Rugby Union Today: Short side and RC team news

Colin Newboult

New Zealand's Ardie Savea (All Blacks, 7) during the Killik Cup rugby match between Barbarians FC and New Zealand in London, United Kingdom, 04 November 2017. Photo: Jürgen Keßler/dpa

Another busy day in the rugby union game as we look at the main talking points in the Rugby Championship and World Cup warm-ups this weekend.

What’s on the site

It is a huge weekend of international rugby and all the big issues are discussed in ‘the short side’, including the Bledisloe Cup and England’s encounter against Wales at Twickenham.

Elsewhere, check out this excerpt from writer Graeme Copas’ book, ‘The Rugby World Cup 2019 Book: Everything You Need to Know About the Rugby World Cup.’ This section details Fiji’s outstanding campaign in 1987 which saw them reach the quarter-finals.

What’s in the news

Ardie Savea will start for New Zealand at blindside flanker, alongside Sam Cane and Kieran Read in the back-row, while Australia have named James O’Connor at outside centre for their Bledisloe Cup clash.

Ahead of that encounter, All Blacks boss Steve Hansen answered questions on his comment earlier in the year that ‘Mickey Mouse’ was coaching the Wallabies.

South Africa have also selected their side for the final round of the Rugby Championship with Tendai Mtawarira, Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane the only alterations for the Springboks.

Finally, Ireland and Italy announced their teams for their World Cup warm-up. For the hosts, uncapped duo Jean Kleyn and Mike Haley are in the squad, while Conor O’Shea has named a much-changed outfit from the one that finished the Six Nations.

What’s on social media

This is a spine-tingling video ahead of the Bledisloe Cup…

What’s on TV

The Rugby Championship continues on Saturday and both Australia v New Zealand and Argentina v South Africa will be televised on Sky Sports. Channel 4 shows Ireland v Italy while on Sunday we have England v Wales on Sky.