Rugby

PARIS (AP) — Incoming flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert has been forgiven by France while out-going flyhalf Romain Ntamack has apologized for his red-card tackle.

NICE, France (AP) — Wales great Taulupe Faletau will reappear for the national team for the first time since it last won a rugby test. Faletau was picked at No. 8 on Thursday against Italy in Rome in the Six Nations on Saturday.

SUVA, Fiji (AP) — A top rugby official in Fiji was fired within days of being appointed after she spoke of “this gay problem” in women’s national teams.

SYDNEY (AP) — Joe Schmidt has agreed to continue as head coach of the Wallabies until after the 2025 Rugby Championship to allow Rugby Australia time to find a replacement.

Canada's under-20 women's rugby team will face its Irish counterpart in Dublin in May.

LONDON (AP) — The Six Nations opened to expectations. Ireland began its three-peat bid by blowing away England during 30-plus minutes of controlled aggression in the second half in Dublin for a 27-22 comeback win.

DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland got off to a five-point start to its bid for an unprecedented third straight outright Six Nations rugby title, overpowering England in a second-half recovery to rack up a 27-22 victory in Dublin on Saturday.

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Moments of brilliance by a backline shorn of its best player spared Scotland from a second straight humbling by Italy in Six Nations rugby on Saturday.

PARIS (AP) — Superstar scrumhalf Antoine Dupont conducted France's clinical dismantling of Wales by 43-0 to begin its quest for the Six Nations title on Friday.

BRISTOL, England (AP) — U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher will start for the Bristol Bears on Saturday after missing a game last week because of a facial injury. The 28-year-old Maher, who helped lead the U.S.