Rugby

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.

New Zealand and South Africa will contest Saturday's Rugby World Cup final and bring one of sport's most enduring, most intense rivalries to the ultimate stage for the first time in nearly 30 years.

England's loss is Wayne Barnes' gain. The most experienced referee in test history will control the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa on Saturday in Paris.

PARIS (AP) — World Rugby is reviewing an allegation by England flanker Tom Curry that he was the subject of an alleged discriminatory remark by Springboks hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi in their Rugby World Cup semifinal.

PARIS (AP) — South Africa is looking into a claim by England flanker Tom Curry that he was the subject of an alleged discriminatory remark by Springboks hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi in the teams' Rugby World Cup semifinal match.