Like many referees, schoolmastering set Dean Richards on a refereeing course which will take him this weekend to Madrid for the European Nations Cup match between the Leones of Spain and the Lelos of Georgia.
On Saturday James Laurence Jones of Swansea will be refereeing his very first Test - a match between Romania and Czech Republic in Ricany. Of course, it's exciting for the 28-year-old who has been refereeing for 15 years.
Instructions have gone out from the IRB, giving a new procedure of scrum engagement and insisting on putting the ball straight into scrums, not stamping and not showing dissent. We have a little look at compliance.
The controversial ending to the Rome match has overwhelmed all interest in the laws of the game this last weekend. There seems little else to discuss.
Queensland's former Test referees, Andrew Cole and Scott Young, are to help with the development of promising referees under a new advanced referee development program in Queensland.They join many former Test referees around the world who help with the development of younger referees.
We could produce a booklet of law discussion on Week 6 of the Super 14, but will try not to bore too many people.
Last weekend saw the Six Nations take an unexpected turn for the interesting with the title still anyone's for the taking (Besides Italy, Scotland and Wales!). England surprised, Ireland nearly choked (literally) and Italy stunned Wales (albeit due to a dubious last-minute decision by the ref). Here are your thoughts on the action...
It's yet another big action weekend for players and referees as the Six Nations comes to an end and the Super 14 rackets on.
Two close encounters and a surprise for all but those who had kept faith, and there the score flattered the losers as England came back strongly from defeat in Dublin.
There was the historic thriller in Perth this weekend when the lead changed twice in dramatic fashion in the last four minutes. There were also convincing displays by the Highlanders, the Brumbies, the Bulls, the Blues and the Sharks.
What a nasty ending to a rugby match! The Roman ending to Wales's romantic effort to win a rugby match was truly horrible.
It's a shorter journey than usual for Dave Pearson this weekend as he heads over the Borders to Edinburgh to referee the Six Nations Match between Scotland and Ireland - a shorter distance from home than for most club matches in his native England.
A few weeks ago, Tighthead Thomas and Loosehead Les went head to head in a sensitive debate over whether Italy deserves to be in the Six Nations or not, arguing whether Argentina deserved to take the Azzurri's place instead. It seems to have struck quite a high note with Italian fans! This is what you had to say...
Instructions have gone out from the IRB, giving a new procedure of scrum engagement and insisting on putting the ball straight into scrums, not stamping and not showing disssent.
The European Rugby Cup has appointed the match officials for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup.
This was the week that turned the Super 14 on its head, emphasising for us that sporting prediction is not an exact science and that the surprising is still the great spice of sport.
We have already given the statistics for Week 5 of Super 14 and now we discuss the laws in action, taking some incidents from the seven matches.
There are just two rounds of the Six Nations to go. This round has three fascinating matches.
Australia has announced its team to defend the title at the International Rugby Board's Under-19 World Championship in Belfast in April. Quade Cooper who made his Super 14 debut on Saturday is in the side.
Gavin Henson has been told he can claim a place on Wales' May tour of Australia despite being ruled out of the Six Nations Championship.
South Africa announced its Under-19 team for the International Rugby Board's Under-19 World Championships to be held in Belfast in April.
Nigel Whitehouse, who is currently on the International Rugby Board's merit panel of 21 referees, has decided to retire from refereeing.
An old Roman said that there was always something unusual coming from Africa. There is always something unusual from every rugby match that is worth talking about.
So far this busy week we have given the stats for Super 14 and Six Nations and the incidents discussion for Six Nations,. Now we shall discuss a few incidents from the Super 14, including the case of advantage that raised eyebrows.
The response has been non-stop with Ireland's 43-13 Six Nations of England at Croke Park on Saturday. It was a fine perfomance by the hosts, and a less than satisfatory one by the visitors. Well, at least that is what you had to say about it amongst other things...
There has been a lot of reaction to New Zealand coach Graham Henry's excitement at the early results that has been brought about by the three-month conditioning window afforded to 22 hand-picked Test stars. It is said that when his side assembles in early June to play France, he will have charge of what will unquestionably be the biggest, fastest, fittest All Black team ever assembled. This is what you had to say about that...
The laboratory for experimenting with law changes is now the Scottish Super Cup. Richard White did some early evaluating and now does so again.
There were three matches which were so exciting on the weekend - Wales ahead early against France who came back, Italy ahead ridiculously early against Scotland who did not come back and all that rain and emotion in Dublin. Here are some stats from the matches.
We have a bit of a breather after last weekend's international intensity, but rugby rumbles on.
There were more tries this week as we give some statistics, mostly about getting possession.
Teams continue to warm up for the IRB's Under-19 World Championship in Belfast in April.
It's not a reverse armada by any means but English refereeing coaches will be working with individual Spanish referees
The International Rugby Board has changed a law and sent out three directives to referees. How are they going.
It seems that the more professional the game gets, the more the man in the middle is responsible for every misfortune that befalls a team at a crucial moment. But even if he is wrong, what can be done about it?
SANZAR has made known the appointments of match officials for Weeks 5-8 of the Super 14.
Italy have chosen a squad of 40 players for the International Rugby Board's Under-19 World Championship in Belfast in April.
Jan de Koning takes a look at the weekend's refereeing controversies - not from a referee's perspective, but the angle of a journalist - and he feels that maybe we are hearing too much of the one side of the story.
It was not a happy weekend for referees with lots of criticism, controversy and anger.
Referee Marius Jonker has been much criticised for flagging Anton Leonard on Friday night but Andre Watson, South Africa's referee manager, and Paddy O'Brien, the International Rugby Board's referee manager, have both supported Jonker's action.
Six Nations breaks out again this week with lots of focus on Croke Park where England come to play Ireland - a venue associated in the past with Irish nationalism.
After Week 3 with its low points differences, low scores and two matches devoid of tries, we look at the statistics of the weekend and some totals to tell us who has scored the most tries, who is most penalised and so on.
Wales Under-19 play their Irish counterparts at Stradey Park in Llanelli on Friday evening as the teams warm up for the IRB's Under-19 World Championship in Belfast in April.
Whew! This is the end for this week, Week 2 of Super 14, just in time for the start of Week 3.
We look at the laws in action from the three Six Nations matches of the past weekend - England vs Italy, Scotland vs Wales and Ireland vs France.
Two aspects of the scrum are of interest at the moment - the procedure of engagement and the putting in of the ball.
The Sunday after England cast aside Scotland at Twickenham saw the English national papers filled with headlines rejoicing in the return of 'King Jonny'.
There was much talk about advantage this weekend, especially after the Ireland-France match.
Jonny Wilkinson's return to the Test arena has sparked mass debate on whether the Rugby World Cup winning fly-half is back to his form of old. But it's not a case of him 'deserving' to be there, but more the case of him belonging there!
SA Rugby has launched a new website for referees, which went live on Tuesday morning.
There is a chance for the Six Nations to catch its breath this weekend but that does not mean that players and match officials are allowed to flop into deckchairs. There is still a good deal of activity.
There has been overwhelming response to Ireland's last minute loss to France in the thrilling Six Nations encounter at Croke Park over the weekend. Ireland supporters, though gracious in defeat, still feel they were robbed by New Zealand referee Steve Walsh. Here's a few things you had to say...
Week 2 of the Six Nations produced a thriller at Croke Park in Dublin. Here we give some statistics for that match and the matches at Twickenham and Murrayfield.
Week 2 of Super 14 and fewer cards and more tries and some exciting matches despite unseasonable wet. Here we look, as we do each week, at some statistics. We are also starting to accumulate each week's stats.
Steve Walsh is in his 13th year of refereeing first-class rugby. When he runs out onto Croke Park on Sunday, it will be his 25th Test, and he is not yet 35.
We have already discussed matters from the Six Nations and given some Super 14 stats. Here we discuss some incidents from the first week of Super 14.
February is a pleasant month for women with St Valentine's Day and all the attention paid them. February 2007 is a special month in the history of women's rugby as five women referees make a giant leap.
There are always refereeing matters to talk about after a match. We can learn from every match and especially from seeing top men in action. Here we discuss a few indents from the first week of Six Nations.
The standings for the 2016/17 Sevens World Series!
Andy Macpherson of Scotland is excited. He is about to referee his first-ever Test match and he is not yet 25.
Super 14 is upon us with many errors on sweaty fields and a rash of yellow cards. We deal here with some statistics which we hope to update along the 14 weeks.
The 2007 Six Nations burst into full flower at the Millennium Stadium with a great contest between Wales and Ireland. In this section, as in the past, we give some match statistics.
Steve Walsh probably has the big one this week as rugby makes history by packing out Croke Park in Dublin, the great holy place of Gaelic games.
There is going to be a lot of law talk after this hectic weekend with Six Nations and Super 14 starting.
LIONS 2011
WESTERN FORCE 2011
STORMERS 2011
SHARKS 2011
Chris Waldburger takes a look at the modern game of rugby and asks if the sport as we know it is busy dying? Are the players "cashing in" at the expense of the sport? And has Test rugby lost its "sparkle"?
WARATAHS 2011
REDS 2011
HIGHLANDERS 2011
BULLS 2011
BRUMBIES 2011
CRUSADERS 2011
CHIEFS 2011
CHEETAHS 2011
BLUES 2011
HURRICANES 2011
Kelvin Deaker, the experienced New Zealand referee, has an exciting prospect - refereeing the Gaelic derby between Wales and Ireland at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on the opening day of the 2007 Six Nations in this year of World Cup.
Herve Dubes, a Top 14 referee in France, heads west to Lisbon for the Iberian derby between Portugal and Spain on Saturday, the opening round of the European Nations Cup.
Wayne Barnes will blow the whistle to start the Six Nations. Paul Honiss will do the same to start the Super 14. Two big rugby competitions start this weekend.
In its preparations for the World Cup qualifier with Uruguay, Portugal will play against Montpellier.
It is not so long ago that the intricacies of front row play were a mystery to most and the scrum signalled a prop's primary role on the rugby pitch. However all that could change with the advent of a new phase in the engagement process.
Rugby becomes more domestic this weekend except for the vital qualifier in Lisbon and the Trans Tasman warm-ups Down Under. But the onset of Six Nations and Super 14 is in the back of many minds.
Rugby union matches last eighty minutes. What about half- and extra-time? Timing in rugby union.
We give you the lowdown on rugby players' clothing.
How many players are allowed in a rugby team? Find out more...
You need a referee to officiate in rugby union. But what are all their duties during a match?
At the start of a game all players are on-side. As the match progresses players may find themselves in an off-side position.
Foul play is anything a person does within the playing enclosure that is against the letter and spirit of the Laws of the Game.
What are the various definitions in rugby? We have all that and more.
In-goal is part of the ground as defined in Law 1 where the ball may be grounded by players from either team.
To make a mark, a player must be on or behind that player's 22-metre line.
Law One of rugby union deals with basic things... like the ground we play on.
There is not definitive history of where rugby came from or when or how. The game is likely to have started as an amalgamation of soccer and other games.
There are various ways to score points in rugby union.
The purpose of the scrum is to restart play quickly, safely and fairly, after a minor infringement or a stoppage.
The kick-off occurs at the start of the match and the re-start of the match after half-time. Re-start kicks occur after a score or a touch down.
A tackle occurs when a ball-carrier is held by one or more opponents and is brought to the ground.
Penalty kicks and free kicks are awarded to the non-offending team for infringements by their opponents.
The Object of the Game is that two teams of fifteen, ten or seven players each, observing fair play according to the Laws...
The Laws of the Game apply to the Seven-a-side game, but are subject to certain variations.
A rugby match is started with a kick-off. What then?
There are also a few variations at the Under-19 level of rugby union.
The law of advantage takes precedence over most other laws and its purpose is to make play more continuous with fewer stoppages for infringements.
The ball is an important part of rugby. We give you all the important dimensions.
A 'no tackle' occurs when the ball is available on the ground and a player goes to ground to gather the ball, except immediately after a scrum or a ruck.
A knock-on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward. There are other ways for a knock-on to occur.
'Kicked directly into touch' means that the ball was kicked into touch without landing on the playing area, and without touching a player or the referee.
A maul occurs when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents, and one or more of the ball-carrier's team-mates bind on the ball-carrier.
A ruck is a phase of play where one or more players from each team, who are on their feet, in physical contact, close around the ball on the ground.
Two tries from Mike Stephenson and the trusty kicking of Olly Barkley, who also touched down, ensured Bath topped European Challenge Cup Pool Four with an emphatic 42-17 win over Montpellier.
Bristol's hopes of topping European Challenge Cup Pool One were dashed despite a comfortable home win over Bucuresti.
Serge Blanco heaped much of the blame on his league's decision to boycott the Heineken Cup on the RFU on Thursday, after the English governing body refused to enter an agreement with Premier Rugby over a share of ERC governance as the FFR had done with the LNR.
With Round Six of the European Challenge Cup upon us, there are still seven quarter-final berths up for grabs.
The battle for the three best runners-up places in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals promises to be a tight contest, with NEC Harlequins desperate to stay in the mix with a home win over Connacht Rugby at The Stoop on Saturday.
With his whistle in his bag and the fate of two nations in his hands, Wayne Barnes is off to Casablanca to referee the World Cup Qualifier between Morocco and Portugal.
Glasgow Warriors will collide with Saracens at Hughenden on Friday night with an automatic European Challenge Cup quarter-final place on the line, so expect it to be a full bloodied game full on tension.
Having lost away to the Dragons last week Bristol coach Richard Hill insists the Welsh region are now firm favourites to qualify for the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals as Pool One winners.
SANZAR, the body which organises the Tri-Nations and the Super 14, has announced the referees for the first four rounds of the 2007 Super 14.
There is a World Cup qualifier in Casablanca this weekend. Neither team would qualify as "usual suspects" for neither has been to the World Cup before.
Saracens wing Tomas De Vedia scored four tries as the English side put Narbonne to the sword by running out 47-20 victors in their European Challenge Cup clash on Sunday.
Worcester were made to pay for a shocking start as Clermont Auvergne scored a crucial European Challenge Cup Pool Five win at Sixways.
Wayne Barnes of England will blow his whistle at Stade Flaminio in Rome and the 2007 Six Nations will come to life, for he is the referee and this is the first match of the 2006 Six Nations. Recently, Wayne became England's youngest full-time referee, and clearly a referee going places.
Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were stunned in Wales as the Dragons roared to European Challenge Cup success at Rodney Parade on Friday night.
Eric Sauls, the new coach of the South African Under-19 team has invited 45 players to a trials camp in Saldanha on 14-21 January.
Bath captain Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock will line up together in the second row for the first time since September 9, when the England duo to battle in the European Challenge Cup against Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway on Friday.
Pierre Mignoni and his Clermont Auvergne team-mates are just a win away from qualifying for the European Challenge Cup knock-out stages – but the international scrum-half is adamant they must overcome their stern test against Worcester Warriors at Sixways on Saturday.
Marius Jonker, whose progress in the world of refereeing has been rapid, has been appointed to referee the Calcutta Cup match, this year at Twickenham in the opening match of the Six Nations. What a great occasion for the young man from Zululand.
We have an incident from a match played in White River near the Kruger National Park which may be of interest.
Gareth Llewellyn has helped take, and keep, Bristol Rugby at the top of the Guinness Premiership and the re-born West Country giants are also riding high and chasing glory on the European front.
Jerome Bonvoisin is immensely proud of Brive’s performances in the current European Challenge Cup and he wants to go all the way and lift the silverware in late May.
The new Scottish Super Cup has become the latest laboratory to test law changes which may have a radical effect on the game. The first of these matches was played at Old Anniesland in Glasgow between Glasgow Hawks and Boroughmuir.
The Heineken Cup has a two-week splurge to end the Round Robin part of the competition which is now heading for the knock-outs.
England Under-19 found Italy Under-19 tough but they beat them 18-11 at London Irish club in Sunbury on Friday afternoon.
Recently the IRB sent out a set of recommendations for sanctioning players guilty of foul play. These had their first possible test this past week.
The European Cup has announced the referees appointed to Rounds 5 and 6 of the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup.
It is the middle of summer heat in South Africa at present but warm-up matches are about to happen, for the Samoans are in the country, the Super 14 is at hand and the Vodacom Cup will soon be on the go.
Hugo Ellis of London Wasps will captain England Under-19 in their first match of 2007 - against Italy at Sunbury on Friday afternoon.
Paddy O'Brien, the IRB's referees manager who will be based in Invercargill home but working around the world, has send out a decree that the ball is to be put in straight to the scrum.
From 1 January 2007, the procedure for scrum engagement will change.
England have announced a squad of 30 to represent its Women's Under-19 team this year.
England and Italy meet in an Under-19 international at Sunbury on Friday afternoon.
Rugby gets back to fuller action this weekend, perhaps a bit sluggishly after all the celebrations.
Christmas festivities past, teams go straight back into action - but there are not many of them.
It is always good to get readers' comments on laws and the law discussions we have. From time to time we publish what they have to say or ask. Here are some to end 2006.
We have Peter Shortell of Cheltenham to thank for this incident taken from the Heineken Cup match between Ulster and London Irish last Friday. Later this week we shall publish some things readers have had to say on the laws.
Christmas is at hand. In the hot parts of the Southern Hemisphere they sing See amid the Winter's Snows and eat gargantuan meals, but they do not play rugby.
Newcastle Falcons claimed an emphatic 35-0 victory over a poor Montauban side at Kingston Park on Sunday to keep alive their hopes of some European silverware.
Bristol put one foot into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a predictable mauling of Bayonne at the Memorial Stadium on Friday night.
The Planet Rugby Your Say page! The best place to chew the fat with fellow Union fans. Keep sending in all your views on all things relating to the game.
André Watson, South Africa’s manager of referees, has made known new panels of referees for 2007. There are radical changes.
France international prop Franck Tournaire will be out of action for three months after undergoing thumb surgery, his club side Narbonne said.
Bristol supporters will get their first opportunity to see Shaun Perry in action at the Memorial Stadium since he became a full England international, with the scrum-half named in a strong Bristol line-up for Bayonne on Friday.
Not content with being at the summit of the English Premiership Bristol and Director of Rugby Richard Hill have their sights firmly set on bigger achievements, namely the Heineken Cup next season.
Languishing at the bottom of Pool Four with not a point to their name you would be forgiven for thinking French side Albi had given up the ghost as far as the European Challenge Cup is concerned.
The Heineken Cup reaches Round 4 and, it being the second Tuesday in December, the Varsity Match will take place at Twickenham with all that tradition.
Winger Joe Maddock stunned Harlequins fans with a last-minute try to give Bath a 24-18 win and the upper hand in their European Challenge Cup pool.
Newcastle's hopes of European silverware took a severe battering, with Montauban emerging 16-10 victors from a monumental forward battle at Stade de Sapiac.
Newcastle have recalled Captain Matthew Burke to the team after missing last weekend’s EDF Energy Cup victory over NEC Harlequins, with England centre Jamie Noon also resuming club duties after starting all four autumn Tests for England.
Saracens go into their clash with GRAN Parma on Sunday as one of the six sides in the European Challenge Cup to have won both their opening round fixtures, with wins against Glasgow and Narbonne respectively.
Montauban will be seeing stars when Newcastle Falcons travel to Stade Sapiac for their Challenge Cup clash on Friday night.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) Council has approved a change to the Law that governs the scrum. This follows a review of the scrum by the IRB Rugby Committee and its Law Project Group following recommendations made by the IRB's Medical Committee.
The SANZAR nations (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia) had a trial run with the new scrum laws in Sydney this week and the initial reactions were not nearly as positive as the International Rugby Board (IRB) brainstrust would have hoped.
Matches between Montpellier and Connacht Rugby are becoming something of a European Challenge Cup tradition – this is the third successive campaign in which the French and Irish teams have been drawn against each other.
Newcastle Falcons skipper Matt Burke insists Friday’s trip to Montauban is the ideal chance to get his side’s European Challenge Cup campaign back on the rails.
This weekend we have Sevens in George and the Heineken Cup in Europe.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the match official appointments for the RBS Six Nations 2007 which kicks-off on 3 February.
The two panels of referees drawn up and published in November 2006 are unchanged from the two panels promulgated earlier this year.
Scottish Rugby has reached agreement with the International Rugby Board to try out a number of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) in the new Premier 1 Club Super Cup which starts on 6 January 2007.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) on Thursday announced the pools, seedings and schedule for the IRB Under-19 World Championship 2007.
Michael Cupido, lone of South Africa’s top-tanked referees, is to move from the middle of the field to its edges, changing from refereeing at the top level to becoming a specialist touch judge, in keeping with the restructuring plans for South African referees.
There were six incident-filled matches, and we shall look at just a few incidents as a way of refreshing our knowledge and understanding of the laws of the complicated game.
There were six incident-filled matches. We look here at four incidents which concerned tries or possible tries or unlikely tries in four of the matches.
All six Six Nations teams were in action again, this time with Canada back in the mix, playing a Test in Pordenone under the Dolomites for the very first time.
After the banquets of November it's back to bread-and-butter this weekend. The hectic Test period is suddenly over, the Southern hordes have receded to aestivation, and clubs plod back into action.
Ireland gave the crumbling stands of Lansdowne Road a fitting send-off on Sunday afternoon, punctuating a glorious chapter of the stadium's history with a handsome 61-17 victory over the Pacific Islanders.
Ireland gave the crumbling stands of Lansdowne Road a fitting send-off on Sunday afternoon, punctuating a glorious chapter of the stadium's history with a handsome 61-17 victory over the Pacific Islanders.
Ireland gave the crumbling stands of Lansdowne Road a fitting send-off on Sunday afternoon, punctuating a glorious chapter of the stadium's history with a handsome 61-17 victory over the Pacific Islanders.
Ireland gave the crumbling stands of Lansdowne Road a fitting send-off on Sunday afternoon, punctuating a glorious chapter of the stadium's history with a handsome 61-17 victory over the Pacific Islanders.
South Africa bought their beleaguered coach some breathing space by securing a gritty 25-14 victory over England on Saturday, with four drop-goals from Andre Pretorius handing the visitors their first win at Twickenham since 1997.
New Zealand completed their Northern Hemisphere tour with another comprehensive victory, beating Wales 45-10 in front of a sold-out Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
Australia pulled out a superb second-half performance to sink Scotland 42-15 in Edinburgh on Saturday to end their tour of Europe on a high note.
France recorded their first win of the November series on Saturday, beating Argentina 27-26 in Paris, but it was a close-run match, in which the visitors clawed their way back from 27-9 down in the final half-hour, and nearly pinched a famous victory.
New Zealand completed their Northern Hemisphere tour with another comprehensive victory, beating Wales 45-10 in front of a sold-out Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
France recorded their first win of the November series on Saturday, beating Argentina 27-26 in Paris, but it was a close-run match, in which the visitors clawed their way back from 27-9 down in the final half-hour, and nearly pinched a famous victory.
New Zealand completed their Northern Hemisphere tour with another comprehensive victory, beating Wales 45-10 in front of a sold-out Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
France recorded their first win of the November series on Saturday, beating Argentina 27-26 in Paris, but it was a close-run match, in which the visitors clawed their way back from 27-9 down in the final half-hour, and nearly pinched a famous victory.
Australia pulled out a superb second-half performance to sink Scotland 42-15 in Edinburgh on Saturday to end their tour of Europe on a high note.
South Africa bought their beleaguered coach some breathing space by securing a gritty 25-14 victory over England on Saturday, with four drop-goals from Andre Pretorius handing the visitors their first win at Twickenham since 1997.
South Africa bought their beleaguered coach some breathing space by securing a gritty 25-14 victory over England on Saturday, with four drop-goals from Andre Pretorius handing the visitors their first win at Twickenham since 1997.
Australia pulled out a superb second-half performance to sink Scotland 42-15 in Edinburgh on Saturday to end their tour of Europe on a high note.
New Zealand completed their Northern Hemisphere tour with another comprehensive victory, beating Wales 45-10 in front of a sold-out Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
France recorded their first win of the November series on Saturday, beating Argentina 27-26 in Paris, but it was a close-run match, in which the visitors clawed their way back from 27-9 down in the final half-hour, and nearly pinched a famous victory.
Australia pulled out a superb second-half performance to sink Scotland 42-15 in Edinburgh on Saturday to end their tour of Europe on a high note.
South Africa bought their beleaguered coach some breathing space by securing a gritty 25-14 victory over England on Saturday, with four drop-goals from Andre Pretorius handing the visitors their first win at Twickenham since 1997.
They marched on London and conquered it. Then they marched on Rome and conquered it. Now they are marching on Paris.
They marched on London and conquered it. Then they marched on Rome and conquered it. Now they are marching on Paris.
They marched on London and conquered it. Then they marched on Rome and conquered it. Now they are marching on Paris.
The last of the Asian World Cup qualifiers have been played in Hong Kong and one of the referees for the occasion is James Leckie of Sydney.
It hasn't been the most distinguished week in either the Welsh or the New Zealand rugby press this week, a crying shame too, for the build-up to what might be New Zealand's toughest task of the 2006 November series has focussed on entirely the wrong things.
It hasn't been the most distinguished week in either the Welsh or the New Zealand rugby press this week, a crying shame too, for the build-up to what might be New Zealand's toughest task of the 2006 November series has focussed on entirely the wrong things.
It hasn't been the most distinguished week in either the Welsh or the New Zealand rugby press this week, a crying shame too, for the build-up to what might be New Zealand's toughest task of the 2006 November series has focussed on entirely the wrong things.
Scrums continue to trouble law-makers, partly because there is danger in a scrum, and partly because they can so easily break down the quality of a game.
Again the Six Nations' teams were in ardent action with the roof closed in Cardiff and the rain pouring down in Dublin. Again, mercifully, there was nothing controversial in the refereeing.
Alain Rolland of Ireland damaged a calf muscle at Twickenham last Saturday. He has withdrawn for this Saturday, his place taken by compatriot Alan Lewis.
Apart from all the matches attracting numerous watchers, there are two World Cup qualifiers which will decide two more teams for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, leaving just two répechage teams to be decided.
Again we had great sides in action around the Six Nations and again we provide some statistics from the matches, as Ireland prove the best of Europe, New Zealand the best of the world.
Ireland allowed their fans to dream of world domination after conquering not only Australia but tempestuous conditions in Dublin on Sunday, recording a remarkable 21-6 victory over the touring Wallabies.
Ireland allowed their fans to dream of world domination after conquering not only Australia but tempestuous conditions in Dublin on Sunday, recording a remarkable 21-6 victory over the touring Wallabies.
Ireland allowed their fans to dream of world domination after conquering not only Australia but tempestuous conditions in Dublin on Sunday, recording a remarkable 21-6 victory over the touring Wallabies.
Ireland allowed their fans to dream of world domination after conquering not only Australia but tempestuous conditions in Dublin on Sunday, recording a remarkable 21-6 victory over the touring Wallabies.
New Zealand completed a series whitewash over France courtesy of a hard-fought 23-11 victory at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday evening. The locals put in a hugely improved performance, even notching up the day's first try, but the All Blacks warmed to the task and order was soon restored via the impeccable orchestration of Daniel Carter.
Scotland underlined their burgeoning stature with a well-taken 34-22 victory over a game Pacific Islanders side at Murrayfield on Saturday. But the win, in which the hosts had led 31-5, was marred by injuries to Johnnie Beattie and Chris Cusiter, both of whom now look doubtful for Scotland's match against Australia next week.
Scotland underlined their burgeoning stature with a well-taken 34-22 victory over a game Pacific Islanders side at Murrayfield on Saturday. But the win, in which the hosts had led 31-5, was marred by injuries to Johnnie Beattie and Chris Cusiter, both of whom now look doubtful for Scotland's match against Australia next week.
New Zealand completed a series whitewash over France courtesy of a hard-fought 23-11 victory at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday evening. The locals put in a hugely improved performance, even notching up the day's first try, but the All Blacks warmed to the task and order was soon restored via the impeccable orchestration of Daniel Carter.
Argentina staged a superb second-half comeback to claim a 23-16 victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.
England fought back from 6-18 down to beat South Africa 23-21 at Twickenham on Saturday, bringing to an end the worst run of defeats for over thirty years, but increasing the clouds above Jake White's office.
Scotland underlined their burgeoning stature with a well-taken 34-22 victory over a game Pacific Islanders side at Murrayfield on Saturday. But the win, in which the hosts had led 31-5, was marred by injuries to Johnnie Beattie and Chris Cusiter, both of whom now look doubtful for Scotland's match against Australia next week.
New Zealand completed a series whitewash over France courtesy of a hard-fought 23-11 victory at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday evening. The locals put in a hugely improved performance, even notching up the day's first try, but the All Blacks warmed to the task and order was soon restored via the impeccable orchestration of Daniel Carter.
Argentina staged a superb second-half comeback to claim a 23-16 victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.
England fought back from 6-18 down to beat South Africa 23-21 at Twickenham on Saturday, bringing to an end the worst run of defeats for over thirty years, but increasing the clouds above Jake White's office.
England fought back from 6-18 down to beat South Africa 23-21 at Twickenham on Saturday, bringing to an end the worst run of defeats for over thirty years, but increasing the clouds above Jake White's office.
Scotland underlined their burgeoning stature with a well-taken 34-22 victory over a game Pacific Islanders side at Murrayfield on Saturday. But the win, in which the hosts had led 31-5, was marred by injuries to Johnnie Beattie and Chris Cusiter, both of whom now look doubtful for Scotland's match against Australia next week.
New Zealand completed a series whitewash over France courtesy of a hard-fought 23-11 victory at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday evening. The locals put in a hugely improved performance, even notching up the day's first try, but the All Blacks warmed to the task and order was soon restored via the impeccable orchestration of Daniel Carter.
Argentina staged a superb second-half comeback to claim a 23-16 victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.
England fought back from 6-18 down to beat South Africa 23-21 at Twickenham on Saturday, bringing to an end the worst run of defeats for over thirty years, but increasing the clouds above Jake White's office.
Argentina staged a superb second-half comeback to claim a 23-16 victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.
All of the Six Nations were in action against invaders from east and south this last weekend. Mercifully, they were matches free of refereeing controversy, but there were still incidents to keep as sharp on our laws as we look at them in action.
Wales look in fine form for their match against New Zealand next week, after they beat Canada 61-26 at the Millennium Stadium on Friday, scoring nine tries.
Wales look in fine form for their match against New Zealand next week, after they beat Canada 61-26 at the Millennium Stadium on Friday, scoring nine tries.
Wales look in fine form for their match against New Zealand next week, after they beat Canada 61-26 at the Millennium Stadium on Friday, scoring nine tries.
Craig Joubert is in Rome to referee the Test between Italy and Argentina who are on a high after beating England at Twickenham last weekend.
New Zealand referee, Chris Pollock is off to Hong Kong this weekend for a World Cup qualifier between Hong Kong and Japan, his first IRB Test.
Taizo Hirabayashi of Japan is a touch judge at Twickenham on Saturday, as he was in Dublin last weekend. He is the top Japanese referee and the first to get onto the International Rugby Board's panels.
Recently we gave some feedback on the meeting of elite referees and referees managers in Lensbury. Here Peter Shortell of Cheltenham gives his response.
In the first week of November 2006 the IRB’s elite referees and their referee managers met at the Lensbury Club in South London to discuss the Laws of the Game.
Two of South Africa’s top referees, both with test experience, Shaun Veldsman and Johann Meuwesen, are to become specialist television match officials (TMOs) from 2007.
It's all go again this weekend with tests in Europe as well as some hectic club activity. It's a great time to be a top referee.
If England thought Saturday's defeat to Argentina was the nadir, they hadn't reckoned on Sunday's papers. Look away now if your name is Andy Robinson...
After all the hectic activities of Saturday, we publish some statistics from matches hosted by the Six Nations.
Ireland underlined their Rugby World Cup credentials by notching up a handsome 32-15 victory over South Africa at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.
Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a late try to seal a narrow 25-18 win fover Italy at Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the home side by three tries to none, but six penalties by fly-half Ramiro Pez kept the Azzurri in the hunt and the heat on the visitors.
Argentina made their most emphatic statement yet that they should be competing in meaningful competition after beating England 25-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.
Scotland coach Frank Hadden tasked his men to "smash" their first opponents of the November series, and they duly delivered, notching up a 48-6 victory over Romania at Murrayfield on Saturday.
New Zealand recorded a terrific win over France, on Saturday with the visitors comprehensively beating their hosts 47-3 at a rain-soaked Stade Gerland in Lyon.
Scotland coach Frank Hadden tasked his men to "smash" their first opponents of the November series, and they duly delivered, notching up a 48-6 victory over Romania at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Four first-half tries were enough to see Wales home to a 38-20 victory over the Pacific Islanders at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, but this error-ridden game never quite lived up to its billing.
Argentina made their most emphatic statement yet that they should be competing in meaningful competition after beating England 25-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.
Argentina made their most emphatic statement yet that they should be competing in meaningful competition after beating England 25-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.
Scotland coach Frank Hadden tasked his men to "smash" their first opponents of the November series, and they duly delivered, notching up a 48-6 victory over Romania at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Four first-half tries were enough to see Wales home to a 38-20 victory over the Pacific Islanders at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, but this error-ridden game never quite lived up to its billing.
Ireland underlined their Rugby World Cup credentials by notching up a handsome 32-15 victory over South Africa at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.
Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a late try to seal a narrow 25-18 win fover Italy at Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the home side by three tries to none, but six penalties by fly-half Ramiro Pez kept the Azzurri in the hunt and the heat on the visitors.
New Zealand recorded a terrific win over France, on Saturday with the visitors comprehensively beating their hosts 47-3 at a rain-soaked Stade Gerland in Lyon.
Ireland underlined their Rugby World Cup credentials by notching up a handsome 32-15 victory over South Africa at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.
New Zealand recorded a terrific win over France, on Saturday with the visitors comprehensively beating their hosts 47-3 at a rain-soaked Stade Gerland in Lyon.
Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a late try to seal a narrow 25-18 win fover Italy at Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the home side by three tries to none, but six penalties by fly-half Ramiro Pez kept the Azzurri in the hunt and the heat on the visitors.
Scotland coach Frank Hadden tasked his men to "smash" their first opponents of the November series, and they duly delivered, notching up a 48-6 victory over Romania at Murrayfield on Saturday.
New Zealand recorded a terrific win over France, on Saturday with the visitors comprehensively beating their hosts 47-3 at a rain-soaked Stade Gerland in Lyon.
Ireland underlined their Rugby World Cup credentials by notching up a handsome 32-15 victory over South Africa at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.
Four first-half tries were enough to see Wales home to a 38-20 victory over the Pacific Islanders at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, but this error-ridden game never quite lived up to its billing.
Argentina made their most emphatic statement yet that they should be competing in meaningful competition after beating England 25-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.
Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a late try to seal a narrow 25-18 win fover Italy at Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the home side by three tries to none, but six penalties by fly-half Ramiro Pez kept the Azzurri in the hunt and the heat on the visitors.
Four first-half tries were enough to see Wales home to a 38-20 victory over the Pacific Islanders at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, but this error-ridden game never quite lived up to its billing.
Matt Goddard will referee his fifth Test at Murrayfield On Saturday, his first in Europe, when Scotland play Romania.
The RFU's promotional material for Saturday's encounter at Twickenham features an England jersey suspended from a meat hook. It's an odd motif for a struggling team to flaunt, especially when in full view of a pride of ravenous Pumas.
The RFU's promotional material for Saturday's encounter at Twickenham features an England jersey suspended from a meat hook. It's an odd motif for a struggling team to flaunt, especially when in full view of a pride of ravenous Pumas.
The RFU's promotional material for Saturday's encounter at Twickenham features an England jersey suspended from a meat hook. It's an odd motif for a struggling team to flaunt, especially when in full view of a pride of ravenous Pumas.
The RFU's promotional material for Saturday's encounter at Twickenham features an England jersey suspended from a meat hook. It's an odd motif for a struggling team to flaunt, especially when in full view of a pride of ravenous Pumas.
Jacques Brunel, France's forward, coach has incurred some Kiwi wrath for suggesting that the All Blacks are trading on refereeing leniency to get a head start at scrum time.
Phew! we have been busy this week and there is the possibility of even greater busy-ness next week end when there are even more matches.
Carlo Damasco, Italy's top referee is heading for Tblissi in Georgia this weekend for a vital World Cup qualifier between Georgia and Portugal - a big journey for the man from Naples.
The Guardian newspaper reports that Paddy O'Brien, the International Rugby Board's (IRB) referees manager, has said that England should have been awarded the try by Jamie Noon which the television match official refused to recommend.
Not only are all Six Nations teams embroiled in battle this weekend but there are also two World Cup qualifiers.
There was some concern about the timekeeping at Millennium Stadium on Saturday when Wales and Australia played to a draw. And the referee of the day has his say on the ending.
The match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham was just four minutes old when the television match official was called upon to give his advice. His advice caused much English grief and consternation.
Twickenham's refurbished South Stand endured a baptism of fire as New Zealand recorded a handsome 41-20 victory over England on Sunday, with Dan Carter bagging 26 points as the holders of the Rugby World Cup fell to their heaviest home defeat of all time.
Twickenham's refurbished South Stand endured a baptism of fire as New Zealand recorded a handsome 41-20 victory over England on Sunday, with Dan Carter bagging 26 points as the holders of the Rugby World Cup fell to their heaviest home defeat of all time.
Twickenham's refurbished South Stand endured a baptism of fire as New Zealand recorded a handsome 41-20 victory over England on Sunday, with Dan Carter bagging 26 points as the holders of the Rugby World Cup fell to their heaviest home defeat of all time.
Guy Fawkes Day, and Tests exploded in Europe with the promise of more to come - and what an exciting start at Cardiff, to be followed by a seven-try match at Twickenham..
Following the meeting of top referees and their managers in Lensbury on Tuesday, the International Rugby Board (IRB) has said that the referees have been instructed to stamp out stamping and backchat. This will start with Saturday's match between Wales and Australia in Cardiff.
The November Tests are on the doorstep. We shall then give stats and do Law Discussions as we usually do.
Christophe Berdos, the top French referee, experienced recently the full range of ups and downs.
Fireworks starts this week as November tests explode all over Europe. The display gets more spectacular as the month moves on.
Paddy O'Brien, recently retired as one of the world's top referees and now the IRB's referees manager, has asked for less talk to and by referees.
Australian fly-half Chris Malone clinched a dramatic injury-time European Challenge Cup victory for Bath over Connacht at the Rec on Saturday.
Australian fly-half Chris Malone clinched a dramatic injury-time European Challenge Cup victory for Bath over Connacht at the Rec on Saturday.
Australian fly-half Chris Malone clinched a dramatic injury-time European Challenge Cup victory for Bath over Connacht at the Rec on Saturday.
Australian fly-half Chris Malone clinched a dramatic injury-time European Challenge Cup victory for Bath over Connacht at the Rec on Saturday.
Former Newport man Jason Strange kicked his old team into touch as Bristol put one foot into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a win over the Dragons in Bristol on Friday.
Former Newport man Jason Strange kicked his old team into touch as Bristol put one foot into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a win over the Dragons in Bristol on Friday.
Former Newport man Jason Strange kicked his old team into touch as Bristol put one foot into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a win over the Dragons in Bristol on Friday.
Former Newport man Jason Strange kicked his old team into touch as Bristol put one foot into the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a win over the Dragons in Bristol on Friday.
Worcester Warriors know what it takes to win on French soil – they beat Montpellier in last season’s European Challenge Cup – but coach Anthony Eddy accepts that high-flying ASM Clermont Auvergne will be an even tougher challenge.
Newcastle Falcons star Mathew Tait has become England's latest injury casualty ahead of their Twickenham appointment with the All Blacks on Sunday week.
Christophe Berdos, the French referee, had a memorable weekend. The unwitting cause of chagrin, he left the field bleeding and was replaced.
Recently there has been much discussion about changes to the Laws of the Game. We give now some reaction from readers.
Worcester centre Dale Rasmussen has been banned for three weeks after pleading guilty to a dangerous tackle on Gloucester's Jonathan Pendlebury at Sixways Stadium on Friday.
We have just had two Southern Hemisphere Finals - the Currie Cup in South Africa and the Air New Zealand Cup. They were both tense affairs on the field, both colourful fiestas off the field, both with top referees. We are going here to look at just one incident from one of the matches, an interesting incident.
Domestic rugby ended in New Zealand on Saturday with three finals, but that is not a year's end by any means.
Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.
Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.
We have had in successive weeks two massive finals - the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein and the Air New Zealand Cup Final in Hamilton - both grand occasions with packed stadiums, and cheerful, colourful spectators in festive mood.
Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.
Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.
The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.
An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.
An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.
The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.
An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.
The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.
An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.
The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.
Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.
Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.
Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.
Bryce Lawrence of Bay of Plenty has been appointed to referee the first Air New Zealand Cup Final. He has high hopes of a great match.
Geoff Miller, one of the great historians and statisticians of the rugby world, has written down some titbits about New Zealand's provincial competition as the final of the Air New Zealand Cup between Waikato and Wellington approaches.
Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.
Bryce Lawrence of the Bay of Plenty has been appointed to referee the first Air New Zealand Cup Final, the lineal descendant of the NPC finals.
While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.
While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.
It's also the weekend of finals in New Zealand, and - can you believe it? - it's the first round of the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup already.
While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.
Bryce Lawrence will referee the Air New Zealand Cup finals between Waikato and Wellington in Waikato Stadium on Saturday evening.
While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.
All referees who have refereed a Currie Cup final will say that it was a, if not the, highlight of their refereeing career, even those who have refereed Test matches. And Jonathan Kaplan talks about the excitement of it all.
We have received quite a response to the announcement of the proposed IRB scrum and breakdown law changes, with particular attention given to the scrum and the likely introduction of the word 'touch' between 'hold' and 'engage'.
Malcolm Changleng of Scotland will referee Spain versus Romania in Madrid this Saturday as the Rugby World Cup Qualifiers continue to produce the finalists for France 2007. After their victory in Georgia, if they win at the University of Madrid Stadium, the Romanian Oaks will qualify and join New Zealand and Scotland in Pool C.
Paul Honiss and Bryce Lawrence have been appointed to referee the Air New Zealand Cup semi-finals.
The Cheetahs (née Orange Free State) have played the Blue Bulls (née Northern Transvaal) seven times in finals. The score is 6-1 to the Blue Bulls.
The first Currie Cup Final was played in 1939, at Newlands when Transvaal beat Western Province. That was the last time Western Province lost a final at Newlands.
The International Rugby Board (IRB), whose primary function is to formulate the Laws of the Game, is concerned about player welfare and is looking at possible law changes in the interests of player welfare.
Jonathan Kaplan becomes just the fifth referee in South Africa's rugby history to have refereed more than two Currie Cup Finals. Only 22 referees have refereed finals. But then there have been only 45 finals.
In South Africa there is all the excitement of the Currie Cup final this weekend, still a great occasion, still the hardest match to get tickets for in South Africa. After all it has been in competition for 114 years.
Unsurprisingly Jonathan Kaplan is to referee Saturday's Currie Cup final in Bloemfontein when the Cheetahs, the holders of the Currie Cup, play the Blue Bulls.
Wayne Barnes of England will referee the World Cup qualifier between Romania and Georgia in Bucharest on Saturday, a Round 5 European qualifier for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.
On Saturday the USA play Uruguay in Stanford in the second leg of their World Cup qualifier, and the referee is Rob Debney of England.
Tension does not abate this weekend as a great Currie Cup season goes into the semi-finals. Semi-finals have not always been with us - not by a long chalk. In fact they are not even 40 years old.
The International Rugby Board's selection committee to appoint match officials met in Dublin and announced the match officials for 29 Tests between 28 October and 26 November.
Following a meeting of the Match Official Selection Committee in Dublin the IRB has announced the match official panels. There are no changes to the panel of referees.
As spring springs higher in the south, the Air New Zealand Cup heads for quarter-finals and South Africa's Currie Cup heads for the semi-finals. It is a tense time when the difference between victory and defeat is so dramatic.
Here we go again - back to lines and line-outs. It is astonishing how often it comes up.
The New Zealand RFU has appointed the referees for the quarter-finals of the Air New Zealand Cup. The top referees are in action.
George Clancy of Ireland is in Ururguay where he will referee his first Test and it is a World Cup qualifier between Uruguay and the USA, the first leg of a qualifier which will decide which of the two will head straight for France in 2007.
There have been some disturbing statistics over the past couple of weeks, which show more clearly than ever that rugby's media bubble is apparently bursting. But it is not the fans who are deserting the game, as some would have you believe, merely that they are not interested in artificial realities, according to Danny Stephens.
Romania kicked off the European Under-20 Championship with a big win over Spain in Sopot, Poland. The reigning champions, Georgia, had a tough time against Russia.
Russia and Spain carry good wins from their first legs which were away. The match in Montevideo is crucial. This is an exciting time for the teams as the carrot of France 2007 dangles in front of them.
Former Australia captain Andrew Slack believes there needs to be a rule change in rugby to allow for more exciting play.
The IRB has made known the referes for its Sevens Series which starts in Dubai in December. Taizo Hirabayashi, the impressive Japanese referee, will referee at all eight tournaments.
The number of Tests has dwindled to just a few in Africa.
The South African panel of referees' selectors has chosen the referees for the semi-finals and finals of the three main SA Rugby Union's competitions.
The Tri-Nations has now run its long, cumbersome course. Sadly it lost its competitive edge when New Zealand won so early.
Andrew Small, rugby referee, enjoys travelling, and this weekend he is off to Ricany, a small town in Central Bohemia, to referee a World Cup qualifier between Spain and the Czech Republic.
Ireland's Simon McDowell will referee the final of the Women's World Cup being played in Edmonton Canada.
"Go West, young man." That was the American exhortation as the country opened up. Port Elizabeth could not go east as it would then tumble down the hill and into Algoa Bay. Instead it went west along the Cape Road, and where the Cape Road meets the Kragga Kamma Road is the upmarket suburb of Framesby.
The Women's World Cup reaches its knock-out stages this week, with semi-finals on Tuesday and the winner to be decided on Saturday. Simon McDowell of Ireland will referee the final.
There are the stats from the match between South Africa and Australia at Ellis Park, plus some totals for all nine weeks of the Tri-Nations including the most penalised player for Tri-Nations 2006, and he is not a "fetcher".
The big match of the pool section of the Women's World Cup, taking place in Edmonton, is between England and France this Friday.
In this year when we celebrated the centenary of the first team to be called the Springboks, the team captained by Paul Roos, Paul Roos end the season as the No.1 team in the FNB Top 20.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the nominees in three of the twelve categories ahead of the ceremony to be held on 26 November at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, Scotland.
The penultimate match of the big 2006 Tri-Nations was played in remote Rustenburg between South Africa and New Zealand.
Hosts Wynberg gave their fans plenty to cheer about when they won the annual Wynberg Under-15 Sevens tournament at the weekend, with a comprehensive 47-17 win over Bishops in the Final.
As expected Bishops won the 2006 Villager Sevens title on Friday night. In front of a small but enthusiastic crowd Diocesan College beat the South African College School (SACS) 19-14 in the final.
Just before half-time in the match between New Zealand and South Africa at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace outside the mining town of Rustenburg, with the All Blacks trailing 13-10, New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore dives under the South African posts and clearly grounds the ball. But the referee asks the television match official for his advice.
The 2006 Tri-Nations ends at Ellis Park on Saturday with the last match for 2006 between South Africa and Australia.
The second round of the Women's World Cup, being played in Canada, takes place on Monday, 4 September in Edmonton.
What a great comeback by South Africa! It's a long journey from 49-0 in Brisbane to 21-20 in Rustenburg.
The Cionfederation of African Rugby's Under-18 tournament is taking place in Casablanca from 25 August to 3 September.
This opens in Edmonton on Thursday, 31 August 2006.
Only three of the teams in the FNB Top 20 played this last weekend - Paul Roos, Bishops and Marlow. Two of those teams met.
It is not often that a scholar from a so-called “smaller” school finds himself in the company of the very best players from the top rugby schools in his province. One has to be a special player to reach the top of such a distinguished bunch of schoolboys, and that is exactly what Johan van Wyk of Hoërskool Gelofte has achieved.
The Tri-Nations goes on, this week in the unusual town of Rustenburg in South Africa's northwest. In England the Premiership starts.
Paul Roos, ranked top of the FNB Top 20, beat Marlow of Cradock 50-12 in the Big Schools final of Die Burger's competition which stretches from Western Province to Eastern Province.
Yet again the cool All Blacks came from behind for a convincing victory, this time beating South Africa 45-26 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria..
The results this weekend have dwindled down to a precious few, and then they will stop altogether. In one of them Wynberg won the last FNB Classic Clash of 2006.
Earlier this season Bishops beat Rondebosch 71-3 in an FNB Classic Clash at Rondebosch. This time they won 75-22 at Bishops.
Wynberg beat SACS 42-3 in the final FNB Classic Clash of the year - and they had a lot to thank SACS for.
Paul Roos Gymnasium and Marlow Agricultural School meet on the Markötter Field in Stellenbosch on Saturday in the final of Die Burger's competition for schools.
The two oldest schools in South Africa meet on the rugby field on Saturday when Wynberg Boys' High host the South African College School (SACS) in a FNB Classic Clash. The match will be televised live on Supersport 1 and MNET (kick-off: 12.25)
The oldest school in South Africa, the South African College School (SACS), plays the second oldest, Wynberg Boy’s High, on Saturday in an FNB Classic Clash. The match will be played at Wynberg and will be televised live on Supersport. Zack Beukman has the honour of leading SACS.
A loose forward who was an instant hit as a prop, big, strong Frik Kirsten is our FNB Player of the Week.
The season is drawing to a close but even in these dying embers there is the bright spark of great matches which have affected the FNB Top 20.
The Tri-Nations match between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland certainly produced drama - and lots and lots of emotional argument - all of claiming impartiality of course!
Adelaide Gimnasium just beat Winterberg Agricultural 10-7 in Fort Beaufort on Saturday, an FNB Classic Clash.
England's referees have urged the International Rugby Board (IRB) to confirm whether they can implement proposed new laws designed to discourage teams from deliberately forcing uncontested scrums.
In Saturday's dramatic match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies, Lote Tuqiri tackled Richie McCaw in what is often called a spear-tackle. Even the New Zealand Prime Minister has had her say about it.
The Tri-Nations moves to South Africa this week. The winner may have been decided but there is still a lot of pride and rivalry at stake.
There were two incidents in Saturday's gripping encounter between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Auckland that have whipped up lots of emotion.
The Queen’s 1st XV ended their 2006 season with a convincing 24-3 victory over Dale College on the Rec on Saturday afternoon, bringing to a close a season which will be remembered as one of the finest in many years.
Affies beat Waterkloof 17-7 in the final of the Beeld Trophy, played at Waterkloof on Saturday.
It was cold and wet in George on Saturday, putting a literal damper on the Pukke/Kwagga Sports Day.
Paul Roos, the top team on the FNB Top 20, won their FNB Classic Clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
On a fine but chilly morning at Rondebosch, SACS were full value for their win if only by virtue of the fact that they scored the only two tries of the match. The final score was a bit closer than in the first game, SACS eventually beating their hosts 16-9.
The big All Black second half decided the outcome of the 2006 Tri-Nations. It was a match with controversial parts - the Elsom try and the Tuqiri tackle, amongst other things.
At the Outeniqua Sports day, in the rain and the cold, Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage beat Worcester Gim 10-0.
Paul Roos travelled up to Bloemfontein and beat Grey College 16-11 in their FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. The match was televised.
There was not the fluency in Bishops play that there had been the week before against SACS as Wynberg competed with zest, but they still won 45-8.
Adelaide Gimnasium play Winterberg Agricultural in Fort Beaufort on Saturday, an FNB Classic Clash.
Waterkloof play host to Affies in the Beeld Trophy Big Schools Final on Saturday. Waterkloof are ranked 2nd on the FNB Top 20, Affies 3rd.
Winterberg Agricultural College host Adelaide Gimnasium in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Gerhard Strydom captains the hosts from the side of the scrum.
Adelaide Gimnasium travel 30 kilometres out of town on Saturday to face local rivals Winterberg Agricultural College in a FNB Classic Clash. Ricky de Gouveia captains Adelaide.
Two of South Africa’s great rugby schools meet on Saturday when Grey College of Bloemfontein play host to their traditional rivals Paul Roos Gimnasium from Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The match is a televised FNB Classic Clash and centre Wayne Stevens captains the hosts.
The harmony Sports Academy is a school with a difference - a school and yet not a school. It contracts out the academic side of school life and gets on with the sporting side.
Scott Young, the top referee, has decided to call active refereeing a day and get on with business.
With the Springboks in the throws of a very disappointing season, David Morris beseeches South Africa's selectors to open their eyes to alternatives...
Marlow Landbou of Cradock beat Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday.
This is a big one - Grey against Paul Roos in an FNB Classic Clash - the lion and the unicorn battling it out all over Bloemfontein top see who will wear the crown.
There are fewer matches now but there have also been some top flight matches - great schools going head to head with each other with a few surprising results which have produced changes in our FNB Top 20, where so many great rugby schools run each other so close.
Against SACS on Saturday Mathew Turner, the Bishops left wing, scored six tries. He is the FNB Player of the Week.
Gill College of Somerset East, overwhelming favourites in their FNB Classic Clash against Cradock High won 10-9 with a penalty a minute before the end.
In their FNB Clash in Malmesbury on Saturday Schoonspruit beat Wesbank 36-10, a record score for this derby.
Paul Roos are the No.1 ranked team in the country and captaining them is a real honour. Stephan van der Merwe has that honour.
In their FNB Classic Clash with Klein Nederburg New Orleans won again but just 7-5.
After a great career as an international referee, Scott Young of Australia has decided to end his refereeing career at the end of the current domestic season in Australia.
Outeniqua’s annual sports day takes place kin George on Saturday. 16 rugby teams will take part
The Queen's 1st XV continued on their winning way but made heavy weather of their 34-19 victory over Cambridge un East London on Saturday afternoon.
In an exciting clash of the youngsters, the New Pretenders to the senior rugby thrones of Kenya and Uganda faced off against each other in the second Elgon Cup curtain-raiser match at the famous Harlequins ground in Nairobi last Saturday. The hosts emerged convincing victors, scoring 29 points to Uganda’s 10.
New Zealand play Australia in Auckland. They could well decide the fate of the Tri-Nations by winning the match, even though there are three matches still to be played.
The Springbok rugby team has not had a great year, certainly one of the worst since the return from isolation in 1992 - with a four-match losing streak. Dave Morris takes a look at what is available in terms of player power.
Union High beat near neighbours Volkskool 30-3 in an FNB Classic Clash in Graaff-Reinet on Saturday.
In cold, windy Uitenhage, Daniël Pienaar beat Port Rex 48-13 on Saturday after leading 19-6 at half-time.
Bishops beat SACS 76-14 on the Piley Rees Field at Bishops on Saturday.
Graeme captain and flyhalf Lorenzo Southey dominated against Muir on Saturday to give Graeme a surprise but convincing 29-13 victory.
Saving their best for last, Glenwood's 'Green Machine' produced a champions look about it’s 14-10 victory over highly ranked Grey College on Dixons Field in Durban on Saturday.
There were few matches this weekend but some big ones, including four FNB Classic Clashes.
Schoonspruit and Wesbank, both keen rugby schools in Malmesbury, meet in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday afternoon.
Klein Nederburg and New Orleans meet in an FNB Classic Clash at the Faure Street ground in Paarl on Saturday.
Malmesbury plays host to a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday when Wesbank and Schoonspruit meet. Talented loose forward Vincent Roberts will lead out Schoonspruit.
Union High and Volkskool are just down the road from each other, and the rivalry between the two has been great down the years.
Cradock High travel the 110 km across to Somerset East for their FNB Classic Clash with Gill on Saturday.
Union High and Volkskool, near neighbours, play in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday, a match which will be televised.
Elrich Kroutz leads Klein Nederburg against New Orleans in the second successive week of big Paarl Derbies at the Faure Street Sportsground, another FNB Classic Clash.
Wesbank Sekondere Skool is a big school in Malmesbury, a keen rugby school.
The original inter-schools derby between Gim and Boishaai may have taken place in Paarl last week but an equally important FNB Classic Clash takes place in the town this week as New Orleans and Klein Nederburg do battle. For the second year in a row Herschall Collins captains New Orleans.
Nottingham High School from England, founded in1513, are touring South Africa and in the third game of their tour they faced the South African College High School (SACS), the oldest school in South Africa. Founded in 1829 SACS may give away more than 300 years in history to Nottingham but the hosts were more than a match for their visitors on the rugby field. SACS running out comprehensive winners by 48 points to five.
The Graaff–Reinet derby between Volkskool and Union High is another FNB Classic Clash. Gareth Light will lead out Union High.
Malmesbury plays host to a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday as local schools Schoonspruit and Wesbank face each other in the town derby. Melvin Lazarus captains the underdogs on their big day out.
Possibly the outstanding result of the weekend was Waterkloof' victory over Monument, a big turnabout from what happened earlier in the season and ending Monnas' reign as Beeld champions.
In the wet South Western Districts Marlow Landbou of Cradock beat Oakdale Landbou of Riversdale 25-18 un a close FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.
France's Top 14 starts on 18 August wuith the match between Biarritz and Clermont Ferrand.
The Beeld Trophy for big Schools is building to a climax and will crown a new winner this hear after Waterkloof knocked out Monument.
Cradock High School travel to Somerset-East on Saturday to face Gill College in a FNB Classic Clash. Hannes Lombard will lead out the visitors in what is his forty-seventh game for the 1st XV.
Graaff-Reinet hosts a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday as Volkskool and Union High meet in the local derby. Iaan Fourie captains Volkskool from the scrumhalf position.
Gill College of Somerset East host Cradock High in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Hlanga Nodongwe captains the host team.
It is quieter this weekend without Tri-Nations matches, but there is an important World Cup qualifier in Newfoundland.
Despite a spirited performance from the plucky young Hangklip side, they were no match for the superior Queen’s 1st XV who dominated the match from start to finish and ran out worthy winners by 44 points to nil, playing some entertaining rugby in the process.
There were some big results this weekend including two FNB Classic Clashes-in Riversdale and Paarl.
SACS produced their best performance of the season in outplaying the highly rated Strand outfit by 41 points to three in Newlands on Saturday. The field may have been wet from the week's rain but the weather and the SACS team were hot.
Beaten in Pietermaritzburg Glenwood turned the tables on College by beating them 19-14 in Durban.
It was a strange match in Sydney when Australia beat South Africa 20-18 - mostly drab but with a thrilling finish.
Paarl Gim duly won their great Interschools in Paarl, beating Paarl Boys' High 23-17 in their FNB Classic Clash.
Hilton received DHS on Saturday and beat them 26-15.
Australia played New Zealand in Brisbane and lost. For the first time this Tri-Nations there were no post-match complaints about the refereeing. A mercy!
In an attractive FNB Classic Clash played at Boland Stadium on Saturday, Bergrivier beat Wellington rivals Weltevrede 14-0.
Gill College of Somerset East is one of the grand old schools of South Africa. As with several great schools, like SACS, Bishops and St Andrew's it was part university. In Somerset East!
There is only really one true Interschools, although many have tried to adopt the name, and that is Boishaai against Gimnasium in Paarl. Thys-Koch Burden will lead out the men in blue at Faure Street on Saturday afternoon.
Muir College of Uitenhage defeated Despatch 20-17 in an entertaining schools rugby match played in dampish conditions in Uitenhage on Tuesday, 1 August 2006.
Oakdale Agricultural High School of Riversdale host Marlow of Cradock in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Johan Mõller captains the hosts.