Friday Morning Round Up

Changes to Ireland, England & Wales ahead of 2nd Tests:

All three of the countries have made significant changes to their sides ahead of their matches against, South Africa, England and New Zealand this weekend. Ireland have made 5 changes, england have brought back

Ford and Wales are starting with Rhys Patchell at full back.

Dagg returns as Savea is dropped:

Israel Dagg returns to the All Blacks starting line up this weekend as Julian Savea falls out the match day 23 all together. Dagg will start at 15, with Ben Smith on the wing. Both players are making their 50th international appearance.

Formal warning for Joe Marler:

Marler has been issued a formal warning by the RFU following an insulting comment made on twitter about Bob Dwyer earlier this week. The warning will remain on Marler's record for 5 years.

Pro Rugby double header this weekend:

The Pro Rugby league has 2 games on this weekend, with San Diego Breakers hosting the San Francisco Rush and the Ohio Aviators away at Denver Stampede. All games are covered live by Ultimate Rugby.

Pacific Nations Cup:

Fiji host Samoa this weekend as they hope to take their 2nd win in 2 games in the PNC this weekend. This tournament, with next years, acts as a Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifyer too.

Top 14 Semi Finals:

This weekend see's Clermont vs Racing 92 & Toulon vs Montpellier as the Top 14 wittles itself down to the final 2 teams.

Leinster hire Graham Henry as coaching consultant

Leinster have hired Graham Henry as a coaching consultant. The Irish Times can confirm that the 2011 World Cup-winning New Zealand coach will come to Dublin in August for a fortnight to work alongside Leo Cullen.

With Cullen behind his recruitment, there is no plan for Henry to take up an assistant coaching role as he did after a similar arrangement with Argentina in 2012.