11:45 AM BST Ireland captain Rory Best has announced he will retire from rugby after the World Cup in Japan later this year. Best, 36, has won 116 caps for Ireland since making his debut in 2005, leading his country to three Six Nations titles since replacing Paul O’ Connell. 2 Related The hooker has
Rugby
10:00 AM BST Wallabies vice-captain Will Genia has slammed international teammate Israel Folau and believes he’s played his final Test alongside the controversial star. Rugby Australia issued Folau a breach of contract notice following repeated homophobic social media posts, but the 30-year-old will fight for his career at a code of conduct hearing next week.
9:50 AM BST Sam Bruce Close ESPN Associate Editor Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPNscrum after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Andy Withers Close ESPN
2:46 PM BST Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder has announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season. Blackadder has been granted early release from his one-year contract extension and will join Japanese side Toshiba following the 2018-19 campaign. The New Zealander joined the Premiership club in 2016 and helped
1:41 PM BST Sam Bruce Close ESPN Associate Editor Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPNscrum after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Andy Withers Close ESPN
6:18 AM BST Leading Test rugby referee Nigel Owens has described Israel Folau’s religious views as narrow minded and potentially “very, very hurtful” to a lot of people. Owens, who is gay, said high-profile players such as under-fire Wallabies star Folau need to understand the influence they have over young, vulnerable people in particular. In
12:39 PM BST Warren Whiteley resumes the captaincy of the Lions having been recalled after injury to face the Chiefs in FMG Stadium in Waikato on Friday. Whiteley returns after missing seven weeks having sustained a pectoralis major muscle tear in the match against the Stormers in Cape Town. He joined the Lions’ touring squad
4:54 AM BST http://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story/_/id/26521226/israel-folau-prepared-exit-rugby-legal-fightVeteran halfback Nick Phipps has praised rugby bosses for acting quickly over the Israel Folau furore, admitting its been a distraction for the NSW Waratahs at a crucial time. Wallabies and Waratahs fullback Folau has been stood down and facing the sack after copping a breach notice from Rugby Australia over his
6:57 PM BST Saracens have ‘formally warned’ England No. 8 Billy Vunipola over his social media activity after defending Israel Folau’s social media posts claiming “hell awaits” homosexuals. Vunipola was booed when he came off the bench for Saracens against Bristol in the Premiership at the weekend after liking Folau’s posts before defending the Australian’s
10:08 AM BST The Rugby Football Union and Saracens have ‘formally warned’ England No. 8 Billy Vunipola over his social media activity after defending Israel Folau’s social media posts claiming “hell awaits” homosexuals. Vunipola was booed when he came off the bench for Saracens against Bristol in the Premiership at the weekend after liking Folau’s