The Seattle Seawolves have added considerable strength to their forward pack with the signing of Fiji international Apisai Naikatini. At 6’5″ (1.96m) and 255lbs (115kg) the 33-year-old provides ballast as well as lineout athleticism to the Seattle second row, which now boasts five players of starting quality. Naikatini played 18 …

The Tucumán Rugby Union (URT) has released a statement declaring their interest in becoming one of two Argentine franchises in the new South American professional competition set to launch in 2020. To date they are the only Argentine provincial union to make a formal public announcement though Córdoba have also …

Similar to our Rookie award, the Breakthrough Player of the Year is given to an individual who rises from relative obscurity to prominence over the calendar year. Where it differs from the Rookie award is that these nominees might have been capped before, jumping from fringe player to test starter, …

International competition in 2018 got underway with Canada vs Uruguay. Vancouver was the setting on January 27 for the first of two fixtures with Montevideo hosting the return match the following weekend. The matches were two excellent tests. They were competitive with both teams have the opportunity to win. Ultimately …

Our first weekly selection of the new year had contributions from the Challenge and Champions Cups, Spain’s Liga Heineken, the RFU Championship, the Pro D2, and a few mentions for the Major League Rugby preseason match between Glendale and San Diego. Unfortunately we were unable to watch Austin and Houston …

Warren Gatland has named both Leigh Halfpenny and Ross Moriarty in his Wales squad for the Six Nations despite the duo still struggling with concussion. Of the two, Moriarty stands the best chance of playing in the tournament opener against France with a targeted return against Munster next weekend. Halfpenny, …

With just under two weeks to go until the second season of Major League Rugby begins eight teams were looking to get precious on-field time together. In the end seven teams did – another was left on the bus – and it might be fair to say that they could …

Canada coach Kingsley Jones has named four uncapped players in his 28-man squad for the South American leg of the Americas Rugby Championship. Justin Blanchet, Nakai Penny, Will Percillier, and Will Kelly are set to make their senior international debuts. Blanchet is one of five who play their domestic rugby …

Chile completed an historic sevens double over the weekend as they won the Viña del Mar Sevens in style to claim their first ever Sudamérica title. After going unbeaten at Punta del Este a week ago, the Cóndores met defeat for the first time in the pool stage but recovered …

A last-second try from Hanco Germishuys handed the Glendale Raptors a 38-31 win over the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby preseason action on Sunday. It was the second of the game for the Eagles flanker, bringing a close to an entertaining match at Torero Stadium. The Legion started …

Through five rounds of European competition just two teams remain undefeated. Saracens are making their claim for a third title in four years as they sport the best record in the Champions Cup, with a perfect five wins from five. Their win over Lyon on the weekend guarantees a Quarter …

Castres were defeated by Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup match at Sandy Park on Sunday but there was a moment to savor for Taylor Paris. The Canadian winger broke a try-scoring drought that stretched back to February of 2018 for Canada against Uruguay. It was his first in a …

Pumas captain Pablo Matera will move to France following the 2020 Super Rugby season. He will leave the Jaguares at the conclusion of his contract with the UAR to join fellow Argentina stars Ramiro Herrera and Nicolás Sánchez at Stade Français. The deal will last through the end of the …

Martín Bustos Moyano played a leading role for Bayonne as they defeated Montauban 21-16 on Friday to take the lead in the French Pro D2. The Argentine fullback kicked three penalty goals including two in the final quarter to secure to the home win. The victory puts Bayonne at 52 …

The year 2018 was one of further progress for Uruguay. Both on and off of the field there were breakthroughs made as the rugby future continues to look prosperous for the eastern South American country. The year began with a highly demanding assignment – Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifiers against …

Saturday and Sunday will see most eyes pinned on the Champions Cup where there are plenty of playoff spots to be decided. Toulon have crashed out but can still play a spoiler role in Pool 5 when they host Edinburgh on Saturday. Facundo Isa will start on the flank while …

Playoff spots are on the line as the European competitions enter the penultimate round of the pool stage. Players from Argentina, Canada, Colombia, and the USA will suit up in the Challenge Cup. A head-to-head battle for top spot in Pool 4 sees Top 14 challengers La Rochelle host Italian …

Meanwhile the French Pro D2 is already two weeks past the mid-point. Thursday’s match saw 14-man Brive defeat Biarritz to keep their promotion hopes intact. Axel Müller started on the wing in a feisty game that saw Georgian international Otar Giorgadze sent off early in the first half. Six matches …

We reach the midpoint of the Greene King IPA Championship season with all teams in action on one weekend for the first time since October. It’s an unusual calendar this season and certainly one that requires revision ahead of next year. Two top-four teams will go head-to-head on Saturday as …

The final stages of the of Major League Rugby preseason are fast approaching and with the regular season a little over two weeks away communications departments could afford to pick up the pace a little bit. This past weekend saw three matches take place, and there are five scheduled for …