Rugby World Cup
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

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 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

Rugby's home nations could have crowds for July tests

May. 10, 2021 12:29 PM EDT
LONDON (AP) — While the cream of Britain's and Ireland's rugby players are in South Africa, their national teammates will have tests of their own in the July...

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 file photo, South African captain Siya Kolisi holds the Webb Ellis Cup aloft after South Africa defeated England to win the Rugby World Cup final at International Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. The Springboks will finally get to play as world champions nearly two years on from winning the Rugby World Cup after announcing on Monday May 10, 2021, two home tests against Georgia in July to prepare for the series against the British and Irish Lions. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
Springboks to warm up for Lions with 1st games in 2 years

By Gerald Imray May. 10, 2021 07:02 AM EDT

France to play 3 rugby tests in Australia this July

May. 06, 2021 05:50 PM EDT
PARIS (AP) — France will play rugby tests in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on a tour of Australia in July, the French Rugby Federation said Thursday. ...

World Rugby stays in-house in hiring new chief executive

Mar. 18, 2021 07:02 AM EDT
DUBLIN (AP) — World Rugby made the in-house move of hiring Alan Gilpin as the governing body’s chief executive, tasking the English official with leading the...

Dan Carter to retire from all rugby at 38

Feb. 20, 2021 01:37 AM EST
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — World Cup-winning All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter, the top-scorer in tests with 1,598 points, has retired from all rugby aged 38. ...

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 file photo, England's head coach Eddie Jones gestures as he watches his players during an England rugby union team training session at Twickenham Stadium in London. England rugby coach Eddie Jones is isolating after being in contact with one of his assistants who has tested positive for the coronavirus, the team said Wednesday Jan. 20, 2021, in a blow to its preparations for the Six Nations tournament. (Dave Rogers/Pool via AP, File)
A look at each team in the 2021 Six Nations

By The Associated Press Jan. 29, 2021 06:46 PM EST

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 file photo, England's head coach Eddie Jones gestures as he watches his players during an England rugby union team training session at Twickenham Stadium in London. England rugby coach Eddie Jones is isolating after being in contact with one of his assistants who has tested positive for the coronavirus, the team said Wednesday Jan. 20, 2021, in a blow to its preparations for the Six Nations tournament. (Dave Rogers/Pool via AP, File)
England, France renew battle for European rugby supremacy

By Steve Douglas Jan. 29, 2021 06:45 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 file photo, Rassie Erasmus looks on ahead of South Africa's Rugby World Cup final against England at International Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus says he is open to the Springboks’ series against the British and Irish Lions being played in the UK and Ireland if that ensures it’s not canceled. Erasmus on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021 said the Springboks “will go to option Z” to make the three-test series happen amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, file)
Springboks' Erasmus open to Lions series in Britain, Ireland

By Gerald Imray Jan. 18, 2021 09:56 AM EST

Wooden balls representing countries and classified by pools are pictured after the draw for the Rugby World Cup 2023, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 in Paris. Three-time champion New Zealand will renew its rivalry with host nation France after being drawn into the same pool for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The 10th edition of the World Cup will be the second to be hosted by France and will run from 8th September to 21st October. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
All Blacks, France to renew rivalry at the Rugby World Cup

By Steve Douglas Dec. 14, 2020 10:11 AM EST

Georgia's Beka Gorgadze is brought down, during the Autumn Nations Cup rugby uinion match between England and Georgia, at Twickenham, south west London, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (David Davies/PA via AP)
Nations Cup final whets appetite for more England v France

By Foster Niumata Dec. 07, 2020 06:56 PM EST

England's Billy Vunipola, left, stands as nearly all the England team take a knee before the Autumn Nations Cup rugby union international match between England and Ireland at Twickenham stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
England seeks 2nd rugby trophy in 5 weeks vs weakened France

By Steve Douglas Dec. 03, 2020 06:04 PM EST

New Zealand's T.J. Perenara leads the haka during the Bledisloe rugby test between the All Blacks and the Wallabies at Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Springboks to stick with Rugby Championship and SANZAAR

By Steve Mcmorran Nov. 04, 2020 12:14 AM EST

Ireland, Italy keen to make fans proud in rebooted 6 Nations

By Foster Niumata Oct. 22, 2020 06:35 PM EDT
Dublin is shut down. Rome is going to night curfews. The desire to give their people something to cheer about in the pandemic is extra inspiration for Ireland...

Australia's Jake Gordon passes the ball in the tackle of New Zealand's Sam Whitelock during the Bledisloe Cup rugby game between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, Oct.11, 2020. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
World champion Springboks withdraw from Rugby Championship

By Steve Mcmorran Oct. 15, 2020 09:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2015, file photo, New Zealand's Julian Savea, right, is tacked by Australia's Tevita Kuridrani during their Rugby Championship match in Sydney. Australia is set to host the Rugby Championship in November and December after a late change of mind by governing body SANZAAR, Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)
New looks but old baggage for All Blacks and Wallabies

By Steve Mcmorran Oct. 07, 2020 11:57 PM EDT

Rankings last January to decide 2023 Rugby World Cup seeds

Oct. 02, 2020 05:05 PM EDT
PARIS (AP) — The draw in December for the 2023 Rugby World Cup pools in France will be based on the world rankings last Jan. 1. The pools...

Injured Springboks No. 10 Pollard out for 'several months'

Sep. 14, 2020 01:54 PM EDT
MONTPELLIER, France (AP) — Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will be out for “several months,”...