Rugby Union

The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has selected the 12 host venues for its bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with seven applicants falling by the wayside.

A proposed merger between French rugby union giants Stade Français and Racing 92 has been called off after the plan was met with widespread opposition.

France’s National Rugby League (LNR) has today (Friday) moved to postpone this weekend’s fixtures involving Racing 92 and Stade Francais, as the presidents of the Top 14 clubs vowed to press ahead with their controversial plans to merge the teams.

World Rugby has reached an agreement over a new global rugby union calendar, with Bill Beaumont, chairman of the sport’s global governing body, stating the deal will deliver “certainty and sustainability”.

Stade Français players have gone on strike over a planned merger with rival Top 14 rugby union club Racing 92, according to the head of the players’ union in the country.

French rugby union giants Stade Français and Racing 92 have today (Monday) announced that they will merge in a bid to create a powerhouse club in the Paris region.

The Rugby Europe governing body has stepped up its campaign for a revamp of the Six Nations by submitting a formal request to open up the tournament to other countries.

World Rugby, the global governing body of rugby union, has announced details of an eight-year strategic plan designed to further the profile, development, sustainability and success of the women’s game.

Fan engagement consultant Mark Bradley visits Dublin’s Aviva Stadium for the Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and France.

SA Rugby has partnered with SuperSport, the pay-television broadcaster that operates in sub-Saharan Africa, to revamp provincial rugby union in the country.

England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced details of a new women’s league, which will debut this September.

Premiership Rugby, which oversees the top division of club rugby union in England, has agreed a multi-year deal to stage regular season games in the United States in September, according to The Guardian.

Six Nations chief executive John Feehan has said there is “no vacancy” in the national team rugby union tournament amid a concerted campaign for Georgia to be granted an expansion slot.

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte has insisted that France has the capabilities to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the 2024 summer Olympic Games.

Sanzaar, the umbrella body for the Argentinian, Australian, New Zealand and South African rugby unions, has called for clarity on a proposed bid for a Super Rugby expansion franchise in Fiji.

The Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) has moved to revamp its domestic club competition in a bid to boost the national team and give the country’s Super Rugby franchise more preparation time amid concerns for the welfare of the nation’s top players.