TOP rugby referee Jonathan Kaplan has been rested from his August Test duties in order to maximise recovery from minor injuries sustained during a road accident last week.

THE IRFU announced contract extensions for Declan Kidney and three of his management team yesterday, which will see them remain in charge of the Irish team until the end of the 2012-13 season which coincides with the next British and Irish Lions Tour.

STEPHEN FERRIS has been here before — at the bottom of a mountain with familiar obstacles to overcome.

The seven Rugby World Cup matches due to be played in earthquake-hit Christchurch will be moved to other venues in New Zealand, tournament organisers have announced.

Rugby World Cup chiefs have stressed that all 48 matches of this year's tournament will take place in New Zealand.

WITH a year to go to Rugby World Cup 2011, tournament organisers in New Zealand says preparations are well on track, despite last week’s earthquake near Christchurch.

Munster centre Jean de Villiers will return to South Africa at the end of the current season to fight for his place in the 2011 World Cup squad.

NINETEEN internationals in a calendar month involving 12 different countries provides a surfeit of information not only on the state of the game but also on the form lines of the main pretenders for honours with the 2011 World Cup now coming into sharp focus.

The draw for the 20-11 Rugby World Cup will be made in London this afternoon.

THE IRB world rankings will for the first time be used to seed teams at the 2011 rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The IRB World Rankings will for the first time be used to seed teams at the 2011 rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

IN my travels over the last three weeks I’ve come across a number of talking-points in this World Cup, not least the outstanding performances by a number of the lesser-known teams.

The Irish Women’s Rugby Football Union (IWRFU) has welcomed the International Rugby Board’s confirmation of the introduction of the first Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament.

NEW ZEALAND will host the 2011 Rugby World Cup after beating Japan and South Africa in an International Rugby Board secret ballot in Dublin.

IRB chairman Dr Syd Millar has refuted reports that claimed he has given his support to the Japan Rugby Union’s tender to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Japan, New Zealand and South Africa have confirmed their intention to tender for the right to host Rugby World Cup 2011, the International Rugby Board announced today.