South Africa have selected brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse to start their final autumn international clash with ailing Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
Maro Itoje says playing for his country "is the Mecca" for him, as talk of a breakaway league continues to rumble in the background ahead of England's final match of the autumn series this weekend.
England and Wales slumped further; France edged New Zealand, and South Africa and Australia continued their successful autumn. It leaves plenty of food for thought.
Australia hooker Matt Faessler and fullback Tom Wright both scored a hat trick of tries as the Wallabies thrashed a tired-looking Wales 52-20 on Sunday to condemn the home side to their worst run of results.
The Wallabies' grand slam dream is alive and kicking. The character and class they showed to not only manage -- but thrive -- during a 20-minute red card against Wales was telling.
Italy recovered from a poor start to earn a hardfought 20-17 win over Georgia in Genoa on Sunday, after the visitors let slip an 11-point half-time lead.
France look to be returning to their best ahead of next year's Six Nations, while Saturday night's loss in Paris was another near miss for Scott Robertson's All Blacks.
England head coach Steve Borthwick says he has the full backing of the RFU despite the team being on the worst run in six years after they fell 29-20 to South Africa on Saturday at Twickenham.
The British & Irish Lions will embark on their tour of Australia next year, with coach Andy Farrell set to step away from his Ireland responsibilities in December to focus on Lions duties.
Rugby union's stars are being targeted for a breakaway competition, with the powerbrokers aiming to launch the league in 2026, multiple sources have confirmed to ESPN.
The rivalry between South Africa and England, who will face off at Twickenham on Saturday, has produced some of rugby's most memorable moments, each clash carrying a unique narrative reflective of the time.
The Wallabies are coming off one of their all-time great wins, when they played some sparkling rugby to boot. But this week's focus against Wales should be on the boring -- rolling maul defence.
New Zealand's Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor have returned to the side to face France in Paris on Saturday, having recovered after concussion forced them off against England two weeks ago.
England coach Steve Borthwick has warned rugby union's powerbrokers he fears the sport is becoming more like Australian Rules Football after the recent law directives from World Rugby.
England have made four changes for South Africa on Saturday with Freddie Steward, Ollie Sleightholme, Jack van Poortvliet and Sam Underhill all starting.
South Africa have named a much-changed side from the one that beat Scotland, ringing 12 changes and switching up the bench for the clash against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Sport needs heroes and villains. Rugby is often shy, perhaps due to its traditional roots, of embracing controversy. But in a brave new era, Rieko Ioane has become an unlikely guiding light.