Taniela Tupou's form has tailed off in New South Wales, and how his franchise and national teams need the mighty prop at his best.
It was the French who caught the eye in round one with six of their eight teams winning, including Stade Rochelais and Toulon away from home.
La Rochelle player ratings: La Rochelle demonstrated why they are two-time Champions Cup winners, showing composure and grit in a hard-fought 24-20 away victory.
Ronan O'Gara has laid to rest any concerns that he may rest some of his La Rochelle stars for their opening match of the Investec Champions Cup by naming a formidable outfit to run out at Bath's Rec on Friday.
In just a few days another season of the Top 14 kicks off with the likes of Owen Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Josua Tuisova, and Davit Niniashvili making the numbers of the overseas players ready to make the headlines and wrestle for the title.
With the August 28 deadline now passed for the final submission by all 20 teams of their 33-strong squads travelling to France, the names of the 660 players who will be involved at Rugby World Cup 2023 have been confirmed.
Tonga midfielder George Moala will miss three of his country’s Rugby World Cup pool matches after having his appeal against his recent five-match ban dismissed.
The long-awaited inclusion of the Pacific Islands in southern hemisphere franchise rugby is nearly upon us, but which off-contract players could Moana Pasifika sign for their inaugural season?
A former Samoa international has refrained from throwing his support behind World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont's call to let tier one players represent Pacific teams.
Nili Latu is one of the great warriors of rugby and, even at 35, still has plenty to offer.