International Rugby Union – Six Nations, Heineken Cup, Rugby Championship

International Rugby has seen growth in both competitiveness and popularity in recent years, especially after the 2011 Rugby Union World Cup in New Zealand, where the All Blacks held off a rampaging French team, while South Africa were beaten by a dogged Australia who lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals.

The Pumas are now in the new look Southern Hemisphere tournament known as The Rugby Championship, featuring the Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks along with Argentina. The emergence of countries such as Fiji, Italy and Scotland have also aided International Rugby in its quest for worldwide recognition.

The Six Nations in Europe and The Rugby Championship in the Southern Hemisphere are the biggest annual tournaments in International Rugby, with the Rugby World Cup one of the largest tournaments in the world, held every four years. In 2015, the RWC will be played in England and Wales.

International-Rugby Articles

Is professional rugby finally about to emerge in the USA?

by Working Class Rugger - January 9th 2012 @ 6:35am

Is professional rugby in the USA imminent? For a keen observer of rugby in the land considered the sleeping giant of the game, the question of when rugby would take the next step in its development and establish a professional league here has always been uncertain. For many years the question has been subject to [...]

All Blacks defence rated World Cup weapon

by Chris Foley - August 8th 2011 @ 6:52am

Wallabies eye redemption against Boks

by Darren Walton - August 8th 2011 @ 6:47am

Canada beat USA in rugby, and don’t they love it?

by Carl Unger - August 8th 2011 @ 6:41am

The Canadian national rugby team have come from behind to beat main rivals the USA 28-22 in front of 10,621 fans at BMO Field, Toronto. What was intriguing beyond the match itself but the attention it pulled compared to previous encounters. The match was broadcast live on TSN, the same network that broadcasts NHL and [...]

Solving SANZAR and the Pacific rugby puzzle

by Red Chief - July 17th 2011 @ 6:35am

Although I support both the Super Rugby and the ITM and Currie Cup competitions, they’re not viable for the future of rugby union in the southern hemisphere. Rugby has lost ground in key heartland areas such as New Zealand, where fans are turning away from the game in worrying numbers. My solution (taking into account [...]

What to expect in the All Black announcement

by Jeff Cheshire - July 7th 2011 @ 7:31am

The much anticipated naming of the 2011 All Black team will finally take place on Sunday morning, ahead of the Tri-Nations and one off Test with Fiji. It is also likely to be a good indicator who the ‘three wise men’ will take into the Rugby World Cup later this year. They are a team [...]

Leinster v Northampton: Heineken Cup forwards

by Ben S - May 20th 2011 @ 3:18am

This coming Saturday, Leinster and Northampton Saints are poised to meet in the 16th Heineken Cup final at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff. On the road to the final, Northampton have won away at Castres, Cardiff Blues and Edinburgh and then beaten Ulster and Perpignan in England in the knockout stages. They are currently unbeaten all [...]

Time for a rugby expansion rethink

by Working Class Rugger - May 15th 2011 @ 2:30am

Rugby in Asia is progressing at a very pleasing rate. With the exceptions of Japan and to a lesser degree Hong Kong, the overall level of the game is pretty even relatively speaking. However, it’s the likes of Japan and Hong Kong that in my opinion must prompt the need for the rethink. Japan have [...]

Troubled Henson gets Toulon reprieve

by AFP - May 3rd 2011 @ 4:18am

Chabal set to answer for referee comments

by AFP - April 27th 2011 @ 4:44am