Tuesday Morning Round Up

James O’Connor eligible for Wallabies as Queensland deal confirmed

Queensland Reds have confirmed the signing of former Wallabies playmaker James O’Connor for the next two seasons.

O’Connor will return to Ballymore after signing with Queensland and Australian Rugby through 2021 following two seasons with English Premiership club Sale Sharks.

This means that the 29-year-old is now available to add to his 44-Test career. Full story

World Rugby confirms scrum law amendment

The amendment to Law 19.10b outlaws the practice of front-rows placing their heads onto opposition players’ shoulders between the call of ‘bind’ and ‘set’ on engagement, and is effective immediately following approval by World Rugby’s Executive Committee. Read more

Bedford Blues name Sean McCarthy as new captain

Bedford Blues have announced prop Sean McCarthy as club captain for the 2019-20 Championship season.

Since joining the Blues from Jersey Reds in the summer of 2017, McCarthy has embedded himself in the Bedford front row, making over 50 appearances in his two seasons at Goldington Road.

Springboks lose Aphiwe Dyantyi ahead of Rugby Championship opener

The Springboks have been dealt another injury blow ahead of their opening Rugby Championship match with winger Aphiwe Dyantyi returning to the Golden Lions in Johannesburg where he will undergo rehabilitation for a hamstring injury.

The injury has ruled Dyantyi out of the start of the Springboks’ 2019 Rugby Championship campaign, which kicks off at Ellis Park in Johannesburg against Australia on Saturday. Full story

Sanchez, Cordero called into Argentina's 30-man squad

Nicolas Sanchez and Bordeaux wing Santiago Cordero are among 4 overseas-based players who have been named in Argentina's 30-man squad to face New Zealand for their Rugby Championship opener in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Joining the duo are Toulon loose forward Facundo Isa and Saracens tighthead prop Juan Figallo, who helped the English club claim the Premiership title this year. Full squad

Confirmed: Josh Strauss to return to South Africa

The Sale Sharks have confirmed that Scotland International Josh Strauss will leave the club with immediate effect.

Strauss has been released from the final year of his contract in Manchester, by mutual agreement, in order to sign for South African Super Rugby franchise the Blue Bulls.

South Africa vs Australia | Last Time They Met

South Africa host Australia in Round 1 of the 2019 Rugby Championship. Here’s a recap what happened when these two met last year. Will the Wallabies beat the Springboks in South Africa for the first time in 8 years?

James Haskell's Rugby World Cup 2019 Preview

A veteran of two Rugby World Cups with experience playing in Japan, James Haskell previews this year's tournament and assesses the chances of his home nation England.