2:00 PM GMT Ireland bolstered their lineout and defence under the high ball by bringing lock Devin Toner and fit-again Rob Kearney back into their side to face New Zealand in Saturday’s clash of the world’s top two sides. Kearney, one of the game’s best defenders under a high ball, returns at full-back in place
Rugby
2:48 PM GMT ESPN staff Duane Vermeulen will start at No 8 in a re-jigged back-row after Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus made six cganges to his starting side to face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday. Vermeulen replaces Warren Whiteley, with the Lions eight man struggling with a calf injury that has also ruled him out
10:46 AM GMT NSW Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon and Queensland Reds flyer Jordan Petaia will make their Wallabies debuts against Italy in Padova on Saturday (Sunday 0100 AEDT). In an effort to shake up his struggling attack following last week’s dismal 9-6 defeat in Cardiff, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has opted to select the free-running
2:58 AM GMT Tana Umaga has been demoted to an assistant role at the Blues Super Rugby team, with Leon MacDonald taking charge as head coach. MacDonald has agreed to a three-year contract in the top job following a post-season review after Umaga failed to steer the Blues to the play-offs for a third successive
1:17 PM GMT Glasgow lock Jonny Gray has been recalled to the Scotland team for their game against South Africa this weekend as head coach Gregor Townsend attempts to beef up his pack for the visit of the Springboks. Gray, 24, is one of six changes to the side that thrashed Fiji 54-17 on Saturday,
4:00 PM GMT A rugby player’s value to his or her team is best measured by the impact of their absence. Franco Mostert is one such player. The lock is one of the Springboks’ more understated players, a guy who goes through a Test match relatively unnoticed, but he is someone who shines in absence
2:56 PM GMT South Africa have released first choice scrumhalf Faf de Klerk to play for his club Sale Sharks this weekend, allowing him to miss Saturday’s test against Scotland at Murrayfield, officials confirmed on Tuesday. De Klerk started in the No. 9 jersey against France in Paris last weekend as the Springboks won 29-26,
11:40 AM GMT George Kruis has been ruled out England’s remaining November fixtures as head coach Eddie Jones named his squad to face Japan this weekend. Lock Kruis limped out of Saturday’s defeat to New Zealand with a calf injury and will be out of action for between four and eight weeks according to Jones.
10:18 AM GMT Exeter Chiefs have announced the signing of Scotland international Stuart Hogg from Glasgow Warriors. The British & Irish Lions fullback has signed a two-year deal at Sandy Park and will officially join the Gallagher Premiership club next summer after the Rugby World Cup in Japan. During his nine-year stint at Glasgow, Hogg
3:45 PM GMT South Africa will have Eben Etzebeth back in contention for Saturday’s November international against Scotland at Murrayfield, but could be without number eight Warren Whiteley. Etzebeth missed the 29-26 victory over France in Paris at the weekend with a foot injury, but will return to full training as the Springboks seek back-to-back