12:30 PM BST England centre Ben Te’o will leave Worcester Warriors at the end of the season, the club has announced. Te’o, 32, is one of eight players confirmed to depart in May after making just 33 appearances for Worcester since joining the club in 2016. 1 Related He became the Warriors’ best-paid player at
Rugby
11:49 AM BST Japanese police have been encouraged to take a “light touch” approach to fans during the Rugby World Cup, with organisers warning they are likely to “drink a lot” but will not be a threat. Tournament officials have been visiting host cities to emphasise that fans will be boisterous but are unlikely to
3:39 AM BST Long-time teammate Bernard Foley says Israel Folau has hurt the NSW Waratahs but isn’t a bad guy. The superstar back was stood down by the NSW Rugby Union last Friday following the furore generated by his latest social media posting. He won’t play in Saturday’s crucial Super Rugby clash against Australian conference
2:02 AM BST The panel for Israel Folau’s code of conduct hearing has been confirmed, with John West QC the chair. Rugby Australia’s Kate Eastman SC and Rugby Union Players’ Association representative John Boultbee AM are the other panellists as Folau fights to save his career. The three-time John Eales Medallist requested the hearing, expected
11:45 AM BST Ireland captain Rory Best has announced he will retire from rugby after the World Cup in Japan later this year. Best, 36, has won 116 caps for Ireland since making his debut in 2005, leading his country to three Six Nations titles since replacing Paul O’ Connell. 2 Related The hooker has
10:00 AM BST Wallabies vice-captain Will Genia has slammed international teammate Israel Folau and believes he’s played his final Test alongside the controversial star. Rugby Australia issued Folau a breach of contract notice following repeated homophobic social media posts, but the 30-year-old will fight for his career at a code of conduct hearing next week.
9:50 AM BST Sam Bruce Close ESPN Associate Editor Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPNscrum after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Andy Withers Close ESPN
2:46 PM BST Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder has announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season. Blackadder has been granted early release from his one-year contract extension and will join Japanese side Toshiba following the 2018-19 campaign. The New Zealander joined the Premiership club in 2016 and helped
1:41 PM BST Sam Bruce Close ESPN Associate Editor Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPNscrum after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Andy Withers Close ESPN
6:18 AM BST Leading Test rugby referee Nigel Owens has described Israel Folau’s religious views as narrow minded and potentially “very, very hurtful” to a lot of people. Owens, who is gay, said high-profile players such as under-fire Wallabies star Folau need to understand the influence they have over young, vulnerable people in particular. In