European Rugby
A combined total of only three points has separated the Lions and Australia over the first two Tests. Now it’s onto the iconic ANZ Stadium in Sydney for a titanic decider that promises to be just as tight.
Seasoned flank George Smith has been recalled to the Australian team for the deciding Test against the British and Irish Lions in Sydney on Saturday.
Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones will captain the Lions in the final Test against Australia on Saturday after Brian O’Driscoll was dropped from the squad. Irishman O’Driscoll was favourite to replace injured skipper Sam Warburton.
British and Irish Lions tour manager Andy Irvine says that he still has hope that three key injured players will be available for the deciding Test against the Wallabies.
While Irvine is positive about the Lions hopes he admits that the loss of captain Sam Warburton is a “serious blow” to the team.
Richard Cockerill, the Leicester Tigers director of rugby, was suspended for nine matches when he appeared before a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel in Coventry this (sic Monday) evening.
Sir Ian McGeechan believes the British and Irish Lions can’t afford to carry anybody during the third Test against Australia – and expects to see major changes for the series showdown in Sydney.
Australia captain James Horwill has been cleared to play in the final Test against the British and Irish Lions.
The International Rugby Board’s appeal of Australia captain James Horwill’s stamping case has been adjourned by judicial officer Graeme Mew of Canada, with Horwill’s place in the third and deciding test Saturday hanging in the balance.
Last week, the IRB appealed against the original decision that cleared Horwill of stamping on British and Irish Lions lock Alun-Wyn Jones in the first test on June 22 in Brisbane.
A comprehensive Highlights package of the match available here.
The 24-year-old Wales flanker has what the Lions have described as “a significant tear” in his left hamstring
Wallabies (9) 16 / 15 (12) Lions (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and British & Irish Lions did battle in the British & Irish Lions series of 2013 at
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne at 12:05 SA Time (20:05 AEST, 11:05 BST, 10:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD on TV in SA.
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British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland rung the changes for Saturday’s crucial second Test against the Wallabies, beefing up his pack for a “do or die” battle against the Australians.
Rebels (0) 0 / 35 (14) Lions (Final Score)
The Melbourne Rebels and British & Irish Lions did battle in the British & Irish Lions series of 2013 at AAMI Park, Melbourne at
11:40 SA Time (19:40 Melbourne Time, 10:40 BST, 09:40 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Veteran lock Paul O’Connell has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia with a broken arm.
England centre Manu Tuilagi has recovered from a shoulder injury and will start for the British and Irish Lions against the Rebels on Tuesday.
The injury-hit Wallabies called up veteran flank George Smith among three reinforcements for the squad for next weekend’s make-or-break Test with the British and Irish Lions.
Smith, his Brumbies teammate Jesse Mogg, and Reds centre Ben Tapuai, have been added to the Wallabies group for the Melbourne match – following their 21-23 loss in the opening Test in Brisbane this past Saturday.
Wales (15) 15 / 23 (3) England (Final Score)
Wales Under 20 and England Under 20 did battle in the Final of the IRB Junior World Championship of 2013
at Stade de la Rabine, Vannes at 18:45 SA Time (16:45 GMT, 17:45 BST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD on TV in SA.
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Scotland (20) 30 / 29 (20) Italy (Final Score)
Scotland and Italy did battle in the Castle Lager Incoming Series at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 14:15 SA Time (13:15 BST, 12:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD on TV in SA.
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Wallabies (12) 21 / 23 (13) Lions (Final Score)
Australia and the British & Irish Lions did battle in the British & Irish Lions Series of 2013 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 12:05 SA Time (20:05 AEST, 11:05 BST, 10:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD on TV in SA.
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All Blacks (8) 24 / 9 (6) France (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks and France did battle in the June Internationals at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 09:35 French Time, 07:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Welsh Rugby Union chief Roger Lewis says the home nations need to look at how the money made from the British and Irish Lions tours is divided up.
Italy coach Jacques Brunel has made wholesale changes to his team for Saturday’s third-place play-off against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld.
Coach Warren Gatland named his first British & Irish Lions Test team – the starting fifteen featuring eight new caps and eight Welshman.
The British & Irish Lions will play the Wallabies in the first of the three-Test series in Brisbane on Saturday.
The team will be captained by Welshman Sam Warburton.
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has replaced more than half the side that caved in against the All Blacks (0-30) last week, in a desperate attempt to avoid a series whitewash in the final Test in New Plymouth on Saturday.
All Black wing Rene Ranger confirmed he was quitting his international career and would head to France at the end of the year on a lucrative contract with Montpellier.
Scotland have made three changes in their starting team for their 11th and final international of the season against Italy in Pretoria on Saturday. There are six Glasgow Warriors in the starting XV and five on the bench for the final game of the tour.
Australia have named three debutants for Saturday’s first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane.
New Zealand have recalled fit-again flyhalf Daniel Carter and scrumhalf Piri Weepu for the third and final test against France in New Plymouth on Saturday.
Baby Blacks (8) 21 / 33 (20) England (Final Score)
New Zealand Under 20 and England Under 20 did battle in the IRB Junior World Championship of 2013 at Stade de la Rabine, Vannes at 20:45 SA Time (18:45 GMT, 19:45 BST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Bokkies (7) 17 / 18 (6) Wales (Final Score)
South Africa Under 20 and Wales Under 20 did battle in the IRB Rugby World Championship at Stade de la Rabine, Vannes at 18:15 SA Time (16:15 GMT, 17:15 BST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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European champions Toulon have Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis firmly in their sights, a French media report indicates.
Brumbies (8) 14 / 12 (3) Lions (Final Score)
The Brumbies and British & Irish Lions did battle in the British & Irish Lions tour of 2013 at Canberra Stadium, Canberra
at 11:40 SA Time (19:40 Canberra Time, 09:40 GMT, 10:40 BST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD on TV in SA.
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There are five changes in the starting line-up of the Junior Springboks to play against Wales in the IRB Junior World Championship rugby semi-final in Vannes, France, on Tuesday evening.
Ace All Black flyhalf Dan Carter has been cleared to play in next week’s third Test against France, while Les Bleus have lost two key players.
Wallaby squad members Peter Kimlin and Scott Sio will lift an under-strength Brumbies for their tour match against the British and Irish Lions in Canberra on Tuesday.