Rugby

Six Argentina players and two members of team staff have been expelled from the Rugby Championship for breaching tournament health rules by taking an unauthorised trip to Byron Bay. The tournament has been held under strict biosecurity protocols with restricted travel because of Covid-19 cases in the state of Queensland. But the players crossed into New South Wales to visit the tourist destination. The group included former Puma’s captain Pablo Matera. The Argentina rugby union (UAR) said the group also comprised Sebastian Cancelliere,

Len Ikitau and Marika Koroibete scored two tries apiece as Australia secured a second successive victory over world champions South Africa in the Rugby Championship in Brisbane. Ikitau touched down twice in the first half, although the Springboks took the lead through centre Lukhanyo Am two minutes into the second half. Koroibete struck twice in six minutes to seal a bonus-point Australia win. New Zealand reclaimed top spot in the world rankings after beating Argentina. The All Blacks are now 10 points clear

One season of professional rugby could be enough to see a decline in a player's blood flow to the brain and cognitive function, a new study claims. The University of South Wales research followed a professional rugby team over the course of a season, testing players pre-season, mid-season and post season. It will be published in Wednesday's September edition of the Journal of Experimental Physiology. Researchers followed a team playing in the United Rugby Championship. They say more research is needed on the

Barbarian Women are set to play South Africa at Twickenham in a double-header with the men on 27 November. It will be the first time the Barbarian's men and women's teams have played on the same day. The women will take on the Springboks after the men compete against Samoa with both teams playing for the Killik Cup. The women's team last played in November 2019 where they defeated Wales 29-15 at the Principality Stadium. "We are proud to support women's rugby globally

Second-half tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Malcolm Marx helped South Africa to a 29-10 victory over an ill-disciplined Argentina in the Rugby Championship. Fly-half Handre Pollard kicked 19 points as the Springboks dominated in Gqeberha, Mapimpi going over after Willie le Roux's pinpoint pass. Hooker Marx dotted down less than 10 minutes later but they failed to score more to get the bonus point. Pablo Matera scored the Pumas' only try in added time in a scrappy finish. Argentina saw forwards Rodrigo Bruni

Wigan Warriors have suspended prop Tony Clubb while they hold an investigation into an alleged racist comment made during their win against Hull FC. Hull forward Andre Savelio said a Wigan player used a racist remark and reported it to referee James Child. Child put the incident, which occurred in the 34th minute, on report before the match continued. "Equality matters, and Wigan and Hull FC are united in this message," a joint Wigan and Hull statement said. "Both clubs have discussed the matter and

France will meet England in next weekend's Six Nations final after a thumping 56-15 victory over Ireland. Five tries in the first 40 minutes saw the visitors all-but secure the win by half-time, with only Cliodhna Moloney crossing in response for the Irish. Further scores from Caroline Boujard, Romane Menager and Cyrielle Banet saw France pass the half century of points. Ireland will meet either Scotland or Italy next Saturday in a battle for third and fourth place. France entered the game in

The Premier League, EFL, Premiership Rugby, F1 and British Horseracing have adjusted their schedules "as a mark of respect" to avoid clashing with Saturday's funeral of Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh died at the age of 99 on Friday and his funeral will be held at St George's Chapel, Windsor, at 15:00 BST on Saturday, 17 April. A national minute's silence will be held at 15:00. The Football Association recommends no games played between 14:45 and 16:15. In addition, a minute's silence

England Rugby has condemned social media abuse directed at its players after Ellis Genge said he had been sent death threats following the Six Nations defeat by Wales in Cardiff. England prop Genge was sent abuse after footage showed him failing to clap Wales players off the pitch on Saturday after the hosts won 40-24. England Rugby urged "true rugby fans" to stand against abuse. "Respect is a core value of rugby," the statement said. "Yesterday we lost to Wales who deserved their

For the first time in his four years as in-charge of the iconic Eden Park in Auckland, Nick Sautner says he witnessed a near-stampede at the turnstiles last Sunday. A 15-year record crowd of 43,000 poured in for the Super Rugby encounter between the Blues and Hurricanes, though Sautner says the atmosphere was so electric that he felt it was twice that number. “Has to be one of the best nights at this famous ground…One of the most historic, too,” he says. Though