RUGBY WRAP: Record results for France at Twickenham and the Pumas at Loftus  

Currie Cup R1: Defending champs humiliate Bulls in Pretoria

The Pumas scored nine-tries in a 63-15 rout of the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in the first round of the Currie Cup on Sunday. Jimmy Stonehouse’s men led 27-8 at the break before scoring another 36-points in the second forty to condemn the hosts to one of their heaviest defeats in the competition’s 132-year history. For the men from Mpumalanga, their title defence couldn’t have gotten off to a better start, throttling a team with Morne Steyn, Lionel Mapoe, Sbu Nkosi and Cornal Hendricks in their ranks. It could be another memorable season for the Pumas.

Elsewhere, the Cheetahs saw off last year’s runners-up the Griquas 42-19 in Kimberley, the Sharks XV beat Griffons 32-16 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park and Western Province claimed a 44-28 win over the Lions in Johannesburg.

Six Nations R4: England embarrassed in London, Ireland remain on trek for Grand Slam

Defending champions France dealt England their heaviest ever home defeat in a 53-10 humiliation at Twickenham on Saturday. The French hadn’t won at the Home of Rugby since 2007, but cantered to victory on the weekend courtesy of a typically world class offensive display that cut Steve Borthwick’s side to ribbons. It’s difficult seeing where the 2003 world champions go to from here.

Earlier in the day, Wales bagged their first win of their campaign in a 29-17 victory over Italy in Rome, while Ireland held off a fired-up Scotland to finally claim a 22-7 result at Murrayfield on Sunday. Andy Farrell’s boys can seal the Grand Slam against England in Dublin in the final round.

Prem R17: Bears continue ascent, Exiles knock over Sale

Bristol Bears claimed their fifth Premiership game in succession after seeing off Harlequins 51-26 at Ashton Gate on Sunday. The hosts’ form has come at a crucial time in the season, and they could yet force their way into the playoff bracket, though they’re still seven-points off in seventh-place. Quins have now dropped to eighth.

In other results, London Irish beat second-placed Sale 36-18 at the Gtech, Saints breezed past Bath 45-26 at Franklin’s Gardens, Exeter claimed a 24-5 win over Newcastle at Sandy Park and Gloucester copped a 5-26 defeat to Tigers at the Kingsholm.

SR Pacific R3: Saders stunned, Brumbies and Chiefs maintain winning runs

Fijian Drua claimed an upset for the ages in a 25-24 win over the Crusaders at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday. The hosts played out of their skins and had debutant Kemu Valentini (who’d only be on the park a matter of minutes) to thank for slotting the winning penalty to seal a famous victory for the hosts.

The Brumbies and Chiefs won their third straight games in succession after results over the Reds (23-17 in Canberra) and Highlanders (28-7 in Hamilton) respectively to set the pace at the summit, while elsewhere the Rebels beat the Waratahs 34-27 in Melbourne, Blues overcame the Hurricanes 25-19 in Wellington and Force claimed a 21-18 result over Moana Pasifika in Perth.