England are headed Down Under for a three-Test series next June, as the  Australian Rugby Union embraces the more intimate, rectangular venues for all but the Bledisloe Cup series, which will continue to be held at ANZ Stadium. 

That includes taking one of the three England Tests to AAMI Park, the home of the Melbourne Rebels, next year, which will be the first time the inner-city ground has hosted a Test match. 

The larger, circular Etihad Stadium has traditionally hosted the big games in Melbourne, including a dour clash between Australia and France last year and the second Test in the British and Irish Lions series in 2013. 

Waratahs search for major sponsor 

The Waratahs may have secured a bottom line-saving home semi-final next week but they face a fight to lock in a major sponsor with front-of-jersey partner Volvo unlikely to renew their commitment beyond the end of this month. 

There were a few relieved souls at Waratahs headquarters after the team's win over the Reds last week - the game at Allianz Stadium next weekend alone will be enough to keep the wolves from the door for the club, which posted a $721,990 net profit for the 2014 financial year.

But there are big challenges ahead, including replacing Volvo, who are understood to be likely to downgrade their deal with the defending champions.

Going on local benchmarks - the Brumbies will pocket $1.4 million after signing casino operators Aquis on a historic six-year front-of-jersey deal - the change could leave a $1 million-plus hole in the Waratahs' operating budget over the next 12 months.

Unsurprisingly, the suits at Moore Park have been out courting prospective new partners. A rival automotive brand was an early contender but the parties could not find common ground on the final number. The Breakdown understands there is also interest from the financial sector.

The profit was good news for the titleholders, who also returned $1.5 million to the community game via their licensing fee to the NSW Rugby Union, almost $500,000 more than the fee paid last year.

Rebels' cringeworthy bromance

Everyone knows the Rebels are a tight team but it appears the bromance has reached fever pitch, with two players spotted in a passionate embrace at well-known Melbourne watering hole, the College Lawn, last weekend.

The players, who shall be spared a public outing, were trying to impress two women they had been chatting up at the bar during the Rebels' Silly Sunday session, according to reliable Breakdown source, Tricky. We can only imagine it was offered as proof of their sophistication, or deep security as men, or...? Something?

The women were not impressed, especially after one of the players tried posing as a team physiotherapist. Onya, gents.

Happily, the 10-second clinch was the wildest thing observed that night, with a couple of wacky costume choices - fireman, Hugh Hefner-esque smoking jacket - the only other highlights.

Carmichael's heated moments  

A number of readers made contact after The Breakdown's report last week on the ugly set-to involving Queensland Rugby Union boss Jim Carmichael and a drunken patron at Suncorp Stadium.

The patron was making a highly personal attack on Carmichael, one witness confirmed, while another attested to the physical nature of the clash, which Carmichael continues to deny.

The administrator was using his own box to entertain the parents of players, including James Hanson and Quade Cooper, plus the partners of two of the Reds' coaches, but took exception to the remarks, which came from the patron two boxes over.

It was also reported to The Breakdown that Carmichael was involved in a similarly heated argument with another patron at the Reds' first home game against the Force back in February, when tension over new development levies reached its peak at the QRU annual general meeting. Carmichael denied any such argument took place.

Potgieter takes to the hills

Tough luck for the departing Jacques Potgieter, whose plan to make it through his time in Sydney without partaking in a punishing Michael Cheika hills session was thwarted.

It wasn't the Coogee Stairs but it would have hurt all the same. Another impeccable source, Mamil (all right, it was Rupert Guinness), was resting after a pre-dawn training circuit with the renowned Eastern Suburbs Cycling Club in Centennial Park on Thursday when he spotted a mob of Waratahs gathering near the cafe at about 7am.

Cheika and the other coaches were also there and put the playing group through a series of drills in different spots around the park. There was a wrestling session, some boxing and some hill repeats, set to the dulcet tones of a few choice Cheika motivational nuggets. To wit: "That's it. That's 48 seconds that could win us the final".

Mamil reported Potgieter was an enthusiastic participant.

NRC draw

Rugby returns to Leichhardt Oval, Manly Oval and Pirtek Stadium as part of this year's National Rugby Championship when it kicks off for a second season in two months' time.

The Sydney Stars will host Queensland Country at Leichhardt Oval on August 27, the North Harbour Rays meet Melbourne Rising in Manly the following week and the Greater Sydney Rams face the Rays at Pirtek Stadium on October 1.

The competition kicks off with a grand final rematch between Brisbane City and Perth Spirit at Ballymore on August 20 and also visits NSW regional cities Tamworth, Newcastle and Bathurst over the following 11 weeks.

Fox Sports will broadcast one live game a week and the Australian Rugby Union is working on a deal to stream all games live throughout the tournament.