Brad Barritt, the former England and Saracens centre, overcame two cheekbone fractures during his rugby career and fully understands the mental and physical challenges Antoine Dupont, the injured French captain, must overcome after facial surgery to be fit for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final on October 15.
The All Blacks' victory over the Wallabies in Melbourne has propelled them to second place in the latest World Rugby Men's Rankings.
Converted athletics talent Briana Dascombe has helped the Queensland Reds hurdle the Brumbies 20-10 in a Super W game that was paused for 30 minutes due to lightning strikes.
Prop Scott Sio admits the Brumbies' preparation for the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs has been less than ideal, but he's backing them to snap a losing streak and keep their season alive for at least another week.
The NSW Waratahs have produced the hottest of starts to set up a 41-24 win over a depleted Western Force in their Super Rugby Pacific clash at Perth's HBF Park.
Nigel Owens has weighed on the Super Rugby try by Pita Gus Sowakula which was allowed to stand despite the Chiefs No.8 hurdling Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith.
The Blues are on track to host their first Super Rugby finals showdown since 2003.
Will Hurd played for Scotland U20s in 2019 but the tighthead is native to Leicester and has signed from Glasgow's wider training squad.
Despite the fact that Matt Proctor has been an underrated player over the last few years and Ardie Savea’s absence is coming at short notice, it’s the loss of playmaker Beauden Barrett that will be felt hardest by the Hurricanes in 2020.