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          Phil Walter/Getty Images
          14hLiam Napier

          Schmidt the All Blacks ace after wild COVID week

          What a wild week for the All Blacks. But there is often opportunity in crisis and with Ian Foster and other New Zealand coaches forced to isolate, the situation has allowed Joe Schmidt to come in early -- and that may prove vital against Ireland.

          Phil Walter/Getty Images
          20hESPN staff

          All Blacks hand debut to Crusaders winger

          Leicester Fainga'anuku will make his Test debut on the left wing against Ireland as All Blacks coach Ian Foster named all three Barrett brothers in the run-on side to face Ireland.

          GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
          2dSam Bruce and Tom Hamilton

          What's new for rugby's top 10 nations this July?

          The rugby world is set to reunite this July, with World Rugby's Test window bringing the northern and southern hemispheres together across the globe. So what shape are the top 10 in at this key juncture, and what might they be looking to nail down?

          Hannah Peters/Getty Images
          4d

          All Blacks hit by COVID ahead of first Ireland Test

          New Zealand's preparations for their opening Test against Ireland have been rocked with head coach Ian Foster and his assistant John Plumtree as well as two key players all testing positive for COVID-19.

          David Rogers/Getty Images
          15dReuters

          Ireland name 40-man squad for tour of NZ

          Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named five uncapped players in an extended 40-man squad for their three-test tour of New Zealand that will gauge both nations' progress ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup.

          JOHN COWPLAND/AFP via Getty Images
          17dLiam Napier

          What the All Blacks are after from their Test newbies

          With six rookies selected, and incumbents making way for those inclusions, for the three-Test series against Ireland, All Blacks coach Ian Foster is chasing swift improvement after successive defeats, and a sense of trepidation, ended last year.

          Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images
          66dReuters

          All Blacks lock in venues for Irish series

          New Zealand will kick off their international season against Ireland at Eden Park on July 2 before meeting the Six Nations runners-up at Dunedin and Wellington in the three-Test series.

          Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Image
          103dReuters

          Ireland beat Scotland in 6N final weekend

          Ireland clinched the Triple Crown with a 26-5 victory over Scotland in Dublin, but failed to seal the overall Six Nations title after France beat England in Paris to win the Grand Slam.

          Photo by Massimo Insabato via Getty Images
          105dReuters

          6N: Ireland ring changes, Scotland bench Russell

          Scotland's Blair Kinghorn has replaced regular fly-half Finn Russell as one of two changes for their final game of the Six Nations against title-chasing Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

          David Rogers/Getty Images
          108dReuters

          6N: Ireland's Ryan ruled out of Scotland clash

          Ireland second row James Ryan will miss their final Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday as he goes through return to play protocols after suffering a concussion.

          David Rogers/Getty Images
          110dReuters

          Ireland grab thrilling victory vs. 14-man England

          Ireland took full advantage of a red card for England lock Charlie Ewels after less than two minutes of Saturday's Six Nations encounter at Twickenham to claim a bonus-point 32-15 victory.

          David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images
          114dReuters

          Ireland's Sexton to retire after 2023 World Cup

          Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will retire after next year's World Cup and said he wants "to go out at the top" after signing one last contract on Tuesday to lead his country to the global showpiece in France.

          David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images
          125dESPN

          Sexton named on Ireland bench vs. Italy

          Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has been named on the bench for their Six Nation's clash against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, while fullback Michael Lowry is set to earn his first international cap.

          Mark Evans/Getty Images
          125dSam Bruce

          Resilient Reds find a way to sink Waratahs in sodden Sydney

          The Reds lost Taniela Tupou before kick-off, Tate McDermott before halftime, had little ball nor territory, but still found a way to scrounge what may prove to be a crucial victory on the road in Sydney.

          Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images
          121dBrittany Mitchell and Sam Bruce

          Rugby Real or Not: Australian rugby doesn't value locks enough

          Izack Rodda's contract extension was good news for Australian rugby, but the question must still be asked whether the country puts enough importance on the lock position. Meanwhile, is this the year the Waratahs come unstuck in Super W?

          Stu Forster/Getty Images
          128dBrittany Mitchell and Sam Bruce

          Rugby Real or Not: Beale's return makes him fullback frontrunner

          With Super Rugby Pacific underway, and the Six Nations set to resume after a week off, there is plenty happening across the rugby world. Our writers break down some of the big stories in the first edition of Rugby Real or Not.

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