Williams, Harding leaving Australian Rugby Union

2011-12-23T04:30:20Z

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has announced assistant coach Jim Williams is leaving after the completion of his contract with the Wallabies.

Williams has been an assistant to head coach Robbie Deans since 2008 and was the forwards coach for Wales lock Ian Gough was banned for three weeks on Thursday after being cited for a dangerous tackle during the Ospreys' European Cup defeat by Saracens last week.

Gough was cited for a tackle on Saracens' South African hooker Wales' Gavin Henson is set to make his Cardiff Blues debut in Friday's Celtic League clash at home to local rivals Newport Gwent Dragons after being selected at full-back.

Best known as a centre, ...

Heroic Harlequins stun mighty Toulouse

2011-12-18T15:30:22Z

Harlequins stunned four-time champions Toulouse 31-24 on Sunday to reignite their European Cup quarter-final hopes just a week after the French giants had seemingly delivered a fatal blow on the English side.

Harlequins out-scored their hosts three tries to two and bravely hung on in the closing stages when they were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card for No 8 Nick Easter<...

Lukes look to clinch fifth European Cup rugby title

2011-12-18T02:30:11Z

Luke McAlister and Luke Burgess believe they can build a joint New Zealand-Australian platform for Toulouse to clinch a fifth European Cup title.

The French giants, one of just three sides left in the tournament with a perfect three wins in three games, can virtually wrap up a quarter-final spot with victory over Leinster ran in seven tries in a 52-27 demolition of Bath in Dublin on Saturday to go six points clear at the top of Pool Three and move closer to a European Cup quarter-final spot.

A week after beating the English side 18-13 in Bath, the Irishmen ran rampant, making sure of a bonus point after Leicester relaunched their bid for a place in the quarter-finals of the European Cup with a gritty 23-19 win over French heavyweights Clermont on Saturday.

Leicester, the 2001 and 2002 champions, suffered their first defeat in Pool Four last week when they succumbed 30-12 in Auvergne.

However, a solid second-half defensive performance, combined with the boot of

Wilkinson signs new Toulon contract

2011-12-17T08:30:22Z

Jonny Wilkinson has signed a one year extension to his contract at Toulon, the new deal tying the former England fly-half to the French Top 14 club until 2013.

The news comes at the end of a week in which the 32-year-old 2003 World Cu...

Saracens end Ospreys 17-match unbeaten run

2011-12-16T16:30:40Z

Saracens edged closer to the European Cup quarter-finals on Friday with a gritty 16-13 victory over Ospreys which ended the Welsh side's six-year, 17-match unbeaten home record in the tournament.

The win gave the English champions 14 points at the top of Pool Five, two ahead of Biarritz who picked up a bonus-point 29-12 victory over Treviso while defeat virtually ended Ospreys hopes of making the last eight.

In the night's...

Steve Hansen appointed new All Blacks coach

2011-12-15T19:31:05Z

The New Zealand Rugby Union appointed Steve Hansen as the new coach of the world champion All Blacks, replacing Graham Henry who stepped down after winning the World Cup.

Hansen was ...

All Blacks to name new coach

2011-12-14T08:30:38Z

World Cup-winners New Zealand will name their new coach on Friday with Steve Hansen the leading candidate, the team's official website said.

The announcement of the All Blacks coach and his assistants has been keenly anticipated since Jonny Wilkinson helped Toulon climb to third in the French Top 14 with the former England international contributing four penalties in his club's 34-12 win over Agen on Tuesday.

Twenty four hours after he announced he was quitting the international scene Wilkinson starred for Toulon with a 12 point haul despite missing three convers...

All Black Guildford banned for drunk antics

2011-12-13T18:30:51Z

All Blacks and Canterbury Crusaders' wing Zac Guildford has been barred from the first Super 15 game next year as punishment for his drunken spree in the Cook Islands last month.

In a ruling released Wednesday following a New Zealand rugby officials voiced confidence Wednesday that change is on the way despite the re-election of Frenchman Bernard Lapasset as International Rugby Board chairman.

At an IRB Council meeting in Los Angeles on Monday, Lapasset was returned for a second term in ...

Jonny Wilkinson retires from Test rugby

2011-12-12T20:30:32Z

England fly-half great Jonny Wilkinson has retired from international rugby union.

"I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from international rugby," Wilkinson, said in a statement on his own website, www.jonnywilkinson.com.

"To do so fills me with great sadness, but I know I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with...

Lapasset to remain International Rugby Board boss

2011-12-12T20:30:30Z

In a political fight to control the direction of global rugby for the next four years, Frenchman Bernard Lapasset edged former England captain Bill Beaumont on Monday to remain in charge.

Lapasset was elected to a second consecutive term as chairman of the International Rugby Board in a 14-12 vote o...

Wilkinson retires from Test rugby

2011-12-12T19:30:31Z

England fly-half great Jonny Wilkinson retired from international rugby union on Monday.

"I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from international rugby," Wilkinson, said in a statement on his own website, www.jonnywilkinson.com.

"To do so fills me with great sadness, but I know I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I hav...

Woodward salutes 'team man' Wilkinson

2011-12-12T17:30:54Z

Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward praised Jonny Wilkinson as a "marvellous team man" after the fly-half announced his retirement from international rugby union here on Monday.

It was Woodward who gave Wilkinson the first of his 91 England caps in 1998 and he was still in charge when the No 10 landed the extra-t...

Lapasset and Beaumont resume battle to be IRB boss

2011-12-12T02:30:22Z

Bernard Lapasset and Bill Beaumont will resume their contest to be world rugby's top administrator in the unlikely setting of Los Angeles Airport on Monday.

The vote in a election between current International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Lapasset and vice-chairman Beaumont, a for...

Centurion O'Gara drives Munster to win over Scarlets

2011-12-10T17:30:19Z

Two-time European champions Munster produced a trademark gritty performance, inspired by Irish fly-half Ronan O'Gara on his 100th European Cup appearance, to edge Welsh side Scarlets 17-14 on Saturday.

Munster's three wins from their three pool matches have seen them prevail by the barest of margins, O'Gara landing two last-second drop goals to get them past North...

Toulouse end Harlequins' winning run

2011-12-09T21:30:13Z

Four-time champions Toulouse brought Harlequins' 14-match winning run to an end on Friday with a muscular and stylish 21-10 European Cup victory which nudged the French giants closer to the quarter-finals.

Fijian winger Timoci Matanavou scored both of Toulouse's tries at the Twickenham Stoop in the first of a Pool Six double-header which expos...

New Zealand, South Africa flex Sevens muscles

2011-12-09T18:30:18Z

Early season strugglers New Zealand and South Africa waltzed into the IRB Sevens World Series quarter-finals Friday with three convincing victories each.

But England, winners of the second leg of the nine-round championship in Dubai last weekend, fell to <...

Quins, Toulouse lead way in European Cup rugby weekend

2011-12-09T02:30:15Z

Harlequins, with 14 successive wins in all competitions this season, tackle four-time champions Toulouse on Friday on a European Cup weekend where the top two sides in each of the six pools clash.

Harlequins, the English Premiership leaders, welcome the French Top 14 pace-setters to the Twickenham Stoop, in the first of a double-header which s...

Lancaster to coach England in rugby Six Nations

2011-12-08T12:30:25Z

Stuart Lancaster will be England's caretaker during their defence of the Six Nations title, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced here on Thursday.

Lancaster, currently coach of the reserve England Saxons, will be supported by

England rugby player Ashton gets four-week ban

2011-12-06T19:30:51Z

England's Chris Ashton was banned for four weeks from all rugby on Tuesday for pulling the hair of Leicester's Alesana Tuilagi during Northampton's Premiership defeat by the Tigers on Saturday.

Ashton, who was punished by a disciplinary panel for "acts contrary to good sp...

McCaw slams 'filthy' French in rugby W.Cup gouge claim

2011-12-05T19:30:30Z

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has spoken for the first time about allegedly being eye gouged in the Rugby World Cup final, reportedly accusing France of "filthy" play in the tournament decider.

McCaw said he was surprised French centre

Wallaby rugby winger Ioane rejects Japan offer

2011-12-05T04:30:32Z

Wallaby winger Digby Ioane has knocked back a huge Japanese offer to sign an extended three-year deal with the Queensland Reds and the Australian Rugby Union, both unions said Monday.

Ioane, 26, agreed to the long-term deal with Queensland<...

Wallabies edge Wales in Williams' farewell

2011-12-03T14:30:25Z

Australia beat Wales 24-18 in their one-off rugby union test at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

In what was a repeat of the World Cup third-place match, which the Wallabies also won, the game marked...

New Zealand puts Super 15 sides up for sale

2011-12-02T17:30:32Z

Four New Zealand's five Super 15 rugby union franchises have been put up for partial sale with no restriction on where the private stakeholders come from, though the teams may not move abroad.

The "For Sale" signs appeared in newspapers on Saturday, and the move could see, for example, the most successful Super team, the Canterbury Crusaders, be...

Fiji face tough rugby Sevens test in Dubai

2011-12-02T05:30:21Z

Fiji come into the second round of this season's Sevens World Series on Friday on a high after seeing off New Zealand to win the opening tournament last weekend.

The South Sea Islanders outplayed the reigning champions 26-12 in the final of the Gold Coast Sevens, and Fiji coach Alifereti Dere said the victory would give his team all the confidence they needed for the

RFU say sorry for World Cup as Andrew gets 'demoted'

2011-11-30T17:31:20Z

Rugby Football Union (RFU) acting chief executive Stephen Brown apologised Wednesday for England's dismal World Cup display as Rob Andrew was removed from direct involvement with the senior team.

En...

Players' union issues depression advice

2011-11-30T17:31:05Z

England's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) is set to increase the circulation of a booklet offering guidance on coping with depression to 50,000 former players following Gary Speed's death.

Although no evidence has yet been produced that former

Biarritz called to account over rugby derby fracas

2011-11-30T15:30:47Z

Biarritz have been summoned to a hearing by the disciplinary commission of the National Rugby League (LNR) after the father of Biarritz captain Imanol Harinordoquy ran onto the pitch during Tuesday's fiery Top 14 Basque derby with Bayonne.

Both clubs will also have to explain the series of punch-ups that littered the 100th derby which Biarr...

Kirwan up for England rugby job

2011-11-30T13:30:55Z

New Zealand great John Kirwan is happy to step into the void created by Martin Johnson's resignation as England coach -- even if it means operating within the existing Rugby Football Union (RFU) set-up.

...

Rugby player Harinordoquy's dad leaps to son's defence

2011-11-29T20:30:42Z

The father of French international Imanol Harinordoquy brought the Top 14 Basque derby between Biarritz and Bayonne to a halt after running onto the pitch to defend his son.

According to an AFP correspondent Harinordoquy's father came down from the stands in the sixth minute of the clash and faced up to Bayonne flanker Jean-Jo Marmouyet after his son got ...

Biarritz edge Bayonne in fiery 100th Basque rugby derby

2011-11-29T20:30:40Z

Biarritz won the 100th Basque derby with the last kick of the game on Tuesday as Julien Peyrelongue landed a penalty to beat Top 14 rivals Bayonne 21-19 and give the hosts only their second win in 11 matches.

In a fiery encounter, three players were sin-binned while the father of Biarritz star Imano...

Rebels warn Cipriani fly-half spot is open

2011-11-29T04:30:53Z

Danny Cipriani is not guaranteed to play at fly-half for the Melbourne Rebels in next year's Super 15 series following the arrival of Wallaby James O'Connor, coach Damien Hill warned Tuesday.

Cipriani, who played for the Barbarians against the

Rugby player Tindall reinstated and has fine reduced after appeal

2011-11-28T18:30:55Z

World Cup winning centre Mike Tindall effectively won his appeal against a £25,000 fine and being dropped from the England Elite player squad on Monday when the fine was reduced to £15,000 and he was reinstated into the squad.

The decision by acting British and Irish Lions will play the Wallabies in three Tests on their nine-match tour of Australia in 2013, the Australian Rugby Union said on Monday.

The Lions, featuring the best players from South Africa great Victor Matfield launched a far better defence of the Barbarians than the one his side managed on the pitch after their 60-11 thrashing by Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

It was not the way the Barbarians captain would have wanted to bow out o...

Cipriani aims for England return

2011-11-26T17:30:20Z

Danny Cipriani insisted he still had ambitions to play for England after his first match in Twickenham since 2008 ended in defeat as Australia thrashed the Barbarians 60-11 on Saturday.

It was nearly three years to the day since fly-half Cipriani, who now plays for Australian S...

Nagusa double sparks Clermont defeat

2011-11-26T15:30:44Z

Two tries from Fijian wing Timoci Nagusa inspired last season's French title finalists Montpellier to a thrilling 29-23 victory over 2010 champions Clermont on Saturday.

Montpellier kicker Benoit Paillaugue contributed all the other 19 points and evoked memories of the winners' form last season which they have found tough to replicate this term.

However...

Australia crush Barbarians in record rout

2011-11-26T14:30:22Z

Australia warmed-up for their Test away to Wales next weekend by running in eight tries as they overwhelmed the star-studded Barbarians by a record 60-11 win at Twickenham on Saturday.

Both Australia wings, Lachie Turner and Stade Francais deepened Perpignan's Top 14 home woes with a runaway 35-16 victory on Friday, stretching the Catalan club's losing streak at the Stade Aime Giral to seven matches.

Four tries from Samoa full-back Paul Williams, Rob Andrew, admitted Thursday he'd should have given England manager Martin Johnson more support but insisted he too would not be resigning after a shambolic World Cup campaign.

England's campaign was dominated by off-field scandals and lacklustre on-f...

Henry rules out England rugby job

2011-11-22T15:30:52Z

Graham Henry ruled out the possibility of replacing Martin Johnson as England manager on Tuesday, saying: "It is time to move on."

Henry, who stepped down as New Zealand coach after guiding the All Black...

Appeal by England rugby player Tindall on Thursday

2011-11-22T09:30:38Z

England international Mike Tindall's appeal against the £25,000 fine imposed on him by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for his night out during the World Cup will be heard at Twickenham on Thursday.

O'Gara works his drop goal magic again

2011-11-19T16:30:19Z

Irish rugby great Ronan O'Gara landed his second time added-on drop goal in successive European Cup games to give two-time champions Munster a 27-24 victory over Castres on Saturday.

The 34-year-old fly-half, who had given Munster the win over last season's finalists Northampton with a drop goal in the fourth minute of time added-on last weekend, landed the...

Woodward rules out return to England coaching role

2011-11-17T21:30:19Z

Clive Woodward has insisted he has no desire to coach England again following Martin Johnson's resignation as manager.

Johnson lifted the World Cup in 2003 as England captain when Woodward was the team's manager....

Mallett rules out England rugby job

2011-11-16T19:30:29Z

Nick Mallett said Wednesday he was no longer a candidate to succeed Martin Johnson as coach of England.

"I have decided that I will not be making myself available for the position and I have disclosed this to the RFU (England's Rugby Football Union)," Mallett said in a statement.

Former <...

Britain Zara Phillips

2010-12-21T14:31:35Z

Zara Phillips, right, and her fiance Mike Tindall, after announcing their engagement, In Gloucestershire, England, Tuesday Dec. 21, 2010. Prince William and Zara Phillips and boyfriend Mike Tindall kiss at the Badminton Horse Trials, Badminton, England. Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter Zara Phil...

Helmetless Football

2010-10-23T12:01:46Z

FILE - In this June 8, 2009, file photo, photo provided by the U.S. Rugby Association, U.S. Rugby coach Eddie O'Sullivan talks to the media before practice for the Churchill Cup in Commerce City, Colo...

APTOPIX India Commonwealth Games

2010-10-15T01:32:42Z

New Zealand's Kurt Baker celebrates as he runs to score the last try against Australia in their rugby sevens final match during the Commonwealth Games at Delhi University in Soweto, South Africa, Saturday May 22, 2010 Super14-winning rugby player Bees Roux during a Super 14 semi final rugby match. Roux has been involved in an incident that left a police officer dead, his team said on Friday Aug. 27 2010. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe/File)

Rucking and Mauling