Despite the game being on lockdown, there has still been plenty of interesting rugby news going on...
1. Baby Nowell
2. Leicester Tigers star told it's time to say goodbye
Flanker Guy Thompson looks set to leave Leicester Tigers when his contract expires this summer. The news will surprise many Tigers supporters, who have taken to Thompson since his move from Wasps ahead of last season. FULL STORY
3. Yorkshire Carnegie confirm name change
Yorkshire Carnegie have been relegated but director of rugby Phil Davies is confident the club can rebuild and confirmed they will now revert back to their former name of Leeds. FULL STORY
4. British & Irish Lions captaincy odds released | 2021
- Owen Farrell (England) – 3/1
- Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) – 4/1
- Maro Itoje (England) – 4/1
- James Ryan (Ireland) – 5/1
- Peter O’Mahony (Ireland) – 12/1
- Ken Owens (Wales) – 20/1
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) – 25/1
5. New tech
England have been practicing with a new hi-tech ball that could change rugby overnight. The technology inside is able to help referees resolve forward passes and offside decisions almost instantly. FULL STORY
6. April fools
How many April Fools’ Day spoofs did you fall for this year? Once again, rugby players and media outlets have been trying to pull the wool over the eyes of supporters with pranks, tricks and jokes. See them all HERE
7. Sean O'Brien's heartwarming gesture
Ireland legend Sean O’Brien has become the latest rugby player to give accommodation for free to medics on the front line in the fight against the coronavirus.
8. Farmer Owens
World-renowned referee Nigel Owens talks about the other side of his life as a farmer in west Wales as he prepares for life after rugby. Although he’s got no plans to hang up his whistle just yet, he’s now got his own farm.
9. Winner, winner, chicken dinner
This weekend saw the first ever televised Virtual Grand National after the big race was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Co-owned by current Welsh rugby star Jonathan Davies, Potters Corner came out on top.
10. Fijians arrested
Two Fiji rugby players have been arrested for ignoring the Pacific nation’s coronavirus self-isolation rules, with local authorities saying their “irresponsible behaviour” would be reported to rugby’s world governing body.
The two men have not been publically identified but the Fiji Rugby Union confirmed they were professionals and media reported them variously to be sevens players and internationals.
