11 h. ago Australia issues robust Lions response as demand to release star players for tour games rejected

Joe Schmidt hits back over claims he is contractually obliged to release players

Sport

12 h. ago Joe Schmidt hits back at British and Irish Lions over demands to release Australia stars for tour games

Wallabies coach standing his ground after Lions CEO Ben Calveley warning as war of words escalates before first tour match

Events

13 h. ago Joe Schmidt rejects Lions demands to release Australia stars for tour games

Wallabies coach says agreement is not to release all playersSchmidt highlights clash between Waratahs and Fiji gamesThe Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has hit back at the British and Irish Lions management, insisting Australia are adhering to the tour agreement regarding the release of international players for pre-Test games and that his front-line home players were only unavailable because they were preparing to face Fiji on Sunday week.The issue has flared up again this week after the Lions chief executive, Ben Calveley, said he expected Schmidt to release Wallaby players back to their Super Rugby franchises for their respective games against the touring team. Some fringe Wallabies are due to feature for Western Force this Saturday but it is set to be a different story for the subsequent games against the Reds, the Waratahs and the Brumbies. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt rejects Lions’ demands as player release row rumbles on

The Lions have demanded that the Australia coach release more of his squad to feature in the tour games ahead of the three-Test series

Economics

33 h. ago British and Irish Lions send 'very clear' Australia warning over releasing Test stars for tour matches

Chief executive Ben Calveley reminds Wallabies and Joe Schmidt of contractual obligations ahead of games against Super Rugby opposition

Events

3 d. ago Lions vs Argentina LIVE: 1888 Cup result, match stream and latest updates

Andy Farrell’s side make worst possible start to summer as warm-up for Australia tour ends in defeat

Politics

3 w. ago Freddie Steward eyeing new role in England team on summer tour

Steward is touring Argentina and the USA with England in a summer when many of Steve Borthwick’s biggest stars are on the Lions tour to Australia

Events