#Handre Pollard

Richard Wigglesworth has made seven changes as Leicester look to bounce back from recent Premiership defeats and continue their successful European campaign at Clermont. The Tigers suffered heavy losses to Newcastle and Sale in their last two league outings. But Leicester beat Ospreys and Clermont in the Heineken Champions Cup before Wigglesworth…

Scrum-half Ben Youngs will captain Leicester for the trip to Clermont Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Friday's Champions Cup match between Clermont Auvergne and Leicester Tigers. BT Sport 2, 8pm Friday Clermont -5 1pt 10-11 Hills Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers and all you need is an account. Sign…

England face their day with destiny as they take on South Africa with the title of being world champions on the line England are the bookmakers' favourites heading into the Rugby World Cup Final. South Africa stand in England's way of their second-ever world title - and already have a victory over the Red Rose in this fixture. Back in 2007, they…

The 2015 Rugby World Cup has captured the imagination of the public so many times since it began at the end of September. With shocks, spills and jubilation at nearly every twist and turn, it has entertained and surprised in equal measure. Whether it has been England's early exit, Japan's vivacious victory over South Africa or Ireland's…

Manu Tuilagi's return should give Sale Sharks a boost Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Sale v Leicester in the Premiership on Friday. BT Sport 1, 7.45pm Friday Sale to win by one to 12 points 1pt 7-5 bet365 Leicester kicked off the Richard Wigglesworth era with a home win against Gloucester in their first outing under their new coach,…

The official men's World Rugby rankings have, for some time now, been widely dismissed. Too often the prescriptive modelling does not accurately reflect the true balance of power. At present World Rugby's top fivereads: 1. South Africa (90.61) 2. France (88.88) 3. All Blacks (88.75) 4. Ireland (88.22) 5. England (84.50) This week, following the…

Dan Biggar urged his Wales side to hit the standards they've set in South Africa on a regular basis going into a World Cup season and not regress to the paucity of their Six Nations displays. At the start of the year, Wayne Pivac's side could only beat Scotland of their European rivals and lost at home to Italy for the first time. It meant that a…

South Africa and New Zealand will go up against each other in The Rugby Championship once again this summer, as two tests have been scheduled to take place over the course of the next couple of weekends. The contests have been rather tight affairs over the last few years between the two sides, however, the Springboks may feel that they have the…

Saturday's Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa promises to be a classic but it is almost too close to call. England reached the Yokohama showpiece after beating the All Blacks 19-7 in the semi-finals while South Africa were 19-16 winners over Wales. According to Oddschecker Eddie Jones's England are slight favourites to lift the…

Scotland face their toughest test yet in the Autumn Nations Series when they welcome South Africa to BT Murrayfield on Saturday. Scotland captain Stuart Hogg lifts the Hopetoun Cup following the win over Australia. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group) The reigning world champions arrive in Edinburgh having beaten Wales in Cardiff 23-18 last weekend…

The four nations of the clunkily named Rugby Championship do battle after dodgy July series. Argentina nipped a depleted Scotland at the last moment. South Africa laboured to a brutal win over a limited, dour Wales. Australia was overpowered by England after a hopeful first Test. New Zealand lost every facet of their series against Ireland. With…

South Africa face a crossroads fixture against Australia six days after losing to the Wallabies, with their Rugby Championship title chances riding on whether they can avenge that defeat Quade Cooper delivered the goods for Australia in his recent comeback against South Africa, but the enraged Springboks head to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday as…

The port city of Marseille is no stranger to debate. Each election cycle this ancient place is used by the governing and the challenger to prove a point. Ask a hundred French what they think of Marseille and at least seventy will mention crime, with a generous dose of'code words.' To critique Marseille as a seething hotbed of vice, contraband, turf…

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa have included uncapped flyhalves Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in their squad for next month's autumn international series, and electric winger Cheslin Kolbe returns after recovering from injury. The Springboks will play four tests, starting against Ireland in Dublin on Nov. 5, followed by matches on…

South Africa have recalled hooker Malcolm Marx and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk to the starting lineup for their Rugby Championship opener with New Zealand at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. A third change from the side that beat Wales 30-14 in Cape Town last month sees rookie wing Kurt-Lee Arendse come in for the injured Cheslin Kolbe, who is nursing…

No other Irish U21s or U20s squad has produced as many Lions as the squad from 2012. The 2007 squad came close, with Cian Healy, Seán O'Brien, and Keith Earls (Luke Fitzgerald, who was of that age group, went straight from school into the Irish and Leinster senior teams). Not only were Lions made from the 2012 crop, there was an ensemble of…

South Africa have included uncapped flyhalves Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in their squad for next month's autumn international series, and electric winger Cheslin Kolbe returns after recovering from injury. The Springboks will play four Tests, starting against Ireland in Dublin on Nov. 5, followed by matches on consecutive Saturdays…

Argentina are generally quite strong at home but have suffered heavy defeats to South Africa in two of their last three at home, and lost their last four. I am backing the Springboks to cover the -7 handicap. Argentina vs South Africa Predictions Head to Head Argentina Form Argentina Injuries & Team News South Africa Form South Africa Injuries &…

Springbok Rugby flyhalf depth has been keeping fans busy in discussions since the last Test played against Argentina in Durban as part of the Rugby Championship. The discussion raised its head after Head Coach Jacques Nienaber elected to play veteran Frans Steyn at flyhalf. The first Test in 14 years that he played in the position. Handre Pollard…

The 2022 Rugby Championship was undoubtedly the finest edition the tournament has seen since its inauguration in 2012. There was unprecedented competition, with all four sides having a chance to push for the title for much of the championship. Ultimately it was the All Blacks who triumphed with yet another title. Planet Rugby breaks down five…

For those who have followed The Rugby Championship this year, the 2022 edition of the annual showdown between SANZAAR teams was unlike any that had been seen before. No lead was ever truly safe, no test was ever truly a gimme and the quality of rugby was at a premium, featuring some of the best players on the planet to grace a rugby pitch. Even…

South Africa host Argentina in their final Rugby Championship match with everything still to play for. Heading into the final round, New Zealand sat on top of the table on points difference as South Africa closely followed them with Argentina and Australia on the chase. The All Blacks' big 40-14 victory over Wallabies earlier on Saturday means that…

South Africa host Argentina in their final Rugby Championship match with everything still to play for with all four teams able to take the trophy. New Zealand sit on top of the table on points difference but South Africa closely follow them with Argentina and Australia on the chase. Last week the Springboks beat Argentina in their own back yard…

The famous'bomb squad' is back for the deciding contest of the 2022 Rugby Championship when the Springboks take on Argentina in Durban on Saturday. Coach Jacques Nienaber has returned to a six/two split between forwards and back on the bench after two weeks of the more traditional five/three split. It was in part forced on him, with all three…

We were treated to a stunning spectacle of rugby last weekend which saw all four Southern Hemisphere nations take the chocolates, while France was the only team from up north to collect a win. With several series on the line can England, Ireland or Wales fight their way to victory in Game 2? Read on for all the line-ups and key team news as it…

The 2022-23 Gallagher Premiership season kicks off on Friday with a west country derby between Bristol and Bath at Ashton Gate. It is the 26th Premiership campaign, and 11-time champions Leicester will defend the crown they won after a thrilling Twickenham final against Saracens. Here, the PA news agency looks at the 13 runners and riders,…

The Springboks will have no trouble maintaining their unbeaten streak on home soil against Wales in Saturday's second Test in Bloemfontein. Photo: SA Rugby website The Springboks will have no trouble maintaining their unbeaten streak on home soil against Wales in Saturday's second Test in Bloemfontein. Photo: SA Rugby website The Springboks will…