Customise ESPN
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.
Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Top rugby headlines
RFU Championship
Yorkshire forward gets four-year ban for doping
Yorkshire Carnegie back row Brandon Staples has been banned for four years by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) following an anti-doping violation.
Madigan: Forget champagne, Bristol's sights set on Champions Cup
Cillian O Conchuir
Rugby
European & Super Rugby review
Weekend review: Player of the weekend, flop & more
It is all about the playoffs as the Aviva Premiership, PRO14 and Top 14 edged even closer to the finish flag. The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup may take centre stage this week but there is still plenty at stake after the latest round of games.
Super Rugby Rebooted: Lam slaughters Chiefs
Round 9 Super Rugby action saw Ben Lam continue his emergence as a new All Blacks candidate with a huge performance against the Chiefs, while the Waratahs are still surging, and Warrick Gelant is shining for the Bulls.
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
Australia Rugby
Folau social post a Tahs "teaching tool"
Israel Folau's controversial social media posts have provided the NSW Waratahs with a "teaching tool" to educate players about online conduct, says coach Daryl Gibson.
Israel Folau escapes ban.
Australian Rugby player Israel Folau has not been disciplined for his divisive 'gays go to hell' social media post after a meeting with his rugby bosses.
1:35
Folau admits flaws in social media use
Days after posting anti-gay comments on Instagram, Wallabies star Israel Folau has admitted his use of social media is flawed.
Rugby
International rugby
Hartley an injury doubt for England tour
Dylan Hartley faces a race against time to be fit for England's tour to South Africa after Northampton Saints expressed concern over his latest concussion.
Welsh Rugby Union to trial alcohol-free zone
Wales Rugby Union have announced they will trial "an alcohol free zone" and will have a 30 percent increase in disabled seating at the Principality Stadium when they host Scotland, Australia, Tonga and South Africa during the 2018 autumn internationals.
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
Commonwealth Games
Stannard: I am lucky to be back on my feet
James Stannard 'heartbroken' after assault
A team dinner farewelling the Australian men's rugby sevens coach has ended with the captain in hospital, ruled out of the Commonwealth Games with a fractured skull.
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.
Super Rugby
Rugby
Canes' Shields all business before 'fresh' English challenge
Brad Shields wanted a fresh challenge, so signed for Wasps and, potentially, could on an England shirt later this year. But before that happens, Shields wants more success with the Hurricanes, starting with TJ Perenara's 100th game this weekend.
Six Nations
Rugby
Schmidt's long-term planning gives Ireland edge
Most people would probably have been a bit surprised with how the Six Nations played out in terms of the overall standings, but no one can be shocked by Ireland's ability to win big games.
Top Headlines
Don't Miss...
- Getty Images
Ian Madigan: Bristol set sights on Champions Cup after promotion to Aviva Premiership
The newly renamed Bristol Bears may have gained promotion back to the Aviva Premiership but the champagne is firmly on ice until they get among the elite of Europe in the Champions Cup, according to fly-half Ian Madigan.
ESPN Recommends
Live Sports on ESPN Player
Watch the very best in U.S. sport LIVE and on-demand with ESPN Player. Available across Europe, subscribe today.
Customise ESPN
- Richard Heathcote/World Rugby/Getty Images
Definitive rugby fixtures
Keep up to date with all the latest fixtures from around the rugby world.
- Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The unrivalled Statsguru database
Every single player who's ever played Test rugby features in our unrivalled database of the stats behind our great sport.
