Rugby

PARIS (AP) — South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi was picked to play in the Rugby World Cup final after World Rugby found no evidence he racially abused England player Tom Curry in their semifinal last weekend.

The fourth-ranked Canadian women's rugby team has lost 11 straight to top-ranked England, including three defeats in the last year. Most recently Canada was beaten 50-24 and 29-12 by the Red Roses in September in Exeter and London, respectively.

Canada coach Kingsley Jones has named five uncapped players in his 32-man roster for next month's La Vila International Rugby Cup in Spain The five are forwards Zephyr Melnyk and Dewald Kotze and backs Ciaran Breen, Jamin Hodgkins and Reid Watkins.

PARIS — Argentina wants to turn two wrongs into a right when it plays England in the Rugby World Cup third-place game on Friday in Paris. England says it just wants to do right by the jersey.

After a flare-up at an English club rugby game between London Irish and the Worcester Warriors, referee Wayne Barnes called the offending players over and calmly read them the riot act. "I understand this is an important game.

PARIS (AP) — England captain Owen Farrell condemned the abuse targeted at teammate Tom Curry since he complained of being subject to a racial slur during the Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny is retiring from international rugby after more than a century of caps for his country. The 34-year-old Halfpenny's final game in the Welsh red will be against the Barbarians in Cardiff on Nov. 4.

World Rugby has announced sweeping changes to its international calendar, moves that formalize the gap between Tier 1 and 2 nations but assure Canada of regular matches.

South Africa's sports minister mounted a defense of Springboks player Bongi Mbonambi on Tuesday after he was accused of directing a racial slur at an England opponent in their Rugby World Cup semifinal in France.

PARIS (AP) — The next Rugby World Cup in 2027 in Australia will feature more teams, an extra knockout round and a week less to play.