Rugby Union Today: Sam Warburton retires
Another busy day in the rugby union game as Sam Warburton retires while teams are named ahead of the Super Rugby Qualifiers.
What’s on the site
At 29, Warburton has called it a day with his last game coming for the British & Irish Lions against New Zealand last year. Unsurprisingly the messages have poured in and we’ve selected the pick of them.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes and Chiefs have named their sides ahead of their Super Rugby meeting in Wellington on Friday.
What’s in the news
Northampton have announced that they will welcome local rivals Leicester Tigers to Twickenham in round six of the Gallagher Premiership in aid of former Saint Rob Horne, who also recently retired.
Elsewhere in England, relegated London Irish have strengthened their side ahead of Championship rugby with the signing of solid second-row Sam Twomey, who will join the club from Harlequins.
What’s on social media
Today would’ve been Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday and here Rugby World Cup’s Twitter page re-lives 1995’s moment.
Incredible scenes ????
This #MandelaDay, relive the moment that Nelson Mandela & Francois Pienaar raised the Webb Ellis Cup after the @Springboks victory at #RWC1995. #Mandela100 pic.twitter.com/1vRpmn04bQ
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 18, 2018
What’s on TV
Super Rugby has reached the knockout stages and Sky Sports will show all four games from the Qualifiers. It starts with the Hurricanes v Chiefs on Friday before the Crusaders, Waratahs and Lions take on the Sharks, Highlanders and Jaguares respectively a day later.
With the Sevens World Cup taking place this weekend, ITV will show highlights from the event.