Rugby

If signed off, the competition will involve 12 teams made up of the four Rugby Championship teams, along with Japan and the United States, and the Six Nations teams in a round-robin competition, but it wouldn't include any Pacific nations.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) boss Steve Tew said the latest proposal isn't acceptable to NZR and the plan has been heavily criticised by the International Rugby Players Council, including All Blacks skipper Kieran Read.

Joseph said they simply don't have the structures in place or the resources to be involved at this point.

The full-back was dropped during the Test series defeat to South Africa in June and was overlooked by Eddie Jones for the November internationals.

Harlequins stalwart Brown is determined to add to his 72 caps and will discover on Thursday whether he has been selected by Jones.

"Obviously I'm massively disappointed not to be involved, because I'm desperate to play for England." the 33-year-old, speaking on behalf of Land Rover at an off-road driving event, told Omnisport.

Benjamin Fall's early red card - rescinded by a World Rugby judicial committee 48 hours later - left Les Bleus a man light in the second Test against an All Blacks side who, to say the least, have had their number in recent years. At the Westpac Stadium in Wellington - a venue known as 'The Cake Tin' - the visitors were cooked after 12 minutes, eventually going down 26-13 to lose the series with a game to spare.

Aled Davies, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis and Owen Watkin also come into Warren Gatland's line-up, with Hadleigh Parkes (finger) and Samson Lee (back) ruled out through injury. 

Jenkins will play blindside flanker, while Elias and Francis will make their first starts of the tour in the front row alongside Rob Evans.

Aled Davies will line up alongside Rhys Patchell at scrum-half, while the back three remains unchanged after Wales' opening victory in San Juan. 

The 34-year-old winger, whose contract at French club Toulon expires in June, confirmed the news on Instagram.

"The inevitable moment has come knocking on my door and I've welcomed it in for a drink." he said.

Habana scored 67 tries in the 124 Test appearances he made for the Springboks and his last international appearance was in 2016 when he was also vice-captain.

The electric winger underwent knee surgery last year and has struggled to make an impact at Toulon this season.

Ireland's win over Scotland at the weekend and England's loss to France, means the two teams swap position on the rankings table.

It's the first time Ireland have been number two since August 2015.

Ireland are now on 87.85 points - over six behind the world's number one team New Zealand, and 0.35 in front of England, who they face at Twickenham this weekend as they go in pursuit of only their third Grand Slam.

Australia are at four followed by South Africa, Scotland and Wales.

Having been largely unheralded during his time at both the Reds and Waratahs, he was the leader of his beloved Brumbies and captain of his country.

Mowen had taken the most prized position in Australian rugby from James Horwill at the end of 2013 and after years of pouring his heart and soul into every jersey he had ever pulled on, he had finally reached the pinnacle.

Nadolo, who plays for French Top 14 club Montpellier, described a recent experience with a fan where he claims he was called a monkey.

"I'm out in Montpellier with my family who came from overseas to c [sic] me," Nadolo said on Twitter.

"[One] supporter who is drunk said to me 'not bad for a monkey to win the game for MHR in Clermont'. Now he was drunk but wow."

The Fijian winger said racism in rugby hasn't changed.

"The worst thing is they attack you when u out having a good time with your family!" he said.

The former Fiji and Australia rugby league international signed a one-year deal with Toulon for the current campaign after quitting NRL side Parramatta Eels to switch codes.

Radradra, who can operate on the wing or as a centre, will be lining up against the three-time European champions next season after signing a two-year deal with Bordeaux.

The 25-year-old powerhouse scored two tries in Toulon's 36-12 victory over his future employers at Stade Mayol last weekend. 

RNZ understands the deal is in the works, with some senior Warriors are aware of the move, despite Tuivasa-Sheck not having told the team.

However New Zealand Rugby says they haven't entered formal discussions with Tuivasa-Sheck or his agent.