The 2007 Six Nations schedule has been released. Italy start off the 2007 season by hosting defending champions France at Stadio Flaminio.

Irish stadium Croke Park will host Ireland’s games with France (February 11) and England (February 24), while Lansdowne Road is being renovated.
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The Springboks have retaken third place on the IRB’s World Rankings after their victory over Australia last weekend.

The Wallabies had previously held third place after their win over the Springboks in July.
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All Black coach Graham Henry has named the 22 players who he wants to miss most of the 2007 Super 14 so that they can undertake a conditioning program for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

This is in despite of concerns from News Ltd that withholding these players will devalue the Super 14 competition. News Ltd recently paid $664 million to renew a five-year broadcasting deal for the Super 14.
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South Africa 24 defeated Australia 16 in the last game of the 2006 Tri Nations.

The game was a scrappy encounter with both sides making numerous errors. However the game was won up front with the Springbok forwards overpowering the Australian scrum. Which provided the South African backs with more space than they received previously.
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South Africa will take on Australia in the last game of the 2006 Tri Nations at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

As far as the Tri Nations points table goes this match won’t make any difference to the positions of the teams. With New Zealand already assured of first place, Australia secure in second place as even if the Springboks with and get a bonus point they will still be behind Australia.
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Rugby World Cup organisers have announced that they have sold their millionth ticket just over a year before the tournament kicks off.

“One year from the kickoff of Rugby World Cup 2007 the International Rugby Board is confident the tournament will be the most successful in its colourful and exciting 20-year history,” said IRB Chairman Syd Millar in a statement.

The tournament will kick off on September 7, 2007 with France playing the opening game against Argentina at the Stade de France. The final will be played on October 20 also at the Stade de France.

Springbok coach Jake White has made one change for the side to play Australia in the final Tri-Nations match of 2006, in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The team remains largely unchanged from the one that defeat the All Blacks last weekend.

Winger Bryan Habana is unable to play due to mild concussion. So JP Pietersen will come in at fullback to make his test debut. With the back going through a minor reshuffle. Jaque Fourie moves to outside centre and Wynand Olivier to the left wing.

South Africa: JP Pietersen, Akona Ndungane, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Wynand Olivier, Andre Pretorius, Fourie du Preez, Pedrie Wannenburg, AJ Venter, Pierre Spies, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, BJ Botha, John Smit, Os du Randt

The IRB’s official rugby world ranking remain unchanged after South Africa defeat the All Blacks this past weekend. The win gave South Africa some more points and they now have 86.29 points, but they are still rank 4th just below Australia’s 86.89.
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