Top Stories of the Week
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Domestic rugby to begin soon in South Africa
The South African government has given the green light for domestic rugby to resume in the first two weeks of September.
Due to current regulations, the games will be played behind closed doors. Full Story
Kelly Brown departs Saracens after a decade at the club
Long-serving Saracen Kelly Brown has left the club to take up a coaching position at Glasgow Warriors. The move will end a 10-year association with Saracens following the Scot’s transition into coaching upon his retirement from playing. Full story
Ibitoye departs Harlequins with Agen paying a 'satisfactory compensation fee'
Harlequins have confirmed a deal has been finalised that will see Gabriel Ibitoye leave the Club with immediate effect to join French Top14 club, Agen. Full story
Welsh Legend Jamie Roberts Signs With Dragons
Dragons are upbeat about their new development which sees Welsh legend Jamie Roberts returning to the club after a stint with the Stormers in South Africa.
Roberts is a veteran of 94 tests for Wales as well as three for the British & Irish Lions.
Stuart Lancaster could have British & Irish Lions role
Lions boss Warren Gatland admits he has spoken to former England head coach and that he has a "huge amount of respect" for him.
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 4, 2020
Stuart Lancaster could return to international rugby with the British and Irish Lions after Warren Gatland admitted to speaking with the former England head coach. Full story
Newcastle Falcons sign Italian lock Marco Fuser
Italian lock Marco Fuser has signed a two-year deal with Newcastle Falcons.
The former Wallaby scrumhalf was certainly persistent 😅
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 4, 2020
Several months before the 2007 World Cup in France, Tana Umaga had successfully convinced Wallaby stalwart George Gregan to take up with Toulon.
As excited as he was at the new prospect, in Gregan’s mind, there was something incomplete in the club’s set-up. Full story
Phil Kearns to lead Australia's 2027 Rugby World Cup bid
Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan has today announced two-time World Cup winner Phil Kearns AM as Executive Director, Rugby World Cup 2027 Bid.
Kearns, who played 67 Tests for Australia, will lead the Rugby World Cup Bid team in engaging with Federal, State and Local Government as well as international stakeholders including World Rugby Member Unions and he will be a key conduit for the Rugby World Cup 2027 Bid Advisory Board. Full story
Premiership confirm the 2020/21 season will kick off in November
Premiership Rugby have confirmed that the 2020/21 Premiership season will begin on the weekend of November 20-22.
The 2019/20 season will resume on the weekend of August 14-16 with nine rounds of matches, which were postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic, to be completed. Full story
Late signings for Harlequins as they confirm their squad:
Harlequins can today confirm the 44-man senior squad set to compete for the remainder of the current season, backed up by the Club’s 14-player Senior Academy. With a number of new, high-quality players arriving at the Club over the last few months and the impending arrival of South African's Wilco Louw, Andre Esterhuizen, Maks van Dyk and Tyrone Green set to provide a mid-campaign boost. With several leavers heading onto their next chapters, the new-look squad will look to finish the season strongly under Head of Rugby Paul Gustard.
