The Southern Kings' disappointing start to the PRO14 season continued when they were beaten 28-5 by Italian side Treviso in driving wind and rain at the Stadio Monigo on Saturday.
Following a sun-drenched Saturday of action we now know the make-up of the playoff picture in France and the PRO14 and Aviva Premiership semifinal lineups.
The PRO14 playoffs are now confirmed and with the Aviva Premiership and French Top 14 facing a dramatic finish next weekend, there is still much to play for with playoff places up for grabs and team eager to book a place in next season's Champions Cup.
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.
A 31-point defeat by England on Sunday seems to mark yet another year of toil for Italy in the Six Nations. But behind the scorelines, coach Conor O'Shea is leading a quiet rugby revolution in a country that does not recognise the sport as professional.
European rugby is back as the quarterfinal line-ups are finalised. 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.
European rugby is back for 2018 as the quarterfinal line-ups are finalised. 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.
European rugby is back 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.
Ian McKinley lost sight in his left eye playing for Leinster in 2010. Seven years on, the fly-half is in Italy's squad for the autumn internationals and on the verge of a Test debut.
Italy have included five uncapped players in their squad for the autumn internationals including Irish-born Ian McKinley.
Italy coach Conor O'Shea has included former Ireland Under-20 fly-half Ian McKinley in a 34-man training squad ahead of his side's autumn internationals.
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.
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.
Tuesday brought official confirmation that South African sides the Cheetahs and Southern Kings would, as expected, join an expanded PRO14 competition. But what will the new championship look like?
Italy will lose its right to an automatic Champions Cup place from next season after tournament organisers announced an overhaul of its qualification process.
Edinburgh edged past Harlequins 36-35 in thrilling encounter in the European Challenge Cup.
| Pool 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | TEAM | GP | PD | P |
| 1 | Clermont Auvergne | 6 | +187 | 30 |
| 2 | Northampton Saints | 6 | +155 | 21 |
| 3 | Dragons | 6 | -22 | 10 |
| 4 | Timisoara Saracens | 6 | -320 | 0 |
| Pool 2 | ||||
| R | TEAM | GP | PD | P |
| 1 | Worcester Warriors | 6 | +25 | 22 |
| 2 | Ospreys | 6 | +36 | 13 |
| 3 | Pau | 6 | -38 | 13 |
| 4 | Stade Francais Paris | 6 | -23 | 12 |
| Pool 3 | ||||
| R | TEAM | GP | PD | P |
| 1 | Sale Sharks | 6 | +88 | 22 |
| 2 | Connacht | 6 | +26 | 22 |
| 3 | Bordeaux Begles | 6 | -34 | 12 |
| 4 | Perpignan | 6 | -80 | 3 |
| Pool 4 | ||||
| R | TEAM | GP | PD | P |
| 1 | La Rochelle | 6 | +134 | 24 |
| 2 | Bristol Rugby | 6 | +159 | 21 |
| 3 | Zebre | 6 | +11 | 14 |
| 4 | RC Enisei | 6 | -304 | 1 |
| Pool 5 | ||||
| R | TEAM | GP | PD | P |
| 1 | Harlequins | 6 | +66 | 21 |
| 2 | Benetton Treviso | 6 | +65 | 20 |
| 3 | Grenoble | 6 | -67 | 9 |
| 4 | Agen | 6 | -64 | 9 |
