ahead.

The Chiefs have named a large squad that includes Sonny Bill Williams as well as Hosea Gear to play the Waratahs in their final warm-up game.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has named his team to face the Blues with a large contingent of All Blacks sitting out the final preparation match.

The Blues have named a team of exciting youngsters alongside some veterans of the game for their final pre-season fixture against the Hurricanes this weekend.

The Simba XV from Kenya, due to participate for a second season in the Vodacom Cup, have withdrawn from the competition at short notice.

The Cheetahs ran in 10 tries to the Griffons one in what can only be described as a practice match as the men from Bloemfontein tweaked their final preparations.

All Black legend Dan Carter completes his comeback from an off-season calg strain when he starts at flyhalf in the pre-season friendly against the Reds.

NEWS: Queensland Reds recent recruit Karmichael Hunt will start at flyhalf in his side's final pre-season clash against the Crusaders.

South Africa will step into the backyard of arch rivals New Zealand, determined to entrench their first place on the Sevens World Series standings.

PREVIEW: The Sharks may face a fatigued, injury-riddled Toulon fielding a host of fringe players, but it will not be a walk in the park.

NEWS: Veteran Bryan Habana will line up against his Springbok teammates when Toulon hosts the Sharks at Stade Mayol on Thursday.

There were sound reasons why Billy Millar should not have achieved any of his great achievements, right from his childhood.

BREAKING NEWS: Veteran Springbok Bismarck du Plessis will lead a star-studded Sharks team in their pre-season outing against Toulon.

NEWS: Scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli headlines a numer of players to commit to Argentina's new Super Rugby franchise.

The EP Kings once again finds themselves at loggerheads with another union, with the Leopards accusing them of illegally poaching.

Veteran All Black Sevens player Tim Mikkelson has been ruled out of Wellington and United States legs of the World Series by a groin injury.

David Pocock escaped conviction on Wednesday over a protest against an Australian coal mine in which he locked himself to a digger.

Reds head coach Richard Graham will trial recent Rugby League recruit Karmichael Hunt at flyhalf in the pre-season match against the Crusaders.

South African-born scrumhalf Rory Kockott will make his first start for France in their Six Nations opener against Scotland on Saturday in Paris

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Welsh veteran Jamie Roberts gives his views ahead of the season-opener, against England on Friday.

Recently Super Referees for 2015 with administrators met in Sydney under Lyndon Bray, SANZAR's game manager, a portfolio that includes refereeing. At the end of it Bray spoke of the objective of producing a ‘high intensity, high octane’ game.

NEWS: Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph form a new-look midfield partnership, as England recalled four British and Irish Lions.

Shane Christie will captain the Highlanders  as  they complete their two-match preseason tour of Australia - against the Rebels.

Sharks defensive coach Michael Horak is looking forward to the test an unstructured Toulon team can give the Sharks defensive line.

New signing Ben Whittaker will make his first appearance for the Rebels they host the Highlanders in a Super Rugby pre-season outing.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské named a powerful team, including his available Springboks, to face the Griffons in their Super Rugby pre-season outing Wednesday.

OPINION: Aussieboer, rugby365's well-versed reader, tells us why women's rugby will become the next big thing!

Harlequins No.8 Nick Easter is among 25 players recalled by Stuart Lancaster for the Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff on Friday.

Allister Coetzee says he will not lack for commitment in his eighth and final season as Stormers coach.

Matt Stevens believes that the Toulon game will be the best preparation for the Cheetahs match as the two teams have similar playing styles.

Ryan Tongia of the Highlanders has been found not guilty of foul play and the red card shown to him against the Brumbies has been removed from his record.

Les Kiss has taken an unorthodox approach to fine-tuning the Ireland squad and Rory Best is hoping it can give them the edge in the Six Nations.

Allister Coetzee has chosen not to extend his contract at Western Province and will, instead, take up an opportunity abroad at the end of this year.

With the Six Nations kicking off this weekend, who do you see lifting the trophy at the end?

Northampton Saints announced that Ahsee Tuala has joined the club until the end of the 2014/15 season.

SANZAR has announced the match officials for the first week of Super rugby, starting on 13 February 2015.

NEWS: What was mean to be a day of celebration has turned into a very somber mood at the Western Province and Stormers headquarters.

Reports from France seem to suggest that Will Genia will finally make his much anticipated move to France along with the latest in the All Black post-World Cup exodus, Conrad Smith.

Coach Jamie Joseph rates the Highlanders' draw for this season's Super Rugby competition as the most difficult of his tenure.

The Sharks match against Toulon will see 2014's best European team take on the last year's best South African team, but will it be rust versus readiness?

NEWS: The Bulls will be without the services of two key Springbok forwards when the Super Rugby season gets underway next week.

VARSITY SHIELD WRAP: The UKZN Impi lead the way after the opening round of the Varsity Shield after notching a valuable away win against UWC.

NEWS: The Stormers' Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth and fellow second row forward Manuel Carizza will miss the start of the 2015 season.

INTERVIEW: All Black legend Dan Carter gives his views on up-and-coming scrumhalf Mitchell Drummond, who could be his halfback partner soon.

Bath and England tighthead David Wilson will miss the tournament opener against Wales through injury but should be covered by Dan Cole.

NEWS: The Rebels have been forced into an 'emergency change' to their Super Rugby squad. Japanese hooker Shota Horie will not return.

The Six Nations bursts into life this weekend. On Friday Jérôme Garcès of France will blow the whistle in Cardiff that gets the great tournament going.

The Cheetahs will welcome back their Japanese based duo of Heinrich Brussow and Johan Sadie after their team was knocked out.

Ireland received a timeous boost ahead of the start of their Six Nations campaign, with Conor Murray and Dave Kearney both cleared from injury.

Captain Sam Warburton will win his 50th cap against England on Friday as he leads a Wales side that contains two changes from the one that beat South Africa.

OPINION: rugby365's law guru, Paul Dobson, gives his view of referees who sometimes have an inflated belief in their ability.

Captain Matt Hodgson will miss the beginning of the of the Western Force’s season after suffering a hamstring injury in the team’s 38-19 win over the Asia Pacific Dragons.

Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar insists he is not taking a starting place for granted ahead of Wales' Six Nations opener with England next Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: Springbok Braam van Straaten, in Part Three of his exclusive pre-season interview with rugby365, gets into the prediction game.

The final week of pre-season sees many teams wrapping up their preparations with the biggest game being the Sharks going up against Toulon.

The All Black Sevens have dropped two veterans and picked up four new caps for the upcoming home series of the Sevens circuit in Wellington.

MJ Mentz has been handed the reigns for the Pumas in their upcoming Vodacom Cup campaign and the coach is looking to keep a similar system going.

Now it is the Six Nations Championship - the International Championship - and it kicks off this  exciting weekend with a brand new trophy.

Keven Mealamu looks set to ease his way through the Super Rugby season as the All Black attempts to hold on for the upcoming World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Just five days out from the Wellington leg of the Sevens World Series there are seven things you should know.