Here are the latest rugby headlines on Sunday, June 18.
'Plans approved' for controversial new league featuring Wales
A new league featuring the world's top international sides has reportedly been given the green light by World Rugby.
The 'World League', which will replace the July Test series as well the November internationals, is set to be introduced in 2026, with a report by Georgian television channel 1TV claiming the controversial plans have now been approved - shutting out Tier Two nations until 2030.
The new format will see six teams from each hemisphere split into two groups, with those in the northern hemisphere playing three southern opponents away from home in the July window before the reverse fixtures are played in November. The league will take place over a two year cycle, with the sides that top each pool facing each other in a bi-annual 'grand final', while the other teams take part in play-off matches to determine their ranking.
Wales will be included in the new league, along with Six Nations rivals England, France, Italy, Ireland and Scotland. They will be joined by the Rugby Championship sides - namely Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa - while Japan and Fiji are also expected to be involved.
The plans are now reportedly a 'done deal' with the tournament ring-fenced until 2030, with Tier 2 sides including Georgia - as well as other World Cup nations such as Samoa, Tonga and Portugal - controversially not involved.
Instead, they will feature in a secondary 'Challenger League' until 2030, when promotion and relegation to the top-tier competition may be introduced.
Heineken 'pull out' of Europe
Heineken have pulled out of sponsoring European rugby's top competitions, according to reports.
The Rugby Paper say the company are pulling out as title sponsors, with EPCR now looking to replace them. The competition starts in December and the draw actually takes place this coming week.
It's a blow for rugby amid the ongoing financial struggles and no reason has been given for the decision.
Ntamack the hero as Toulouse win final
A dramatic end to this year's Top 14 final saw France star Romain Ntamack score a stunning solo try with just two minutes left as Toulouse beat La Rochelle 29-26 in a thrilling contest.
Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle side looked set to win their first ever Top 14 title - as well as a historic league and cup double - as they headed into the dying minutes four points ahead.
However, Ntamack had other ideas as he picked up a fizzing pass from Antoine Dupont inside his own half before slicing through the defensive line and racing over to score from 60 metres out.
In a frantic first half, centre Santiago Chocobares crossed first for Toulouse before Tawera Kerr-Barlow bundled over from close range to level the scores just before half-time.
Uini Atonio used his power to give his side the lead with another try moments after the break, with La Rochelle's Antoine Halstoy and Toulouse's Thomas Ramos trading penalties to make it 26-22 with five minutes to go.
Moments after making a mistake that nearly cost his side the match, up stepped Ntamack, whose piece of individual brilliance meant his side won their 22nd league title and sparked rapturous scenes in the stands.
It also left La Rochelle players in tears, with many of O'Gara's squad having to be consoled at the full-time whistle after coming so close to securing a famous double.
All Black heading to France in 'break the bank' deal
All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue is set to move to Top 14 side Castres Olympique in a mega-money deal.
The 28-year-old, who has 18 caps and three tries for New Zealand, will leave his current side the Crusaders and move to the south of France with Castres reportedly prepared to "break the bank" to secure his services.
While he has made 62 appearances for the Crusaders since joining in 2017 and helped them to this year's Super Rugby final Goodhue has suffered with knee injuries in the last two years and at times has found himself confined to the bench.
Now, French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique reports that Castres have secured his signature as they look to make "a huge splash" with new signings after a disappointing season saw them finish ninth in the league having won only half of their 26 matches.
The Top 14 side were on the lookout for a centre after Thomas Combezou announced his retirement having spent nine years at the club and making over 200 appearances.
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