The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world

England forced into major squad changes after injury blows

England have been dealt a series of injury blows ahead of their Nations Championship clash with Japan this weekend, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tom Curry ruled out for the remainder of the competition.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has made six changes to his 36-man squad following Sunday's emphatic 45-22 victory over Australia at Allianz Stadium, with five players sidelined through injury.

Exeter Chiefs winger Feyi-Waboso suffered an ankle injury during the win over the Wallabies following an illegal knee-drop tackle by Australian prop Angus Bell.

The 23-year-old had been causing Australia all sorts of problems and even had a try ruled out after just 80 seconds because of a forward pass in the build-up.

He managed to continue until half-time before being replaced by Henry Pollock, but has now been ruled out for the rest of England's autumn campaign.

Flanker Curry will also play no further part in the Nations Championship after suffering a hip injury during a non-contact training session at Pennyhill Park ahead of the Australia fixture.

Meanwhile, Ollie Chessum (shoulder), Seb Atkinson (hip) and George Furbank (groin) have also dropped out of the squad preparing to face Eddie Jones' Japan at Twickenham on Saturday.

The trio are continuing their rehabilitation, although no definitive timescale has been given for their respective returns.

Borthwick has responded by calling up several players who impressed for England A in their 59-24 victory over Argentina XV on Friday night.

Saracens winger Noah Caluori, who scored twice in that match, has earned a promotion to the senior squad alongside Bath centre Max Ojomoh, who also crossed the whitewash.

Back-row forwards Max Hicks and Jack Cunningham have been drafted in as cover for the injured forwards, while Saracens' Tobias Elliott has also been called up.

There has also been a change at scrum-half, with Archie McParland returning to fitness and Harry Randall dropping out of the squad.

The disruption comes at a frustrating time for Borthwick, whose side produced one of their most convincing performances of the year against Australia, scoring seven tries to register England's highest-ever points total against the Wallabies.

England now face a short turnaround before welcoming Japan to Allianz Stadium on Saturday, with former England boss Jones returning to Twickenham looking to upset his old side.

'Generational' Lions star dies

Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions centre David Hewitt, regarded as one of the finest players of his generation, has died at the age of 87.

The legendary Ulster midfielder represented the Lions on two tours, in 1959 and 1962, and enjoyed a remarkable international career before retiring from rugby at just 26 to pursue a career in law.

Hewitt was one of the outstanding talents of his era, making his Lions Test debut as a teenager and finishing the famous 1959 tour of Australia and New Zealand as the tourists' leading scorer.

The British and Irish Lions confirmed his passing in a statement on Monday, paying tribute to the former centre.

"All our thoughts are with the family and friends of former Ulster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions centre, David Hewitt," the statement read.

"David played on two Tours in 1959 and 1962 and will be greatly missed."

Hewitt's achievements were all the more remarkable given his age when he first represented the Lions. He was just 19 years and 270 days old when he made his Test debut during the 1959 tour, going on to finish that trip with an extraordinary 13 tries and 112 points.

He would ultimately make six Test appearances for the Lions across that tour and the subsequent expedition to South Africa in 1962.

Born into a family steeped in rugby tradition, Hewitt followed his father, two uncles and two brothers into the Ireland international set-up.

His rise through the ranks was rapid. Having captained Royal Belfast Academical Institution to Schools' Cup glory in 1957, he made his Ulster debut against Connacht later that year while still a schoolboy.

By January 1958, he had earned his first Ireland cap against Australia, beginning an international career that would see him make 18 appearances for his country over the following seven years.

At club level, Hewitt represented Queen's University, Instonians and North of Ireland, with the Belfast Telegraph describing him as "one of the best players of his generation", establishing himself as one of the most gifted centres of his time.

Despite his considerable talent and achievements, his playing career came to an early end when he retired aged just 26 to concentrate on his legal profession.

In later life, Hewitt also served as a member of Northern Ireland's Parades Commission, which dealt with contentious public processions, including those associated with Drumcree. He stepped down from the role in 2000.

All Blacks star Richie Mo'unga relishing Wales clash

New Zealand star Richie Mo'unga is desperate to make his return from injury against Wales in Cardiff this weekend, admitting it would mean a huge amount to pull on the All Blacks jersey again.

The 32-year-old fly-half is closing in on a comeback after suffering a calf tear in training last month, an injury which threatened to bring a premature end to his international season.

Mo'unga had been expected to play a major role in New Zealand's autumn campaign, but the setback forced him to miss their recent victories over Australia and Scotland.

However, the experienced playmaker has accelerated his recovery and is hopeful of being available for Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Steve Tandy's Wales at the Principality Stadium.

"It's an eight-to-10-week injury so I've done well to get to this point but with soft tissue and calves you've got to stay diligent," Mo'unga told the New Zealand Herald.

"I'll be available this week hopefully."

Asked what it would mean to return against Wales, he added: "Oh bro, it would mean heaps. It meant a lot to put on the jersey the first time after I got back but it's been a ride. I'd be super grateful and pumped up."

Mo'unga's return to international rugby following his spell in Japan has been disrupted by injuries, with the former Crusaders star managing just four matches since returning to New Zealand in June.

"It hasn't been smooth," he admitted. "It's frustrating not being able to get some good rhythm but it's given me a lot of time to be in the environment to learn our game and how Rens wants us to play.

"I haven't been able to string matches or minutes together and get those lessons that I would like by playing. I'm prepping myself for when that opportunity comes."

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has shown considerable faith in Mo'unga, keeping him involved with the squad throughout his rehabilitation despite his inability to feature against Scotland.

Mo'unga is also excited by the attacking freedom encouraged by Rennie, which he believes suits the current All Blacks squad.

"It's awesome, I really enjoy it. It's how you grew up watching the All Blacks play. It suits the team and personnel we have," he said.

Damian McKenzie has deputised at fly-half during Mo'unga's absence, but the returning star could now be handed the opportunity to reclaim the No.10 jersey against Wales.

"I want to contribute to the team and make it really seamless, continuing the good job that Damian and the others have been doing," Mo'unga added.

"I'm just really wanting to get some game time."

England star in warning to Eddie Jones ahead of Twickenham return

Jamie George says England will be ready for whatever Eddie Jones throws at them when the former head coach returns to Twickenham with Japan this weekend.

Jones will be back at Allianz Stadium on Saturday when his Japan side take on England in the Nations Championship, nearly four years after his departure as England boss.

The Australian spent six years in charge of England between 2016 and 2022 and is renowned for his mind games in the build-up to major international fixtures.

But George, who made his England debut under Jones, insists Steve Borthwick's squad will be prepared for any tricks their former coach has up his sleeve.

"We're never sure what Eddie's going to throw at us, so we're looking forward to that challenge too," the England hooker said.

"The challenge is an interesting one in terms of getting our bodies right and getting clarity on what Japan are going to do.

"But it isn't about reinventing the wheel, it's about doubling down on what we did well against Australia and pick up the learnings on what we didn't do so well."

England head into the encounter on the back of an emphatic 45-22 victory over Australia, scoring seven tries in what was arguably their most convincing performance of the year.

The result also provided a timely boost for Borthwick, who had faced questions over his methods and man-management following reports of unrest within the England camp during the summer.

George believes the performance demonstrated the players' commitment to their head coach and warned that England have plenty more to offer.

"We've only had a week together so this was a brilliant foundation for us in terms of the first game of the campaign," he said.

"It was important for us to get off to a good start with the performance as much as a result. I thought we did both.

"The pleasing thing is we probably left a little bit out there still. We could have been further up at half-time.

"We're definitely not the finished article. We've got a lot of work to do, but there's an appetite in the team to make sure we get after that."

England's victory over the Wallabies also saw them register their highest-ever points total against Australia, putting them in a strong position as they target a place in the Nations Championship final on November 29.

And George was particularly keen to defend Borthwick following the scrutiny surrounding his leadership.

"Steve is an unbelievable coach," he said. "We showed how much we care about him through the work we put in and how hard we fought.

"Hopefully all that noise can get out the window and let us focus on the rugby."