AUCKLAND - The All Blacks will host France in three tests next June, the New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed on Friday, in a high profile series taking place at the same time as the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

France were the last northern hemisphere side to beat the...

LONDON - Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw has been retained as England captain for the November internationals, the Rugby Football Union said on Tuesday.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster appointed Robshaw captain at the start of the year, despite only one previous appearance for...

LONDON - Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley are to undergo scans on their respective knee injuries as England coach Stuart Lancaster waits to discover if they will miss any of the autumn Tests.
The Northampton duo picked up their injuries in Saturday's Aviva Premiership defeat against Saracens...

SYDNEY - Australia's Adam Ashley-Cooper is well aware of the daunting task ahead this weekend as the Wallabies prepare to take on a record-chasing New Zealand side the utility back regards as the best he has ever faced.

"These guys are the best in the world, you can't argue with...

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina's Pumas could have done without the potential damage to their image in their debut season in The Rugby Championship of a financial scandal at the heart of the governing UAR union.

The UAR has revealed a case of fraud perpetrated by two former employees, an...

LONDON - European rugby was plunged into disarray following an announcement by English clubs that they had agreed a separate TV deal with BT.
The future of the Heineken Cup is the subject of renewed doubt after BT secured exclusive live broadcast rights to games played by Aviva Premiership...

LONDON - Jonny Wilkinson could earn a place in the British and Irish Lions squad for next summer's tour despite having retired from international rugby with England, coach Warren Gatland has said.
Wilkinson, whose drop-goal secured victory against Australia in the final of the 2003 World...

PERTH - South African number eight Duane Vermeulen will make his test debut in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with Australia in Perth after being named in the Springbok side on Wednesday.

Under-fire coach Heyneke Meyer has brought in three new players and made two positional...

SYDNEY - Australia wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner returned to the international fold on Monday when they were included in the Wallabies' initial training squad for the inaugural Rugby Championship.

Australia open the new competition, which replaces the Tri-Nations with the...

WELLINGTON - Barnstorming centre Sonny Bill Williams has brought a halt to his All Blacks career by confirming he has signed a short-term contract with Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan's Top League and will then return to Australia's National Rugby League for 2013.

The 26-year-old...