Balmain Rugby Club president Warren Livingstone confirmed Chabal will play in a one-off match for ``The Muzzled Wolves'' on Feb. 25 against another Division Two side Petersham.

Despite intense media speculation in Australia and Europe that Chabal will join a local Super 15 team...]]> Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:13:05 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/delve-to-share-rebels-vice-captaincy-in-super-15-46557.htm MELBOURNE Australia(AP) The Melbourne Rebels have announced that Wales No. 8 Gareth Delve will share the vice-captaincy for the upcoming Super 15 season alongside developing leader Hugh Pyle.

Delve vice-captain in the Rebel's inaugural season last year became the first non-Australian captain of a Super rugby side when he stepped in for skipper Stirling Mortlock for the round-nine match against Otago Highlanders.

The Rebels said Wednesday the decision to opt for a joint vice-captaincy...]]> Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:13:05 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/postponed-france-ireland-match-set-for-march-4-46519.htm PARIS(AP) Six Nations organizers have rescheduled the postponed match between France and Ireland to March 4.

The tournament's council met on Tuesday and decided the game at Stade de France will start at 4 p.m. local time (3 p.m. GMT) after it was abandoned just before kickoff last Saturday because of a frozen pitch.

The council also confirmed that ticket-holders unable to attend the match will receive a full refund.

World Cup finalist France opened its Six Nations campaign with...]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:13:11 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/france-keeps-same-squad-for-match-versus-scotland-46516.htm PARIS(AP) The France squad frustrated by the postponement of its match against Ireland last weekend will have another chance against Scotland at Murrayfield next week as coach Philippe Saint-Andre made no changes on Tuesday.

A favorite for the Six Nations title France relied on the backbone of the team that reached the World Cup final last year to open its campaign with a 30-12 win over Italy.

Saint-Andre retained scrumhalf Julien Dupuy after Dimitri Yachvili picked up a back injury....]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:43:12 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/scotland-flanker-set-to-miss-rest-of-six-nations-46462.htm EDINBURGH Scotland(AP) Scotland could be without Alasdair Strokosch for the rest of the Six Nations after the flanker broke his hand in the 27-13 loss to Wales.

Scotland team doctor James Robson said Monday that ``recovery from such an injury takes typically between four to six weeks.''

The team's last match in the northern hemisphere competition is against Italy on March 17 a game that will be probably decide which country finishes bottom of the standings.

Scotland is also assessing...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:13:07 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/england-trio-return-to-rugby-training-46434.htm LONDON(AP) Manu Tuilagi Toby Flood and Courtney Lawes have all returned to England training and will be in contention to play against Wales at Twickenham in the Six Nations on Feb. 25.

The trio have missed the first two matches of England's campaign away victories over Scotland and Italy because of injury but were recalled to the squad by interim coach Stuart Lancaster late Sunday.

Flood who has been recovering from a knee injury will fight for the flyhalf spot with Charlie Hodgson...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:13:05 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/samoa-wins-usa-sevens-stop-with-last-minute-try-46427.htm LAS VEGAS(AP) Samoa scored a last-minute try to beat series-leading New Zealand 26-19 to claim the USA Sevens title on Sunday.

With the score level at 19-19 Alafoti Faosiliva barged through two defenders and dived over out wide to ensure Samoa won a title for the first time since claiming the series championship in 2010.

``It has been a long time and these boys have been working so hard and I couldn't stop a tear or two rolling down my cheeks'' Samoa coach Stephen Betham said....]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:13:03 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/jonah-lomu-needs-2nd-kidney-transplant-46428.htm WELLINGTON New Zealand(AP) Former All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu says he needs a second kidney transplant after the failure of the donated organ he received in a 2004 operation.

The 36-year-old retired star told the New Zealand Women's Weekly magazine he is hunting for a new donor to provide a replacement for his failed kidney. In the meantime he faces seven-hour dialysis treatments three times a week he is highly susceptible to infections and he has lost 30 kilograms (66 pounds) since he...]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:13:04 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/2nd-half-blitz-earns-wales-27-13-win-over-scotland-46408.htm CARDIFF Wales(AP) Wales secured a second straight victory in the Six Nations by beating Scotland 27-13 on Sunday thanks to a 22-point haul by fullback Leigh Halfpenny.

Held 3-3 at halftime Wales blitzed the visitors with 24 points in the opening 17 points of the second half as Scotland was punished for having center Nick de Luca and fullback Rory Lamont sent to the sin-bin.

Alex Cuthbert went over for Wales' first try in the 42nd minute before Halfpenny crossed twice in a seven-minute...]]> Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:14:24 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/6-nations-france-ireland-postponed-due-to-cold-46368.htm SAINT-DENIS France(AP) The referee's decision to postpone France's Six Nations match against Ireland because the field was frozen on Saturday angered the French Rugby Federation president Pierre Camou.

Two hours after declaring the Stade de France field fit to play on referee Dave Pearson postponed the match moments before the 9 p.m. kickoff when the temperature was minus-5 Celsius with a wind chill of minus-11.

Camou struggled to contain his anger at Pearson's last-ditch call.

``I...]]> Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:13:02 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/injured-prop-castrogiovanni-set-to-miss-6-nations-46359.htm ROME(AP) Martin Castrogiovanni will likely miss the rest of the Six Nations after breaking a rib in Italy's 19-15 defeat to England on Saturday.

In a severe blow to underdog Italy's chances of notching a win in the tournament Castrogiovanni was forced off in the 33rd minute at Stadio Olimpico and tests revealed the extent of the Leicester prop's injury.

Although no timeframe was given for how long Castrogiovanni will be out for Italy coach Jacques Brunel said ``it will be difficult...]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:43:05 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/england-tops-italy-19-15-in-the-snow-in-rome-46352.htm ROME(AP) England topped Italy 19-15 in falling snow at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday gutsing out a second straight win from two matches in Six Nations rugby.

England rallied from a 15-6 deficit soon after halftime with its only try to Charlie Hodgson and more flawless kicking from Owen Farrell who added his third and fourth penalties.

Two mistakes from England fullback Ben Foden conceded out-of-the-blue tries to Italy right before halftime but after Kris Burton kicked Italy 15-6 ahead...]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:13:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/wales-looking-to-improve-in-6-nations-vs-scotland-46264.htm CARDIFF Wales(AP) Having already beaten the side tipped by bookmakers to be the British Isles' strongest in this season's Six Nations Wales is looking for an even better performance against Scotland on Sunday.

Wales outscored Ireland by three tries to two to win 23-21 in Dublin but flyhalf Rhys Priestland is among those dissatisfied by the display.

``I wouldn't say it was as good a performance as when we played Ireland in the World Cup or South Africa'' Priestland said. ``But it was...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:13:18 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/italy-full-of-confidence-against-england-46259.htm ROME(AP) Despite never having beaten England and having lost heavily in its Six Nations opener against France last week Italy heads into Saturday's match against the defending champion believing it can produce a major upset.

Italy stunned France in Rome last year and captain Sergio Parisse knows a similar result at the Stadio Olimpico against England would send shockwaves through the sport.

``We're confident for sure'' Parisse said. ``I think everyone thinks we can win against England...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:43:41 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/australian-veteran-sharpe-to-retire-46232.htm PERTH Australia(AP) Australian second rower and 101-test veteran Nathan Sharpe says he will retire from competitive rugby at the end of the upcoming Super 15 season.

Sharpe who turns 34 this month said Friday he wanted to end speculation about his future and ensure his focus was only on helping his Western Force team to make the playoffs for the first time.

Sharpe is tied for fourth as the most-capped Wallabies player behind George Gregan George Smith and Stephen Larkham and equal...]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:43:07 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/wales-asks-ryan-jones-to-fill-second-row-vacancy-46198.htm CARDIFF Wales(AP) Former Wales captain Ryan Jones will switch from his usual role in the backrow to fill in for suspended lock Bradley Davies in his team's Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday.

With Luke Charteris and Alun-Wyn Jones injured Jones will line up alongside Ian Evans at the Millennium Stadium.

The move is one of three changes to the team that won its opening match 23-21 at Ireland last weekend.

Gethin Jenkins and blindside flanker Dan Lydiate have recovered...]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:13:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/france-turns-to-grand-slam-winning-halfbacks-46197.htm LONDON(AP) His hand forced by necessity France coach Philippe Saint-Andre will turn to the halfback combination that carried the team to its last Six Nations Grand Slam against Ireland on Saturday.

With veteran scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili laboring with a back problem Morgan Parra will line up alongside flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc at Stade de France in the showdown between the pretournament favorites.

But Ireland can call upon the experienced Keith Earls to fill in for injured center...]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:13:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/yachvili-pulls-out-of-ireland-match-with-back-pain-46192.htm PARIS(AP) France will be missing veteran scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili when it takes on Ireland in Saturday's Six Nations rugby match against Ireland with Morgan Parra stepping in to replace him at Stade de France.

Yachvili has failed to shake off a back problem and will be replaced in the starting lineup by Parra who will play alongside flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc while Julien Dupuy has been drafted in to the squad as backup.

``I don't feel 100 percent fit'' Yachvili said Thursday. ``I...]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:13:07 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/ireland-recalls-earls-to-outside-center-for-france-46189.htm DUBLIN(AP) Ireland picked Keith Earls to face France at outside center in the only change to its starting lineup for Saturday's Six Nations match in Paris.

Earls had originally been selected to deputize for injured captain Brian O'Driscoll in last week's opening defeat against Wales but pulled out of the match because his newborn child was ill.

Earls replaced Fergus McFadden in the lineup named Thursday. McFadden drops to the reserves and David Kearney makes way for him on the replacements'...]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:13:10 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/england-sticks-with-unchanged-team-for-italy-match-46179.htm LONDON(AP) England coach Stuart Lancaster opted to stick with the team that beat Scotland last weekend for Saturday's Six Nations match against Italy.

An overhauled lineup beat Scotland 13-6 for England's first win at Murrayfield since 2004 and Lancaster said Thursday that he expects his players to be stronger at Rome's Stadio Olimpico following another week training together.

England held some of its sessions in an indoor soccer center because of freezing conditions across the...]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:43:10 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/wales-lock-bradley-davies-banned-from-six-nations-46139.htm DUBLIN(AP) Wales lock Bradley Davies will miss the rest of rugby union's Six Nations after he was banned for seven weeks Wednesday for a tip tackle on Ireland's Donnacha Ryan.

Davies was yellow-carded with 15 minutes remaining of Wales' 23-21 win in Dublin on Sunday. With play moving elsewhere and the ball nowhere near he hoisted Ryan into the air and slammed him head first into the turf.

The standard ban for a tip tackle is 10 weeks but an independent tournament disciplinary committee...]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:43:14 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/scotland-forced-to-make-2-changes-for-wales-match-46130.htm EDINBURGH Scotland(AP) Scotland coach Andy Robinson has been forced to make two changes to his team for Sunday's Six Nations match against Wales in Cardiff.

Flyhalf Greig Laidlaw will start a test for the first time in place of Dan Parks who retired from international rugby three days after Scotland's opening defeat to England. Geoff Cross has been recalled to replace tighthead Euan Murray who does not play on Sundays because of religious reasons.

Chris Cusiter keeps his place at scrumhalf...]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:43:07 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/brunel-makes-two-changes-to-italy-team-46125.htm MILAN(AP) Italy veterans Marco Bortolami and Gonzalo Canale were recalled as the only changes in the starting team for the Six Nations match against England at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Coach Jacques Brunel largely kept faith on Wednesday with the side which played well despite losing 30-12 to France in Brunel's debut last weekend.

Bortolami replaced Cornelius van Zyl as Quintin Geldenhuys' partner in the second row and will pick up his 90th cap while Canale was brought out of the...]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:43:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/dan-parks-quits-scotland-after-6-nations-defeat-46070.htm EDINBURGH Scotland(AP) Scotland flyhalf Dan Parks has quit international rugby with immediate effect three days after making the mistake that gave England a match-winning try in their Six Nations opener.

The 33-year-old Parks was standing in for the injured Ruaridh Jackson at Murrayfield when his clearing kick on his own line was charged down by Charlie Hodgson for the only try in England's 13-6 victory.

Parks was replaced by Greig Laidlaw shortly after.

Parks says he first...]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:43:11 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/6-nations-france-makes-four-changes-for-ireland-46063.htm PARIS(AP) Toulouse lock Yoann Maestri will get his first start in a France pack with four changes for the Six Nations home match against Ireland on Saturday.

Forwards Imanol Harinordoquy Dimitri Szarzewski and Jean-Baptiste Poux were recalled while coach Philippe Saint-Andre made no changes on Tuesday to the backline that scored four tries in last weekend's 30-12 win over Italy.

Saint-Andre decided to strengthen his lineout by replacing flanker Julien Bonnaire with Harinordoquy...]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:13:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/wales-davies-irelands-ferris-cited-in-6-nations-46048.htm DUBLIN(AP) Wales lock Bradley Davies and Ireland backrower Stephen Ferris have been cited for dangerous tackles during their weekend Six Nations match.

Davies has been called to account over a tip tackle on Donnacha Ryan for which he was yellow-carded with 15 minutes remaining while Ferris was penalized for a similar offense against Ian Evans.

Ferris' mistake gave Wales a late penalty which Leigh Halfpenny kicked to earn a 23-21 win for his side on Sunday.

The Rugby Football Union said the partnership that began in 1995 will continue ``beyond the 2015 World Cup'' retaining O2's presence on the kit of the national teams.

No financial details were disclosed but O2 chief executive Ronan Dunne described the renewal as an ``enhanced...]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:43:10 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/wales-beats-ireland-23-21-in-six-nations-45945.htm DUBLIN(AP) Leigh Halfpenny kicked an last-minute penalty to snatch a dramatic 23-21 victory for Wales over Ireland in the Six Nations opening round on Sunday.

A thrilling test was settled in contentious circumstances after flanker Stephen Ferris was penalized for a dangerous tackle on Ian Evans giving Halfpenny his chance.

``It was the hardest kick I've had to take in all my life'' Halfpenny said. ``As soon as it went over the emotion came. Having to deal with the miss against France...]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:44:23 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/england-opens-6-nations-with-13-6-win-at-scotland-45883.htm EDINBURGH Scotland(AP) England's rebuilt side beat Scotland 13-6 in an error-strewn Six Nations opener on Saturday kicking off its defense of the title with a first win at Murrayfield since 2004.

Debut-making inside center Owen Farrell kicked eight points and recalled flyhalf Charlie Hodgson charged down Dan Parks' clearing kick 29 seconds into the second half to score the first try in the fixture since England's 35-13 victory eight years ago.

England can head into next week's test...]]> Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:43:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/france-beats-italy-30-12-in-six-nations-45867.htm SAINT-DENIS France(AP) Six Nations title favorite France opened with a convincing 30-12 win over Italy at Stade de France on Saturday.

France scored four tries while keeping its own tryline spotless in its first match since losing the World Cup final to New Zealand last October. Italy played well and shaded France for long periods but simply lacked the playmakers the home side had.

Backs Aurelien Rougerie Julien Malzieu Vincent Clerc and Wesley Fofana on debut scored a try each...]]> Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:13:05 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/irish-to-take-attacking-philosophy-into-wales-game-45754.htm DUBLIN(AP) The names will be the same but the philosophy could well be very different when Ireland begins its Six Nations campaign by hosting an injury-ravaged Wales at Lansdowne Road.

Sunday's match is a repeat of the World Cup quarterfinal in Wellington that Wales won 22-10 with a performance of intensity and opportunism that proved too much for the Irish.

Resisting calls to freshen up his starting team Ireland coach Declan Kidney is counting instead on a more expansive and less...]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:13:14 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/williams-to-retire-from-all-rugby-at-end-of-season-45724.htm CARDIFF Wales(AP) Former Wales winger Shane Williams will retire from rugby for good at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old Williams was contracted to the Ospreys until the summer of 2013 but the Welsh province has agreed to release Wales' record tryscorer from his deal a year early.

The Ospreys say Williams will take up an ambassadorial role at the club where he ``will promote rugby in and around the region whilst also working in conjunction with the Ospreys' existing and future...]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:43:11 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/6-nations-picture-could-be-clear-in-opening-round-45681.htm LONDON(AP) Just one weekend of Six Nations action could demonstrate which of Ireland and Wales is best placed to challenge for the title if France is stronger now the players are talking to their coach and whether the promise of an inexperienced England squad can yield instant results.

Ireland and Wales go head-to-head in Dublin on Sunday in a repeat of their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal meeting four months ago with the home side in a strong position to take advantage of Wales' injury...]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:43:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/england-picks-3-new-faces-for-6-nations-opener-45673.htm LONDON(AP) England will give three players their debuts in Saturday's Six Nations opener against Scotland with interim coach Stuart Lancaster trying to balance the demand for instant success and long-term planning for the next Rugby World Cup.

In his first selection since taking over from Martin Johnson Lancaster overhauled the lineup to pick Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt in England's first entirely new center partnership in a decade and handed a debut to 30-year-old No. 8 Phil Dowson.

Their...]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:13:09 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/france-fields-strong-team-against-ambitious-italy-45671.htm PARIS(AP) Widely tipped as favorites for this year's Six Nations France will still be mindful of underestimating arguably the weakest team in the competition when Italy visits the Stade de France for the opening match on Saturday.

The French finished runners-up in the World Cup in October but they still remember the embarrassing 22-21 loss to Italy in Rome last season - their first defeat to the Azzurri in the Six Nations.

``We shouldn't believe that the match against Italy will be...]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:43:12 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/rejuvenated-hodgson-ready-for-england-debut-45649.htm LONDON(AP) Charlie Hodgson may be preparing for his 37th test for England but the oft-criticized flyhalf says Saturday's Six Nations match against Scotland will feel more like his debut.

With Jonny Wilkinson retired from international rugby and Toby Flood injured Hodgson is expected to be handed the No. 10 jersey for the Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield.

The 31-year-old Hodgson who made his England debut in 2001 hasn't started a test since 2008 when his weak defense was shown up by...]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:43:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/brunel-overhauls-italy-for-his-6-nations-debut-45624.htm ROME(AP) New coach Jacques Brunel changed nearly half of Italy's team for his Six Nations debut against his home nation France at Stade de France on Saturday.

There were seven changes on Wednesday from the final match under Nick Mallett a 36-6 pool loss to Ireland in October that eliminated the Azzurri from the Rugby World Cup.

Aironi winger Giovanbattista Venditti will make his debut on the right wing in a virtually all-new backline.

Only fullback Andrea Masi starts in the same...]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:13:07 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/earls-filling-odriscoll-boots-in-ireland-centers-45621.htm DUBLIN(AP) Regular winger Keith Earls was picked to replace Brian O'Driscoll in the Ireland midfield for the Six Nations opener against Wales on Sunday at Lansdowne Road.

Captain and center O'Driscoll will miss the entire tournament while he rehabs from shoulder and neck surgery on a trapped nerve.

Earls was chosen on Wednesday ahead of Tommy Bowe Fergus McFadden and Andrew Trimble at center because he's played there recently for Munster and impressed coach Declan Kidney.

``All...]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:43:11 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/rees-to-miss-wales-ireland-because-of-calf-strain-45612.htm CARDIFF Wales(AP) Hooker Matthew Rees has strained a calf muscle and won't be available for Wales' opening Six Nations match against Ireland on Sunday in Dublin.

The Welsh Rugby Union said on Wednesday that Rees could be out for two weeks which could also rule him out of next week's home match against Scotland.

The absence of Rees the captain in last year's Six Nations offers the likelihood of a start for World Cup hooker Huw Bennett who would receive his 50th cap.

Ken Owens...]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:43:09 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/6-nations-in-2012-could-be-most-open-for-years-45595.htm LONDON(AP) With four different champions in the past four seasons and no overwhelming favorite the 2012 Six Nations could be the most open and interesting tournament for years.

Three of the six teams have switched coaches since last year's Rugby World Cup several stalwarts have retired and there are questions to be answered over the next six weeks.

Can Philippe Saint-Andre fine-tune a France squad that defied expectations to reach last year's Rugby World Cup final or will interim England...]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:43:09 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/jones-to-make-debut-for-scotland-45552.htm EDINBURGH Scotland(AP) Scotland will field a new halfback partnership and an uncapped winger in a much-changed team for the Six Nations opener against fierce rival England at Murrayfield on Saturday.

In a bid to turn plucky performances into victories coach Andy Robinson energized his side on Tuesday by bringing in Chris Cusiter at scrumhalf in place of former captain Mike Blair and recalled Dan Parks at flyhalf as a replacement for the injured Ruaridh Jackson.

Lee Jones Edinburgh's...]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:43:07 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/fofana-trinh-duc-in-france-team-to-face-italy-45539.htm PARIS(AP) Center Wesley Fofana will make his debut for France alongside recalled flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc in Saturday's Six Nations opener against Italy.

Fofana will pair with veteran clubmate Aurelien Rougerie in midfield and Trinh-Duc is partnered by scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili with versatile halfback Morgan Parra on the bench in the first team named by new coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Tuesday.

Ten players who started the World Cup final are in Saturday's team.

The 23-year-old...]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:13:10 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/rocky-elsom-to-captain-waratahs-in-super-15-45521.htm SYDNEY(AP) Wallabies backrower Rocky Elsom has been appointed captain of the New South Wales Waratahs for the coming Super 15 rugby season taking over from the retired Phil Waugh.

The 27-year-old former Wallabies captain has returned to the Waratahs after spending two seasons with the ACT Brumbies. He will resume the Waratahs captaincy role he last held in 2007.

Waratahs coach Michael Foley considered a number of candidates including internationals Dan Vickerman and Berrick Barnes...]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:13:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/ireland-picks-5-uncapped-players-for-6-nations-45495.htm DUBLIN(AP) Ireland coach Declan Kidney picked five uncapped players Monday in his final 32-man squad for his team's Six Nations opener against Wales.

Having picked an initial 24-man squad based entirely on last year's Rugby World Cup squad Kidney dropped lock Leo Cullen and promoted center Eoin O'Malley backrow Peter O'Mahony prop Brett Wilkinson and wings David Kearney and Simon Zebo from the second-string Wolfhounds.

Fullback Denis Hurley lock Dan Tuohy and back rows Chris...]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:13:10 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/robshaw-to-captain-england-in-6-nations-opener-45484.htm LONDON(AP) Harlequins backrow Chris Robshaw will captain England in Saturday's Six Nations opener against Scotland.

With Lewis Moody retired Mike Tindall dropped and Tom Wood injured the Rugby Football Union said Monday that the 25-year-old Robshaw will lead out the side at Murrayfield in just his second international.

Robshaw made his debut against Argentina in 2009 and failed to make the squad for last year's Rugby World Cup but was widely lauded for his attitude in training before...]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:13:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/england-suspends-armitage-following-police-arrest-45485.htm LONDON(AP) England coach Stuart Lancaster's crackdown on misbehaving players claimed another victim Monday when Delon Armitage was suspended from the second-tier Saxons squad following his arrest by police over a fight in a nightclub.

The Rugby Football Union said Armitage who lost his place in the senior squad after the Rugby World Cup was questioned in the early hours Sunday on suspicion of assault in Torquay southwest England.

Scrumhalf Danny Care has already been omitted from...]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:13:08 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/pocock-to-captain-western-force-in-super-15-45478.htm PERTH Australia(AP) Wallabies flanker David Pocock will captain the Western Force in this season's Super 15 rugby tournament taking over from his veteran international teammate Nathan Sharpe.

Force coach Richard Graham said it was an ideal time for the 23-year-old Pocock to assume the captaincy as Sharpe was still a member of the Force team and could provide guidance. Sharpe is in the final year of his contract and will decide later this year whether to continue in 2013 which would be...]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:13:09 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/southern-kings-to-represent-sa-in-2013-super-15-45325.htm CAPE TOWN South Africa(AP) The Southern Kings based in the Eastern Cape were reassured by the South African Rugby Union on Friday that they will make their Super Rugby debut next year.

SARU also announced that proposals on how to qualify the four other South African teams will be considered in a special general meeting on March 30.

The Bulls Cheetahs Lions Sharks and Stormers already represent South Africa.

SARU CEO Jurie Roux added they will talk to Super Rugby partners...]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:43:14 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/heyneke-meyer-confirmed-as-new-springboks-coach-45322.htm CAPE TOWN South Africa(AP) Heyneke Meyer was confirmed as the new coach of the Springboks on a four-year contract by the South African Rugby Union on Friday.

The 44-year-old Meyer takes over from Peter de Villiers who coached the Springboks to the quarterfinals of last year's World Cup.

``It's a truly humbling experience to be named as the Springbok coach'' Meyer said at a press conference.

``I realize it's a big responsibility because you carry the hopes and dreams of...]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:43:14 +0000 http://www.imaginerugby.com/news/toulon-president-boudjellal-receives-130-day-ban-45295.htm PARIS(AP) Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has been suspended by French rugby authorities until June 3 for making offensive comments about referees following a defeat this month.

Boudjellal made the remarks after the Top 14 match against Clermont on Jan. 8 which Toulon lost 25-19.

LNR's disciplinary committee heard the case on Wednesday and issued a statement a day later saying that Boudjellal has been suspended for ``130 consecutive days'' because his comments had undermined ``the...]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:43:36 +0000