Being frozen out at the Queensland Reds for a whole season looks to have been a blessing in disguise for former Australia flyhalf Quade Cooper, who rekindled his love for rugby away from the spotlight and found a welcoming home at the Melbourne Rebels.
England lock Maro Itoje could return to the squad for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Wales despite being initially ruled out of the game in Cardiff, defence coach John Mitchell has said.
The New South Wales Waratahs' decision to take a chance on Karmichael Hunt looks to be paying off already after the back delivered a solid performance in their Super Rugby opener, assistant coach Simon Cron has said.
Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar and fullback Leigh Halfpenny have returned to training in a boost to the country's preparations ahead of the Six Nations meeting with England on Saturday.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has included six new players in his squad for the Six Nations clash against France in Paris on Saturday, with flyhalf Finn Russell to be assessed through the week.
Feb 18 (OPTA) - Super Rugby fixtures for this week Friday, February 22 fixtures (GMT) Highlanders v Reds (06:35) Saturday, February 23 fixtures (GMT) Sunwolves v NSW Waratahs (04:15) Crusaders v Hurricanes (06:35) Brumbies v Chiefs (08:45) Sharks v Blues (13:05) Stormers v Lions (15:15) Jaguares v Bulls (21:40)
Feb 18 (OPTA) - Super League fixtures for this week Thursday, February 21 fixtures (GMT) Wakefield v Catalans (19:45) Friday, February 22 fixtures (GMT) Huddersfield v Warrington (19:45) St Helens v Leeds (19:45) Saturday, February 23 fixtures (GMT) Hull Kingston Rovers v Salford (15:00) London Broncos v Castleford (17:15) Sunday, February 24 fixtures (GMT) Wigan v Hull (15:00)
Feb 18 (OPTA) - 6 Nations fixtures for this week Saturday, February 23 fixtures (GMT) France v Scotland (14:15) Wales v England (16:45) Sunday, February 24 fixtures (GMT) Italy v Ireland (15:00)
The 2020 Olympics can "usher in a new Tokyo" and, along with this year's Rugby World Cup, leave behind a legacy similar to that of the 1964 Summer Games, the city's Governor Yuriko Koike said on Monday.
Liam Squire is the latest All Blacks player to confirm he is leaving New Zealand after this year's Rugby World Cup, with the loose forward saying on Monday he has agreed to join Japanese club NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.
Japanese car maker Honda is set to announce it's closing its only British car plant in 2022 with the loss of 3,500 jobs, a lawmaker told Reuters, in the latest blow to the UK car industry as Brexit approaches.