New Zealand

Toronto-born Leinster scrumhalf Luke McGrath is one of six uncapped players named in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad to prepare for their four-match November test series that begins at Soldier Field in Chicago next weekend against the All Blacks. The 23-year-old could well make his debut against the country of his …

Aviva Premiership trio AJ MacGinty, Thretton Palamo, and Titi Lamositele may benefit from a surprise decision by Premiership Rugby to release players for internationals set to be played on the first weekend in November. Those dates fall outside of World Rugby’s official test window, and clubs are thus not obliged …

Head coach Colin Cooper and assistant Tana Umaga have named 26 players in their New Zealand Māori squad to depart on Sunday for a three-match tour that begins in Chicago against the US Eagles. Included are six new Māori caps with all but five of the squad boasting Super Rugby …

Elissa Alarie, Karen Paquin, and captain Kelly Russell are among 16 veterans of the 2014 Women’s World Cup named by head coach François Ratier to travel with Canada on their three-match tour to Ireland and England this November. 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year Magali Harvey is also named …

Three players of American interest will be participating in Southern Hemisphere finals this weekend. Chris Baumann, Marcel Brache, and Toni Pulu are set to take part in the knock-out stages of their respective competitions with Eagles selectors sure to be keen observers. Baumann has enjoyed a fine season with the …

Through international competition rugby has expanded significantly. Over the duration of one generation there have emerged increasingly competitive teams from a variety of continents. Indeed Argentina, Japan and Georgia all lit up Rugby World Cup 2015. Yet many facets of rugby being an Old Boy’s Club remain strong. Few leading …

The Southern Hemisphere’s top domestic competitions are starting to wrap up as New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup enters its 9th and final week of regular season play, while Australia’s National Rugby Championship has reached the semi-finals stage. Americas players will feature in both over the next few days. Jake Ilnicki …

Martín Landajo will start at scrumhalf in place of Tomás Cubelli in one of three changes to the Pumas team to face New Zealand at Estadio José Amalfitani in Buenos Aires on Saturday. Guido Petti has recovered from injury to take his place in the second row, with Javier Ortega …

Australia and South Africa have each named their sides to compete against each other at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday. The Springboks will be keen to use their home field advantage to avenge a 23-17 loss in Brisbane on September 10, and to stave off the challenge of Argentina …

TJ Perenara will start for New Zealand against Argentina in Saturday’s Rugby Championship match in Buenos Aires. The Hurricanes halfback replaces Aaron Smith in the run-on side, one of four changes made by coach Steve Hansen from the team that comfortably defeated the Springboks at AMI Stadium on September 17. …