There is increasing optimism that action could resume in the United Kingdom and across Europe in the coming weeks as lockdown restrictions are cautiously relaxed.

Genge insists his proposed organisation would complement rather than rival the Rugby Players' Association, which represents more than 1200 past and present players

EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: The World Rugby elections were rocked last week by allegations of homophobia and discrimination against Fiji Rugby Union chairman Francis Kean.

The Welsh Rugby Union publicly threw their weight behind Sir Bill Beaumont (left) today, backing him to retain his role as World Rugby chairman and beat rival Agustin Pichot.

EXCLUSIVE BY CHRIS FOY: The Premiership appeared to stand alone on Thursday night as the only league in world rugby still seeking to complete this coronavirus-disrupted season.

Sir Bill Beaumont will discover on Saturday if, as expected, he has been elected to continue as World Rugby chairman for another four years - after the result announcement was brought forward.

The 68-year-old fought off a challenge from his vice-chairman Agustin Pichot and will stay at the head of the governing body for the next four years.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: When Bill Beaumont clocks back on Monday morning, it would be worth remembering that, although the official tally says 28-23, he actually won by only one vote.

After Mike Brown and Joe Marchant told the Mail on Sunday last week that the game was boring, and in need of serious surgery we canvassed opinion from top figures in the game.

Sir Bill Beaumont will prioritise rearranging July's Covid-19 hit Tests after narrowly beating Agustin Pichot in the elections for World Rugby chairman.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: There is outcry over the game's governance, smaller nations are sick of being treated like second-class citizens and this crisis is threatening financial meltdown.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: The Nations League concept is back on the table as a means of galvanising international rugby, but if it is going to make a difference, it can't be half-hearted.

EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: New World Rugby vice-chairman Bernard Laporte has pleaded with Agustin Pichot not to walk away from the sport after his 28-23 election defeat.

The British sportswear company will take over the manufacturing rights from Canterbury in September. As reported in October, Umbro outbid adidas to agree a partnership worth more than £5m a season. 

EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: Pichot will give up his council seat and take up no further roles having become frustrated with the lack of progress in the game.

Part of rugby's glory days, would-be Rugby Australia chief executive Matt Carroll says he's "sad" for the ailing state of the game.One of Australia's most...

My training sessions in Manchester have been intense since my last blog, but now I'm beginning to taper off so I'm fresh for the World Championships in Colombia in a month's time.

INTERVIEW BY STEFFAN THOMAS: Jamie Roberts is far from your average rugby player and the former Wales centre is more qualified than most in sport to articulate his fears over coronavirus.

Wales' leading internationals are set for a 25 per cent salary reduction for three months while Premiership Rugby is working on possible scenarios to restart the season.

A former rugby league star (pictured) has been jailed for smuggling exotic animals to pay off a $25,000 debt.  

James Segeyaro, 28, was stood down from the Brisbane Broncos in October after returning a positive A-sample for banned muscle-enhancing drugs.

Talks between the RFU and the mayor of London's office have been held with Tuesday, November 5 the likely date for the event. England face South Africa in Saturday's final in Japan.

The NRL will resume play on May 28 after getting the go-ahead to continue the season by the government, the league has announced.

Former Cronulla Sharks player Paul Gallen has been ruthlessly mocked on social media for a maths mistake he made on national television. 

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Eddie Jones faces some of the toughest decisions of his coaching career on Monday when he names his World Cup squad. He will never forget the calls he makes.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: This was a real statement win from England and Twickenham was buzzing as the crowd realised they have a team who can cause real damage at the World Cup.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: So what can we expect in Japan? Well, for me it's an inspired choice and for all sorts of reasons. Japan knows how to organise major tournaments and this will be a triumph.

The Rugby World Cup is just round the corner and Sportsmail has everything you need to know. SIR CLIVE WOODWARD has the lowdown on every team in the tournament in Japan.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD - WORLD CUP WINNING COACH: The World Cup is up and running and my only concern about England against Tonga is evidence of discipline.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It is not often you get a full nineday lay-off in tournament rugby these days and using this period to optimum effect is important for Eddie Jones and England.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: We have often seen short-handed teams raise their game significantly, while those with a full complement can take their foot off the gas and struggle.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Rugby World Cup has been very unlucky, nature can completely take over sometimes, but were their contingency plans robust enough to deal with it this weekend?

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: When Bill Beaumont clocks back on Monday morning, it would be worth remembering that, although the official tally says 28-23, he actually won by only one vote.

The 28-year-old from Johannesburg in South Africa started for his new team the Melbourne Rebels at home against the New South Wales Waratahs on Friday, as his  side won 24-10.

In a week where Premiership Rugby faced further setbacks with their return dates, Exeter Chiefs winger Jack Nowell kept himself busy with pregnancies, BBQ's and much more.

The Premier League had already warned their 20 clubs last month that they were budgeting for a £1.1bn loss because of refunds to broadcasters, ticket-holders and commercial partners.

The organisation has called the situation "its greatest challenge" with the cash available for unions needing immediate funding.

EXCLUSIVE, MIKE BROWN TALKS TO JOE MARCHANT: The campaign between Sir Bill Beuamont and Agustin Pichot has turned into a battle between north and south.

WILL KELLEHER: While Beaumont was backed by all 18 of the Six Nations votes for a second term in charge, he was warned by those in the southern hemisphere that drastic alterations are needed.

Professional rugby and netball are close to returning to action in New Zealand after the government unveiled its rules for sport when the country next eases its coronavirus restrictions.

Japan is more popular with British visitors than ever; 334,000 went last year - almost 40 per cent more than a decade ago. Here are our top tips on what to see and do…

Demand for tickets to see England take on South Africa in the final in Japan on Saturday has seen prices soar, with some seats costing well over £10,000 on re-sale sites (pictured, fans in London).

The website Skyscanner revealed that if rugby supporters leave tomorrow and board a flight to St Petersburg in Russia, then take an internal flight to Moscow the following day, then a flight to Tokyo.

WILL KELLEHER: Four Flags adorn the top of Lewis Ludlam's Twitter profile. Those of Guyana, Palestine, Egypt and England represent the heritage of this surprise World Cup package.

Brothers James and Jonathan Davies will start in a Wales Test for the first time in Cardiff on Saturday as Warren Gatland made three changes to his side for the World Cup warm-up match against England.

Cheltenham Festival went ahead two weeks before the lockdown, but there was a debate at the time if it should be scrapped after other sporting events were called off.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: At first glance, not much has changed. Ten years ago, South Africa were world champions and English rugby was coming to terms with controversy.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: Very few sports have the monetary resilience to withstand this crisis and rugby certainly isn't one of them.

COMMENT: It is a sad fact that the main barrier to rugby's progress lies here; in the home nations and those other centres of the sport's narrow European landscape - France and Italy.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: English rugby needs to adopt a central contract system as the game addresses the financial problems which have been exposed by this lockdown.