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'Back your Boytjies' in 2010 Varsity Cup

The third chapter of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International will kick-off on Monday, February 1 and the organising committee and sponsors are urging the rugby public and various university supporters to 'Back your Boytjies' in 2010!

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Referees become TMOs

South African Referees is to experiment with the use of on-field referees as television match officials.

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Pink is our favourite colour

The Varsity Cup will be launching a big cancer awareness drive in 2010, with the introduction of the 'Pink Shorts' campaign in this year's tournament.

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O'Driscoll keeps Leinster on track

Leinster and Ireland star Brian O'Driscoll scored a try in the last minutes of the match to help the Irish Province earn a bonus-point from their 27-10 Heineken Cup victory over Brive on Saturday night.

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Quarterfinal spot secured for Toulouse

Toulouse secured their qualification for the quarterfinals of the Heineken Cup this season with an impressive, bonus-point, 33-21 victory over Harlequins in France on Sunday evening.

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Sensational success for Northampton

A stunning second half display from the Northampton Saints saw them score four-tries and hammer an understrength Perpignan 34-0 at Franklin's Gardens to keep their Heineken Cup hopes very much alive.

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Exiles stutter at the Parc y Scarlets

Two tries each from flank Rob McCusker and centre Jonathan Davies helped the Scarlets to derail London Irish's Heineken Cup plans and record a 31-22 victory at the Parc y Scarlets on Sunday afternoon.

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News

Stormers game delights Dobson

FNB Ikey Tigers head coach John Dobson was a happy man, despite his side's 3-21 loss to the Stormers in a lively pre-season encounter in Riebeek West on Saturday morning.

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Italian job well done for Leicester

Leicester kept their hopes of a quarterfinal spot alive on Saturday with a comprehensive 47-8 win over Viadana at Welford Road.

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Arias' brace ensures vital Stade win

Two tries from right wing Julien Arias helped Stade Francais to record a vital 15-13 victory over Bath in Paris on Saturday afternoon in their Heineken Cup Pool Four clash.

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Gloucester beat unbeaten Biarritz

Bryan Redpath's Gloucester brought Biarritz's unbeaten Heineken Cup run to a crashing end on Saturday with the Cherry and Whites recording an impressive 23-8 win over the Pool Two high-flyers.

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Clermont grind down the Ospreys

Star flyhalf Brock James scored 17 points for Clermont Auvergne on Saturday evening as they recorded a hard-fought, but impressive, 27-7 victory over the Ospreys in their crucial Heineken Cup, Pool Three, clash.

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Solid success for Cardiff over Sale

The Cardiff Blues produced a strong display on Saturday afternoon to record a good 36-19 win over the Sale Sharks in their Heineken Cup encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium.

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Munster machine marches on

Munster were full of running on Saturday night, outclassing Treviso 44-7 in their Heineken Cup Pool One clash in Italy and, as a result, have kept themselves in pole position for a spot in the Heineken Cup quarterfinals.

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Stade do opt for Scot Southwell

Stade Francais have named Scotland fullback Hugo Southwell at scrumhalf, alongside flyhalf Ignacio Mieres, for this weekend's Heineken Cup clash with Bath in Paris.

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Blues v Sharks - a 'must-win'

Cardiff Blues take on Sale Sharks in the Heineken Cup with both teams needing a win to have a chance of progressing to the quarter-final stages.

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News

Beware the PE wind, warns Brandt

FNB NMMU head coach Kolie Brandt is hoping that the notorious Port Elizabeth wind dies down before the opening day of Varsity Cup action in PE on Monday, February 1.

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Ospreys expect 'interesting' test

Ospreys Head Coach Sean Holley knows very well how stiff a test a trip to Clermont is, labeling his sides opponents this weekend as 'one of the leading sides in Europe.'

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Horgan makes Leinster history

Shane Horgan will become the first Leinster player to reach the 75 Heineken Cup appearance landmark and the wing is named in a back-line which features six Ireland internationals for the visit of the French side.

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News

New Ikeys get Stormers chance

FNB UCT head coach John Dobson has announced a strong team - including a host of new faces - for Saturday's pre-season friendly clash against the Stormers in Riebeek West.

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News

Shimlas: 'Goeie begin is belangrik'

Verlede jaar moes Jaco Swanepoel, hoofafrigter van FNB Shimlas, toesien hoe 'n swak begin sy span se aanslag op die FNB Varsitybeker, aangebied deur Steinhoff International, in die wiele ry. Vanjaar is die breier van die Kovsies vasbeslote om nie daardie fout te herhaal nie.

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Leicester-lad returns for Tigers

Sam Vesty makes his first starting appearance of the season for Leicester Tigers in Saturday's Heineken Cup tie against Viadana at Welford Road.

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Watson emphasises scrumming

South African referees expect to see fewer reset scrums as a result of more accurate applications of the scrummaging laws this season, said SA Referees manager Andre Watson on Friday.

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Four changes for Redpath's Gloucester

Head Coach Bryan Redpath makes four changes to his Gloucester Rugby starting line up as his side return to Heineken Cup action with Biarritz the visitors to Kingsholm on Saturday.

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Refs for Junior World Trophy

The International Rugby Board has announced the names of the 12 referees to officiate at the Junior World Rugby Trophy to be held in Moscow on 18-30 May 2010.

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News

Pukke soek nuwe bloed

NWU-Pukke se hoofafrigter, Rudy Joubert, hoop dat sy nuwelinge sal opmaak vir die verliese wat die Potchefstroomse Varsitybekerspan in die afseisoen gely het.

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News

Grobler happy with Tuks' intensity

FNB Tuks' 2010 pre-season preparations are in full swing, with the double Varsity Cup semifinalists already playing two warm-up matches at the LC de Villiers Stadium on Wednesday night.

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News

Morrison on refereeing

Ed Morrison, the Head of Elite Referees' Development in England, spoke recently about English refereeing in to top divisions, following the accusations of incompetence levelled at them by Brendan Venter, the Saracens' coach.

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News

UCT gearing up for Stormers

The University of Cape Town will get their 2010 Varsity Cup preparations underway when they take on the Stormers in a warm-up match in Riebeek West this Saturday (kick-off 10am).

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Maties

Stormers also in Maties' sights

Back-to-back Varsity Cup champions, FNB Maties, will be playing just one warm-up match ahead of the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International - against Super 14 side, the Stormers.

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Teams leave nothing to chance - again

An even greater emphasis on pre-season training that saw teams train until December 18 and restart this year, will ensure the 2010 Varsity Cup will start off on February 1 at an even higher standard than last year.

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News

'Forza' Ikeys, as Dobson returns

Ikey Tigers head coach John Dobson has returned from his coaching sojourn in Italy wiser, but also hungrier for success ahead of the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

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News

Technical Zone Protocol

The International Rugby Board has produced a slightly changed protocol for the technical zone, the area where non-playing team officials must be if they are within the playing enclosure.

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England

England Under-20s take shape

England have announced their revised Under-20 Elite Player Squad for this season's major tournaments.

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What refs watch

A friend asked on Friday how many things a referee has to watch in a match, and it seemed a good idea to find out.

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Referees to 17 January

European matches break out again for the top sides - Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup with lots of referees hoping that the weather will improve.

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England

Global results - 10 January

Sin novedad. There is nothing much to report as the weather took over so much of the weekend's rugby as England completed with the North Pole for cold. Not even sunny Spain got off scot free. Japan got through it all.

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Leicester shove Wasps off the park

The Tigers moved to the top of the 2009/10 Guinness Premiership table after yet another powerful scrummaging display from the defending champions helped them to a superb 34-8 bonus point win over Wasps at a cold Welford Road on Saturday. All your GP news...

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News

Edinburgh beat the cold... and Cardiff

Bouncing back from their recent double defeat to Glasgow Warriors, two-try Edinburgh got the better of Cardiff Blues by 21-12 at Murrayfield on Saturday - in the only Magners League match to survive the severe cold snap this weekend.

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Tigers star returns for Wasps battle

Outstanding England and B&I Lions forward Tom Croft has been named on the Leicester Tigers bench for Saturday's Guinness Premiership tussle with old foes London Wasps at Welford Road. Irish v Warriors match called off | Snow rest for the wicked...

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News

Munster go big for Scarlets clash

Munster head coach Tony McGahan has named a powerful starting line-up for Sunday evening's Magners League clash against the Llanelli Scarlets, with B&I Lions prop John Hayes the only regular missing from the Irish team's matchday squad.

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Determined London Irish power up

London Irish head coach Toby Booth has made six changes - one of which is positional - to his side's starting line-up for Saturday's Guinness Premiership clash against the Worcester Warriors at Sixways (kick-off 2pm).

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Young: 'We need to take-off'

The Cardiff Blues travel to Scotland on Saturday to take on Edinburgh in the Magners League knowing that they must get some points if they are to have a chance of finishing in a play-off spot this season.

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Jennings handed Leinster captaincy

Leinster and Glasgow have been given the all-clear for this weekend's clash in Dublin - a huge top-of-the-table Magners League fixture set to take place at the RDS.

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Referees for Europe, Rounds 5 & 6

The European Cup (ERC) has announced the referees for the final two rounds of pool matches in the 2009-10 Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup.

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News

Preview: Magners League, Round 11

With unsafe stadium conditions forcing all of Friday night's matches to be cancelled, we had just two Magners League encounters remaining on the schedule for us to look forward to this coming weekend - one on Saturday and one on Sunday. One of those matches, however, was also called off at the 11th hour.

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Preview: Guinness Premiership, Rd 13

The torrid weather in the United Kingdom has wreaked havoc with this weekend's Guinness Premiership fixture list with four of the six scheduled matches having been cancelled because of safety concerns.

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Law Discussion: 2010 starts

It's the new year in the frozen north and the sweltering south. There is much celebrating and in the north there is also some rugby, and so some incidents to discuss. The incidents are from two matches in England's Premiership - Sale Sharks against Harlequins in Manchester and London Wasps against Newcastle Falcons. But first there is a matter of balls.

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Falcons scrum Wasps into submission

Newcastle claimed their first ever win at Adams Park and got 2010 off to the best possible start with a scrappy, but well-earned, 12-6 win over London Wasps in their Guinness Premiership clash on Sunday evening.

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Referees to 10 January

Already the new year is into its second week and as the season turns the bend matches became more important for both the ambitious and the desperate. Pressure on referees increases. After this there are two more rounds of European competition.

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RFU fume at Venter's comments

In a statement released on Sunday, the Rugby Football Union voiced their great disappointment at the post-match comments made by Saracens head coach Brendan Venter about the referee in his sides Premiership defeat to Leicester.

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Vicarage Road defeat for Saracens

Leicester handed Saracens their second defeat of the current Guinness Premiership season, and in as many weeks, with a hard fought 22-15 victory at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.

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Danielli stars as Ulster beat Munster

Two first-half tries from Simon Danielli helped Ulster to record a much needed 15-10 win over Munster in their all-Irish clash at Ravenhill on Saturday evening.

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Vital win for Bath at Headingley

Five penalties from flyhalf Nicky Little helped Bath edge out Leeds 20-15 in the Premiership?s basement-battle on Saturday afternoon at Headingley.

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Glasgow do the double over Edinburgh

Enjoying their first win on Edinburgh soil since 2000, 22-15, Glasgow Warriors scored the only two tries in Saturday's 1872 Cup decider as they maintained their grip on the Magners League's top spot.

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Honours even at Kingsholm

A late try from English second row David Attwood helped Gloucester to salvage a 13-all draw from their Guinness Premiership clash with the Worcester Warriors at Kingsholm on Saturday afternoon.

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Late strikes sees Saints secure win

Northampton left it late but, as the final whistle sounded, the Saints were on the right side of the scoreline - edging out Premiership rivals 24-22 at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday thanks to a last minute try from Chris Ashton.

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Second Phase

Insane rugby fights

As we enter the new year, rugby365.com decided it is worth having a look back at some of the game's more insane moments - those little flare-ups that entertained us.

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Second Phase

Rating the coaches

Since the 2007 World Cup nine of the top 10 countries have changed coaches, with New Zealand's Graham Henry the only leading mentor to retain his job. rugby365.com has decided to take a look at how all these new coaches have progressed.

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Ton up for Saint Tonga'uiha

Soane Tonga'uiha will become the latest Saints centurion when he runs out with his Northampton teammates on Saturday afternoon for their very important Round 12 game against London Irish.

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Impressive Ospreys hammer Cardiff

The Ospreys, temporarily at least, moved to the top of the Magners League table on Friday night thanks to an impressive 26-0 derby victory over the Cardiff Blues at the Liberty Stadium.

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Harleqins v Sale - Round Three

After the glitz, glamour, record crowd and disappointment at the narrow defeat to Wasps at Twickenham last weekend, Quins head back up the M6 to face Sale for the third time in four weeks.

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'Discipline' vital insists Redpath

Gloucester Rugby Head Coach Bryan Redpath has responded to last Sunday's Guinness Premiership defeat at local rivals Bath Rugby by making five changes to his starting line up for the visit of the Worcester Warriors to Kingsholm on Saturday.

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In-form Munster head to Ravenhill

Munster coach Tony Mcgahan has made six changes, two of those positional, for the trip to Belfast on Saturday as the defending Magners League champions clash with Ulster at Ravenhill.

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Deacon leads Tigers to Vicarage Road

Louis Deacon returns to captain Leicester Tigers for the trip to face Guinness Premiership leaders Saracens at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

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Leeds ready for battle with Bath

Leeds Carnegie have made two changes to the side that beat Newcastle Falcons for this Saturday's big Guinness Premiership clash with Bath at Headingley Carnegie.

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Top test for the Ospreys says Johnson

Ospreys boss Scott Johnson says his team is focused on moving 'up to the next level' this weekend when they face Cardiff at the Liberty Stadium.

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Law Discussion: From the Premiership

Wasn't the crowd at Twickenham wonderful on Sunday? Over 76 000 spectators a record for England's Premiership, getting close to what Stade Francais get at Stade de France. And it was a match that ended with great excitement, three tries in the last 12 minutes for a 21-20 result.

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Second Phase

Five Players to Watch in 2010

rugby365 has always been a fan of young talent and with the new year comes some new hopes - we pick out the five young stars from around the planet who we are expecting big things from in 2010. Tens join Cape Town Stadium Festival

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Referees to 3 January 2010

The year has come and go. Fireworks are going off, people are singing and hugging, and 2010 is upon us. Soon, it too, will be gone with all its rush and with its thousands of rugby matches around the world, all refereed by somebody. We hope it is a happy New Year for all in rugby, including the match officials. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were not one wrong decision, not one complaint!

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Irish end Saracens wonder-run

London Irish fought back from 10-16 down at half-time to became the first Guinness Premiership side to beat Saracens this season - winning 23-19 at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday. Bath win at last! | Four-try Leicester triumph | Mallinder praises forwards

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Festive cheer for desperate Bath

Bath Rugby bounced back to form in the Guinness Premiership with a determined 24-8 West Country Derby victory over Gloucester at The Recreation Ground on Sunday afternoon. Four-try Leicester Tigers triumph | Mallinder praises Saints forwards | News!

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Parks kicks Glasgow home

Scotland flyhalf Dan Parks - who has been in the news this week, with talk of a possible transfer to Cardiff - kicked Glasgow to a 25-12 Magners League win over Edinburgh at the Firhill Arena on Sunday. Munster power ahead | Leinster edge Ulster | More ML!

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Second Phase

Ten ways to improve the game in 2010

There's been more than enough on-and-off the field issues that kept the rugby world buzzing and we took a closer look at some of these issues and what we'd like to see in 2010. Other features: rugby365s Annual Awards and Matches of the Year...

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News

Wasps win Twickenham thriller

London Wasps edged out Harlequins 21-20 in a thrilling Guinness Premiership encounter at Twickenham on Sunday.

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News

On-fire Cardiff Blues crush Dragons

Cardiff Blues smashed the Newport Gwent Dragons 42-13 in Magners League action at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday - despite the visitors holding a commanding 13-3 half-time lead.

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News

Four-try Tigers win at home

England flanker Lewis Moody celebrated his first home outing as Leicester Tigers captain by scoring one of his team's four tries in their 32-6 Guinness Premiership win over Sale Sharks at Welford Road on Sunday.

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Leeds bare their teeth at Newcastle

Leeds Carnegie claimed a valuable 16-15 Guinness Premiership away win over Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday - a victory that could, well, save their bacon come the end of the season.

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Foden brilliance sees Saints home

Northampton Saints fullback Ben Foden produced two moments of individual brilliance to help his side record a welcome 26-6 Guinness Premiership win over Worcester Warriors at Sixways on Saturday. GP Preview: Round 11 | GP team news HERE! | Other news

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News

James the unlikely Ospreys hero

Two tries from prop Paul James proved decisive as the Ospreys made it four wins in-a-row in all competitions with a 21-14 Magners League and Boxing Day Derby win over the Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday.

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News

Clinical Munster maul Connacht

Two-times European champions, Munster, smashed Connacht 35-3 in their all-Ireland Magners League clash at Thomond Park on Boxing Day.

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Leinster too strong for brave Ulster

A star-studded Leinster team - with No.15 Rob Kearney leading the way - overpowered Ulster 15-3 in their all-Ireland Magners League Derby at the RDS on Saturday evening... Report: Munster maul Connacht | Ospreys also win | ML Preview: Round Nine...

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Second Phase

Our list: The top tries of 2009

We look back at some of the finest tries this past rugby year...

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Sale rest England duo for Tigers clash

Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones has - surprisingly - opted to rest his two England backs backs, Mathew Tait and Mark Cueto, for Sunday's Guinness Premiership trip to Welford Road. Cipriani back at No.10 | Crane demands intensity | More GP news

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News

Cipriani handed Wasps start

Enigmatic London Wasps and England flyhalf Danny Cipriani has been handed the ideal Christmas present - he will start in the No.10 shirt for Wasps in their Guinness Premiership clash against Harlequins on Sunday.

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News

'Pocket Rocket' to tame Saints?

The Worcester Warriors' very own 'Pocket Rocket', inside centre Sam Tuitupou, has been named in the No.12 shirt for Saturday's Guinness Premiership match against the travelling Northampton Saints.

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News

O'Gara handed Munster captaincy

Veteran Ireland and B&I Lions flyhalf Ronan O'Gara will captain Munster in Saturday night's crucial Magners League match-up with fellow Irish team, Connacht, at Thomond Park.

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Armitage back for Saracens battle

Fit-again England fullback Delon Armitage has been restored to the London Irish starting line-up for Sunday's mouth-watering Guinness Premiership clash against Saracens at the Madejski Stadium.

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News

Stoddart wings it for Scarlets

The Scarlets have named their 22-man squad to face the Ospreys in the two teams' Magners League fixture on Boxing Day - in front of a sell-out crowd at Parc y Scarlets.

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News

James boost for Cardiff Blues

Powerhouse Cardiff Blues winger Tom James has recovered from his groin injury and has been named in the No.11 shirt for Sunday's Magners League clash with the Newport Gwent Dragons.

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News

Preview: Guinness Premiership, Rd 11

England's top teams head back into Guinness Premiership mode, after a brief Heineken Cup hiatus, with a host of mouth-watering fixtures on the cards this Boxing Day weekend... All your GP team news... right here | Preview: Magners League, Round Nine

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News

Star-studded Leinster XV awaits Ulster

Leinster coach Michael Cheika has unveiled a star-studded Leinster outfit for Saturday's Magners League meeting with Ulster at Dublin's RDS.

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News

Somerville to lead Gloucester's assault

Gloucester Rugby have been handed a huge boost ahead of Sunday's West Country Derby clash against Bath Rugby, with All Blacks prop Greg Somerville named to start at No.3 in this crucial Guinness Premiership fixture at The Rec.

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News

Preview: Magners League, Rd Nine

After two weeks of Heineken Cup action, the Celtic teams return to the Magners League as we move into Round Nine of what has been - up till now - a very intriguing season. We preview Round Nine's action! Magners League team news... | GP Preview...

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RFU speak on Wasps-Sale affair

London Wasps went to play Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park in Stockport on November 27 in a Guinness Premiership match - refereed by the experienced David Rose. London Wasps said the pitch was dangerous and refused to play. There was an inquiry by the Premier Rugby Ltd (PRL) which found that it was the referee's fault. Now there has been a supplementary statement from the RFU.

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News

Big man Hayman back for Falcons

Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Bates will welcome back a host of stars for Sunday's Guinness Premiership clash at Kingston Park, when the Falcons play host to northern rivals Leeds Carnegie.

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Second Phase

rugby365s Xmas presents list...

We managed to, again, intercept a few letters bound for Santa Claus!

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News

Lineen calls on Scottish public

Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen has called for a rousing team performance, whilst also issuing a rallying call to the Scottish public ahead of the first leg of the Greaves Sports 1872 Cup at Firhill on Sunday.

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News

Van der Linde to miss all-Ireland battle

Springbok prop CJ van der Linde will miss Leinster's all-Ireland Magners League clash against Ulster at the RDS this weekend because of a calf muscle injury.

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Second Phase

Five biggest scandals of 2009

Professional sport is often full of scandals and drama and, in 2009, rugby was certainly no exception. The rugby365 team was there covering them all and now picks out the five biggest scandals of the past 12 months. Rugby world accept 'Alfie's' story

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Law Discussion: Heineken Cup, Rd Four

It's a pity one cannot red-card the weather. It would have helped this past weekend when matches froze. Didn't you admire Edinburgh and Bath in the ran/sleet/snow at Murrayfield, just for the way they tried to play constructive rugby in the freezing muck.

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Latest News

Law Discussion: Dangerous acts

Does the dangerous play occur only in open play? Is it dealt with only if the victim in injured? Surely neither of those can be correct, not if we believe that the Laws of the Game apply equally to all, but then watch three incidents in the match between Perpignan and Munster.

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Latest News

Referees to 27 December

It's Christmas time with all its good cheer. It's cold in Europe but, despite the good cheer and the freezing weather, some rugby will try to be played, and so there will be referees out there in their thermals, careful of the danger of excesses.

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Second Phase

Matches of the Year

There were, of course, great matches this year. If the side you were ardent about won, the match was all the greater.

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Maties

Adendorf on Vipers duty

Maties utility forward Jonathan Adendorf will play for the South African Vipers Sevens team in a warm-up tournament in Mar del Plata, Argentina, early next year.

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Second Phase

rugby365's Annual Awards

The exhibition match at Twickenham a few weeks ago brought the curtain down on another blockbuster international season. Looking back on the year, rugby365 brings you a collection of some of the biggest winners and losers!

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Second Phase

Naming Rights

In rugby - as with all team sports - the nicknames come from teammates and the fans. rugby365 columnist Keith Moore takes a look at some peculiar nicknames in the game.

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Second Phase

Relive 2009's biggest moments

It has been a long season for the players in 2009 but there have been some pretty incredible moments in the Six Nations, the Lions series, the Tri-Nations and numerous domestic tournaments to keep us interested!

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Latest News

U20: 6 Nations fixtures

The Six Nations Committee has made known the fixtures for the Under-20 Six Nations, which fall in the same country and over the same weekend as the senior Six Nations fixtures. It is a wonderful opportunity for the countries to prepare for the Junior World Championship.

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News

Women refs for World Cup

Ten of the world's top women referees will officiate at the 2010 Women's World Cup in England in August-September. It is the sixth Women's World Cup and the Final will be played at Twickenham on 5 September.

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Latest News

16 men in a rugby team

It happens. Even in professional rugby it happens. Plymouth Albion, a club playing in The Championship, the second tier of professional rugby in England, has to face a disciplinary hearing on a charge of having 16 players on the field.

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Latest News

Citings: Dates for hearings

There have been several citings after Round 3 of the Heineken Cup and European Rugby has announced the dates and venues for each of the hearings plus the judicial officer who will chair the hearing. Guillaume Ribes was sent off while playing for Brive and is not cited but will automatically attend a hearing.

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Latest News

Law Discussion: Heineken Cup, Rd Three

There was a lot of excitement in Round Three of the Heineken Cup with some splendid rugby when, as the sun shone, there was greater emphasis on running with the ball than kicking it.

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Second Phase

rugby365's Team of the Year

Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland and Tri-Nations champions South Africa headline the prestigious rugby365.com Team of the Year selections.

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Referees to 20 December

European rugby cause to the reverse venues, brave fixturing as there is the danger of carrying on where the previous week's unpleasantries left off but if there is a carry on of so many of the pleasantries of constructive rugby from the week just past it will be a wonderful lead-up to Christmas, an early Christmas present.

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Second Phase

rugby365: The Exclusive Seven

rugby365 has worked hard in 2009 to bring their readers the best in news, reports and interviews - looking back now at the year, we select seven of our favourite exclusive interviews which we feel really stood out.

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Australia

Global Results - 13 December

New Zealand carried on winning at the Sevens in George and Europe's matches were in full swing, not without suprises.

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News

Richards try sees Cambridge home

UCT old boy James Richards scored a crucial try to help Cambridge record a hard-fought 31-27 victory over Oxford in the 128th Varsity match at Twickenham on Thursday.

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Argentina

Argentina, Namibia to join Vodacom Cup

SARU has confirmed that teams representing Argentina and Namibia will compete in the 2010 Vodacom Cup competition. while there's talks around the possibility of the Southern Kings appearing in the Celtic League. Mallett: 'Why South still rules the roost'

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News

New president for KZN refs

KwaZulu Natal referees' Society have just elected a new president - Andre Lourens who unseated Ian Wedderburn.

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News

New chairman for Blue Bulls refs

At the General Meeting of 30 November, the Blue Bulls Rugby Referees' Society elected Gerhard Roodt as its new chairman to replace Oscar Somers who was no longer available.

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News

Vibrant book for a champion team

The SA Rugby Annual 2010 - the official and definitive record of one of the most successful seasons in the history of South African rugby - will go on sale before Christmas for the first time in its 39-year-history.

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News

UCT flavour in 128th Varsity clash

Former UCT star James Richards has been named at fullback for Cambridge ahead of the 128th Varsity match against Oxford this Thursday.

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Latest News

Referees to 13 December

There is another burst of European activity, the next Sevens Series and Hong Kong are on tour as they preparer for the Asian World Cup qualifiers, and play Netherlands and Czech Republic as well as Germany,

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Latest News

Invictus set to be 'spine-chilling stuff'

With the Invictus premier now just a couple of days away now, rugby365.com spoke to former Springbok captain and World Cup winner Francois Pienaar about the Clint Eastwood-directed Hollywood blockbuster.

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Latest News

Dragons simply dominate Leinster

The Newport-Gwent Dragons scored a comprehensive four-try 30-9 victory over in-form Irish Province Leinster at Rodney Parade on Sunday evening.

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Latest News

Cardiff too strong for Connacht

A first half brace from Welsh wing Tom James set up the Cardiff Blues to secure their 'must-win' victory over Magners League strugglers Connacht at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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Argentina

Global Results - 6 December

The IRB World Sevens Series for 2009-10 kicked off with great crowds and lots of fun in Dubai. New Zealand were full value for their win.

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Latest News

Walder helps Wasps to tame Tigers

Tries from Paul Sackey and Steve Kefu, along with 14 points from the boot of flyhalf Dave Walder, helped London Wasps to an important 24-22 victory over the Leicester Tigers in their Guinness Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon.

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Latest News

Obstruction: IRB ruling

The designated Members of the IRB's Rugby Committee have, in response to a request from Scotland, given a ruling on the possibility of obstruction when a team hopes to form a maul.

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Latest News

Samoan star returns for Exiles

Inspirational centre Seilala Mapusua returns from international duty to start for London Irish in their Guinness Premiership home match with Worcester Warriors at Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

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Latest News

Liberty Stadium set for huge clash

Munster's James Coughlan who captained the side in their two British & Irish Cup victories will anchor the Munster pack in the Magners League game against Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

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Latest News

Quins survive late Leeds show

Harlequins survived a brave second half fightback from bottom of the log Leeds Carnegie on Friday night - holding on to record a narrow 30-27 victory over Neil Back's determined outfit at Headingley.

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Latest News

Bath match a milestone for Clarke

Northampton's Director of Rugby, Jim Mallinder, has paid tribute to Jon Clarke, who, when he runs out with the Saints on Saturday tomorrow's Guinness Premiership Round 10 match against Bath, will reach one hundred appearances for the Northampton Saints first team.

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Latest News

Cueto out of Saracens clash

England star Mark Cueto has failed a late fitness test and will miss this weekend's big Guinness Premiership clash with Saracens at Vicarage Road.

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News

IRB changes ruling

The International Rugby Board's primary function is the Laws of the Game. Laws are changed only occasionally, usually now just after World Cups but in the meantime clarification of laws is made by way of "rulings", one of which was changed recently.

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Latest News

Ulster fall to Warriors at Ravenhill

Six penalties from flyhalf Dan Parks and a late Thom Evans try was enough to help potential title-challengers Glasgow Warriors to a 25-13 win over Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday night.

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Latest News

One point win for travelling Gunners

Rob Moffat?s Edinburgh Gunners side scored two second half tries to edge themselves to a 17-16 victory over the Scarlets in their Friday night Magners League clash at the Parc y Scarlets.

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Latest News

Sevens Laws

There are some differences between the Laws for Sevens rugby and the ordinary 15-man game. We note some in brief.

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News

'n Moeilike jaar vir Shimlas

Hoewel die 2009-rugbyjaar nie as een van FNB Shimlas se bestes die afgelope dekade beskou sal word nie, het hulle minstens nou twee bekers in die trofeekas.

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Fiji

IRB block NZ's dual nationality request

A move by New Zealand to ease the game's eligibility regulations to allow mainly Pacific Islands players to switch national allegiance late in their careers has been rejected by the International Rugby Board.

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Latest News

SANZAR pick S14 refs

SANZAR has announced the eight Super 14 referees for the 2010 Super 14. Half of them are South Africans.

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Latest News

Paterson to lead revamped Edinburgh

Edinburgh head coach Rob Moffat has freshened up his starting line-up for the Magners League trip to Scarlets on Friday by making five changes including appointing Chris Paterson as captain.

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Latest News

Warriors prepare for Ravenhill test

Ulster Rugby Head Coach Brian McLaughlin has named Tom Court, Timoci Nagusa and Simon Danielli, who replaces Andrew Trimble on the wing, all in his starting XV for this weekend's clash with the Warriors.

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Latest News

Gomez starts as Leeds welcome Quins

Argentinean prop Juan Gomez is the only change to the Leeds Carnegie side for this Friday's clash with Harlequins at Headingley Carnegie.

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Second Phase

rugby365.com's Invictus cast uncovered

The entertainment and rugby worlds are united this week - waiting with baited breathe to see exactly what Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman have install for us with their new movie, Invictus.

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Latest News

Referees to 6 December

What no Tests! It is strange after the hectic days of November. But there are the All Blacks and Barbarians at Twickenham. And in Dubai there are the first of the IRB's 2009-10 Sevens Series. And the Magners League actually squeezes a round in. Some of those who were refereeing Tests in front of massive crowds are now back at the clubs.

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Latest News

Swart scrums down with SA refs

Balie Swart, the former Springboks forwards coach, is to join SA referees as a selector and adviser.

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Latest News

Preview: Magners League, Rd Eight

The Magners League is back in full swing this weekend with an exciting round of fixtures snuck in before a couple week's of European action. rugby365 previews all the action from the Celtic competition...

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Latest News

Preview: Guinness Premiership, Rd Ten

With two European weekend's just ahead all the Guinness Premiership teams will be hoping to start building some good festive-time momentum with a win this weekend. rugby365 previews all the action...

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Latest News

How the Laws could be changed

The International Rugby Board Council has announced details of the Law amendment process which will shape the evaluation of the Laws and whether there is a need for any change following Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

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News

Gagiano and co. march to New Zealand

The Varsity Cup looks set to produce its first Rugby World Cup player, after JJ Gagiano and his USA Eagles team qualified for the 2011 World Cup which is to be held in New Zealand.

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Latest News

Statistics: November 2009, Week 4

There was foul weather and there were two great matches - in Cardiff and, above all, in Marseille. We give some statistics from each of the matches.

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Latest News

Namibia New Zealand bound

Namibia beat Tunisia 22-10 at the Hein Geigob Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday to win the Africa Cup and to book their fourth trip to the final round of the Rugby World Cup, this time in New Zealand in 2011.

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Canada

Canada win in the rain

After two defeats in Japan's, Canada beat Russia in their historic encounter in the rain at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia on Saturday.

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Latest News

Tonga tops in Lisbon

Tonga kept Portugal from scoring in the second half and won 24-19 at Estadio Universitario in Lisboa on Saturday, the Pacific Islanders' first win on their tour.

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Argentina

Global Results - 29 November 2009

The November Test window closes with an exciting win for Ireland at Croke Park and a magnificent win for New Zealand in Marseille. Australia got their dazzle back and Namibia got their tickets to New Zealand in 2011.

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Fiji

Fiji in historic win

Fiji went to Romania for the first time on Saturday and beat the Oaks 29-18 at Stadionul Arcul de Triumf.

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Latest News

Ashton hat-trick sinks Newcastle

Potential England wing Chris Ashton scored three tries for Northampton on Friday night as they cruised to an impressive 28-8 victory over Newcastle at Kingston Park.

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Latest News

Evans stars as Quins sparkle

Harlequins star Nick Evans scored 20 points as John Kingston's men recorded a 35-29 victory over Gloucester at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

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Latest News

Saracens held at Sixways

Saracens remained undefeated, but were held to a stalemate on Friday night at the Sixways Stadium - drawing 12-all with Worcester with both sides landing four penalties.

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Latest News

Sea Eagles fly in to Lisbon

Tonga of the South Pacific play Portugal of the North Atlantic for the first time ever at Estadio Universitario in Lisbon on Saturday

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Latest News

Lamb and Irish slaughter Bath

London Irish recorded a fairly comfortable 16-0 over Bath at the Recreation Ground on Saturday with flyhalf Ryan Lamb scoring all of his sides points.

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Canada

Canada, Russia make history

For the first time ever Canada and Russia will meet in a rugby Test when the two sides play at Swangard Stadium, Burnaby in British Columbia on Saturday.

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Fiji

Fijians fly to Bucharest

The Flying Fijians fly to Bucharest to play Romania on Saturday, hoping no doubt for a better result than the first two on their tour.

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Latest News

Sale v Wasps: Postponed

London Wasps have come under heavy criticism after opting out of Friday night's Guinness Premiership match with Sale just minutes before it was due to kick-off.

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Latest News

Catt set for Rec return

Veteran playmaker Mike Catt will make his first start of the new season this weekend as London Irish travel to the Rec to face Bath in the Guinness Premiership.

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Latest News

Stars return for Quins Gloucester clash

Danny Care and Ugo Monye have both return to the Harlequins lineup for this weekend's big clash with Gloucester at the Twickenham Stoop.

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Latest News

Back at Welford Road for big clash

Neil Back has named his squad, including 19-year-old flyhalf Joe Ford, for his big return to Welford Road this weekend as his troops tackle the Tigers.

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Latest News

High hopes in Windhoek

At the at Hein Geigob Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday Namibia play Tunisia in the second leg of the Africa Cup Final which has serious implications. The winner will go directly to New Zealand in 2011 for the final round of the World Cup.

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Latest News

Power pair return for Wasps

England pair Simon Shaw and Tim Payne have returned to bolster London Wasps' pack as they head to Edgeley Park for their Friday Guinness Premiership clash with Sale Sharks.

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Latest News

200 club for Fortey as Borthwick returns

Hooker Chris Fortey is set to join the exclusive '200 Club' in the Guinness Premiership when Worcester Warriors entertain table topping Saracens at Sixways Stadium on Friday evening.

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Latest News

'Firey encounter' at Kingston Park

Newcastle Falcons have made just one change to their side for Friday night's Guinness Premiership visit of Northampton Saints to Kingston Park.

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News

Vikings to 'fight it out' for TUT

TUT will have a new look in 2010 - just in time for the third edition of the Varsity Cup tournament.

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Latest News

Paddy and Peter 'bury the hatchet'

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has expressed "satisfaction" after his meeting in Dublin on Wednesday with the International Rugby Board's Manager of Referees, Paddy O'Brien.

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Canada

BC Bears beat Russian Bears

The British Columbia Bears beat Russia 38-16 British Columbia vs Russia at Bear Mountain Stadium, Langford, British Columbia, on Wednesday, not a great start for the Russians on their first-ever trip to Canada.

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Latest News

Law Discussion: Scrum figures

Before the November Tests started the top refereeing people gathered in London and had a lot to say about the scrums. After the first full week of November, there was much miserable controversy about scrums after New Zealand suffered in Milan. That produced greater refereeing awareness in the second week.

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Latest News

Preview: Guinness Premiership, Rd Nine

The autumn international season has just one more round of fixtures to run and our attention is once again being quickly drawn to the Guinness Premiership with Round Nine's fixtures serving up a couple exciting battles.

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Latest News

Law Discussion: Scrums - again

There was a lot of upset after the Italians shattered the All Black scrum in Milan and public suggestions from on high that the referee had got it wrong and needed to go on a scrumming course.

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Latest News

Statistics: November 2009, Week 3

There were six matches this weekend with a surprising result in Edinburgh which was determined by the last kick of the match. The other results were pretty well expected on a weekend of difficult weather in Europe.

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Canada

Women: French revenge

After losing to Canada in Dijon on Wednesday, France turned it about and beat Canada 22-0 in Stade de France on Saturday in a curtainraiser to the Test between France and Samoa. It was the first women's international ever at Stade de France.

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News

O'Brien apologises

International Rugby Board Referee Manager Paddy O'Brien has issued an apology to Stuart Dickinson and the Australian Rugby Union for public comments he made regarding Dickinson?s officiating of the Italy vs New Zealand match on 14 November.

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Argentina

Jaguars beat Wolves

The Argentina Jaguars beat Portugal 24-13 in Lisbon on Saturday.

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Latest News

Referees to 29 November 2009

The Test window in the north closes this weekend but before it does there are some exciting matches in prospect.

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Latest News

Irish slip up at the Madejski

London Irish slipped to their first Guinness Premiership defeat since the opening day of the season against battling Newcastle at a blustery Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

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Latest News

Sale comeback to bite Leeds

Carl Fearns touched down with six minutes remaining to complete a remarkable second-half fightback from Sale and deny bottom club Leeds a first-ever win over their northern foes.

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Latest News

Hougaard steers Saracens home

Springbok flyhalf Derick Hougaard kicked 17 points for Saracens on Sunday as they recorded an invaluable 22-6 victory over rivals London Wasps at Vicarage Road and ensured they remained unbeaten in the league.

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Canada

Brave Blossoms' brave defence

Japan won the second Test against Canada 27-6 (four tries to nil) in Tokyo on Saturday, a harder match than the first Saturday and demanding a great defensive effort of the Japanese.

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Second Phase

The John Smit conundrum

rugby365.com columnist Jon Harris takes a closer look at the John Smit conundrum - prop or hooker. He believes Peter de Villiers will have to admit he was wrong.

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Latest News

Eagles soar to New Zealand

The USA Eagles duly won the second leg of their Americas Rugby World Cup Qualifier, beating Uruguay 27-6 (four tries to none) at Broward County Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday, thereby booking a direct passage to New Zealand.

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Argentina

Global Results - 22 November

Some big results, including the surprise at Murrayfield, the World Cup qualifier in Florida and the surprise in the second match at Twickenham.

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Latest News

Worcester and Bath in dour draw

Worcester Warriors and Bath played the a dull 12-all draw in their Guinness Premiership encounter at Sixways on Friday.

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Georgia

Italy A just beat Georgia

Italy A beat the much weakened Georgia team 8-7 at Stadio Bruseschi in Palmanova, near Udine, on Friday night.

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Latest News

Tonga tumble again

Scotland A scored five tries to one in beating Tonga 38-7 at Netherdale in Galashiels on Friday night.

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Latest News

Saints march on Franklin's Gardens

Northampton maintained their unbeaten home record with a 26-17 win over Harlequins in an enterprising game which saw the return of Tom Williams for the first time since his 'Bloodgate' ban.

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Georgia

Georgia head for Italy

Georgia, fresh from their triumph over the Argentina Jaguars, now take on Italy A on Friday night at Palmanova in northeastern Italy.

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Latest News

Preview: USA vs Uruguay

This is a crunch match. The winner of this World Cup Qualifier will go to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The loser goes into repechage.

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Australia

Kiwi O'Brien in Aussie line of fire

The International Rugby Board's refereeing boss, New Zealander Paddy O'Brien, has come under fire for his extraordinary attack on Australian referee Stuart Dickinson - a move which is now viewed with suspicion Down Under.

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Latest News

Mallinder knows 'winning is important'

Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder says that Northampton Saints face a tricky game ion Saturday when they welcome Harlequins to Franklin's Gardens in Round 8 of the 2009/10 Guinness Premiership.

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Latest News

Exiles prepare for Falcons test

Club captain Bob Casey returns to lead London Irish in Sunday's home Guinness Premiership match with Newcastle Falcons.

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Latest News

Landmark match for skipper Schofield

Sale Sharks' captain Dean Schofield will be making his 150th Premiership appearance when he leads his team out at Headingley on Sunday afternoon to face Leeds Carnegie.

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Latest News

Wasps star set to topple 200

Wasps stalwart Mark Van Gisbergen will make his 200th appearance in black and gold this weekend as Wasps travel to Vicarage Road to take on the Springbok-conqueroring Saracens.

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Latest News

Eagles unchanged for WC qualifier

The U.S. Men?s National Rugby Team has named the exact same starting lineup for its second Rugby World Cup Qualifier match against Uruguay this Saturday as it did for its first meeting last weekend in Montevideo.

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News

Referee takes legal action against SA

Gareth Lloyd-Jones, a member of the Western Province Referees' Society, is taking legal action against SA Referees after his omission from South Africa's Provincial Panel of referees which was recently announced.

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Latest News

Gloucester on the move

Gloucester moved up three places, to seventh, in the Guinness Premiership standings with a hard-earned 12-9 win over Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm on Friday.

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Canada

Women: Great win for Canada

Canada beat France 14-5 in Dijon on Wednesday, a great win for the Canadians who had not beaten France for 11 years and France were placed third at the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup when they beat Canada.

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Latest News

Prime Namibian beef for Sarries

Namibian World Cup star and Blue Bulls flank Jacques Burger will join English Premiership club Saracens in December, saying he does so while he is in the "prime" of his career. Jan de Koning spoke exclusively to Burger. All your PREMIERSHIP and SA news here

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Latest News

'Confident' Bath head to Sixways

South African No.8 Luke Watson will make his first start for both this weekend as they turn their attentions back to the Guinness Premiership and get ready to take on Worcester at Sixways.

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Latest News

Key Kingsholm encounter ahead

Gloucester Rugby hooker Darren Dawiduik and Leicester Tigers wing Lote Tuqiri will both make their first Guinness Premiership starts this weekend as the two teams go head-to-head at at Kingsholm on Friday evening.

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Argentina

The Lobos meet the Jaguars

Wolves against Jaguars in Lisbon - that is Saturday's match when Portugal play the Argentina Jaguars.

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Latest News

Tonga in Scotland

Tonga, who lost 48-19 to Ireland A at Ravenhill last Friday, this week play Scotland A at Netherdale in Galashiels on the Scottish Borders.

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News

USA's Henshall makes reffing history

The USA's Chris Henshall has had his first IRB appointment to a Test match - Canada v Russia on November 28. This is the first official IRB Test appointment directly from the IRB for a USA Rugby Referee in four years.

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Latest News

Law Discussion: Scrums

Recently the International Rugby Board ran a course at Lensbury in London for top referees and referee managers from top countries. They resolved to get scrumming right.

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Latest News

Statistics: Wembley

The Saracens and the Springboks met at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday, a match the Saracens won 24-23. We give some statistics. If some of the Sarries' names look Saracens it is because 10 of their players were Saracens.

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News

Preview: Guinness Premiership, Rd Eight

The Guinness Premiership returns to action this weekend and, while many will still be focused on the international scene, the domestic competitions has plenty to offer.

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News

SA refs panels for 2010

South Afriucan referees made known today its panels of referees for 2010 following its recent meetings in Johannesburg. Jonathan Kaplan remains the top-ranked referee in South Africa.

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Latest News

Referees to 22 November

It's another top heavy weekend with most of the gripping action at internationa level. It's time for the north but lots of southern referees have flown aboiut to do the matches.

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Latest News

Statistics: November 2009, Week 2

There were six matches this weekend from the intensity in Toulouse to the thrilling finish in Dublin. We give the statistics of the matches. One stat that is sad is what happened to the scrumming in Milan.

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Argentina

Global Results - 15 November

This was a really Testing weekend as Northern Hemisphere countries had lots of hectic action, two World Cup qualifiers were played and a special celebratory match in Brussels. The weekend started with a match of great intensity in Toulouse and ended with a thrilling finish in Dublin.

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Canada

Big win for Brave Blossoms

Japan beat Canada 46-8 in Sendai on Saturday, the first of the Tests in the two-Test series and Japan's biggest win over Canada ever in over 70 years of matches between the two countries.

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Latest News

USA win away qualifier

The USA won the first leg of their qualifier with Uruguay when they beat their hosts 27-22 in Montevideo and this take a five-point lead into the second leg in Florida next week.

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Argentina

Great win for the Lelos

Georgia beat the Argentina Jaguars 24-22 in the rain at the National Stadium in Tblissi on Saturday afternoon, in many ways a surprise result as the Jaguars had been having a powerful season.

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Latest News

Namibia take a giant step towards NZ

Namibia beat Tunisia 18-13 in Tunis on Saturday in the first leg of the Africa Cup Final which rewards the winner with a ticket to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

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Argentina

A teams victorious

On Friday three A teams were in action and all three won - Ireland A, Italy A and Georgia A. These three victories indicate the widening gulf there is between haves and havenots in rugby.

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Canada

Canada and Japan close

Canada play Japan in Sendai on Sunday, the 20th meeting between the two countries.

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Latest News

Eagles set for Teros Test

The U.S. Men?s National Rugby team has named its starting lineup for its Rugby World Cup Qualifier match against Uruguay Teros in Montevideo on Saturday.

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Latest News

Russia to host Junior World Trophy

The International Rugby Board has confirmed that Russia will host the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2010. The tournament, which is a key element of the IRB?s Age Grade strategy for Under 20 players, will take place in the capital Moscow from May 18 to 30.

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Latest News

Namibia getting closer to New Zealand

On Wednesday the Namibian rugby team left the lovely beach town of Carcavelos between Lisbon and Cascais and headed for Tunis for what they hope will be a short stop on their journey to New Zealand, for it is there that they will play the first leg of the World Cup qualifier to decide who goes - themselves or their Tunisian opponents.

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Italy

Italy A play Romania

Not long ago Italy would be playing Romania but such is the change in Italy's rugby fortunes that now it is the A team which ill play Romania on Friday evening.

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Argentina

Jaguars in Georgia's celebrations

On Saturday Georgia celebrates its Golden Jubilee 50 years since the foundation of the Rugby Union. As part of that celebration the Lelos of Georgia will play the Jaguars of Argentina.

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News

USA refs appointed

Two USA referees have been appointed to Test matches in November, a man and a woman.

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Latest News

IRB gets tough on tackles, scrums

Following the IRB's meeting of top referees and referees' managers at Lensbury in London this week, the IRB has issued a statement on policing illegal tackles and managing scrums.

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News

Pienaar steps down as VC Chairman

1995 World Cup-winning Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar has stepped down from his role as Varsity Cup Chairman and he will be replaced by Stellenbosch's Jurie Roux.

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Maties

Treu looks to Varsity Cup duo

SA Sevens coach Paul Treu has boosted his playing resources by naming two more Varsity Cup players in a 26-man Sevens training squad.

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Second Phase

Bok Bs lack sting

rugby365 columnist Jon Harris takes a closer look at the Springbok 'Dirt Trackers' and what they have to offer against Saracens next week.

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News

New bench ruling ratified

The concept of employing eight-man benches in the 2010 Varsity Cup was officially ratified at an Extraordinary General Council Meeting of Saru on Monday.

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Latest News

Eagles who dare

The USA Eagles face the Teros of Uruguay in the first leg of their World Cup qualifier at Estadio Charrua in Montevideo on Saturday.

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News

Referees attached, detached, attached

At one stage in the appointment of referees in South Africa's, appointing unattached referees was seen as a virtue. That has changed a bit this year.

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France

Honour for Palmade

Francis Palmade, the famous French referee from Limoges, on Tuesday during the High Performance Referees Conference at Lensbury received the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service 2009. He is the ninth recipient of the award. All nine have been Test referees who stayed involved in refereeing.

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Latest News

Stats: First November Tests

Australia beat England at Twickenham and New Zealand beat Wales in Cardiff. We give some statistics from the matches.

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Canada

Japan and Canada squads

Japan play Canada in the first of two Tests at Yurtec Stadium, Sendai on Sunday. The coaches, both All Blacks, Kieran Crowley of Canada and John Kirwan of New Zealand, have announced their squads for the two encounters, the second of which will be on 21 November at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.

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Latest News

Referees to 15 November

Wow! This is a huge Test weekend for teams and their players and also for the referees as many are involved all over the globe.

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News

Q&A with UCT star JJ Gagiano

Bodo Sieber tracked down two times Varsity Cup skipper JJ Gagiano to talk rugby in Rome, America and, of course, the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

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Latest News

Win lifts Namibia

After their 12-9 victory over Portugal in Lisbon on Saturday Namibia will face Tunisia with greater confidence next Saturday.

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England

England down to 8th on IRB Rankings

Martin Johnson's England side has slipped down another spot, into 8th position, on the IRB World Rankings following Saturday's 18-9 defeat at the hands of Australia.

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Law Discussions

Statistics: ANC Final

Canterbury yet won the Air New Zealand Cup Final. Wellington lost yet again. We give some statistics from the Final played in Christchurch.

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Argentina

Global Results - 8 November

Three Southern Hemisphere countries one in the north but South Africa, the Cocks of the South, were not one of them. In what was surely the worst Springbok performance of all times, they lost to a patchwork, pick-up club side.

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News

Bigger benches better in Varsity Cup

The Varsity Cup will lend itself to experimentation once more, with eight players set to feature on the bench in the 2009 tournament in a bid to combat uncontested scrums.

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Latest News

Statistics: Tigers vs Springboks

Leicester Tigers with a pick-up side in the wake of many absent for higher duty and injury and even a borrowing from second-division neighbours won a famous victory over a South Africa XV at Welford Road, winning 22-17. We give some statistics in this match.

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Latest News

Preview: Portugal vs Namibia

Namibia have named their starting team to play Portugal in a friendly in Lisbon on Saturday, and coach John Williams has named a new captain.

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News

'Another Varsity Cup success story'

Robbie Fleck believes Juan de Jongh's elevation to the Bok squad is yet another feather in the cap of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

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Maties

Varsity Cup stars honoured by WP

Three Varsity Cup players and back-to-back champs, the Maties, walked off with some coveted gongs at the annual Western Province Rugby Awards held in Cape Town on Tuesday evening.

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Namibia choose for important tour

Namibia have chosen their team which will take them to Portugal and then, vitally, to Tunis.

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Latest News

Munro to referee ANC Final

Vinny Munro of Canterbury will referee the Air New Zealand Cup Final between Canterbury and Wellington in Christchurch.

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Latest News

Portugal prepare for invaders

Portugal play three matches this month - against Namibia, Argentina Jaguars and Tonga. Coach Tomaz Morais has chosen his squad.

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News

Cronje South Africa's best

FNB Shimlas flyhalf Lionel Cronje was on Monday evening named as South Africa's Under-20 Player of the Year.

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Maties

De Jongh: The first Varsity Cup Bok

Maties centre Juan de Jongh is set to become the first Varsity Cup player turned Springbok when he takes to the field for South Africa against Leicester Tigers on Friday evening.

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Latest News

Referees to 9 November

Touring from South to North starts this month with a relatively gentle introduction in England, with referees darting all over the world. The big matches are at Millennium Stadium and Twickenham with Craig Joubert and Bryce Lawrence to referee them.

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Latest News

Statistics: Currie Cup Final

What a great match before a packed Loftus Versfeld! It was full of life and adventure as the home side took a 24-0 lead and then the Free State founght back to 30-24 before losing 36-24. We give some statistics of the match.

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Latest News

Thomas boots Leeds to first success

Fifteen points from the book of Leeds Carnegie flyhalf Ceiron Thomas was enough to help them record their first Guinness Premiership win of the new season - a 15-9 victory over Wasps on Sunday afternoon.

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Falcons labour to win over the Warriors

An early try from hooker Rob Vickers set up the Falcons 14-3 Guinness Premiership victory over the Worcester Warriors on Sunday afternoon at Kingston Park.

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Murrayfield success for the Dragons

A late Andrew Turnbull try for Edinburgh set up a dramatic final 13 minutes but, in the end, the Dragons held on to record a hugely important 9-8 victory over the Gunners on Sunday evening.

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Australia

Global Results - 1 November

The All Blacks whitewashed the Wallabies in Tokyo before just under 45 000 spectators, making it 4-0 in this year's Bledisloe Cup, and the Blue Bulls won the Currie Cup at a packed Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

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Second Phase

rugby365's Overlooked XV

Reflecting on Peter de Villiers? South African squad for the upcoming end-of-year tour, rugby365 takes a look at some of the players who could possibly have felt a little bit unlucky not to hear their names read out on Saturday night.

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News

Ikeys prop to join the Griquas 'party'

UCT prop Dylan Rogers has been offered a contract by Currie Cup Premier Division outfit, Griquas, ahead of the 2010 Vodacom Cup season.

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Georgia

U19: Italy are champions

Italy beat Georgia 16-3 in Coimbra on Saturday to win the European Under-19 Championship.

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Latest News

Big bonus-point win for Munster

Two tries in each half helped Munster to record a hugely important all-Irish Magners League victory over Ulster at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.

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Tigers power secures victory

Ultimately beating their opposition into submission, Leicester's pack of forwards layed the foundation for Saturday's important 29-15 Guinness Premiership victory at Welford Road over the Northampton Saints.

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Harlequins hold Irish to a draw

A last minute Rory Clegg penalty, his third of the afternoon, helped Harlequins secure a hard-fought 9-all draw with the high-flying London Irish side on Saturday at the Stoop.

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Leinster ease past Cardiff at home

Leading from start to finish, Leinster secured a good 23-6 victory over Cardiff at the RDS on Saturday night.

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Connacht too good for the Scarlets

Magners League strugglers Connacht scored a crucial win on Friday night in Galway, edging out the Scarlets 16-10.

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So close for Bath but Saracens roll on

Saracens held on to their unbeaten domestic record this season by their skin of the teeth on Saturday thanks to a late missed conversion by Bath flyhalf Ryan Davis - meaning the score finished 12-11 in favour of the visitors.

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Sharples sees red as Sale triumph

Gloucester's woes continued on Friday night as England centre Mike Tindall picked up an injury, Charlie Sharples was dismissed, and the Cherry and Whites went down 28-23 to the Sharks at Kingston Park.

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Dismal draw at the Liberty Stadium

The Glasgow Warriors and the Ospreys played out to a disappointing 9-all draw at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night with neither side showing anything particularly fantastic in the way of form.

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Understrength Blues head to Leinster

The Cardiff Blues are without 10 first-choice this players this weekend as they head to Dublin to take on the Heineken Cup champions Leinster.

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CC: Final referees from 1939

Jonathan Kaplan will referee his fifth Currie Cup Final in Pretoria on Saturday, one of 23 referees to referee a Final since the first Final in 1939.

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Massive all-Irish clash on the cards

Munster make two changes from the side that started against Edinburgh, for Saturday's big clash with Ulster at the Thomond Park Stadium.

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Debuts for Rudd and Drauniniu

London Irish have made two changes to the starting XV that defeated current champions' Leicester Tigers last Saturday for this weekend's local derby with Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership.

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Young Warriors to start 'important game'

Back row ace Jake Abbott and prop Callum Black are awarded their first Guinness Premiership starts of the season as Worcester Warriors travel to face Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday.

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Stars return to Wasps lineup

England and Lions stars Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw have returned to bolster London Wasps lineup for this weekend's Guinness Premiership clash with Leeds Carnegie.

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Saints vs Tigers is always a big game

Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder says that he is looking forward to the first East Midlands derby at the redeveloped Welford Road.

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'Desperate' Bath host Saracens

Despite a disappointing start to the season, Bath head coach, Steve Meehan, is determined to remain optimistic and is confident that his team can overcome Saracens this weekend at the Rec.

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Matt Goddard retires

Injury has forced Matt Goddard, international referee, to retire from refereeing before his time. He is only 34 years of age.

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Scarlets welcome back Stoddart

The Scarlets welcome back Wales international Morgan Stoddart on the wing after a seven-month absence for the match against Connacht on Friday.

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Same again for Glasgow

The Glasgow Warriors will field the same starting XV that defeated Connacht last weekend for their Magners League match against a makeshift Ospreys outfit at the Liberty Stadium on Friday.

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Timely return for Gloucester's Tindall

England international Mike Tindall makes a timely return for Gloucester Rugby as they prepare to travel north for Friday night's Guinness Premiership fixture at Sale Sharks.

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Ireland

All-Irish affair to open Aviva

The new Lansdowne Road, renamed the Aviva Stadium, will host its first on August 7 next year, with a historical exhibition encounter between a combined Leinster/Ulster team and a Munster/Connacht XV.

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Preview: Magners League, Round Seven

Threre is an exciting fixture list for the last round of Magners League action before a month's break with all ten teams hoping to finish this part of the season on a high and record moral boosting victories this weekend.

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Preview: Guinness Premiership, Rd Seven

Brendan Venter's Saracens have a chance to make it seven wins from seven this weekend while, at Welford Road, Leicester and Northampton are poised for an epic and hugely important encounter.

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Canada

Crowley 'excited' ahead of tour test

Canadian head coach Kieran Crowley has announced his squad ahead of their November internationals against Japan and Russia this November.

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A refereeing Odyssey for two

South African referees Mark Lawrence and Craig Joubert, two of the top men in the world, left Johannesburg on Monday on a refereeing Odyssey that will take them to three continents in three weeks.

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Referees to 1 November

October is already ending and All Saints are upon us with a new series of tough challenges for referees in the month of All Souls. October ends with two huger matches for South African referees - the Bledisloe Cup match in Tokyo and the Currie Cup Final in Pretoria. Loftus Versfeld will be the place to be on Saturday - three Finals, one the greatest of them all.

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Canada

Global Results - 25 October 2009

In New Zealand Southland have nicked the Ranfurly Shield and semifinalists are decided in the Air New Zealand Cup and Finalists in the Heartland Championship. In South Africa the grim promotion-relegation matches are producing high scores.

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Leeds become Sarries' latest victim

Brendan Venter's Saracens made it six wins from six Guinness Premiership matches so far this season with a hard-fought 21-15 win over bottom-of-the-log Leeds Carnegie at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon.

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Gloucester are humbled at home

Wasps fullback Mark Van Gisbergen scored two tries as Wasps cruised to a convincing 35-6 Guinness Premiership victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm.

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Lamb wins it for London Irish

Six Ryan Lamb penalties was enough for London Irish to record a hugely important 18-12 victory over Guinness Premiership rivals Leicester Tigers at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

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Harlequins win at Worcester

Harlequins made it two wins from two in the Guinness Premiership on Saturday afternoon as they recorded a 26-22 victory over the Warriors at the Sixways Stadium.

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Foden, Reihana set up Saints win

A late Charlie Hodgson penalty salvaged a losing bonus point for the Sale Sharks as they went down 21-16 to Northampton at Franklin's Gardens in the Guinness Premiership on Saturday afternoon.

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Falcons secure first success

A late try helped Newcastle secure their first win of the Guinness Premiership season with a 27-16 victory at The Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon.

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Cuthbert in as Bath face the Falcons

With Joe Maddock missing the match against Newcastle Falcons this week having sustained an ankle injury against Stade Francais, 22-year-old Jack Cuthbert is set to start for Bath this weekend.

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Armitage and Hipkiss return

Having completed his England EPS rest requirement Steffon Armitage returns to London Irish's 23-man squad for Saturday's eagerly anticipated clash between the Exiles and the Leicester Tigers at the Madejski Stadium.

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BoD leads Leinster to Ravenhill

Brian O'Driscoll will captain Leinster this weekend as they make the trip to Ravenhill to take on the high-flying Ulster in Saturday's Interprovincial clash.

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Paterson guns down Munster

Edinburgh recorded a vital 12-7 victory over Munster at Murrayfield thanks to four Chris Paterson penalties on Friday evening in their Magners League clash.

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Evans' on song for Glasgow

Two tries from Scottish wing Thom Evans, the second just four minutes from full time, helped the Warriors get back to winning ways on Friday night with a 34-20 win over Connacht in the Magners League.

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Priestland provides for the Scarlets

Six penalties from stand-in flyhalf Rhys Priestland was enough to help an in-form Scarlets side secure an important 18-3 victory over the Gwent-Newport Dragons on Friday night in Wales.

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Warriors expect an 'early onslaught'

Back row ace Netani Talei is set to make his 50th appearance for Worcester Warriors as boss Mike Ruddock recalls his senior stars for the Guinness Premiership clash with Harlequins at Sixways Stadium on Saturday.

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Lemi starts for Wasps at Kingsholm

Gloucester Rugby Head Coach Bryan Redpath makes just three changes to his starting line up to take on Wasps on Saturday evening while Tony Hanks has recalled Samoan star David Lemi.

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Marshall returns to face Carnegie

Saracens return to Guinness Premiership action on Sunday when Leeds Carnegie visit Vicarage Road with the home side going into the game looking to make it six wins from six in the competition.

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'Excellent crowd' add to Saints test

Sale Sharks boss Kingsley Jones says he was hugely impressed with the Northampton Saints' performance against Munster in the Heineken Cup two weeks ago and it looking forward to taking them on come Saturday afternoon.

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Lions star returns for Welsh derby

Saturday's Magners League clash between the Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys looks set to be a fantastic event with ticket sales for the all-Welsh fixture already approaching record numbers.

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Scarlets boss keeps the faith

Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies has kept faith with the matchday squad which has brought Heineken Cup success as they prepare to face the Newport Gwent Dragons.

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Preview: Magners League, Round Six

Log leaders Leinster face a tricky trip to Ravenhill on Saturday but before that, on Friday evening, Munster have a crack at the Gunners at Murrayfield. rugby365 previews all the Magners League action...

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U19 European Championship

The Under-19 European Championship kicks off in Coimbra, Portugal, this weekend. There are eight countries taking part.

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Preview: Premiership, Round Six

After suffering their first taste of defeat this season against Toulon Saracens will be looking for an easy win over Leeds in the Guinness Premiership this weekend - rugby365 previews all the action ahead in England's top flight.

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Argentina

Tier Two gets a piece of the action

For the first time since the International Rugby Board world rankings began, the top 20 teams in the world will all be playing matches during the November Test window.

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Second Phase

Who are the real professionals?

The Jaque Fourie arbitration saga appears to have reached some sort of conclusion. But is it really the end of the problems for the Golden Lions? rugby365 editor Jan de Koning looked at structures and recruiting policies of the unions around the country and found that very few are truly professional.

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Law Discussion - where it lands

It's not a big matter in the context of the match but one which the commentators on the match between Sale Sharks and Cardiff Blues made a meal of.

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Referees to 25 October

After all the excitement in Europe, the Americas and South Africa, things are relatively quiet this weekend though in New Zealand the climax is drawing nearer with the last round of Round Robin and semifinals in the Heartland. In South Africa the grim process of promotion-relegation starts.

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Argentina

Global Results - 18 October

Two hectic rounds in Europe, winners in the Americas Rugby Cup, and several decisive matches in South Africa, including deciding who would play in the Currie Cup Final.

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Stats: A tale of two semis

The semifinals of the Currie Cup were played on Saturday. In both the away teams won, in both the margin was two points, in both the winning score was a kick and in both that score was in the last two minutes. Lots of drama and here are some cold statistics to bring the excitement down.

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Canada

Ontario Blues clinch nailbiter

Despite a valiant comeback at the hands of United States captain Kevin Swiryn, the American Select XV side lost, 24-27, in the final moments as the Ontario Blues scored a match-winning penalty kick to clinch the bronze medal in the inaugural Americas Rugby Championship on Saturday.

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Koshuis

Vishuis take on Baa-baas outfit

Vishuis, the newly-crowned 2009 Shimlas (or Kovsies) Steinhoff Koshuis champions, took on a Steinhoff Barbarians team in a friendly clash this past week.

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Walsh back and honoured

Steve Walsh was honoured at the New South Wales Rugby Awards at the Citigate Central Sydney when he received the Dick Byres Medal as Referee of the Year.

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Law Discussion - dead ball

In a Heineken Cup match at the weekend, between Leinster and London Irish there was an interesting decision at the dead-ball line, which is worth talking about. and while we are doing it we may as well mention a few other happenings.

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Latest News

USA 'select' eyes ARC bronze

Following its semifinal match against the Argentina Jaguars last weekend in Colorado, the USA Select XV side is looking to redeem itself against the Ontario Blues in the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) bronze medal match on Saturday.

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Maties

Varsity Cup stars nominated

Two members of the Maties' 2008 Varsity Cup-winning squad, Juan de Jongh and Joe Pietersen, have been nominated for prestigious awards at the SA Rugby Player of the Year Banquet which will take place at Vodaworld, Midrand, on Monday, November 2.

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Maties

VC winner to Currie Cup winner?

Maties centre Paul Bosch will be looking to add a Currie Cup winners' medal to his Varsity Cup medal when he lines up at inside centre for Western Province in their Currie Cup semifinal clash against the Blue Bulls.

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Second Phase

Derby time at Newlands

rugby365 columnist Jon Harris takes a trip down memory lane, to when north-south derbies, Western Province versus the Blue Bulls, were as big - if not bigger - than Test matches. He says those days are back!

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Latest News

Referees to 18 October

Marius Joubert and Mark Lawrence do the big matches this week - the semifinals in the Currie Cup with Jonathan Kaplan waiting in the wings to do the Currie Cup Final, always such a great occasion.

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Latest News

Law Discussion - offside at kick

It happens every week that players are offside at kicks, and still they look bemused. One of those offsides cost the team the match. We look at two sorts of offside at kicks - and how you come onside.

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Latest News

Kaplan gets Currie Cup Final

Jonathan Kaplan, the world's most capped Test referee, has been appointed to referee the 2009 Currie Cup Final. Marius Jonker and Mark Lawrence have been appointed to the Currie Cup seminal and Craig Joubert the First Division Final - all four amongst the very top referees in the world.

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Trio hospitalised after club rugby brawl

Three Romanian rugby players were hospitalized after a fight broke out between players in a Central and Eastern European Rugby Cup match, an official said Monday.

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Argentina

Global Results - 11 October

The two big European competitions - the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup - kicked off with surprises. In the Currie Cup the nature of the semifinals was determined in the lest minute of the last match. In the Americas Rugby Cup, the Jaguars of Argentina will play the Bears of British Colombia in the Final.

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Argentina

Jaguars feast on US meat in the snow

The United States Select XV had a tough day at the snow-covered Infinity Park, at Glendale, Colorado, on Saturday, falling 10-57 to the Argentina Jaguars in the Americas Championship semifinals.

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Argentina

Preview: ARC semifinal, USA v Jaguars

Paul Keeler, head coach of the United States Select XV that will take on Argentina Jaguars in the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) semifinals on Saturday, said he was looking for a 'strong effort' from his charges.

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France

Suspended suspension for ref abuse

Brive, the Top 14 French club, have had their ground suspended for one match but the suspension has been suspended for three years.

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Argentina

Americas semis

The Americas Rugby Cup reaches its semifinals this weekend.

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Maties

'Wilkins can play Super 14 rugby' - Roux

FNB Maties coach Chean Roux believes Varsity Cup-winning loose forward Wesley Wilkins has the potential to play Super 14 rugby.

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England

Club try to find ref's assailant

After the final whistle in a match between Coventry and Moseley on 2 October at Coventry's ground, Butts Park Arena, a spectator tried to assault the referee in the tunnel.

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Latest News

Florida gets World Cup qualifier

United States Rugby officially announced that their World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay will be played at Broward County Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, on November 21.

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Latest News

Law Discussion: kicking away

The incident occurred in an Under-21 match at Newlands on Saturday. It is a delight to discuss it as it is rare and yet excellently handled by the match officials.

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News

Varsity Cup v Currie Cup

Would a 'Best of' Varsity Cup XV have fared any worse than Boland or the Leopards in the 2009 Currie Cup?

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Latest News

Referees to 11 October

Europe's two competitions start this weekend - the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup and in South Africa it is the last round of the Currie Cup before the semifinals with five teams competing for four places and the top spot witch which a home Final goes.

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Second half show saves Gloucester

Bryan Redpath's Gloucester did just enough on Sunday afternoon against Leeds Carnegie, struggling their way to a 26-10 win at Headingley in their Guinness Premiership encounter.

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Northampton fall short at Adams Park

Danny Cipriani and Dave Walder combined well on Sunday evening to help Tony Hank's London Wasps edge out a determined Northampton Saints, 20-15, at Adams Park on Sunday afternoon.

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Argentina

Global Results - 4 October 2009

South Africa's Currie Cup is getting desperate while Ireland's AIB League gets going.

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Ospreys blast past the Gunners

Ryan Jones and his Ospreys team answered a number of their critics on Sunday evening with a four-try, 31-10, thumping of the high-flying Edinburgh in their Magners League matchup at the Liberty Stadium.

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Australia

ARU launch Tsunami aid effort

The Australian Rugby Union said Sunday it will make a cash donation and launch a series of fund-raising initiatives to assist tsunami victims in Samoa and Tonga.

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Latest News

Unstoppable Saracens win again

Saracens continued their flawless start to the new season with a hard-fought 22-15 win over the Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park in their Guinness Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon.

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Warriors win well in Wales

Glasgow bounced back to winning ways on Saturday night with an impressive 21-5 victory over the Blues in their Magners League matchup at the Cardiff City Stadium.

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Latest News

Dramatic defeat for Bath at the Stoop

Harlequins secured their first win of the new Guinness Premiership season in dramatic fashion on Saturday night - scoring with the last movement of the match to edge out Bath 13-11 at the Stoop.

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Irish hang on to beat Sale

Sailosi Tagicakibau claimed his sixth try of the season to help London Irish move to the top of the Guinness Premiership standings with a hard-fought 11-8 victory against Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park in Stockport on Friday.

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In-form Leinster dismantle Munster

Leinster produced a fantastic performance on Saturday night, crushing a 14-man Munster 30-0 in their Magners League matchup at the RDS Stadium and, in the process, moving themselves to the top of the competition standings.

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Late score secures Dragons success

A late try from Dragons No.8 Joe Bearman denied Connacht a bonus point from their Magners League clash on Saturday night - a match ultimately won 23-10 by the home side.

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Latest News

Warriors push the Tigers all the way

Flyhalf Jeremy Staunton was once again the match winner for Leicester on Saturday, kicking 14 of his teams points in their hard-fought 19-14 victory over Worcester at Welford Road.

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Charteris ready for Connacht test

Welsh international lock Luke Charteris returns to captain the Dragons in their home match against Connacht on Saturday evening at Rodney Parade.

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Latest News

Big names return for mammoth clash

Munster's matchday squad has a familiar look to it this weekend with nineteen of those who played in th Heineken Cup semifinal defeat to Leinster last May named in their squad for Saturday's Magners League clash at the RDS.

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Maties

Maties' Wilkins heads to Loftus

Wesley Wilkins, the Maties' Varsity Cup-winning captain, has been drafted onto the Griquas replacements bench for this weekend's Currie Cup clash against the Blue Bulls.

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Latest News

Preview: Guinness Premiership, Rd Five

Two weeks of European action lie just ahead but before that we have the chance to enjoy one more round of Premiership action. An intriguing fixture list, keep your eyes on the Wasps Saints clash at Adams Park. rugby365 previews all the action...

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Latest News

Sevens refs announced

The International Rugby Board has announced the names of the referees for its eight-round 2009-10 series and the venues at which they will appear.

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News

Lions opt for Varsity Cup flavour

The Golden Lions will rely on a host of Varsity Cup stars as their 2009 Currie Cup semifinal chances go down to the wire this weekend.

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Latest News

O'Sullivan brings in some 'new' Eagles

The originally announced United States Select XV's player pool has seen a handful of changes during the past few weeks and USA Rugby has released a revised roster of players set for assembly on October 4 in Glendale, Colorado - ahead of the Americas Championship later this month.

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England

Brian Leigh dies

English Rugby Union's elite referees will be wearing black armbands this weekend as a tribute to one of Lancashire's favourite sons and most industrious workers, Brian Leigh, who died earlier this week aged 78.

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Latest News

First Test for Norwegian Bouchet

Vincent Bouchet of Norway referees his first Test on Saturday when Finland play Bulgaria in Helsinki. He is just the second Norwegian to referee a Test.

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Latest News

Law Discussion ii - up in the air

In this section we are going to refer to the match at Loftus Versfeld between the Blue Bulls and Free State which the Blue Bulls won 30-27 as Free State fought back from 20-3 down.

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Law Discussion iii - scrums & line-out

Like raindrops in the Cape, scrums keep falling down. We have something on that. And the we want to talk briefly about a line-out tactic.

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Latest News

Preview: Magners League, Round Five

Round Five of the Magners League is serving up a number of interesting battles but one, as it always does, stands out on the fixture list - Leinster and Munster go head to head this weekend! rugby365 previews all the weekend's action...

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Blues seek revenge without star duo

The Cardiff Blues will be looking to avenge last season's heavy defeat to the Warriors when they welcome the Glasgow side to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, but will have to do so without Jamie Roberts,Ben Blair and Xavier Rush.

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Latest News

Edinburgh mix it up for Ospreys

Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat has made five changes to his starting line-up for the Magners League leaders' trip to the Liberty Stadium to face Ospreys on Sunday, with new signing Steve Jones selected to start at fullback.

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Hayman returns to face Saracens

Newcastle Falcons have made just two changes for the visit of Guinness Premiership leaders Saracens to Kingston Park on Sunday.

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Adams Park hosts an 'exciting challenge'

London Wasps have made three changes to their starting team for this weekend's visit of the in-form Northampton Saints on Sunday.

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Latest News

'Bulldozer' to welcome Gloucester

Seru Rabeni is expected to make his first start of the season for Leeds Carnegie as Neil Back's men welcome, ironically, Gloucester to Headingley.

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Latest News

Carraro returns for Botha's farewell

Bath star Matt Banahan is back on the wing this weekend as Australian centre Matt Carraro returns to the starting lineup as Steve Meehan's men head for the Stoop.

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Latest News

Croft and Gear set to start at Welford Road

New Zealand international Rico Gear will make his first start of the new season this weekend as the Worcester Warriors travel to take on a Leicester Tigers side featuring Lions star Tom Croft.

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News

New No.10's face-off at Edgeley Park

Chris Malone will make his first start for London Irish in Friday night's Guinness Premiership match at Edgeley Park, whilst usual fullback Nick MacLeod will start at No.10 for the home side.

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Latest News

Back row boost for Ulster

Ulster Head Coach Brian McLaughlin has named his playing 22 for this Friday's visit of the Scarlets to Ravenhill.

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Koshuis

Nadoes the toast of the Green Mile

Favourites, the Steinhoff Tornadoes, did the job when they hammered Ikhaya 50-0 in the Steinhoff Rugby UCT Internal League Final, whilst last year's winners, the Cobras, beat the Wildboys to claim third spot in a closely-contested battle.

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Maties

Bosch bolsters WP midfield

Varsity Cup-winning Maties centre Paul Bosch will make his first Currie Cup start for Western Province when they take on neighbours Boland at Newlands on Saturday.

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News

Lions look to UJ's Minnie

Golden Lions flank - and former Varsity Cup star - Derick Minnie is not intimidated by the prospect of facing a Springbok-laden Sharks team in a decisive Currie Cup match in Durban on Saturday.

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Latest News

Referees for November Tests

The International Rugby Board has announced the appointment of match officials to 35 matches to take place in the Northern Hemisphere from the end of October to the beginning of December 2009.

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New Zealand

Women refs step up in NZ

History will be made in New Zealand this weekend when three women take to the field to officiate in the women?s national provincial championship final between Canterbury and Auckland in Christchurch.

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Latest News

Law Discussion i - goal-line decisions

There is always a lot to talk about on the application of the laws of the game whenever we watch a game. This is so because of the complex nature of the laws and the complex nature of the game, both of which make huge demands on a human being who is a referee.

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Latest News

European refs for Rounds 1 & 2

The European Cup has announced the referees for the first two rounds of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup which is the new name for European Challenge Cup.

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Koshuis

Koshuis Final time in Matie-land

Helshoogte and Dagbreek have qualified for the final of Stellenbosch's 2009 Steinhoff Residence Championships, after obtaining semifinal victories over Eendrag and Simonsberg, respectively.

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News

Second time luckier at Ubumbo Festival?

The second-ever annual Ubumbo Rugby Festival will be taking place at the UCTRFC's Groote Schuur fields from Friday, October 2 until Saturday, October 3.

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Latest News

Baker faces ban for referee abuse

A number of misconduct hearings, along with a judicial hearing, will take place at the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) offices in Wellington on Wednesday, following incidents in two separate games over the weekend.

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Latest News

Referees to 4 October 2009

There is a Test this week, one of FIRA's matches and it is significant in that for the first time a Norwegian referee will referee a FIRA Test - Vincent Bouchet.

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Latest News

Referees for first two HC rounds

The European Rugby Cup has announced the referee for the first two rounds of the Heineken Cup, starting on 9 October 2009.

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Argentina

Results - 27 September

There was some international activity but mostly it was a domestic effort this weekend. In Sydney and Pretoria there were club champions crowned, and in South Africa provincial championships are building up top a climax.

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Latest News

Two Tagicakibau tries see Irish home

Sailosi Tagicakibau was at it again this weekend, scoring two tries for London Irish as they handed London Wasps their first defeat of the season - winning their Guinness Premiership encounter 28-16 on Sunday.

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Latest News

Unbeaten Saracens march on

Brendan Venter's Saracens continued their fantastic start to the new Guinness Premiership season with a 19-16 win over Gloucester at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon.

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Latest News

Williams stars in Munster success

A second half hat-trick of tries from former Auckland Blues No.8 Nick Williams helped Munster to a comfortable 27-3 victory over Paul Turner's Newport-Gwent Dragons on Sunday evening.

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News

Unlucky Pukke fall at final hurdle

FNB Pukke narrowly failed to defend their National Club Champs title; going down 34-36 to Cape side, Hamilton's, in Saturday's final at Loftus Versfeld.

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Maties

Ruthless Maties win Cape Derby

FNB Maties finished their 2009 WP Super League season on a high by beating UCT's Ikey Tigers 36-13 at Groote Schuur on Friday night.

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Latest News

Sexton steals the win for Leinster

A last minutes drop goal from replacement Jonny Sexton dramatically ended Edinburgh unbeaten start to the new season and handed Leinster a massive moral-boosting victory on Saturday night at Murrayfield.

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Latest News

Cardiff survive late Scarlets fightback

The Cardiff Blues secured their first win of the new season on Saturday evening - holding on to beat the Scarlets 19-15 despite two tries from the visitors in the final ten minutes of the match.

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Latest News

Little between Bath and Leicester

A dramatic final ten minutes at the Recreation Ground on Saturday evening saw Bath and the Leicester Tigers end their fourth round Guinness Premiership clash with the scores level at 20-all.

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Latest News

Ruddock's Warriors stun Sale

Mike Ruddock's Worcester side made a big statement of intent on Saturday afternoon with a 24-18 Guinness Premiership victory over Kingsley Jones' Sale Sharks side.

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Latest News

Geraghty guides Northampton home

Northampton handed Leeds their third straight defeat in the Guinness Premiership on Saturday, scoring four tries on their way to winning the Franklin's Gardens fixture 30-10.

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News

Preview: Magners League, Round Four

rugby365 previews the 4th round of the Magners League with the arrival of Jean de Villiers and the clash between Edinburgh and Leinster just two aspects of the action to look forward too.

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Latest News

First starts for O'Gara and O'Callaghan

Springbok Jean de Villiers has been named on the bench for this Sunday's Magners League clash with the Dragons while British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell remains sidelined with a slight hamstring strain.

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News

Joubert: 'Hamilton's the favourites'

Pukke coach Rudy Joubert believes his team will go into Saturday's Club Champs Final against Hamilton's as the underdogs.

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Latest News

Honours even at Kingston Park

Newcastle and Harlequins are both still looking for their first wins of the new season after the visitors snatched a late draw on Friday night when the two teams clashed in their round four Premiership match at Kingston Park.

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Latest News

Ulster's derby demolition job complete

Ulster stormed to a bonus-point victory over Irish rivals Connacht on Friday night thanks to fifteen points from flyhalf Ian Humphreys.

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Latest News

Second half brace sees Ospreys home

Two second half tries from wings Tommy Bowe and Nikki Walker helped the Ospreys to come from behind and secure a much needed 26-16 Magners League victory over the Glasgow Warriors.

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Latest News

Preview: Premiership, Round Four

Can London Wasps and Saracens remain unbeaten? Is this weekend the one which finally sees a little life from Harlequins and Leeds? rugby365 previews all the upcoming Guinness Premiership action...

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Latest News

Cardiff just 'have to do a lot better'

Cardiff Blues centre Tom Shanklin will finally return to action this weekend against the Scarlets - the first time the unfortunate Lion will take the field since dislocating his shoulder playing against the Dragons in May.

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News

Ikey Tigers set for final hurrah

FNB UCT are preparing for Friday evening's WP Super League clash against Varsity Cup rivals, Stellenbosch, at Groote Schuur.

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News

Clinical Pukke win through to final

Varsity Cup teams, Pukke and Shimlas, will both be involved in finals at the 2009 SAA National Club Championships - Pukke in the main Cup Final and Shimlas in the Plate Final.

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Latest News

Ulster shuffle the pack for Connacht

Ulster have made three changes to their pack for Friday's all-Irish Magners League battle with Connacht, while Paddy Wallace returns at centre to captain the side.

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Latest News

Ospreys wary of Warriors at Firhill

New signing Dave McCall will return to the Magners League stage on Friday when he pulls on a Glasgow jersey for the first time in the competition for this weekend's showdown with the under-fire Ospreys.

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Second Phase

What's in it for the Argies?

SANZAR has offered Argentina a conditional place in the Tri Nations in 2012. rugby365 columnist Keith Moore takes a look at what a place in the Tri-Nations will mean for the South Americans.

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News

Kickers the key to Club Champs glory?

Goalkickers look set to play a major role in the semifinals of the 2009 SAA National Club Champs, which resumes at the LC de Villiers stadium on the University of Pretoria's sport campus on Thursday.

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News

Currie Cup call-up for Muller

Young Ikey Tigers lock Martin Muller has been named on the Western Province bench for this weekend's Currie Cup clash against Griquas at Newlands.

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Koshuis

Vishuis nommer een in Bloem

Die gewag is verby. Na 26 jaar is Vishuis weer Kovsies se voorste rugbyspan. Hulle het Vrydagaand die Steinhoff Kovsie Koshuisliga met 'n naelskraapse 15-11-sege in die eindstryd teen Heimat gewen.

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News

Doran-Jones starts at Saracens

New signing, prop Paul Doran-Jones, will make his full Premiership debut for Gloucester Rugby when they take on a Steve Borthwick led Saracens side at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon.

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News

Falcons boosted by returning trio

Newcastle Falcons have received a triple fitness boost ahead of Friday's Guinness Premiership visit of Harlequins to Kingston Park.

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Latest News

Captain Blair returns for Edinburgh

Mike Blair will make his first start of the new Magners League season against European champions, Leinster, at Murrayfield on Saturday.

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Second Phase

Old crocks or young bucks?

John Smit's all-conquering team has silenced many critics, having won every conceivable trophy available to them in the last two years.

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News

Hodgson's back at the helm for Sale

Sale Sharks star Charlie Hodgson will finally return to the starting lineup this weekend after missing the previous two matches due to stubbing his toe in the opening round encounter with Leicester Tigers.

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News

'Raging bull' Vickery returns to action

Wasps' prop Phil Vickery returns to club colours this Sunday as the men in black and gold travel to the Madejski facing London Irish in what promises to be a huge clash between two of the capitals sides.

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News

Bath keen to deliver against Leicester

Following a morale boosting win at Edgeley Park last Friday, Bath host Leicester Tigers this weekend to see if they can get on a role and propel themselves up the Premiership table.

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News

Champs Pukke move into Last Four

Defending champions NWU-Pukke will play Springs and 2008 finalists College Rovers will face Hamilton's in the semifinals of the 2009 SAA Club Championships.

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News

'We'll have to work hard for every point'

Leeds Carnegie have made four changes to their team in an attempt to improve their fortunes as they head to the Northampton Saints this weekend for their Guinness Premiership Fourth round encounter.

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Maties

Maties to go out with a bang

FNB Maties coach Chean Roux intends on playing a running game when his charges travel to UCT on Friday for both teams' final WP Super League clashes of the season.

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News

Tri-Nations: Brickbats and bouquets

The 2009 Tri-Nations has come to pass and like all good critics should, rugby365 also sat in judgment. Yes, it is time for our annual awards.

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Argentina

Jaguars for the Americas Championship

Argentina has chosen its newly formed team, the Jaguars, to take part in the Americas Rugby Championship with teams from Canada and the USA.

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Latest News

Referees to 27 September

There is almost an international breather this weekend after the intensity of the Tri-Nations. But all over the world there is frantic rugby happening and refrerees' seeing fair play.

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News

Pukke win, Shimlas beaten

Varsity Cup outfits, Pukke and Shimlas, got their Club Champs campaigns off to contrasting starts; with Pukke winning easily and Shimlas going down to giant-killers, Park, from Eastern Province.

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News

Rampant Ikeys eye third place

The FNB Ikey Tigers continued their march towards third place on the WP Super League log with a 67-16 win at Kraaifontein on Saturday.

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Latest News

Statistics - Tri-Nations ix

And so, like all good things, the 2009 Tri-Nations has come to an end and it did so with an All Black flourish, a big 33-6 win in Wellington.

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Argentina

Global Results - 20 September

The Tri-Nations ended with a flourish in Wellington and New Zealand's best performance of the 2009 Tri-Nations, won by South Africa with New Zealand in second place and Australia third.

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Latest News

Unbeaten Wasps win against Worcester

In-form English wing Tom Varndell was on the scorecard once again on Sunday as London Wasps overcame Worcester 23-3 in their Guinness Premiership clash at Adams Park.

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Latest News

Irish thump Carnegie at Headingley

London Irish starlet Adam Thompstone scored an impressive hat-trick of tries on Sunday afternoon as the potential Guinness Premiership title challengers thumped Leeds Carnegie 56-7 at Headingley.

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Latest News

Munster snatch victory from the Scarlets

A try at the death from Denis Hurley, his second of the night, helped Munster to come from behind to record a dramatic 22-20 victory over the Scarlets at the Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night.

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Latest News

Northampton Saints rule at Kingsholm

Jim Mallinder's Northampton Saints confirmed their status as potential playoff finishes in the Guinness Premiership with an impressive 27-14 win over Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday afternoon.

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Latest News

Tryless Tigers win at Welford Road

Leicester secured a 15-6 win over Newcastle in their first match in front of the new Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road but both side's inability to score tries continued to plague them on Saturday night.

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Latest News

Saracens march on with a win at Quins

Seventeen points from the boot of Derrick Hougaard helped Saracens to maintain their perfect start to the new season at the Stoop on Saturday, edging out Harlequins 22-9 in their Guinness Premiership clash.

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Latest News

Carraro's brace helps Bath bounce back

Bath kickstarted their season at the third attempt on Friday evening with a hard-fought 25-12 win over the Sale Sharks - recording their first Guinness Premiership victory at Edgeley Park in six years.

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Koshuis

'Drom', Bastion dominate Baa-baas XV

The UJ Steinhoff International Barbarians team was announced on Wednesday evening, after an absorbing Steinhoff Koshuis League Final at the university.

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Latest News

Godman helps Gunners stay on top

A 72nd minutes drop goal from flyhalf Phil Godman helped Edinburgh to narrow 16-13 victory over Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday night in their Magners League clash.

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Latest News

Dragons blast past the Warriors

Paul Turner's Dragons provided the biggest upset of all out of Friday nights action, scoring four tries on their way to thumping the Glasgow Warriors 30-19 at Rodney Parade.

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Latest News

Blues continue for struggling Cardiff

Cardiff's poor start to the season continued on Friday night as they slumped to their third straight Magners League defeat at the hands of Connacht - going down 18-16 at the Sportsground.

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Latest News

Law Discussion: the commentator's five

We have just five situations from the match last weekend when New Zealand played South Africa in Hamilton, five which the commentator queried.

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News

Preview: Premiership, Round Three

The Premiership table is slowly starting to take shape after two rounds of the new season but there are a couple unexpected names propping up the log... can Quins and Bath turn their fortunes around this weekend? rugby365 preivews all the GP action...

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Latest News

Sexton's boot beats the Ospreys

The Ospreys suffered their second consecutive defeat at the Liberty Stadiums on Friday night as they crashed to a disappointing 18-11 loss at the hands of Leinster in their Magners League clash.

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Koshuis

Bastion to wear the UJ Koshuis crown

Bastion managed to cling on to win a thrilling final 3-0 against Dromedaris on Wednesday night in UJ's Steinhoff Koshuis League - finishing the season as the only unbeaten team in the process.

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Latest News

Byrne back for Ospreys

British and Irish Lions star Lee Byrne will make his return for the Ospreys against Leinster in Friday's Magners League clash at the Liberty Stadium.

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News

Pukke to defend Club Champs title?

Defending champions FNB Pukke will be aiming for a fourth title in six years when the 35th annual National Club Championships kicks-off this coming Sunday, September 20, at the LC de Villiers sports grounds on the University of Pretoria's Sport Campus.

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Koshuis

Heimat die gunsteling, ondanks terugslag

'n Reuse terugslag het Heimat op die vooraand van die Steinhoff Kovsie Koshuisliga-eindstryd getref met die onttrekking van sy staatmaker-vleuel, Neethling Uys.

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News

Preview: Magners League, Round Three

It's an odd Magners League weekend but with four of the five matches being played on Friday night it can mean only one thing? It's going to be one hell of a Friday night. rugby365 previews all the Magners League Round Three action...

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News

Tough assignment for Shimlas

As one of just two Varsity Cup teams in action, FNB Shimlas will have their work cut out in order to finish amongst the top sides at the 2009 National Club Championships.

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Latest News

Law discussion: Commentators & laws

There is a culture of criticism of referees that is not entirely fair or productive. Listen to phone-in rugby programmes and read blogs and you soon realise that there is barely a single referee in the world who is anything but scorned - not even the best in the world.

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Latest News

Scarlets change three for Munster clash

The Scarlets have made three changes to their starting team in preparation for the arrival of defending champions Munster in a Magners League clash on Saturday.

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Latest News

Ferris returns for Edinburgh clash

Ulster will have British and Irish Lions loose forward Stephen Ferris back for their first Magners League home game of the season against Edinburgh on Friday.

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News

Shimlas the 'underdogs', says coach

Jaco Swanepoel, the head coach of FNB Shimlas, believes his team will head into the 2009 SAA National Club Championships as underdogs. However, that tag could just suit the Men from Bloemfontein down to the ground...

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News

Warriors ring the changes

Glasgow Warriors head coach, Sean Lineen, has this week made six changes to his successful starting XV for this weekend's Magners League clash with the Dragons.

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News

Tigers out to 'earn the right to win'

Leicester Tigers will run out in front of a capacity 24,000 crowd for the first home game of the season on Saturday with a team showing four changes since last weekend's win at Harlequins.

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News

Roberts returns to face Connacht

Cardiff Blues boss Dai Young has named Lions star Jamie Roberts in his starting team for the first time this season but has opted to once again keep new signing Sam Norton-Knight on the bench.

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Maties

Steenkamp handed WP start

Highly-rated Stellenbosch lock De Kock Steenkamp, a member of the 2008 Varsity Cup-winning squad, has been named in the Western Province starting line-up for Friday's Currie Cup clash against the Leopards in Potchefstroom.

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Koshuis

UJ Koshuis Final: Clash of the forwards

A hard and physical clash of the forwards can be expected during the UJ Steinhoff International Koshuis League Final in Johannesburg tonight when Bastion and Dromedaris battle it out to be crowned Koshuis League winners for 2009.

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News

Sackey returns to face the Warriors

England wing Paul Sackey will make a welcomed return to action this this Sunday as Wasps run out on home turf for the first time this season when they face Worcester.

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News

Booth expects a tough test at Leeds

Leeds Carnegie have made five changes to the side that lost to Worcester last Friday for the visit of last season's Guinness Premiership runners up London Irish to Headingley Carnegie this Sunday.

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News

So'oialo starts for Harlequins

After a hard fought battle against Leicester Tigers at the Stoop, Quins return to their home ground for the second time in two weeks, where they take on Saracens in a local derby on Saturday afternoon.

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News

The 'volcano' returns for Gloucester

Gloucester Rugby Head Coach Bryan Redpath has welcomed back Lesley Vainikolo and Peter Buxton for the first time this season as they prepare to host Northampton at Kingsholm.

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News

Meehan expects a kicking battle

The last seven clashes between the two sides in the Guinness Premiership have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst Bath's only Premiership win at Edgeley Park came on their first ever visit in September 2003.

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Latest News

Law discussion - penalty, try and count

The last minute of the thrilling match between Free State and Western Province produced a penalty try which gave the Free State a two-point victory. Inenvitably it was controversial. There was also much talk about the penalty count.

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Koshuis

Bastion en 'Drom' in UJ finale

Die manne van Bastion en Dromedaris het gekwalifiseer vir die finale van beide die eerste en tweede divisies van die 2009 UJ Steinhoff International Koshuisliga.

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News

Refs for SA club champs

The National Club Championships in South Africa will take place in Pretoria from Sunday 20 September 2009 to Saturday 26 September 2009. There will be 16 teams taking part and eight referees have been appointed to the tournament.

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Koshuis

Kovsies Koshuis: Dis Heimat teen...

Dis amptelik... Dis Vishuis teen Heimat in die Kovsies Steinhoff Koshuisliga-eindstryd.

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News

Joubert: 'Club Champs a huge challenge'

FNB Pukke head coach Rudy Joubert would like his team to chase history at the SAA National Club Championships when the tournament gets underway at Tukkies on Sunday.

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Latest News

Referees to 20 September

The Tri-Nations ends this year. The final match will not affect any silverware but it will be no less competitive for that. New Zealand against Australia is tough stuff. This week Craig Joubert of South Africa will referee the match.

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News

Champions Pukke reign supreme

Varsity Cup finalists, FNB Pukke, claimed yet another Pirates Grand Challenge title - beating FNB UJ 42-26 in a hard-fought final in Alberton on Saturday.

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Latest News

Scarlets fall at the Firhill Arena

Scotland flyhalf Dan Parks kicked fourteen points for the Warriors as they overcame the Scarlets 19-11 and remained unbeaten after two rounds of the new Magners League season.

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Australia

Global Results - 13 September

They have it all. The Springboks have it all - World Cup, Lions series, Tri-Nations, Mandela Plate, Freedom Cup, the IRB Sevens Series - the lot. They are laden with silverware after their dramatic win in Hamilton on Saturday.

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Latest News

Bonus-point win for the Irish

London Irish scored four tries on their way to thumping Gloucester 40-10 in a heated battle at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday afternoon - a game which saw six yellow cards dished out in total.

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News

Brave Ikeys denied in last second

FNB UCT suffered a heart-breaking last-second loss to new WP Super League champions, Hamilton's, at the Green Mile on Saturday.

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Latest News

It ends all even at Kingston Park

Newcastle had to settle for a second successive draw at the start of the new Guinness Premiership season as two late Lee Thomas penalties earned Sale a share of the spoils on a blustery day at Kingston Park.

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Latest News

New flyers fire Wasps to victory

A resurgent Tom Varndell scored two tries for the London Wasps on Saturday afternoon at the Recreation Ground help his side to a big victory; making it two wins in a row to start the new season for Tony Hanks' men.

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Latest News

A 'home' win at Wembley for Sarries

New Zealand star Glen Jackson was the hero for Saracens once again on Saturday - kicking 14 points for the 'home' side as they recorded a 19-14 win over Northampton in the first-ever rugby match played on the Wembley turf.

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