Rugby Union

The Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR), the governing body of rugby union in Italy, has withdrawn its bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Dan Payne, chief executive of USA Rugby, the governing body for rugby union in the country, has stressed that the organisation remains committed to developing its newly-formed domestic league amid rumours surrounding the club game in the country.

Scottish Rugby, the governing body of rugby union in Scotland, has elected Colin Grassie as its new chairman, with a remit to aid the introduction of a new business model for the organisation.

The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), the governing body of the Top 14, has approved a financial incentives mechanism designed to aid and encourage renovation of stadiums in the top division of French rugby union.

Rugby union’s administrators are closing in on an agreement to form a new global calendar in a move that could allow the introduction of a world club championship, according to multiple reports.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced that Andy Cosslett is set to become its new chairman following his spell as head of England’s organising committee for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

SA Rugby, the governing body of rugby union in South Africa, has filed an applicant submission to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup despite having been told by the country’s government that it is not allowed to bid for the tournament.

The CSM Sports & Entertainment division of marketing services group Chime Communications has entered into a partnership with USA Rugby as part of an effort to accelerate the growth of rugby union in the country.

World Rugby, the global governing body of rugby union, has announced that Australia and Japan will stage fixtures during its 2016-17 Women’s Sevens Series.

World Rugby has today (Wednesday) appointed Rob Abernethy to the role of general manager of Japan’s staging of the 2019 World Cup.

Officials from the Pro12 rugby union competition are set to hold further talks next month with their counterparts in the United States and Canada regarding expanding the league by adding two teams from the North American countries.

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont has hailed rugby union’s return to the summer Olympic Games, stating the inclusion of the sevens format has already proved a “game-changer” for the sport.

A new US-based rugby sevens national team tournament is set to take place next year after an agreement was reached between sports and entertainment companies Grand Prix Entertainment and W Partners.

Organisers of the annual Rugby Championship, which features rugby union’s top four southern hemisphere national teams, are set to explore the possibility of staging more games in the northern hemisphere.

Bob Latham, chairman of USA Rugby, the governing body for rugby union in the country, has confirmed that discussions have taken place regarding the possibility of a US-based team being added to the Pro12 pan-European club competition.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership Rugby Limited (PRL), which governs the top division of the club game in England, have agreed terms on a new eight-year partnership worth over £200m (€235.2m/$259.6m) that is designed to further boost the national team while allowing clubs to benefit from its successful financial performance for the first time.