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61 items · General · Reports
Cullen to leave Leinster in 2027 as Nienaber's future draws scrutiny
Leo Cullen will leave Leinster at the end of the 2026-27 season, with the province already searching for his successor. Jacques Nienaber's contract expires at the same time, intensifying questions about his next destination.
World Rugby scraps home weighting from rankings calculations ahead of Nations Championship
World Rugby removes home weighting from rankings calculations from July 1, responding to the growing number of international matches played at neutral or out-of-country venues. South Africa remain top of the men's rankings on 93.94 points.
George North to end career in Barbarians jersey against Wales at Twickenham
George North will make his final professional appearance for the Barbarians against Wales at Twickenham on 27 June, joining a squad that also features Duhan van der Merwe, TJ Perenara and Tomás Albornoz.
George North to bow out in Barbarians jersey against Wales at Twickenham
George North will play his final professional match for the Barbarians against Wales at Twickenham on 27 June, capping a career of 121 Wales caps, four Six Nations titles, two Grand Slams and two Lions tours.
Fainga'anuku fibula fracture rules him out of Nations Championship and clouds Greatest Rivalry availability
Leicester Fainga'anuku's fibula fracture rules him out of the All Blacks' Nations Championship Tests and puts his availability for the opening Greatest Rivalry matches against the Springboks in serious doubt, shelving the hybrid back-row experiment the Crusaders had been building across the second half of the Super Rugby season.
World Rugby scraps home weighting in first rankings overhaul since 2003
World Rugby will eliminate home weighting from its rankings points calculation from July 1, 2026 — the first major change to the system since its 2003 introduction — citing the surge in Tests played at neutral venues, including the Springboks vs All Blacks Baltimore clash.
Fainga'anuku's broken leg rules him out of Nations Championship and clouds Springbok series availability
Leicester Fainga'anuku faces 10 to 12 weeks out after fracturing his fibula in the Crusaders' semi-final defeat to the Chiefs, ruling him out of the Nations Championship and casting doubt over his availability for the opening Tests against the Springboks.
Borthwick set to rest Itoje for England's July clashes with Springboks and beyond
Steve Borthwick plans to rest Maro Itoje for England's July Nations Championship tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, with the decision contingent on George Martin and Alex Coles coming through their weekend matches unscathed.
Nations Championship trophy unveiled ahead of July 4 kick-off
The Nations Championship trophy has been unveiled ahead of the tournament's July 4 start, with the 67cm, 15kg prize featuring a gold-plated globe design that reflects the competition's north-versus-south format.
Nations Championship trophy unveiled ahead of July 4 kick-off
The Nations Championship trophy has been unveiled — 67cm tall, 15kg, centred on a gold-plated globe — ahead of the tournament's July 4 kick-off, with 12 nations competing across two North-versus-South windows before a Finals Weekend.
Itoje rested again as England name squad for France non-cap clash
Maro Itoje is again absent from England's squad for Friday's non-cap match against France in Vannes, with Borthwick managing his workload ahead of a July tour that includes a Test against South Africa.
Townsend backs Dempsey for World Cup despite Japan move as Scotland name 36-man squad
Gregor Townsend has named a 36-man Scotland squad for Nations Championship matches against Argentina, South Africa and Fiji, confirming Jack Dempsey remains a World Cup target despite his move to Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo.
CANAL+ confirms RWC 2027, Women's RWC 2029 and URC broadcast rights for Sub-Saharan Africa
CANAL+ Group has secured broadcast rights for RWC 2027, Women's RWC 2029, the Junior World Championship, and the Pacific Nations Cup across Sub-Saharan Africa via SuperSport, and has also renewed its exclusive multi-year URC deal.
Barrett ruled out five months as back surgery wrecks All Blacks captaincy and Springboks tour plans
Scott Barrett requires back surgery and is ruled out for five months, missing the Nations Championship and the All Blacks' four-Test tour of South Africa, leaving Dave Rennie without his captain for the entire upcoming international programme.
Scott Barrett ruled out of South Africa tour with back injury requiring surgery
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett faces up to five months out after back surgery, ruling him out of New Zealand's four-test series against the Springboks in South Africa and the July Nations Championship tests, with his captaincy already under review following Dave Rennie's appointment as head coach.
Borthwick weighs Itoje rest ahead of July Tests against Springboks
Steve Borthwick may rest Maro Itoje and other England seniors for the summer Nations Championship, with Ollie Chessum set to captain at least one Test — opening against South Africa in Johannesburg on 4 July.
Borthwick may rest Itoje and other senior players for July Tests against Springboks
Steve Borthwick may rest Maro Itoje and other senior England players for the Nations Championship, with Ollie Chessum expected to lead the side in at least one July Test — including the Johannesburg fixture against the Springboks on 4 July.
Former Junior Bok Janse van Rensburg called into England training squad
Former Junior Springbok centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been called into England's 42-man training squad, with residency eligibility kicking in on 8 July — ruling him out of the Springbok Test but freeing him for the Fiji match the following weekend.
Henry joins Rennie's selection panel as All Blacks build toward four-test Springbok series
Dave Rennie has appointed Graham Henry as an All Blacks selector, with the 2011 World Cup-winning coach joining a three-man panel alongside Rennie and Neil Barnes as New Zealand prepare for a four-test Rugby Championship series against the Springboks.
Henry joins All Blacks selection panel as Rennie builds for Springbok tour
Dave Rennie has added Graham Henry to the All Blacks selection panel ahead of a home test series and an eight-match South Africa tour, while confirming Richie Mo'unga is unlikely to be available for the Springbok tests due to his failure to commit to a new NZR contract.