Rugby Union Today: Loose Pass and a Lions Test XV
Another busy day in the rugby union game as we bring you Loose Pass, a British & Irish Lions first Test XV plus there’s significant news elsewhere as a group of former internationals are planning legal action against the rugby authorities.
What’s on the site
With the Autumn Nations Cup now finished, our features writer James While has taken a stab at picking a Lions team if the first Test was tomorrow.
What’s in the news
There was a huge story in the Premiership as Sale Sharks announced that director of rugby Steve Diamond has left the club for “personal reasons”.
What’s on social media
Returning to the brain injury story and this interview with former Wales international number eight Alix Popham shows just how serious things are.
"If it dripped once or twice, there'd be no mark on the floor but if it dripped for 14 years, there would be a big hole."
Aged just 40, former rugby international Alix Popham was diagnosed with early onset dementia. He could be in a care home by the time he's 50.
Full story:
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 8, 2020
What’s on TV
After the Autumn Nations Cup action, the focus turns to European matters and the start of the Champions Cup pool stages. The matches will be shown on BT Sport, with Northampton Saints and Bordeaux-Begles kicking things off at Franklin’s Gardens this Friday.
Meanwhile, with the seasons in New Zealand and Australia over following the denouement of the Tri Nations, the attention has switched to South Africa where the Currie Cup continues on Sky Sports. That begins on Friday with Western Province versus the Pumas.