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The two rugby hemispheres are back together for the first time since the Rugby World Cup, with a bumper Test calendar set to play out across the globe in July.

Joe Schmidt enjoyed a stellar stint with Ireland, but the clues to his new assignment with the Wallabies might actually lie with Les Kiss and this year's Queensland Reds.

Scans on Kurtley Beale are expected to confirm the recalled Wallabies veteran has ruptured his achilles, possibly bringing an end to his rugby career.

Leicester Tigers have appointed Michael Cheika as their new head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season, the Premiership Rugby club announced on Thursday.

Siya Kolisi will captain South Africa in their two-Test series against Ireland in July, while key backline players Willie le Roux and Cheslin Kolbe will be fit to play, coach Rassie Erasmus said on Wednesday.

Scott Robertson on Monday named his maiden All Blacks squad. There were several big surprises while the coach has some concerns at lock.

Hooker Dewi Lake will captain Wales on their two-test tour of Australia next month, as coach Warren Gatland named three uncapped players in an inexperienced squad ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup that will be staged in Australia.

Scott Robertson is finally under way as All Blacks coach, the 49-year making one massive call as he named a 32-man squad for Tests against England and Fiji next month.

South Africa have qualified for the men's Rugby Sevens competition at the Olympics following a victory over Britain in the qualification tournament.

England have called up Nick Isiekwe for their two-test tour of New Zealand to replace the suspended Charlie Ewels, who has been handed a two-match ban.

South Africa scored five tries to defeat Wales 41-13 in a one-off test at Twickenham in their first fixture since they lifted the Rugby World Cup.

England began their summer tour with a dominant 52-17 win over Eddie Jones' Japan in Tokyo.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named 12 uncapped players in a 38-man squad for the July Test series against Wales and Georgia.

Rugby world champions South Africa have named uncapped Jordan Hendrikse and Edwill van der Merwe in a much-changed squad to face Wales in a one-off Test at Twickenham on Saturday.

Ireland will take 35 players to South Africa for their two-test series next month but first-choice scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park has been ruled out due to injury, Irish Rugby said on Tuesday.

Dewi Lake will captain Wales against South Africa, with scrumhalf Ellis Bevan to make his test debut, coach Warren Gatland announced on Tuesday.

Marcus Smith will start at flyhalf for England ahead of namesake Fin Smith as coach Steve Borthwick named the squad for Test in Japan on Saturday.

Highlanders and Maori All Blacks back Connor Garden-Bachop has died after suffering a medical event on Monday, New Zealand Rugby has announced.

Wales have added versatile loose-forward James Botham to their squad for their one-off Test against South Africa in London on Saturday.

English rugby will restore promotion and relegation between the top-flight Premiership and second-tier Championship via a two-legged playoff, England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on Friday.

Scotland have named their 37-man squad for their four tests in the Americas starting next month which includes 10 uncapped players.

Steve Borthwick has included six uncapped players in his England squad for the Summer Series matches against Japan and New Zealand, it was announced on Monday.

England fly-half George Ford will miss the upcoming summer tour of Japan and New Zealand to recover from an achilles injury, the RFU confirmed on Sunday.

Wembley Stadium remembered Rob Burrow on Saturday as the Challenge Cup final between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors was delayed until seven minutes past three.

Saracens back Elliot Daly will miss England's three test matches in Japan and New Zealand to be with his wife as she prepares to have their first child, the RFU said on Monday.

Wales coach Warren Gatland named four uncapped players on Monday in a squad of 36 players for tests against world champions South Africa and Australia over the next six weeks.

Kevin Sinfield has led the tributes to his "dear friend" and former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow who died on Sunday at the age of 41.

Rugby league legend Rob Burrow has died at the age of 41, his former club Leeds Rhinos said on Sunday.

Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell has played his last game for the side after their 22-20 defeat to Northampton Saints in the Premiership Rugby semifinals on Friday.

Melbourne Rebels players are vowing to "hold their heads high and have a crack" in their final Super Rugby Pacific matches after being told the club will be cut by Rugby Australia.