A smaller ball is being trialled in women's international rugby union for September and October's WXV Global Series - and it is dividing opinion.

Sale Sharks get their Prem Rugby Cup campaign off to an emphatic start by beating Bath 50-28 in their opening Group A fixture.

Second row Maro Itoje returns to the England set-up after being named in a 36-man training squad for this autumn's Nations Championship matches.

South Africa eventually overpower a spirited New Zealand as the world champions came on strong in the final quarter in Soweto to take a 2-1 series lead.

Dragons co-captain Ben Carter fit for start of United Rugby Championship season after recovering from ankle injury he sustained with Wales.

Bristol, Saracens and Harlequins all claim wins to begin their Prem Rugby Cup campaigns.

Wing sensation Noah Caluori says he played through the pain of a torn wrist ligament during his break-out season for Saracens and England

Jack Singleton hopes to return to rugby union and is looking for a new club, a year after suffering a heart attack.

Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl says Taulupe Faletau has returned to non-contact training and thinks he will still want to play for Wales.

Scarlets suffer blow before new United Rugby Championship season with the loss of summer signing Chris Apoua to an Achilles injury.

Beno Obano will become the latest England player to put his Test career on ice after agreeing to join French side Pau at the end of the forthcoming season.

Centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg admits he "probably would have loved to" play for his native South Africa, but denies Rassie Erasmus' claims he was in talks over a Springboks call-up.