Rugby Union: June 2008 - news archive

New Zealand scrum-half Jimmy Cowan could have played his last game for the All Blacks after being charged with disorderly behaviour.

Leicester Tigers have unveiled South African Heyneke Meyer as their new coach, who comes in to replace the sacked Marcelo Loffreda.

Wasps and England fly-half Danny Cipriani is targeting a late-November comeback as he bids to recover from injury.

New Zealand have recalled Hurricanes loose forward Chris Masoe to their squad for the upcoming Tri-Nations Tests against South Africa.

Leicester Tigers defensive coach Neil Back is set to leave the club and take up a similar post at Leeds Carnegie.

Reports suggest London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith will be named as England's attack coach next week.

New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter has signed for French side Perpignan on a six-month deal and will begin playing in December.

The Rugby Football Union has launched a full investigation into allegations of player misconduct on the tour of New Zealand.

Jim Mallinder has ended talk of a move to the England set-up by signing a new deal with Northampton Saints.

Magners League champions Leinster have completed the signing of Australian flanker Rocky Elsom on a one-year deal.

New Zealand prop Greg Somerville is Gloucester's third signing in two days after agreeing a two-and-a-half year deal from December.

Gloucester have re-signed lock Adam Eustace as well as completing a deal for Leicester prop Dave Young.

Newcastle and Brive have been drawn together for the fourth consecutive year in the European Challenge Cup.

The four England players at the centre of allegations of sexual assault could be named by the Rugby Football Union.

New Zealand have suffered a blow ahead of the Tri-Nations after captain Richie McCaw was ruled out of the opening four matches.

Rob Andrew has insisted he will continue his role as elite rugby director despite a nightmare tour to New Zealand.

England captain Steve Borthwick has admitted that England have been 'found wanting' in the two Tests against New Zealand.

England ended their tour of New Zealand with a heavy 44-12 loss in Christchurch with Dan Carter scoring 22 points for the All Blacks.

RFU chief executive Francis Baron has confirmed four England players have denied an allegation of rape and/or serious sexual assault.

England captain Steve Borthwick says the off-field problems will not distract the players from the task at hand.

Tony McGahan has been appointed as Munster's new director of coaching, replacing the successful Declan Kidney.

New Zealand police are investigating a 'serious allegation' against four England players after an alleged incident in a hotel.

Danny Care and Toby Flood are to form a new England half-back pairing for Saturday's second Test against New Zealand.

Champions Munster have been handed a tough draw against Sale and two French sides in the pool stages of next season's Heineken Cup.

England's stand-in manager Rob Andrew was unhappy with the way the match with the All Blacks was refereed on Saturday.

England prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand next Saturday.

England prop Andrew Sheridan has been rated as doubtful for the second Test against New Zealand after suffering a cut above his eye.

Scotland put in an impressive display to defeat Argentina 26-14 in Buenos Aires to level the Test series at 1-1.

An improved Wales side could not overcome the Springboks to record their first victory in South Africa as they suffered a 37-17 defeat.

A battling Ireland display was not enough to overcome Australia as the home side held out for an 18-12 in Melbourne.

The new-look England side was thoroughly outclassed by New Zealand in the first Test in Auckland.

Argentinan Bernardo Stortoni has increased the pressure on Scotland coach Frank Hadden by saying he is on the verge of losing his job.

Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll wants a reduction in the number of summer tours to the southern hemisphere.

Wales coach Warren Gatland wants to salvage some pride in the second Test with South Africa as the nations clash again on Saturday.

England captain Steve Borthwick has urged his men to be positive as they take on New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.

Flanker David Wallace is battling to shake off a calf strain in time for Ireland's one-off Test against Australia in Melbourne.

England centre Mike Tindall is backing the young squad players to give New Zealand a 'competitive' game at Eden Park on Saturday.

Dan Carter has committed to New Zealand by signing a new contract with the NZRU, taking him through to the next World Cup.

Olly Barkley is hoping to carry his club form into the Eden Park arena on Saturday when England take on New Zealand.

London Irish winger Topsy Ojo will make his Test debut for England against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.

Veteran scrum-half Peter Stringer and Ulster hooker Rory Best will start for Ireland in Saturday's Test against Australia in Melbourne.

Australia coach Robbie Deans knows his side are in for a tough time against Ireland at the weekend.

England manager Rob Andrew believes his side have the firepower up front to give an emerging New Zealand side a real test on Saturday.

Warren Gatland has admitted Wales' loss to South Africa was humiliating but insists his players can bounce back.

Nick Easter has been forced to leave the tour of New Zealand after failing to recover from his fractured hand.

Leicester Tigers have said they expect to make an announcement over their coaching position in the next two weeks.

South Africa proved far too strong for Wales with a 43-17 victory over the northern hemisphere champions in Bloemfontein.

Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll was disappointed that his side ran out of steam in their 21-11 defeat to New Zealand.

New South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has made ten changes to the side which won the World Cup last year for their clash with Wales.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden is set to hand debuts to Ben Cairns, Thom Evans and Matt Mustchin against Argentina on Saturday.

Centre Luke Fitzgerald has been ruled out of Ireland's Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday due to an ankle injury.

Rob Andrew insists England's younger players will get some much-needed experience for the 2011 World Cup on the tour to New Zealand.

New South Africa coach Peter De Villiers has admitted his respect for Wales and says they have the best coach in the world.