The news of former Wales captain and legendary commentator Eddie Butler’s passing, aged 65, has come as a shock and tributes have poured in from around the rugby world. Broadcasting colleagues led the tributes for BBC stalwart Butler, who passed away in his sleep during a charity trek in Peru on Thursday. Jonathan Davies and Brian Moore, who were Butler’s colleagues on commentary duty, were among the first to pay their respects. Devastating news Former Wales fly-half Davies tweeted: “Totally devastated with the news about Eddie. “Lost a charming man and a great friend. My thoughts are with Sue and all the children.” Butler was a back-row star for Pontypool…

I cannot remember the last time that we saw so many big French cities (and big clubs if we are excluding Toulouse) in relegation danger in Ligue 1. The south-west is not a big football place (the sport is still to this day playing second fiddle to rugby, especially in Toulouse) but Bordeaux is a big football club who won the league 8 years ago – then breaking Lyon’s strong hold on top spot (they had won the 7 previous leagues) – but have since dipped in form, stature and general quality of how the players have been trained and managed. Contrary to the south-west, the north is pretty much 100% football (us French…

Wallabies captain James Slipper insists that his side respects the haka and that standing in a boomerang shape is a connection to the indigenous people in Australia. All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane was called out by Wallabies coach Dave Rennie as the star accused his rivals of not respecting the haka after the Australians lined up in a boomerang shape whilst advancing as the challenge was laid. Respect for the All Blacks Slipper agreed with Rennie’s sentiment claiming it is their team’s way of accepting the challenge. The skipper very clearly outlined the Wallabies’ respect for the haka. “We respect the haka, we respect the All Blacks team,” he said.…

German side Borussia Dortmund have made contact with Arsenal over the possible signing for Olivier Giroud, according to RMC. This makes for an interesting situation, with the Gunners seeking to attract Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to London this winter. Dortmund already contacted Giroud last summer, but the deal was not done. Mohamed Bouhafsi affirms that there is no chance of a swap deal involving Giroud and Aubameyang, and if the Frenchman was to join Dortmund, it would be in a separate transaction. In Dortmund’s planning, they would only be interested in signing Olivier Giroud to start him for the rest of the season, as a stop-gap for a longer-term replacement for Aubameyang to arrive in the…

The All Blacks have confirmed that Sam Whitelock will take over the captaincy from Sam Cane, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Autumn Nations Series with a fractured cheekbone. It will not be the first time Whitelock has led the All Blacks this year, having already filled in as skipper for Tests in the Rugby Championship. Forward coach Jason Ryan said Whitelock was an easy choice to take over from Cane and was a decision supported by the team’s leadership group. Obvious choice “Really experienced, really respected in the group,” Ryan said. “It was pretty straight forward, and really well supported by the vice captains. He…

Argentinian attacking midfielder and PSG man Javier Pastore has agreed personal terms with Serie A giants Inter Milan ahead of a possible move, according to Gianluca di Marzio. Click Here: Wales National Team soccer tracksuit A provisional contract agreement worth €5m plus bonuses per season until 2021 has been brokered with Inter by the player’s agent, Marcelo Simonian. PSG remain reluctant to agree to a loan deal this month and want to sell the player. Now, the two clubs will talk, but we are far from an agreement.

Experienced England internationals Ben Youngs and Manu Tuilagi have received a blow to their hopes of facing Wales after being left out of a 26-man training squad. Both were absent from the 23, which defeated Italy 31-14 at the weekend, but Steve Borthwick played down their respective omissions. The head coach has stated that selection is done on a game-by-game basis, but this decision suggests that Youngs and Tuilagi are not in Borthwick’s plans at the moment. The former came off the bench in their opening clash against Scotland, but after struggling in that match, he was replaced by Alex Mitchell in the 23 to face the Azzurri. Click Here:…

Championship side Middlesbrough are this evening engaged in talks with Bordeaux midfielder Younousse Sankharé about a possible transfer, according to RMC. Sankharé is seeking to leave the club this month after the sacking of manager Jocelyn Gourvennec, who he was personally very close to. Click Here: rugby shirts

Leicester Tigers prop Dan Cole insists that he hasn’t given up on featuring for England at the World Cup as the Premiership season nears its kick off. Cole, 35, was speaking exclusively to Planet Rugby ahead of the 2022/23 campaign as the Tigers look to follow up last season’s title win in strong style. A run of solid showings for Leicester would do his chances of an England recall the power of good as Test rugby is still something Cole has ambitions of. Hasn’t given up on England “I am still playing so I’ve not given up, no,” he told James While, who asked the question whether he would like to…

Nathan Staples and Adam White discuss the Europa League games for Ligue 1 sides and explore what at least on paper looks like the best Sunday in Europe this weekend. Click Here: Netherlands soccer tracksuit