Rugby Union Today: Loose Pass and Jack Nowell fitness update

Another busy day in the rugby union game as Loose Pass returned to take a look at some of the main talking points from around the world.

What’s on the site

Loose Pass is back and it discusses Mathieu Bastareaud’s omission from the World Cup and the rumour that another Australian Super Rugby team is going to be culled.

Meanwhile, on the subject of the axed France centre, Bastareaud has duly announced his retirement from the international game following Jacques Brunel’s decision not to select the 30-year-old.

Elsewhere on the site, our ‘My Rugby World Cup hero’ feature continues and today we looked at Jannie de Beer’s efforts at the 1999 global tournament.

What’s in the news

There were plenty of big stories on Wednesday and we start with Jack Nowell, who should be fit for the World Cup according to Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter. The wing suffered an ankle injury in the Premiership final defeat to Saracens and has since undergone successful surgery on the problem.

Sarries emerged triumphant in England’s showpiece event, adding the domestic title to their Champions Cup crown, and the European holders have discovered their fate for next season’s competition, with Munster, Racing 92 and Ospreys forming a difficult group for the three-time winners.

In Super Rugby, the Crusaders and Highlanders announced their teams for Friday’s game with several big names returning for the encounter. For the hosts, they are able to field their All Blacks front-row for the first time this season, while the away side can call upon the services of full-back Ben Smith.

What’s on social media

There have been some great viral moments following Toulouse’s Top 14 triumph but this is probably the best. Yes, that is Romain Ntamack using the Bouclier de Brennus as a surfboard.

https://twitter.com/anoukspsscb/status/1141014014153113600

What’s on the TV

Super Rugby continues this week as the competition hits the quarter-final stage, kicking off with the Crusaders hosting the Highlanders on Sky Sports on Friday.

There is also the World Rugby U20 Championship final this weekend as Australia face France in Argentina. That game will be shown on ITV4, while the other matches will be broadcast via World Rugby.