International rugby union
FILE - Liverpool fans wait in front of the of the Stade de France prior the Champions League final soccer match between Liverpool and Real Madrid, in Saint Denis near Paris, Saturday, May 28, 2022. A French Senate commission is releasing its initial conclusions Thursday JUNE 16, 2022 in an investigation into chaos that engulfed the Champions League final last month outside France's national stadium, including police firing pepper spray at fans and families. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
Report: Mistakes, not Liverpool fans, caused CL final fiasco

By Samuel Petrequin Jul. 13, 2022 09:36 AM EDT

FILE - Japan's Michael Leitch is tackled by South Africa's Steven Kitshoff during the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match at Tokyo Stadium between Japan and South Africa in Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 20, 2019. A little more than a year away from the next World Cup in France, Leitch is no longer the captain but still a key member of the brains trust that drives. He looks forward to the tournament where Japan is drawn in group D with England, Argentina, Samoa and one other qualifier. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)
Column: US lands 2031 Rugby World Cup, if anyone cares

By Paul Newberry May. 13, 2022 04:12 PM EDT

Rugby Australia President David Codey speaks during a media event ahead of the final vote for the hosting of the Rugby World Cups in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, May 12, 2022. World Rugby will announce the host nations for the men's and women's World Cups for the period 2025-2033 with Australia heavily favored to host the men's 2027 and women's tournaments in 2029. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
US to host men's and women's Rugby World Cups for first time

By Steve Douglas May. 12, 2022 01:58 PM EDT

United States expected to be named host of Rugby World Cups

By Steve Douglas May. 11, 2022 07:12 AM EDT
With the full support of the White House, an American bid to stage the men's and women's Rugby World Cups is expected to receive the green light on Thursday as the...

New Zealand's Michaela Blyde, left, scores a try as Australia's Charlotte Caslick tackles her during the gold-medal match on the final day of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series in Langford, British Columbia, Sunday, May 1, 2022. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press via AP)
Australia wins Langford title, clinches sevens world series

May. 01, 2022 10:02 PM EDT

Kenya's Alvin Otieno, center, is tackled by Spain's Alberto Carmona, left, and Josep Serres during an HSBC Canada Sevens rugby match in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
South Africa close in on Series title at Edmonton Sevens

Sep. 25, 2021 09:21 PM EDT

Kenya's Levy Amunga, left, and South Africa's Darren Adonis vie for the ball during an HSBC Canada Sevens rugby game in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
US, South Africa through to final 8 at Vancouver Sevens

Sep. 18, 2021 10:53 PM EDT

New Zealand's Stacey Fluhler dives to score a try, in the women's rugby gold medal match between New Zealand and France at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
New Zealand beats France to clinch gold in women's rugby 7s

By John Pye Jul. 30, 2021 11:48 PM EDT

Taiwan's Wang Chi-Lin, left, and Lee Yang compete against China's Li Jun Hui and Liu Yu Chen during their men's doubles gold medal Badminton match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Olympic Latest: Bencic wins tennis gold for Switzerland

Jul. 30, 2021 08:57 PM EDT

Sarah Hirini and David Nyika, of New Zealand, carry their country's flag during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New Zealand Black Ferns aiming to avenge Rio loss to Aussies

By John Pye Jul. 28, 2021 02:22 AM EDT

Argentina's Santiago Mare soaks in an ice bath following a men's rugby sevens practice at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, in Tokyo, Friday, July 23, 2021. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
The opposite of distancing; rugby 7s set for kickoff

By John Pye Jul. 24, 2021 10:12 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2016, file photo, Viliame Mata of Fiji evades a tackle during the gold medal mens rugby sevens match against Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was rugby in fast forward and it generated millions of new fans across the world. Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 bringing all the usual hard-hitting tackles, collisions and swerving runs but leaving out the slow-mo elements of the traditional 15-a-side game. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Olympic travel a big challenge for some Pacific Island teams

By Steve Mcmorran Jul. 07, 2021 03:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2016, file photo, Viliame Mata of Fiji evades a tackle during the gold medal mens rugby sevens match against Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was rugby in fast forward and it generated millions of new fans across the world. Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 bringing all the usual hard-hitting tackles, collisions and swerving runs but leaving out the slow-mo elements of the traditional 15-a-side game. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Faster, brighter: Olympics a 'game changer' for rugby sevens

By John Pye Jul. 07, 2021 01:27 AM EDT

Britain and Irish Lions' player Louis Rees-Zammit with the rugby team arrives at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, June 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Lions arrive as South Africa goes into stricter lockdown

By Gerald Imray Jun. 28, 2021 11:27 AM EDT

British and Irish Lions' fans pose for photographers before the start of the friendly rugby match between British and Irish Lions and Japan at the Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday, June 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
3 Springboks positive for virus as Lions tour set to begin

By Gerald Imray Jun. 27, 2021 08:52 AM EDT

Cornelsen: A famous Wallaby name set to turn out for Japan

By Steve Mcmorran Jun. 23, 2021 04:03 AM EDT
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Jack Cornelsen is heir to a major piece of Australian rugby history. He bears a famous name that for Wallaby fans evokes pride...

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2019 file photo, Australia's Samu Kerevi is tackled by Wales' Jonathan Davies during the Rugby World Cup Pool D game at Tokyo Stadium between Australia and Wales in Tokyo, Japan. Kerevi has been named in the Australian 7's squad for the Tokyo Olympics. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko,File)
ATP Tokyo, Japan Men Singles

Jun. 17, 2021 12:44 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019 file photo, Australia's Samu Kerevi fends off an England's Manu Tuilagi during the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match at Oita Stadium in Oita, Japan. Kerevi has been named in the Australian 7's squad for the Tokyo Olympics. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena,File)
Kerevi preparing to play 7s for Australia at Tokyo Olympics

Jun. 17, 2021 12:43 AM EDT

Virus cases in team Lions due to play in SA tour opener

By Gerald Imray Jun. 11, 2021 06:53 AM EDT
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South African rugby canceled Friday a PRO14 game after a coronavirus outbreak in the team the British and Irish Lions are due to...

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014 file photo, South Africa's Morne Steyn kicks to score on a penalty against Argentina during a Rugby Championship match in Salta, Argentina. South Africa has recalled flyhalf Morne Steyn to a 46-man initial squad for the British and Irish Lions series starting next month. The 36-year-old Steyn hasn’t played a test in five years. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
Springboks recall Steyn for Lions, keep bulk of WC winners

By Gerald Imray Jun. 05, 2021 02:08 PM EDT