The highly-anticipated Barbarians versus Samoa match at Twickenham was cancelled shortly before kick-off after several members of the Barbarians tested positive for COVID-19. The Rugby Football Union released a statement saying, “Due to six confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Barbarian’s men’s team (four players and two members of staff), the Professional Game Testing Oversight Group […]
Struggling Bayonne stun Toulouse ahead of European Cup final
Issued on: Cheslin Kolbe joined Toulouse from the Stormers in 2017 Lionel BONAVENTURE AFP/File 3 min
Paris (AFP)
Toulouse were beaten 32-28 at home by struggling Bayonne in the French Top 14 on Saturday as star back Cheslin Kolbe was rested a week before the European Champions Cup final.
South Africa s Rugby World Cup winner Kolbe and former New Zealand back-rower Jerome Kaino were among those given the weekend off ahead of facing La Rochelle at Twickenham next Saturday.
Toulouse remain top, however, despite a first home loss to the Basques since 2006. The result saw Bayonne go three points clear of Pau in the relegation play-off spot, with two games of the regular season to go.
Rugby Pass
Ardie Savea Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The long-awaited inclusion of the Pacific Islands in southern hemisphere franchise rugby is nearly upon us.
Moana Pasifika, representative of Samoa and Tonga, and the Fijian Drua will be included in a new professional competition featuring all 10 of the New Zealand and Australian Super Rugby clubs in 2022, and fanfare surrounding their addition is building.
Being granted conditional licences to play in next year’s tournament means both teams can begin the process of recruiting a playing and coaching staff to become competitive forces against New Zealand’s and Australia’s top sides.
Much has been made about who will make up the playing roster at each franchise, with reports emerging that the Fijian Drua already have Olympic sevens hopefuls, Fijian internationals and foreign stars with Fijian heritage lining up to play for the Suva-based team.