Chris Ashton has been named in the England squad for the first time since 2016 ahead of autumn internationals against South Africa, New Zealand, next year's World Cup hosts Japan and Australia.

 

Here is the full squad:

 

Backs: Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

 

Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Northampton Saints), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joel Kpoku (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Michael Rhodes (Saracens), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), Will Spencer (Leicester Tigers), Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

 

Edinburgh and Scotland prop Alasdair Dickinson has ended his playing career to take up a coaching position with the Scottish Rugby Academy.

 

The loosehead, 34, won the last of his 58 Scotland caps in Japan in 2016.

 

After hamstring and shoulder injuries, he returned from a broken foot in March 2017 but lasted only 49 minutes.

England rugby international Danny Cipriani has been charged with common assault after an incident at a Jersey nightclub.

England captain Dylan Hartley is fit to return for club side Northampton Saints after five months out with concussion.

 

He is in the side to face Glasgow in a pre-season friendly at Franklin's Gardens on Friday.

Danny Cipriani will not be facing punishment from the RFU following last week's incident at a Jersey nightclub.

In rugby league

 

Catalans Dragons have become the first non English side to win the Challenge Cup by beating Warrington Wolves 20-14.

Leicester Tigers sacked their coach after one game!

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45402800

 

I know they were hammered by Exeter but that does seems very drastic..

England rugby league international Sam Burgess says he is "happy for the truth to be found" following newspaper reports alleging his social media account was used to send lewd pictures to a woman in May.

Leicester second row Will Spencer has been banned for four weeks after being sent off for a dangerous tackle in Sunday's Premiership match with Wasps.

International Rankings

 

1. New Zealand

2. Ireland

3. Wales

4. England

5. South Africa

6. Scotland

7. Australia

8. France

9. Argentina

10. Fiji

11. Japan

12. Tonga

13. Georgia

14. Italy

15. USA

16. Samoa

17. Romania

18. Uruguay

19. Russia

20. Spain

England prop Joe Market has announced his retirement from international rugby.

I assume all Wales' autumn games are live on BBC as well as Scotland's. With Ireland autumn matches now on Channel 4 plenty of live FTA rugby during November.

Wales back row Taulupe Faletau will miss the autumn internationals after breaking his arm.

Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw has been ruled out of the autumn internationals with a knee problem.

England number eight Nathan Hughes will miss the first three autumn internationals after being banned for six weeks for punching.

Example of a Rugby penalty shootout between Cardiff v Leicester in 2009:

 

Bath are demanding a rematch of last Saturday's Toulouse match due to "grossly negligent" officiating.

The next three English domestic rugby union seasons will include in-season breaks, with players limited to a maximum of 35 matches per campaign.

 

The measures, beginning 2019-20, are designed to protect players during a demanding schedule that includes the 2019 World Cup and 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

 

However, the domestic season has been extended, with 2019-20 starting on 21 September and ending on 20 June, while a "mandatory five-week post-season rest" period has also been brought in.

 

The key announcements include:

• Guaranteed in-season breaks for players in each of the three seasons
• Mandatory five-week post-season rest for all players, which includes two weeks' absolute rest and three weeks' active rest
• Minimum 10 weeks off/pre-season for players in the England Senior Elite Player Squad.
• Minimum 12 weeks between the Premiership final and round one of the following league season
• Maximum 35 match involvements (more than 20 minutes) in any one season for all players
• Maximum 30 full game equivalents (reduced from 32) in any one season for all players
• England players to have a mandatory rest week if playing all international matches and more than 65% of total minutes (reduced from 80%)

International Rankings

 

1. New Zealand

2. Ireland

3. Wales

4. England

5. South Africa

6. Scotland

7. Australia

8. France

9. Argentina

10. Fiji

11. Japan

12. Tonga

13. Georgia

14. Italy

15. USA

16. Samoa

17. Romania

18. Uruguay

19. Russia

20. Spain

England v South Africa- who do you think will win?