Replaying the previous years’ final as your first competitive game of the season in scorching heat of around 40 degrees wind chill, is not the ideal start of your tournament.
Outwith the Six Nations spotlight, emerging nations jostle for position in another thrilling REC - with the added carrot of Rugby World Cup qualification.
Simon Mannix’s Portugal will head to the Autumn Nations Series with a couple of new additions, as CA Brive’s and Pro D2’s top try scorer, Lucas da Silva is expected to make his debut for the Lobos.
United States Sevens men's head coach Mike Friday has named his 12-player squad for the Olympic Games later this month.
Having clinched the Six Nations title with a spectacular win away to France in Pau last March, the English have been drawn in a pool in Cape Town that also includes Fiji and the host country South Africa.
Matt Sherratt didn't expect to find himself as a head coach but his humility and humour have helped with a feel-good factor at the Arms Park
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.
In the first of a special new series, the inside story of Argentina's incredible 2007 World Cup is revealed
“If a suitable maternity policy does not exist, you’re implying that there is no place for mothers in your team or organisation.” Wills believes that the more women who decide to return after having a baby, the stronger the argument for policies.
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has revealed his squad for the Pumas' final two Tests of the Rugby Championship.