9:48 PM BST The Rugby World Cup 2023 final is set to be played at the Stade de France, according to France’s bid leader Claude Atcher. The 62-year-old also revealed that the venue will hold the opening match of the tournament, including the two semi-finals. Atcher also announced that at least one World Cup match
Rugby
4:01 PM BST England will be without Billy Vunipola for the autumn internationals after he fractured his arm in Saracens’ win over Glasgow Warriors at the weekend. This is now the third time the No.8 has suffered this injury in 10 months, though on the two previous occasions it was in his right arm. The
10:56 AM BST A storming 20-metre run chasing a loose ball in slippery conditions last Friday was all it took for Dane Coles to convince All Blacks coach Steve Hansen to include the hooker in his squad for the end-of-season tour. The 31-year-old front row forward had not played since rupturing knee ligaments against France
1:56 AM BST ESPN staff All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has included uncapped Blues back-rower Dalton Papali’i among a 32-man squad for the five-Test tour of Japan and Europe. Papali’I has been rewarded for a stellar Mitre 10 Cup season with a rejuvenated Auckland side who will contest a semifinal against Wellington this weekend. The
7:44 PM BST Billy and Mako Vunipola both went off injured in Saracens’ 13-3 Champions Cup victory over Glasgow on Sunday, putting their participation in England’s Autumn internationals in doubt. The pair were injured in the first half with prop Mako immediately replaced after suffering a calf problem and Billy, who hurt his knee and
6:24 AM BST Back-rower Lukhan Tui has announced he will not return from a break to play on the Wallabies’ spring tour of Europe. Tui stood down after Australia’s defeat last month to Argentina in September, after losing his stepfather in the week of the game. The All Blacks cemented their place at the top
3:09 PM BST Schalk Brits is on the brink of return to Super Rugby with the Stormers next year as he bids to make the Springboks team for the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The 37-year-old called time on his career in May, after clinching a fourth Premiership Rugby crown with Saracens, to go with
3:22 PM BST Nathan Hughes will learn whether he can play any part in England’s November internationals when he faces a second disciplinary hearing on Oct. 17. The Wasps No. 8 was cited for punching during his side’s 35-21 defeat to Gloucester before appearing to land himself in further trouble when he tweeted “what a
Oct 12, 2018 Jamie BraidwoodESPN Throughout his 15-year rugby career, Brian O’Driscoll had never been in a situation quite like this. Brought up a Catholic south of the border in the Republic, O’Driscoll joined Protestants and loyalists in attending a July 12 celebration in the small village of Loughall, Northern Ireland. His background immediately segregated
1:16 PM BST Western Province are assured of a home semifinal in the Currie Cup. But that’s all we know about the make-up of the semifinalists ahead of the final round of fixtures, with five teams in the running for the top four spots. On top of that, the top spot on the ladder and