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Rugby has lost one of its greatest stars
In the pantheon of international rugby players Sir Colin Meads has a room on the very top floor, writes his former adversary on the pitch John Taylor.
Rugby
The rugby world remembers 'absolute legend' Meads
The sporting world is in mourning after the passing of All Blacks great Sir Colin Meads at the age of 81, and ESPN looks at some of the tributes that have been pouring in on social media.
New Zealand
RIP Sir Colin Meads | 1936-2017
When New Zealand honoured its favourite son
The small New Zealand town of Te Kuiti ground to a halt as a statue to honour All Black legend Sir Colin Meads was unveiled.
Wallabies
Wallabies were 'dysfunctional robots' - Growden
The Wallabies were nothing more than dysfunctional robots during the horror Bledisloe Cup loss to the All Blacks, and pressure is mounting on all aspects of Australian rugby -- Greg Growden writes.
Top rugby headlines
Rugby Championship
news - za rugby
Bok bench can match the All Blacks
The Springboks started their 2017 Rugby Championship campaign with an emphatic 37-15 win over Argentina at Port Elizabeth's majestic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. KweséESPN looks at five talking points that emerged from the game.
All Blacks make Wallabies look like rugby minnows
The All Blacks were unstoppable in a 54-34 rout of the Wallabies in Game 1 of the Bledisloe Cup, running in eight tries to highlight a dominant display.
Rugby
Wallabies thrashed by All Blacks.
Greg Growden and Sam Bruce look back at Australia's opening Bledisloe Cup defeat to New Zealand and ask why their defence was so poor.
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Women's World Cup
Women's Rugby World Cup
WRWC: England, NZ cruise into semis
Defending champions England joined New Zealand in the semifinals of the Women's Rugby World Cup with a 47-26 defeat of the United States in Dublin.
England Women
Middleton hails England's 'outstanding' first half
England head coach Simon Middleton praised an "absolutely outstanding" first-half performance after his players booked a place in the Women's World Cup semifinals.
London Irish
Championship made Franks 'stronger'
When Ben Franks arrived at London Irish the threat of relegation felt like "a weight on your back". As he and the club prepare for their return to the Aviva Premiership next month, he insists their year away has made them stronger.
England
England
Hartley: Tuilagi, Solomona must 'work hard now'
Captain Dylan Hartley has tipped Manu Tuilagi and Denny Solomona to force their way back into the England squad despite being sent home early from a preseason training camp.
Rugby
Ford: 'World-class' Tuilagi will return in force
George Ford has underlined the "unbelievable, world-class" playing ability of his Leicester and England colleague, Manu Tuilagi, as he nears a return to first-team action.
Rugby
Tuilagi 'knows he got it wrong' - O'Connor
Leicester boss Matt O'Connor says Manu Tuilagi knows that "he got it wrong" after being sent home from an England training camp eight days ago.
Wasps
Beale: I've learned from Wasps stint.
The Australian utility player, Kurtley Beale believes he's a better player after a stint in England with the London Wasps.
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Super Rugby
South Africa
Currie Cup
Bulls elevate John Mitchell to replace Marais
The Blue Bulls' powers-that-be have reacted to the team's struggles in the Currie Cup by granting coach Nollis Marais 'leave' and replacing him with John Mitchell.
Rugby
ARU's CEO search must extend beyond 'old mates'
Australian rugby can again get itself out of this sorry mess, with the platform provided by Bill Pulver's resignation. Here is the chance for the ARU to appoint a convincing leader who will embrace all sectors of the game -- Greg Growden writes.
Rugby
ARU cuts Force to improve overall performance.
Chairman of the ARU Cameron Clyne insists that performance of the code's financial stress in Australia is the reason for cutting teams from the league.
0:54
Aviva Premiership
Aviva Premiership
Bristol refute £1m Piutau salary
Bristol say they faced "massive competition" before securing the services of New Zealand star Charles Piutau.
Aviva Premiership
Jonny 'Maymar' ribbed over Tigers switch
Jonny May's move to Leicester may have earned him the nickname 'Maymar', but Chris Robshaw would rather see himself compared with Tony Adams.
Gloucester
'I must go make a difference somewhere else'
Hours before the Super Rugby final Johan Ackermann was having second thoughts about leaving the Lions for Gloucester.
Saracens
Saracens make a splash with passing drill
Saracens have taken a novel approach to preseason training as they continue their break in Bermuda.
PRO14
PRO14
Cheetahs kick off PRO14 in Ulster
South African franchise the Cheetahs will get their first taste of PRO14 action on Friday, Sept. 1 as they take on Ulster at Kingspan Stadium.
PRO14 Expansion
The issues facing expanded PRO14
It is not difficult to see why Celtic Rugby would jump at the chance to breath new life into the rebranded PRO14. But the organisers face issues as they attempt to make the expansion work.
Springboks
Habana struggles with most frequent Springbok teammate.
Bryan Habana lined up alongside one player 88 times out of his 124 caps for South Africa... but he struggles to remember who that person is.
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Top Headlines
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Ben Franks, London Irish 'stronger' mentally for year in Championship
When Ben Franks arrived at London Irish the threat of relegation felt like "a weight on your back". As he and the club prepare for their return to the Aviva Premiership next month, he insists their year away has made them stronger.
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