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Bower fires scrum warning at Springboks ahead of series-deciding Soweto test
All Blacks loosehead George Bower has declared he is relishing a scrum battle against South Africa in the series-deciding third test in Soweto, as the war of words between coaches Dave Rennie and Rassie Erasmus simmers ahead of kick-off.
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Saito takes Japan captaincy as Jones makes five changes for Canada Centenary Test
Eddie Jones has reshuffled his Japan starting XV for Saturday's Centenary Test against Canada in Niigata, with Naoto Saito handed the captaincy after Warner Dearns drops out of the second row among five alterations from the 56-17 loss to Australia.
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Harlequins boss Gilmore hails fit-again Baxter as effectively a new signing after injury-hit season
Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore says England loosehead Fin Baxter, back from two foot operations that restricted him to just seven appearances last season, will be ready for the Gallagher Premiership opener against Bath later this month.
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Ben Carter and Angus O'Brien retain Dragons RFC co-captaincy for third straight URC season
Dragons RFC have confirmed Ben Carter and Angus O'Brien will share the captaincy for a third consecutive campaign in 2026/27, with head coach Filo Tiatia citing consistency and the pair's deep roots in the Gwent region as key factors.
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Contepomi makes four changes as Argentina seek to end three-game losing run against Australia
Felipe Contepomi has reshuffled his Argentina starting XV with four personnel changes and key positional switches ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship rematch with Australia in Mendoza, as Los Pumas look to arrest a three-match losing streak.
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Queensland Reds schedule four-match November tour across Japan and Italy
The Queensland Reds will face the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights twice in Japan before travelling to Treviso to play an Italy XV and Benetton Rugby, with all four matches scheduled across November under new head coach Vern Cotter.
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Australia and New Zealand to meet in first-ever Under-21 women's rugby international
Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby have confirmed a historic Under-21 women's fixture at Christchurch's One New Zealand Stadium on October 31, marking the first time either nation has fielded a women's age-grade side against the other.
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Kiss hands Donaldson first Wallabies fly-half start in two years ahead of second Argentina Test
Ben Donaldson will start at fly-half for Australia in Mendoza this weekend, ending a 13-match run off the bench. Coach Les Kiss says the switch from Carter Gordon is about giving all three tens Test-match experience as the Wallabies begin narrowing their options.
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USA U20 captain Spencer Huntley steps up to Eagles squad 14 months before World Cup
Scrum-half Spencer Huntley, who captained the USA at the Junior World Championship in Georgia, has been named in a 31-man USA XV squad facing Argentina XV — a call-up the 20-year-old described as what he had been working toward his whole life.
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Ikitau ends injury absence as Wallabies ring changes for second Los Pumas Test
Len Ikitau returns to the Wallabies starting XV for Saturday's Test against Argentina in Mendoza, ending an absence stretching back to July 18. Coach Les Kiss has made several changes after last week's 27-21 win, with Harry Wilson, Taniela Tupou and Ben Donaldson also coming into the side.
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Rennie shuts down scrum saga ahead of decisive All Blacks-Springboks third Test
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has drawn a line under the scrum controversy that dominated the build-up to the third Test against South Africa, saying he moved on after the second Test and has left the matter to the referee.
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USA Women's Eagles name co-captains as WXV Global Series squad targets world-class standards
Georgie Perris-Redding and Erica Jarrell-Searcy will share the captaincy as the USA Women's Eagles prepare for WXV Global Series fixtures against Ireland, Wales, Italy and England across September and October.
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Springbok Women name experience-heavy XV to face Black Ferns under new co-coaches
South Africa have retained 11 starters from their Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand as they prepare to face the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium in Soweto, with assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September taking charge after head coach Swys de Bruin's departure.
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Rennie drops Taylor from All Blacks squad entirely for series-deciding Soweto Test
Dave Rennie has made sweeping forward changes for the All Blacks' third Test against South Africa in Soweto, with Asafo Aumua starting ahead of centurion Codie Taylor, who misses the matchday 23 altogether. Sam Darry and Peter Lakai also earn starting berths.
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Swys de Bruin quits as Springbok Women head coach two days before Black Ferns clash
Swys de Bruin has stepped down as Springbok Women head coach amid reported disputes with SA Rugby, with assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September named co-head coaches ahead of Saturday's match against the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium.
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O'Gara in talks to extend La Rochelle contract until 2031 and end Leinster speculation
Ronan O'Gara is in negotiations to extend his La Rochelle deal until 2031, according to French outlet Sud Ouest. A new contract would effectively end speculation linking the 49-year-old with the vacant Leinster head coach role.
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Gloucester confirm Ross Byrne is staying despite links to French move
Gloucester head coach George Skivington has confirmed that Ireland fly-half Ross Byrne will remain at Kingsholm this season, dismissing speculation over a move to France after a difficult debut campaign in the Premiership.
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Newcastle Red Bulls table £1m-a-year offer to prise Pollock from Northampton Saints
Newcastle Red Bulls have made a backloaded three-year offer to Northampton Saints and England flanker Henry Pollock worth up to £1 million per year — directly challenging Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson's public confidence that the 13-cap star would stay at Franklin's Gardens.
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Springbok Women draft breast-cancer-stricken referee Barrett-Theron to sharpen scrum ahead of Black Ferns clash
South Africa's women have brought world-leading referee Aimee Barrett-Theron onto the training field to refine their scrum work before Saturday's historic first home meeting with the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium in Soweto.
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Rennie makes three forward changes as All Blacks seek series win over Springboks in Soweto
Dave Rennie has reshuffled his All Blacks forward pack for the decisive third Test against South Africa in Soweto, with Asafo Aumua, Sam Darry and Peter Lakai all promoted to the starting XV. Tupou Vaa'i will earn his 50th Test cap in the series decider.
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