England captain Marlie Packer was named World Rugby women's 15s Player of the Year, moments after they beat New Zealand in the final of the inaugural WXV 1 competition in Auckland on Saturday. Packer has been a force to reckon with in the back row and she was the leading try-scorer in women's test rugby this year with 11.

The 34-year-old led England to their fifth straight women's Six Nations title earlier this year with a Grand Slam while she was also one of the highest try scorers at the World Cup late last year when they finished runners-up.

"This is the biggest ever year of women's international test matches and a dawn of a new era on the road to an expanded Women's Rugby World Cup in 2025," World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said.

"We have witnessed huge performances during Six Nations, Pacific Four Series and most recently, WXV where the best of the best have shone on the biggest stage. All our nominees have taken the game by storm this year."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/erik-ten-hag-accepts-responsibility-for-manchester-uniteds-dreadful-champions-league-run-664683">Erik ten Hag accepts responsibility for Manchester United's DREADFUL Champions League run</a>

New Zealand Katelyn Vahaakolo was crowned the women's Breakthrough Player of the Year after she made the switch from rugby league to rugby union last year.

Her compatriot Tyla Nathan-Wong received the women's Sevens Player of the Year award while Italy's Sofia Stefan earned the Try of the Year which was decided by a fan vote on social media.

England captain Marlie Packer was named World Rugby women's 15s Player of the Year, moments after they beat New Zealand in the final of the inaugural WXV 1 competition in Auckland on Saturday.

England captain Marlie Packer was named World Rugby women's 15s Player of the Year, moments after they beat New Zealand in the final of the inaugural WXV 1 competition in Auckland on Saturday. Packer has been a force to reckon with in the back row and she was the leading try-scorer in women's test rugby this year with 11. The 34-year-old led England to their fifth straight women's Six Nations title earlier this year with a Grand Slam while she was also one of the highest try scorers at the World Cup late last year when they finished runners-up. "This is the biggest ever year of women's international test matches and a dawn of a new era on the road to an expanded Women's Rugby World Cup in 2025," World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said. "We have witnessed huge performances during Six Nations, Pacific Four Series and most recently, WXV where the best of the best have shone on the biggest stage. All our nominees have taken the game by storm this year." Also Read: Erik ten Hag accepts responsibility for Manchester United's DREADFUL Champions League run New Zealand Katelyn Vahaakolo was crowned the women's Breakthrough Player of the Year after she made the switch from rugby league to rugby union last year. Her compatriot Tyla Nathan-Wong received the women's Sevens Player of the Year award while Italy's Sofia Stefan earned the Try of the Year which was decided by a fan vote on social media.

World Rugby names England captain Marlie Packer Player of the Year

A French court on Tuesday sentenced French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Bernard Laporte to a two-year suspended term on corruption charges, less than a year before France hosts the World Cup.

A French court on Tuesday sentenced French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Bernard Laporte to a two-year suspended term on corruption charges, less than a year before France hosts the World Cup. Laporte was convicted after the court ruled he showed favouritism in awarding a shirt sponsorship contract for the national side to Mohed Altrad, the billionaire owner of Top 14 champions Montpellier. He was also banned from holding any rugby post for two years, but this is suspended pending an appeal that Laporte's lawyer said was imminent. Laporte is also vice-chairman of the sport's global governing body, World Rugby. The court found that Laporte ensured a series of marketing decisions favourable to Altrad, who was given an 18-month suspended sentence and a $53,000 (50,000 euro) fine - in exchange for a $191,000 (180,000 euro) image licensing contract that was never actually carried out. Altrad's lawyer said he would study the decision before deciding on whether to appeal. At the trial's close in September, prosecutors said they were seeking a three-year prison sentence for Laporte, now 58, of which he should serve one behind bars, and the two others on probation. Read more: England rugby coach Eddie Jones sacked after a string of lowly performances According to the charges, which his defence said were "trumped up", Laporte carried out illegal influence-peddling and passive corruption, mostly for the benefit of Altrad. The two men's friendship and business links are at the heart of the case. It goes back to February 2017, when they signed a deal under which Laporte, head of the FFR, agreed to appear in Altrad group conferences, and sold his image reproduction rights, in return for the $191,000. But while that sum was indeed paid to Laporte, prosecutors claim that he never actually provided the services he signed up for. Suspect deals Laporte did, however, make several public statements backing Altrad and, in March 2017, signed a $1.9 million deal with the businessman making his namesake firm the first-ever sponsor to appear on the French national team's jerseys. Even now, Altrad's logo features on the shirts thanks to a follow-up deal negotiated by Laporte in 2018 and which prosecutors say bears all the hallmarks of corruption. Laporte, formerly a highly successful coach who guided France twice to the World Cup semi-finals (2003 and 2007), was also found guilty of favouritism with regard to Altrad's Montpellier Herault Rugby (MHR) club. He was convicted for intervening with French rugby's federal disciplinary commission to reduce a fine against MHR to $21,000, it was originally $74,000 after several telephone calls from Laporte. While prosecutors saw this and several more incidents as proof of illicit favouritism, Laporte himself had claimed there was no "cause-effect relationship". On the last day of the trial in October, Laporte's lawyer Fanny Colin accused the prosecution of "confirmation bias" by "taking into account only elements backing their original assumptions". The verdict comes only nine months before the Rugby World Cup kicks off in France on September 8, 2023, with matches played in nine stadiums across the country. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

French Rugby chief sentenced to two-year suspended term on corruption charges

The Six Nations rugby league is the new victim of coronavirus outbreak as fear looms around the fixtures of few games. Ireland's match against Italy was called off by the Irish government due to fears over the novel coronavirus.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-records-sixth-death-from-coronavirus-second-in-one-day-282446">Italy records sixth death from coronavirus, second in one day</a>

England's trip to Rome could be cancelled for the first time in 50 years due to the outbreak. The match is scheduled to take place on March 14.

Rugby Football Union is in talks with the Italian government regarding England's match in Rome. Italy has been the worst-hit European country in terms of coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;

So far, six people have died in Italy due to coronavirus. The chief of Italy's Civil Protection confirmed the fifth casualty and said that the total number of cases has reached 219 in the country. This is the fourth death from the northern Lombardy region, where lockdown has already been imposed and security measures are tightened to control the spread.&nbsp;

High profile events such as Milan Fashion Week and the Venice Carnival have been disrupted due to virus fears. Serie A matches have also been postponed.&nbsp;

Milan stock market was also hit by the virus outbreak and was down nearly 5 per cent on Monday.&nbsp;

Around 20,000 English supporters are expected to attend the match and the authorities are closely observing the events regarding the virus outbreak. Italian Federation is yet to decide whether the game will go ahead or not.&nbsp;

The Six Nations rugby league is the new victim of coronavirus outbreak as fear looms around the fixtures of few games. Ireland's match against Italy was called off by the Irish government due to fears over the novel coronavirus.

The Six Nations rugby league is the new victim of coronavirus outbreak as fear looms around the fixtures of few games. Ireland's match against Italy was called off by the Irish government due to fears over the novel coronavirus. Also read: Italy records sixth death from coronavirus, second in one day England's trip to Rome could be cancelled for the first time in 50 years due to the outbreak. The match is scheduled to take place on March 14. Rugby Football Union is in talks with the Italian government regarding England's match in Rome. Italy has been the worst-hit European country in terms of coronavirus outbreak. So far, six people have died in Italy due to coronavirus. The chief of Italy's Civil Protection confirmed the fifth casualty and said that the total number of cases has reached 219 in the country. This is the fourth death from the northern Lombardy region, where lockdown has already been imposed and security measures are tightened to control the spread. High profile events such as Milan Fashion Week and the Venice Carnival have been disrupted due to virus fears. Serie A matches have also been postponed. Milan stock market was also hit by the virus outbreak and was down nearly 5 per cent on Monday. Around 20,000 English supporters are expected to attend the match and the authorities are closely observing the events regarding the virus outbreak. Italian Federation is yet to decide whether the game will go ahead or not.

Six Nations League: England could cancel trip to Rome due to coronavirus fears

The World Cup draw for the rugby league was conducted in the Buckingham Palace on Thursday.&nbsp;

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-to-appear-in-public-for-first-time-since-royal-split-274529">Prince Harry to appear in public for&nbsp;first time since royal split</a>

Tournament hosts and organizers England have promised the 'biggest and best' World Cup in the sport’s history in October and November next year.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-meghan-markle-quit-royal-front-line-in-shock-move-273083">Prince Harry, Meghan Markle quit royal front line in shock move</a>

England has drawn with Samoa, France, and the Greeks in the group stage of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.&nbsp;

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RLWC2021 Chief Exec, <a href="https://twitter.com/jon_dutton72?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jon_dutton72</a> reflects on the success of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RLWC2021Draw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RLWC2021Draw</a> this lunchtime at Buckingham Palace 👇 <a href="https://t.co/HXX3P3PYcU">pic.twitter.com/HXX3P3PYcU</a>
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The draw managed to gather a lot of attention because Prince Harry, a big rugby fan made his first public appearance since the announcement about him stepping away from their senior royal duties.&nbsp;

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The draw was conducted by The Duke of Sussex, Jason Robinson, and Dame Katherine Grainger.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RLWC2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RLWC2021</a> ambassadors, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jodie_cunny?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jodie_cunny</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/simmoWhRL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@simmoWhRL</a> joined in with the game in the Buckingham Palace garden. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RLWC2021Draw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RLWC2021Draw</a> <a href="https://t.co/7K3KLSP1LS">https://t.co/7K3KLSP1LS</a> <a href="https://t.co/7GFQhm5y17">pic.twitter.com/7GFQhm5y17</a>
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Other groups consist of Australia, are in Group B and have been drawn with Fiji, Scotland, and Italy.

Group C &nbsp;consists of Wales, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and the Cook Islands.

In Group D New Zealand, Lebanon, Jamaica, and Ireland will play amongst themselves.

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The tournament is set to begin on October 23 and will go on till November 27.&nbsp;

England is set to face Samoa in the opening match of the tournament at St James Park, Newcastle on October 23.

The World Cup draw for the rugby league was conducted in the Buckingham Palace on Thursday. Also read- Prince Harry to appear in public for first time since royal split Tournament hosts and organizers England have promised the 'biggest and best' World Cup in the sport’s history in October and November next year.

The World Cup draw for the rugby league was conducted in the Buckingham Palace on Thursday. Also read- Prince Harry to appear in public for first time since royal split Tournament hosts and organizers England have promised the 'biggest and best' World Cup in the sport’s history in October and November next year. Also read- Prince Harry, Meghan Markle quit royal front line in shock move England has drawn with Samoa, France, and the Greeks in the group stage of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. RLWC2021 Chief Exec, @jon_dutton72 reflects on the success of the #RLWC2021Draw this lunchtime at Buckingham Palace 👇 pic.twitter.com/HXX3P3PYcU — Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) January 16, 2020 × The draw managed to gather a lot of attention because Prince Harry, a big rugby fan made his first public appearance since the announcement about him stepping away from their senior royal duties. × The draw was conducted by The Duke of Sussex, Jason Robinson, and Dame Katherine Grainger. #RLWC2021 ambassadors, @Jodie_cunny and @simmoWhRL joined in with the game in the Buckingham Palace garden. #RLWC2021Draw https://t.co/7K3KLSP1LS pic.twitter.com/7GFQhm5y17 — Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) January 16, 2020 × Other groups consist of Australia, are in Group B and have been drawn with Fiji, Scotland, and Italy. Group C consists of Wales, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and the Cook Islands. In Group D New Zealand, Lebanon, Jamaica, and Ireland will play amongst themselves. × The tournament is set to begin on October 23 and will go on till November 27. England is set to face Samoa in the opening match of the tournament at St James Park, Newcastle on October 23.

Prince Harry 'draws' attention to 2021 Rugby League World Cup

Australia's sports federations have postponed&nbsp;youth&nbsp;matches in New South Wales as firefighters battled to contain nearly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydney-smoke-crisis-longest-on-record-266355">150 fires burning</a> in the eastern state on Friday that have blanketed Sydney, the nation's biggest city, in hazardous smoke.

New South Wales Rugby League called off four junior representative trial matches scheduled over the weekend due to concerns over air quality resulting from the bushfires.

"The NSWRL has also recommended all clubs refrain from training outdoors until the air quality index has reduced to a safe level," the governing body said in a statement on Friday.

Australia's soccer association postponed a junior league match scheduled for Saturday in the Central Coast region between the Mariners and the Newcastle Jets due to poor air quality forecasts.

Matches in the top flight A-League and women's W-League in affected areas might also be cancelled if conditions deteriorate, Football Federation Australia said in a media release.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydneysiders-urged-to-stay-indoors-as-australian-bushfire-smoke-blankets-city-263900">Bushfires in Australia</a> have killed at least four people and destroyed more than 680 homes since the start of November. Fires are still burning in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland states.

Winds have blown thick smoke over Sydney, the state capital where about 5 million live.

Players at the Australian Open golf tournament complained of stinging eyes after their rounds at course in Sydney.

Australia's sports federations have postponed youth matches in New South Wales as firefighters battled to contain nearly 150 fires burning in the eastern state on Friday that have blanketed Sydney, the nation's biggest city, in hazardous smoke.

Australia's sports federations have postponed youth matches in New South Wales as firefighters battled to contain nearly 150 fires burning in the eastern state on Friday that have blanketed Sydney, the nation's biggest city, in hazardous smoke. New South Wales Rugby League called off four junior representative trial matches scheduled over the weekend due to concerns over air quality resulting from the bushfires. "The NSWRL has also recommended all clubs refrain from training outdoors until the air quality index has reduced to a safe level," the governing body said in a statement on Friday. Australia's soccer association postponed a junior league match scheduled for Saturday in the Central Coast region between the Mariners and the Newcastle Jets due to poor air quality forecasts. Matches in the top flight A-League and women's W-League in affected areas might also be cancelled if conditions deteriorate, Football Federation Australia said in a media release. Bushfires in Australia have killed at least four people and destroyed more than 680 homes since the start of November. Fires are still burning in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland states. Winds have blown thick smoke over Sydney, the state capital where about 5 million live. Players at the Australian Open golf tournament complained of stinging eyes after their rounds at course in Sydney.

Youth matches postponed in New South Wales as Australia bushfires rage

Ben Barba inspired the Cronulla Sharks to their 15th consecutive victory with a 36-4 hammering of bottom team Newcastle Knights in Australia&#39;s National Rugby League today. 
 
Barba scored two of Cronulla&#39;s eight tries to continue his team&#39;s winning run and maintain a two-point lead over Melbourne Storm after 18 rounds. 
 
He set up two other tries and had another two tries denied by the video referee. 
 
Melbourne kept within reach of the Sharks with a 26-10 win over the Sydney Roosters at home. 
 
The Storm grabbed two late tries, through Tohu Harris and Kevin Proctor, to ease to victory after they were pushed for much of the contest by the lowly Roosters. 
 
Champions North Queensland are in third spot after a commanding 36-0 win over fellow finals contenders Canterbury Bulldogs in Townsville. 
 
The easy win was marred by a hamstring injury to their inspirational skipper Johnathan Thurston, who could miss the next two matches. 
 
Ricky Stuart&#39;s Canberra Raiders fill out the top four after a 26-22 golden point win over the New Zealand Warriors at home.&nbsp;Skipper Jarrod Croker scored the match-winning try in extra time - his third of the game - to seal a fourth consecutive win. 
 
Anthony Griffin enjoyed a triumphant return to Brisbane as Penrith moved into the top eight with a 31-12 win over the Broncos.&nbsp;Griffin was axed two years ago as the Broncos coach making way for the return of Wayne Bennett. 
 
Wests Tigers moved into the post-Robbie Farah era with a 25-12 win over St George Illawarra today. 
 
Tigers coach Jason Taylor made the big call during the week to dump State of Origin hooker Farah to reserve grade and threaten his chances of staying at the club where he has played 247 top grade games. 
 
(AFP)

Barba scored two of Cronulla's eight tries to continue his team's winning run and maintain a two-point lead over Melbourne Storm

Ben Barba inspired the Cronulla Sharks to their 15th consecutive victory with a 36-4 hammering of bottom team Newcastle Knights in Australia's National Rugby League today. Barba scored two of Cronulla's eight tries to continue his team's winning run and maintain a two-point lead over Melbourne Storm after 18 rounds. He set up two other tries and had another two tries denied by the video referee. Melbourne kept within reach of the Sharks with a 26-10 win over the Sydney Roosters at home. The Storm grabbed two late tries, through Tohu Harris and Kevin Proctor, to ease to victory after they were pushed for much of the contest by the lowly Roosters. Champions North Queensland are in third spot after a commanding 36-0 win over fellow finals contenders Canterbury Bulldogs in Townsville. The easy win was marred by a hamstring injury to their inspirational skipper Johnathan Thurston, who could miss the next two matches. Ricky Stuart's Canberra Raiders fill out the top four after a 26-22 golden point win over the New Zealand Warriors at home. Skipper Jarrod Croker scored the match-winning try in extra time - his third of the game - to seal a fourth consecutive win. Anthony Griffin enjoyed a triumphant return to Brisbane as Penrith moved into the top eight with a 31-12 win over the Broncos. Griffin was axed two years ago as the Broncos coach making way for the return of Wayne Bennett. Wests Tigers moved into the post-Robbie Farah era with a 25-12 win over St George Illawarra today. Tigers coach Jason Taylor made the big call during the week to dump State of Origin hooker Farah to reserve grade and threaten his chances of staying at the club where he has played 247 top grade games. (AFP)

Rugby League: Barba stars as Cronulla Sharks stretch winning streak

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