Glasgow Warriors: Finn Russell to miss start of the season http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend says he expects Finn Russell to miss the start of the new season.

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Sam Yawayawa: Leicester Tigers winger joins Championship side Nottingham http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Leicester Tigers winger Sam Yawayawa joins Nottingham on a year-long dual-registration deal.

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TJ Ioane: Samoan flanker signs new three-year deal at Sale Sharks http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Samoa flanker TJ Ioane signs a new three-year deal with Premiership club Sale Sharks.

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Nick Easter: Ex-England and Harlequins captain retires from rugby union http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Former England and Harlequins captain Nick Easter retires from playing at the age of 37.

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George Naoupu joins Harlequins following recent departure from Connacht http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Harlequins sign former Connacht number eight George Naoupu for the new Premiership season.

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Ed Slater: Leicester Tigers lock to be fully fit for season after knee surgery http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Leicester lock Ed Slater says he expects to be fit for the start of the Premiership season following knee surgery.

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Bryn Evans: Sale Sharks' former All Blacks lock signs new contract http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Sale Sharks' former All Blacks second-row Bryn Evans has signed a new three-year deal with the club.

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Todd Blackadder named Bath director of rugby, with Tabai Matson head coach http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Former New Zealand captain Todd Blackadder, formerly in charge of the Crusaders, is named as Bath's new director of rugby.

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Premiership Rugby to monitor players' wages after new RFU deal http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Premiership Rugby chief Mark McCafferty says the league must monitor wage inflation at England's top-flight clubs.

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Byron McGuigan: Sale Sharks sign former Exeter Chiefs back http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Premiership side Sale Sharks sign former Exeter Chiefs utility back Byron McGuigan on a two-year deal.

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Glasgow lock Uanivi 'not the new Nakarawa' http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Tjiuee Uanivi thinks he brings different qualities to Glasgow Warriors than departed second-row Leone Nakarawa.

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Hooker Myhill positive over move to Cardiff http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Kirby Myhill has no hard feelings over his treatment at Scarlets after moving to Cardiff Blues to "play more rugby".

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Six Nations unlikely to move from February start, says RFU chief http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

The Six Nations is likely to remain in its February-March slot despite suggestions it may move to April, says RFU boss Ian Ritchie.

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Mike Haley: Sale Sharks full-back signs new three-year contract http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Sale Sharks and England Saxons full-back Mike Haley signs a new three-year deal with the Premiership side.

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Newcastle Falcons: Welch and Wilson sign new deals http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Newcastle Falcons club captain Will Welch and back-row forward Mark Wilson sign new four-year contracts.

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Munster sign South African lock Jean Kleyn on three-year contract http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Munster secure giant South African lock Jean Kleyn on a three-year contract as he moves from the Stormers.

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RFU and top English clubs sign new £225m deal http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

A new eight-year deal worth more than £225m is agreed between the Rugby Football Union and Premiership clubs.

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Giorgi Nemsadze: Bristol sign Georgia international lock http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Premiership newcomers Bristol sign Georgia international lock Giorgi Nemsadze from French second-tier side Tarbes.

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Steve Hansen: New Zealand head coach extends All Blacks deal http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen extends his contract with the All Blacks until the end of the 2019 World Cup.

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Josh Beaumont: Sale number eight given captaincy along with new three-year deal http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Sale Sharks name Josh Beaumont as their new captain as the number eight agrees a new three-year contract.

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Kyle Eastmond: Wasps sign England centre from Bath http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Wasps sign cross-code England international Kyle Eastmond from Premiership rivals Bath.

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Ben Ransom: London Irish sign full-back from Saracens http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Full-back Ben Ransom joins Championship club London Irish from Premiership and European champions Saracens.

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Edwards' role with Toulon blocked by WRU http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards is blocked from taking a coaching role at French club Toulon by the Welsh Rugby Union.

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England Women: RFU award 15-a-side contracts for first time http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

The RFU will award professional player contracts for the 15-a-side women's game for the first time next season.

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Rio 2016: Emily Scott goes from boy's team to GB women's sevens squad http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Team GB women's sevens fly-half Emily Scott is going to the Olympics after starting her career with a local boy's team.

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Saracens: Brad Barritt replaces Alistair Hargreaves as captain http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Premiership and European Champions Cup winners Saracens appoint centre Brad Barritt as captain, replacing Alistair Hargreaves.

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England trio Wood, Harrison & Hill sign Saints deals http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Captain Tom Wood, flanker Teimana Harrison and prop Paul Hill are among six players to sign new deals with Northampton.

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Tom Youngs: England hooker 'doubted himself' after injury http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Leicester hooker Tom Youngs tells BBC East Midlands Today that he began to doubt his England prospects when back surgery followed him being overlooked by national boss Eddie Jones.

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Ofisa Treviranus: London Irish and Samoa back row extends club contract http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

London Irish and Samoa back row Ofisa Treviranus extends his contract with the Championship club by two years.

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Tom Youngs: England recall 'never out of sight' for Leicester captain http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Leicester hooker Tom Youngs sets his sights on an England recall, despite admitting he doubted himself after back surgery.

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Paul James: Wales prop signs new Ospreys contract http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Wales prop Paul James agrees a contract extension to keep him at Ospreys until the end of the 2017-18 season.

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Carl Hogg: Worcester Warriors must 'get up to speed' on new 4G pitch http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Worcester Warriors head coach Carl Hogg admits it is "essential" they become a force on their new artificial pitch.

from BBC Sport - Rugby Union http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr
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Rio 2016: Emily Scarratt in Great Britain's rugby sevens squad http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

World Cup winner Emily Scarratt is in Team GB's 12-strong Olympic rugby sevens squad with Mark Bennett making the men's team.

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Rowland Phillips: Dual code international becomes Wales Women coach http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Former Wales dual code international Rowland Phillips is appointed full-time head coach of Wales Women, succeeding Rhys Edwards.

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Rio 2016: Super Bowl winner Nate Ebner to play rugby sevens for Team USA http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner is picked to represent Team USA in rugby sevens at this summer's Olympics.

from BBC Sport - Rugby Union http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr
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Tom Youngs: Leicester Tigers name England hooker as club captain http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

England hooker Tom Youngs is named Leicester Tigers club captain for the 2016-17 season, replacing Ed Slater.

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Great Britain Royals win final Europe Sevens Grand Prix event in Poland http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Great Britain Royals win in the final Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series event in the build-up to the Olympics.

from BBC Sport - Rugby Union http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr
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Six Nations revamp 'up for grabs' amid 'unsustainable' season http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Welsh Rugby Union boss Gareth Davies says a Six Nations revamp is "up for grabs" with the game "unsustainable" at global level.

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Tomas Francis: Wales prop signs new Exeter Chiefs deal http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Wales prop Tomas Francis joins team-mates Luke Cowan-Dickie, Henry Slade and Jack Nowell in extending his contract with Exeter Chiefs.

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Rio 2016: Injured Luke Morgan out of Olympic GB Sevens contention http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Wales Sevens wing Luke Morgan's dream of a GB place at the Rio Olympics are dashed by a knee injury.

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Wales and Lions prop Gethin Jenkins has no retirement plans http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Wales' Gethin Jenkins has no plans to retire after being awarded a testimonial year for the 2016-17 season with Cardiff Blues.

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Glasgow Warriors loan Hugh Blake to Bay of Plenty Steamers http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Hugh Blake leaves Glasgow Warriors to join Bay of Plenty Steamers in his New Zealand homeland after winning one Scotland cap.

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Sale Sharks: Chairman Fran Cotton hopes to rebuild relationship with supporters http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

New Sale Sharks chairman Fran Cotton concedes they must work to restore their relationship with some fans.

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Edinburgh: Tonga's Viliami Fihaki joins after Sale Sharks exit http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Edinburgh sign Tonga back row Viliami Fihaki after the 29-year-old's contract expires at Sale Sharks.

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Dom Waldouck: Newcastle Falcons take ex-England Saxons centre on month's trial http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Ex-England Saxons centre Dom Waldouck is to spend a month on trial at Premiership side Newcastle Falcons.

from BBC Sport - Rugby Union http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr
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Sale Sharks: Fran Cotton returns as chairman in new-look board http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Sale Sharks appoint ex-England captain and British and Irish Lions prop Fran Cotton as their new chairman.

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Cameron Orr: Gloucester sign Australian prop and Paddy McAllister signs new deal http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Australia Under-20 prop Cameron Orr joins Gloucester, who also give fellow front row Paddy McAllister a new contract.

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Exeter Chiefs: Thomas Waldrom and Harry Williams agree new contracts http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Exeter Chiefs pair Thomas Waldrom and Harry Williams sign new deals with the Premiership runners-up.

from BBC Sport - Rugby Union http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr
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Pro12: No Sunday games for Welsh regions in 2016-17 http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Pro12 fixtures for 2016-17 games involving Welsh rugby regions Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets are announced.

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James Haskell: Wasps & England flanker set to miss six months with injury http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

England and Wasps flanker James Haskell could be out for up to six months with a foot injury.

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Stuart Lancaster: Former England head coach to meet Toulon president http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Former England boss Stuart Lancaster is to meet Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal this week as he seeks a return to full-time coaching.

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Sara Cox: England's only referee at Rio 2016 Olympics excited by opportunity http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

BBC Sport meets Sara Cox, the only English rugby union referee heading to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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Andy Robinson: Eddie Jones' England team have 'World Cup potential' http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Ex-England coach Andy Robinson believes the current side have the potential to emulate the World Cup winners of 2003.

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Concussed Tipuric 'briefly lost sight' - Shane Williams http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Shane Williams says Wales' Justin Tipuric told him he "briefly lost his sight" through concussion suffered in the 2016 Six Nations.

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Referee Owens gets honorary fellowship http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Rugby referee Nigel Owens is among the people to receive an honorary fellowship from Welsh universities this week.

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Great Britain Royals win Rugby Europe Sevens event at Exeter's Sandy Park http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Great Britain Royals beat France 33-17 to win the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series event at Exeter's Sandy Park.

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Exeter Chiefs: Don Armand, Alex Hepburn & Mitch Lees sign new deals http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Don Armand, Alec Hepburn and Mitch Lees all sign new extended undisclosed-length deals at Premiership side Exeter Chiefs.

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Brad Barritt: Saracens skipper says champions must be ready for 'new chapter' http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Premiership and European Champions Cup winners Saracens 'have a new chapter to write', says captain Brad Barritt.

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Ali Hepher: Exeter boss expects interest for highly-rated backs coach http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter would not be surprised if backs coach Ali Hepher was linked with vacant head coach roles.

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Nick Kennedy: London Irish director of rugby ready for Championship challenge http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

New London Irish director of rugby Nick Kennedy expects a tough challenge to take the club back to the Premiership.

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Justin Tipuric: Wales & Ospreys star returns from concussion ahead of 2016-17 season http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Wales and Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric is training again after recovering from the concussion which saw him miss the final two months of last season.

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Premiership fixtures 2016-17: Bristol face Harlequins in Twickenham opener http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Bristol's first game back in the Premiership will be against Harlequins in the London Double Header at Twickenham.

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Exeter Chiefs: Jack Nowell, Henry Slade & Luke Cowan-Dickie sign new deals http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Exeter Chiefs' England trio Jack Nowell, Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie sign new contracts with the Premiership club.

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Warren Gatland: Wales head coach 'Lions frontrunner' - Steve Hansen http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

New Zealand's Steve Hansen believes Wales coach Warren Gatland is the logical choice to coach the British and Irish Lions in 2017.

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All Blacks: Coach Steve Hansen hints he may stay with world champions until 2019 http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen hints he could stay in charge of the world champions through to the 2019 World Cup.

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Move to Wasps stopped De Luca retiring http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Scotland centre Nick De Luca admits he was ready to retire from rugby before Wasps handed him a six-month contract.

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Brendan Venter believes London Irish can make top-flight return http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

New London Irish technical director Brendan Venter feels the club can set its long-term sights high.

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Former Leicester back Morris rejoins Leinster http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Niall Morris returns to Leinster on a short-tern deal after his release from Leicester Tigers.

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Bill Meakes: Gloucester centre departs to Super Rugby http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Gloucester announce that Australian centre Bill Meakes has been released from his contract to move to Super Rugby.

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Greig Laidlaw: Scotland skipper becomes Gloucester captain http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Gloucester appoint Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw as their new club captain for the forthcoming Premiership season.

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Brendan Venter: London Irish name former player-coach in new set-up http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Former London Irish player-coach Brendan Venter returns to the club as part of a new backroom set-up.

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Nick de Luca: Wasps agree short-term contract with Scotland centre http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

Premiership side Wasps sign Scotland centre Nick de Luca on a short-term deal ahead of the 2016-17 season.

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Sir Graham Henry takes short-term coaching role at Leinster http://ift.tt/1MoLcWr

New Zealand's former Rugby World Cup-winning head coach Sir Graham Henry is to join Leinster on a short-term contract.

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