All Blacks overcome Pumas' challenge

3:21 AM BST

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  ESPN staff

New Zealand produced both scintillating and disappointing rugby to beat Argentina in a "game of two halves" in Buenos Aires, dazzling to claim a 29-3 lead at the interval but then held scoreless until injury time at the end of the second stanza when David Havili scored on debut after a move from a five-metre scrum.

Both teams had two players sent to the sin bin, with the yellow cards for Matt Todd and Kieran Read either side of halftime slowing New Zealand's momentum. Read, the All Blacks captain, was perhaps fortunate, however, not to have been issued a straight red card for his high tackle on centre Matias Orlando.

Damian McKenzie produced another man-of-the-match at fullback, combining with Beauden Barrett to open the Pumas' defence almost at will in the first half, before he was replaced by Havili in the second stanza.

The All Blacks dominated from the off, after Argentina failed to collect the kick-off, and they opened the scoring with an early penalty before Sonny Bill Williams and Waisake Naholo combined to put Read into space to dive over.

McKenzie then scored after taking a quick tap close to the line, Barrett produced a sublime pass to put Naholo away, and the playmakers combined in the lead-up to Read's second try, in the 27th minute, as the All Blacks threatened to run away with the match after the draw between South Africa and Australia had guaranteed them another Rugby Championship title.

But they would not score again until the 81st minute, after Argentina had finally shown themselves to be a worthy opponent and gained just reward for an improved effort with a try from veteran No.8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon.

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All Blacks overcome Pumas' challenge

Kingston dismisses claims of Sinckler gouge

Springboks, Wallabies play to another draw

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Springboks, Wallabies play to another draw

Leicester made to work for Exeter victory

Sinckler accused of gouging as Saints win

LIVE: South Africa vs. Australia

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Baldwin in good company: Freak sporting injuries

Baldwin apologises for lion bite

9:30 AM BST

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  ESPN staff

Ospreys hooker Scott Baldwin has apologised for missing his side's 44-25 PRO14 defeat to the Cheetahs on Friday after he was bitten by a lion.

Baldwin, who required stitches on Thursday following the incident, took to social media to announce his regret at trying to stroke a lion while in South Africa.

The 29-year-old didn't reveal when he was likely to return to action but did state he "should be up and running around soon enough".

1/3 Sorry all Ospreys fans for letting you and the team down by missing the game through the bite!

— scott baldwin (@scottbaldwin2) September 30, 2017

2/3 should of know he wouldn't be impressed with me stroking his lioness before introducing myself to him first @AndyGoode10#MyBad ✋🏼 http://pic.twitter.com/cSclBsvS72

— scott baldwin (@scottbaldwin2) September 30, 2017

3/3 and for those asking my hand in on the mend thankfully & should be up & running round soon enough thanks for your support & concern 🙏

— scott baldwin (@scottbaldwin2) September 30, 2017

Ospreys next face Scarlets at the Liberty Stadium on Oct. 07 and it remains unknown whether Baldwin will be fit in time ready for the match.

However, head coach Steve Tandy did reveal after the incident that he should be back within the "next couple of weeks" which would make the fixture against Clermont Auvergne on Oct. 15 a more likely return date.

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Baldwin apologises for lion bite

Falcons swoop past Irish to claim top spot

10:10 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

A 59th-minute try from captain Will Welch secured Dean Richards' high-flying Newcastle a 29-17 bonus-point victory over London Irish that took the Falcons to the top of the Aviva Premiership.

A first-half brace from Fijian winger Vereniki Goneva and an opening score by Argentinian centre Juan Pablo Socino effectively secured Newcastle a fourth win from their first five fixtures.

It is their best start to a top-flight season since they ended up winning the title under Rob Andrew's stewardship in the inaugural Premiership campaign.

With Saracens failing to gain a bonus point from their win at Worcester, Welch's crucial score took the Falcons to the top of the tree for the first time since September 2004.

On that occasion, they managed to stay there for a week. This time the tenure could be shorter, depending on Exeter's fate at Leicester and Northampton's at home to Harlequins on Saturday.

The new leaders also face an acid test away to champions Exeter on Saturday week.

Irish plundered late tries from replacements Conor Gilsenan and Tom Fowlie but remain second from bottom with four defeats and one win from their opening five games.

Irish started promisingly, taking a third-minute lead with a penalty by full-back Tommy Bell.

However, once the home side got points on the board, scrum-half Tane Takalua levelling with a 15th-minute penalty, Newcastle regained the momentum that took them to a dramatic 33-32 win at Bath.

With 19 minutes on the clock, Socino pierced the London Irish defence line-break from 40 metres out, racing in unopposed.

Two minutes later Newcastle No. 8 Nili Latu launched a blistering break down the left, the former Tonga captain releasing Takalua with a wonderful pass out of the back of his left hand and the scrum-half shipping a scoring pass inside to Goneva.

Takalua converted both tries, putting Newcastle 17-3 up. The gap stretched to 24-3 after 26 minutes, Takalua again converting after Goneva just managed to land the ball on the line from close range, a score confirmed by TMO Stuart Terheege.

Four minutes into the second half Takalua miscued a penalty attempt but the priority for Newcastle was the try bonus.

It arrived in the 59th minute, the TMO confirming a score for Welch from a driven maul in the right corner.

With 13 minutes remaining, winger Alex Lewington set up Gilsenan for Irish's first try.

Then, in the 70th minute, Fowlie barged over, Bell converting both scores for the Exiles, whose run of Premiership defeats on the road now stands at 17 in a row.

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Falcons swoop past Irish to claim top spot

O'Connor scores as Sale thrash Gloucester

10:16 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

Australian international James O'Connor touched down on his Sale Sharks debut as his new side thrashed Gloucester 57-10 at the AJ Bell Stadium.

O'Connor came on in the second half with Sale 22-3 in front thanks to Denny Solomona and Byron McGuigan (twice) who went over.

That was despite the Cherry and Whites dominating possession in the first period, but all Johan Ackermann's men could muster was a single penalty by Billy Burns.

The Sharks went on to dominate the rest of the match and completed the rout via Faf de Klerk, Solomona, O'Connor, Sam James and McGuigan as the Manchester outfit secured their second win of the campaign.

Gloucester had the final word through John Afoa but it was a chastening evening for the visitors.

Sale looked dangerous right from the kick-off and made the perfect start.

Prop Alexandru Tarus twice acted as first receiver and, on the second occasion, it opened the space for Bryn Evans to send Solomona clear.

Plenty of work still needed to be done but the winger is one of the best finishers in the Aviva Premiership and, after chipping the ball ahead, he just about managed to stay infield and cross the whitewash.

Unperturbed, the visitors hit back and Burns reduced the arrears to four points almost immediately.

Willi Heinz then went on a mazy run, evading the attempted tackles of several defenders but, despite persistent pressure, the visitors failed to capitalise.

Sale duly benefited from Gloucester's profligacy and scored with their next attack when De Klerk's intelligent kick was well controlled by McGuigan, who touched down.

After having the majority of possession and territory, Gloucester were beginning to get frustrated and that may have contributed to Billy Twelvetrees' errant pass, which led to the Sharks' third try.

Ackermann's team had space on the right but the England international managed to pick out the only opposition defender as McGuigan rose highest to grasp the ball and scamper clear.

AJ MacGinty was awry with the conversion -- his first and only miss of the evening -- but the stand-off did find the target from the tee just shy of the interval to increase the buffer to 19 points.

Matters soon worsened for Gloucester in the second half via Twelvetrees' yellow card and the hosts effectively sealed victory when De Klerk went over from close range.

The Manchester side were now rampant and two further quick-fire scores from Solomona and O'Connor increased the embarrassment for the Kingsholm-based outfit.

Gloucester continued to search for that elusive try but they gifted James and McGuigan -- his hat-trick effort -- scores of their own via two intercepts.

The visitors did finally get across the whitewash through Afoa but they had been thoroughly outplayed by the Sharks.

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O'Connor scores as Sale thrash Gloucester

Wyles brace sees Saracens home at Worcester

9:58 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

An improved second-half performance from Saracens saw them eventually quell a battling Worcester with a 25-3 victory at Sixways.

Despite leading 13-3 at half-time, the visitors were clearly second best as Warriors threw everything at their opponents but could not make it count.

After the interval, the strength of the Saracens bench saw them gain control of the match with two tries from Chris Wyles and one from Alex Goode proving decisive.

Alex Lozowki converted one and added two penalties, with Owen Farrell converting one. A penalty from Jamie Shillcock was Worcester's only contribution to the scoreboard.

Saracens began strongly to take an early lead. The home side's defence was run ragged by some well-judged passing and a clever final pass from Goode left Wyles with an easy run-in for a sixth-minute try.

Lozowski converted from the touchline and then added a penalty before Worcester responded with their first period of pressure.

A kick and chase from Josh Adams forced Goode into conceding a five-metre scrum and from there the hosts battered the try-line before a thumping tackle by George Kruis on Biyi Alo forced the 308-pounds prop to knock on, which allowed the visitors to temporarily clear the danger.

When Wyles and Goode got into a careless tangle in their 22, Warriors had another opportunity to threaten but they infringed at the resulting scrum and the chance was gone.

Shillcock deservedly put his side on the scoreboard with a well-struck penalty on the half-hour but Lozowski nullified this shortly afterwards with his second success for Saracens to hand them a 13-3 lead at the interval.

This was not a fair reflection, though, as Warriors had dominated the last 30 minutes of the half but lacked the accuracy and creativity needed to take advantage against a resolute defence.

The opening period of the second half was featureless, with both sides making elementary errors before Saracens rejuvenated matters by making four substitutions in one hit.

Mako Vunipola and Richard Wigglesworth were two of these and it paid immediate dividends when Duncan Taylor made a clean break to send Goode over.

Maro Itoje then departed as Saracens continued to empty their bench, with Farrell one of the new arrivals with 25 minutes remaining.

Taylor, who was forced out to the wing from centre as early as the sixth minute due to an injury to Sean Maitland, continued to be a thorn in the Worcester defence and another excellent break almost resulted in a try, but a second from Wyles emphasised Saracens' second-half superiority.

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Wyles brace sees Saracens home at Worcester

LIVE: High-flying Falcons host London Irish

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Ospreys' Baldwin bitten by a lion

8:49 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

Ospreys hooker Scott Baldwin missed his side's PRO14 defeat to the Cheetahs on Friday after he was bitten by lion.

Baldwin needed stitches at a local hospital following the incident which left him with a laceration to his hand, the region confirmed after their 44-25 defeat in Bloemfontein.

"There was an incident with a lion, but in fairness it was nothing to do with the lion," head coach Steve Tandy said.

"He did bite Scott but when you put your hand in a fence where there is a lion, then you will get bitten."

Tandy added: "It was pretty stupid on Scott's behalf and he is pretty lucky. It had nothing to do with where we were. It was a good environment and we were told how far back to stand.

"I don't know what sort of wildlife show Scott has been watching where you can pat a lion on the head as if it's a kitten. It's probably one of the silliest things I've even been involved in, but thankfully he is okay and hopefully he will be back up and running in the next couple of weeks."

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Ospreys' Baldwin bitten by a lion

Prem team news: O'Connor set for Sale bow

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English rugby rallies against extended season

Brown an injury doubt for England

9:05 AM BST

England fullback Mike Brown faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of an ankle problem that could leave him facing a spell on the sidelines.

Brown sustained the injury against Wasps in round three of the Aviva Premiership and then aggravated it against Leicester seven days later, ruling him out of Saturday's clash with Northampton and possibly for considerably longer.

Eddie Jones' first choice fullback for the autumn series that starts against Australia on Nov. 11 underwent a scan on Wednesday and is waiting for the results.

"Mike is not quite right. He has been away with England for two or three days and they have done some treatment on it," Quins director of rugby John Kingston said.

"After the Leicester game he left in a [protective] boot and it was pretty swollen. On Saturday we'll have a lot more information about whether he could play next weekend."

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Jonah Lomu's sons supporting France '23 bid

11:17 AM BST

Jonah Lomu's sons Dhyreille and Brayley were in London to support France's bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The great All Black played for Marseille from 2009 to 2010, and that was where Dhyreille -- the older of his two boys -- was born.

They flew in from New Zealand to support France's bid for the 2023 World Cup and were present at the host candidate presentations in London.

As the delegation answered questions from the media, Dhyreille and Brayley were sat on Sebastien Chabal's knee and he explained why they were there in London. He said Dhyreille is known as "the Frenchie" back in New Zealand.

"Jonah loved France, that's where they saw their daddy play rugby and they would love to come back in 2023 to experience the Rugby World Cup in a country where their father was so happy," Chabal said.

"It is up to them which jersey they wear, blue or black and they are proud of their dual nationality and that's why they are here today."

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Jonah Lomu's sons supporting France '23 bid

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Exeter cruise to dominant win over Wasps

Saints spoil London Irish homecoming

5:17 PM BST

London Irish gave supporters little to celebrate on their first appearance of the season at the Madejski Stadium after falling to a 40-25 Aviva Premiership defeat to Northampton.

Saints had wrapped-up the bonus point by the 32nd minute after revelling in some feeble defence that enabled former Australia centre Rob Horne to cross twice, but - having coasted out of reach - they took their foot off the pedal to make heavy weather of the second half.

The Exiles grew in confidence as they sensed their opponents' vulnerability and the second-half try count finished 3-2 in their favour, although they were assisted by some weak tackling in a low-quality Premiership match.

Since accounting for Harlequins on the opening weekend, Irish have leaked 111 points over three matches and for all the spirit evident later in the game, a season-long battle against relegation awaits.

Northampton had amassed a commanding 14-0 lead inside the opening six minutes alone, Nic Groom finishing a well-executed attack launched by George North before Horne showed strength to crash over for a soft try.

Irish showed character in their response, creating a chance for Blair Cowan that was ruined by Aseli Tikoirotuma's poor final pass, but a penalty from Tommy Bell nudged them off the mark.

Having regrouped manfully, however, the Exiles' defence fell apart all too easily for a third time when a lack of punch in midfield enabled Horne to cross again.

Route one was the source of the next touchdown when a line-out drive ended with Mikey Haywood being shoved over, delivering the try-scoring bonus point.

Bell kicked a penalty on the stroke of half-time but -- given the interval score was 26-6 -- the decision to go for goal seemed a strange one with so much ground to make up.

It became Northampton's turn to fall off routine tackles when wing Alex Lewington bounced and span his way to the whitewash, but any hint of a fightback was quickly dispelled after North strolled in to complete an attack that began in the 22.

Luther Burrell departed after taking a heavy knock to his leg and Saints were becoming increasingly ragged, suffering amid their own complacency and the spirited resistance offered by outgunned opponents.

Bell ran in their second try, a line-out providing the initial platform before Cowan's long pass enabled a clear overlap to be exploited.

A big tackle from North knocked the ball loose, allowing Jacobus Reinach to scoop up and run the length of the field, but Irish had the final word when Joshua McNally found a path through heavy traffic to touch down.

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Saints spoil London Irish homecoming

Vunipola ruled out for four months

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Vunipola ruled out for four months

Marcus Smith-led Quins fall short against Ford's Leicester

Late Wilson try helps Falcons sink Bath

12:40 PM BST

Newcastle shrugged off the jet lag of their North American mission last weekend to snatch a rare league victory in a match of wildly swinging fortunes at the Recreation Ground.

The visitors -- who had lost to Saracens in Philadelphia last Sunday -- raced into a 19-nil lead in the first half with tries by scrum-half Sonatane Takulua, prop Rob Vickers and right wing DTH van der Merwe.

But Bath came back with 32 unanswered points of their own through tries by stand-in full-back Matt Banahan, wing Semesa Rokoduguni, lock Charlie Ewels and centre Jonathan Joseph.

Newcastle had the last word though. Not content with a bonus point try from Chris Harris and a losing bonus point, they surged back to seize the win with a fifth try from flanker Mark Wilson. Joel nervelessly Hodgson converted both.

Two tries in as many minutes had put the visitors in control early on and the dynamic hooker, Santiago Socino, had a hand in both. First he broke free from Elliott Stooke's grasp to put Takulua clear. The scrum-half converted his own try and, almost immediately, a second by Vickers.

The third try came six minutes later, needing the TMO to confirm that Takulua had not knocked on at a ruck before van de Merwe swooped down on Willis' deftly delivered kick to the right corner. At 19-nil down and being thoroughly schooled at the breakdown, Bath desperately needed a score.

It came on 29 minutes when Banahan stretched out a long arm to touch down in the corner after hooker Jack Walker broke from the tail of a Newcastle line-out and Max Clark was tackled just short of the line.

Priestland converted and added a penalty just before half-time to reward a mini-revival in the last 10 minutes. Another penalty immediately after the interval from the Welsh fly-half pulled the score back to 13-19 and, moments later, Rokoduguni unleashed his unique combination of power and pace to sprint from half-way to score an unconverted try in the corner.

When Ewels followed up to touch down after Paul Grant just failed to claim the try and Priestland converted, Bath were in the lead for the first time at 25-19. That was 15 points in just nine minutes.

After Joseph weaved his way through the now-porous Newcastle defence from just inside his own half to earn a bonus point, Priestland's conversion made it 32 unanswered points by the home team. But Newcastle had the last word, thanks to Harris and Wilson.

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Late Wilson try helps Falcons sink Bath

Billy Vunipola injured for five-try Saracens

5:58 PM BST

England No. 8 Billy Vunipola was helped from the field with a leg injury as Saracens cruised to a convincing 41-13 win over Sale at Allianz Park.

Vunipola received lengthy treatment just before half-time after being hurt as Saracens defended resolutely under a Sale barrage being getting to his feet and hobbling around the perimeter of the ground, aided by two medics.

Ben Spencer crossed twice for Sarries with Liam Williams, Nathan Earle and Vincent Koch also going over and Owen Farrell converting all five and adding two penalties.

Byron McGuigan responded with two tries for Sale with Faf de Klerk kicking a penalty. Sale suffered a big blow when fly-half AJ MacGinty was a late withdrawal through illness and scrum-half De Klerk switched to 10 with Will Cliff coming into the side off the bench.

The visitors soon suffered a further setback by conceding an early try when slick passing sent Williams flying down the left flank and when the ball was recycled; Spencer saw a gap to sell a dummy to score.

Minutes later, the two players again combined for a second score. This time a well-judged pass from Spencer gave Williams an easy run-in with two conversions from Farrell giving Saracens a 14-0 lead after only 10 minutes.

A wild pass from Duncan Taylor cost his side another try as unforced errors and ill-discipline prevented the home side extending their lead. De Klerk put Sale on the scoreboard with a simple kick after Marcelo Bosch was penalised for a high tackle.

Farrell kicked a penalty before Saracens lost Vunipola two minutes before half-time with Calum Clark coming on to make his debut for the club. The opening period of the second half was as disjointed as the second quarter as Sale continued to frustrate their opponents but Farrell was able to extend his side's lead with another penalty before raising the excitement level by creating the third try.

He made an excellent break before sending the supporting Spencer in for his second try. A thrilling run from wing Josh Charnley looked to have earned Sale their first try but he lost the ball in the process of touching down as he was tackled by Sean Maitland.

It was rough justice on spirited Sale when Koch crashed over from close range for the bonus point but the visitors finally got their reward when McGuigan picked up a consolation try. In the dying moments, Earle scored Saracens' fifth before McGuigan showed great determination to score his second.

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Billy Vunipola injured for five-try Saracens

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Jones: I can't influence England recruitment

10:21 PM BST

Eddie Jones has ruled out making a raid on rugby league to improve England's World Cup prospects in the mould of Sam Burgess' doomed cross-code switch.

Burgess was lured away from South Sydney Rabbitohs by Jones' predecessor Stuart Lancaster in the season before the 2015 global showpiece on these shores, but it proved to be an ill-advised move as the Great Britain star returned to Australia 12 months later having made minimal impact.

England failed to progress from the group phase of the tournament, the attention generated by Burgess' presence causing disruption, and Jones has little interest in casting his net outside his current playing resources.

"We don't sign players -- we are the Rugby Football Union," Jones said. "[RFU chief executive] Steve Brown doesn't come to me and say 'here's £500,000, spend it on a player'. I don't have that option, I can't influence recruitment.

"I can't say to Leicester 'you sign George Smith' -- I can't do that it, it is not my responsibility. It is a nonsense. That's not me. That's not my job.

"My job is to pick from the Premiership clubs, we have a relationship with the Premiership clubs, we select players from the Premiership clubs. We don't tell them to recruit. If they want to recruit rugby league players and they are good enough to play for England then we will pick them."

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England training squad: Lions left out, Smith in

9:12 AM BST

Eddie Jones has left out four players who toured with the British & Irish Lions in his latest England training squad ahead of the autumn internationals.

Jonathan Joseph, the Bath outside centre, has been omitted from the 33-man squad, while James Haskell, Kyle Sinckler and George Kruis are also left out.

Jones has called up two uncapped players with Bath hooker Tom Dunn and Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith named. The squad meet on Sunday for a three-day camp in Oxford but there is no place for Sale's Denny Solomona, who was sent home from their Teddington gathering, nor Bath winger Semesa Rokoduguni, who has made an impressive start to the season.

There is a familiar feel to a number of players included with captain Dylan Hartley one of three hookers alongside Jamie George and Dunn while Jones keeps the faith with Harry Williams, who made his debut against Argentina, with Sinckler left out.

With Kruis omitted, Joe Launchbury, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes and Charlie Ewels are the second-rows named with Chris Robshaw, Sam Underhill, Nathan Hughes, Tom Curry and Billy Vunipola covering the back-row.

Jones has named just two scrum-halves in Danny Care and Ben Youngs while 18-year-old Smith joins George Ford, Owen Farrell, Alex Lozowski and Piers Francis as No.10 options. Bar the surprise of Joseph's omission, the other backs have all featured under Jones.

"This camp in Oxford is a really positive opportunity for the group to come back together and sharpen our focus and preparation ahead of our first match against Argentina," Jones said.

"This is our most important game this year and we want the players to come away from camp having trained well with a clear plan of how we want to play and win against the Pumas."

England squad

Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

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France find extra £30m for World Cup bid

1:58 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

France's bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup is to include a £150 million fee to World Rugby, £30m more than the amount required.

The successful nation must pay a fee to World Rugby in order to host the tournament. The minimum sum has risen to £120m for 2023, up from the £96m that Japan paid for 2019.

In an unusual step France is to go over the required cost by £30m in an attempt to trump fellow bidders Ireland and South Africa.

Claude Atcher, director of the France 2023 bid, said: "It's a fee. You have to pay it as a host. For that you need a financial guarantee from the Government. We have proposed not £120 million, but £150 million."

Due to the financial struggles Japan have faced since winning the 2019 bid, this fee must also have a complete guarantee. France have signed an agreement with Societe Generale.

Atcher added: "World Rugby ask the candidate to prove they can cover the cost of the organisation.

"For that we have signed an agreement with Societe Generale, which has a AAA rating and is one of the top 20 banks in the world."

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Youngs, Ford look for England halfback telepathy

11:18 AM BST

Ben Youngs has hailed his Leicester and England half-back partner George Ford as "an unbelievable footballer" after Tigers kick-started their Aviva Premiership campaign.

And England look set to reap the benefits of a combination now united on a daily basis at club level following Ford's summer move from Bath.

Scrum-half Youngs scored two tries in a 24-10 victory over Gloucester, while Ford operated impressively outside him, converting all three Tigers touchdowns, kicking a penalty and mixing his game expertly as Leicester recovered from losing opening league games against Bath and Northampton.

"We are certainly working hard on the training ground to get that telepathic understanding of each other," Youngs said. "It is nice when some of the bits we've been working on come off. There is no doubt he is an unbelievable footballer.

"The conversation we've had over the last two weeks is what can we do better, how can we help the team, as half-backs, to get the team in the game? We are desperate to try and improve each other and really build that relationship for the club foremost, and then international hopefully on the back of that.

"If you play in a game where you are on the back foot and the lineout is not working, you have actually experienced that together already and you have already come up with solutions of what you will do differently next time, rather than do it at international level and not have had that mutual experience and perhaps come unstuck.

"When things go well, it's great. But equally, when it doesn't work, we both understand 'right, this is what we need to do, this is what I need from you and you need from me'. That can only help. He understands the game unbelievably well. He knows everyone's role and what they should be doing, so he is able to coach while training.

"And he demands excellence because he knows where he wants to get to and where the team wants to get to. He is on it every day. He knows when to unwind and have a laugh but when the time is right, he is absolutely on it. He's a perfectionist in terms of what he wants and how he wants it to be."

Having avoided starting a league season with three successive defeats for the first time in Premiership history, Leicester head to Harlequins next Saturday before hosting reigning champions Exeter seven days later.

"We had to get this win," Youngs added. "There are certain times in the build-up, you know you just have to win. That probably showed in the first half with our urgency, our desire to get over the line. But knowing how hard the competition is, there is a part of me massively frustrated that we were unable to get the bonus point.

"I do think when we get everyone on the pitch and we are right and everyone is firing, without doubt we can be [title contenders]."

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Youngs, Ford look for England halfback telepathy

Hooker Best sidelined by hamstring tear

6:31 PM BST

Ireland captain Rory Best looks set to miss Ulster's opening two European Champions Cup games next month after suffering a hamstring injury.

Best, who skippered the British and Irish Lions' midweek team in New Zealand this summer, was hurt during training last week and Ulster have now confirmed that the 35-year-old hooker will be sidelined.

"Following a scan, it has been confirmed that Rory Best has a hamstring tear and will be out of action for approximately four to six weeks," Ulster said in a statement.

Ulster launch their Champions Cup campaign against Wasps in Belfast on October 13, then travel to French club La Rochelle nine days later.

Ireland's opening Test of their autumn series is against South Africa on November 11, followed by appointments with Fiji and Argentina.

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Hooker Best sidelined by hamstring tear

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European review: Player of the week, flop & more

Quins dig deep to end Wasps hoodoo

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Quins dig deep to end Wasps hoodoo

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Evans on Smith: 'He's really gifted. He gets it'

Leicester pick up first win of season

4:56 PM BST

Three tries in the opening 21 minutes proved enough for Leicester Tigers as they beat Gloucester 24-10 at Welford Road.

Victory is Leicester's first of the new Aviva Premiership campaign but the hosts were unable to find the score that would have given them a bonus point.

More to follow...

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Leicester pick up first win of season

LIVE: Twelvetrees a late addition to Gloucester side

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Folau stars as Wallabies down Pumas

All Blacks humiliate Springboks in record win

1:03 PM BST

• Angelo Risso

ALBANY -- All Blacks boss Steve Hansen has labelled his side's defensive display in their 57-0 obliteration of South Africa on Saturday as the best of his six-year tenure.

He also praised lock Luke Romano for devising part of their plan.

New Zealand shut out the old enemy at North Harbour Stadium, built on total dominance at the set piece and stealing five of the Springboks' 14 lineouts.

They were equally as potent in attack, scoring eight tries and producing the same attacking brilliance that saw them crush everything in their path in 2016.

For Hansen, the scoreline was partly misleading.

He insisted his side had been genuinely challenged in their final home Test of the year, and that only ruthlessness separated the two sides on the night.

But he did applaud his defence for a flawless display, and revealed that Romano - not named in the matchday squad - devised their lineout plan.

"Our defensive work was probably as good as we've ever had it, so that made a big difference," Hansen told reporters.

"I think they're a good side and the scoreboard probably doesn't reflect the margin between the two teams.

"We really targeted set piece, we wanted to really dominate there and Luke came up with a really good defensive plan and the boys executed it well.

"That side of our plan worked."

Barring a jumpy opening 15 minutes, the world champions cleaned the floor with the Springboks, returning to their ruthless best with ball in hand.

A piece of Aaron Smith magic opened the floodgates in the 17th minute, dinking a cute left-footed kick into the path of winger Rieko Ioane to slide over.

Further tries to Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Codie Taylor and a Nehe Milner-Skudder double then completed the romp, with the Springboks having barely a sniff in the second stanza.

"Credit to the All Blacks they were superb," Springboks coach Allister Coetzee told reporters.

"That's why they're the world's No.1 team.

Five-eighth Beauden Barrett was also exceptional, bouncing back from last week's subdued display against Argentina to direct his side with aplomb.

With four wins from four, the All Blacks are now in pole position to retain the Rugby Championship, with trips to Buenos Aires and Cape Town to come.

"We have no option but to fight back in South Africa," Coetzee said.

"We will get stronger from this learning experience."

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All Blacks humiliate Springboks in record win

LIVE: Australia vs. Argentina

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Premier 15s launches new era for women's rugby

Lichfield's heart 'ripped out' by exclusion

Exeter ease to Worcester win

Ribbans brace helps Saints to bonus-point win

10:03 PM BST

Sam Underhill produced a superb defensive shift in front of Eddie Jones but it was not enough to prevent Bath slipping to a 24-6 Aviva Premiership defeat against Northampton.

Underhill marked his debut for the club he joined from the Ospreys during the summer by making 23 tackles in a display that successfully launched his quest to continue as England's openside for the autumn series.

The 21-year-old won his first cap in Argentina in June when James Haskell was involved in the British & Irish Lions tour and is in contention to start in the back row when the Pumas visit Twickenham on Nov. 11.

For all Underhill's efforts at Franklin's Gardens -- he was replaced in the 68th minute after sustaining a neck injury - Bath suffered their first defeat of the season as Northampton picked up where they left off against Leicester last Saturday.

Further distance was placed between Saints and their collapse to Saracens in their Premiership opener and once again the physicality of their pack, led by the impressive Courtney Lawes, was the springboard for victory.

Lawes was at the helm in the absence of Dylan Hartley, who had been ruled out with a hand injury, and the England forward crossed for the night's opening try, lock David Ribbans stormed over twice and George North added the fourth to seal a comfortable bonus-point victory.

Northampton controlled the opening quarter and were rewarded by a third-minute try from their captain, who forced his way over close to the left touchline.

A crisp line-out offered the opportunity to attack on the 22 and when Michael Paterson found slippery wing Tom Collins sweeping across from the right, Bath's defence splintered and Lawes was through.

Saints continued to probe with Lawes prominent, but as the quarter wore on their grip on the match loosened as Bath began to spend greater time with the ball.

Two Rhys Priestland penalties, the second won at a dominant scrum, saw the lead change hands and despite losing skipper Matt Garvey to injury they began to thrive, assisted by knock-ons from Harry Mallinder and Paul Hill.

It was Northampton who finished the half stronger, however, and through a line-out drive finished when man-of-the-match Ribbans found no one at home at the heart of what should have been the Bath defence, they restored their lead.

Ribbans went over for his second in the 53rd minute, a line-out steal from Lawes enabling Saints to attack in a move given momentum by a muscular run from Luther Burrell, before the second row arrived to crash through the white shirts.

The bonus point was claimed with five minutes to go through keeping the ball alive, with North on hand to complete a move that saw Bath scramble backwards.

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Ribbans brace helps Saints to bonus-point win

LIVE: Bath aim to send Matson out on a high

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Vunipola: 'Players could strike over schedule'

12:09 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

Saracens and England star Billy Vunipola has warned that players could go on strike unless there is a reduction in the number of games top rugby teams are forced to play during the season.

The 24-year-old -- who underwent surgery on his knee and shoulder over the summer -- returns to action this weekend as Saracens take on Newcastle on US soil.

It will be his first game since Saracens' defeat at the hands of reigning champions Exeter in last season's Aviva Premiership semi final.

Although surgeries cost Vunipola his place in the British and Irish Lions squad which toured New Zealand earlier this summer, the hard hitting No.8 said they were necessary as he was "worn down" by gruelling domestic and international campaigns.

Claiming that the game's governing bodies did not seem to understand the impact that the busy schedule can have on players, Vunipola suggested that strike action might be the only way to confront the issue.

"Everyone complains that they keep pushing the salary cap up but we need more players," he told The Times. "It's not about money, it's about the toil we're put through.

"Something is going to give. Something might happen where we follow the NFL or NBA, where they had a lock-out. I'm not saying I'm going to start it, but I feel like something needs to happen for the suits to realise these guys are serious.

"It comes down to how much we play. My body could not handle it. I might think I'm strong and tough but I'm not. I just got worn down.

"The suits are always talking about it but they have never played nine months in today's rugby. It's something I would love to change - play less."

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Vunipola: 'Players could strike over schedule'

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England to end four-year wait to face All Blacks

11:18 AM BST

England will complete a four-year wait to face New Zealand when they clash with the world champions at Twickenham next year.

The fixture has been confirmed, by the Rugby Football Union, for Nov. 10 and is the highlight of a mouth-watering 2018 autumn series that also features matches against South Africa, Japan and Australia.

"We will have to work hard and be smart in what we do to bridge the gap between us and the All Blacks," head coach Eddie Jones said.

The composition of the 2018 Old Mutual Wealth Series means England will face all three southern-hemisphere giants a year out from the World Cup, offering a fascinating gauge of their strength ahead of the global showpiece.

Japan, who Jones guided to their greatest tournament performance in 2015, complete the opponents visiting Twickenham in the penultimate game of a schedule that is launched by the Springboks and concluded by the Wallabies.

It is the showdown with New Zealand that will dominate the series, however, as the sport's two powerhouses on current form finally meet again.

Due to a quirk of the international fixture list, the rivals met five times in one year but have not clashed since 2014 -- a frustrating hiatus that led to aborted attempts to arrange a match this autumn.

England have won 19 out of their 20 Tests under Jones, facing all major nations except Steve Hansen's All Blacks during that run.

"The 2018 series is incredibly important for England as we build towards the World Cup," Jones said. "We want to win that series 4-0 and we will need to play extremely well to beat four very good teams over a four-week period.

"The series will give us a really good indicator of where we are as a squad a year out from the World Cup and gives us a real focus on what we have to do over the next 12 months to be ready for that series and win.

"Over the next year we need to continue to develop a bulletproof side, that can find ways to win in matches.

"Our ambition is to be the number one team in the world going into the World Cup in Japan."

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England to end four-year wait to face All Blacks

Piutau: Club over country an 'easy decision'

Sam Warburton to undergo neck surgery

2:21 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

British & Irish Lions and Wales captain Sam Warburton will miss the remainder of the year to undergo surgery on a long-standing neck injury.

His club, Cardiff Blues, announced in a statement that Warburton 'exacerbated the injury' in training this week.

The operation will see Warburton miss Wales' internationals in November.

More to follow.

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Quins set to lose Catrakilis for a month

Burrell reveals 'soft' accusation behind victory

10:58 PM BST

Luther Burrell has revealed Northampton were provoked into registering a precious 24-11 victory over Leicester after being accused of becoming "soft" by Jim Mallinder.

Mallinder, the club's director of rugby, was brutal in his assessment of the 55-24 collapse to Saracens at Twickenham last weekend and the criticism drew the desired response.

Burrell, Dylan Hartley and Tom Collins ran in tries as Saints recorded their first victory in the East Midlands derby since 2014, a drought spanning seven successive defeats.

England forwards Courtney Lawes and Hartley impressed in the Aviva Premiership clash at Franklin's Gardens and Burrell admits it was the strong words of Mallinder that underpinned the win.

"We all know last week wasn't good enough by our own standards. It has been a tough week because quite frankly we got embarrassed by Saracens," Burrell said.

"When you come in on Monday morning and your coaches are fuming with you and calling you soft, ultimately as a player you have got to react.

"You don't want to upset your director of rugby, you don't want to be called soft. If you are soft in this game, that [the Saracens defeat] happens on a weekly basis.

"We had to have a reaction and what a game to put it right -- Leicester at home, a local derby. You look for that game at the start of every season, so it was very positive from our side.

"Leicester are a great side but we did not let them into the game. We had to step up our defence because we were soft last week. I think ultimately that's what came through and it got us the win.

"We stepped up against Leicester, but we can't get carried away. We are two games in but in a positive place now.

"We will quickly move on to Bath because they are looking pretty good this season."

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Burrell reveals 'soft' accusation behind victory

Douglas out, Lukhan Tui in for Wallabies

European review: Player of the weekend, flop & more

Fifita announces ABs arrival as Wallabies long for Pocock

Late tries put seal on unconvincing Wasps win

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Late tries put seal on unconvincing Wasps win

LIVE: Te'o to wear No. 12 as Worcester host Wasps

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Wasps wary of Worcester response

Smith set for All Blacks recall - Hansen

12:01 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen looks set to recall scrum-half Aaron Smith to New Zealand's starting lineup for their Rugby Championship clash with the Springboks next Saturday.

Smith started both of New Zealand's opening victories in the competition against Australia, before TJ Perenara was given the starting role in their win over Argentina. Despite scoring six tries, Hansen wants improvement and feels his side could benefit from a quicker option.

"I think we saw there is a difference between the speed of ball when Aaron's there," Hansen said on Sunday. "He'll come back and I think that makes a difference to how we play."

On next week's opponents he added: "South Africa are playing really well. They seem to be incredibly tight with each other, so they're obviously building something there from a culture point of view and that'll make them more dangerous."

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Smith set for All Blacks recall - Hansen

Saints secure East Midlands bragging rights

Brown celebrates Quins milestone with victory

6:22 PM BST

• 

  ESPN staff

England fullback Mike Brown broke the appearances record for Harlequins as his side stormed to a first Aviva Premiership victory of the season by outclassing Gloucester.

Brown ran out for the 282nd time as a Quins player in the 28-17 success, breaking the record for the most senior appearances at the club in the professional era, which was held by the club's defence coach Nick Easter.

Marcus Smith grabbed two penalties and two conversions for the hosts, with the game's opening penalty coming from fly-half Demetri Catrakilis, who went off injured after 13 minutes.

Flanker Dave Ward and wing Charlie Walker got the hosts' first-half tries, before England wing Marland Yarde went over midway through the second period. Gloucester, who had beaten reigning champions Exeter a week ago, replied with tries from Freddie Clarke and replacement Jacob Rowan and conversions from Billy Twelvetrees and Billy Burns -- the latter also kicked a penalty.

South African-born Catrakilis kicked a 10th-minute penalty before he was carried from the field soon after with what appeared to be a throat injury.

Burns levelled and a niggling, average opening half limped along until a huge thunderstorm brought a deluge of rain to Twickenham Stoop and sparked Quins into life.

Ward grabbed the opening try in the 29th minute when centre Joe Marchant and Catrakilis' replacement, 18-year-old Smith, linked to give the flanker a run under the posts. Smith converted easily.

And, as the noise of the thunder rocked the stadium, Walker started and finished a brilliant attack through the Gloucester midfield.

Smith's conversion from under the posts gave the hosts a 14-point half-time advantage.

As the thunder passed, Gloucester found another gear and were awarded a series of penalties inside the home 22 after Quins were fortunate not to give away a penalty try when lock Jeremy Thrush kicked the ball too hard into the home try area as centre Jamie Roberts bundled into him.

But Clarke put his side a converted try behind when a move near the Quins line saw him dive over from five metres, with Burns adding the extras.

However, Gloucester started pushing the self-destruct button and Quins were soon away and clear.

Teenager Smith booted two out of three kickable penalties and a cross-kick was tapped down by Yarde to Brown, who gave the pass back to the wing for an unconverted try.

Rowan's converted try for the visitors came in the final seconds.

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Brown celebrates Quins milestone with victory

Rokoduguni brace seals thrilling Bath win

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Rokoduguni brace seals thrilling Bath win

LIVE: Saracens face Bath at The Rec

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Wallabies cough up lead in draw with SA

1:20 PM BST

The Sea of Blue turned out in their droves as the Wallabies fought out an enthralling 23-23 draw with South Africa in Saturday night's Rugby Championship Test in Perth.

The Wallabies led 20-10 in the 47th minute, courtesy of tries to Kurtley Beale and Tatafu Polota-Nau.

But the home side looked destined for another heartbreaking loss when the Springboks produced a powerful second half to take a 23-20 lead.

Bernard Foley nailed a clutch 40m penalty with nine minutes to go to level the scores, and the Wallabies smothered an after-the-siren drop-goal attempt from Elton Jantjies to deny South Africa victory.

The result - just a fortnight after a heartbreaking 35-29 loss to the All Blacks in Dunedin - leaves the Wallabies with a draw and two losses ahead of next week's clash with Argentina in Canberra.

Western Force jerseys dominated the crowd at nib Stadium as fans protested against the axing of their beloved franchise.

The Wallabies' gold was scarce, with only about 15 per cent of the 17,528 crowd donning the national colours.

A chant of "Force, Force" went up before kickoff, and the fans chanted the name of their axed Super Rugby franchise at numerous other times in the game, as well as after the match.

Outside centre Jesse Kriel scored the first try in the 25th minute from a brilliant grubber kick and an ounce of luck.

Kriel dribbled the ball forward 25m and Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper and Springboks winger Raymond Rhule gave chase.

Hooper and Rhule collided just as they were about to reach the ball, with Kriel cruising in to pick up the crumbs and touch down in the corner.

However, the visitors' joy was short lived, with Israel Folau winning back the restart, and Beale producing a dodge-and-weave run to touch down.

An early head knock to hooker Polota-Nau gave 20-year-old Jordan Uelese an earlier-than-expected debut in the 18th minute.

Uelese made an early break, before Polota-Nau returned to the field after Kriel's try.

Foley's penalty after the halftime siren gave the Wallabies a 13-10 edge at the break,

And when Polota-Nau barged over after a lineout and rolling maul, the Wallabies led 20-10.

Hooper produced a try-saving tackle just metres from the line to stop Jan Serfontein's blistering run.

But there was no stopping hooker Malcolm Marx, who barged over after a dominant rolling maul.

There was drama galore after the final siren as South Africa pushed for victory.

Even after Janties' drop-goal attempt was charged down, the Wallabies needed to produce some resolute defence to ensure South Africa didn't score a try.

They even had a chance to pinch it at the death after they forced a turnover, but a knock-on ended their hopes.

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Wallabies cough up lead in draw with SA

All Blacks show class to upstage Pumas

12:06 PM BST

New Zealand maintained their 100 percent start to the Rugby Championship with a 39-22 bonus-point victory over plucky Argentina at Yarrow Stadium.

The All Blacks had to come from 17-0 down to beat Australia in their last match and they were given another scare by the winless Pumas, who held a 22-15 second-half advantage.

Nehe Milner-Skudder and Anton Lienert-Brown scored early tries for New Zealand but six points from the boot of Nicolas Sanchez and a huge penalty from Emiliano Boffelli kept the visitors in touch. Israel Dagg went over out wide just before the break to extend the home side's lead only for Sanchez to touch down on the last play of the half.

Beauden Barrett's three missed conversions allowed Sanchez to nudge Argentina ahead at half-time and another Boffelli penalty just after the restart gave them a 19-15 lead.

Everything appeared to be going Argentina's way when Barrett was sin-binned and Sanchez put them seven points clear, but the 14-man All Blacks drew level through Vaea Fifita's converted score.

The game was still in the balance with 20 minutes remaining but tries from Damian McKenzie and Barrett either side of a Lima Sopoaga penalty gave New Zealand a third straight win.

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All Blacks show class to upstage Pumas

All Blacks lose second prop for the season

1:29 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

The All Blacks are set to be without their best props for the remainder of 2017.

After Owen Franks went under the knife on Friday to repair a chronic Achilles tendon problem, his international and Crusaders teammate Joe Moody is likely to sit out the rest of the year with a dislocated shoulder.

Moody -- who has started all seven of New Zealand's Test matches at loosehead prop this year -- sustained the injury during the All Blacks' less than convincing 39-22 win over Argentina in New Plymouth.

"He's off to get an X-ray and it looks like he'll probably have to have an operation," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

"It'll be the end of him for the year I'd say."

Veteran loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett is the next cab off the rank for the Rugby World Cup holders, while Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Kane Hames are set to see increased game time.

The All Blacks' next match is against the Springboks next Saturday.

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All Blacks lose second prop for the season

Rennie's fingerprints already visible in Glasgow

Falcons scrap past Sale in low-scoring clash

9:36 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

Newcastle Falcons have opened their Aviva Premiership campaign with consecutive victories after an ugly 12-13 win over Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Both sides made several mistakes in slippery conditions, with neither team able to cross the line until the 74th minute when the referee ran out of patience and awarded the visitors a penalty try after Sale illegally stopped Newcastle's line out drive.

More to follow.

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Falcons scrap past Sale in low-scoring clash

Cockerill guides Edinburgh to second win

9:25 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

Edinburgh have continued their impressive start to the Guinness PRO14 season under new coach Richard Cockerill with a bonus-point 35-18 victory over the Dragons.

Blair Kinghorn, Sam Hidalgo-Cylne, Solomoni Rasolea and Robbie Fruean all crossed for the hosts who kept the visitors from Wales scoreless.

More to follow.

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Cockerill guides Edinburgh to second win

Leinster thrash Cardiff Blues

9:28 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

Leinster scored three tries in the space of six minutes to ease to a convincing 37-9 win over Cardiff Blues in the Guinness PRO14.

After a scrappy first forty that saw Isa Nacewa yellow carded, the hosts found their grove in the latter stages with Sean Cronin, Barry Daly and Nick McCarthy all crossing in the second half.

More to follow.

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Leinster thrash Cardiff Blues

Sarries' Rhodes 'not thinking about England'

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NZR report flags alcohol and sexism issues

NZR faces alcohol and sexism problem

Tuilagi out for 12 weeks with knee injury

Player banned 10 years for referee shove

4:43 AM BST

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  ESPN staff

Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union have banned Mailtand player Mark Meafua for 10 years after he pleaded guilty to shoving a referee last weekend during his team's grand final.

Meafua, 18, was about to be issued a red card by referee Niklas Gaal, 19, when he struck Gaal in the jaw and neck with an open palm.

The 18-year-old read out a three-page apology during a two-hour hearing, the Newcastle Herald reported.

The 10-year ban for 'physical abuse of an official' was handed down on top of a 10-match sanction for an illegal tackle that led to the red card.

"We have not seen anything like this in our zone in 30 years," NHRU general manager Andy Fairfull told the Herald.

"It is unacceptable to verbally or physically abuse a referee. The sanctions show that if you undertake that behaviour, you will be out of the game for a serious amount of time.

"But, as well as ensuring Nik's wellbeing, the union has an obligation to provide Mark with the appropriate support. Within that 10 years, the referee's association and Maitland club will work the young man to assist in some rehabilitation."

Meafua was arrested at home following the game and charged with common assault, with Maitland Court date set for October 4.

Gaal was not seriously injured by the incident and continued on to finish officiating the match. He did not appear at the hearing.

Meafua was reportedly set to receive the competition's best and fairest award but was ruled ineligible.

BarTV Sports uploaded the footage to Facebook, condemning the act.

"Generally we encourage our viewers to tag a friend for our magic moments," Bartv posted.

"However in this instance if you feel like sharing please let your friends and followers know that this is not acceptable behavior in any sport."

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Player banned 10 years for referee shove

All Blacks make several changes for Pumas

6:12 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

The All Blacks have made seven changes to their starting side to face Argentina in the third round of Rugby Championship action in New Plymouth on Saturday.

Vaea Fafita will make his first start at blindside flanker in a new look back row alongside Ardie Savea and captain Kieran Read.

Luke Romano gets a rare run in the second row, with Sam Whitelock rested.

In the backline, Nehe Milner-Skudder returns on the left wing in place of Rieko Ioane while Israel Dagg is on the right flank as Ben Smith begins his sabbatical.

Anton Lienert-Brown returns to the midfield with Ryan Crotty dropping out of the matchday 23, while TJ Perenara gets an opportunity in the No. 9 jersey over Aaron Smith.

The All Blacks are yet to lose a Test match to the Pumas in 24 previous encounters.

All Blacks: McKenzie, Dagg, Lienert-Brown, Williams, Milner-Skudder, B Barrett, Perenara; Moody, Coles, Laulala, Romano, Retallick, Fifita, Savea, Read (capt).

Reserves: Taylor, Crockett, Tu'ungafasi, S Barrett, Cane, Kerr-Barlow, Sopoaga, Laumape.

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All Blacks make several changes for Pumas

Mako Vunipola eyes return at Bath

4:16 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

England and British & Irish Lions front row Mako Vunipola hopes to make his Saracens return against Bath this weekend in the Aviva Premiership.

Vunipola, Owen Farrell and Jamie George missed the 55-24 drubbing of Northampton Saints on the opening day, but director of rugby Mark McCall hinted at the involvement of at least some of his Lions players at Bath and Vunipola is raring to go.

"Over the summer I've tried to rest mentally more than physically, get away with family and friends and have a good time away from rugby so I can come into this now ready to go," Vunipola told the official Saracens website.

"They are very physical in defence. As a pack of forwards, they lead from the front and we know what kind of challenge they pose to us."

Having excelled last season as Sarries claimed European glory and during the Lions' drawn series against the All Blacks, Vunipola is eager to make a return to McCall's side against a Bath side that opened up the new season with victory at Leicester Tigers.

"We have to stand up to that. They've always had good players on the ball, always been renowned for being good tacklers," said Vunipola. "At the weekend, our attack was very free flowing, everyone was doing their bit, reacted to where they were needed.

"But every week you have to take it as a new game and a new slate, so we can't go in with the mindset that it's going to happen again. It's up to us to try and get that same speed of ball for the backs and step up our physicality in defence."

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Mako Vunipola eyes return at Bath

Dan Biggar set to join Northampton Saints

2:23 PM BST

Northampton Saints have announced the signing of Wales star Dan Biggar ahead of next season.

Fly-half Biggar, who toured with the 2017 British & Irish Lions, has won 56 caps for Wales and will arrive at the Saints next summer after completing the current season with the Ospreys.

"We're delighted to have secured the signature of such a highly-rated player," Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder said. "Dan has shown his excellence year in, year out, for both the Ospreys and Wales, and he performed really well for the Lions this summer.

"The fact that he has put pen to paper a year in advance shows that Dan has plenty of belief in where we are going as a club and our ambitions for the future and we're looking forward to welcoming him here next summer."

The signing is quite a coup for Northampton and he joins a club who currently have England's Piers Francis and Stephen Myler on their books. Biggar has excelled for Wales, playing in both the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, and his form earned him a place on the 2017 Lions tour to New Zealand where he played five times.

For Biggar, the move sees him leave the regional system, but he reiterated his commitment to playing for Wales once he arrives at the Saints.

"It's extremely exciting to start a new chapter of my career with a club that shares my ambition to win trophies, which is where this club belongs," Biggar said.

"I would like to thank everyone at the Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union who has supported and helped me throughout my career and an extra special thank you to the fans who have helped and supported me through highs and lows. To play for my home club was a dream come true, let alone to play as many times as I have done.

"I hope my passion for the shirt and people of this region has shone through in my performances and I would love to leave on a high note with some silverware. I also remain fully committed to Wales and achieving the best I can every time I pull on the red shirt."

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Dan Biggar set to join Northampton Saints

Jones issues final warning to Tuilagi

8:11 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

England head coach Eddie Jones has warned Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi that if he misbehaves again he will be "spending a lot of time in the Midlands."

Tuilagi, 26, was dismissed from an England training camp in early August after embarking on a drinking session with teammate Denny Solomona -- and Jones hinted he has since conducted showdown talks with Tuilagi.

"Everybody makes bad mistakes, we've all done it. So we'll just assess them at the next period in time," Jones said at a Soccerex Global Convention.

"I've already met one of them face to face and if their attitude is right we'll pick them, if not, we won't. These things happen, it's a poor choice. I understand they made a poor choice.

"He's only done it once with me, the same with Denny. Everybody talks about previous records but he's only done it once with me. If he does it again he'll be spending a lot of time in the Midlands."

Tuilagi has a history of disciplinary problems, including punching England teammate Chris Ashton during a club game, making "bunny ears" behind then-Prime Minister David Cameron and being cautioned by police for diving into Auckland harbour.

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Jones issues final warning to Tuilagi

Bath head coach Matson to leave club

1:58 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

Bath head coach Tabai Matson will leave his role at the Aviva Premiership club and return to New Zealand for family reasons.

Matson arrived at the Rec alongside director of rugby Todd Blackadder in 2016 and played an integral role in Bath's fifth-place finish last term.

However, his side's appointment with Northampton Saints on Sept. 15 will be his final involvement, after which he will return home.

"This has been an incredibly tough decision for me," Matson said. "I have enjoyed every minute at Bath Rugby and we have such a great group of players here who I believe will achieve great success.

"Ultimately, I have made the decision that as a family, we need to be at home in New Zealand, and I appreciate the club's understanding."

Blackadder said: "Tabs [Matson] has done an exceptional job preparing the team for the new season. I know this has been a tough decision for him, but it is a decision we understand and respect.

"He has made a significant contribution to this club and as a group we will continue to reap the rewards of his efforts throughout the course of the season. Tabs will leave us in a better place and we wish him all the best for the future."

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Bath head coach Matson to leave club