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BuzzJack Music Forum _ Sports and Fitness _ 2020 Rugby Thread

Posted by: Mack. Jan 1 2020, 12:27 PM

The 2020 thread to discuss all things rugby related such as matches, players, debates and news anything to with the world of rugby and of both codes, union and league.

Posted by: Mack. Jan 5 2020, 04:21 PM


Posted by: Mack. Jan 10 2020, 11:04 PM


Posted by: Mack. Jan 10 2020, 11:35 PM

Sale's hopes of making the Champions Cup last eight ended as they finished with 14 men in defeat to La Rochelle.

Sale took an 10-point lead via Jean-Luc du Preez's try, but it disappeared as Tevita Railevu and Tawera Kerr-Barlow crossed in a three-minute spell.

It finished 30-23 to La Rochelle.

Posted by: Mack. Jan 11 2020, 12:03 AM

Red Star Belgrade, a club famous for lifting football's European Cup three decades ago, have confirmed they will make a bid to join the third tier of English rugby league.

The Serbian side last year competed in England's Challenge Cup competition for the first time.

They intend to join League One as early as 2021, which would put them just two promotions away from Super League.

Posted by: Mack. Jan 16 2020, 10:39 PM

Saracens are facing relegation from the Premiership if they are found to have breached the salary cap again.

The defending champions received a 35-point deduction and a £5.3m fine in November, having broken the cap for the past three seasons.

However, there is widespread belief they will once more struggle to get under the £7m limit this season.

The BBC has learned Saracens have been told to comply with the rules immediately or face relegation.

The bosses of the top-flight clubs met at a Premiership Rugby board meeting in London on Tuesday.

It was decided that unless Saracens could prove their compliance, they would face the unprecedented step of dropping into the second tier.

Posted by: Mack. Jan 18 2020, 08:12 PM

Saracens will be relegated from rugby union's top flight at the end of this season following persistent salary cap breaches, Premiership Rugby have confirmed.

Posted by: Mack. Jan 21 2020, 09:18 AM

England forwards coach Steve Borthwick will join Leicester Tigers as head coach after the Six Nations.

The 39-year-old will work under Geordan Murphy, who has been appointed as the Tigers' director of rugby.

Posted by: Mack. Jan 21 2020, 09:22 AM

England Six Nations squad


Forwards:

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 21 caps), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 19 caps), Tom Dunn (Bath, uncapped), Ben Earl (Saracens, uncapped), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 12 caps), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps), Jamie George (Saracens, 45 caps), Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 1 cap), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 34 caps), George Kruis (Saracens, 41 caps), Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 62 caps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 81 caps), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 6 caps), Joe Marler (Harlequins, 68 caps), Alex Moon (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 31 caps), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, uncapped), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 15 caps), Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 58 caps), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)

Backs:

Elliot Daly (Saracens, 39 caps), Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Owen Farrell (Saracens, 79 caps), George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 65 caps), George Furbank (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 9 caps), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 47 caps), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 40 caps), Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncapped), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 42 caps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 95 caps)

Apprentice players:

Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Josh Hodge (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)

Posted by: Mack. Jan 23 2020, 04:53 PM

Russell will not play in Scotland's Six Nations opener against Ireland next Saturday after "a breach of team protocol", Scottish Rugby have confirmed.

However, it is understood the Racing 92 playmaker left the team's training camp in Edinburgh of his own accord.

Posted by: ukchartstatsfan Feb 2 2020, 03:17 PM

France 10-0 up after 15 minutes.

Posted by: ukchartstatsfan Feb 2 2020, 03:57 PM

France up 17-0 against England at half-time. Should be game over. But this is France..

Posted by: ukchartstatsfan Feb 2 2020, 04:00 PM


Posted by: ukchartstatsfan Feb 2 2020, 04:23 PM

Another try for France then and a conversion to make it 24-0.

Posted by: ukchartstatsfan Feb 2 2020, 04:27 PM

A much needed try there for England and a conversion from Owen Farrell to reduce it to 24-7.

Posted by: ukchartstatsfan Feb 2 2020, 04:35 PM

Great try there from Johnny May with a conversion from Owen Farrell there. Now 24-14 to France.

Posted by: ukchartstatsfan Feb 2 2020, 04:57 PM

Finishes 24-17 to France after Farrell's late penalty.

Posted by: ukchartstatsfan Feb 4 2020, 10:56 PM

Manu Tuilagi will miss England's Six Nations match with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday with a groin strain.

Posted by: ukchartstatsfan Feb 5 2020, 11:26 PM

Bath second row Charlie Ewels has been dropped for England's Calcutta Cup meeting with Scotland on Saturday.

Ewels, 24, made his sixth international start in England's 24-17 Six Nations defeat by France last weekend, but was replaced with his side 24-0 down.

Joe Launchbury, who missed the defeat in Paris with a knee injury, is included in a 25-man squad.

Saracens' Ben Earl is also retained but fellow back row Ted Hill is surplus to head coach Eddie Jones' requirements.

Bath's Tom Dunn, Northampton's Alex Moon and Exeter's prop Harry Williams have been cut from the forwards list, with Northampton centre Fraser Dingwall and Wasps Jacob Umaga cut from the backline.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 7 2020, 12:17 AM

Scrum-half Ben Youngs is among the senior players left out as England make five changes to their starting XV to face Scotland.

Willi Heinz replaces Youngs at nine, with flanker Lewis Ludlam in for Courtney Lawes in the wake of defeat by France on the opening weekend.

Prop Mako Vunipola and lock George Kruis return, with Jonathan Joseph replacing injured centre Manu Tuilagi.

Saracens' Ben Earl is set for a debut as one of six forwards on the bench.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 7 2020, 12:35 AM

Scarlets will promote Glenn Delaney to replace fellow New Zealander Brad Mooar as head coach for the 2020-21 season.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 7 2020, 11:35 PM

Defending champions Saracens will remain in this year's European Champions Cup after being fined for fielding an ineligible player.

Saracens, who have been relegated from the Premiership for salary cap breaches, had faced a points deduction.

They admitted Titi Lamositele's work permit expired the day before January's Champions Cup win against Racing 92.

But an independent disciplinary committee chose to impose a fine of 50,000 euros (£42,000).

Posted by: Mack. Feb 8 2020, 05:00 PM

Owen Farrell opens the scoring from a penalty to make it 3-0 to England against Scotland.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 8 2020, 05:53 PM

Scotland score from a penalty to make it 3-3 in this low-scoring affair in the rain and wind at Murrayfield.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 8 2020, 06:26 PM

England drive Ellis Genge over the line and he puts the ball down for the try! Farrell converts. That could do it!

Scotland 3-10 England

Posted by: Mack. Feb 8 2020, 06:29 PM

Another penalty converted by Owen Farrell and it is 13-3 to England.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 8 2020, 06:31 PM

Some hope for Scotland as Hastings converts a penalty now 13-6.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 10 2020, 11:53 PM

Gregor Townsend says Finn Russell's media comments show he is not yet willing to "align himself" to Scotland's standards.

Russell, who has missed the first two Six Nations matches, told the Sunday Times he "doesn't have a personal relationship" with the head coach.

Townsend was expecting to meet with the player before the next match against Italy on 22 February.

However, he still hopes Russell, 27, will play for him again.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 11 2020, 12:17 AM

Jonny Gray has been ruled out of the remainder of Scotland's Six Nations campaign because of a hand injury.

The Glasgow Warriors lock forward, 25, has featured in both of Scotland's bonus-point defeats in the tournament.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 15 2020, 11:56 AM

Premiership leaders Exeter recorded their fifth win in six league games as the Chiefs won at Gloucester by 26-15.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 16 2020, 02:42 PM

The Super League is investigating after two spectators say they were told to remove rainbow flags during Israel Folau's debut at Catalans Dragons.

Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia for posting homophobic comments on social media but joined Catalans last month.

The two women say they were told to remove the flags, a symbol of LGBT pride, "on health and safety grounds".

"Everybody should have the right to respectfully express their views. We are investigating," said the league.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 16 2020, 02:51 PM

Sam Skinner and Matt Fagerson have both been added to Gregor Townsend's Scotland squad for the remainder of the Six Nations.

Exeter Chiefs' Skinner and Glasgow Warriors back row Fagerson were both initially ruled out through injury.

However, impressive form for their respective clubs has propelled them back into Townsend's plans.

Gloucester second-row Alex Craig has been released from the squad back to his club.

There is still no place for exiled Finn Russell, who was left out of Scotland's first two games after breaching team protocol.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 18 2020, 11:08 PM

Leicester Tigers hooker Tom Youngs has been suspended for four weeks by the Rugby Football Union for punching Wasps forward Will Rowlands on Saturday.

The incident involving the 33-year-old ex-England forward happened in the 53rd minute of Saturday's 18-9 Premiership win at Welford Road.

Youngs accepted the charge and cannot play again until after 24 March.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 18 2020, 11:19 PM

England prop Mako Vunipola will miss Sunday's Six Nations game against Ireland after returning to Tonga for family reasons.

Vunipola, 29, was not selected for England's opening weekend defeat by France, but started in the round two win over Scotland at Murrayfield.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 21 2020, 10:37 PM

Centre Jonathan Joseph is on the wing for his 50th cap as head coach Eddie Jones shuffles England's backline for Sunday's Six Nations game with Ireland.

Elliot Daly moves to full-back for the Twickenham match with George Furbank, who began the first two games, injured.

Centre Manu Tuilagi is back after recovering from a groin niggle.

Prop Joe Marler replaces the unavailable Mako Vunipola, with Ben Youngs returning at scrum-half and Courtney Lawes starting on the flank.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 26 2020, 12:01 AM

Ireland v Italy Six Nations game likely to be postponed due to the coronavirus situation.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 26 2020, 12:10 AM

Josh Adams for Wales has been ruled out of the Six Nations because of an ankle injury.

Posted by: Dobbo Feb 26 2020, 02:54 PM

Ireland Italy called off. Im very surprised, if it were being playing in Italy I'd have understood but not Dublin...

Posted by: Mack. Feb 27 2020, 12:41 AM

Yes that has come as a surprise to me. Good luck to them in rescheduling that match.

Posted by: Mack. Feb 28 2020, 05:56 PM

England will play Tonga at Twickenham in a November test series which will include fixtures against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina.

Posted by: Mack. Mar 3 2020, 10:43 PM

Mako Vunipola has gone into self-isolation as a coronavirus precaution and will not face Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Posted by: Mack. Mar 9 2020, 11:12 PM

Ottawa Aces will join League One in 2021 in rugby league after taking on Hemel Stags licence.

Posted by: Mack. Mar 10 2020, 11:53 PM

Wales v Scotland is sadly not part of being a championship decider Super Saturday but at least gives us something to look forward to this weekend.

Posted by: Mack. Mar 12 2020, 10:58 PM

England prop Joe Marler has been given a 10 week ban for grabbing Alun Wyn Jones genitals during Saturday's Six Nations win over Wales.

Posted by: Dobbo Mar 13 2020, 10:21 AM

How on earth is Wales vs Scotland still going ahead tomorrow, seriously baffling...

Posted by: Mack. Mar 16 2020, 11:22 PM

Challenge Cup Draw

Leeds v Hull KR
Newcastle v Toronto
Salford v St Helens
Sheffield v Hull FC
Wakefield v Featherstone
Widnes v Catalans
Wigan v Warrington
York v Castleford

Posted by: Mack. Apr 10 2020, 12:05 PM

England could move their summer tour of Japan to October, according to RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney.

He also raised the idea of an extra Six Nations tournament if England cannot fulfil their autumn internationals.

England are set for two games in Japan in July - a tour "under threat" because of the coronavirus pandemic - and four home Tests in November.

Posted by: Mack. 🐠 Apr 12 2020, 10:24 PM

World Rugby vice-chairman Agustin Pichot says it is time to "redefine the future of rugby" after announcing his last-minute bid for the most powerful job in the sport.

The Argentine will challenge current chairman Bill Beaumont, who is standing for re-election, in next month's vote.

Pichot, 45, sees the coronavirus crisis as an "opportunity for the global realignment" of the game.

"We cannot miss the opportunity," said the former Pumas scrum-half.

"We all fight for and believe in a fair, equal and more inclusive world.

"It is time to make these dreams a reality for our sport."

Posted by: Mack. 🐠 Apr 20 2020, 10:05 PM

World Rugby has begun an investigation into the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), which has backed Sir Bill Beaumont's bid for re-election as boss of the world game.

Francis Kean is under pressure to stand down amid accusations of homophobia and discrimination,

Posted by: Mack. 🐠 Apr 24 2020, 11:20 PM

Centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg has been fined £32,500 and handed a two-week ban for signing contracts with Premiership clubs Sale and Gloucester.

Van Rensburg signed a three-year deal with Sale for 2018-19 onwards, having already agreed a similar-length deal with Gloucester and been paid £25,000.

He followed through with his move to Sale, who have been handed a five-point deduction, suspended for two seasons.

Sale were fined £20,000 for breaching rules about approaches to players.

Posted by: Mack. 🐠 May 3 2020, 08:52 AM

Bill Beaumont has been re-elected as the chairman of World Rugby for another four years.

The 68-year-old defeated his former deputy, ex-Argentina skipper Agustin Pichot, by 28 votes to 23.

French Rugby president Bernard Laporte has been elected vice-chairman.

"I am honoured to accept the mandate of the World Rugby Council to serve as the international federation's chairman once again," said Beaumont.

"I would like to thank my union and region colleagues, members of the global rugby family and, of course, my family for their full support.

"I would like to thank Gus for his friendship and support over the last four years. While we stood against each other in this campaign, we aligned in many ways, and I have the utmost respect for him. Gus is passionate about the sport and his contribution has been significant."

Posted by: Mack. May 6 2020, 07:21 PM

Leicester have continued the restructure of their backroom team by adding Welshman Aled Walters as head of physical performance and New Zealander Rob Taylor as attack coach.

Posted by: Mack. May 9 2020, 11:26 PM

Plans are being considered to resume a curtailed Pro14 season on 22 August following the coronavirus crisis.

Discussions are being held over the tournament's future with games probably staged behind closed doors.

A Pro14 return is more testing than other domestic leagues because it covers five countries and international borders in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and South Africa.

A potential final date could be between 17 and 19 September.

Posted by: Mack. May 10 2020, 04:55 PM

Saracens forwards Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola will consider their international future when deciding whether to stay at the relegated club, says England defence coach John Mitchell.

Itoje and Vunipola are yet to commit another season to Sarries, who were relegated to the Championship after salary cap breaches.

Posted by: Mack. May 11 2020, 10:17 PM

The English and French clubs have written to World Rugby in a bid to be formally involved in the establishment of a new rugby union schedule post-coronavirus.

In a joint letter, Premiership Rugby (PRL) and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) say it is "essential" they are consulted in plans to shake up the calendar.

Posted by: Mack. May 11 2020, 10:18 PM

What about the Welsh, Scottish and Irish Unions?

Posted by: Mack. May 13 2020, 09:56 PM

Agustin Pichot has resigned from his role on the World Rugby Council after his defeat by Sir Bill Beaumont in the election for World Rugby chairman.

Ex-England captain Beaumont was re-elected for another four years on 2 May after beating former Argentina skipper Pichot by 28 votes to 23.

Posted by: Mack. May 19 2020, 10:06 PM

Bristol have proposed their Ashton Gate home as a venue for the behind-closed-doors return of the Premiership.

With nine rounds of fixtures outstanding, Premiership Rugby hopes to resume the season in July, following government guidance.

The league is understood to want to use a single ground for logistical and safety reasons.

"We think we meet all of the criteria they were asking for," chief executive Mark Tainton told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Ashton Gate is a tremendous stadium. It's a new stadium, we have all new facilities, large changing rooms and easy access for the camera equipment required.

"Premiership Rugby has asked clubs if they're willing to volunteer or offer their stadium as a venue and we believe we have the facilities to do that, so that's why we've put it forward.

"It's not a done deal yet - we're in the pile with another couple of clubs - so we're just waiting to get more feedback and potentially a visit or information from Premiership Rugby Limited for whatever criteria we need to meet."

Posted by: Mack. May 25 2020, 10:55 PM

England and Saracens lock George Kruis will join Japanese Top League side Panasonic Wild Knights on a one-year contract at the end of the season.

The 30-year-old British and Irish Lion has been at Sarries, who were relegated to the Championship for salary cap breaches, for 11 years.

Posted by: Mack. May 27 2020, 08:12 AM

World Rugby's executive committee will consider recommendations this week that could help significantly reduce the risk of coronavirus in the sport.

Measures such as limiting face-to-face contact, reducing time in scrums and hygiene procedures will be reviewed.

However, radical changes to the laws, such as eliminating scrums completely, would not apply to the elite game.

Posted by: Mack. May 28 2020, 10:37 PM

And these are the law changes:

QUOTE
Removing scrum resets.
Taking away the option of a scrum for a penalty, a free-kick, or when an attacker is held-up in-goal.
Reinforcing high tackle guidelines to reduce face-to-face contact and the introduction of an "orange card" for potential red-card offences.
The player is removed with the offence checked by the Television Match Official. If deemed a red card offence, the player doesn't return. If not, they return after 15 minutes.
Removing the choke tackle, with referees calling a "tackle" rather than a "maul".
Awarding a free-kick rather than a scrum for when a team fails to "use it" at a scrum, ruck, or maul.
Speeding up rucks by cutting the "use it" time from 5 seconds to 3 seconds.
Restricting the number of players who can join a maul and the time spent in the maul.

Posted by: Mack. Jun 18 2020, 10:33 PM

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is reviewing England fans' use of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, saying many do not know about its links with slavery.

A spokesperson for English rugby's governing body said the organisation needs to do more to "grow awareness".

Posted by: Mack. Jun 18 2020, 10:38 PM

The Pro14 will return from a five-month Covid-19 pandemic hiatus with derbies from 22 August.

Teams from the same nation play against each other home and away before the season is concluded via semi-finals and a final.

Those finishing in the top two places in Conference A and B will contest the semi-finals.

Posted by: Mack. Jun 27 2020, 11:07 PM

Gloucester have appointed George Skivington as their new head coach, to replace the departed Johan Ackermann.

Skivington, 37, arrives at Kingsholm from his role as forwards coach at fellow Premiership side London Irish.

Ackermann, 50, ended his three-year stay at Gloucester last month to move to Japanese side NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, who are based in Osaka.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 1 2020, 06:29 PM

England centre Manu Tuilagi is one of six players to have been told to look for another club by Leicester Tigers, reports BBC Radio Leicester.

Several players, including 29-year-old British and Irish Lion Tuilagi, have been locked in a contract dispute with the Premiership strugglers.

Players have been offered amended deals because of the financial implications of the coronavirus outbreak.

Greg Bateman, Telusa Veainu and Jordan Taufua are also set to be released.

It is understood the club made a compromise offer, but the players want to keep their legal position.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 3 2020, 11:40 PM

The Rugby Football Union has no plans to change the rules regarding foreign-based players if Manu Tuilagi was to move abroad following his Leicester Tigers departure.

Tuilagi is set to leave Welford Road after failing to agree terms on an amended contract.

While it is understood his representatives are investigating a move to another Premiership club, the 29-year-old may be forced to look overseas.

However, the RFU says it has no intention of relaxing the regulation which prevents those who play abroad from being picked for England.

"The current rules and regulations apply and there are no plans to change them," said an RFU source.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 7 2020, 07:01 PM

Gloucester skills coach Rory Teague has become the latest member of the Kingsholm backroom team to leave.

Teague, 35, was put in temporary charge following the Premiership club's management reshuffle in May when head coach Johan Ackermann departed.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 8 2020, 12:02 PM

Scotland can win the Six Nations "in the next two or three years", says former captain Greig Laidlaw.

The Scots have failed to mount a meaningful title challenge since last winning the tournament in 1999 when it was still the Five Nations.

But Laidlaw thinks the pieces are falling into place for Gregor Townsend's side.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 13 2020, 07:33 PM

Sale Sharks have signed England centre Manu Tuilagi following his departure from Leicester Tigers.

The 29-year-old, who has 43 caps, left Tigers earlier this month after failing to agree terms on an amended contract.

He had been linked with a move to France, but his switch to Sale on a deal until the end of 2020-21 ensures he will remain available for England.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 14 2020, 09:14 PM

England prop Mako Vunipola has signed a new, undisclosed-length contract with Championship-bound Saracens.

The 29-year-old's new deal extends his nine-year stay with the club, for whom he has already played 168 times.

“This club has been very good to me and are very good to me,” he told the club website.

“I have no doubt the club will be back and fighting for championships and that’s part of the reason why this decision was quite easy."

Posted by: Mack. Jul 16 2020, 05:48 PM

England captain Owen Farrell will remain at Saracens following their relegation from the Premiership.

The 28-year-old fly-half, who has been with the club his whole career, has signed a "long-term" contract, but Saracens have not disclosed the length.

Sarries will go down to the Championship at the end of this season for breaches of the salary cap.

Farrell, who has won 83 international caps, has made 199 appearances for the north London side.

"The club means a lot to me," Farrell said. "I've been here a long, long time now and to be sorted going forward is brilliant."

Posted by: Mack. Jul 16 2020, 06:16 PM

Reigning champions Saracens will travel to Leinster in the first quarter-final when this season's Heineken Champions Cup resumes on Saturday, 19 September.

The last eight includes an all-Premiership meeting when Exeter host Northampton on Sunday, 20 September.

Clermont Auvergne will host fellow French side Racing 92, while Ulster will travel to France to face Toulouse.

The draw was in January, with the dates confirmed by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) on Thursday.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 20 2020, 05:44 PM

Toronto Wolfpack have decided they will take no further part in the 2020 Super League season.

The Canadian outfit have been playing in English rugby league's top flight for the first time after winning promotion from the Championship.

But, owing to the "overwhelming financial challenges" posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, they have opted to withdraw from the rest of the campaign.

They say they still "fully intend to field a team in the 2021 season".

Toronto, who will also be withdrawing from the Challenge Cup, said in a statement: "This decision has not been taken lightly, and in consideration of a range of factors specific to the club as the only transatlantic team in the league.

"Greatly reduced ticket, sponsorship, merchandise and game day revenue streams have resulted from the loss of all 11 of the team's home Super League games in Toronto.

"The Wolfpack would be left covering significant additional costs simply to complete a season of games in the UK, including Covid testing, stadium rentals, medical costs and player pay increases to align with the rest of the league."

Posted by: Mack. Jul 20 2020, 06:37 PM

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chairman Gareth Davies says the governing body is seeking a loan of around £20m to help cope with the coronavirus crisis.

WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips has said they were looking for financial help, but did not state how much.

"We are looking for a loan of around £20m," said Davies.

"We are still in talks to secure a loan, hoping to finalise something before the end of the month as we have bills to pay."

The Welsh Government could help, World Rugby has provided an £80m contingency fund while remortgaging Principality Stadium or a bank loan would also be options.

Posted by: Mack. Aug 22 2020, 04:34 PM

Relegated Saracens beat Harlequins to dent the Premiership top-four ambitions of their London rivals by 28-24.

Posted by: Mack. Aug 22 2020, 04:36 PM

David Mead scored a hat-trick of tries as Catalans Dragons beat Wakefield Trinity 36-24 to set up a Challenge Cup quarter-final against Salford.

Josh Drinkwater created Catalans' three first-half touchdowns, two of them for Mead and the other for Fouad Yaha, while Jay Pitts replied for Wakefield.

Posted by: Mack. Aug 24 2020, 06:53 PM

Wigan's Jackson Hastings, Huddersfield's James Gavet and Warrington's Riley Dean have all been sanctioned for breaching the Rugby Football League's Covid-19 protocols.

The trio have been fined and received 14-day bans, although Hastings' suspension has already elapsed.

Gavet's ban runs until 27 August, while Dean is suspended until 30 August.

The bans, which are in line with the recommended self-isolation period, run from the date of the transgression.

"Covid protocols were established in the weeks leading up to the resumption of the Super League season earlier this month, with an emphasis on player education and collective buy-in, and with clubs encouraged to agree and enforce their own codes of conduct," said the RFL's chief regulatory officer Karen Moorhouse.

Posted by: Mack. Aug 25 2020, 06:15 PM

Ospreys and Wales wing George North has been suspended for four matches after his red card against Dragons.

North was sent off for a dangerous challenge in the 14th minute on Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt during the 20-20 Pro14 draw at the Liberty Stadium.

The offence carried an eight-week suspension but was halved.

North's clean disciplinary record, acceptance of his actions and remorse shown warranted application of 50% maximum mitigation.

It was the first red card of North's professional career.

Posted by: Mack. Aug 28 2020, 10:21 PM

Georgia are being lined up to replace Japan as one of Scotland's opponents in an eight-team tournament this autumn.

The 2019 World Cup hosts were due to be in a group also featuring France and Italy, but are set to pull out because of coronavirus travel restrictions.

Scotland had originally pencilled in a warm-up match against the Georgians at Murrayfield on 24 October.

SRU will seek another opponent for that date, with the Georgia match making up part of the eight nations tournament.

Posted by: Mack. Sep 5 2020, 10:34 AM

Premiership leaders Exeter registered a sixth straight win to further damage Northampton Saints' play-off chances.

Converted tries from Sean Lonsdale and Jannes Kirsten put Exeter 14-0 up, but David Ribbans and Henry Taylor crossed for Northampton before the break.

Dan Biggar added the extras from Ribbans' second score to give Saints the lead soon after the restart.

But after Gareth Steenson kicked a penalty, Tom O'Flaherty's late effort gave the Chiefs the victory by 22-19.

Posted by: Mack. Sep 5 2020, 10:36 AM

St Helens thrashed an injury-ravaged Huddersfield Giants side with a devastating nine-try display by 54-6.

Posted by: Mack. Sep 19 2020, 01:04 PM

Bristol Bears reached the last four of the European Challenge Cup after a 56-17 victory over Dragons at Ashton Gate.

Pat Lam's team recovered from a poor start to book a semi-final meeting with either Bordeaux-Begles or Edinburgh.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Sep 22 2020, 06:22 PM

Sale win the Premiership Rugby Cup final, beating Harlequins 27-19.

Posted by: Mack. Oct 12 2020, 02:07 PM

Finn Russell returns to the Scotland squad after missing the Six Nations matches in February and March for a breach of team protocol.


The star fly-half is joined by uncapped trio Scott Steele, Oli Kebble and Duhan van der Merwe, with the latter two qualifying on residency grounds.

Back row Blair Cowan, 34, is selected by head coach Gregor Townsend four-and-a-half years after his last cap.

Experienced Glasgow Warriors lock Richie Gray also makes the 40-man pool.

Gray, with 55 caps, has been dogged by injuries in recent years and has made one international appearance as a replacement since 2017.

Posted by: HeadlessJockey Oct 14 2020, 10:18 PM

Wasps flanker Jack Willis has been voted players' player of the year at the Rugby Players' Association awards.

The 23-year-old won the award four days after putting in a man-of-the-match performance in Wasps' Premiership semi-final victory against Bristol.

He was also shortlisted for the young player of the year award, but lost out to Gloucester's Louis Rees-Zammit.

Sale flanker Tom Curry was named England men's player of the year while Zoe Aldcroft took the women's award.

Aldcroft, who plays her club rugby for Gloucester-Hartpury, said she was "over the moon" to be recognised by team-mates in such a way.

Posted by: MichaelMyers Oct 31 2020, 11:41 PM

England won the Six Nations after France beat Ireland on a thrilling final day of the delayed tournament.

Eddie Jones' side had claimed a bonus-point win against Italy earlier on Saturday but faced a tense wait as both teams in the day's final fixture attempted to take the title.

England's first title since 2017 was confirmed by France's 35-27 victory.

Ireland, who would have taken the crown if they had beaten France by six points or more, led 10-7 at one point.

Posted by: Mack. Nov 19 2020, 08:07 PM

Fly-half George Ford will start on the bench as he returns from injury in England's second Autumn Nations Cup match against Ireland, with captain Owen Farrell keeping the 10 shirt.

Head coach Eddie Jones has previously preferred Ford at 10 with Farrell at 12 when the pair are both fit.

Posted by: Mack. Nov 20 2020, 06:55 PM

England number eight Billy Vunipola says he is expecting a tough battle against an "in your face" Ireland team in Saturday's Autumn Nations Cup match.

Posted by: Mack. Nov 26 2020, 11:28 PM

Twickenham will host 2,000 fans for England's final Autumn Nations Cup match on 6 December, with 400 seats gifted to NHS workers, the Rugby Football Union has confirmed.

Six hundred tickets will be given to players' families, local rugby clubs and sponsors, while 1,000 will be sold.

Posted by: Mack. Nov 30 2020, 02:49 PM

The Irish Rugby Football Union has backed plans for South Africa's four Super Rugby sides to join the Pro14, which would become the Pro16.


With South African teams Cheetahs and Southern Kings bowing out of the competition at the end of last season, there are currently only 12 sides competing in the league.

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Dec 6 2020, 04:57 PM

Owen Farrell finally found his kicking boots to land a sudden-death penalty and subdue a stand-in France to win the Autumn Nations Cup at Twickenham.

Pre-match favourites England needed a last-minute try from Luke-Cowan Dickie to take the contest to sudden death.

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Dec 10 2020, 12:21 PM

Head coach Gregor Townsend is "honoured and privileged" to sign a two-year contract extension that will see him lead Scotland at the 2023 World Cup.

Having taken charge in 2017, Townsend's six-year tenure will make him Scotland's longest-serving head coach of the professional era.

The 82-cap former player has won 22 and drawn one of his 40 Tests at the helm.

Townsend, 47, says Scotland's "progress on and off the field" in the past year gives him "real grounds for optimism".

Posted by: MvG501 Dec 31 2020, 10:27 AM

Rugby league legend Rob Burrow is made an MBE for services to rugby and his awareness campaign since being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.


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