Try-scorer Foden talks after first Test with the Boks

England's late try-scorer against South Africa, Ben Foden, talks to Steve Jones from the RFU.com podcast following England's opening test defeat to the Springboks.

Springboks outmuscle defiant England

By Harry Hawkins

England's Dan Cole earns some hard yards
Dan Cole in action (Getty)
A relentless second half attack proved the difference between South Africa and England at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon. A try apiece from Morne Steyn and Jean de Villiers in the third quarter gave Chris Robshaw’s England side too much to do and a promising final period was not enough to deny the Springboks victory.

It was England who started the brighter team, a strong carry from Dan Cole in the 6th minute ultimately winning a penalty which Owen Farrell coolly converted. Minutes later Robshaw won a promising turnover in South African territory, but Farrell’s grubber kick came to nothing.

London Welsh launch appeal for promotion

London Welsh have confirmed that they have appealed against the RFU decision to block their promotion to the Aviva Premiership.

The club were informed that their chosen stadium, the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, had not reached the minimum requirements for entry into the Aviva Premiership just hours before the first leg of their Championship play-off final with Cornish Pirates.

8 June 2012

Chris Ashton ahead of facing Habana and the Boks

Chris Ashton talks to RFU.com about facing the world's best finisher Bryan Habana and not 'getting beaten up' by the Boks. Chris Ashton starts on the wing for England in Durban on Saturday with Mike Brown at full-back and Ben Foden on the opposite wing.

Teams named for Wales vs Australia clash

By Jake Harvey - Welsh Correspondent

Wales and Australia have now named their sides to play each other on Saturday. Sam Warburton returns to the starting line-up to captain the Welsh team.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, George North, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips, Toby Faletau, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Adam Jones, Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins Replacements: Matthew Rees, Paul James, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Ashley Beck

Click 'more' to view Australia team

Lancaster names England XV to face the Springboks

Tom Johnson
Joe Marler of Harlequins and Exeter's Tom Johnson have been handed Test debuts, playing in the front row and back row respectively for England against South Africa in Durban on Saturday.

Mike Brown has been given a start at full-back, nudging Ben Foden onto the wing. Lancaster has chosen to stick with Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi in the centre with Ashton on the opposite wing to Foden. Owen Farrell and Ben Youngs will be England's starting halfback duo for Saturday.

Meyer unveils Starting XV to face England

Eben Etzebeth
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has announced the Springbok starting line-up to face England on Saturday. Meyer has given Test debut starts to Eben Etzebeth, Marcell Coetzee and Juandre Kruger.

South Africa: Z Kirchner (Bulls); JP Pietersen (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks), J de Villiers (Stormers, capt), B Habana (Stormers); M Steyn (Bulls), F Hougaard (Bulls); T Mtawarira (Sharks), B du Plessis (Sharks), J du Plessis (Sharks), E Etzebeth (Stormers), J Kruger (Bulls), W Alberts (Sharks), M Coetzee (Sharks), P Spies (Bulls)

Replacements: A Strauss (Cheetahs), C Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), F Van Der Merwe (Bulls), K Daniel (Sharks), R Pienaar (Ulster), P Lambie (Sharks), W Olivier (Bulls)

Smit believes England can win opening Test

Saracens' John Smit thinks England have the upper-hand over the Springboks ahead of their opening Test match in Durban this Saturday.

The England squad arrived in South Africa last week for the three-Test series, but South Africa's new coach Heyneke Meyer has had less preparation for the opening match of the series and has included nine uncapped players in his squad.

The Springboks remain favourites to win the entire series, but former captain Smit, who helped South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory in 2007, still believes England have the best chance of victory this weekend.

Why Did Harlequins Win the Premiership title?

By Rowan Birch

On Saturday 26th May, Harlequins defied the odds in their first ever Premiership final to beat firm favourites Leicester, in what was their eighth successive final.

So how did David beat Goliath? Firstly, Quins were the outright underdogs from the off. They had no experience of Premiership finals and the general consensus was a heavy victory for the Tigers.

But the underdog tag wasn't all bad. It put significant pressure on Leicester and allowed Quins to play how they wanted. It also allowed the Quins to play exciting, quick rugby - just the way they like it, as the London based club had nothing to lose.

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