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Flyhalf James O’Connor and centre Len Ikitau will start for the Wallabies against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. Ikitau will reignite his partnership with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the pair featuring alongside each other in the midfield for 12 of the Wallabies last 16 Tests. O’Connor will start in the No 10 jersey for his first Test […]

The Springboks’ midfield future could be taking shape sooner than many expected as coach Rassie Erasmus named Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie as the centres for Saturday’s Test against Italy in Turin. They are two of 11 changes made by Erasmus from the team that humbled France in Paris last Saturday. At just 22 years

Shilton van Wyk has a clear objective for the new SVNS season. The 25-year-old made his Springbok Sevens debut in 2022 and lifted trophies six times out of 27 tournaments. The most memorable of those was in Cape Town last year, when South Africa broke a nine-year dry spell in their own backyard and for

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has opted for a six-two bench split for Saturday’s Test against the Springboks in Turin. Quesada has made just one change to the starting lineup that upset Australia 26-19 in Udine last weekend, with Marco Riccioni starting at tighthead prop and Simone Ferrari moving to the bench. The bench composition is

France coach Fabien Galthié has overhauled his match 23 for Saturday’s Test against Fiji following last week’s bruising loss to the Springboks in Paris. Galthié has made six changes to his starting XV and a further five adjustments on the bench. Despite the shake-up, the back three of Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey

The Bulls have announced a slew of contract extensions for eight of their most promising young talents. The move is a major vote of confidence in the franchise’s development system and its intent to lock in a new generation of players who have all impressed in recent URC and Currie Cup campaigns. The extensions see

Handré Pollard returns to the Springbok starting lineup for Saturday’s match against Italy in Turin. The veteran flyhalf, who last featured in the 24-17 loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park, headlines a host of changes as the Boks look to continue their unbeaten run on tour. Erasmus has overhauled his starting XV, making

Louis Rees-Zammit has been recalled to Wales’ starting lineup for Saturday’s clash with Japan in Cardiff. The 24-year-old replaces Tom Rogers on the right wing in one of four changes to the side that started in last week’s 52-28 loss to Argentina. Rees-Zammit joins Blair Murray and Josh Adams in a back-three packed with pace,

Stormers scrum coach Brok Harris says the team’s front row depth is giving him plenty to smile about ahead of a massive trip to Munster. MORNÉ ESBEN reports. The Stormers are unbeaten after five rounds of the United Rugby Championship, and top the log with 23 points – the same as their Irish rivals. The

Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote has made wholesale changes to the SA U19 Academy team for Friday’s match against Ireland U19 in Cork. The final fixture of their two-week European tour kicks off at 9:30pm (SA time) at Virgin Media Park, the home of Munster. The match will be streamed live on IrishRugby+. REPORT: SA