3:38 AM BST Israel Folau has seemingly played his last game in a Wallabies jersey with Rugby Australia revealing it intends to terminate his contract, unless there are “mitigating factors” behind his social media comments and virtual radio silence since posting them. Folau would have almost certainly been selected at fullback for the Wallabies at

6:38 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

9:18 AM BST ESPN staff Rugby Australia intends to terminate Israel Folau’s contract following his social media comments on Wednesday. The governing body has attempted to contact Folau for the past 24 hours, but has received no response from the veteran Wallabies fullback, not his management team. Chief executive Raelene Castle revealed Rugby Australia’s position,

12:08 PM BST ESPN staff Wallabies star Israel Folau is once again embroiled in a social media scandal after the fullback took to both Instagram and Twitter with anti-LGBTI+ views on Wednesday. In what has become a semi-regular occurrence for the Wallabies and Waratahs player, Folau, 30, shared anti-gay sentiments in a scathing post to

9:30 PM BST They were deemed surplus to requirements four years ago, but Nic White and Will Skelton have very much been a part of the Wallabies’ World Cup discussions this time around. The England-based duo have been in excellent form of late, prompting a recent visit from Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to gauge their

2:25 AM BST Japan captain Michael Leitch has accused some top tier nations of wanting to keep high level rugby to themselves after the Sunwolves, Japan’s representatives in Super Rugby, were told they would be cut from the elite competition after the 2020 season. The decision by organiser SANZAAR to revert to a purely southern

1:43 AM BST Craig Dowd Close Craig Dowd played 60 Tests for New Zealand between 1993 and 2000, including in two World Cups, and he was part of the All Blacks team that won their first series in South Africa in 1996. He played for the Blues and Auckland in New Zealand domestic rugby, and

12:36 PM BST Glasgow Warriors coach Dave Rennie has signed a contract extension with the Scottish club, closing off the option to become the next Australia head coach. The former Chiefs boss has committed to a further year with the Warriors which will see him remain until at least June 2020 Rugby Australia is working

3:55 AM BST Sam Cane has been cleared to return to contact training after breaking a bone in his neck and received another boost when he was invited to a one-day All Blacks camp, suggesting the flanker is still in coach Steve Hansen’s Rugby World Cup thoughts. Cane had to have an operation in South

3:34 PM BST Former England rugby union player Christian Wade has signed for the Buffalo Bills, the team said on Monday. As seasoned college football stars head for the Combine in Indianapolis, there is another route into the NFL for hopefuls from other sports like rugby — but it is no less challenging. Wade quit