11:37 AM BST England rugby international Billy Vunipola has said he refused to kneel in support of the Black Lives Matter movement when the Premiership resumed last week as some elements of the anti-racism protests did not align with his religious beliefs. All 12 Premiership clubs decided on different gestures to show their support for

4:02 AM BST French Top 14 club Stade Francais has cancelled a preseason match because some players have developed lesions on their lungs after contracting COVID-19 and need an extra week to recuperate. The Paris-based club was scheduled to play Toulon next Thursday in preparation for its opening fixture of the 2020-21 Top 14 season

2:13 PM BST South Africa hooker Malcolm Marx has signed for Japanese Top League side the Kubota Spears, returning to the country where he helped the Springboks lift the World Cup trophy last year. Marx opted out of his contract with the South African Super Rugby side the Lions in May, taking advantage of a

12:08 AM BST ESPN staff The British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa could be postponed to 2022 if the coronavirus pandemic continues to halt travel, South African Rugby said on Tuesday in announcing the ballot registration for match tickets. Fears remain that COVID-19 will continue to play a role in restricting international travel

6:18 AM BST All Blacks coach Ian Foster is still planning on his side having a full international season starting on Oct. 3, despite the re-emergence of the novel coronavirus in New Zealand. The All Blacks Tests against Wales and Scotland scheduled for June were cancelled and their itinerary for the rest of 2020 has

1:33 AM BST ESPN staff Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett will get the chance to face off at fly-half for the first time this season after the star All Blacks duo were named in the South Island and North Island squads respectively. The two 28-man squads were unveiled on Tuesday afternoon [NZT], giving both teams

11:38 AM BST Former England captain Dylan Hartley has criticised the manner in which rugby has treated his generation of players, saying the “money men” have relegated concern for individual welfare to the back seat over the years. Hartley, 34, retired last year after a persistent knee injury and is England’s most capped hooker of

9:58 PM BST Liam Napier In troubling times of lockdowns, social distancing and financial hardship sport can provide an outlet; a chance to free the mind from life’s realities and to simply feel alive, somewhat normal, again. Super Rugby Aotearoa, as the world first in its code to resume amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, offered

10:34 PM BST English rugby’s Premiership returned after five months on Friday and it was Harlequins who drew first blood, beating second-placed Sale 16-10 in a possible early indicator of how pre-lockdown form will count for little. However, on a night of incredible sporting action in soccer, athletics and even snooker, rugby fluffed its lines

6:26 PM BST Hosting rights for the next two men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups will be awarded within the same process as World Rugby attempt to build on the success of Japan 2019, the governing body announced on Thursday. The announcement means the 2025 and 2029 women’s and 2027 and 2021 men’s World Cup