17 HRS AGO - Let’s get the second part of the title out of the way. Yesterday a small number of people in a small crowd behaved in ways that reflected ill on themselves, the clubs they support and the game in general. There too many incidents to be swept away: language, undercurrents of racist bigotry, of religious intolerance and of other aspects of tribalism in sport that has bedevilled other sports, and been sneered at by rugby supporters. for years. The day of rugby supporter segregation must have come bit closer after what has been reported in some quarters. Sadly, supporters in groups no longer expect others in their groups to moderate behaviour, as a result the behaviour of the few fulfils the old saying, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil for good men to do nothing.“ (Apparently Edmund Burke never said that, not wrote it, but President Kennedy said that he did, so that’s the end of that discussion.)   Collapse

1 DAY AGO - The No8 has been under scrutiny for his support of Israel Folau and delivered an intense performance in a hostile atmosphere against MunsterHe must have thought he had begun to leave the last 10 days behind him. No sooner had Billy Vunipola scored the try that secured Saracens’ latest semi-final victory, that secured him the man-of-the-match award, than a Munster fan confronted him after the match, gesticulating aggressively. Vunipola jogged on in a lap of honour, but he knows his support of Israel Folau’s social‑media antics will not be so easy to leave behind.If his performance, or that of his team, is anything to go by, the hostility will only serve to intensify Saracens’ focus, which sharpens where that of so many others might falter. As a name in the sporting world – or what their long-suffering chairman, Nigel Wray, might call a “brand” – Saracens continue to burn bright, despite the turmoil in which they have found themselves these past few weeks. They burn brightly because, Collapse

2 DAYS AGO - • Munster have lost past six at this stage in the cup• Saracens’ Mako Vunipola fit for Ricoh Arena semi-finalThe last time Saracens won the European Champions Cup, in 2017, they defeated Glasgow in the quarter-finals and Munster in the last four to set up a date with Clermont Auvergne in Edinburgh.Glasgow were seen off last month and Munster again stand in the way of another trip north, although not quite as far with the final being staged next month in Newcastle. It is the Irish province’s third consecutive semi-final and a record 14th in the competition but they have lost their past six since winning the tournament in 2008. Related: Brad Barritt: ‘I had to be selfish and tell my three-year-old son to fill the ice machine’ Related: The Breakdown | Return of the flamboyant fly-half: daring No 10s are back in fashion Continue reading... Collapse

3 DAYS AGO - Organisers have urged Japanese police to take a 'light touch' on fans who have a culture of drinking heavily but not offering any intimidation. Collapse

3 DAYS AGO - The panel for Israel Folau's code of conduct hearing has been confirmed, with John West QC the chair. Collapse

4 DAYS AGO - NSW Waratahs have been engulfed by the firestorm Israel Folau created with a few additions to his social media accounts. But what kind of toll has it taken on his Waratahs teammates? Meanwhile in New Zealand, the Blues still have plenty to prove. Collapse

4 DAYS AGO - We've reached the halfway point of the 2019 Super Rugby season. The Crusaders are clear at the top, but the chasing pack is not small in size. We review your team's progress here! Collapse

5 DAYS AGO - Leading Test rugby referee Nigel Owens has described Israel Folau's religious views as narrow minded and potentially "very, very hurtful" to a lot of people. Collapse