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Use of replacements at heart of injury crisis
The introduction of substitutions in rugby was a common sense reaction to the issue of injuries. But their use in the professional era is threatening to ruin the sport as a spectacle.
Rugby
Gloucester rack up nine tries in Agen rout
Gloucester secured the first win of their Challenge Cup group campaign with a 61-16 victory over Agen at Kingsholm.
European Rugby
Weekend predictions: Champions, Challenge Cups
European club rugby is back for the second weekend in a row with another stacked fixture list. ESPN's experts predict which teams are set for a big weekend, which players will shine and where your attention should be trained across the two competitions.
Wales Rugby
Welsh Rugby
Watkins the Webb of 1960s Welsh rugby
Holding onto its best players was as much a worry for Wales 50 years ago as it is today. The difference is that back in 1967 concerns focused on rugby league, and players being lost forever, rather than to England and France.
Wales
Common sense needed to solve Webb dilemma
In adopting Australia's 60-cap rule the Welsh Rugby Union has used a blunt instrument to solve a problem that required a more subtle approach, writes John Taylor.
Top rugby headlines
England
Solomona hopes development can fire England dream
Denny Solomona hopes becoming a role model to younger players can help him realise his dream of playing in the 2019 Rugby World Cup with England.
Bledisloe Cup
Australia vs. New Zealand
Rugby
Brisbane set for another Bledisloe thriller
The Wallabies and All Blacks have split the past three Bledisloe Cup clashes in Brisbane one apiece, either side of an 18-all draw. Saturday's showdown promises to be another close-fought contest, Sam Bruce writes.
Rugby
Wallabies lacking 'mental toughness' needed to outlast All Blacks
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is fitting the World Cup "jigsaw pieces" together nicely but his side still lacks the mental toughness needed to avoid a second straight Bledisloe Cup whitewash, according to a Wallabies legend.
Rugby
Wallabies must pressure 'nervous' All Blacks.
Australia must capitalise on their opportunities early in Bledisloe III, Grand Slam-winning coach Alan Jones telling ESPN the Wallabies have proven they can mix it with the world champions.
2:05
Ospreys
Baldwin in contention for Ospreys return
Scott Baldwin could make his first Ospreys appearance since being bitten by a lion against Saracens in the Champions Cup Saturday.
European weekend review
It was a fascinating opening round of European rugby as Exeter edged Glasgow, Scarlets pushed Toulon all the way and Saracens laid down the gauntlet to their challengers.
Champions Cup Reports
Genge growing into life as Leicester loosehead
Back in the old amateur days Ellis Genge would have been a terrace hero, a prop who blended into the clubhouse furniture. Tom Hamilton meets Leicester and England loosehead prop.
Argentina
Che Guevara: Argentina's most famous No. 9
Half a century after his death, Huw Richards looks back at the role rugby played in the Argentine revolutionary's life.
Harare haka
The Harare Haka.
New Zealand All Blacks' legendary pregame Haka makes its way to a Zimbabwe high school.
3:00
Rugby
Photos -- Inside a haka tradition for a Zimbabwean rugby team
Twenty-two years ago, the Churchill High School starting lineup needed a game-time ritual to differentiate themselves. And they found what they were looking for in the All Blacks' pregame haka.
2023 world cup
france, ireland or south africa?
Rugby
World Rugby has tough job picking RWC 2023 host
Delegations from France, Ireland and South Africa pulled out all the stops to World Rugby on Monday to showcase why their country should host the 2023 World Cup. Now it's World Rugby's turn to make a tough call.
Rugby
Comparing the three bids to host RWC 2023
France, Ireland and South Africa all presented to World Rugby's council for what they hope will be the winning bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023. ESPN dissects what each country is offering.
Top Headlines
Don't Miss...
- David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images
Baldwin joins Beckham, McIlroy & Rooney in list of freak injuries
Scott Baldwin has set the bar high in terms of bizarre sporting injuries, but he is by no means alone in his admittedly novel approach to skipping matches.
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