Sent off playing for Italy against Australia, Marco Riccioni will miss two warm-up matches but will be available for the Top 14 opener. The same goes for Sama Malolo.
Summoned at short notice before the A2R on Friday after their presidents resigned, Nissa Rugby risk being refused entry to the league. Between contradictory accounts of the negotiations and a rival already circling, the promoted club are living through an extremely tense off-season.
Off the field in the opening minutes of Georgia v Chile, the La Rochelle full-back had everyone fearing the worst. The diagnosis is ultimately reassuring.
From 1.4 million at the launch to 1.95 million against Japan, France's viewing figures were judged "disappointing" all summer. Except that between a 9am kick-off and a football World Cup crushing everything in its path, the context tells a different story.
19-3 up, pegged back to within two points, reduced to thirteen in a breathless finish: England beat Argentina 31-24 in Santiago del Estero at the end of a wild match, marked by a try disallowed on the hooter and Argentine fury.
A Georgian rout against Chile, a Hong Kong upset in Uruguay, Romania winning by a point: round three of the World Rugby Nations Cup had its share of surprises. The full round-up.
South Africa and New Zealand stay unbeaten, France put Japan away, Ireland stumble in Auckland and England win the late match: round three of the Nations Championship delivered. A full tour of both conferences.
Unbeaten until the very last step, France U20 lose 16-5 to defending champions South Africa in the 2026 U20 World Championship final. After a near-perfect campaign in Georgia, the Garault generation come away with silver and enormous regrets. The story of a campaign.
Launched in 2026, the Nations Championship will keep its format until 2030. But from 2032, the competition will open up with a promotion and relegation system tied to the Nations Cup.
Imperious at Eden Park, the All Blacks handed Ireland their first Nations Championship defeat (40-21). Six tries to three and a New Zealand masterclass that also suits France nicely.
By beating Japan, France end the first half of the Nations Championship top of the northern pool, ahead of Ireland. An ideal position before the November return fixtures, but a standing that owes a great deal to bonus points and a kind summer draw.
Comfortable winners over Japan (42-15) after a stifling first half, France end their summer tour top of the Nations Championship northern pool. A success tempered all the same by two head injury assessments, for Lenni Nouchi and Florian Verhaeghe.
Called up at short notice to replace Antoine Dupont, Toulouse scrum-half Paul Graou is set to win his first cap against Japan on Saturday. The culmination of a patient rise that our statistics tell season by season.
