Bath have been fined £60,000 for allowing Taulupe Faletau to feature in Wales’ autumn international clash with South Africa. Wales’ fourth autumn Test fell outside World Rugby’s official release window, but Bath released Faletau for the 24-22 victory in Cardiff on Dec. 2. Bath admitted breaching Premiership Rugby regulations, and an initial £90,000 fine was

The French Rugby Federation has replaced head coach Guy Novès after less than two years in charge, with Bordeaux-Bègles’ Jacques Brunel set to replace him. Former Italy coach Brunel, who had been touted for the role, will become national team head coach after this weekend’s Top 14 trip to Stade Francais, FFR president Bernard Laporte

Cardiff Blues’ Samoa international centre Rey Lee-Lo has signed a new long-term contract with the PRO14 side. Lee-Lo, 31, arrived at the Arms Park in 2015 and has made 57 appearances for the club. Lee-Lo told the club website: “I’ve loved my time here so far — we have a great squad and my family

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill described the last-gasp victory over Glasgow as one of the highlights of his rugby career. Cockerill’s side had already conceded a Huw Jones try when they lost prop Simon Berghan to a red card for catching Scotland teammate Fraser Brown with a boot to the head in a ruck. But

Chris Dean’s last-gasp try settled matters as Edinburgh edged Glasgow 18-17 in the first game of this season’s 1872 Cup, ending the Warriors’ 10-game winning streak in the Guinness PRO14 this term. The result came despite the hosts losing prop Simon Berghan to a red card in the sixth minute. Glasgow had led 17-6, with

Newcastle held off Harlequins to edge an 11-10 victory in their Aviva Premiership clash at a packed Kingston Park. The Falcons were under the cosh for most of the second half after leading 11-0 at half-time with a Vereniki Goneva try and two Tase Takulua penalties. But after England full-back Mike Brown scored early in

Wasps replaced Gloucester in second place in the Aviva Premiership with a bonus-point 49-24 victory before a crowd of 26,296 at the Ricoh Arena. There was little between the teams until 49th minute when Thomas Young’s breakaway try turned the game Wasps’ way. Christian Wade crossed for a brace of tries, with Guy Thompson, Dan

Former Australia international James O’Connor created one try and scored another as Sale Sharks made it three successive Aviva Premiership victories with a 32-9 triumph over Bath at the AJ Bell Stadium. In a poor first half full of errors, the kicking of Rhys Priestland and AJ MacGinty dominated the contest, with the former scoring

Worcester deepened the gloom for Aviva Premiership relegation favourites London Irish after claiming a crucial 23-8 victory at Sixways. The 11th-placed Warriors moved 10 points clear of rock-bottom Irish as wing Josh Adams scored two tries and fullback Chris Pennell kicked both conversions and three penalties. Alex Lewington’s virtuoso try proved in vain for Irish,

Jacques Brunel is expected to replace Guy Novès as head coach of France as early as next week, according to reports in the French press. FFR President Bernard Laporte said a formal announcement will be made on Wednesday, December 27, but it is widely believed patience has run out with Novès, who has endured a