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NEWS: All Black and former Chiefs co-captain Liam Messam has made a surprise return to the Hamilton-based franchise.

REACTION: Brumbies fullback Tom Banks says Western Force have plenty of threats without banned centre Tevita Kuridrani, who will miss the Super Rugby AU semifinal.

NEWS: The Western Force have suffered a huge blow with strike centre Tevita Kuridrani rubbed out of their historic Super Rugby AU semifinal against the Brumbies on Saturday.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: UCT hammered CUT in a top-of-the-log Varsity Cup clash at Tuks Stadium on Monday, while UP-Tuks claimed a hard-fought win against UWC.

TRANSFER NEWS: Munster Rugby and the IRFU confirmed that scrumhalf Rowan Osborne will join the province at the start of the 2021/22 season on a one-year contract.

INJURY UPDATE: Former France wing Yoann Huget is likely to have played the final game of his career after Toulouse said on Monday he had torn his Achilles tendon.

NEWS: Harlequins centre André Esterhuizen and Bath prop Beno Obano will both appear before an online independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen will have to make some big decisions ahead of his team's Rainbow Cup opener against the Bulls on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Following a stellar Six Nations campaign, Wayne Pivac’s championship winners are set to take on current world champions, South Africa.

NEWS: Wasps director of rugby Lee Blackett described Joe Launchbury’s knee injury as a “gut-wrenching moment” and admitted he fears it will keep the captain off the pitch for a lengthy period.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Bryan Habana has picked his Springbok team to face the British and Irish Lions this year.

SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls honour the class of 1997, who is the only provincial team to secure a win over the British and Irish Lions. 

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt is expecting the Stormers to try and bully them in the set-pieces once again in their Rainbow Cup SA opener.

NEWS: The Queensland Reds have received approval from the Queensland Health Department to return to Brisbane following their Super Rugby loss to the Western Force in Perth.

OPINION: The imminent departure of World Cup-winning Springbok Mbongeni Mbonambi to the Sharks may yet turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the Stormers.

REPORT:  Saracens successfully negotiated the toughest assignment of their Championship season by crushing leaders Ealing 48-20 at StoneX Stadium.

LIFE OF A LION: Watch Jamie Heaslip as he discusses his life as a British and Irish Lion – ahead of the tour to South Africa.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Wasps' miserable run of Premiership results ended as they won a game of nine tries 39-29 against Bath at the Ricoh Arena.

SPOTLIGHT: Premiership chiefs will meet Monday in an attempt to find a solution to the problem of player release for the British and Irish Lions.

TOP LEAGUE WRAP: There were some mixed results for the Australians in Japanese rugby's Top League but Michael Hooper can't complain after his side made the quarterfinals.

RAINBOW CUP MATCH REPORT: The Dragons started their campaign with a 52-32 bonus-point win over Welsh rivals Scarlets.

REACTION: It was not a great game and an act of thuggery further soured the occasion.

SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA MATCH REPORT: The Crusaders will host the Final, after they blew an error-prone Blues team away in Christchurch on Sunday.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: Scrumhalf Antoine Dupont said he was worried for Yoann Huget, after the France wing suffered an Achilles injury.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Nine match between the Crusaders and Blues in Christchurch.

RAINBOW CUP REPORT: Damian de Allende put in a man-of-the-match performance in Munster's impressive 27-3 victory over Leinster in Dublin.

RAINBOW CUP REPORT: The Ospreys began their Rainbow Cup campaign with a bonus-point 36-14 victory over the Cardiff Blues at the Liberty Stadium.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Pro14 Rainbow Cup Round One match between Leinster and Munster in Dublin.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: A second-half hat-trick of tries from Francois Hougaard was not quite enough to secure victory for Worcester as they went down 32-35 to play-off contenders Sale Sharks at Sixways.

SPOTLIGHT: @king365ed continues to dig into the mire that is the WPRFU and Newlands boardroom saga - with some shocking financial revelations.

RAINBOW CUP REPORT: Benetton ended their long wait for a Pro14 victory as they opened their Rainbow Cup campaign with an impressive 46-19 win against Glasgow Warriors in Treviso.

NEWS: This weekend's Top 14 match between Bordeaux-Begles and Montpellier was postponed on Saturday after Bordeaux reported another positive Covid-19 case within their squad.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: The Waratahs is the first Australian team to endure a winless campaign, following a 25-36 loss to a Rebels side reduced to 13 men.

REACTION: Chiefs match-winner Damian McKenzie revealed why he apologised 'regularly' to teammate Bryn Gatland in the 26-24 win over the Hurricanes.

REACTION: The Queensland Reds have been made to pay for their decision to turn down two late penalties in their 27-30 loss to the Western Force.

REACTION: The Western Force have been hammered twice by the Brumbies this season, but they are backing themselves to turn it around in next week's Super Rugby AU semifinal.

WATCH as @king365ed interviews Toulouse-based coach AB Zondagh about why South Africans enjoy settling and playing in France.

RAINBOW CUP REPORT: A last-gasp try from replacement winger Peter Sullivan gave Connacht a dramatic 26-24 victory over Ulster at the Kingspan in the PRO14 Rainbow Cup’s opening round.

RAINBOW CUP REPORT: Matt Currie scored a try on his first Edinburgh start as Richard Cockerill's side claimed an opening PRO14 Rainbow Cup triumph courtesy of an improved second-half display against Zebre.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: The reigning champions Exeter Chiefs made a statement with impressive 20-12 win over log-leaders Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate. 

SPOTLIGHT: The revised schedule for the PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA will see three consecutive “Super Saturdays” of top-class local rugby action, starting next weekend on May 1.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Pro14 Rainbow Cup Round One match between Ulster and Connacht in Belfast.

SPOTLIGHT: The one position where British and Irish Lions don't have any clarity, ahead of their series to South Africa, is at flyhalf.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: The Western Force have beaten the Queensland Reds in a 30-27 to snatch a spot in the semifinals.

REACTION: Rugby World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward did not hold back when describing Rugby Football Union’s Six Nations debrief,

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies star Dane Haylett-Petty says he'd hang up the boots if that was the medical advice as he nears six months out of action while recovering from concussion symptoms.

SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA MATCH REPORT: All Black Damian McKenzie slotted an 82nd-minute penalty to steal a win for the Chiefs and keep them in the hunt for a place in the Final.

TOP 14: Toulouse's former New Zealand prop Charlie Faumuina said a win over Racing 92 in the Top 14 on Saturday would "put them in good stead" for next weekend's European Champions Cup semifinal.

SPOTLIGHT: Saracens and England flyhalf Owen Farrell has been accused of getting away with another highly questionably challenge in his Championship debut.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: After two narrow losses in the last three games, the Blues are turning inwards for their focus for the Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has named his team for their home game against the Blues on Sunday.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Rugby Australia (RA) have confirmed the final schedule for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Nine match between the Chiefs and Hurricanes in Hamilton.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: Maties claimed an important 31-24 victory against UP-Tuks at Loftus Versfeld on Thursday.

LATE CHANGES: The Pro14 Rainbow Cup begins on Friday and despite a late change in format, there are some exciting fixtures to savour in the inaugural competition.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa's World Cup winner Handre Pollard is set to return from injury in the coming weeks.

PREVIEW: The Premiership log-leaders Bristol Bears and reigning champions Exeter Chiefs will kick off this weekend's action.

INTERVIEW: Three more Australian players have been selected in a Japan training squad and Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph has outlined the appeal of defecting north.

NEWS: Two-time European Cup winner Ronan O’Gara has been rewarded for helping steer La Rochelle to their maiden Champions Cup semi-final with a promotion to director of rugby.

OLYMPICS: The Springbok Sevens team returned to full training at their Stellenbosch Academy of Sport base this week, with their eyes firmly fixed on their main goal for the season.

NEWS: Two players have been released by Edinburgh with immediate effect,

OPINION: With the Rainbow Cup now effectively turned into a domestic series, @rugby365com contributor Angus Opperman has come up with a novel idea.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Visits by Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and World Cup-winning prop Frans Malherbe added to the excitement in the last few days at the SA Rugby Academy in Stellenbosch.

LEAVING IT LATE: Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan is not expecting an easy time of things when his team comes up against the Hurricanes on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The British and Irish Lions have found an unlikely ally in Bernard Laporte, with the Frenchman saying it is vital their "legend lives on".

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls will be saying goodbye to one of their forwards.

THE FINAL HURDLE: They hatched the history-making plan during the pre-season, and now the Western Force have the chance to fulfil it when they tackle the Queensland Reds at HBF Park on Friday.

NEWS: Sale Sharks coach Alex Sanderson has revealed that World Cup-winning lock Lood De Jager is determined to feature in the Springboks side that will host the Lions in South Africa in July.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said Wednesday the coronavirus pandemic had cost the sport an estimated £1 billion ($1.4 billion) in lost revenue.

NEWS: Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs is to step down "over the coming weeks" it was announced Wednesday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sale Sharks will be without the services of South African flyhalf Robert du Preez after he was suspended for three weeks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels head coach Dave Wessels has named a strong Match Day 23 ahead of his side’s must-win clash against the NSW Waratahs at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: PRO14 Rugby and SA Rugby will operate dual Rainbow Cup tournaments with no cross-hemisphere fixtures.

SPOTLIGHT: Eben Etzebeth has revealed details of the broken finger accident that currently has him sidelined at Toulon.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs have named their team to face the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday in Round Ten of Super Rugby AU 2021.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: With a place in the Super Rugby AU finals on the line, the Western Force have named a powerful squad to take on the undefeated Queensland Reds for the Anzac Round match this Friday at HBF Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made three changes to their starting XV for Friday’s final round of the 2021 Super Rugby AU regular season against the Western Force in Perth.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dane Coles will step up to lead the Hurricanes in Friday’s Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Chiefs.

VIDEO: Just a couple of months ago, there was a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the Stormers.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has made six changes to his matchday 23 to face the Hurricanes.

NEWS: Three French Top 14 matches at the weekend were postponed following Covid-19 positives at Bordeaux-Begles, Brive and Castres, the league announced on Tuesday.

NEWS: Promising Melbourne Rebels lock Trevor Hosea won't play again unless his team make the Super Rugby AU Final after he was handed a two-match ban.

VARSITY SHIELD WRAP: CPUT scored eight tries in their impressive 54-20 win against TUT at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday, while there were also Round Four victories for UFH and UKZN.

NEWS: The match official appointments for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semifinals have been announced on Tuesday following a meeting of EPCR's selection committee.

NEWS: England head coach Eddie Jones retains the "full support" of the Rugby Football Union following a review into the team's disappointing fifth-place finish in the 2021 Six Nations.

NEWS: Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones announced on Tuesday that he has signed a one-year contract extension with the Welsh Rugby Union and Pro14 side Ospreys.

TRANSFER NEWS: London Irish have bolstered their squad with a South African.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Rainbow Cup has reportedly hit another setback.

SPOTLIGHT: Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has backed his long-time teammate TJ Perenara to succeed in the 13-man code should he agree to terms to join the Sydney Roosters

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Samoa international Jamie-Jerry Taulagi has lodged an appeal against the 10-week suspension.

SPOTLIGHT: Moana Pasifika have revealed key details over the eligibility of its playing roster for next year's Super Rugby competition.

SUPER RUGBY AU SPOTLIGHT: Hunting a Super Rugby AU finals spot heading into the last round, Melbourne are looking for a favour from Queensland in their clash with the Western Force.

WATCH as the All Blacks' world-renowned Haka has transformed throughout the years.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is still not happy with the quality of refereeing in South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's Rugby World Cup winner Elton Jantjies has opened up on his move to France ahead of the upcoming British and Irish Lions series.

INJURY UPDATE: The double champion Bulls will start their Rainbow Cup campaign without two of their World Cup-winning Springboks.

SPOTLIGHT: The Rainbow Cup will see the Pro14's finest share the stage with the best South Africa has to offer.

RAINBOW CUP NEWS: Pro14 champions Leinster will start their Rainbow Cup campaign without one of their key players.

NEWS: Scarlets great Dwayne Peel rejoined his home club as head coach ahead of the 2021-22 season.

NEWS: Super Rugby Aotearoa franchise the Highlanders will investigate how multiple fans were injured in a fall at their home stadium in Dunedin.

SPOTLIGHT: Japan has fast become the epicentre of world rugby.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ambitious Sale Sharks have extended the stay of another big name on their already impressive roster.

WATCH as we bring you some amazing moments from the game - a WWE collection.

SPOTLIGHT: The opening match of the Rainbow Cup will be a fascinating affair - for many reasons.

NEWS: Experienced prop Steven Kitshoff has signed a three-year contract extension with Western Province Professional Rugby (WPPR) and has been appointed Stormers captain.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Blues prop Alex Hodgman will play no further part in Super Rugby Aotearoa this season after copping a three-week ban for the red card during his side’s loss to the Highlanders on Friday.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Melbourne Rebels lock Trevor Hosea has been cited for alleged foul play during his side's defeat to Brumbies.

VARSITY SHIELD WRAP: CPUT, TUT and WSU continued their winning starts to the Varsity Shield at Tuks Stadium on Sunday.

NEWS: All Blacks star Dane Coles has put pen to paper.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: A late converted try helped Bath edge Leicester Tigers 21-20 at The Recreation Ground on Sunday.

NEWS: Fiji's Super Rugby team could be based in New Zealand next year.

SPOTLIGHT: World Cup winner Schalk Brits believes the British and Irish Lions have missed a golden opportunity to boost their chances of a Test series triumph over the Springboks.

REACTION: A lot of fans are not happy with the new captain’s referral rule.

SPOTLIGHT: Western Force coach Tim Sampson is hopeful superstar fullback Rob Kearney will be able to return for Friday's season-defining clash with the Queensland Reds in Perth.

TOP 14 WRAP: Springbok wing Dillyn Leyds was at his best again for French club La Rochelle.

SUPER RUGBY AU REPORT: The Brumbies have held off the fast-finishing Rebels for a 26-20 victory, with the Super Rugby AU finals make-up to come down to the last round.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sale Sharks overcame a first-half red card for Rob du Preez to boost their Premiership playoff prospects following a 25-22 triumph over Gloucester at the AJ Bell Stadium.

TRANSFER TALK: Springbok Juan de Jongh is reportedly set to make a return to the Stormers.

SUPER RUGBY AU REPORT: A late Domingo Miotti penalty gave the Western Force a thrilling 31-30 win over the Waratahs in their Super Rugby AU match in Perth on Saturday.

NEWS: The All Blacks could reportedly square off against a surprise opponent in one of two additional Tests to the three matches already pencilled in for their end-of-year tour.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs recorded their fourth win in a row after they edged the Crusaders 26-25 in Hamilton on Saturday.

NEWS: Agen were relegated from the French Top 14 on Friday despite not playing with their fate sealed by an embarrassing record of 20 defeats in 20 games.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Eight match between the Chiefs and Crusaders in Hamilton.

SPOTLIGHT: Former England lock George Kruis has insisted it would be 'madness' to get rid of Eddie Jones as England head coach.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Northampton Saints moved into the top four, for at least 24 hours, after a bonus-point win over London Irish - winning 44-26 at Franklin’s Gardens.

NEWS: Jersey has been confirmed as the location for the British and Irish Lions’ training camp before they depart for South Africa.

NEWS: A fourth member of South Africa's World Cup-winning Springbok team has signed up for the growing Roc Nation Sports squad.

RIP: John Dawes, the only British and Irish Lions captain to lead the combined side to a Test series win in New Zealand, has died.

SPOTLIGHT: Court cases are always snake pits and gladiatorial, as the opposing camps go head to head. Jan de Koning endeavours to disentangle the WPRFU versus Flyt/Dreamworld stand-off.

NEWS: The trio of Nama Xaba, Kwenzo Blose and Evan Roos are the latest talented young players to commit their futures to Western Province Professional Rugby (WPPR).

JERSEY LAUNCH: The Lions have revealed a new jersey for the 2021 season.

MATCH REPORT: The Highlanders secured their first win at home with a hard-fought 35-29 victory over Blues in Dunedin.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has opened up about his new star.

OPINION: Former England flyhalf Andy Goode believes Warren Gatland made a mistake by suggesting that Premiership clubs could scupper their players’ chances of representing the British and Irish Lions.

SUFFERING FANS: Western Force players are determined to give their long-suffering fans a rare dose of joy in Saturday's clash with the Waratahs at HBF Park.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Eight match between the Highlanders and Blues in Dunedin.

NEWS: Julian Savea has put pen to paper for the team.

VARSITY SHIELD WRAP: WSU scored a late converted try to beat UKZN 32-31, while there were also Varsity Shield wins for TUT and CPUT at Tuks Stadium on Thursday.

PREVIEW: Wayne Barnes will be the man in the middle, for the 237th time, as Round 16 of the Premiership gets underway at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday, with Northampton Saints welcoming London Irish.

NEWS: The Leinster forward has announced his retirement from rugby at the end of the current season.

NEWS: The Parisian Top 14 derby between Racing 92 and Stade Francais, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed to the weekend of May 1 over fears of a potential Covid-19 outbreak.

SPOTLIGHT: England lock George Kruis has given insight to the British and Irish Lions ahead of their Series in South Africa.

PREVIEW: Veteran Wallaby halfbacks Quade Cooper and Will Genia begin the knockout stage of the Japan Top League this weekend with ambitious club Kintetsu Liners.

NEWS: Three innovative law variations have been approved by World Rugby for use in the Rainbow Cup.

WATCH Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White answers many prickly posers - including the uncertainty surrounding the Rainbow Cup

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks got a big reality check during their strategic alignment camps.

SPOTLIGHT: Fiji’s gold medal chasing Olympic Games Sevens players and internationals who have represented other nations are set to join the Fijian Drua squad.

BRUTAL BLOWOUT: New Zealand Rugby has warned that the intensity of the domestic competition is not sustainable.

SPOTLIGHT: Stade Francais captain Paul Alo-Emile warned his side to be wary of a depleted Racing 92 ahead of Saturday's Parisian derby at the La Defense Arena.

NEWS: One of the All Blacks' top players could be saddling up for a switch to the National Rugby League in Australia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force are searching for its second consecutive Super Rugby AU victory on Saturday in Round 9 against the NSW Waratahs at HBF Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs have made three changes to their starting team for their clash against the Western Force.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made five changes to the starting XV for the side's Round Nine Super Rugby AU fixture against the Melbourne Rebels on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels will enter this Sunday’s Super Rugby AU clash against the second-placed Brumbies, welcoming back a plethora of Super Rugby experience.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders will celebrate another big milestone this week, with scrumhalf Mitch Drummond set to become the 20th Crusader to play 100 games for the franchise.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Chiefs return home this Saturday to take on current Super Rugby Aotearoa competition leaders and defending champions the Crusaders.

INJURY UPDATE: All Blacks and Crusaders centre Jack Goodhue is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the year.

TRANSFER NEWS: France second row Romain Taofifenua will join Lyon next season on a three-year deal, the Top 14 club said on Wednesday.

NEWS: Bordeaux-Begles' game at Agen in the Top 14 this weekend has been postponed after the visitors recorded coronavirus cases in their squad, the French national league (LNR) said on Wednesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ireland's Simon Zebo is to return to Munster for the 2021/22 campaign, the Irish province announced Wednesday.

REACTION: Walter Sisulu University captain Litha Nkula has explained why the team performs the All Blacks’ Haka before their Varsity Shield matches.

INTERVIEW: After suffering their second loss of the Super Rugby AU season to the Reds, the Brumbies want to book a win against the Rebels ahead of the play-offs.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok wing Raymond Rhule has been nominated for the prestigious EPCR European Player of the Year 2021 award after his incredible form at La Rochelle.

REACTION: Warren Gatland revealed that English Premiership clubs could scupper their players' chances of representing the British and Irish Lions in South Africa.

NEWS: Kagoshima City will host the Springbok Sevens squad for their final pre-tournament camp before the Olympic Games in Tokyo in July, the City and SA Rugby confirmed on Wednesday.

REACTION: It was probably one of the worst-kept secrets, but the Bulls have confirmed the return of a seasoned European-based utility forward.

SPOTLIGHT: The Walter Sisulu University (WSU) have caused a social media storm after performing a haka before their opening match of the Varsity Shield.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: While the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy is safely in the cabinet, there is still plenty at stake when the Blues take on the Highlanders.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders coach Tony Brown made minimal changes to the side to face the Blues in a Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Eight match.

NEWS: In a significant step forward for Pacific Island rugby, Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua have been granted conditional licences to join a planned new professional competition next year.

TRANSFER NEWS: Another Springbok is heading to Europe ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former Sunwolves star Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco has signed a two-year deal with the Waratahs as he aims to stake a claim in Dave Rennie’s Wallabies squad.

TRANSFER NEWS: New Zealand flyhalf Lima Sopoaga will join Lyon from Wasps next season, the English club announced on Tuesday.

NEWS: Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby Dai Young has signed a "long-term contract", it was announced on Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: South African hooker Reinach Venter will leave Clermont before his short-term deal finishes at the end of the season.

NEWS: Toulouse will welcome Bordeaux-Begles on May 1 in the semifinal of the Champions Cup.

REACTION: Warren Gatland said the British and Irish Lions would benefit from "new voices" on their tour of South Africa.

NEWS: South Africa has lost a third World Cup-winning lock to injury ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour.

SPOTLIGHT: Folau Fakatava’s ACL injury suffered in the Highlanders’ loss to the Chiefs was a blow to the in-form halfback, but it could have far-reaching consequences due to an impending World Rugby law change.

NEWS: The Cape Town Stadium has been gifted the first match of the Rainbow Cup, despite ongoing challenges with the competition.

WATCH as Springboks loose forward Jacques Potgieter revealed the reason why he signed for the Cheetahs.

TRANSFER NEWS: Springboks flyhalf Elton Jantjies has been given the opportunity to leave the Lions.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ulster Rugby agreed terms which will see Springbok Marcell Coetzee released from the club at the end of this month, ahead of his planned departure at the conclusion of the 2020/21 season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Crusaders scrumhalf Bryn Hall believes the Hurricanes may have uncovered their next long-term flyhalf in the form of teenage rookie Ruben Love.

BREAKING NEWS: British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has announced the coaching team for the 2021 tour to South Africa.

VARSITY SHIELD WRAP: CPUT claimed a hard-fought opening-round Varsity Shield win against UFH at Loftus Versfeld, while UKZN routed Rhodes and WSU ripped up the record book against DUT.

SPOTLIGHT: While big money overseas beckons, the Rebels are hopeful off-contract Wallabies playmaker Matt Toomua feels that his future lies in Melbourne.

NEWS: Ardie Savea will miss six to eight weeks because of a knee injury, ruling the Hurricanes skipper out of the Super Rugby trans-Tasman competition.

TRANSFER NEWS: One of the Crusaders' stars will be heading to Ireland.

NEWS: Another Ireland loose forward will retire at the end of the season.

NEWS: An outbreak of Covid-19 in the Toulon squad has led to the postponement of this weekend's Top 14 match at Montpellier.

NEWS: Clermont's bid to win the Top 14 took a blow on Monday.

WATCH as All Black recruit Beauden Barrett continued his rich vein of Top League form for Sungoliath.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Two more South African-born players have been included in Japan's latest squad as they prepare for their June clash against the British and Irish Lions.

REACTION: Despite two massive court cases and a potentially costly disciplinary hearing looming, WPRFU and WPPR deny there is a cash flow crisis. Jan de Koning reports.

UPDATE: All Blacks captain Sam Cane provided an update after he had surgery to repair his torn pectoral tendon.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has bolstered his squad once again.

SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne Rebels may swap one Wallabies star for another.

REACTION: Highlanders coach Tony Brown has effectively ruled out his side qualifying for this year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa Final.

SPOTLIGHT: Injured NRL convert Suliasi Vunivalu says he's likely to return for the next Queensland Reds game and is intent on winning back respect after an inauspicious start to life in Rugby Union.

NEWS: Former Italy captain Massimo Cuttitta has died from Covid-19 complications, the Italian rugby federation (FIR) announced on Sunday. He was 54.

VARSITY CUP: UCT, CUT Ixias and the host UP-Tuks have recorded their third consecutive wins, while UWC bounced back with a win over Madibaz in Round three.

REACTION: James O'Connor's career looked set to fizzle out in 2017, but he has gone from strength to strength since then after addressing a range of off-field issues.

MATCH REPORT:  Toulouse booked a Champions Cup semi-final spot with a 21-12 win over ASM Clermont Auvergne on Sunday at Stade Marcel-Michelin. 

MATCH REPORT: Bordeaux-Begles booked an European Champions Cup semi-final spot with a 24-21 win over Racing 92 on Sunday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal match between ASM Clermont Auvergne and Toulouse at Stade Marcel-Michelin.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal match between Bordeaux-Bègles and Racing 92 at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

TRANSFER TALK: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has reportedly managed to secure the signature of Jacques du Plessis.

REACTION: The opening rounds of last year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa 2020 competition was characterised by exceptionally high penalty counts.

TRANSFER TALK: Stormers may have found the solution to their back row problems ahead of the Rainbow Cup.

MATCH REPORT:  For the second Super Rugby Aotearoa match on the trot, a golden point was needed to separate the two sides.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Harry Potter scored two tries as Leicester reached the European Challenge Cup semi-finals for a second successive season with a 39-15 win over Newcastle.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Seven encounter between the Hurricanes and Crusaders in Wellington.

BREAKING NEWS: The much-vaunted Rainbow Cup may be put on the back-burner. Jan de Koning reports.

EUROPEAN CUP MATCH REPORT: Four-time competition winners Leinster scored a comprehensive 34-22 win over the defending champions Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal match between Exeter Chiefs and Leinster at Sandy Park.

EUROPEAN CUP MATCH REPORT: Springbok wings Raymond Rhule and Dillyn Leyds scored half of La Rochelle's tries, as the French club advanced to the Champions Cup semifinals.

NEWS: Separate reports this weekend suggest that British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has been left short.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal match between La Rochelle and Sale Sharks at Stade Marcel-Deflandre.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: The Queensland Reds have come from 0-12 down to beat the Brumbies 24-22 and seal a Final.

MATCH REPORT: Damian McKenzie's extra-time penalty helped Chiefs record a 26-23 win over the Highlanders on Saturday in Dunedin. 

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Seven encounter between the Highlanders and Chiefs in Dunedin.

INTERVIEW: @king365ed continues his interview series with Australian stalwarts Will Genia and Quade Cooper - with a solution on how to revive Super Rugby.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Bath Rugby cruised into the European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-finals with a 26-13 win over London Irish on Friday at The Rec.

NEWS: A South African player has left his club with immediate effect.

SPOTLIGHT: Two-time British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton picks his starting flyhalf for the British and Irish Lions.

NEWS: The SA Rugby Academy players were beaming with excitement and enthusiasm on Friday as the squad returned to the training field in Stellenbosch for the first time in more than a year.

MATCH REPORT: Western Force have ground out an ugly 16-15 win over Melbourne Rebels to keep alive their hopes of a Super Rugby AU finals berth.

QUARTERFINALS: A Toulouse team powered by France international halfbacks Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack are capable of outwitting rival French giants Clermont.

OPINION: Warren Gatland opted for a 41-man British and Irish Lions squad to travel to New Zealand in 2017, but is going for a slimline 36-man squad to take on South Africa later this year.

WATCH as the Stormers reveal their all-new home and away Rainbow Cup jerseys.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has made several changes to his side to face the Hurricanes in Wellington on Sunday.

NEW: The Highlanders are continuing to build for the future, retaining some of their most senior players.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland has made six changes to his starting XV for the clash against the Crusaders on Sunday.

THE NEW GUY: Few probably knew who Connor Garden-Bachop was at the beginning of 2021 – let alone whether he was any good at rugby.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: Maties recorded their first victory, while NWU Eagles overturned a 16-point deficit to beat the UFS Shimlas 32-22 and wins for CUT, UP-Tuks and UCT in Round Two. 

NEWS: Owen Farrell has been confirmed as Saracens captain on a permanent basis to fill the vacancy created by Brad Barritt's exit from the London club.

QUARTERFINALS: Premiership rivals square-off in two of the four matches in the second-tier European competition's last-eight stages.

WATCH as former Stormers loose forward Jaco Coetzee arrives at his new side Bath.

SPOTLIGHT: Being a World Cup winner has more benefits than just being able to lift a golden trophy.

SPOTLIGHT: Slowly but surely the Premiership Rugby has become a home away from home for many South African players.

SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN: @king365ed sat down for a press conference with Japan-based Australian superstars Will Genia and Quade Cooper. What they said may have SANZAAR bosses choking on their cereal.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Rob Baxter isn’t buying into the chatter that Exeter will be relinquishing their Champions Cup title into the hands of the French.

NEWS: World Cup winner Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira has become the latest Springbok to join world-renowned sports management agency Roc Nation Sports.

VARSITY CUP SPOTLIGHT: The life-changing opportunity to play for UCT during the first-ever Varsity Cup in 2008 gave Kyle Brown’s burgeoning rugby career a big boost.

ALL OR NOTHING: The Western Force are approaching their Super Rugby AU match against Melbourne with a finals mentality, as the two bitter rivals scrap for the third play-off berth.

NEWS: Springbok legend Kobus Wiese has reportedly been rushed to hospital after suffering a "massive heart attack".

NEWS: A Wallaby will return from France in July in a boost for the Wallabies and Melbourne, signing with the Super Rugby franchise through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Chiefs return refreshed from their bye week to venture south this Saturday to take on the inform Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders head coach Tony Brown has made several changes to his side to play the resurgent Chiefs on Saturday in Dunedin.

REACTION: World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf Francois de Klerk has broken his silence over the crunching tackle to his head from Jake Ball.

NEWS: Veteran Stormers lock Chris van Zyl has decided to walk off into the proverbial sunset.

SPOTLIGHT: Guess who Bernard Laporte described as the greatest player he ever coached?

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Samoa international Jamie-Jerry Taulagi was hit with a 10-week suspension.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls have bolstered their front row stock with a 'giant' from Durban.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Toulouse flyhalf Romain Ntamack knows that his team will have to be at their very best when they face Clermont Auvergne in their Champions Cup quarterfinal on Sunday.

REACTION: Veteran Springbok lock Lodewyk de Jager is clinging onto the hope of featuring for the World Cup champions against the British and Irish Lions later this year.

CONTRACT NEWS: Veteran Springbok utility back Willie le Roux has extended his stay with the Japanese club Verblitz.

NEWS: Munster head coach Johann van Graan provided an injury update on World Cup-winning Springbok lock RG Snyman.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels has made five changes to the side to face a fresh Western Force in Round Eight of the Super Rugby AU competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar has revealed his team to face the Reds on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force travel to Melbourne this week as they take on the Rebels in a Round Eight Super Rugby AU clash on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Reds coach Brad Thorn has revealed his team for Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: A pair of Super Rugby stars have weighed in on the debate on who should fill in for Sam Cane as All Blacks captain over the coming months.

INJURY UPDATE: The Highlanders suffered a massive mid-season blow with the news that their star scrumhalf is injured.

REACTION: Social media has been busy reviewing Jake Ball's tackle on Sale Sharks' Faf de Klerk, and retired Test referee Nigel Owens had his say on it as well.

INTERVIEW: Highlanders star Josh Ioane will be available to play for his side again when they face the Chiefs in Dunedin this Saturday.

WATCH as we bring you all the highlights from Round One of the 2021 Varsity Cup tournament - played in a bio-bubble in Pretoria.

NEWS: The Stormers have secured the services of one of the country's top wings.

NEW: A SANZAAR Judicial Committee Hearing has found Brumbies flank Tom Cusack guilty after he was issued with a red card during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

NEWS: The World Cup champion Springboks' preparations for the forthcoming international season will move up a gear in the next fortnight.

SPOTLIGHT: Tonga coach Toutai Kefu has revealed controversial former Wallabies star Israel Folau has expressed interest in returning to Rugby Union to play for the Pacific Island nation.

INTERVIEW: Eastern Province Elephants coach Peter de Villiers spoke to @king365ed about the 'rude awakening' some of his players got in the recently completed Preparation Series.

SPOTLIGHT: Western Force lock Sitaleki Timani says it was a big surprise to be brought back into the Wallabies frame, and he's aiming to make the most of it.

NEWS: Will Miller has interrupted daily milking on his farm to answer an SOS from the injury-hit Brumbies as they push toward back-to-back Super Rugby AU titles.

NEWS: Australian players are turning their backs on the Wallabies to pledge their allegiance to Japan.

NEWS: Confirmation of a travel bubble gave Super Rugby Trans-Tasman new life.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: UCT Ikeys and the NWU Eagles kicked off their 2021 Varsity Cup campaigns with impressive wins at Tuks Stadium on Monday, while UWC and Shimlas played to a thrilling draw.

SPOTLIGHT: As New Zealand Rugby look to cash in on a controversial private equity deal, a left-field potential All Blacks jersey sponsor has emerged – at least according to reports in France.

NEWS: The referee appointments for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-final matches have been announced following a meeting of EPCR’s Match Officials Selection Committee.

NEWS: Leinster will not be getting a late injury boost ahead of their Champions Cup match with Exeter Chiefs, with a number of their first-choice stars confirmed as "unavailable for selection".

SPOTLIGHT: In-form flank Tim Anstee hopes to fulfil both his Olympic and Wallabies dreams this year, but his first goal is to guide the Western Force to the Super Rugby AU finals.

SPOTLIGHT: Jasper Wiese has been one of Leicester Tigers' top players this season and he provided more proof of that in his team's Challenge Cup play-off against Connacht.

SPOTLIGHT: Michael Cheika says the time isn’t right for him to return to Super Rugby to coach the winless Waratahs.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies and Melbourne veteran Matt Toomua says an additional round of Super Rugby AU should be a last resort.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland legend Keith Wood has criticised Munster’s decision to sign another Springbok, saying it sends the wrong message to young rugby players who aspire to play for the province.

SPOTLIGHT: Sale Sharks star Faf de Klerk could have been seriously injured after a brutal clothesline tackle in his team's Champions Cup tie against Scarlets.

FIXTURES: European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) announced the exact dates and kick-off times of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-finals which will be played next weekend.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: CUT Ixias and UP-Tuks emerged victorious on the opening day of the 2021 Varsity Cup at Tuks Stadium.

EUROPEAN CUP MATCH REPORT: Sale Sharks put in a dominant display to dismantle Scarlets in a 57-14 win over the Welsh region in Llanelli on Sunday.

WATCH as Munster's Irish international Christiaan Stander speaks out in the wake of his final game before walking off into the proverbial sunset.

EUROPEAN CUP MATCH REPORT: Replacement hooker Joseph Dweba scored a crucial try 10 minutes from time as Bordeaux-Begles scored a 36-17 win over Bristol Bears.

EUROPEAN CUP MATCH REPORT: Racing 92 put in a stunning display of attacking rugby to defeat Edinburgh Rugby 56-3 on Sunday and secure a spot in the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup Last 16 match between Bordeaux-Bègles and Bristol Bears at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

NEWS: The revelation that World Cup-winning Springbok hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi is set to join the Roc Nation stable will no doubt cause a stir.

REACTION: Mike Brown has revealed why he will leave Harlequins at the end of the season and join Newcastle Falcons.

WATCH why Springbok star and World Cup hero Cheslin Kolbe has gone viral after Toulouse’s Champions Cup win over Munster.

INJURY UPDATE: World Cup-winning Springbok lock Lodewyk de Jager is in a race against time to be fit for the visit by the British and Irish Lions.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Benetton advanced to the quarterfinals of the European Challenge Cup with a 29-16 win over Top 14 side Agen at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

NEWS: Harlequins confirmed that fullback Mike Brown will leave the club at the end of the season

MATCH REPORT: Defending champions Exeter Chiefs thumped Lyon 47-25 at Sandy Park on Saturday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Two late tries from star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont helped Toulouse beat Munster 40-33 in their Champions Cup last 16 match at Thomond Park on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup Last 16 match between Exeter Chiefs and Lyon at Sandy Park.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: A late try by Kotaro Matsushima and a conversion by Camille Lopez helped Clermont edge Wasps 27-25 in their Champions Cup last 16 match at the Ricoh Arena.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup Last 16 match between Munster and Toulouse at Thomond Park.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: The unbeaten Reds have outplayed the Rebels to bank a 44-19 win, with prop Taniela Tupou collecting a try double.

INTERVIEW: It may not be via the Rainbow Cup, but playing in Europe's Champions Cup remains a goal for South African teams.

SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA MATCH REPORT: The Blues bounced back from successive defeats to beat the Hurricanes in a grueling match in Auckland on Saturday.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Curtis Rona's last-gasp try stole 14-man London Irish a dramatic 41-35 victory over Cardiff Blues.

WATCH a highlights pack of the Bulls' latest recruit - Springbok Marcell Coetzee.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Six encounter between the Blues and Hurricanes in Auckland.

REACTION: A New Zealand television presenter has publicly apologised for using a mock Asian accent when referring to the Highlanders' Japanese international Kazuki Himeno.

MATCH REPORT: La Rochelle proved too strong for Gloucester Rugby in their Champions Cup Round of 16 clash, eventually running out 27-16 winners at Kingsholm.

UPDATE: Leinster will progress to the European Champions Cup quarter-finals following their cancelled match against Toulon.

SPOTLIGHT: Scotland flank Hamish Watson has been named Six Nations Player of the Championship by fans after winning the biggest ever vote for the award.

NEWS: Leinster's European Champions Cup last 16 match with Toulon on Friday has been cancelled.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: Former title-winning coach Michael Cheika has watched on as the Waratahs lost a thriller to the Brumbies in Sydney on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Falling just short in their first meeting, Melbourne feel they've now got more "arrows in their quiver" as they attempt to deliver Queensland's first Super Rugby AU defeat.

SPOTLIGHT: A Springbok star and an All Black great hope Super Rugby hasn't seen the last of South Africa's involvement in the competition.

SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA MATCH REPORT: The Highlanders overcame a week of high drama to end the Crusaders' unbeaten run in the New Zealand's domestic competition.

REACTION: Ardie Savea has slammed New Zealand's media over the treatment of All Black flyhalf Josh Ioane and five other Highlanders players.

STAT ATTACK: The loose forwards clearly had a ball during the 2021 Preparation Series.

NEWS: Former Wallaby back row forward Toutai Kefu has been reappointed as coach of the Tongan team until the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Six encounter between the Crusaders and Highlanders in Christchurch.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: All Black midfielder Ma’a Nonu will miss Friday’s Champions Cup Round of 16 match at Leicester.

GAME FOR OLD-TIMES: Toulouse coach Ugo Mola took a colourful swipe at the state of the modern game in the run-up to Saturday's clash with Munster.

SPOTLIGHT: Ulster and Springbok No.8 Marcell Coetzee has been voted in as the PRO14 Player’s Player of the Season for 2020/21.

REACTION: Western Province Rugby Football Union President Zelt Marais has downplayed the role of Tony McKeever in the 'exploratory talks' in the Stade Français Paris saga.

NEWS: The 2020/2021 Pro14 Dream Team has been unveiled.

NEWS: Schools and club rugby received a massive boost on Thursday as SA Rugby granted permission for the players to return to the field in April following a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby is going on a massive drive to tackle the problem of head injuries.

JERSEY LAUNCH: Sharks will don a new kit for the inaugural Rainbow Cup.

WINGING IT: Having bided his time on the sidelines, George Bridge is finally ready for a run with the Crusaders and will make his return to first-class action against the Highlanders.

MIRACLE WIN: Waratahs maintain they can pull off a sporting miracle and break their season duck in one of the Super Rugby AU club's most turbulent weeks in history.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes centurion Julian Savea has been recalled to the starting XV for Saturday’s Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Blues at Eden Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues are amped and ready to ensure that the Easter break will be no holiday for the visiting Hurricanes.

NEWS: It's the news the All Blacks and their fans did not want to hear.

INTERVIEW: World Rugby recently made two significant announcements, both that will benefit the Cape Town Stadium.

NEWS: Gloucester Rugby confirmed that Santiago Socino has signed a new deal with the Cherry & Whites.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South African trio Chris Cloete, Brok Harris and Marcell Coetzee have all been awarded for their impressive Pro14 seasons.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed that Wales coach Wayne Pivac has signed a contract extension through to the 2023 World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa Rugby president Mark Alexander believes they have a strong case for the "safe return of supporters" when they present new proposals to the government next week.

NEWS: The two European finals will be moved from Marseille for a second straight year due to the coronavirus pandemic, European Professional Club Rugby announced on Wednesday.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa forward Rynhardt Elstadt will miss Toulouse's European Champions Cup last 16 visit to Munster this weekend after updated rules from the tournament organisers, the French club's coach Ugo Mola said on Wednesday.

NEWS: The Ospreys announced Wales U20s scrumhalf Harri Morgan has signed a new deal to stay at the Liberty Stadium.

NEWS: Pieter-Steph du Toit was set to put pen to paper for Munster before the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) stepped in.

INVESTIGATION: The well-documented colloquies between Stade Français Paris and the Western Province Rugby Football Union is off the table. Jan de Koning reports.

SPOTLIGHT: The statistics are in and Rassie Erasmus is a happy man.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson says New Zealand Rugby’s [NZR] deal with private equity giants Silver Lake could play a decisive role in his coaching future.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels head coach, Dave Wessels, has made five changes ahead of his team's Round Seven blockbuster against the first-placed Queensland Reds at AAMI Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made four changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s match against the Rebels in Melbourne.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs have named their team to face the Brumbies in Round Seven of Super Rugby AU.

SPOTLIGHT: Feast your eyes on some of the greatest hand-offs in World Cup history.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies wing Tom Wright will make his first appearance this year, overcoming a knee injury to start for the Brumbies in their clash with traditional rivals the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders are refreshed from the bye and preparing to host the Highlanders Christchurch this Easter weekend.

NEWS: Tony Brown says he and the franchise as a whole are "disappointed” to have dropped one-test All Blacks pivot Josh Ioane and five other players from this week’s side.

NEWS: Toulouse will be without a key player when they face Munster in the Champions Cup last 16.

NEWS: Toulon's double Rugby World Cup winner Ma'a Nonu has had his disciplinary hearing for elbowing Lyon's Jean-Marc Doussain moved forward due to this weekend's European Champions Cup last 16.

NEWS: World Rugby has announced eye-tracking technology will be trialled to help with the detection of concussions in the sport.

NEWS: Bordeaux-Begles' Argentina wing Bautista Delguy is set to be out until early May with a hamstring injury.

TRANSFER NEWS:  Following confirmation of CJ Stander’s upcoming retirement, Munster have opted to bring in another Springbok.

NEWS: New Zealand are looking to co-host this year's Rugby Championship with a Southern Hemisphere partner.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: England lock Charlie Ewels will miss his club’s European Challenge Cup round of 16 match at Zebre in Italy this Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Fiji head coach Vern Cotter believes the introduction of Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika to the Super Rugby competition from 2022 can help halt the drain of rugby talent from the Pacific Islands nations.

SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith has hit out at the current state of rugby in New Zealand, labelling the way in which Kiwi teams play as "robotic" and "predictable".

REACTION: World Rugby’s rankings system has come under fire this week as England moved to third in the world despite their dismal Six Nations.

NEWS: Stormers have managed to lock in one of their experienced Springboks.

NEWS: The last PRO14 final reinforced a message that had probably already been received loud and clear by South African teams - Leinster will be the team to beat in the Rainbow Cup.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson expressed confidence Tuesday that a "transformational" private equity deal would proceed, despite reservations expressed by top All Blacks.

TRANSFER NEWS: Munster and the Bulls are in a tug-o'-war over the services of a Springbok lock.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Scotland's Finn Russell has been suspended for three weeks, after striking France's Brice Dulin with his arm in last week's Six Nations game.

NEWS: Australian hooker Tolu Latu "was involved in a traffic accident causing material damage on Sunday" in Paris.

INJURY UPDATE: Ulster suffered a cruel blow ahead of the Irish province’s Challenge Cup meeting with Harlequins on Sunday. 

CONTRACT NEWS: Bristol Bears have confirmed that John Afoa has put pen to paper on a new one-year extension with the club.

NEWS: An extraordinary Six Nations 2021 came to a thrilling conclusion in Paris on Friday with a last-gasp 27-23 win for Scotland over title-chasing France.

SPOTLIGHT: Now that the domestic Preparation Series is complete, South Africa's focus will be on the Rainbow Cup. Jan de Koning reports.

NEWS: Italy Ian McKinley has announced his retirement from rugby, pulling down the curtain on the second act of his remarkable career.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The president of the French Rugby Federation Bernard Laporte told AFP on Monday that he was "confident" that France's tour to Australia in July would go ahead as planned, stressing that "there is no Plan B"

TRANSFER NEWS: Munster flyhalf JJ Hanrahan will join Clermont at the end of the season, the French Top 14 club announced on Monday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former England head coach Sir Clive Woodward has endorsed a New Zealand coach as a potential successor to Eddie Jones in the English top job.

RUDE OR JUST THE RULES: The Bulls have sought clarity over how they must 'interact' with referees.

WATCH as Sale Sharks fullback Luke James received a questionable yellow card for a high tackle against Wasps during Saturday’s Premiership clash.

NEWS: The Highlanders have been hit with an injury blow as Liam Squire has been ruled out for the remainder of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season.

INJURY UPDATE: Queensland Reds trump card Suliasi Vunivalu could be out of action until the Super Rugby AU finals after injuring his hamstring in Saturday's win over the NSW Waratahs.

REACTION: Rebuilding the reputation and culture of NSW Rugby will come before the appointment of a new coach, Waratahs boss Paul Doorn says.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Flyhalf George Ford helped Leicester Tigers beat Newcastle Falcons 26-12 in a physical Premiership encounter at Welford Road on Sunday.

PRO14 REPORT: The Dragons ended their Pro14 season in style with a narrow 24-17 victory over a depleted Edinburgh at the Principality Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs thrashed the Eastern Province Elephants 71-12 in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Gregor Townsend says Scotland have proved they can be serious contenders for international titles after adding France to their list of away conquests in the Six Nations.

SPOTLIGHT: Head coach Wayne Pivac said that Wales are "not the finished product" despite winning the Six Nations title.

STAT ATTACK: Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe was one of the best players in the Six Nations this year and the statistics will back that up.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt was pleased with Siya Kolisi's contribution in a 45-12 win over the Bulls in Durban on Friday.

NEWS: The Waratahs have decided to part ways with head coach Rob Penney, effective immediately, with the coach informed of the decision early on Sunday.

REACTION: The Stormers have had their fair share of problems with the flyhalf position over the years, but that could all change soon with some exciting youngsters coming through.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs woes have been reflected in Wallabies coach Dave Rennie's selection of a 40-man national squad for next month's camp with just four players included.

TOP 14 WRAP: South Africa's Johan Goosen made just his second appearance during Montpellier's 29-16 win over Toulouse on Saturday. 

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sale Sharks survived four yellow cards to claim a narrow 20-19 win over Wasps on Saturday. 

MATCH REPORT: Leinster won a fourth consecutive PRO14 title with a 16-6 victory over Munster in the final.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers recorded a comprehensive 44-12 win over the Lions in their final Preparations Series match on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Pro14 Final between Leinster and Munster in Dublin.

MATCH REPORT: The Griquas recorded a narrow 23-22 win over the Pumas on Saturday in Kimberley.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the South African Preparation match between the Stormers and the Lions in Cape Town.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live scoring of the South African Preparation match between Griquas and Pumas in Kimberley.

SUPER RUGBY AU REPORT: The Queensland juggernaut shows no signs of slowing.

SPOTLIGHT: Wayne Pivac experienced more than most head coaches in his first year in charge of Wales before winning the Six Nations.

REACTION: France coach Fabien Galthie said the Six Nations was like a "boxing fight" after they missed out on the title following Friday's home defeat to Scotland.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Fullback Damian McKenzie scored a try in the final minute to help the Chiefs edge the Blues 15-12 in a Super Rugby Aotearoa thriller on Saturday.

OPINION: A first win on French soil this century is reward enough for Scotland after an imperfect but gutsy win for Gregor Townsend’s men.

REACTION: Scotland flank Jamie Ritchie said France's pre-match boasts about winning the Six Nations was "fuel to the fire" as they won in Paris for the first time since 1999 on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Five encounter between the Chiefs and Blues in Hamilton.

REACTION: The Springboks will use the Rainbow Cup to prepare for the arrival of the British and Irish Lions in July.

SIX NATIONS MATCH REPORT: South African-born wing Duhan van der Merwe scored a double as Scotland beat France to hand Wales the title.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Gloucester recorded only their fourth Premiership victory of the season as they saw off champions Exeter 34-18 at Kingsholm.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations decider between France and Scotland in Paris.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks produced a first-half try-feast to score a comprehensive 45-12 win over the Bulls in their South African Preparation Series outing on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the South African Preparation match between the Sharks and Bulls in Durban.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White produces the ultimate 'put-down' of a journalist.

Pro14 FINAL: Munster go into Saturday's grand finale against Leinster as underdogs.

INJURY UPDATE: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed that a bout of COVID is the cause of talented young lock Walt Steenkamp's heart condition.

SPOTLIGHT: Captain Salmaan Moerat has revealed the impact Springbok lock Marvin Orie has had on the Stormers squad since he arrived from the Lions.

MATCH REPORT: The Brumbies have bounced back in style with a thumping 42-14 victory over the Western Force in their Super Rugby AU clash in Canberra.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers’ first foray into Europe has been confirmed with the news that the Rainbow Cup will kick-off on the weekend of April 24, with fixtures for the first three rounds now established.

NEWS: Japan needs to join a regular international competition if they are to achieve their ambitious goal of winning the Rugby World Cup, the country's union chief said Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie has revealed his team to face the Eastern Province Kings in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are a number of changes to the Stormers team for their final preparation game against the Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Hurricanes broke their Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021 duck with an impressive 30-19 win over the Highlander on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Test referee Nigel Owens has opened up about the behaviour of players after a number of red cards in this year's Six Nations.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales may be reduced to the role of onlookers as they wait to see if they are crowned Six Nations champions, but one Welshman could yet have a key role in the outcome of Friday's title-decider.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Five match between the Highlanders and Hurricanes in Dunedin.

LAST CHANCE: South Africa's four Europe-bound franchises will use this weekend for their final 'experiments'. Jan de Koning reports,

SPOTLIGHT: Neil Back has urged Twickenham to keep faith with embattled head coach Eddie Jones in the belief he is best equipped to lead England out of their slump.

SPOTLIGHT: Scotland captain Stuart Hogg said on Thursday he has been annoyed by France talking about their title hopes before this weekend's Six Nations decider in Paris.

TEAM UPDATE: Scotland No.8 Matt Fagerson has been ruled out of their final Six Nations match with title hopefuls France on Friday due to an ankle injury said head coach Gregor Townsend.

REACTION: World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi will be required to play an 'unfamiliar' role at Kings Park on Friday.

PREVIEW: The business end of the season is upon us and where better to start Round 15 than with a West Country cracker on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Griquas have made minor changes to their starting XV for their Preparations Series match against the Pumas.

NEWS: A lengthy nine-week ban has been handed down to Newcastle player Mateo Carreras following his citing for intentional contact with the eye of Wasps’ Josh Bassett.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen continued with his experimentation.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Coach Dave Rennie appears resigned to losing his best player, Marika Koroibete, with cashed-up overseas competitions increasingly the biggest threat to the success of the Wallabies.

TRANSFER NEWS: Danny Cipriani will join Bath Rugby in May on an extended one-year contract, to include the completion of the 2020/21 season.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Stormers have taken another giant leap towards securing their future.

NEWS: Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has named his Chiefs team to face the Blues on home soil following their 35-29 win over the Hurricanes last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Leon MacDonald has revealed his Blues team to face the Chiefs in Hamilton.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Peter de Villiers has revealed his team to face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

JUDICIAL HEARING NEWS: Blues prop Ofa Tuungafasi has escaped sanction for his ruck clearance in the loss to the Crusaders last week.

BOUNCE BACK: Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White says they've been stewing on their first Super Rugby AU loss and are eager to "right some wrongs" against the Western Force on Friday.

SIX NATIONS PREVIEW: The best defence of the past two editions of the Six Nations stands between France and a first title in more than a decade as a depleted Scotland head to Paris on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT:  The Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has been named in the Sharks' starting XV for Friday's Preparations match against  Bulls.

REACTION: World Rugby received widespread support for backing plans to include two Pacific island teams in Super Rugby.

MCKENZIE FACTOR: After last week's performance, there were numerous calls for Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan to shift Damian McKenzie from fullback into the No.10 jersey.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, continues rotating his squad as he named the group that will travel to face the Sharks.

SPOTLIGHT: New Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos is urging powerbrokers to "get on the front foot" as he pushes to host the entire Rugby Championship later this year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  World Rugby announced on Wednesday it will help fund two domestic Pacific Island teams' potential inclusion in Super Rugby.

MEDICAL REPORT: The Bulls have provided an extensive update on several of their injured stars.

INTERVIEW: Even though it is no more than a pre-season match, the Sharks are amped for the arrival of the champion Bulls in Durban on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head Coach Gregor Townsend has made four changes to his starting XV for Scotland’s final Six Nations match against France at Stade de France, Paris, on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lock Bernard Le Roux returns to France's starting side in five changes for this week's Six Nations decider with Scotland in Paris, head coach Fabien Galthie announced on Wednesday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Matt Banahan of Gloucester Rugby and Kobus Van Wyk of Leicester Tigers each appeared before an online independent disciplinary panel.

SPOTLIGHT: A new "game-changing" saliva test could provide quicker and more accurate treatment of concussion in rugby union.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Queensland Reds have made four changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s away match against the Waratahs in Sydney.

WATCH as we bring you three contentious incident from the past weekend's Six Nations. Two resulted in bans and in one there was no action.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs head coach Rob Penney has made seven changes to his starting team to face the  Reds in Round 6 of Super Rugby AU.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has tweaked his team for their trip to Kimberley on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force face second-placed Super Rugby AU side the Brumbies on Friday at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallaby James Slipper is set to return to the Brumbies starting team at tighthead prop, with Nic White named to lead the side against the Western Force this Friday at GIO Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders coach Tony Brown has sprung a playmaking surprise for their upcoming clash against the Hurricanes in Dunedin on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers coach John Dobson has been forced to address yet another transfer rumour about one of his Springboks.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Paul Willemse will miss France's Six Nations title-decider against Scotland in Paris on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The winless Hurricanes received a timely boost ahead of their trip to Dunedin on Friday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Ireland midfielder Bundee Aki have been banned for four matches, following his red card in last Saturday’s Six Nations win over England in Dublin.

TOP 14 NEWS: Former Toulouse boss Rene Bouscatel said he will "fight tooth and nail" to defend French clubs, after being elected French rugby league.

REACTION: The performance of England coach Eddie Jones will be subjected to a "brutally honest analysis" as part of a review into the holders' dire Six Nations performance.

NEWS: South Africa Rugby said they still planned to host the British and Irish Lions this year, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEWS: South Africa is set to get an unexpected boost, with a report that the British and Irish Lions tour will go ahead as originally planned.

SPOTLIGHT: Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter has distanced himself from media speculation that he is the next England coach in waiting.

OPINION: For the past four seasons, Richie Mo’unga has been one of, if not the best performer at Super Rugby level. Why can't he replicate that at Test level?

TRANSFER NEWS: Leicester Tigers confirmed Freddie Burns back to the club ahead of the 2021/22 season.

OPINION: Warren Gatland will now have a fairly good idea of who is going to be in his British and Irish Lions squad later this year. Josh Raisey looks at his options.

SPOTLIGHT: Queensland Reds inside centre Hunter Paisami has a baby on the way but it wasn't the only reason he ran with a spring in his step on Saturday.

CONTRACT NEWS: Highlanders lock Pari Pari Parkinson has opted against leaving Dunedin and instead extended his contract for one more year.