http://www.mail.com/in-en/subjects/2058-rugby-union.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/in-en/subjects/2058-rugby-union.html http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2084642-trinh-duc-left-35-man-squad-nz-tour.html PARIS (AP) — France coach Philippe Saint-Andre left out experienced flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc and selected eight newcomers Tuesday for next month's tour of New Zealand. The decision seems somewhat odd since Saint-Andre will take three No. 10s to New Zealand, with new faces Camille Lopez and Remi Cales selected along with veteran Frederic Michalak, who di... Tue, 14 May 2013 16:20:04 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2084642-trinh-duc-left-35-man-squad-nz-tour.html 2013-05-14T16:20:04Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2080548-zealand-beats-australia-to-win-london-sevens.html LONDON (AP) — New Zealand completed another triumphant world series campaign by winning the season-ending London Sevens, outclassing Australia 47-12 in the final at Twickenham on Sunday. A week after clinching their 11th series in 14 years, the Kiwis put an exclamation mark on one of their most consistent seasons and head to the Sevens World Cup in Moscow... Sun, 12 May 2013 19:55:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2080548-zealand-beats-australia-to-win-london-sevens.html 2013-05-12T19:55:55Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2079142-nz-sole-team-to-london-sevens-day-1-unbeaten.html LONDON (AP) — World series champion New Zealand was the only team to finish the first day unbeaten in the rugby London Sevens at Twickenham on Saturday. The Kiwis, who clinched their 11th series in 14 seasons last weekend in the Glasgow Sevens, easily beat Canada and Wales in their pool but found themselves 17-0 down at halftime to Kenya. They won 31-17, ... Sat, 11 May 2013 18:19:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2079142-nz-sole-team-to-london-sevens-day-1-unbeaten.html 2013-05-11T18:19:56Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2071726-wood-to-lead-england-tour-to-samerica-june.html LONDON (AP) — Already minus 10 British and Irish Lions, England will tackle the Barbarians and tour South America also without captain Chris Robshaw, and backs Danny Care, Toby Flood, Brad Barritt and Chris Ashton. All five are being rested by coach Stuart Lancaster, but he said on Wednesday they will be available as injury replacements for the Lions tour... Wed, 08 May 2013 16:47:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2071726-wood-to-lead-england-tour-to-samerica-june.html 2013-05-08T16:47:26Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2068258-scots-pick-9-newcomers-south-africa-tournament.html EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Scotland has included nine uncapped players in its 31-man squad for next month's four-team tournament in South Africa. Coach Scott Johnson will be without three British and Irish Lions tourists — lock Richie Gray, winger Sean Maitland and fullback Stuart Hogg — while centers Nick De Luca and Max Evans have been rested. ... Tue, 07 May 2013 12:21:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2068258-scots-pick-9-newcomers-south-africa-tournament.html 2013-05-07T12:21:55Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2064692-nz-win-7s-series-safrica-win-glasgow.html GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — New Zealand won the sevens rugby world series but couldn't retain the Glasgow title when it lost the final to South Africa 28-21 on Sunday. New Zealand secured its 11th series triumph in 14 seasons, with a tournament to spare, by beating Argentina 42-10 in the lunchtime quarterfinals at Scotstoun Stadium. The Kiwis finished with a... Sun, 05 May 2013 20:11:47 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2064692-nz-win-7s-series-safrica-win-glasgow.html 2013-05-05T20:11:47Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2063234-nz-close-11th-world-series-title-glasgow.html GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — New Zealand needs only to win its Glasgow Sevens quarterfinal on Sunday to secure its 11th world sevens rugby series title in 14 seasons. New Zealand, the only team to reach the quarterfinals in all eight tournaments so far, swept all three of its pool games, conceding only one try and beating Scotland 28-0 in Saturday's finale. T... Sat, 04 May 2013 19:12:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2063234-nz-close-11th-world-series-title-glasgow.html 2013-05-04T19:12:08Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2060690-johnson-hired-scotlands-director-rugby.html EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Scott Johnson will vacate his interim role as Scotland head coach and take up a new position as the national team's director of rugby after the June tour of South Africa. The Australian will step aside from his direct involvement in the senior side after impressing as temporary coach, guiding the team to a third-place finish in ... Fri, 03 May 2013 17:17:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2060690-johnson-hired-scotlands-director-rugby.html 2013-05-03T17:17:02Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2058046-olympic-stadium-to-stage-5-games-rugby-wcup.html LONDON (AP) — The Olympic Stadium in London will host five matches at the 2015 World Cup, with only two club rugby grounds selected among the 13 venues. Reconstruction work on the Olympic venue, which will become Premier League club West Ham's stadium in 2016, is likely to be halted for the tournament. "It will ignite some memories and hopefully spark a f... Thu, 02 May 2013 15:19:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2058046-olympic-stadium-to-stage-5-games-rugby-wcup.html 2013-05-02T15:19:03Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2053160-warburton-to-captain-lions-wilkinson.html Sam Warburton accepted the biggest honor in northern hemisphere rugby when he was appointed captain of the British and Irish Lions but there was no place for Jonny Wilkinson on Tuesday after the England great rejected the chance to tour Australia. One of 15 Welshman called up by coach Warren Gatland, the 24-year-old Warburton will lead a 37-man party brim... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:33:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2053160-warburton-to-captain-lions-wilkinson.html 2013-04-30T14:33:57Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2050918-joe-schmidt-hired-to-coach-irelands-rugby-team.html DUBLIN (AP) — Joe Schmidt was hired as Ireland coach on Monday, charged with reviving the fortunes of the floundering national team and building on his successful spell in charge of Leinster in which he captured back-to-back European Cups. The New Zealander will cut short his contract at Leinster to begin his role with the national team on July 1 after si... Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:03:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2050918-joe-schmidt-hired-to-coach-irelands-rugby-team.html 2013-04-29T17:03:57Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2044698-2014-womens-rugby-wcup-france-aug-1-17.html MADRID (AP) — The Women's Rugby World Cup in France next year will kick off on Aug. 1 with the final 16 days later at Stade Jean Bouin in Paris. The IRB made the announcement on Thursday. Stade Jean Bouin will also host the semifinals on Aug. 13. The pool matches will be in Marcoussis on Aug. 1, 5 and 9. New Zealand has won the last four finals. ... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:28:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2044698-2014-womens-rugby-wcup-france-aug-1-17.html 2013-04-25T17:28:30Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2031046-rugby-player-handed-6-month-ban-doping.html LONDON (AP) — The English Rugby Football Union has banned a lower-league player for six months for a positive doping test. James Comben of Henley RFC, tested positive for the prohibited stimulant methylhexanamine last November after appearing for Wasps A in an Aviva A-League match. He is banned to June 20. Comben was Henley's young player of the year in 2... Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:56:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2031046-rugby-player-handed-6-month-ban-doping.html 2013-04-19T13:56:09Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2022826-friday-games-return-to-nations-schedule.html Wales will revert to playing Six Nations matches on a Friday night over the next two seasons. The defending champions will host France at the Millennium Stadium on a Friday to kick off the third round next season. Then in 2015, the Welsh will take on England in Cardiff on a Friday in the opening match. The Six Nations committee began e... Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:25:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2022826-friday-games-return-to-nations-schedule.html 2013-04-16T13:25:40Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2022664-jonny-wilkinson-signs-contract-with-toulon.html TOULON, France (AP) — Former England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson has signed a new one-year contract with French club Toulon. The 33-year-old continues to impress and his masterful display of kicking and defending helped his team beat Leicester in the Heineken Cup quarterfinals, and led to suggestions he should be selected by the British and Irish Lions for th... Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:06:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2022664-jonny-wilkinson-signs-contract-with-toulon.html 2013-04-16T11:06:49Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2008376-north-joins-player-exodus-welsh-rugby.html CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Wales winger George North will join the player exodus from his country's cash-strapped regions by moving to English team Northampton from the Scarlets on a three-year deal in the offseason. North, who is one of Europe's best wingers and likely to tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions in June, still had a year to run on his ... Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:19:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2008376-north-joins-player-exodus-welsh-rugby.html 2013-04-09T16:19:50Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2008038-powell-set-to-switch-union-to-league.html MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Wales No. 8 Andy Powell is set to buck the trend of rugby league players moving to union by making the switch the other way. Sale Sharks say Powell will be joining Wigan Warriors rugby league team from next season, making the powerful forward the most high-profile convert to the 13-man game since fellow Welshman Gareth Thomas mo... Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:07:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2008038-powell-set-to-switch-union-to-league.html 2013-04-09T14:07:19Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2007528-wilkinson-plays-chances-lions-call-up.html TOULON, France (AP) — Former England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson has played down his chances of being selected by the British and Irish Lions for the upcoming tour of Australia, saying younger compatriots Owen Farrell and Toby Flood deserve their chance. Wilkinson continues to impress for French club Toulon and his masterful display of kicking and defending i... Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:19:53 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/2007528-wilkinson-plays-chances-lions-call-up.html 2013-04-09T09:19:53Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1993018-ireland-coach-declan-kidney-leaving-job.html DUBLIN (AP) — The Irish Rugby Football Union says coach Declan Kidney is leaving with immediate effect after he was not offered a new contract. Kidney was hired in 2008, and the following year the Irish were unbeaten after winning the Six Nations with their first Grand Slam since 1948. But the Irish have slipped to ninth in the IRB rankings, their lowest ... Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:11:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1993018-ireland-coach-declan-kidney-leaving-job.html 2013-04-02T15:11:12Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/business/markets/1980160-uk-tax-breaks-foreign-players-2015-rwc.html LONDON (AP) — Top foreign players coming for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England will not be exempt from taxes. British authorities tax the earnings of overseas athletes from prize money at 50 percent. They also claim a proportion of athletes' global endorsement income. But the International Rugby Board did not apply for a tax exemption, leaving foreign p... Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:36:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/business/markets/1980160-uk-tax-breaks-foreign-players-2015-rwc.html 2013-03-26T15:36:33Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1980022-pollock-joubert-poite-to-wallabies-bi-lions.html DUBLIN (AP) — Chris Pollock of New Zealand, Craig Joubert of South Africa and Romain Poite of France will referee the three tests during the British and Irish Lions rugby tour of Australia this summer. Pollock has the first in Brisbane on June 22, Joubert the second in Melbourne on June 29, and Poite the third in Sydney on July 6. They will also run the t... Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:14:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1980022-pollock-joubert-poite-to-wallabies-bi-lions.html 2013-03-26T15:14:55Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1973354-halfpenny-voted-nations-player-tournament.html LONDON (AP) — Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny has been voted the player of the tournament in the 2013 Six Nations after finishing as the top scorer in the team's march to a second straight title. Halfpenny played every minute of Wales' five games, scoring 74 points — including 12 in the final-day 30-3 win over England that secured the championship — and de... Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:11:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1973354-halfpenny-voted-nations-player-tournament.html 2013-03-22T17:11:22Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1967444-brian-odriscoll-banned-3-weeks-stamp.html LONDON (AP) — Ireland center Brian O'Driscoll was suspended for three weeks for stamping on Italy flanker Simone Favaro during their Six Nations match in Rome last weekend. O'Driscoll was sin-binned for stamping on Favaro's chest in the 30th minute of Saturday's match, which Italy won 22-15. The 34-year-old O'Driscoll acknowledged to the Six Nations disci... Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:27:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1967444-brian-odriscoll-banned-3-weeks-stamp.html 2013-03-20T17:27:30Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1962904-brian-odriscoll-cited-stamp-simone-favaro.html LONDON (AP) — Ireland center Brian O'Driscoll has been cited for stamping on Italy flanker Simone Favaro during the Six Nations match in Rome. O'Driscoll was sin-binned for the offense in the 30th minute of Saturday's match, which Italy won 22-15, and could face further punishment. The 34-year-old O'Driscoll, one of Ireland's greatest players, was competi... Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:25:54 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1962904-brian-odriscoll-cited-stamp-simone-favaro.html 2013-03-18T18:25:54Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1962546-wales-recovers-england-mourns-6n-finale.html LONDON (AP) — Just as the party to top all parties winds down in Wales, so the grim post-mortem begins in England. The dullest Six Nations in the tournament's 13-year history ended with the most rip-roaring of finales Saturday as the Welsh ripped the title out of the hands of their fiercest rivals with a record 30-3 win. Wales players ... Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:36:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1962546-wales-recovers-england-mourns-6n-finale.html 2013-03-18T17:36:58Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1962122-edwards-quit-union-lions-snub.html LONDON (AP) — Shaun Edwards says he nearly quit rugby union and moved to Australia after missing out on a place in the coaching staff for the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour Down Under. Edwards' expertise as defense coach for Wales helped it retain the Six Nations with a 30-3 win over England on Saturday, but he was almost not there to enjoy it. Aft... Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:14:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1962122-edwards-quit-union-lions-snub.html 2013-03-18T12:14:23Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1960204-france-beats-scotland-23-16-6-nations.html PARIS (AP) — Less than two years after coming close to winning the World Cup final, France finished last for the first time since the Six Nations was formed 13 years ago despite beating Scotland 23-16 on Saturday for its first victory this tournament. France has lost several key players from the team that lost 8-7 to New Zealand in the 2011 final, and coa... Sat, 16 Mar 2013 23:16:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1960204-france-beats-scotland-23-16-6-nations.html 2013-03-16T23:16:16Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1960238-lancaster-long-term-blowing-grand-slam.html CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — As the fireworks exploded in the Cardiff sky and the gleaming Six Nations trophy was passed from one euphoric Wales player to the next, their dejected England counterparts stood arms-crossed and motionless on the pitch. Having traveled to Cardiff in anticipation of the title and a first Grand Slam in 10 years, the English will return... Sat, 16 Mar 2013 22:42:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1960238-lancaster-long-term-blowing-grand-slam.html 2013-03-16T22:42:32Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1959866-wales-beats-england-30-3-wins-6-nations-title.html CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Rampant Wales inflicted a record victory over England to steal the Six Nations from its old rival's grasp on Saturday, retaining the title with a 30-3 win and denying the long-time tournament leader a Grand Slam. Winger Alex Cuthbert grabbed two second-half tries as the Welsh fed off a fevered atmosphere under the closed roof at Mill... Sat, 16 Mar 2013 21:01:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1959866-wales-beats-england-30-3-wins-6-nations-title.html 2013-03-16T21:01:32Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1959632-italy-beat-ireland-1st-time-nations.html ROME (AP) — Italy defeated Ireland for the first time in Six Nations rugby, dominating the injury-hit and ill-disciplined Irish in all but the 22-15 scoreline at a sold-out Stadio Olimpico on Saturday. Giovanbattista Venditti scored the only try and the only wonder was it took Italy 49 minutes. Numerous other chances were wasted by knock-ons or poor passe... Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:04:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/other/1959632-italy-beat-ireland-1st-time-nations.html 2013-03-16T18:04:08Z