Italy coach Nick Mallett has made 11 changes to the team that beat Japan 31-24 last week for Saturday's World Cup warm-up match against Scotland at Murrayfield.
A near flawless kicking display from Wellington flyhalf Lima Sopoaga secured a hard-fought 30-25 victory over Southland and lifted his side off the bottom of the National Provincial Championship table.
The unbeaten Lions travel to Cape Town on Friday to tackle Western Province, but adverse weather conditions could dampen their Currie Cup winning streak.
With kind permission of the Cape Times , rugby365.com reproduces this John Scott pearl of wisdom - how the Springboks will keep on winning, even when the scoreboard suggests otherwise.
Rocky Elsom was on Thursday dumped as captain of the Wallabies in a major shock and replaced by James Horwill for the World Cup in New Zealand starting next month.
Coach Robbie Deans said on Thursday he had no issues with Matt Giteau after controversially leaving the one-time Wallabies' golden boy out of Australia's squad for next month's World Cup.
Rocky Elsom reacted with a typical lack of fuss after he was sensationally axed as Wallaby skipper Thursday, just weeks before the World Cup in New Zealand.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has named Piri Weepu as his back-up flyhalf for the Tri-Nations Test against South Africa at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, in Port Elizabeth, on Saturday.
A major All Blacks sponsor on Thursday cancelled a campaign urging New Zealand sports fans give up sex to support their team during the World Cup, after a public backlash.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers would have given veteran loose forward Juan Smith more time to recover, if he wanted it.
Rocky Elsom insists he harbours no bitterness towards Australia coach Robbie Deans despite being axed as captain shortly before the World Cup.
Rocky Elsom has been sensationally dumped as Australia skipper for the World Cup campaign.
Declan Kidney is satisfied Ireland's preparations for the World Cup are on track.
In the most significant announcement for the future of rugby in this country, Rugby Canada and the City of Langford revealed today the details of a 10-year partnership in a multi-million dollar rugby complex that will see Langford, a Vancouver Island suburb of Victoria, play home to the Canadian Rugby Centre of Excellence.
Flank Jacques Burger, from English Premiership club Saracens, will captain rank outsiders Namibia at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand next month.
