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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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."

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,

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

What about the Welsh, Scottish and Irish Unions?

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.

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."

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.

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.