 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(August 2017) |
This page covers the major events of 2017 in rugby union .
| | This article needs additional citations for verification .(August 2017) |
This page covers the major events of 2017 in rugby union .
Georgia [1] 
New Zealand defeated 
England 64–17 to win their sixth World Rugby Under 20 Championship title.
South Africa took third place.
Ireland (pool stage in 
Ireland; knockout rounds and classification matches in 
Northern Ireland) [2] New Zealand defeated England 41–32 to win their fifth Women's World Cup title.
France defeated the 
United States 31–23 to take third place.
Uruguay [3] 
Portugal, the 
Netherlands, 
Moldova, 
Ukraine, 
Poland, and 
Switzerland [4] Portugal, 2nd place: Netherlands, 3rd place: 
Switzerland England, France, Ireland, 
Italy, 
Scotland and 
Wales [5] 
Argentina, 
Brazil, 
Canada, 
Chile, the 
United States and Uruguay [6] United States; 2nd place: Argentina XV; 3rd place: Uruguay England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales [7] 
Belgium, Georgia, 
Germany, 
Romania, 
Russia and 
Spain [8] 
Hong Kong, 
Japan and 
South Korea [9] Japan, 2nd place: Hong Kong, 3rd place: South Korea 
Fiji Warriors; Second: Junior Japan; Third: 
Tonga A; Fourth: 
Samoa A 2016–17 Top League, won by Suntory Sungoliath Saracens Stade Français Scarlets 2016–17 Top 14 season, won by Clermont 2016–17 Aviva Premiership, won by Exeter Chiefs Crusaders South Africa; Second: England; Third: Fiji New Zealand; Second: 
Australia; Third: Canada Moscow Łódź Clermont-Ferrand Exeter 
Burgas 
Tallinn 
Liechtenstein (Bowl) New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand Women Eddie Jones, England New Zealand United States New Zealand Ireland Argentina France Argentina (vs. England) New Zealand and Rachael Burford, England 
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Juanne Hugo Smith is a South African former professional rugby union player who represented South Africa in international test rugby, the Cheetahs in the Super Rugby competition, and the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup. He mainly played as a blindside flanker, although he has also played number eight.
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Heinrich Wilhelm Brüssow is a South African former professional rugby union player. His usual position was as open-side flanker and his most recent club was Northampton Saints in the English Premiership.
Donnacha Ryan is an Irish former rugby union player and current coach. Ryan spent most of his career representing his native province Munster, spending 13 seasons at the club, before moving to French club Racing 92 in 2017, where he spent the final four seasons of his playing career before retiring and joining the coaching team at La Rochelle ahead of the 2021–22 season. He played primarily as a lock, but could also play as a flanker.
David Gareth Davies is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for United Rugby Championship club Scarlets and the Wales national team.
Christiaan Johan Stander is a South African-born Irish former rugby union player. Stander's career began in his native South Africa, where he played for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup between 2010 and 2012 and for the Bulls in Super Rugby in 2012. He moved to Irish province Munster in 2012 and, after qualifying via residency in 2015, made his debut for Ireland in 2016, going on to earn 51 caps for his adopted country, as well as 1 cap for the British & Irish Lions in 2017, before retiring in 2021.
Patrick Benjamin Howard is a South African rugby union player who is currently playing for Ealing Trailinfders in the RFU Championship. He previously played for Welsh United Rugby Championship side Dragons, Western Province in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup, Stormers in Super Rugby and Irish province Munster. His usual position is centre or winger.
Handré Pollard is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national team and Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby. His regular playing positions are fly-half, where he started for South Africa in their 2019 Rugby World Cup Final win, and inside-centre. He has previously played for the Bulls and Blue Bulls in his native South Africa, Osaka Red Hurricanes in Japan and Montpellier in France. He is one of 43 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions, 24 of whom are South Africans.
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