Rugby Union Today: Short side and Super charged

Colin Newboult
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Saracens' Maro Itoje during the Aviva Premiership Final at Twickenham Stadium, London.

Another busy day in the rugby union game as we look at the main talking points for the upcoming action in Europe, as well as Super Rugby, this weekend.

What’s on the site

It is the Premiership final this weekend, while the Top 14 has reached the barrage stage, and the main issues going into the matches are discussed in the short side.

Super charged is also back as we look ahead to the Chiefs’ clash against the Crusaders in Fiji and the return of John Plumtree to Durban when the Sharks take on the Hurricanes.

Finally, the 23s were named for Saturday’s Super Rugby action with Kieran Read returning to the defending champions’ XV and the Lions dropping Elton Jantjies for an apparent breach of team protocol. Check out all the squads in our Team Tracker.

What’s in the news

Head coach Gonzalo Quesada has had his say on Phil Kearns’ comments that the Jaguares should not be in Super Rugby, describing them as “disappointing.”

Meanwhile, Henry Speight will leave the Brumbies at the end of the season and join Australian rivals the Reds having spent eight years with the Canberra-based outfit.

Continuing in Super Rugby and well-regarded coach Tony Brown will rejoin the Highlanders coaching staff from the Sunwolves.

What’s on social media

The Barbarians’ social media game continues to excel…

What’s on TV

It is the Premiership final this weekend and once again Exeter Chiefs and Saracens will go head-to-head at Twickenham on BT Sport.

In the Top 14, they have reached the barrages and those two games, Lyon v Montpellier and Racing 92 v La Rochelle, will be shown on Sky Sports.

That station will also have all the Round 16 Super Rugby action and it starts with the Blues facing the Bulls at Eden Park in Auckland.

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