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TOP 14 WRAP: Hapless French side Agen slumped to their 16th successive defeat on Saturday with a 19-39 loss to Montpellier.

PRO 14 CONFERENCE B WRAP: Edinburgh's Champions Cup bid suffered another blow as they were overpowered 22-10 by Munster at Murrayfield on Saturday.

PRO14 SATURDAY WRAP: Scarlets kept alive their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions Cup with a comprehensive 41-17 bonus-point victory over Benetton in Llanelli.

SIX NATIONS NEWS: Covid-19 continued to spread through France's Six Nations squad on Saturday after prop Mohamed Haouas and wing Gabin Villiere followed scrumhalf Antoine Dupont and coach Fabien Galthie in testing positive.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Exeter Chiefs suffered their second home Premiership defeat of the season after Joe Simmonds failed to take a last-minute conversion against Northampton Saints.

UPDATE: Premiership Rugby confirmed that Worcester Warriors have been awarded four match points and Newcastle Falcons two following the cancellation of their Round Ten match, which was due to be played on Saturday.

WATCH as we pay tribute to legendary Springbok Joost van der Westhuizen on the day he would have turned 50.

SPOTLIGHT: Top League chairman Osamu Ota has thrown his support behind the concept of a Club World Cup with the aim of Japanese clubs stamping their mark on the global rugby scene.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: In the wake of All Blacks great Dan Carter's retirement on Saturday, here is a look at some of his career highlights.

NEWS: Ulster, the Bulls and Springboks will be sweating over the extent of Marcell Coetzee's injury for the 48 hours.

TOP 14 REPORT: Racing 92 coach Laurent Travers said Argentina wing Emiliano Boffelli still needs to settle into life in France.

UPDATE: Jan de Koning brings you the latest on the ever-evolving Newlands and WPRFU saga.

BREAKING NEWS: One of the greatest players of all time has retired - after nearly two decades on the professional circuit.

PRO14 WRAP: Leinster stretched their lead at the top of Conference A to five points with a 35-29 win at Dragons.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Bath secured a late win against local rivals Gloucester, as Rhys Priestland slotted a 48-metre penalty in the 78th minute.

SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning unpacks the details of the ballyhooed transfer fee saga that saw World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi join the Sharks this week.

NEWS: Wales prop Dillon Lewis will play no part in this year's Six Nations Championship after being released from coach Wayne Pivac's squad.

NEWS: France's best player has tested positive for Covid-19, just over a week from his team's next Six Nations match against Scotland, the French Rugby Federation announced on Friday.

NEWS: One of South Africa's fastest players has signed with the Sharks until 2022.

SPOTLIGHT: The BlitzBoks got very good value in their first hit-out of 2021.

WATCH as we bring you the highlights of the opening round of Super Rugby AU 2021.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: The defending-champion Brumbies got their campaign off to a flyer with an impressive 27-11 win over the Western Force in Perth on Friday.

TOP14 PREVIEW: Agen president Jean-Francois Fonteneau said this season is a "write-off" as his side look to avoid a record 16th straight defeat to start a French Top 14 campaign by hosting fellow strugglers Montpellier on Saturday.

UPDATE: SA Rugby announced on Friday that they will be broadcasting all 16 preparation fixtures live when the local rugby season kicks off next weekend.

SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: The Reds got their 2021 campaign off to an impressive start - with a record score in a 41-7 bonus-point win over the Waratahs.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Blue Bulls Company announces the signing of the electrifying quick Madosh Tambwe effective immediately.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Highlanders ended their pre-season campaign with a 35-12 win over he Hurricanes in Alexander on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland coach Andy Farrell said he refused to take bottom-of-the-table Italy lightly and considered next week's Six Nations game "a dangerous match."

SPOTLIGHT: The Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos admitted that any chance of South Africa returning to Super Rugby is slim to none.

NEWS: The Western Province Professional Rugby board has appointed two additional independent directors.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Utility back Damian McKenzie has been named to start in the Chiefs' final warm-up of the year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues will have eight of their 10 All Blacks from 2020 available this weekend, when they face the Chiefs and Crusaders in a game-of-three-halves in Cambridge.

WATCH as Sharks Chief Executive Officer Eduard Coetzee addresses the vexed issue of transformation.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders travel north for their rescheduled pre-season fixture against the Blues and Chiefs on Saturday.

NEWS: Edinburgh and Scotland prop Willem  Nel has signed a new two-year contract.

INJURY UPDATE: George North has been given the "green light" to win his 100th Wales cap against England in next week's Six Nations international in Cardiff.

SPOTLIGHT: Coach Andy Farrell said he "embraces" the pressure he is under after Ireland lost their opening two Six Nations matches for the first time.

PREVIEW: With the Six Nations taking a week off, the spotlight is firmly on Round 10 of the Premiership and there are five enticing matches.

TRANSFER NEWS: Springbok lock Marvin Orie has signed with Western Province Rugby and will join the Stormers training squad in their preparations for the 2021 season.

PREVIEW: Whether it is the race for a place in the final, a Champions Cup berth or simply pride, the remaining rounds of the campaign promise plenty of twists and turns.

WATCH as Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee addresses the captaincy debate after the high-profile signing of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi.

REACTION: World Rugby has issued a response to the letter written by Progressive Rugby, a new lobby group spearheaded by retired England international James Haskell.

WATCH as the double-champion Bulls' technical analyst John-William Meyer answers fans' questions.

NEWS: The first organised Sevens hit-outs of 2021 bring a huge sense of anticipation and relief as all involved are very keen to measure the progress they have made thus far this year.

TRANSFER NEWS: One of South Africa’s rising stars is set to head north.

WATCH Springboks duo Steven Kitshoff and Bongi Mbonambi share their scrummaging expertise with the South Africa Women side.

LONG WAIT IS OVER: Australia's revved up domestic competition kicks off Friday, with rule tweaks designed to encourage more expansive play.

N THE SPOTLIGHT: Jack Cornelsen’s father Greg made rugby history for the Wallabies but, as he prepares for a fourth season in Japan, the 26-year-old forward is eyeing a Test jersey of a different colour.

TRANSFER NEWS: Glasgow Warriors have pulled off a major transfer coup ahead of the 2021/22 season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Crusaders will play a rescheduled pre-season game this weekend, with the Chiefs announcing that they will host both the Crusaders and Blues in a game of three halves on Saturday, February 20 at Hautapu Sports in Cambridge.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wales flyhalf Rhys Priestland will join Cardiff Blues for next season, the Pro14 side announced.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: France have brought in Demba Bamba has part of the three changes to their 31-strong Six Nations squad.

THE LATEST: British and Irish Lions officials will meet on Thursday to discuss the proposal from Rugby Australia to host the series versus South Africa.

NEWS: Another positive test brings to three the number of positive Covid-19 cases in the France camp.

NEWS: Premiership Rugby can confirm that Newcastle Falcons’ Premiership Rugby match against Worcester Warriors, scheduled for Saturday, February 20, has been called off.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Four All Blacks will make their first appearances for the Hurricanes this year after being named to start against the Highlanders in their final pre-season match in Alexandra on Friday.

NEWS: The Bok lock has now had three surgeries on his shoulders and the latest injury came during a match at Leicester last season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs will travel to Suncorp Stadium this Friday to kick-off Super Rugby AU, taking on the Queensland Reds.

REACTION: Siya Kolisi said he was attracted to Durban by the Sharks’ vision of success.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Queensland Reds head coach Brad Thorn has named his first team of the 2021 Super Rugby AU season for Friday’s season opener against the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.

TRANSFER NEWS: The next stage in Siya Kolisi’s rugby journey has started.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force will debut five players in Friday’s blockbuster season opener against the reigning champion Brumbies.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones gives a reason behind England's lack of aggression at the start of their Six Nations title defence.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar will unleash Wallabies squad member Len Ikitau at outside centre in the side's opening round of Super Rugby AU against the Western Force in Perth on Friday.

REACTION: Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, paid tribute to former SA Schools captain Muzilikazi “Muzi” Manyike, who sadly passed away recently.

UPDATE: Scotland prop Zander Fagerson will miss the remainder of the Six Nations.

NEWS: The Bulls have suffered a big blow ahead of the upcoming ‘Preparation Series’ and Rainbow Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: Pro14 outfit Dragons have become the latest European club to benefit from the Super Rugby demise of Argentine franchise Jaguares.

NEWS: France's preparations for their Six Nations Round Three match have been disrupted by this latest development.

NEWS: Former South Africa Schools captain and rising rugby star Muzi Manyike has passed away after going missing in November 2020.

NEWS: Grand Slam hopefuls France have suffered a setback in their preparations for their round three match of the Six Nations versus Scotland on February 28.

NEWS: Another narrow victory against 14-man opponents has led to Wales moving up one place in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings for the second consecutive week.

OPINION: As the Super Rugby Aotearoa, Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competitions inch closer to kick-off, a panel of RugbyPass writers have taken it upon themselves to rank the best players across New Zealand and Australia in each position.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Andy Farrell had a message for his backline ahead of the remainder of a 2021 Six Nations Championship that has started so badly for his side.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand’s five Super Rugby teams will play another round of Super Rugby Aotearoa if the planned Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition can’t get underway later this year.

SPOTLIGHT: Nobody has taken ownership of the Wallabies' No.15 position since Israel Folau's departure from rugby two years ago.

NEWS: High-profile Queensland Reds recruit Suliasi Vunivalu has been dropped just days out from his would-be Super Rugby AU debut.

NEWS UPDATE: Attempts by the Stormers to lure a world-class flyhalf to Cape Town may prove fruitless.

NEWS: French Top 14 club Bayonne announced the arrival of Samoa back row forward Afa Amosa.

NEWS: Clermont announced the squad had returned to training in small groups after COVID-19 cases caused the postponement of the Top 14 game at Agen.

REACTION: England flank Jack Willis has vowed to "come back a better and stronger" player following the sickening knee injury he suffered against Italy.

REACTION: Scotland flank Hamish Watson has backtracked on comments he made in the immediate aftermath of Scotland’s loss to Wales at the weekend.

SUPER RUGBY AU BUILD-UP: Brumbies backrow Tom Cusack hopes the Western Force's star-studded line-up are still ironing out some kinks when his side heads west for Friday's Super Rugby AU opener.

REACTION: World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi has opened up about his impending departure from Newlands.

TRANSFER TALK:  In the wake of Siya Kolisi's departure from the Stormers, the South African transfer market has been in a frenzy.

REACTION: Furious Hamish Watson hit out at referee Matthew Carley for sending off prop Zander Fagerson.

REACTION: Kyle Sinckler was just grateful to be back playing for England as coach Eddie Jones suggested he could be the world's best tighthead prop.

WATCH as we bring you all the highlight from the weekend's Six Nations round two action.

REACTION: Ireland let a victory slip away head coach Andy Farrell said after France secured their first win in Dublin since 2011 with a 15-13 victory this past Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY AU BUILD-UP: Western Force coach Tim Sampson says his team are still hurting over last season's winless campaign, declaring the franchise has a point to prove this year.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert said he was wary of Scotland's "ultra-dangerous" Finn Russell after Sunday's win at Ireland kept France on course for a Grand Slam.

SPOTLIGHT: We look at three things we learned from the second round of the 2021 Six Nations Championship.

NEWS: The Blues have cancelled their pre-season clash against the Crusaders at Eden Park this Saturday in the wake of three new COVID-19 community cases in Auckland.

TRANSFER NEWS: Glasgow Warriors confirmed that Australian loose forward Jack Dempsey is heading to Scotstoun ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

OPINION: They say forwards win rugby matches but this was maybe a case of Ireland’s backs being unable to capitalise on their pack’s dominance.

NEWS: Premiership Rugby confirmed that Northampton Saints have been awarded four match points and Newcastle Falcons two following the cancellation of their Premiership Round Nine match.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: France enjoyed their first Six Nations win in Dublin since 2011 with a 15-13 victory over Ireland on Sunday.

REACTION: Italy flank Sebastian Negri has apologised after his tackle left England's Jack Willis contemplating the prospect of a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Wasps edged Worcester Warriors 17-13 in their Premiership Round Nine match at Sixways on Sunday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Six Nations Round Two encounter between Ireland and France in Dublin.

REACTION: Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said the character the team displayed to beat Scotland in a thrilling Six Nations clash showed they "still had pride in the jersey".

REACTION: Former rugby referee Nigel Owens has taken aim at England captain Owen Farrell in a passionate column written in the Daily Mail UK.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: Argentina flyhalf Benjamin Urdapilleta set a new individual points record for the Top 14.

OPINION: Scotland were unable to back up their Calcutta Cup win last weekend as they fell to Wales at Murrayfield.

OPINION: You sensed Wales came to Scotland with their tails up but little did they know they would they once again benefit from another red card dismissal.

NEWS: James O'Connor admits he experienced "quite an emotional moment" when coach Brad Thorn told him he will captain the Queensland Reds.

NEWS: Siya Kolisi is no longer a Western Province player.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Springbok Andre Esterhuizen scored a try to help Harlequins secure a 37-24 won over Leicester Tigers.

NEWS: The Round 11 PRO14 fixture between Glasgow Warriors and Benetton Rugby has been postponed due to persisting severe weather conditions.

MATCH REPORT:  Two tries from Louis Rees-Zammit inspired Wales to their second successive win in the Six Nations as they defeated 14-man Scotland 25-24 in a thrilling encounter at Murrayfield on Saturday.

OPINION: After the horrors of the Calcutta Cup a week previous, England and Eddie Jones righted the ship with a solid 41-18 win over Italy at Twickenham.

MATCH REPORT: England beat Italy 41-18 in a Six Nations international at Twickenham on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Six Nations Round Two encounter between Scotland and Wales at Murrayfield.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Six Nations Round Two encounter between England and Italy at Twickenham.

REACTION: Western Province Rugby Football Union President Zelt Marais has been forced to withdraw all his comments regarding the infamous Newlands saga and all other WPRFU negotiations.

NEWS: SA Rugby has rejigged coaching roles in the Rugby Department.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND TWO: Billy Burns can erase the disappointment of his final kick in Ireland's 16-21 loss to Wales and show he is the natural successor to Johnny Sexton.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Chiefs have returned from last year’s winless Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign with two first-up pre-season victories over the Blues and Hurricanes in Upper Hutt on Saturday.

TOP 14 REPORT: Toulouse overcame the absence of several France internationals to ease Pau aside 31-9 for an eighth consecutive Top 14 win to consolidate their lead at the summit.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: It wasn't to be for Sale on Alex Sanderson's first outing as Director of Rugby at the AJ Bell Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: World Cup-winning former Springbok coach and Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives us an insight into what it takes to make it at the top.

PRE-MATCH BUILD-UP: Scotland captain Stuart Hogg has insisted last week's landmark win over England will "count for nothing" if they fail to beat Wales.

PRE-MATCH BUILD-UP: Alun Wyn Jones wants to see a sharper cutting edge from Wales when they face Scotland in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday.

PRE-MATCH BUILD-UP: Italy coach Franco Smith has urged his side to lay the foundations for long-term success rather than simply concentrate on ending their woeful Six Nations run at "any cost".

PRE-MATCH BUILD-UP: Elliot Daly is adamant England can put their shock defeat by Scotland behind them as they seek to get their Six Nations title defence back on track.

BREAKING NEWS: The Rugby Football Union council approved a decision that there will be no relegation from the Premiership into the Championship at the end of the 2020-21 season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are two changes in France's starting XV for their clash against Ireland in the Six Nations in Dublin.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland coaching group have named the side that will face France in Round Two of the 2021 Six Nations Championship in Dublin.

NEWS: Premiership Rugby confirmed that Newcastle Falcons’ Premiership Rugby match against Northampton Saints, scheduled for Saturday, February 13 has been called off.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Crusaders edged the Highlanders 28-26 after a massive second-half comeback at Temuka Rugby Football Club on Friday.

NEWS: The Springbok Sevens team will not participate in the Madrid Sevens tournaments at Campo UCM Central later this month after the national government of Spain extended their COVID-19 related travel restrictions on a number of countries, including South Africa.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND TWO: Scotland host Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday, a week after both made winning starts with victories over 2020 champions England and Ireland respectively.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Mention the name Antoine Dupont and the response is the same from teammates and opponents alike - the jaws drop, the eyes light up and the plaudits flow.

NEWS: SA Rugby announced the kick-off of the 2021 season with a number of preparation fixtures for eight provincial teams.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND TWO: Eddie Jones may be something of a self-confessed "mad chemist" but he has avoided any wacky experiments as England look to revive their Six Nations title defence against Italy at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: Anthony Watson has spoken out in support of England rugby players who have been criticised on social media for taking a knee before last week's Six Nations loss at home to Scotland.

NEWS: An England star has received a two-week ban for a breach of Covid-19 regulations, the Rugby Football Union announced on Thursday.

IN THE NEWS: Ardie Savea has been named as captain of the Hurricanes for the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season.

REACTION: Eddie Jones has forecast Ollie Lawrence will become a "great" player for England despite dropping the Worcester centre for the Six Nations clash at home to Italy.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Zebre centre Carlo Canna comes into the Italy starting line-up for this weekend's Six Nations match against England.

BOTTLENECK AT THE TOP: As we head into Round Nine of the championship we have eight 20-somethings in the league.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland will aim to build on their historic winning start to the 2021 Six Nations this weekend when they face Wales at BT Murrayfield on Saturday,  February 13.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales named their side to take on Scotland in a Six Nations Round Two outing in Edinburgh on Saturday.

NEWS: A Round Seven Pro14 fixture has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

NEWS: SA Rugby has given the green light to all amateur rugby - schools, clubs and associations - to resume with non-contact training.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has revealed his team to face Italy in Round Two of Six Nations 2021 on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The British and Irish Lions are committed to producing a 'traditional tour' of South Africa says chairperson Jason Leonard.

NEWS: Political firebrand and former Eastern Province Rugby Union deputy president Bantwini Matika has appeared in court, after being arrested for fraud.

REACTION: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton said his priority is his three children and wife and not playing through injury ahead of Sunday's Six Nations match with France.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT: France Antoine Dupont is slowly but surely establishing himself as one of the best scrumhalves in the World and even Aaron Smith could not deny it.

SPOTLIGHT: A player has opened up on his team's struggles in France.

NEWS: The Brumbies have issued an update on head coach Dan McKellar's future.

NEWS: Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos have returned to training with Toulouse after missing out on France's Six Nations squad with injuries.

REACTION: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton angrily hit back at a French neurologist who used to treat him, branding remarks about his concussion record "inaccurate and highly inappropriate".

WATCH as the Bulls set up their amiable Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane with the ultimate prank.

NEWS: The double domestic champion Bulls are dominating the nominations for the 2020 'Players Choice Awards'.

REACTION: The Sharks are not willing to pay a transfer fee to obtain the services of World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi.

SQUAD UPDATE: Wales coach Wayne Pivac has drafted in three replacements ahead of his team's Six Nations crunch match with Scotland.

NEWS: Harlequins announced that homegrown flyhalf Marcus Smith has signed a long-term contract extension with the Club

CONTRACT NEWS: London Irish confirmed that Agustin Creevy has penned a new deal to extend his time at the Exiles.

INTERVIEW: 'It is not how hard you fall, but how quickly you get up.' It is a well-used slogan in sport and for Muller du Plessis, this is true in many ways.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has launched a strenuous defence of the under-fire England skipper Owen Farrell.

INTERVIEW: All Black star Brodie Retallick has opened up about his plans for the future and dropped a retirement bomb.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Peter O'Mahony's red card for a reckless tackle in Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales thrust the topic of head injuries in rugby back to the top of the agenda.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Highlanders and Crusaders will give a first glimpse of their 2021 talent when they go head-to-head in the Farmlands Cup pre-season outing.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Ireland flank Peter O'Mahony was Tuesday banned for three matches after being sent off for a "reckless" tackle in the Six Nations defeat to Wales at the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: SANZAAR confirmed the addition of new law variations for the Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa tournaments that kick-off in the next few weeks.

TRANSFER TALK: Stormers captain Siya Kolisi is reportedly heading to the Sharks.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac's first major victory of his reign has come at a rather hefty price.

TRANSFER NEWS: Edinburgh Rugby announced the signing of Cheetahs loosehead prop, Boan Venter, who joins the club with immediate effect.

SQUAD UPDATE: England coach Eddie Jones has made two changes to his 28-man squad to face Italy next Saturday in round two of the Six Nations.

INJURY UPDATE: Andy Farrell says his Ireland side showed enough spirit in defeat against Wales to convince him they can become just the fourth side to win the Six Nations after losing their opening game.

SUPER RUGBY AU REPORT: The defending-champion Brumbies were given a proper workout by the Western Force in Canberra on Tuesday.

OPINION: Wales rugby captain Alun Wyn Jones was sporting a shiner this past weekend courtesy of teammate Jake Ball after the pair presumably squared off in some manner of a fight behind the scenes.

TRANSFER NEWS: Griquas confirmed the signing of former Sharks scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer.

OPINION: We take a look at the top 10 flyhalves on display ahead of the start of the Super Rugby Aotearoa, Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competitions.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Ireland's Peter O’Mahony will appear before an online disciplinary panel on Tuesday.

WATCH as we bring you the nominations for try of the round in Week One of the Six Nations.

REACTION: Tim Horan has endorsed emerging Wallabies back-rower Fraser McReight to fill the void if the 21-year-old is called on to replace the injured Liam Wright as Queensland Reds captain this year.

REACTION: Scotland scrumhalf Ali Price has urged his side to use their Six Nations success against England as the springboard for a morale-boosting campaign amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

WATCH as Springboks scrumhalf Cobus Reinach scores one of his classic tries during the Montpellier's win pver Stade Francais.

NEWS: Australia's most-capped prop Sekope Kepu is terminating his contract with London Irish due to personal reasons, the English Premiership club said on Monday.

REACTION: Italy head coach Franco Smith rued the mistakes which cost his side in their Round One defeat against France but was pleased to see evidence of his side’s talent with ball in hand.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs provided an official squad update on Monday with their new players.

CONTRACT NEWS: Leicester Tigers have swung the proverbial axe at Welford Road, parting company with two international forwards mid-season.

NEWS: Italy have lost a midfielder ahead of their Six Nations clash against England.

OPINION: The Six Nations tournament before a British and Irish Lions tour is often the final audition players to win over the selectors.

SPOTLIGHT: There are some changes in World Rugby's Men's Rankings.

WATCH as Western Province Rugby Football Union President Zelt Marais talks to @rugby365com contributor Angus Opperman.

REACTION: Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said Sunday's 21-16 Six Nations victory over an Ireland side down to 14 men for more than an hour showed "character".

REACTION: Scotland try-scorer Duhan van der Merwe hopes their memorable Six Nations victory over England at Twickenham has inspired the nation.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar and Western Force counterpart Tim Sampson named their teams for the pre-season Super Rugby AU outing in Canberra on Tuesday.

REACTION: The Scottish Rugby Union has backed its players who did not kneel before the Six Nations win over England, insisting it supports the fight against racism.

TOP 14, SUNDAY WRAP: La Rochelle centre Jeremy Sinzelle praised double Rugby World Cup winner Victor Vito who scored on his injury return in Sunday's 22-26 loss at Racing 92 in the French Top 14.

REACTION: Former England head coach Clive Woodward has issued his former side a scathing rebuke in the wake of their defeat to Scotland on Saturday.

OPINION: Wales ended a poor run for coach Wayne Pivac, with a 21-16 win in Cardiff. Ian Cameron rates the Wales players!

NEWS: Queensland Reds captain Liam Wright is set for at least 10 weeks on the sideline due to an ankle injury.

OPINION: Ireland opened their Six Nations campaign with a 16-21 defeat to Wales in Cardiff. Liam Heagney rates the Ireland players.

SIX NATIONS REPORT:  Wales beat an Ireland side that played with 14 men for over an hour 21-16 in a gripping Six Nations contest in Cardiff on Sunday.

Exeter Chiefs held on in freezing conditions to beat Newcastle Falcons 15-9 in a low scoring match at Kingston Park Stadium with Falcons recording their first bonus point of the season.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Six Nations Round One encounter between Wales and Ireland in Cardiff.

Mike Brown, former England wing and fullback writes in his column in the Daily Mail he believes it's high time Eddie Jones drops Owen Farrell.

Ireland's flyhalf and captain Johnny Sexton refuses to be as brash as Eddie Jones who stated he wants England to become the “greatest team that ever played rugby”

Fiji head coach Gareth Baber has both squad injuries and illness headaches to contend with before the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo

TRANSFER TALK: Springboks Francois Hougaard's return to South Africa has just hit another speedbump.

INJURY UPDATE: The Brumbies confirmed Tom Wright has been ruled out for the start of the Super Rugby AU season.

REACTION: Eddie Jones volunteered to be the scapegoat for England's 6-11 defeat to Scotland a Twickenham on Saturday.

REACTION: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said his side had got a "monkey off our backs" after ending their 38-year wait for a win at Twickenham.

REACTION: Antoine Dupont's performance during Francé's opening Six Nations match against Italy has just reinforced how supremely talented and influential the 24-year-old is.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Scotland ended a 38-year wait with a gritty 11-6 Six Nations victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: Scotland has waited 38 years to win at Twickenham. Gavin Harper rates the Scotland players!

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the England players after they lost 6-11 to a motivated Scotland!

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Bath's losing run was extended to five games on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS MATCH REPORT: Scotland ended their 38-year wait for a win at Twickenham with an 11-6 success over reigning champions England.

SIX NATIONS MATCH REPORT: France started their campaign with a seven-try 50-10 bonus-point victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Six Nations Round One encounter between England and Scotland at Twickenham.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Six Nations Round One encounter between Italy and France in Rome.

REACTION: Retired Springboks wing Jon-Paul Pietersen has said he had a career beyond his "wildest dreams".

REACTION: South Africa Rugby World Cup winner JP Pietersen announced his retirement on Friday at the age of 34.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Connacht kept alive their hopes of making the PRO14 final with a 30-20 away win over the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: A try from Sale Sharks fullback Luke James three minutes from time proved decisive as leaders Bristol Bears’ six-game winning run in the Premiership came to an end with a 20-13 defeat.

SIX NATIONS ROUND ONE: Ireland face Wales on Sunday hoping for their first Six Nations victory in Cardiff for eight years but up against a team desperate to make amends for a terrible campaign in 2020.

NEWS: A Rugby League star has signed a two-year contract with New Zealand Rugby.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England lock Jonny Hill has cut out the jokes with Exeter teammates Stuart Hogg and Jonny Gray ahead of Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Italy's greatest rivals remain themselves, coach Franco Smith said Friday.

NEWS: One of South Africa's biggest rugby stars has officially called time on an illustrious rugby playing career that has spanned 16 years.

REACTION: Ireland coach Andy Farrell has responded to claims that Ireland's Sunday Six Nations opener versus Wales in Cardiff will be easy.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Waratahs made a pre-season statement when they beat the Reds 45-33 in their trial in Narrabri.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales named their team to face Ireland in their opening match of the Six Nations, in Cardiff on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland has made four changes to their team to face Wales in Round One of the Six Nations in Cardiff on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: A year ago, Branco du Preez etched his name into the BlitzBoks and World Sevens Series history books.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles hinted that 2021 may be his final year of professional rugby in New Zealand.

WATCH as Sharks paid tribute their legendary wing Lwazi Mvovo.

SIX NATIONS ROUND ONE: France will be counting on the dynamic form of star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont to energise their campaign.

TOP14 PREVIEW: This weekend, Springboks wing Dillyn Leyds' club La Rochelle can go top of the Top 14 as they head to Racing 92.

NEWS: The Wallabies have collectively agreed to a multi-million dollar pay cut to help the cash-strapped code through the coronavirus pandemic, Rugby Australia said Friday.

SIX NATIONS ROUND ONE: Rugby Union's oldest international rivalry will feature two of the sport's youngest talents when England begin their title defence against Scotland on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Staging this year's British and Irish Lions tour in Australia rather than on home ground "would be the biggest disappointment" in the Springboks' history.

NEWS: Former England dual rugby international Sam Burgess was found guilty in a Sydney court Friday of intimidating his ex-father-in-law while in the midst of a messy marriage break-up.

THE AFTERMATH: The return of the Currie Cup trophy to Loftus Versfeld capped off what has been a successful period for the Bulls franchise.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby vice-chairman Bernard Laporte said on Thursday a decision on July's Test window, including the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, will be made by the end of next month.

NEWS: Argentina skipper Pablo Matera will miss Stade Francais' away game at Montpellier on Saturday after picking up a short ban for having accumulated three yellow cards, officials said.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina-born centre Ignacio Brex will win his first cap for Italy after being named Thursday in their Six Nations opener against France in Rome.

TRANSFER NEWS: Cheetahs lock Carl Wegner has finally revealed the Italian club he will be joining.

PREVIEW: Connacht head to Newport to take on the Dragons on Friday as they look to reduce the gap to Conference B leaders Munster.

PREVIEW: It is first v third and second v fourth in the Premiership this weekend as another nail-biting season sees just seven points separate the sides in second and eighth.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has selected his team to face England in the opening round of the 2021 Six Nations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Fabien Galthié has named his France team to take on Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday in the opening round of the Six Nations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named his England side for their opening 2021 Six Nations match this weekend.

WATCH as we bring you a reminder of the strike power the Bulls had in their backline in the Currie Cup season.

SPOTLIGHT: That reigning champions England is the team to beat heading into a Six Nations is not unusual. A look at what we can expect in this tournament.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: The 2021 Championship gets underway this weekend, with England looking to mount a successful defence of their title.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Major doubts still surround this July’s tour to South Africa but that uncertainty won’t stop Warren Gatland from trying to do everything he can to be as best prepared as possible.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Ireland would be "laughed at" if they claimed to be among the best teams in the world, said captain Johnny Sexton.

WOLRD CUP 2021: Springbok Women’s captain Nolusindiso Booi embraced the support for her team following a visit by Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber and scrum coach Daan Human as they continue their preparation for the World Cup in New Zealand.

NEWS: Controversial Wallaby Israel Folau's hopes of a dramatic return to Australia's NRL have been dashed after the Illawarra Dragons said it had ended talks with the player.

NEWS: England's Premiership is to introduce fines for any breaches of coronavirus protocols by players, coaches or members of club staff.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Rob Penney has named his side that will take on the Queensland Reds at the trial match in Narrabri on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Queensland Reds have announced a 25-man squad for Friday's pre-season fixture against the Waratahs in Narrabri.

NEWS: One of Wales' key players has been suspended for the first two matches of the 2021 Six Nations Championship following a breach of coronavirus protocols, the Welsh Rugby Union announced Wednesday.

NEWS: The men's World Rugby Under-20 Championship scheduled for Italy in June and July "will not take place this year because of the current impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,"

NEWS: World Rugby have issued an update on discussions aimed at enhancing the Test calendar outside of the annual Six Nations and Rugby Championship tournaments.

OPINION: The facts of the Newlands saga are well documented. However, what do the fans, the broader public, think about it all?

NEWS: Former France captain Jean-Pierre Bastiat, who claimed a Five Nations grand slam in 1977, has died at the age of 71.

TRANSFER NEWS: Gloucester confirmed the departure of Australian hooker, James Hanson.

SPOTLIGHT: John Mitchell has suggested the feeling there is unfinished business with England. 

INTERVIEW: For the first time in more than a decade, legendary referee Nigel Owens will not be part of the Six Nations.

WATCH as we count down 10 of the best players from the last decade.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: One of NZ's best players has opened up on his omission from last year’s All Blacks squad.

INTERVIEW: Western Force captain Ian Prior is convinced his team will put on a good show in their season opener against the Brumbies.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: It is time the rebuilt Reds squad claimed some silverware, says captain Liam Wright.

REACTION: Bath boss Stuart Hooper believes South African import Jaco Coetzee brings the type of 'intimidation factor' his team needs.

NEWS: The former President of Toulon rugby club, Mourad Boudjellal, has switched from the oval ball to a round one.

SPOTLIGHT: New Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell will be honest with the Irish internationals he played with.

SPOTLIGHT: England will pay a high price if they lose concentration against Scotland playmaker Finn Russell even for a moment of Saturday's Six Nations opener.

OPINION: As the dust settles on a disjointed, yet satisfying, Currie Cup season, Jan de Koning looks at some of the posers facing one of the franchises.

NEWS: Ireland has suffered a double injury setback on the eve of their Six Nations campaign.

NEWS: The Lions have lost one of their props.

NEWS: England assistant coach John Mitchell has revealed his decision on his coaching future.

NEWS: It's the decision that everyone was waiting for.

NEWS: A Welsh international has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect.

BREAKING NEWS: The Lions have revealed that one of their Springbok locks is moving on.

NEWS: The Brumbies revealed that their Super Rugby AU pre-season trial against the Western Force has been rescheduled to next Tuesday - February 9.

NEWS: The door is open for Israel Folau to make a return to the NRL after league chief Andrew Abdo confirmed he would consider a formal application as part of due process.

NEWS: Andy Marinos has simple instructions to "get the game going" as he begins his new job as Rugby Australia boss.

NEWS: Springboks and Scarlets prop Werner Kruger will retire from rugby at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable 16-year career

TRANSFER NEWS: Western Province loose forward Jaco Coetzee has been released early from his contract and will join Bath after signing a deal with the English Premiership team.

NEWS: The process to determine future hosts of the men’s and women’s World Cups has officially kicked off with the start of the Dialogue phase.

OPINION: The @rugby365com selectors sat down and debated, long into the night, before we finally named our stars of the season.

SOCIAL REACTION: Rugby Australia's offer to host the 2021 British and Irish Lions Tour with the World Champions South Africa has divided the rugby fraternity.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There are some major concerns ahead of England's Six Nations opener against Scotland.

NEWS: Argentina star Pablo Matera scored his first try for French Top 14 side Stade Francais on Sunday as he continues to rehabilitate his image after a racism row saw him suspended as Pumas captain.

SPOTLIGHT: Andy Marinos lamented the Wallabies' lack of a "cutting edge" and inability to close out games.

REACTION: The Sharks may have fallen short in the Currie Cup Final, but coach Sean Everitt is adamant their season has been a 'success'.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Wasps' impressive run of five consecutive wins came to an abrupt halt as they were blown away by Harlequins, losing 49-17.

TEAM UPDATE: Hooker Camille Chat will miss France's opening Six Nations game, while back row forward Gregory Alldritt has been recalled to the squad.

INTERVIEW: Dave Rennie, entering his second season as head coach of the Wallabies, has talked up the French side that will be visiting Australia’s shores later this year.

REACTION: Northampton Saints have issued an update on George Furbank after he was injured in a brutal mid-air collision.

POST-MATCH ANALYSES: Lippy players can sometimes get the better of referees, but Jaco Peyper had the last say at the weekend.

REACTION: Many of the headlines focused on flank Arno Botha's extra-time winner, but the foundation for the Bulls' Currie Cup triumph was laid earlier in the season.

NEWS: A combined Australian and French team could play the British and Irish Lions if their tour of South Africa is shifted to Australia.

WATCH as the Bulls break the Sharks hearts, yet again, with a late winner in the 2020/21 Currie Cup Final.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: Bordeaux-Begles scored a try six minutes into added time to win 37-36 at Clermont on Saturday and continue their Top 14 revival.

SPOTLIGHT: As the France squad prepared for the Six Nations in seclusion in Nice, the cluster of COVID-19 cases at Top 14 leaders Toulouse might have sent a shiver through the bubble.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Tadhg Furlong gave the Ireland selectors the pre-Six Nations boost they were looking for.

PRO14 REPORT: JJ Hanrahan's last-gasp drop goal snatched a late 18-16 Pro14 victory for Munster at Benetton.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Northampton Saints edged Gloucester 31-26 in their Premiership Round Seven match at Kingsholm on Saturday.

OPINION: The Sharks let a 10-point lead slip to suffer a heart-breaking 19-26 loss to the Bulls in the Currie Cup Final. Jan de Koning rates the Sharks players.

OPINION: The Player Ratings are in for the Bulls after their dramatic win over the Sharks in the Currie Cup Final.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Bulls were crowned Currie Cup champions after they beat the Sharks 26-19 in extra-time in their Final in Pretoria on Saturday.

NEWS: London Irish have bolstered their coaching team with a South African.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Currie Cup Final between the Bulls and the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld.

OUT OF FAVOUR: Eddie Jones’ England squad never fails to leave sections of the public scratching their heads over players who have missed out.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales midfielder Jamie Roberts and Scotland flank Ryan Wilson have outlined which Springboks could make a potential SANZAAR XV to take on the British and Lions.

NEWS: Rugby League star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has confirmed he will cross codes at the end of this year’s NRL season to pursue his dream of playing for the All Blacks.

WHY CURRIE CUP IS SPECIAL: @rugby365com contributor Wim van der Berg takes a look at the evolution of South Africa's premier domestic competition.

TOP 14 FRIDAY WRAP: Veteran flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc admitted he was "saddened" by having helped push his hometown club Montpellier deeper into the French Top 14 mire.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Leaders Bristol showcased their title credentials with a 48-3 demolition of local rivals Bath at Ashton Gate.

WHAT HISTORY TELLS US: @rugby365com contributor Wim van der Berg takes a look at past finals and draws some conclusions.

NEWS: The burglary trial of France prop Mohamed Haouas, scheduled for Friday in Montpellier, has been postponed to May 28, his lawyer said.

NEWS: An outbreak of Covid-19 at Top 14 leaders Toulouse has forced the postponement of their visit to second-placed La Rochelle to a "later date", the league said on Friday.

INTERVIEW: Naming midfield greenhorn Marco Jansen van Vuren to face off against one of the world's premier centres in a Currie Cup Final may well be perceived as a massive gamble.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Cheetahs have lured an inactive Southern Kings prop to Bloemfontein.

PREVIEW: Champions Leinster get an opportunity to go back to the top of their conference in the Pro14.

TRANSFER NEWS: Leicester Tigers may already with have a replacement for Jordan Taufua.

TRIAL MATCH: The Western Force continue their preparations for the Super Rugby season in a trial match against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on February 6.

NEW SIGNINGS: The Melbourne Rebels has bolstered their 2021 playing squad by adding some South American flair, and announced the signings of Argentinian duo, Lucio Sordoni and Ignacio Calás on Friday.

CURRIE CUP FINAL: Despite all the adversarial comments about the poor state of South African rugby, the interest and excitement have gone through the roof in the last few days.

NEWS: As the IRFU come to the end of their negotiating period with currently contracted players across the provinces, speculation is once again mounting around CJ Stander’s future.

NEWS: Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has again been linked with a move to New Zealand Rugby with a report claiming this season will be his last in the NRL.

NEWS: A mouth-watering triple-header will open the World Cup in September.

NEWS: The French government on Thursday gave its support to health protocols drawn up by Six Nations organisers.

NEWS: SANZAAR, Southern Hemisphere rugby's controlling body, has a new Chairman.

TOP 14 NEWS: Bayonne had a third match of the season postponed.

NEWS: The French federation (FFR) and the body running professional rugby in France, the LNR, on Thursday found an "agreement in principle" to cut France's Six Nations squad by a quarter to 31, an official said.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has tweaked his team for the Currie Cup Final.

WELCOME BACK: Premiership Rugby gets back underway this weekend after three weeks away, and there’s no better way to kick-start the action than with a West Country derby on Friday.

NEWS: Munster's South African-born lock Jean Kleyn has been suspended for two weeks for dangerous play.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Scotland must do everything they can to keep Finn Russell out of harm’s way if they want to mount a credible challenge for Six Nations glory, according to former prop Peter Wright.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions star Hacjivah Dayimani took a very different and unique route to the heights he is currently achieving in rugby.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt has revealed his team to face the Bulls in Saturday's Currie Cup Final in Pretoria.

AOTEAROA SPOTLIGHT: Long gone are the days when the Blues and the relationship with their feeder unions were so frosty that the Super Rugby franchise refused to let the Auckland province share their facilities.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf Francois de Klerk is compared to the strike power of the venomous green mamba.

LEADING SIDE: Australian fly-half Zack Holmes said Toulouse's lack of fear in attack has installed them as leaders of the Top 14 ahead of Sunday's trip to second-placed La Rochelle.

SUPER RUGBY AU SPOTLIGHT: They've been written off as wooden spoon contenders in the betting markets but former Wallabies flank Matt Hodgson says people will be pleasantly surprised by how many wins the Western Force rack up this year.

FIT CAPTAIN: France captain Charles Ollivon said on Tuesday he will be fit to face Italy in the Six Nations opener on February 6.

CLUB SURVIVAL: Like so many things in these pandemic times, the uncertainty about when club rugby will return lingers.

NEWS: Lingering concussion symptoms forced an All Black out of the game.

NEWS: A key Scottish flank should know by this weekend whether he has a chance of playing in Scotland's Six Nations opening game with champions England

NEWS: The Fiji international has signed a one-year deal with Ulster, the Pro14 club announced on Wednesday.

NEWS: Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel remained confident Wednesday the 2021 championship would go ahead as scheduled.

TOUR FANS: Former British and Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones said on Tuesday no fans during this year's South Africa tour would be a "travesty."

NEWS: Former Lions loose forward Ruan Ackermann has signed a new deal with the Premiership side,  Gloucester.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has opened up on Joe Marler's future for England.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: One of the Sharks' biggest names had something to say about the underdog tag his team has been given.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is hopeful he will be fit for the Six Nations opener against Wales

TITLE DEFENCE: Super Rugby Trans-Tasman is still four months away, but Brumbies star Rob Valetini is already eyeing a title challenge when Australia’s five Super Rugby sides go head-to-head with their New Zealand opposites.

STAT ATTACK: Looking back at the last five Currie Cup finals at Loftus Versfeld, it’s clear why the Bulls refer to their home ground as a “fortress”.

TEAM MANAGEMENT: The Brumbies have rounded out their backroom staff for the 2021 Super Rugby season with the appointments of Brad Mayo and Ed Hollis.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Cheetahs exodus is growing by the day with the Rhyno Smith the latest player to head North.

INJURY UPDATE: Crusaders hooker Andrew Makalio has been ruled out for the upcoming Super Rugby Aotearoa season.

NEWS: Former Harlequins director of rugby Paul Gustard was appointed defence coach of Italian Pro14 outfit Treviso on Tuesday, a week after leaving the English Premiership side.

TRANSFER NEWS: Fiji back-row Viliame 'Bill' Mata has signed a contract extension with Edinburgh, the Scottish capital rugby club announced Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath Rugby confirmed the signing of South African hooker Jacques du Toit, who joins the squad with immediate effect from Cheetahs.

NEWS: England suffered a fresh setback on Tuesday ahead of their Six Nations defence.

MOVING TOUR: Peter de Villiers, Springbok coach in 2009 when the Springboks won the series against the British and Irish Lions, is extremely concerned that the increasing calls for the tour to be moved to the UK will become reality.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies playmaker Kurtley Beale has outlined his ambition to return to the Australian national set-up under Dave Rennie as he eyes a place at the 2023 World Cup in France.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bulls assistant coach Chris Rossouw has been keeping a close eye on Sharks and admits they are ‘an exciting group’.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Flyhalf Curwin Bosch will once again be a key figure for the Sharks when they face the Bulls in Saturday's Currie Cup Final at Loftus Versfeld.

TROPHIES: While a Grand Slam, the greatest achievement in the Six Nations, does not come with an actual prize, there are plenty of trophies on offer in rugby’s oldest Championship.

CLUB RELEASE: The versatile New Zealand fullback Bryce Heem will leave Toulon at the end of the week "for major family reasons," the French Top 14 club announced on Monday in a statement.

INJURY FIGHT-BACK: Bobby de Wee likes to tell people that the vivid scar running from his left hip to his knee is the legacy of a childhood shark attack.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wasps fullback Matteo Minozzi was omitted from Italy's Six Nations squad over his concerns of living in a COVID-19 bubble during the Championship.

REACTION: French Rugby Federation (FFR) vice-president Serge Simon said that the choice to hold a Six Nations camp in a part of the country with one of the highest rates of coronavirus cases was justified.

INJURY UPDATE: Centre Virimi Vakatawa is likely to miss two of France's opening Six Nations games with knee ligament damage.

TRANSFER NEWS: Chris Ashton, once an England try-scoring machine, has signed for Premiership club Worcester Warriors.

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of the PRO14 game away to Scarlets on Saturday evening in Parc y Scarlets (Kick Off: 7.35pm.

SQUAD UPDATE: England has been forced to withdraw two key players from their Six Nations training squad.

NEWS: Jaco Peyper will join a select group of referees who have taken charge of five Currie Cup finals.

NEGOTIATIONS: Veteran Springbok flank Jacques Potgieter could well make a return to the first-class game with the Cheetahs.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The uncapped Ronald Brown, who has recently recovered from a serious illness, will join a raft of experienced Springbok Sevens squad.

REACTION: Munster was kicking themselves after failing again to topple PRO14 champions Leinster despite racking up an early 10-point lead in their Irish PRO14 derby at Thomond Park on Saturday night.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland coaching group have selected a squad of 36 players for the upcoming Six Nations Championships.

POST-ISOLATION RETURN: The Brumbies have welcomed the return of star prop Scott Sio to their pre-season training camp, just over three weeks out from the start of the new Super Rugby AU season.

NEWS: Welsh Rugby Union is set to receive £13.5 million in a new government funding package aimed at helping spectator sports hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

WATCH as Bulls coach Jake White breaks down his team's 26-21 win over the Lions in the Currie Cup semifinal at the weekend.

RETIREMENT: Italy's 107-time capped hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini announced the end of his international career on Sunday.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks Chief Executive Officer Eduard Coetzee has opened up about the challenges his team faced during the Currie Cup season.

TOP 14 WRAP: South African World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth started the first game of his career at blindside flank in Toulon's 35-13 home victory over 14-man Stade Francais.

MATCH REPORT: Rhys Webb responded to his omission from Wales’ Six Nations squad with two tries in Ospreys’ impressive come-from-behind 26-20 PRO14 win at Connacht.

WATCH as Sharks scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba received one of the biggest hits of the season against Western Province in Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final clash.

INJURY UPDATE: Racing 92 centre Virimi Vakatawa has been withdrawn from France's Six Nations squad because of injury and will be replaced by Lyon's Pierre-Louis Barassi, the French rugby federation announced Sunday.

TRANSFER TALK: Bath may have found their replacement for Montpellier bound No.8 Zach Mercer, according to media reports.

CURRIE CUP REACTION: Western Province's semi-final exit has highlighted the team's long-standing flyhalf problem.

REACTION: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen admitted his team has no one to blame but themselves after the 21-26 defeat to the Bulls.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: Toulouse defence coach Laurent Thuery praised South Africa Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe's attitude as he played his first game since mid-December.

It was a cheeky try by Jordan Larmour in the 68th minute that gave Leinster a slender 3 point lead which they held on to for the away win at Thomand Park against fellow Irish club Munster.

PRO14 REPORT: Edinburgh battled to a 26-10 victory at Zebre in the absence of head coach Richard Cockerill and fullback Blair Kinghorn.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Sharks advanced to the Currie Cup Final after they edged Western Province 19-9 at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Bulls will host this season's Currie Cup Final after they beat an ill-disciplined Lions team 26-21 in their semifinal in Pretoria on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Currie Cup semifinal between Western Province and the Sharks in Cape Town.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Currie Cup semifinal encounter between the Bulls and the Lions in Pretoria.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones believes Paolo Odogwu has the potential to be "world-class" after selecting the uncapped centre in his squad for the Six Nations.

TOP 14 FRIDAY WRAP: Back-row Gregory Alldritt said on Friday exams on a knee problem next week led to his strange exclusion from France's Six Nations squad despite scoring twice in La Rochelle's 40-3 home win over Bayonne.

INTERVIEW: South African rugby players have become a staple of European squads over the course of the last two decades.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff Blues interim director of rugby Dai Young celebrated his return to the region after a 10-year absence with a 13-10 win over the Scarlets in Llanelli.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Two uncapped backs were included in reigning champions England's 28-man squad for the Six Nations Championship announced Friday.

NEW DEAL: Harlequins has confirmed that Quins stalwart Danny Care has signed a new deal with the club.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen opens up on how his team can beat the Bulls in Saturday's semifinal at Loftus Versfeld.

PARTNERSHIP: The Sharks have announced a second new global partnership in two weeks.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Alistair Vermaak will have some big shoes to fill.

NZ SEVENS: Northland’s Brady Rush, son of All Blacks Sevens legend Eric Rush, is set to follow in his father’s footsteps, joining the All Blacks Sevens squad as a contracted player in 2021.

RECRUITS' INPUT: Western Force coach Tim Sampson has been tapping into the wisdom of his international recruits as he aims to build a title-winning game plan.

FINAL FOUR: Winning at all cost will be the only objective when the four Currie Cup semifinalists take the field on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld and Newlands respectively.

TESTING ERROR: Premiership club Bath says they have returned 18 false positive COVID-19 results in the latest round of testing due to an operator error at Premiership Rugby's testing partners Randox Health.

SQUAD UPDATE: Bordeaux flank Cameron Woki was drafted into the France squad for the opening Six Nations game against Italy following the withdrawal of Gregory Alldritt.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has named his matchday squad that will face the Lions in their Currie Cup semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a strong team for their Currie Cup semifinal against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

CONTRACT NEWS: Edinburgh Rugby have managed to hold on to  Jaco van der Walt, who has become the latest star to re-sign with the capital club after putting pen-to-paper.

THE CHALLENGE: Munster coach Johann van Graan has achieved a lot since making Limerick his home, but one thing has eluded him up until now - a win against defending PRO14 champions Leinster

WEEKEND'S FIXTURE: Stade Francais hooker Tolu Latu said he had been "lucky" to score four tries this season and that what he most wants from Sunday's trip to Toulon is a French Top 14 victory.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks have named their side to travel to Cape Town to take on Western Province on Saturday boasting a strong line-up for the crunch match.

OPINION: In less than a month’s time, Super Rugby will be returning to the South Pacific.

SQUAD REACTION: Wales coach Wayne Pivac said on Wednesday he had been barred from selecting Bath flyhalf Rhys Priestland in his squad for the upcoming Six Nations.

NEWS: The French league has banned a player for lifting a referee to celebrate a win.

NEW LEADER: Head Coach Rob Penney on Thursday named the man set to lead a new era for the NSW Waratahs, with flyhalf Jake Gordon getting the nod.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province head coach John Dobson has revealed his team to face the Sharks in Saturday's semifinal in Cape Town.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland boss Gregor Townsend has named a 35-man squad for the 2021 Six Nations.

NEWS: Harlequins confirms that Head of Rugby, Paul Gustard, will leave the Club.

TRANSFER: Leicester Tigers have signed Argentina international Julián Montoya.

STAT ATTACK: Renowned rugby writer Wim van der Berg takes a look at how this weekend's Currie Cup semi-finalist have dominated the tournament over the years.

WALES SQUAD: Under pressure Wales boss Wayne Pivac has named a 36-strong squad for the upcoming Six Nations which starts at home to Ireland on February 7, including uncapped Scarlets back row Josh Macleod.

POSITIVE TEST: England assistant coach Matt Proudfoot has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province assistant coach Dawie Snyman believes his team have what it takes to handle the high-pressure situation of the Currie Cup semi-final.

TRANSFER TALK: Scotland international and former Stormers centre Huw Jones has been linked with a move to the Top 14 having previously been touted for a switch to the Premiership.

WATCH as Pro14 welcomes South Africa's teams to the new 'expanded' group chat.

CLUB ACTION: Bath have closed their training ground after a number of players and coaching staff tested positive for the coronavirus, the English Premiership club said in a statement issued Tuesday.

NEWS: Rasta Rasivhenge and Marius van der Westhuizen will hold the whistle in the Currie Cup semi-finals on Saturday in Pretoria and Cape Town respectively.

SPOTLIGHT: European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) chairman Simon Halliday expects South Africa's Pro16 teams will be allowed to qualify for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in 2022.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Curwin Bosch will not be the main target when Western Province and Sharks go head-to-head at Newlands Stadium on Saturday.

REVEALED: England have unveiled their latest rugby design, fashioning a special 150th RFU anniversary shirt

NEWS: Toulouse president Didier Lacroix said on Tuesday Argentina back Juan Cruz Mallia had signed a contract with the Top 14 leaders until the end of the season.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am answered some questions ahead of his team's Currie Cup semifinal at Newlands.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Star Argentinian scrumhalf Tomás Cubelli says he feels the pain of the Western Force's past heartbreak after the Jaguares were also booted out from Super Rugby ranks.

FORCE TRANSFER: There were more than 36,000 souls teeming inside Suncorp Stadium on 13 May 2012, but slumped deep in the innards of the ground, Richard Kahui had never felt more alone.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls will not focus too much on their last outing against the Lions ahead of their semifinal in Pretoria on Saturday.

NEWS: England will be without Australian skills coach Jason Ryles for the Six Nations rugby tournament after he opted against travelling to Europe with his family during the pandemic.

NEWS: Montpellier wing Vincent Rattez was called up to France's Six Nations squad on Monday as a replacement for Toulouse utility back Thomas Ramos.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World champions South Africa "will do anything" to play the British and Irish Lions.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath Rugby have confirmed South African playmaker Tian Schoeman will join the Premiership club.

WATCH as Racing 92’s star centre Virimi Vakatawa went from hero to zero briefly after costing his side a much-needed try.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ireland international flyhalf Ian Keatley has joined Glasgow Warriors on a deal until the end of the 2020/21 season, adding a wealth of top-flight experience to Danny Wilson’s squad.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus praised all the participating sides for their perseverance in what has been a challenging 2020 season.

RETURNING HOME: When Arno Botha jumped on a flight out of Ireland in early March, his return home to South Africa was meant to be fleeting.

REACTION: Cheetahs chairman Ryno Opperman has shed some light on the financial state of the Union amid 'misleading' media reports.

CURRIE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt will doing everything he can to ensure his team will be battle-ready for their semifinal against Western province on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY AU: Liam Wright has reflected on Queensland rugby's ability to hang on to local talent and unearth "hidden gems" as they eye a Super Rugby AU title this year.

NEWS: Upper Hutt’s Maidstone Park will play host to the Hurricanes pre-season clash against the Blues and the Chiefs on February 13.

TOP 14 WRAP: Toulon coach Patrice Collazo praised South Africa's Rugby World Cup-winner Eben Etzebeth after he returned from concussion in Sunday's 29-23 victory at Racing 92.

NEWS: The Crusaders have confirmed the appointment of a fifth coach for the 2021 Super Rugby season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bulls centre Stedman Gans has warned that there will be no time for complacency ahead of their semifinal clash against the Lions.

SPOTLIGHT: He may have gone on to steer England to a Rugby World Cup in 2003, but one former player of his says Clive Woodward was not up to much in his early days as a coach.

NEWS: Montpellier are targeting a big name for the vacant head coaching position.

TOP 14, SATURDAY WRAP: France wing Damian Penaud said Clermont were "satisfied" after Jean-Pascal Barraque kicked his first penalty goal in more than four years to take them up to fourth.

PRO14 REPORT: A passing train driver helped Glasgow Warriors get back on track as Danny Wilson's team climbed off the bottom of their Pro14 conference with a 23-22 triumph over Edinburgh.

UPDATE: The French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced on Saturday that its board had approved a private equity firm's investment in the Six Nations.

NEWS: Billy Vunipola completed Saracens’ first match since their relegation from the  Premiership but the England number eight was powerless to prevent Ealing emerging 27-26 winners.

INTERVIEW: Veteran referee JP Doyle has revealed some of the difficult characters he had to deal with on the field.

FLASHBACK: The direction of the game at the domestic level is a big concern.

NEWS: Another big name is set to be heading to Pretoria soon.

SPOTLIGHT: Mac Grealy has taken the best bits of Kalyn Ponga's game and is seen as the next Tim Horan at the Queensland Reds.

NEWS: There will be only one England international in action for Saracens before the champions' Six Nations opener against Scotland on February 6.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ealing Trailfinders have confirmed that they signed South African Bobby de Wee from the Southern Kings.

NEWS: French rugby high-flyers La Rochelle will face a further period of isolation following the latest round of Covid-19 testing.

In an exclusive interview with seasoned rugby writer Wim van der Berg, SA Schools Rugby Union (SASRU) Chairman Noel Ingle address the state of South African schools' rugby and its future.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White believes the Brumbies only need to make minor tweaks to challenge for back-to-back Super RugbyAU crowns

NEW LEAGUE: The Japan Rugby Football Union will launch a three-tier professional league from January 2022 in a bid to raise the domestic game to a new level.

NEWS: Sale Sharks announced the appointment of former club captain Alex Sanderson as Director of Rugby

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Cash-strapped Rugby Australia has thrown up the prospect of hosting a mini World Cup during July for the Southern Hemisphere rugby-starved fans.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby's future could be in serious danger predicts Chief Executive Jurie Roux.