Rugby Union

Northampton Saints' Premiership Rugby meeting with Leicester Tigers on Saturday has been called off after the Saints returned positive COVID-19 tests, the league said on Wednesday.

Beauden Barrett said he hopes to remain in contention for the New Zealand number 10 jersey by impressing in Japan's Top League, as he was unveiled as a Suntory Sungoliath player in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Leeds Rhinos captain Stevie Ward retired from rugby league at the age of 27 on Tuesday due to the long-term effects of concussions he suffered last year.

The British and Irish Lions will discuss this month whether to visit South Africa as planned later in the year because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exeter Chiefs' double-winning director of rugby Rob Baxter and Welsh referee Nigel Owens were among the nominees for the Rugby Union Writers' Club (RUWC) Pat Marshall Award for 2020 named on Thursday.

This weekend's games, Worcester Warriors v Harlequins and London Irish v Northampton Saints, have been cancelled due to COVID-19 cases, Premiership Rugby said on Wednesday.

Wasps hooker Alfie Barbeary faces at least six weeks on the sidelines due to an ankle injury and might need surgery, head coach Lee Blackett said, casting doubt on his availability for the start of England's Six Nations campaign.

Wales lock Jake Ball announced on Tuesday he will leave Scarlets at the end of the season to be with his family in Australia, effectively ending his international career.

France flyhalf Romain Ntamack faces several weeks on the sidelines, and could miss the start of next year's Six Nations, after suffering a double jaw fracture that requires surgery, the 21-year-old said.