George Furbank will make his first England appearance in nearly two years in Saturday's Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Head coach Steve Tandy says he is glad the latest dispute between Wales players and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has been resolved.

Outgoing Australia head coach Joe Schmidt insists he has no plans to prolong his international coaching career and says a return to Leinster is not an option for him "at the moment".

Finn Russell will not feature for Scotland in their opening Nations Championship match of the summer series against Argentina, while Jonny Gray makes his return after missing this year's Six Nations.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has made six changes for the Nations Championship opener from the side that defeated Barbarians.

Sam Prendergast's strong end to the season with Leinster earns him a recall to the Ireland starting team for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney.

Leinster confirm the return of Ireland international Joey Carbery before the 2026-27 season.

Exeter Chiefs CEO is not convinced enough fans will travel to neutral venues for Prem Rugby's semi-finals.

Northampton and Bath will compete for points in the same tough Champions Cup pool next season, having been drawn alongside the Pretoria-based Bulls and Top 14 runners-up Montpellier, while Leicester will face Leinster, Bristol against Bordeaux-Begles, and Saracens and Exeter are in the same group.

England will be ideally prepared for the unique challenge of playing at altitude against world champions South Africa on Saturday, says coach Sir Kevin Sinfield.

With just over a year until the World Cup, injury-hit Ireland look to begin the inaugural Nations Championship with victories over Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe says new American investors will maximise the salary cap and invest in women's game.