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TRANSFER NEWS: The Harlequins have bolstered their scrumhalf stocks.

NEWS: There is a significant change near the top of the latest World Rugby Rankings.

OPINION: Six Nations 2019 is over and it is time for rugby365 to reveal their Team of the Tournament.

TRANSFER NEWS: Leinster Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed a contract extension for Head Coach Leo Cullen.

Jan de Koning looks beyond the scoreline to find the reasons for the most stupefying comeback and a lopsided penalty count of Super Rugby's Week Five.

ANALYSIS:  Scotland’s unthinkable 31-point comeback delivered shades of déjà vu, as flyhalf Finn Russell made plays eerily similar to last year’s clash at Murrayfield.

INJURY UPDATE:  The Brumbies could enter another Super Rugby game without star Wallabies David Pocock and Allan Alaalatoa.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England will bring in a new coach to help the team play better under pressure.

INJURY UPDATE: One of New Zealand's top players will be out of action for a lengthy period.

TRANSFERS NEWS: The Waratahs will be one Wallaby short for the rest of their Super Rugby campaign.

NEWS: The clash on September 7 will be one of only three home games for Australia before they head to Japan in their bid to win a third world title.

TOP 14 WRAP: Toulouse extended their lead over Clermont at the summit as both enjoyed home wins on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Assistant coach Chris Whittaker says the Waratahs can't afford a repeat of their poor ball control when they host the unbeaten Crusaders.

SCHOOL FESTIVAL: Garsfontein is hosting the North-South Rugby Festival, which started on 15 March 2019.

For many schools, this is time for the holidays, getting Easter in early. It is a time for much rugby activity.

LISTEN as Lions coach Swys de Bruin talks about his team's astonishing come-from-behind win over the Rebels and the reason why they will continue to take risks.

It was a lovely day in Riversdale on Saturday when Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale's rugby tournament kicked off.

LISTEN as Stormers coach Robbie Fleck and captain Siyamthanda Kolisi talk about the challenges of a four-match Australasian tour.

As is the FNB Varsity Cup's won't, especially as the tournament reaches the 'business end', Round 7 is full of mouth-watering ties.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Italy rugby great Sergio Parisse bid farewell to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome this weekend with another bitter disappointment as the Azzurri snatched a 14-25 defeat from the jaws of victory against France.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Legendary Welsh flyhalf Barry John said the World Cup could not come around quick enough for Wales.

OPINION: Wales secured their third Grand Slam under Warren Gatland with a dominant 25-7 defeat of Ireland at the Principality Stadium.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Joe Schmidt may have bowed out of the Six Nations with a 7-25 loss to Wales, but his legacy makes the task of his successor as Ireland coach Andy Farrell an unenviable one.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Coach Jacques Brunel insisted on Saturday that France's disappointing Six Nations campaign would have no impact on their World Cup in six months time.

SCHOOL REPORT: Graeme Rugby Day drew to a thunderous conclusion in Grahamstown on Saturday when the hosts and Dale College played out to a thrilling 14-14 draw.

WATCH all the highlights from the weekend's main matches - for the Six Nations and Super Rugby!

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Wales may seem Europe's best hope of World Cup glory in Japan this year, after winning the Grand Slam, but injuries could yet play a part by the time the tournament starts in September.

REACTION: The Crusaders have reacted firmly in the wake of a renewed controversy over their name.

OPINION: The RugbyPass Index was spot on tipping Wales to seal the Grand Slam deal, its pre-game percentages suggesting the odds were tilted 67 to 33 in favour of the hosts.

REACTION: Eddie Jones said he hoped England would learn a valuable World Cup lesson after they were "seduced by the scoreboard" as Scotland produced an astonishing fightback in a 38-38 draw at Twickenham on Saturday.

Watch the celebrations following Wales' 25-7 win over Ireland.  

OPINION: With the Championship decided the Twickenham crowd initially seemed more concerned with merriment that what was going on the pitch. England appearing to wrap up the game within 15 minutes didn’t help matters.

OPINION: Their title hopes may have been derailed by Wales emphatically securing the Grand Slam earlier in the day, but that didn’t prevent England from turning in an impressive first half  at Twickenham.

SIX NATIONS ANALYSES:  Wales certainly placed a huge target on their back with an impressive 25-7 win over Ireland.

IN FOCUS: Warren Gatland might have been born in New Zealand but after Wales' 2019 Six Nations charge, he's been adopted as one of the country's own.

MATCH REPORT: Scotland saw their hopes of a first win at Twickenham since 1983 dashed in stoppage time as a remarkable Calcutta Cup clash ended in a 38-38 draw with England on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A 27-man Stormers touring squad, including Springboks Eben Etzebeth, will leave Cape Town on Sunday for a four-week Australasian tour.

Wales claimed a record third Six Nations Grand Slam of coach Warren Gatland's reign Saturday as Gareth Anscombe kicked 20 points to help beat an ill-disciplined Ireland 25-7.

INJURY UPDATE: England and Wasps scrumhalf Dan Robson suffered a major setback after being diagnosed with blood clots.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: The Lions produced a stellar second-half performance for a 36-33 win over the Rebels in Johannesburg.

MATCH REPORT: Italy finished the 2019 Six Nations with nothing but the wooden spoon after losing to France in the final fixture of this year's tournament.

REACTION: The Stormers have paid a dear price for their impressive 35-8 win over the Jaguares at Newlands this past Friday.

Georgia have won Europe's second Six Nations in 10 of the last 12 times and this year will see their 11th victory.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Damian McKenzie is set to follow in the footsteps of teammate Brodie Retallick to become the second All Black to be exempt from New Zealand's resting policy.

REACTION: Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga'a is putting his name up in lights to secure the Wallabies No.2 jersey at this year's World Cup.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Hamish Stewart slotted a 79th-minute penalty to secure the Reds' first win of the season in Tokyo on Saturday.

NEWS: Wallabies and Rebels halfback Will Genia has been linked with a move to Japan following this year’s World Cup.

BREAKING NEWS: Saturday's Highlanders versus Crusaders Super Rugby fixture - scheduled to be played at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium - was cancelled.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Italy captain Sergio Parisse warned the motivation was huge as he prepares to play what will likely be his final match at the Stadio Olimpico against France in the Six Nations on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: There is still a lot on the line for France in Rome.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Stormers recorded their third win in a row after beating the Jaguares 35-8 at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Under wily coach Joe Schmidt, the experienced Irish team have racked up a number of impressive performances.

NEWS: This player hopes to be part of a bright future at Sandy Park

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: An interesting choice of movie ahead of such a big clash.

There has been six rounds of the FNB Varsity Cup action that has flown by and with Round Seven set to get underway on Monday, March 18, we take a look at how things have gone thus far for the nine participating teams.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHTS: Packing down alongside stalwart Alun Wyn Jones, Adam Beard has the unlikely record of never having tasted defeat in a Welsh jersey.

At Hoërskool Garsfontein of Pretoria there are four days of top class schools rugby when the twain meet, North meets South.

The 14th big, three-day Tony Stoops Rugby Festival takes place at Hoërskool Brackenfell, starting on Saturday, 16 March 2019.

TRANSFER NEWS: This time, it is loose forward Luke Whitelock who has committed his services to a foreign club, with the 28-year-old signing a three-year deal with Top 14 side Pau.

The 40th Oakdale Rugby Festival starts on Saturday, 16 March 2019.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FIVE: Italy coach Conor O'Shea called on his side to give captain Sergio Parisse and fellow veterans Alessandro Zanni and Leonardo Ghiraldini a farewell to remember with a first win in the Six Nations in four years against France at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones was at his most asinine best ahead of the decisive final round of action.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FIVE: England coach Eddie Jones has promised an "explosion" from his Six Nations title-chasing side in their Championship finale against Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies hung on for a hard-earned 19-13 win over the Waratahs in Canberra on Friday.

Europe is on the verge of spring and the Red Roses of England are on the verge of a Grand Slam. Unbeaten, they play winless Scotland.

'NEWS: Loyiso Dotwana, Chairman of the Southern Kings' newly constituted board, announced some key changes - geared at laying the foundation to establish a professional, world-class team in the Eastern Cape.

Ireland for the Grand Slam? They are unassailably top of the Six Nations Under-20 log for 2019, the only unbeaten team in the competition as it reaches its final three matches.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FIVE: Warren Gatland has urged his Wales to seize their chances against Ireland with both hands on Saturday as they bid to seal a third Six Nations Grand Slam of his 11-year reign as head coach.

Emerging back row forward Rob Valetini has inked a new two-year extension to re-sign with Rugby Australia and the Brumbies until the end of 2021.

REACTION: Rugby bosses from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa have emerged from World League talks in Dublin this week with a clear view of where they stand.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs and Hurricanes played to a thrilling 23-all draw in Hamilton on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Uncertainty over what will happen on the field is accompanied by uncertainty off it as the Six Nations heads into this weekend's 'Super Saturday' finale.

The Rugby Pod had some interesting thoughts on the proposed World League in light of the meeting that was carried out in Dublin on Thursday.

STOP THE JUGGERNAUT: The question ahead of Saturday's matches is: 'Who can stop the Crusaders juggernaut?'

NEWS: World Rugby outlined its vision for the future of international rugby, including the proposed Nations Championship concept and supporting business model, during a meeting with international rugby’s major stakeholders in Dublin on Thursday.

REACTION: SA Rugby's representatives will report back to internal stakeholders, following the latest discussions on the World Rugby Nations Championship concept.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland has named the matchday squad to face Wales in their decisive Six Nations match in Cardiff on Saturday.

LISTEN as the Lions' rookie flank Vincent Tshikaya Tshituka speaks about his first steps in Super Rugby.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Conor O’Shea has made five changes to his Italy side as they bid to avoid yet another Six Nations wooden spoon.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Gregor Townsend has made six changes to the starting Scotland team to face England in this Saturday’s final Six Nations Test at Twickenham Stadium.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Crusaders are happy to unleash veteran All Black Sam Whitelock on the Highlanders in a much-anticipated South Island derby on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks and Stormers legend Jean de Villiers has revealed his views in regards to World Rugby’s proposed Nations League.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has revealed his team to face Ireland in their crucial Six Nations clash on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France have made six changes for their final match of a disappointing Six Nations against Italy

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will face the Rebels in a Super Rugby game at Ellis Park on Saturday with a new lock pairing.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has named his team to play Scotland in their last Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium.

NEWS: The days of the Bulls trying to hoard the best junior talent in South Africa is over.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: John Kirwan broke one of rugby's biggest taboos when he revealed his battle with depression, but the All Blacks legend believes modern athletes are under more mental pressure than ever in the commercial era.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  The tense relationship between Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and Wales counterpart Warren Gatland adds further spice to Saturday's clash in Cardiff in what will be the last time both face each other in the tournament.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A bonus-point win over the Jaguares on Friday will serve as a massive confidence boost ahead of the Stormers’ tour to New Zealand and Australia.

NEWS: Since December 2018, more than ten New Zealand club rugby players have been suspended for doping offences.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels head coach Dave Wessels has named his team to face the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Despite serious assault charges hanging over his head, former Melbourne Rebel Amanaki Mafi will return to Super Rugby action for the Sunwolves this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made five changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s showdown against the Sunwolves in Tokyo.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has made a few changes to his team to face the Crusaders in Dunedin on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named his side for Saturday's southern derby against the Highlanders, and it includes the return of four All Blacks.

The @rugby365com team chats to @TheVietGwent about the decisive final round of the @SixNationsRugby - as Wales chase a Grand Slam.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: South African-born Michael Rhodes has been handed a three-week suspension. 

CRUNCH TIME: The word 'desperate' would be synonymous with a couple of the teams in Friday's matches.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares coach Gonzalo Quesada has made a number of changes to his team for their Round five match against the Stormers at Newland on Friday.

Tuesday, 12 March 2019 was Schools Day at Newlands, a day, dating back nearly 90 years, when schools get a chance to play on the great ground which has been a home for rugby players for 129 years.

The teacher is back. Theo Pieterse is back at Itembelihle, and rugby is starting to blossom once again.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT:  A teak-tough defence forged by rugby league legend Shaun Edwards has helped push Wales to the brink of a Six Nations Grand Slam. 

Not for the first time, the Diocesan College of Rondebosch in the Cape, popularly known as Bishops, is on a tour of Ireland and plays its first match on Thursday, 14 March 2019.

TRANSFER NEWS: After months of speculations, England star Manu Tuilagi has finally revealed his plans for the future.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are four changes to the Stormers starting line-up to face the Jaguares at Newlands on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  Seems like World Rugby’s proposed Nations League has been thrown a major curveball.

NEWS: Nine out of 10 host locations for the next four-year cycle of the men's World Rugby Sevens Series 2019-23 has been confirmed.

This is a chance to recognise that more than just the 1st XV plays rugby.

Super Rugby Round Five is here with some tense clashes lined up. Here are the result predictions, including winning margins, for the weekend ahead.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Prop Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin and wing Lausii Taliauli will make their first Super Rugby starts of the season as the Brumbies welcome the Waratahs to GIO Stadium on Friday in Super Rugby Round 5. 

Grey High School of Port Elizabeth will be holding its annual Rugby Festival on 21-23 March 2019.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks and Sharks hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle revealed the name of the substance found in his system. 

NEWS: There could be a big job waiting for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen after this year's World Cup.

The final weekend of the 2019 Six Nations is set up for a potentially perfect weekend of a maths. Here are the scenarios for Wales, England and Ireland to win the title.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has named his team to take on the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.

As the Six Nations 2019 tournament heads for an epic showdown on the final weekend, here’s a reminder of how points and bonus points are awarded.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: In-form midfielder Ngani Laumape will start his 50th match for the Hurricanes on Friday in the Round Five Super Rugby encounter against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has made six changes to his starting line up to face the Hurricanes on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Talk about first-choice flyhalves in the SANZAAR countries and the names Elton Jantjies and Quade Cooper don't automatically appear.

All eyes will be on Cardiff this weekend when Wales play Ireland in the final round of the 2019 Six Nations.

On Saturday, Glenwood kicked off their rugby season and hosted rivals Westville Boys' High to kick start the season.

NEWS: Scotland internationalist Richie Vernon has announced he will retire at the end of the 2018/19 season following a thirteen-year career.

SQUAD UPDATE: England head coach Eddie Jones has retained 26 players to continue their preparations for their final Six Nations match against Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Ireland can maintain their habit of ending long winning runs by bringing Wales's 13-game sequence to a close and crushing their Six Nations Grand Slam dreams.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde his heaping the pressure on Ireland ahead of their Six Nations clash in Cardiff.

TRANSFER NEWS: Brumbies lock Murray Douglas will spend the Super Rugby off-season back in his native homeland having signed a short-term loan deal with Edinburgh Rugby to provide cover during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath Rugby confirmed that Springbok Francois Louw has signed a new contract, which will take him into his ninth season with the Club.

NEWS: Grenoble's 20-year-old back-rower Antonin Berruyer will not play again this season after suffering a stroke, the Top 14 club said on Tuesday.

NEWS: More players are urging SANZAAR to change the Super Rugby format because the huge numberof brutal and intense New Zealand derbies.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt would love his players to replicate the intense pressure they put France under for an hour over the whole of their high-octane final Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Holding onto their talent will be the Stormers' biggest challenge in 2019.

INJURY UPDATE: The Brumbies could enter their crunch Super Rugby clash with the NSW Waratahs without star Wallabies Allan Alaalatoa and David Pocock.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The Sharks will be without one of their midfielders for the next few weeks.

NEWS: The All Black legend said the problem was a bulging disc in his neck which might require surgery but would not stop him playing rugby.

INJURY UPDATE: There was mixed news for the Stormers, as they started preparations for their encounter with the Jaguares at Newlands on Friday.

The schools rugby season is getting into gear and St Andrew's College of Grahamstown have sent their report of their 1st XV's first match for 2019.

Sunday's Rugby Europe's International Championship match was expected to be a close affair when Spain hosted Romania in Madrid and so it turned out to be. Spain, scoring three tries to two, won, mainly because they used their chances much better.

REACTION: England's Premiership Rugby and France's National Rugby League issued a withering statement on World Rugby's proposed 'Nations Championship'.

@rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson looks at an interesting poser emanating from the Vancouver Sevens.

Saracens on Monday released a statement from Chairman Nigel Wray regarding the controversy surrounding their salary cap.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Waratahs are working on plans to counter the Brumbies powerful rolling maul and intend using their footwork to avoid being bashed by bigger packs.

There’s an obscene amount of skill in this Blitzboks try. How good is Selvyn Davids?

Referee Nika Amashukeli of Georgia travelled from Tblissi to Bedford in England to referee the Under-20 match between England and Italy. He was bloodbinned.

OPINION: The Crusaders again showed why they are fancied to make it a hat-trick of titles.

OPINION: There were quite a few eye-catching performances in Round Four of Six Nations 2019.

SQUAD UPDATE: Scotland will have a new back three when they face England in their final Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

With four wins out of four, Ireland have already secured the Under-20 Six Nations championship for 2019 and need to beat Wales to secure the Grand Slam.

Georgia, top of the log, did the expected and comfortably beat Germany who are bottom of the log.

SQUAD UPDATE: England head coach Eddie Jones has called up 31 players to prepare for their final Six Nations match against Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Hadleigh Parkes has said having the chance to complete a Grand Slam in the Six Nations is exactly the kind of high-stakes match that lay behind his controversial move to represent Wales.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls have emerged as South Africa's leading light in the early stages of the competition.

Unbeaten England played unbeaten Italy at Sandy Park in Exeter on Friday. Now England are the only unbeaten team in the Women's Six Nations.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Ireland will be taking on a Welsh side bidding for a Grand Slam and who will have had an extra day to recuperate and prepare.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: "When you have the television on you should have the commentary down,"

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper could move Damian McKenzie back to fullback for the Chiefs' crunch clash against the Hurricanes on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne Rebels star Quade Cooper took to Instagram on Friday to take a dig at Reds coach Brad Thorn after his side’s comeback win against the Brumbies.

DAY TWO WRAP: South Africa claimed their first tournament victory since Paris last season by beating France 21-12 in the Final of the Vancouver leg of the World Series.

OPINION: Ireland remain mathematically in contention to retain their Six Nations title after a 26-14 four-try bonus point victory over France in Dublin on Sunday.

Watch all the higlights from Round four of the Southern Hemisphere's premier franchise competition!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has called for Six Nations organisers to consider introducing relegation after Italy fell to a 21st successive Championship defeat on Saturday.

REACTION: Struggling Queensland Reds face an early season must-win Super Rugby game.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: A near-flawless display from Gloucester Rugby brought Harlequins’ unbeaten run to a shuddering halt with a dominant 29-7 bonus-point victory.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland has urged his players to seize the "dream" opportunity of clinching a Grand Slam at home to Ireland in Cardiff next Saturday.

REACTION: While the Sharks thrive against New Zealand teams, it’s certainly a very different story against their fellow South African sides.

MATCH REPORT: Defending Six Nation champions Ireland kept alive their hopes of retaining their title with a clinical 26-14 win over France at Lansdowne Road on Sunday.

REACTION: The Lions head coach Swys de Bruin’s faith in his new generation of talent has certainly been rewarded.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Sharks centre Jeremy Ward will appear before a Disciplinary Committee for an incident during his team’s defeat to the Bulls.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones looked forward to settling a score against Scotland after his side maintained their Six Nations title hopes with a 57-14 thrashing of Italy at Twickenham on Saturday.

INJURY NEWS: With impeccable form and clear favourites to win the Super Rugby title, the unbeaten Crusaders have an only concern after their win over the Chiefs.

SEVENS WRAP: The Blitzboks bounce back from their disappointment in Las Vegas and will face Argentina later on Sunday.

In the Super Rugby match between the Lions and the Jaguares at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, there was discussion about an incident that involved a penalty, advantage, a try and a penalty try.

OPINION: England got their Six Nations campaign back on track at Twickenham this afternoon, beating Italy, 57-14, in a thoroughly one-sided contest.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Legendary Irish hooker Rory Best says he is going to feel "a little bit sad" after Sunday's match against France.

SIX NATIONS RESULT: England ran riot against a disjointed Italy team at Twickenham on Saturday, winning 57-14 in a try-fest.

OPINION: It was a tale of two halves for Scotland.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Bristol Bears secured a remarkable victory over 11-man Northampton Saints.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Bulls recorded their third win of the season when they beat the Sharks 37-14 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Wales are still on track for a Six Nations Grand Slam after they beat Scotland 18-11 at Murrayfield on Saturday.

SUPER RGBY REPORT: The Lions put in an improved performance to beat the Jaguares 47-39 win at Ellis Park on Saturday.

BUILD-UP: Alun Wyn Jones says Wales have “a job to get on with” against Scotland after a week dominated by domestic rugby politics.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FOUR: Ireland have been finding life tough since New Zealand coach Steve Hansen anointed them as the best team in the world and face a "massive match" against France on Sunday Irish.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Waratahs fuelled with Wallabies recorded a 28-17 win over the Reds on Saturday in Sydney.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Blues earned their first season win with a hard-fought 28-20 victory over the Sunwolves on Saturday at the North Harbour Stadium.

TRANSFER NEWS: Three-test lock/blindside flanker Jackson Hemopo has become the newest All Black to ink an offshore deal.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Star Melbourne Rebels playmaker Quade Cooper is set to earn a recall to the Wallabies training squad after steering his new Super Rugby team to three straight wins.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders kept their unbeaten record in pristine condition with a remarkable 57-28 win over the Chiefs on Saturday at AMI Stadium.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Sale Sharks kept their top four hopes alive with a comfortable bonus-point victory over Leicester Tigers at the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Rhys Priestland kicked six penalties as Bath kept their play-off hopes alive with an 18-9 win over Saracens at the Recreation Ground on Friday.

The Blue Bulls Rugby Union held its third Prestige Schools Rugby Day on 5 March 2019.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Scotland captain Stuart McInally insists his side will have plenty of motivation as they look to scupper Wales' bid for a Six Nations Grand Slam at Murrayfield on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Sergio Parisse has insisted perennial Six Nations strugglers Italy "have not come here to see England play" ahead of their match at Twickenham on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: There appears to be a new standoff in SANZAAR and the Sunwolves is the battleground.

NEWS: South African rugby has been rocked by reports that Springbok hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle has failed a drugs test - for a second time.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Rebels coach Dave Wessels was beaming after his team tactically outsmarted the Brumbies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Veteran flank Sean O'Brien has been omitted from the Ireland squad for the Six Nations clash with France on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: New signing Wilhelm van der Sluys revealed that he jumped at the opportunity to represent the Lions.

It's the penultimate round of Rugby Europe's International Championship, the so-called Six Nations B.

REACTION: The incumbent skipper said he and national teammates had never given anything less than their best efforts while wearing the gold jumper.

Unbeaten England play unbeaten Italy at Sandy Park, the Chiefs' ground in Exeter on Friday, and some 10 thousand spectators are expected.

ROUND SIX: The Sevens World Series delivered scintillating action in Las Vegas last weekend, with a victory for the United States on home soil.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ruan Ackermann will soon be available for England contention following his latest deal.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FOUR: England coach Eddie Jones will unleash a powerful midfield pairing of Ben Te'o and Manu Tuilagi against perennial Six Nations strugglers Italy at Twickenham on Saturday as he explores his options ahead of this year's World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After months after secrecy, SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux has finally confirmed the new owners of South African Pro14 side the Southern Kings.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Melbourne Rebels staged a stunning second-half comeback to beat the Brumbies 29-26 in Melbourne on Friday.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FOUR: Warren Gatland will be protecting an 18-year unbeaten personal record against Scotland when he bids to emerge from a week of turmoil in Welsh rugby by moving within one step of a historic Grand Slam hat-trick at Murrayfield on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: A late Beauden Barrett penalty helped the Hurricanes edge the Highlanders 25-22 at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Ireland have a Grand Slam in their sights as they go down to Cork to meet France, the reigning Six Nations Under-20 Champions and the winner of World Rugby's Junior Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy captain Sergio Parisse has recovered from a head injury and will face England in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.

REACTION: Rugby Australia has denied a report claiming the Wallabies were investigated for match-fixing after they lost a Test they had been favoured to win.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares coach Gonzalo Quesada has named a virtual B-Team for his side's opening match of their first South African Super Rugby trip for 2019.

King Edward VII School of Houghton is holding its 18th Easter Festival with 19 matches.

REACTION: Western Province Rugby Group CEO Paul Zacks has slammed 'irresponsible' members of the media for their 'inaccurate and misleading' reports.

INJURY UPDATE: Bulls captain and Springboks lock Lood De Jager has revealed his recovery timeframe following a successful surgery.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made four changes to his starting team to face Wales in a Six Nations Round Four clash in Edinburgh on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Jaguares will arrive at Ellis Park on Saturday with a clear mission: Break the Johannesburg bogey.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: What happens between now and the end of the Premiership season is anyone’s guess, but what we can be sure of ahead of Round 16 is there are plenty more twists and turns still to come.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia is reportedly set to investigate allegations of alleged match-fixing during the Wallabies game several years ago, according to reports.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has selected his team to play Italy in their next Six Nations match on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Swys de Bruin will be giving some of his young talent an opportunity against the Jaguares at Ellis Park on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A World League competition without the Pacific Island teams is something that All Blacks hooker Dane Coles finds impossible to comprehend.

WATCH as Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus speaks about the succession plan to find his replacement as Springbok coach.

It is the 36th St Stithians Easter Festival. Alleluia.

Hoërskool Brackenfell is hosting its big sports weekend this weekend, 8-9 March 2019, with 16 matches on the Friday and 29 on the Saturday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Just weeks after Cheetahs centre Nico Lee's 13-week suspension, another star has been handed a hefty ban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: After naming the same starting line-up in three successive matches, Sharks coach Robert du Preez has decided to make a few changes to his team for their clash against the Bulls.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunwolves have made seven changes to their starting line-up for their Super Rugby round four match against the Blues at QBE Stadium in North Harbour on Saturday.

This week Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina speak with Rob Nichol of the NZ Players Association about the challenges faced in the Pacific with regard to the ongoing debacle that is World Rugby's proposed Nations Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made five changes to their starting XV for this weekend’s match against Queensland's oldest rival, Waratahs in Sydney.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has named a powerful backline ahead of their Aussie derby against the Queensland Reds at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues welcome two long-term injured players to add spark to the team to take on the Sunwolves at QBE Stadium in North Harbour on Saturday.

NEWS: Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has made a number of changes to the starting XV to face an in-form and unbeaten Crusaders line up on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named his team to face the Chiefs at home this Saturday, including a number of changes and two Super Rugby debutants.

NEWS: The biggest name in Australian rugby is keen to play Sevens at next year's Tokyo Olympics, saying participating in the Games would be "something special".

LISTEN as the @rugby365com team chats to @MyPlayersRugby CEO Eugene Henning to separate the facts from the fiction surrounding the controversial World League.

World Rugby has moved to clarify the organisation’s position on the merits and structure of an annual global competition in advance of key meetings in Dublin next week.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Lions have dipped into the Premiership to shore up their second row stocks.

REACTION: The game in Wales is in turmoil over "Project Reset".

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: A few minor tweaks could put Scotland back on the path to victory.

Sunday's Rugby Europe's International Championship match was expected to be a close affair when Spain hosted Romania in Madrid and so it turned out to be. Spain, scoring three tries to two, won, mainly because they used their chances much better.

DERBY DAY: It is truly a weekend of derbies - two matches in the New Zealand conference, two matches in the Australian conference and two matches in the South African conference.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Code-hopping Karmichael Hunt is pledging to pour every ounce of his Queensland blood into his Super Rugby derby debut for the Waratahs against his former Reds teammates.

SQUAD UPDATE: Ireland on Wednesday announced a 37-man squad for their Six Nations match against France.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus talks about his transformation targets for the World Cup and his squad selection.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Pote Human has named his team to face the Sharks in a Super Rugby Round Four clash in Pretoria on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar has made five changes for the Super Rugby Round Four clash against the Rebels at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Friday.

WATCH as Dylan Michael Sage talks about his conversion from a Sevens star to a 15-a-side rookie.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels have made four changes to their starting XV for their Super Rugby Round Four clash against the Brumbies on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders will be significantly stronger when they face the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has named a settled squad to face the Highlanders in Friday's Round Four Super Rugby match at Westpac Stadium.

NEWS: The two-time World Cup winner, who will be chasing a third straight trophy this year, said the time felt right to leave.

UPDATE: The Ospreys labelled Wales's Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chaotic and reckless in denying they are on the verge of merging with the Scarlets in a major restructuring of Welsh rugby.

NEWS: With a clear focus on meeting and exceeding its transformation objectives, Western Province Rugby has revised its coaching and team management structures.

TRANSFER NEWS: Samoa forward Piula Faasalele has signed a three-year deal with relegation-threatened Perpignan, the Top 14 club said on Wednesday.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus unpack the reasons for the recent contract restructuring of South African players. Jan de Koning reports!

INJURY UPDATE: One of England's star players hobbled out of training to give Eddie Jones a scare ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash with Italy.

Six Nations again this week with the exciting prop sect of seeking Ireland hosting France in Dublin with Ben O'Keeffe of New Zealand to referee it.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland have taken the unusual step of delaying confirmation of their wider squad for the Dublin encounter with Les Bleus until Wednesday.

NEWS: There is a lot of unhappiness surrounding the WRU’s "catastrophic mismanagement" of efforts to overhaul the game.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made one change to his starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wasps have signed a giant tighthead prop.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: A Disciplinary Committee will meet in Edinburgh on Wednesday to decide Ox Nche's fate.

Pat Lambie has spoken about dealing with concussion and how he deliberately avoided an assessment after suffering a concussion that would eventually end his career.

NEWS: Two of Wales' most successful team are set to merge as part of a radical overhaul in Welsh Rugby.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: He is a bit like an uncut diamond, but a pure gem that needs some polishing.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Jacques Brunel has named his team to face Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Centre Tom English is welcoming threats from inside and outside the Melbourne Rebels camp.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Could Russia one day be a major player in world rugby? The national team has qualified for the World Cup for just the second time in its history and a new coach says the country is full of potential.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Wales have not forgotten Finn Russell's masterclass against them two years ago.

REACTION: The Georgian Rugby president Gocha Svanidze has sent a stern message in the wake of World Rugby’s controversial proposal last week to set up a World League.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Saracens are adamant that they “readily comply” with the Premiership salary regulations.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand captain Kieran Read is still three weeks away from a return to action, Crusaders confirmed.

INJURY UPDATE: Finn Russell has returned to bolster Scotland's squad ahead of their clash with Six Nations leaders Wales at Murrayfield this weekend, the Scottish Rugby Union announced on Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: Bulls lock and captain Lood De Jager's Super Rugby season has taken a major dent.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls' 30-12 win over the Lions will hardly register on the scale of earth-shattering blowouts.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Australia's national women's team captain Liz Patu has escaped with a slap on the wrist for a disgusting biting incident.

TRANSFER NEWS: Gert Smal has officially joined Japanese club Toyota Verblitz as their new assistant coach for the 2019/20 season.

OPINION: The Sunwolves are no longer the laughing stock of Super Rugby.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has called up 31 players as they prepare for their fourth Six Nations match against Italy at Twickenham on Saturday.

ANALYSIS: With Ma’a Nonu back in Super Rugby, along with regular All Blacks Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue and Ryan Crotty, there is plenty of competition for mid-field spots for this year’s World Cup.

Towards the end of the match between the Reds and the Crusaders in Brisbane on Saturday, there was an intervention that led to the Crusaders' being reduced to 14 men for the last six minutes of the match.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: South Africa Sevens coach Neil Powell called in Zain Davids and Kurt-Lee Arendse to do duty in Vancouver this weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: Scrumhalf Morgan Parra will miss France's Six Nations match against champions Ireland through injury, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced.

WORLD CUP UPDATE: Former Melbourne Rebels backrow Amanaki Mafi has been called into Japan's extended Rugby World Cup training squad despite facing an assault charge from his time at the Super Rugby club.

INJURY UPDATE: Queensland centre Jordan Petaia has had his World Cup dreams rocked by scans which have ruled him out of the remainder of the Super Rugby season.

NEWS: SANZAAR has confirmed that sideline match officials made an incorrect ruling towards the end of the Reds versus Crusaders match in Brisbane at the weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has returned to Australia on loan from England's Leicester Tigers.

TRANSFER NEWS: In a rare move, New Zealand franchise the Hurricanes signed South African lock Andries Ferreira.

DAY THREE WRAP: The United States steamrolled Samoa 27-0 in the Cup Final to win the Las Vegas Sevens Sunday.

TOP 14 WRAP: Can anyone stop Toulouse?

RUGBY EXPLORER: We travel to South Africa for the latest episode of Rugby Explorer.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Zach Kibirige scored his third try in two matches to help inspire Newcastle Falcons to their first win in six and a crucial 17-6 victory over Worcester Warriors.

PRO14 REPORT: Ulster dug deep to withstand a late Dragons charge as they notched up a bonus-point 28-15 win over the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

NEWS: The Stormers are set to reveal their new coach in the next few days.

NEWS: World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont is busy doing some damage control.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: It wasn't pretty, but the Stormers enter their bye week after two important wins against South African Conference rivals.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Once again, consistency will probably be the Sharks' greatest challenge in Super Rugby.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Schalk Brits has revealed how the Bulls' tactics and hard work on the training field all came together during his team’s 30-12 Super Rugby victory against the Lions on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Lions head coach Swys de Bruin sees a big resemblance in the current Bulls team to the golden generation who won three Super Rugby titles.

REACTION: Look up the newly proposed World League in rugby on Twitter and the motherlode of comments will be severely critical.

WATCH all the highlights from Round Three of the Southern Hemisphere's premier franchise competition!

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika may need to revisit his appraisal of Australian Super Rugby progress after a mixed bag of performances in round three.

INJURY UPDATE: The Reds will cross their fingers for good news as Jordan Petaia awaits scan results following his short-lived return to Brisbane at the weekend.

REACTION: Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young was left fuming by some of the refereeing decisions that went against his side in their 14-19 loss to Leicester, claiming “we were robbed.”

DAY TWO WRAP: Dramatic wins for Argentina and Samoa secured their semifinal places while hosts USA beat the Blitzboks on a thrilling day in Las Vegas.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Blues remain winless in this year's Super Rugby tournament after they went down 19-23 to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires in Round Three.

PRO14 REPORT: Olly Robinson rounded off a slick team move to score the winning try for Cardiff Blues as they battled past a resilient Southern Kings side 26-19 in the Pro14.

NEWS: It's unanimous: "Dan Carter can't play rugby in France."

PRO14 REPORT: Ioan Nicholas’ first-half try and some resolute defence reignited Scarlets’ Pro14 campaign as they saw off in-form Munster 10-6 at Parc y Scarlets.

PRO14 REPORT: A first-half blitz from Glasgow Warriors saw them hit the top of Conference A as they notched up a 42-10 win over Zebre in Parma.

PRO14 REPORT: Antonio Rizzi’s second-half try extended Benetton’s unbeaten run in the Pro14 to seven games as they overcame Conference B rivals Edinburgh 18-10.

PRO14 REPORT: Kieran Marmion’s double inspired a huge win as Connacht maintained their formidable home record with a 46-5 victory over Ospreys in a one-sided Pro14 tie.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: A virtuoso Joe Ford inspired Leicester Tigers to just their second victory of 2019 as they claimed the scalp of rivals Wasps.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks suffered their first defeat of the season when they went down 11-16 to the Stormers in Durban on Saturday.

REACTION: World Rugby bosses appear to be backtracking on their earlier decision on the proposed World League, in the face of a fierce backlash.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: It is the end of an era, as the Bulls embarrassed their Trans-Jukskei neighbours, the Lions, with a 30-12 demolition at Ellis Park on Saturday.

WRAP: Argentina XV was crowned 2019 Americas champions for the second time in four years on Friday with a 39-23 bonus point victory over Canada in Victoria, British Columbia.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders were made to work hard for a 22-12 win over a determined Reds side in Brisbane on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Forget the four tries, an error that could have cost the Rebels their 24-19 win over the Highlanders and the response to it was the highlight for coach Dave Wessels.

DAY ONE WRAP: Argentina beat the United States and Chile drew with South Africa in a day of shocks in Las Vegas.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sunwolves recorded a first-ever away win in the competition when they upset the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Lions head coach Zacharia de Bruin revealed that new signing Franco Naudé will play a similar role in the team to that of Springbok centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Tries from Conor O’Brien, Adam Byrne and Rory O’Loughlin proved enough as Leinster Rugby beatCheetahs 19-7 to extend their lead at the top of Conference B in PRO14.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: A penalty try 14 minutes from time was enough to earn Bristol Bears a 28-24 win over West Country rivals Gloucester Rugby in Premiership Rugby.

NEWS: Blues and North Harbour prop Michael Tamoaieta died suddenly at the tender age of 23.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby's proposed 'League of Nations' drew more criticism on Friday when one players' organisation said it is even discussing a boycott of the 2019 World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Another Rebels' win aided by another sensational performance by Quade Cooper.

INJURY UPDATE: Italy captain Sergio Parisse's chance of featuring in the last two games of this year’s Six Nations are fairly slim.

It's Round 3 of Europe's main men's championship with the promise of a close encounter in Madrid when the Romanian Oaks take on the Spanish Lions.

NEWS: The ever-tightening financial noose has forced the South African Rugby Union to shut down the Springbok museum.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Southern Kings coach Deon Davids has been forced into making some changes to his team, as they look to end their winless run on the road.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The battle between a yoga-loving, mullet-wearing Crusader and Ballymore's new "wonderkid" will take centre stage when the Reds host the two-time defending champions on Saturday.

SEVENS NEWS: For Neil Powell consistency has always been the key to success but it can be debated if his squad selection for this weekend’s Las Vegas Sevens was a gamble or calculated risk.

NEWS: Josh Navidi has pledged his future to Cardiff Blues by signing a new contract to remain at the Arms Park.

PLAYER PROFILE: Bader Pretorius may only be a 21-year-old with only four Pro14 matches under his belt, but he has had his share of challenges which have often placed doubt on his future as a professional rugby player.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Rebels were forced into a desperate scramble, but managed to hold out the Highlanders for a vital 24-19 win.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Herschel Jantjies' inclusion in the starting XV could be the catalyst that ignites a sluggish Stormers team at Kings Park.

REACTION: England forwards coach Steve Borthwick has played down clashes that took place between England's and Georgia's players - at a training session, in front of children.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: To use a well-worn cliche: A week is a long time in rugby.

REACTION: The future of the game looks bleak if the proposed World League goes ahead.

SPRINGBOK TRIALS: As South Africa gear for a round of vicious domestic derbies, the New Zealand and Australian franchises wrestled with the prickly poser of player management.

OPINION: @rugby365com's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson looks at some of the values that may be missing from the game - when players lose self-control.

Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Brad Barritt, Ben Earl and Alex Sanderson pay tribute to Schalk Burger who will leave Saracens at the end of the 2018/19 season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Round 17 of the Pro14 arrives after a weekend which saw the race for Finals Series spots get even tighter.

REACTION: Listen as Lions coach Swys de Bruin explains why he believes making Malcolm Marx the captain is 'the right' decision for the team.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Gloucester Rugby have been excelling under #FridayNightLights and this weekend again kick-off the weekend of compelling action with a short trip to Ashton Gate where a bumper crowd will see them take on Bristol Rugby on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs conclude their Europe tour with a massive Pro14 fixture against reigning champions Leinster on Friday in Dublin.

Rob Vickerman and Karl Te Nana preview the Las Vegas leg of the Sevens World Series in the latest episode of the That Sevens Show.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are three changes to the Stormers starting line-up to face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

WORLD SERIES ROUND FIVE: This year marks the 10th time the global circuit has arrived in the world-famous city of Las Vegas, Nevada.

REACTION: Some of the World Top players, including All Blacks, captain Kieran Read and Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton, have voiced their concerns in regards to the proposed World League.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Swys de Bruin has surprised with the announcement of his team's new captain.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has named his team for Saturday's Super Rugby Round Three clash against the Stormers in Durban.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: International rugby is set to undergo a seismic shift with plans of a proposed World League.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The recent deaths of four young French rugby players were an "unusual spike", according to World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper

TRANSFER NEWS: Worcester Warriors have made Samoa international wing Ed Fidow their fifth new signing for next season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have made five changes to their starting XV for their Super Rugby Round Three clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Scott Robertson has made five changes to the starting side that defeated the Hurricanes for their clash against the Reds in Brisbane.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made two changes to their starting XV for Saturday's clash against the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has unveiled his team to face the Sunwolves in Hamilton on Saturday.

The @rugby365com team chats to Piet Heymans, Chief Executive Officer of Sport Employees Unite, about the decision to cancel @Springboks contracts.

INJURY UPDATE: Italy captain Sergio Parisse has recovered from a head injury and is available to face England and France in the two final games of this year's Six Nations.

TRANS-TASMAN FACE-OFF: We start this round off with a couple of games between teams from Australasian rivals New Zealand and Australia.

Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, one of the great rugby stadiums in the world, plays host to 32 schoolboy rugby first teams on Tuesday, 5 March 2019.

The World Schools Rugby Festival is taking place at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch at the end of March 2019.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions are renowned for picking up unwanted 'goods' and turning them into gems.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks have always been the no.1 priority and in 2019 it has become the only priority.

NEWS: Saracens have confirmed that veteran Springbok Schalk Burger will leave the club at the end of the season.

SUPER RUGBY PREDICTIONS: Two South African derbies beckon on Saturday and both, according to the data predictions, are seemingly easy to call.

WATCH: Crusaders wing Manasa Mataele pulled off an early contender for play of the season with this no-look, round-the-back pass from the ground, all while keeping himself out of touch!

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls were forced into a couple of unwanted changes for their Super Rugby Round Three encounter with the Lions.

Six Nations has another rest but lots of top referees are still in action.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Liam Heagney looks at how it all went wrong for Ireland this month!

NEWS: After a 15-year long career, England international Matt Tait has retired from rugby with immediate effect.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies boss Dan McKellar has made four changes to the side that beat the Chiefs in stunning fashion at GIO Stadium last Saturday.

LISTEN as Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am talks about the Sharks' victorious start to the season and the news of the impending European exodus from Durban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Star Wallabies duo Reece Hodge and Adam Coleman have been named in the Rebels’ match-day 23-man squad ahead of their first home match of the year against the Highlanders at AAMI Park on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders will take on an exciting Rebels outfit without a number of key All Blacks in Melbourne on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Record Hurricanes points scorer Beauden Barrett will return to the starting XV for Friday's Super Rugby match against the Brumbies in Palmerston North.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wasps confirmed that tighthead prop Mike Daniels has signed a deal with the Premiership side.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa's Johan Goosen will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a foot injury, his club Montpellier confirmed.

INJURY UPDATE: Cory Hill's elation at scoring a try in Wales' stunning 21-13 victory over England has turned to disappointment as he has been ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The potential return of super scavenger David Pocock could create even more chances for the resurgent Brumbies as they seek to end their Super Rugby drought in New Zealand.

LISTEN as loose forward Albertus Smith explains how the team will cope without inspirational leader Warren Whiteley.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: RugbyPass columnist Ben Smith takes a looks at how winning the Six Nations relates to performances in the World Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ulster confirmed South African prop Gareth Milasinovich will join the Pro14 side from Worcester Warriors.

LISTEN as Stormers assistant coach John Dobson talks about his team's trip to Durban and a Round Three Super Rugby encounter with the Sharks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Joe Schmidt has admitted Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray are angry and grumpy with their personal Six Nations form for Ireland.

NEWS: Not only are South African teams competing with lucrative Europe deals, but they also have to keep a close eye on their Southern Hemisphere counterparts.

Brumbies' Chance Peni has his teammates to thank for getting him over for his first double in Super Rugby.

INJURY UPDATE: The Chiefs are preparing to face the Sunwolves in Hamilton this weekend without the services of All Blacks trio Anton Lienert-Brown, Nathan Harris and Nepo Laulala.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wallaby Scott Fardy has officially ruled himself out of the Wolrd Cup contention with his new contract extension at Leinster.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia on Tuesday ruled out relaxing Wallabies' player eligibility rules after South Africa announced it was scrapping Test selection restrictions aimed at preventing top talent heading abroad.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Waratahs hooker Silatolu Latu was suspended for six weeks after pleading guilty to dangerous play late in his side's tight Super Rugby win over Japan's Sunwolves.

@rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson looks at the controversy that erupted during the final kick of the match in the Stiormers'19-17 win over the Lions.

SQUAD UPDATE: Stade Francais lock Paul Gabrillagues on Monday replaced injured Racing 92 flank Fabien Sanconnie in the 31-man France squad preparing to face Ireland in the Six Nations on March 10.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls have one new injury concern after their 12-27 defeat to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions received some bad news on the injury of inspirational leader Warren Whiteley.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sale Sharks have signed another Springbok, this time it is a hooker.

TRANSFER NEWS: A South African club have managed to lure two Saffas back home following stints in France and Japan.

INJURY UPDATE: As the Kings look to wrap up their three-week Europe tour this week in Cardiff, the side’s medical team will be keeping a close eye on some of the players following a tough match against defending PRO14 champions Leinster Rugby.

OPINION: After Wales' win over England, it's no surprise their players lead the way in @rugby365com’s famous weekly selection.

OPINION: There were plenty of Australian players who stood out in Round Two of Super Rugby 2019.

NEWS: Wales and France move up the World Rugby Rankings after both teams won in the latest round of the Six Nations.

TRANSFER NEWS: One of South Africa's top flyhalves will be leaving the country at the end of the Super Rugby season.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Stormers muted the chorus of discontent with a come-from-behind win over the Lions.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland legend Ronan O'Gara has shown a lot of interest in furthering his coaching career in New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tension between Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika and the Australian Super Rugby franchises has been rising after a host of top Australian talent have been left injured following a Wallabies training camp.

TRANSFER NEWS: Toulon will lose one of their stars at the end of the season

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Warren Gatland has warned Wales against resting on their laurels after a second-half recovery saw them to a thrilling Six Nations victory over England in Cardiff.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Will Carling said Kyle Sinckler was a "cheap target" after the prop found himself being blamed for a second-half collapse that led to a dramatic defeat by Wales.

In the Women's Six Nations Championship. England and Italy remain unbeaten.

NEWS: England's Six Nations campaign took a major injury blow with the news that Courtney Lawes will miss the rest of the tournament.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Joe Schmidt confessed to being unhappy with Ireland's scrappy 26-16 win over Italy in Rome on Sunday, which kept alive their hopes of defending the title.

REACTION: Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny scored 11 points in the Scarlets' 43-21 victory over the Cheetahs on Sunday in his first game in three months.

SELECTION SPOTLIGHT: Cobus Reinach’s skin - not form - will likely be the biggest obstacle to his desire for a Springboks recall ahead of the World Cup.

PINION: Ireland pushed themselves back into the Six Nations title race with a 26-16 bonus-point win over Italy.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Tom Howe's dramatic late try and an earlier score by Springbok Francois Hougaard saw Worcester down Leicester Tigers 17-13 and give their Premiership survival hopes a huge boost.

PRO14 REPORT: Scarlets produced an incisive opening salvo as they beat the Cheetahs 43-21 to continue their play-off push.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Ireland had to come from behind to beat Italy 26-16 and keep their slim hopes alive.

WATCH as Sharks coach Robert du Preez chats about his team's impressive win over the Blues and looks forward to next week's encounter with the Stormers.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Hurricanes coach John Plumtree said his side are hurting after their 38-22 thrashing at the hands of the defending champion Crusaders.

WATCH as @rugby365com brings you all the highlights from the weekend's Six Nations and Super Rugby matches!

SIX NATIONS ANALYSES: Wales stormed back in the second half to beat England 21-13 and keep alive their hopes of winning the Six Nations Grand Slam whilst dashing their opponents' aspirations of a second one under Eddie Jones.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Brumbies were revelling in their best win in years Sunday after inspirational cancer survivor Christian Lealiifano put himself on the Wallabies radar ahead of the World Cup.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Silatolu Latu of the Waratahs has been cited for alleged foul play during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones insisted the "world hasn't ended" after a stunning second-half collapse saw his side suffer a 13-21 defeat to Wales in Cardiff.

SIX NATIONS REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland cast doubt on England's ability to win the games that count.

OPINION: Another Six Nations comeback helped Wales beat England 21-13 at the Principality Stadium to secure a national record 12th successive win.

AMERICAS RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Argentina captain Lautaro Bavaro scored two tries Saturday to lead the hosts over Uruguay 35-10 in a showdown of the unbeaten, keeping Argentina atop the table.

PRO14 WRAP: Jason Harries returned to haunt his former side as Cardiff Blues staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Edinburgh 19-17 at BT Murrayfield.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions are hoping for some positive news on the injury of inspirational leader Warren Whiteley.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Jaguares avoided a second home defeat with a hard-fought 27-12 win over the Bulls at Buenos Aires on Saturday.

OPINION: After showing signs of real promise in the opening two rounds of the championship, England left Cardiff with their Grand Slam hopes shattered, as they fell to a 21-13 loss to Wales.

OPINION: Scottish hopes of bagging the first win in Paris in 20 years were eclipsed in the Parisian spring sun.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Faf de Klerk inspired Sale Sharks to a 24-18 victory over Wasps to emphatically bounce back from their 50-point defeat at Northampton Saints in round 13 of the Premiership.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Fly-half sensation Romain Ntamack fired France to their first victory of this year's Six Nations with a 27-10 defeat of Scotland on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Wales came from 10-3 behind at half-time to beat England 21-13 in the Six Nations at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday to remain on course for a Grand Slam.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Stormers recorded their first win of the season with a dramatic 19-17 win over the Lions at Newlands on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Sharks kept their impressive record over the Blues intact with a 26-7 win on Saturday in Durban.

AMERICAS RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Andrew Coe scored three second-half tries as Canada continued its domination over Chile with a 56-0 rout.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies upset the odds to record a bonus-point 54-16 win over the Chiefs in Canberra on Saturday.

NEWS: Dozens of home-based players will be taken into Springbok succession planning next year as part of a radical new contracting strategy, announced by SA Rugby on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Last week the Waratahs lost by one point because of a missed kick. This week they won by one point because of a missed kick.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders were denied a bonus point in the end, but they were full value for their comprehensive 38-22 win over the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Saturday.

All BlacksWORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: All Black coach Steve Hansen is preparing himself to make some tough calls as the deadline for his squad looms large.

SIX NATIONS ROUND THREE: Champions Ireland heads to Rome on Sunday, looking to build momentum in their stuttering Six Nations title defence.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Ben Morgan put in a monumental performance with a match-winning double as Gloucester cemented their status as Premiership contenders by downing league leaders Saracens 30-24.

PRO14 REPORT: George Horne took less than a minute to score Glasgow Warriors’ first try as they ran out 43-17 winners over Connacht in the Pro14 on Friday.

PRO14 REPORT: Doubles for Noel Reid and Ed Byrne helped inspire Leinster to a 59-19 win over the Southern Kings and build their lead at the top of the Conference B table.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions are happy to concede the tale of the tape in their face-off with the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

PRO14 REPORT: Munster withstood a resilient Ospreys effort as Mike Haley’s try proved enough to keep the province at the top of Conference A with a 19-13 win.

NEWS: Julian Savea's French journey is turning into a nightmare.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: France captain Guilhem Guirado said on Friday his team are prepared to "revolt" as they face Scotland in the Six Nations this weekend.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Wales have something to prove to the rugby world on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England have responded to Warren Gatland's "emotional time bomb" jibe.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made four changes to his starting XV for Sunday’s Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Conor O’Shea has announced his Italy team to face Ireland in the Six Nations in Rome on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs will be facing Scarlets on Sunday in a crucial PRO14 match at the Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli in Wales.

TEAM UPDATE: The Waratahs received a timely boost ahead of their Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves in Japan.

After just two rounds, Ireland is the only one 0of the six teams in the Under-20 Six Nations that is unbeaten - and Scotland is the only team that has not yet won a match.

Super Rugby's Game Manager Lyndon Bray talks about the 2019 referee team and the match official philosophy for the season.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Manu Tuilagi has found himself on the receiving end of jokes about baguettes and croissants from England coach Eddie Jones amid reports the Leicester centre is set to pursue a club career in France.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After a horrendous run of injuries in 2018, which culminated in a split eyelid thanks to Brodie Retallick, All Blacks and Crusaders prop Joe Moody is back in action.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks hooker Dane Coles revealed his struggles during his long injury absence, as he prepared to make his first start for the Hurricanes in 18 months.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell has selected the 20-year-old debutant Sako Makata in the Springbok Sevens team for the World Rugby Sevens tournaments in the USA and Canada next month.

SIX NATIONS ROUND THREE: Under-fire France might never have a better opportunity to get their Six Nations back up and running as they host a Scotland side considerably shorn of its sparkle on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS ROUND THREE: Wales and England will both put their Grand Slam ambitions on the line when they meet for a sold-out Six Nations clash at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Wales coach Warren Gatland has suggested England prop Kyle Sinckler "emotionally, can be a bit of a time bomb" heading into this weekend's crunch clash in Cardiff.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones takes his side to Cardiff for a potential tournament-decider against Wales having promised to "spoil the party" at the Principality Stadium.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Highlanders came from behind to score a late winner in an entertaining encounter with the Reds in Dunedin on Friday.

England have won two out of two; Wales have lost one and drawn one of their two. These two teams meet in Round 3 of the Women's Six Nations at the famous Cardiff Arms Park.

ALL BLACK BRAINTEASER: New Zealand franchises must nurse their All Black players through the rigours of the protracted competition to protect them for the World Cup.

NEWS: A "sad" Piet van Zyl will quit Stade Francais at the end of the season to return home to South Africa to run the family farm.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Stormers coach Robbie Fleck is banking on Sergeal Petersen to unlock the Lions' impressive defence at Newlands on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: In this incredible Premiership campaign seven clubs ended last weekend in different league positions to where they started as the see-saw nature of the season continued.

WATCH as Lions' flank Marnus Schoeman proved a handful for the Jaguares during his side's historic win in Buenos Aires.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ulrich Beyers will earn his first starting berth for the Southern Kings when the side takes on PRO14 defending champions, Leinster Rugby, in a Round 16 clash at the RDS Arena in Dublin on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Round 16 of the Pro14 comes swiftly on the heels of an entertaining weekend which saw plenty of tries scored all across Europe and three impressive away wins.