Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, September 15.
Lions star blocked from playing return
Retired Lions star Sean O'Brien has been blocked from playing for his hometown club on player safety grounds.
The new Leinster contact skills coach, known throughout his career as the "Tullow Tank" had his application to return to club rugby with Tullow RFC rejected.
The club had filed an application for the former Ireland international to play for them this season but the Leinster Rugby domestic committee has ruled O’Brien has not spent enough time out of the pro game.
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O'Brien, 35, retired at the end of last season after leaving London Irish and the rules state players who have played professionally must have spent two years out of the game before they can play at what is deemed 'junior rugby' level in Ireland.
Irish pundit Bernard Jackman said: "Heard Sean O’Briens application to play for his home club this season has been rejected. Feel it’s a huge opportunity missed for Junior rugby in Leinster to have someone of his stature in the game."
Cunningham: We must stick together
Wales Women boss Ioan Cunningham says they must stick together following their 73-7 hammering at the hands of England on Wednesday night.
Simon Middleton’s side ran in eleven tries at Ashton Gate on a chastening evening for the visitors in their final warm-up game before next month's World Cup in New Zealand.
It was the Red Roses' 25th win on the spin, while Wales have lost their last five games. It's Scotland first up in the tournament for Cunningham's players and he says the focus is entirely on that encounter now.
"We need to work extremely hard to turn this around but we need to stick together and believe in ourselves more," he said following the match in Bristol.
"We need to turn opportunities into points. Everything is about Scotland now and how we approach that game."
Bledisloe Cup match held today
Australia and New Zealand will do battle for the Bledisloe Cup today in a rare midweek international fixture.
The two sides meet in Melbourne at 10.45am UK time - the first non-weekend meeting between the sides in 30 years. It is the penultimate round of fixtures in this year's Rugby Championship, with all four teams separated by just one point. Argentina host South Africa on Saturday.
The reason the match is a midweek kick-off is because of a congested sporting calendar in Australia and Melbourne in particular. It has been done to avoid clashes with big Australian Football League and National Rugby League matches this weekend.
AUSTRALIA: 15. Andrew Kellaway 14. Tom Wright 13. Len Ikitau 12. Lalakai Foketi 11. Marika Koroibete 10. Bernard Foley 9. Jake Gordon 1. James Slipper (C) 2. David Porecki 3. Allan Alaalatoa 4. Jed Holloway 5. Matt Phillip 6. Rob Leota 7. Pete Samu 8. Rob Valetini
REPLACEMENTS: 16. Folau Fainga'a 17. Scott Sio 18. Pone Fa'amausili 19. Darcy Swain 20. Fraser McReight 21. Nic White 22. Reece Hodge 23. Jordan Petaia
NEW ZEALAND: 15. Jordie Barrett 14. Will Jordan 13. Rieko Ioane 12. David Havili 11. Caleb Clarke 10. Richie Mo'unga 9. Aaron Smith 1. Ethan de Groot 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho 3. Tyrel Lomax 4. Brodie Retallick 5. Sam Whitelock 6. Scott Barrett 7. Sam Cane (C) 8. Hoskins Sotutu
REPLACEMENTS: 16. Dane Coles 17. George Bower 18. Fletcher Newell 19. Akira Ioane 19. Dalton Papili 20. Finlay Christie 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Quinn Tapaea
Time running out for Worcester
Worcester's sale to a new buyer has yet to be completed with concerns escalating over the club's ability to stage their first home game of the season on Sunday.
While an agreement has been reached between co-owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham and the undisclosed investor, the Warriors confirmed in a statement that a contract has yet to be signed.
"Worcester are still awaiting final sign-off of the heads of term on the agreement of the sale of the club to a buyer," the statement read. "The agreement remains with the lawyers of the respective parties but signing of the heads of terms is required before the sale can be concluded.
"We appreciate that the delay is frustrating for our loyal staff, sponsors and supporters and we thank them for their continued patience in these challenging circumstances."
Director of rugby Steve Diamond is confident Sunday's clash with Exeter will go ahead while Worcester look to be rescued from debts of over £25million, including £6million in unpaid tax that could see them wound up.
However, the new buyer was supplying the finance to stage the Sixways match and the lack of progress made on Wednesday in signing the contract places it in serious doubt.
Read more:
Wales rugby international becomes ultimate 'Ironman' in extraordinary achievement
Wales Women annihilated by England in final World Cup warm-up
What to expect from each Welsh region this season as they should and must do better
