The PA news agency looks at the 10 runners and riders, including player signings and departures
It's semi-finals Sunday at the World Rugby U20 Championship and following last Tuesday’s weather-affected schedule, the hope will be that all six matches will be played to an 80-minute conclusion unlike on match day three when there were just four and a half matches completed due to the heavy rain making pitches unplayable.
A shining star at age-grade level, the youngster was tipped for big things before being cut. A move to France changed everything.
Three matches are scheduled for Athlone: Ireland-Australia (2pm local time), France-Wales (4:30pm) and South Africa-England (7pm). Over in Stellenbosch, it’s Argentina-Fiji (2pm), Georgia-Italy (4:30pm) and New Zealand-Spain (7pm).
Three matches are scheduled for Stellenbosch: Ireland vs Georgia (kick-off 2pm local), France vs New Zealand (4:30pm) and South Africa vs Argentina (7pm). Over in Athlone, Wales vs Spain is the opening match (2pm) followed by England vs Fiji (4:30pm) and Australia vs Italy (7pm).
The Spanish have the honour of opening the pool the DHL Stadium this Saturday, taking on a French team that didn’t fire on all cylinders in a Six Nations campaign that only merited third place.
Scottish URC side Glasgow Warriors have issued a squad update that has implications for two of their front-line players.
Sale have hailed the immediate impact that new signing Jonny Hill has made in his short time so far at the Manchester-based Gallagher Premiership club.
England and Gloucester winger Jonny May is set to make his first appearance of the season for Gloucester tomorrow, two days after being named in Eddie Jones' 36-player squad for a three-day camp this weekend.
Ex-Ireland midfielder Jonny Bell will have his work cut out at Worcester as the Premiership's bottom club have conceded 525 points this term.