Rugby Union

World Rugby, the global governing body for rugby union, has appointed Tom Hill as its new chief commercial officer.

Strap yourself in and prepare for the ride – the Samsung Slider, used at Twickenham for this year’s HSBC London Sevens, offers fans an unusual experience. Will Mann reports.

Ian Ritchie, chief executive of the Rugby Football Union, the governing body of rugby union in England, has insisted that the future of the British and Irish Lions remains safe but confirmed that future series will be trimmed.

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Steve Tew has expressed his confidence that the British and Irish Lions will continue to tour the southern hemisphere but states the duration of such trips are likely to be shorter in the future.

South African Super Rugby teams the Cheetahs and Southern Kings could join the Pro12 pan-European club competition as early as September this year, according to the BBC.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has maintained its commitment to axing one Super Rugby franchise, while Bill Pulver has held onto his position as chief executive following the furore caused by the governing body’s handling of the move to cut teams from Super Rugby.

German billionaire Hans-Peter Wild has completed a takeover deal for French Top 14 rugby union club Stade Français.

RugbyWA, the governing body of the sport in Western Australia, has agreed to drop its legal action against the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) over the fate of Super Rugby franchise Western Force in favour of pursuing arbitration proceedings.

France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, has thrown his support behind the country’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and has provided the state backing necessary for the Stade de France to remain the centrepiece of the tournament, according to L’Équipe.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), which organises rugby union’s European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup club tournaments, has appointed sports marketing agency Two Circles.

South African Super Rugby team the Cheetahs has been invited to join the Pro12 pan-European competition, according to the BBC.

Ireland has submitted its formal candidature file in a bid to secure the hosting rights for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Organisers of France’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup have shed three venues from their original masterplan for the national team tournament and have rejected concerns over the Stade de France’s role as the centrepiece of the event.

SA Rugby, the governing body of rugby union in South Africa, has said it will stage the most profitable World Cup in the event’s history after formally submitting its bid for the 2023 edition of the national team tournament.

A new North American rugby sevens club competition has been set up as part of plans to further grow the sport in the United States and Canada.

French Top 14 rugby union club Stade Toulousain has signed a long-term deal with Infront Sports & Media for the agency to market its sponsorship, hospitality, media and digital rights.