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Weekend predictions: Champions, Challenge Cups
Following six months of intense continental competition the protagonists have been whittled down to just four teams in both the Champions and Challenge Cups.
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Super Rugby
The 'truth' Folau doesn't want to hear
Rugby Australia's weak-kneed approach in not sanctioning Israel Folau won't see an enormous problem go away. Folau has deeply upset people- and his intentions must be questioned by continuing to comment on the issue, Greg Growden writes.
Foley supports Folau despite beliefs.
Waratahs vice captain Bernard Foley believes there is more to Israel Folau than his religious beliefs.
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Super Rugby
W2W4: Heat on Reds' limp attack, Lance
Super Rugby Round 10 has barely rated a mention this week given the ongoing saga involving Israel Folau. That might be a good thing for the Reds for whom attack has become an enormous problem.
Wallaby great Smith back for Reds
Wallabies great George Smith is set to play for the Queensland Reds for the first time this season in the Super Rugby clash with New Zealand's Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Highlanders see no issue with Pocock treatment
The Highlanders have fended off accusations of the "nasty" targeting of David Pocock following last week's Super Rugby clash with the Brumbies in Dunedin.
Madigan: Forget champagne, Bristol's sights set on Champions Cup
Cillian O Conchuir
Springboks
Pollard can be as sharp as 'Lem'
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus doesn't have to look further than Handré Pollard to help him rebuild the Springboks.
Aviva Premiership
Rugby
IRFU, Ulster revoke Jackson, Olding contracts
The Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby have revoked the contracts of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding with immediate effect.
Benetton create history by stunning Leinster
Benetton stunned error-strewn Leinster as they made history by winning for the first time in Dublin, triumphing 17-15 at the RDS in the Guinness PRO14.
Super Rugby
Aviva Premiership
Te'o: I'll be a Worcester player next season
England centre Ben Te'o ended speculation linking him with a move away from Aviva Premiership side Worcester Warriors as he insisted he will be at Sixways next season.
Kingston set for Harlequins exit after 17 years
Director of rugby John Kingston will leave Harlequins at the end of the season by mutual agreement, the club have announced.
Argentina
Mercurial Hernandez left indelible mark
No one player has done more over the last 20 years to elevate Argentina's international standing than "El Mago" Juan Martin Hernandez.
Aviva Premiership
Premiership relegation debate: What we know
It seems almost inevitable that Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) are moving closer to scrapping relegation from England's top division. ESPN takes a closer look at how we arrived at this point.
The most enigmatic, tragic All Black
Huw Richards
All Blacks
All Blacks into the future: Quins deal & Joe Schmidt
The World Cup is the All Blacks' ultimate goal in 2019 but NZ Rugby must prepare for the future, and be malleable in how they do business. As such, Craig Dowd has analysed their deal with Harlequins and a potential successor to Steve Hansen.
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Israel Folau's issues run far deeper than anti-gay comments
Rugby Australia's weak-kneed approach in not sanctioning Israel Folau won't see an enormous problem go away. Folau has deeply upset people- and his intentions must be questioned by continuing to comment on the issue, Greg Growden writes.
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