1:57 AM GMT ESPN staff The Pacific Islands remain a focal point among other developing nations for World Rugby as it continues its progression towards a Nations League, sources have confirmed. The rugby world reacted with anger Thursday to a New Zealand Herald article that a 12-team World League would be set up from 2020,

9:38 AM GMT World Rugby’s plans for a 12-team ‘Rugby World League’ have been strongly criticised by a group of the game’s senior players, including Ireland’s Johnny Sexton and New Zealand’s Kieran Reid. Rugby’s governing body is planning a revamp of the international calendar with the launch of a 12-team World League from 2020 that

7:23 AM GMT Manu Tuilagi will take some time after England’s Six Nations campaign before he sorts out his club future, the centre has said. Tuilagi, whose contract with Leicester Tigers expires at the end of the season, has been linked with a move to French side Racing 92. A move to France could spell

9:19 AM GMT 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

10:19 PM GMT He’s had to do things the hard way, but Brumbies back-rower Lachie McCaffrey is a lesson in point for any young Australian rugby player for whom things might not have exactly gone to plan. And the 28-year-old’s story offers an interesting sidebar to a hot topic in Australian rugby, the global player

9:39 PM GMT Wallabies star David Pocock has been named to boost a buoyant Brumbies team for their Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes. Pocock missed the Brumbies’ stunning 54-17 demolition of the Chiefs in Canberra last Friday with concussion but has been cleared for the trip to Palmerston North. He played just five minutes

12:56 PM GMT Former South Africa and Stormers forward Schalk Burger will be leaving English club Saracens at the end of the Premiership season, the club announced on Wednesday. The Springboks legend, who won a Rugby World Cup with the Boks and was the World Player of the Year in 2004, will leave Sarries after

2:42 AM GMT 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

3:42 PM GMT Wales lock Cory Hill has been ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations with an ankle injury, the Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed. The forward scored a crucial try in his side’s 21-13 win over England last Saturday, but was replaced a few minutes later. He will miss Wales’ fixtures

7:00 AM GMT The Lions’ Super Rugby campaign has been dealt a significant blow with the news that stalwart captain Warren Whiteley has been ruled out for six to eight weeks, after injuring a pectoral muscle against the Stormers on the weekend. The Springboks loose forward sustained the injury to his left pectoral in the