Rugby Union Today: Injuries hit Premiership leaders

Adam Kyriacou
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Another busy day in the rugby union game as we build to the final Rugby Championship round as well as bringing you the big domestic news.

What’s on the site

The standout news from the day is Joe Marler’s admission that he deliberately looked to get suspended in order to miss international duty with England. The Harlequins prop recently retired from Tests.

Injury news from the Premiership sees Saracens centre Brad Barritt set for surgery while Exeter Chiefs duo Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds are set for long spells out of the game, according to their boss.

We also welcome the return of our analyst Sam Larner, who looks in detail at changes in rugby since the 2003 World Cup.

What’s in the news

Ulster are boosted by the returns of both Rory Best and Jacob Stockdale, which is perfect timing ahead of the Champions Cup.

In the Rugby Championship, Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard is bracing himself for an All Black backlash at Loftus Versfeld. South Africa of course beat New Zealand when they last met in Wellington.

What’s on social media

Former Northampton centre Rob Horne is back in England ahead of their clash with Leicester which is in aid of the Australian.

What’s on TV

Sky Sports will be showing Round Five of the Rugby Championship which sees South Africa host New Zealand before Argentina face Australia. The same network also televises the Mitre 10 Cup and Top 14.

BT Sport will show four Premiership games this weekend with Bath v Exeter Chiefs kicking things off on Friday at the Rec. Finally Premier Sports will again bring you all of the PRO14 action this weekend.

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