Keyword "Rugby union" - List of latest news (2 488 results)

23:43 Serie A matches and Italy’s Women’s Six Nations game move due to pope’s funeral

Serie A leaders Inter will now host Roma on Sunday to avoid clashing with Pop Francis’s funeral, while Italy v Wales in the Women’s Six Nations will also be rescheduled

22/04 Ben Youngs, England’s most-capped male player, to retire from rugby in June

Ben Youngs will retire from professional rugby in June after more than 500 senior games for Leicester, England and the British & Irish Lions

22/04 The Breakdown | Just for kicks, the top 10 rugby union sharp shooters of the past 30 years

As the season finale draws near, we nominate 10 goal-kickers you can count on when the pressure cranks up

20/04 Steward steers Leicester to victory at Bristol to boost title push

Leicester scored five tries to defeat Bristol 36-19 to leapfrog their opponents and climb up to second in the Premiership

20/04 Gloucester fans ruffle feathers in boisterous start for experiment

The controversial Premiership trial of away supporter zones provoked a mixed reaction at Saracens

20/04 Abuse I received for TikTok video after Women’s Six Nations defeat was crazy | Jaz Joyce-Butchers

Dance live on the BBC with a club teammate, after Wales had lost to England, provoked a torrent of hate online

19/04 England squad depth is ‘giving me a headache’, says head coach Mitchell

After the Red Roses made nine changes for their 59-7 win against Scotland, John Mitchell said: ‘There is plenty of competition in the England side’

19/04 Rampant Red Roses rout Scotland to set up grand slam decider with France

England ran in nine tries on their way to a 59-7 victory over Scotland, meaning the Women’s Six Nations will be decided at Twickenham next week

19/04 Leaders Bath hold out for win despite Brown-Bampoe double for Exeter

Bath consolidated top spot in the Premiership after holding out for a 26-24 victory at Exeter despite a late rally from the Chiefs

19/04 England v Scotland: Women’s Six Nations rugby union – live

Minute-by-minute report: England bid to maintain their winning streak when they host Scotland. Join Luke McLaughlin

19/04 Northampton hang on to edge out Newcastle in Premiership thriller

Newcastle gave Northampton a scare at Kingston Park but the Premiership champions held on for 35-34 victory

18/04 Premiership’s disjointed sprint finish begins with playoff battle bonanza

The second to seventh-placed teams all play each other this weekend but the European calendar has threatened to stall momentum

18/04 England continue pursuit of perfection in Women’s Six Nations

After three dominant wins, critics of the Red Roses have been reduced to nitpicking – inside and outside the camp

17/04 Rugby Australia posts $36.8m deficit amid wait for financial windfall to arrive

RA expects a commercial bonanza from British and Irish Lions tour after taking a hit from costs of running Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels

17/04 Johnny Sexton makes surprise move to join Andy Farrell’s Lions coaching staff

Johnny Sexton has been added to the British & Irish Lions coaching staff which raises intrigue over the fly-half selection debate

16/04 Saracens v Gloucester to kick off segregated fans plan

Premiership Rugby's experiment with soccer-style fan segregation featuring designated away supporter zones will get its first outing this weekend at Saracens' StoneX Stadium, with the plan all about atmosphere generation rather than safety concerns.

16/04 Australia PM, politicians took $147,000 of match tickets while weighing sports betting ban

Polls show that three-quarters of Australians want a ban.

16/04 Australia pins hopes on Lions, World Cup revenues after posting $23m loss

Rugby Australia (RA) reported a A$36.80 million ($23.33 million) loss for 2024 on Wednesday after embarking on a costly programme to integrate loss-making Super Rugby Pacific teams and spending millions propping up the Melbourne Rebels before they collapsed.

15/04 Steve Diamond’s season-ending ban was for profanity aimed at match officials

Steve Diamond’s season-ending ban came because he hit out at a group of match-day officials before telling the TMO he should retire

15/04 The Breakdown | Rugby World Cups aren’t adding up for major unions and there is no easy fix

South Africa no longer see hosting as viable and World Rugby is under pressure to deliver for its members

13/04 Barbeary double helps nine-try Bath crush Gloucester in Challenge Cup

Tom de Glanville and Tom Dunn also scored tries in Bath’s 61-26 win against Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final

12/04 Mitchell hails ‘ruthless’ England’s second-half display in Ireland win

The head coach said ‘the girls are really good at resolving issues’ after England scored six tries after half-time in their 49-5 Six Nations victory in Ireland

12/04 Northampton set up Leinster rematch after Henry Pollock batters Castres

The Champions Cup quarter-final finished Northampton 51-16 Castres after Henry Pollock dazzled with two tries in the second half

12/04 England outlast Ireland’s resistance and stay on course for grand slam

England beat a battling Ireland 49-5 to earn bonus point and extend Six Nations winning streak to 32 games

12/04 Ireland v England: Women’s Six Nations rugby union – live

Join Alex Reid for updates as the Red Roses face Ireland amid their search for another Six Nations grand slam

11/04 Aoife Wafer says revived Ireland are targeting major upset for England

Back-row forward believes her side can shock favourites in Cork and shake up this year’s Women’s Six Nations

11/04 Northampton’s George Hendy taking rough with smooth as he plots England path

The player dubbed the ‘Ginger Penaud’ is also handy with a Rubik’s Cube and cricket bat but wants European glory against Castres

11/04 Governing bodies braced for grassroots funding cuts from Sport England

English sport’s governing bodies are braced for central government funding cuts

11/04 Sixty-two caps, zero memories, says amnesia-hit Chabal

Former French international Sebastien Chabal revealed he has been suffering from amnesia in another example of the devastating effects on rugby players of repeated head trauma.

11/04 Sports quiz of the week: Women’s FA Cup, Masters and Michael van Gerwen

Have you been following the football, horse racing, golf, cycling, cricket, rugby union, darts and hockey?

11/04 ‘True team man’: Aussie NRL recruit’s surprise visit

Former Reds and Wallabies star Jordan Petaia was a surprise visitor at Queensland training on Friday to further boost spirits ahead of captain Tate McDermott’s 100th appearance for the team on Saturday night against the ACT Brumbies.

09/04 WRU takes control after Cardiff rugby club placed into administration

The WRU assured fans that season ticket payments will be honoured and said the club’s owner Helford Capital ‘was unable to meet its obligations to fund the club’

09/04 Broken arm sidelines Wallabies captain

Wallabies captain and Queensland star Harry Wilson is set to be sidelined for six weeks after breaking his arm in the Reds’ 27-15 loss to the Chiefs.

09/04 Kiss could coach Reds and Wallabies

Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh has left the door open for Les Kiss to coach both Queensland and Wallabies until his Reds contract expires next year.

08/04 Saints’ Dowson says English clubs hampered by ‘dysfunctional’ schedule

Director wants fewer club games in the international window while Cardiff are on the brink of entering administration

08/04 The Breakdown | Premiership clubs’ European debacle illustrates growing French and Irish strength

Four English clubs conceded 215 points on a calamitous weekend with French clubs poised to improve further

08/04 Reds skipper ‘proud’ of milestone

Reds captain Tate McDermott couldn’t have asked for a better venue and opponent for his 100th appearance in a Queensland jersey.

07/04 No evidence that 7-1 bench splits increase injury risk, insists World Rugby

World Rugby insists there is no evidence that 7-1 bench splits will lead to more injuries and the governing body has no current plans to outlaw the tactic as a result

06/04 Stuck paratrooper prevents play before Sale slump to Toulouse defeat

A stricken army captain was dangling 30 metres up and after he was rescued, Sale took the lead but Toulouse responded to win their Champions Cup tie 38-15

05/04 Leinster deliver Champions Cup statement with 10-try Harlequins thrashing

Leinster trounced Harlequins 62-0 to storm into the Champions Cup quarter-finals

05/04 Toulon run 72 points past Saracens in chaotic 16-try Champions Cup classic

Facundo Isa and Melvyn Jaminet both scored hat-tricks as Toulon came back to thump Saracens 72-42 in their quarter-final

04/04 ‘I’d like to be on that tour’: Chandler Cunningham-South on the Lions, ball-carrying and Love Island

Harlequins’ versatile forward focuses on Saturday’s Champions Cup test at Leinster but, he tells Robert Kitson, future opportunities remain on his mind

04/04 Regan Grace’s long road back to rugby: two codes, four clubs and 979 days

The Welsh winger injured his achilles in 2022 while playing league for St Helens. He’s back – playing union for Cardiff

04/04 Aussie sporting teams slammed over AI feature

Two of Australia’s biggest sporting franchises are in hot water with some fans after using a new AI feature that can generate artwork.

03/04 Spain could include Camp Nou final in bid to host 2035 Rugby World Cup

Spain could include the Camp Nou and Bernabéu in a potential bid for the 2035 Rugby World Cup

03/04 Worcester wind back to life with second-tier return and vow to clear debts

Worcester Warriors insist they will be both sustainable and competitive when they return to English rugby’s second tier next season

02/04 Lions set to face Japan-based All Blacks in Anzac clash but Folau’s hopes over

The British & Irish Lions are set to face a number of former All Blacks stars this summer with Rugby Australia’s chief executive, Phil Waugh, confident players based in Japan can be recruited for the Anzac fixture

02/04 Wallabies stars return for Reds

Star Wallabies forwards Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight will make timely returns to Queensland’s line-up for the Reds’ top-of-the-table Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Chiefs in Waikato on Friday.

02/04 ‘High degree of uncertainty’ over DCMS recouping millions from rugby clubs, MPs warn

There remains a “high degree of uncertainty” over whether tens of millions of pounds paid to rugby union clubs and other sports teams during the Covid-19 pandemic will ever be repaid, the Public Accounts Committee has warned

01/04 Hong Kong in frame to host Nations Championship finals and Lions matches

Kai Tak Sports Park is favourite to host the event post-2028 and will welcome Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool in July

01/04 New Zealand Rugby and Ineos settle sponsorship contract dispute

NZR and Ineos settle contract dispute after rugby federation had launched legal action after accusing Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s firm of missing a sponsorship payment

01/04 The Breakdown | Marcus Smith’s duel with Sam Prendergast could define Lions hopes

When the two fly-halves meet at Croke Park, the result could weigh heavily on Andy Farrell’s selection

31/03 Ruby Tui: ‘I was trying to grow women’s rugby – I had no idea the effect my story would have’

The Rugby World Cup winner tells Donald McRae about her journey from a traumatic childhood haunted by domestic violence and alcoholism to being a Black Ferns superstar

30/03 Theo Dan delivers for Saracens in late win at Leicester to boost playoff push

Theo Dan scored a late try for Saracens in their 29-22 victory at Leicester to move the team within two points of the Premiership playoff places

30/03 Rugby union rebels Ealing left in limbo with Premiership door still shut

Discontent with RFU simmers in west London with the second tier’s dominant side still being denied promotion

29/03 Ellie Kildunne scores quickfire hat-trick in England’s 11-try rout of Wales

Ellie Kildunne marked her 50th cap for England by leading the way in a 67-12 trouncing of Wales in the Women’s Six Nations

29/03 Finn Russell orchestrates seven-try win for leaders Bath over porous Harlequins

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell pulled the strings as Bath raced into a 26-0 lead before closing out a comfortable 47-28 victory over Harlequins

29/03 Last-gasp Fisilau try spares Exeter’s blushes against lowly Newcastle

The Premiership’s bottom two sides scrapped it out for survival with the losers set to face an end-of-season playoff against the champions of the Championship

29/03 Wales v England: Women’s Six Nations rugby union – live

Minute-by-minute report: Will the Red Roses continue their winning streak as they head to Cardiff? Join Niall McVeigh

29/03 Moana Pasifika stun Crusaders, Reds go top in Super Rugby

Ardie Savea's Moana Pasifika produced a stunning 45-29 upset win over the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday to deny the 14-times champions top spot in the Super Rugby Pacific standings after round seven.

28/03 RFU rebels demand significant changes after Sweeney survives confidence vote

The rebel group Whole Game Union calls for fundamental change to governance in the wake of Thursday’s RFU special general meeting

28/03 Sweeney’s survival was no surprise but English rugby union still at war | Robert Kitson

RFU’s chief executive passes a no-confidence vote but steps towards a closed shop will stoke more discontent

28/03 Women’s Six Nations: England seek ‘perfect game’ in front of record Wales crowd

The England prop Sarah Bern says the World Cup is on players’ minds as they head to the Principality Stadium

28/03 Sports quiz of the week: FA Cup, George Foreman and Trent Alexander-Arnold

Have you been paying attention to the big stories in football, rugby, boxing, motor sport, ice skating?

27/03 Richard Wigglesworth: ‘I’ll be honest and think of nothing but the Lions’

Newly selected British & Irish Lions assistant tells Gerard Meagher about his journey as a coach, picking Steve Borthwick’s brain and Andy Farrell breaking the news

27/03 Beaumont calls for unity as RFU chief Sweeney fights for his future in vote

Bill Beaumont, the interim RFU chair, has said he is trying to head off ‘months of rancour’ but opponents insist Bill Sweeney should resign regardless of vote’s result

27/03 Andy Farrell opens Lions door for son Owen and other France-based players

Andy Farrell has included players who play in France in a longlist for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia

27/03 Andy Farrell’s dilemma over Owen looms large in Lions squad debate | Gerard Meagher

Owen Farrell’s form for Racing has been criticised but picking him would bring valuable experience in Australia

25/03 ‘Absolutely mental’: Brisbane Olympic plans divide Australia

The venue plans for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games have sparked fierce backlash online among Australians.

25/03 Wigglesworth set to be part of Farrell’s British & Irish Lions coaching team

The coach, who benefited from England’s strong finish to the Six Nations, is poised to join an Irish-heavy British Lions’ backroom team

23/03 Finn Russell returns to lead Bath past Gloucester to consolidate lead at top

Finn Russell marked his return with a try as Bath defeated Gloucester 42-26 to consolidate their lead at the top of the Premiership

23/03 England 38-5 Italy: Women’s Six Nations – as it happened

Minute-by-minute report: England bagged a bonus point on their way to a comfortable but not overwhelming win over Italy in York

23/03 England overpower Italy in winning start to Women’s Six Nations campaign

England beat Italy 38-5 in York, with five first-half tries more than enough to overcome the Azzurre

22/03 Benson shines as Harlequins record first away league win over Saracens in 13 years

Replacement fly-half Jamie Benson came on with Harlequins 12-0 down – by full-time they were 12-23 up

22/03 Fran McGhie shines as Scotland hold on to edge out Wales in feisty thriller

Scotland got their Women’s Six Nations campaign off to a winning start with a 24-21 victory over Wales

22/03 Six Nations contenders threaten Red Roses’ rule as World Cup looms large

England’s dominance will be tested against Ireland and France in year that will culminate in a historic World Cup

21/03 Sports quiz of the week: Six Nations, red cards and Eddie Jordan’s side hustle

Have you been watching the football, motor sport, rugby union, horse racing, Formula One, athletics and golf?

21/03 Premiership ready to rumble again with a post-Six Nations glow

The English top flight has clouds on its horizon but it returns with Derby Weekend full of promise and intrigue

20/03 Rugby does not need away ends – there’s enough division in the world already | Emma John

Opinion is split on segregating fans but a sport that prides itself on its friendly environment needs to be careful what it wishes for

20/03 Women’s Six Nations 2025: team-by-team guide to the tournament

England are favourites for a seventh consecutive crown but with eyes turning to the World Cup expect new combinations and the odd upset

19/03 Australia’s Super Rugby revival helping to prime Wallabies for Lions challenge | Angus Fontaine

A flying start to the season featuring expansive rugby being played at breakneck speed has lifted spirits ahead of the Lions’ arrival on Australian soil

19/03 No green light: RFU threatens to leave Twickenham over Beyoncé spat

Bill Sweeney has threatened to move England to Milton Keynes or Birmingham due to Twickenham’s licensing restrictions after missing out on lucrative Beyoncé concerts

19/03 Wallabies captain to lead Reds

Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson will feel “privileged” to captain Queensland for the first time on Saturday when the Reds meet the Highlanders in Dunedin.

18/03 France’s Peato Mauvaka cited for head-first lunge at Scotland’s Ben White

Hooker Peato Mauvaka has been cited for foul play following the incident he received a yellow card for in Saturday’s Six Nations finale

18/03 US rugby hopes Ilona Maher will be part of England and Fiji DC doubleheader

Washington date confirmed for Steve Borthwick’s men while women’s World Cup preparations bring Fiji to town

18/03 Newcastle Falcons’ future in limbo as losses prompt recruitment freeze

The survival of Newcastle as a professional rugby team will require more than just a £4m bail-out from the other Premiership clubs, according to Steve Diamond

18/03 ‘I know how important it is to tell people you love them’: England centre Meg Jones on family tragedy, hope and rugby

As England look to the Six Nations in a World Cup year, the 28-year-old juggles grief and guilt after losing her father to cancer and mother to alcoholism

18/03 The Breakdown | My team of the Six Nations: from Lions in waiting to France’s new King Louis

The tournament’s brightest stars make a formidable side – twin Currys, six Frenchmen and a Scottish double

17/03 Saracens and Leicester to trial separate away sections for Premiership fans

Traditionally rugby fans have liked lack of segregation, but organisers believe new areas could improve atmospheres

17/03 Six Nations 2025 awards: our writers pick their tournament highlights

From box-office Bielle-Biarrey to Daly denying France a shot at the grand slam, here is our selection of the highs and lows in 2025

17/03 Vibrant Six Nations leaves Andy Farrell with tricky decisions on Lions selection

England finished strong while Ireland appear to be fading, but the head coach must avoid an over-reliance on recency bias

16/03 Gloucester-Hartpury beat Saracens to claim third straight Premiership title

Gloucester-Hartpury scored six tries in Sean Lynn’s final game as head coach, a 34-19 win against Saracens in the Premiership Women’s Rugby final

16/03 Farrell looks likely to overlook England coaches for his British Lions staff

Steve Borthwick said none of his backroom team have been approached, with England coaches set to miss out for a second straight Lions tour

16/03 Pollock cameo captures air of optimism around buoyant England

Borthwick says Northampton youngster ‘just comes on and wants to win’ and is not letting the shirt weigh him down

16/03 France deserve Six Nations coronation but fall short of royal performance | Andy Bull

Scotland were almost the party poopers but in the end the flame throwers and fireworks were not in vain for the French

16/03 Gregor Townsend says system is failing after Peato Mauvaka reprieve

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend believes the system is failing after France hooker Peato Mauvaka was not sent off for making head-to-head contact

16/03 Wales 14-68 England: Six Nations player ratings from Cardiff

Ben Curry powers England to record-breaking win and dominates Dafydd Jenkins and the Welsh pack

16/03 Borthwick backs England players for Lions squad after rout of Wales

Steve Borthwick believes several England players have boosted their chances of selection for the Lions tour after their demolition of Wales

16/03 France win Six Nations title after Moefana’s double sinks Scotland

Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Thomas Ramos also scored tries in France’s 35-16 Six Nations-sealing victory against Scotland in Paris

15/03 Unflappable Maro Itoje proves he now deserves Lions captaincy | Gerard Meagher

England lock is finally turning into the captain he was tipped to become, and should get ultimate accolade this summer

15/03 England put 10-try demolition job on Wales to retain Six Nations title hopes

Henry Pollock scored two debut tries in Cardiff as England prolonged their Six Nations title hopes by thrashing Wales by a score of 68-14

15/03 France v Scotland: Six Nations 2025 – live

Can Les Bleus wrap up the title at the Stade de France? Join Lee Calvert to find out

15/03 Dan Sheehan’s hat-trick sees off Italy to keep Ireland’s Six Nations hopes alive

Dan Sheehan touched down three times to help Ireland recover from a sloppy start to secure a 22-17 bonus-point win in Rome

15/03 Wales v England: Six Nations 2025 – live

England need to beat Wales with a bonus point to stand a chance of claiming the title. Lee Calvert has updates

15/03 ‘Galvanising’ Christmas bash sparks Gloucester-Hartpury’s revival

The dinner ended a run of poor form and set up Sean Lynn’s side for Sunday’s Premiership Women’s final against Saracens

15/03 France have chance to show rugby’s power axis has shifted emphatically

Penaud and Bielle-Biarrey eye records, but main focus is on backing up stunning win over Ireland with trophy

15/03 Former Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom handed two-year prison sentence

Former Australia rugby union captain Rocky Elsom was handed a two-year prison sentence by a French court on Friday after being found guilty of misusing corporate funds.

14/03 Six Nations to remain on free-to-air TV until 2029 after new ITV and BBC deal

Under the reported £63m a year deal ITV will broadcast all England matches while the BBC will continue to show Wales and Scotland home fixtures

14/03 England must be ruthless against Wales – and that is the blueprint for the future | Ugo Monye

The context dictates that England have to be on the front foot in Cardiff – let’s have that as their modus operandi

14/03 England’s potential bus trip for Six Nations trophy is not only fork in road | Gerard Meagher

England will drive back to an empty stadium if France slip up, but their performance in Cardiff will define campaign

14/03 Six Nations judgment day has enough riding on it to be an all-time classic

A tournament that has produced tries galore reaches its glorious climax on Super Saturday with England and Ireland hot on the heels of favourites France

14/03 Sports quiz of the week: Six Nations, stadiums, shootouts and a shutout

Have you been watching the football, rugby, snooker, netball, cricket, Formula One, NFL and athletics?

13/03 ‘A rugby incident’: Ireland’s Simon Easterby defends Beirne and Porter

Simon Easterby, Ireland’s coach, has said the injury to France’s Antoine Dupont was a ‘rugby incident’

13/03 Wales will combine ‘heart and brain’ as Sherratt aims to sign off with a win

The Wales head coach is hoping to avoid a 17th successive Test defeat and said beating England ‘would give everyone a massive lift’

13/03 ‘It is not too dissimilar’: England’s Earl happy to make central switch if needed

England back-rower Ben Earl has said “half the stuff I do is as a 12 anyway’ at the prospect of moving to centre against Wales

12/03 Steve Borthwick rolls dice by recalling Marcus Smith for Wales finale

Marcus Smith is recalled to England’s starting lineup for Saturday clash with Wales while Henry Pollock is in line for a debut from the bench with Steve Borthwick rolling the dice as his side seek an unlikely Six Nations title.

12/03 Reds star to miss battle with NSW

Reds centre Hunter Paisami will return from suspension, but Queensland co-captain Liam Wright has suffered another injury setback and will miss Saturday night’s interstate grudge match against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.

10/03 Shaun Edwards and his French marauders show how big a reset Ireland will need | Brendan Fanning

Even with talisman Dupont forced out by injury, Les Bleus exposed Irish pretensions and brought a brutal end to the green party in Dublin

09/03 ‘Devastated’ England wait for test results after Ollie Lawrence injury

Steve Borthwick said of Ollie Lawrence’s injury: ‘Fingers crossed it’s not as severe as we fear,’ while Maro Itoje said he was ‘looking forward’ to their ‘humungous’ Wales tie

09/03 England 47-24 Italy: Six Nations player ratings from Twickenham

Ollie Sleightholme and and Fin Smith shone for the hosts while Ross Vintcent stood out for the Azzurri

09/03 Marcus Smith provides the spark England need to showcase their talent | Gerard Meagher

Marcus Smith was an early substitute and provided a big tackle, a try and a hitch-kick to inspire victory over Italy

09/03 Seven-try England maintain Six Nations title hopes with emphatic win over Italy

Ollie Sleightholme scored two tries in a 47-24 win against Italy, a result which moved England up to second in the Six Nations table with a round to go

09/03 France captain Antoine Dupont says he has ruptured cruciate knee ligaments

The France captain, Antoine Dupont, has said he will be out for ‘a few months’ after rupturing knee ligaments in the Six Nations win over Ireland

09/03 England v Italy: Six Nations 2025 – live

Join Daniel Gallan for updates as England look for a third consecutive win in the Six Nations to maintain their title hopes

09/03 Jorgensen double keeps Waratahs perfect as Chiefs, Reds slip up

The New South Wales Waratahs remain the only unbeaten team in Super Rugby Pacific after Dan McKellar's side handed the Western Force a 34-10 loss as the Waikato Chiefs and Queensland Reds both slipped to their first defeats.

08/03 ‘We can’t wait’: Scotland’s Townsend relishing France test after win over Wales

After dominating yet another match without maximising the return on the scoreboard, Scotland now face the daunting prospect of a trip to Paris to take on high-flying France

08/03 Scotland produce performance of extremes but survive Wales fightback

Scotland showed their brilliance and their familiar failings in a 35-29 win over Wales at Murrayfield

08/03 Fabien Galthié fears Antoine Dupont suffered ‘serious’ injury against Ireland

France head coach demands ‘an explanation’ while Ireland’s Simon Easterby said it was ‘just a rugby incident’

08/03 All the ingredients but no signature dish: England’s attack seeks sizzle

After unconvincing back-to back victories England need to find a cutting edge against Italy

08/03 Scotland v Wales: Six Nations rugby union – live

Minute-by-minute report: Join Lee Calvert for all the action from Murrayfield as Scotland host a winless Wales

08/03 France take Six Nations title race to the wire with thumping win over Ireland

Ireland’s championship hopes lie in tatters after a crushing 42-27 defeat at home to France

08/03 Ireland v France: Six Nations rugby union – live

Minute-by-minute report: Which of the top two will end the day with crucial momentum as the title beckons? Join Lee Calvert

08/03 I feel for Marcus Smith: Borthwick was never prepared to build team around him | Ugo Monye

Marcus’s style of play is in complete conflict with how the England head coach sees the game

08/03 Anger, spit and sawdust: Ireland says farewell to three gritty heroes

With France in town, Cian Healy, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony play their final game in Dublin with record third straight Six Nations in their sights

08/03 Thunder, lightning and three-peat hopes: Ireland and France put it all on the line

Saturday’s showdown in Dublin promises a ‘go hard or go home’ treat that could even surpass 2023’s classic

07/03 Scotland and Wales stick with what they know in search of better fortunes

Both Gregor Townsend and Matt Sherratt have shown faith in the XVs who performed well in their most recent defeats

07/03 Sports quiz of the week: races, records, finals, fights, a brawl and a new law

Have you been following the big stories in football, rugby, golf, athletics, boxing, cricket and horse racing?

07/03 Six Nations proves a beacon of light, hope and escapism amid global moral surrender | Emma John

In a world run by bullies, with sports subsumed by greed, England v Italy – never mind Ireland v France – is a comfort blanket

06/03 Ireland and France load benches with forwards to play Risk in search of reward

France have put it up to Ireland before a ball is kicked on Saturday, with a magnificent seven lumps on the bench, supported by just one back

06/03 Wales end 66-game streak as Sherratt sticks with same team for Scotland

The Wales interim head coach, Matt Sherratt, has stuck with the same starting lineup for his side’s trip to Scotland, saying he is ‘keen to let them go again’

06/03 Commercial director behind £100m deal resigns in latest setback to RFU

Stuart Ramsey, who was instrumental to securing a £100m naming rights deal for Twickenham with Allianz last year, handed in his notice last month

06/03 Tributes flow as Aussie tennis icon dies

Fred Stolle, a legend on the tennis court and in the commentary booth, has died at the age of 86.

06/03 Marcus Smith faces uphill battle to regain England place after Italy axe

Marcus Smith faces an uphill battle to regain his England place after Steve Borthwick sought to kickstart his side’s spluttering attack by axing the Harlequins playmaker

06/03 England attack under pressure to deliver as Smith falls victim to revamp | Robert Kitson

While dropping Marcus Smith to the bench makes a sort of sense, Steve Borthwick’s selections still feel largely reactive

05/03 England are kicking more than any team in the Six Nations. Is it working?

Leicester kicked their way to a title under Steve Borthwick and England are hoping to do the same

04/03 Jamie George inspired by Joe Root to kick on after England captaincy blow

Jamie George said he looked at the example of Joe Root as a role model after being stripped of the England captaincy

04/03 Carling questions calibre of England coaching staff and ‘sensitive’ players

Will Carling, a former England captain, has said the national side’s coaches are still learning and it could be affecting performances of players

04/03 Ireland and France’s battle for alpha status reminds me of Arsenal v United | Ugo Monye

Saturday’s likely title decider in the Six Nations renews an intense rivalry fuelled not by geography but the sheer brilliance of the two teams

04/03 The Breakdown | Ireland v France can live up to hype and seize rugby back from stattos

Sport was a joyous business for the great Frank Keating: let’s hope for an uplifting Dublin classic in his memory

02/03 Speedy set pieces and 20-minute red cards: have rugby’s changes worked?

After three rounds of the 2025 Six Nations, we assess the impact of World Rugby’s latest package of law tweaks

25/02 The Breakdown | Perennial eligibility debate over rugby’s project players rears up again

The qualification maze might seem unsatisfactory to some, but often it comes down to personal preference

24/02 Prop Will Stuart has become the cornerstone of England’s scrum

‘I’ve just tried to keep my head down and do my job,’ says the Bath tighthead after seeing off Scotland in Calcutta Cup

24/02 RFU adds extra England Test and leaves Borthwick without warm-weather camp

An extra match has been added against Australia for November, which means Steve Borthwick will lose his customary training time in Spain

23/02 Antoine Dupont to the fore as France run riot with 11-try thrashing of Italy

The final score was Italy 24-73 France as Fabien Galthié’s team maintained their push for the Six Nations title

23/02 Steve Borthwick may focus on results but England fans want to see an identity | Gerard Meagher

The kicking game – whether coaches or players initiated it – saw off Scotland. But there’s a reason the Twickenham crowd booed

23/02 Freeman believes in England’s Six Nations title hopes despite fans’ boos

England have favourable fixtures against Italy and Wales but Steve Borthwick backtracked on George Furbank’s fitness for the championship

23/02 England and Ireland remind Six Nations rivals that points win prizes

Making tries worth more could be worth considering but for now Steve Borthwick’s men remain in the Six Nations hunt

23/02 Italy v France: Six Nations updates – live

Minute-by-minute coverage: Join Daniel Gallan for full coverage of the Six Nations clash between Italy and France at Stadio Olimpico

23/02 England’s iron-chinned boxers get on the right side of ifs and buts | Andy Bull

It was not pretty but Steve Borthwick’s side continued their newly discovered habit of winning tight Six Nations games

23/02 Scotland are a joy to watch but still can’t deliver what they promise | Michael Aylwin

Van der Merwe and Kinghorn shine again only for the Scots to be bullied out of fifth successive Calcutta Cup victory

23/02 England 16-15 Scotland: Calcutta Cup Six Nations player ratings

Jamie Ritchie was outstanding for a Scotland side who somehow lost, in part thanks to the efforts of Maro Itoje

23/02 Scotland’s Gregor Townsend questions England’s crucial penalty decision

The Scotland head coach said he did not ‘know how that’s a penalty’ while the England coach praised his team’s second half

22/02 Matt Sherratt hails his Wales players’ ‘emotion and ambition’ despite defeat

Interim coach Matt Sherratt was proud even though Ireland won 27-18 for a 15th Wales defeat in a row

22/02 Agony for Finn Russell after missed kick hands England win over Scotland

England won the Calcutta Cup 16-15 after Finn Russell narrowly missed an 80th-minute conversion of Duhan van der Merwe’s try

22/02 Prendergast kicks Ireland to triple crown success against spirited Wales

Three late Sam Prendergast penalties helped Ireland to a 27-18 win against Wales, who had led by eight points, to secure the triple crown

22/02 England v Scotland: Six Nations – live

Minute-by-minute updates: Can Scotland continue their recent dominance in the Calcutta Cup? Join Lee Calvert to find out

22/02 Wales v Ireland: Six Nations – live

Can Wales avoid a third defeat in a row as they take on the current holders? Join Lee Calvert to find out

22/02 Phaidra Knight, rugby great, set for pro MMA debut at 50: ‘All roads lead to where I am’

After 35 US caps, three World Cups and hall of fame recognition, the former flanker is still a fighter – but now it’s in the octagon, for money

22/02 Time is running out for England's and Scotland’s Lions hopefuls to state their case | Ugo Monye

All the way across the field there are mouthwatering head-to-heads with players pushing for the tour to Australia

22/02 Wright close to returning for Reds

Reds coach Les Kiss says there’s no need to rush co-captain Liam Wright back from a shoulder injury such was Queensland’s performance in a 56-36 Super Rugby Pacific win over Moana Pasifika.

21/02 Sherratt rings the changes as Wales start life after Gatland against Ireland

Wales’s interim head coach has brought back Gareth Anscombe and club familiarity for the visit of defending champions Ireland on Saturday

21/02 Scotland happy to let England play favourites before Calcutta Cup clash

Gregor Townsend seems to know just what is needed to unravel their Six Nations rivals with a peerless record

21/02 England to show ‘nastiness’ as Itoje backs side to wrestle back Calcutta Cup

England have vowed to show their nasty side against Scotland with the captain Maro Itoje calling on his team to buck the trend of recent history

21/02 Time for England to end Calcutta Cup blues and show France was no fluke | Robert Kitson

Red Rose have lost four in a row against Scotland, but if they can back up victory over Les Bleus there will be every chance of top-two finish

21/02 Sports quiz of the week: fights, shocks, records, mistakes and a comeback

Were you watching the football, rugby, cricket, hockey, boxing, cycling, F1, sailing, athletics, darts and tennis?

20/02 Feyi-Waboso injury fallout hits England preparations for Scotland clash

The reaction to the handling of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s shoulder injury has marred England’s preparations for the Six Nations clash with Scotland

20/02 Mee to make Wales bow against Ireland as both teams ring Six Nations changes

The Scarlets back Ellis Mee will make his Test debut when Wales begin life after Warren Gatland against Ireland

20/02 Finn Russell fit to face England as Scotland name side for Six Nations clash

Scotland co-captain Finn Russell has been passed fit for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup match with England but fellow back Darcy Graham misses out

20/02 Wallabies captain signs new deal

National captain Harry Wilson has recommitted to Queensland and Australian rugby until the end of 2029 in a huge boost for the Reds and the Wallabies.

20/02 Surgery ends Feyi-Waboso’s hopes of playing for England in Six Nations

The winger, who finally had shoulder surgery after an initial delay, is also a doubt for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer

19/02 Scotland’s dangermen Russell and Van der Merwe loom large for England

Hosts must unlock solutions to the deadly duo when the teams contest the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham on Saturday

19/02 Calcutta Cup classics: our writers pick their most memorable showdowns

As England prepare to host Scotland on Saturday, relive some of the most compelling clashes between the old foes

19/02 Reds coach silent on Wallabies gig

Reds mentor Les Kiss’s “respect” for his Queensland players has him reluctant to divulge whether he wants to succeed Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach later this year.

18/02 Chessum back in only England change for Six Nations clash with Scotland

Ollie Chessum will make his first England start for 11 months on Saturday with Steve Borthwick making a solitary change to his side to face Scotland

18/02 The Breakdown | ‘Clubs are going to disappear’: grassroots rugby crying for help in Six Nations’ shadow

The community game’s feedback for the Bills, Sweeney and Beaumont, makes for painful reading as RFU hits the road in week of Calcutta Cup

17/02 England exposed to video nasties in bid to end losing streak in Calcutta Cup

Steve Borthwick has been using clips of England’s recent Six Nations defeats against the auld enemy to boost motivation ahead of Saturday’s clash at Twickenham

17/02 Wallabies skipper won’t pressure Reds coach

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson is grateful for the clarity Joe Schmidt has provided about his future as Australia’s coach, saying it will assist with the “smooth transition” to his successor.

17/02 Six Nations half-term report: Ireland top of class but Wales go from bad to worse | Ugo Monye

In rating the teams it is the defending champions that look a cut above as the other sides struggle to find consistency

15/02 Reds star staying patient in comeback bid

Having earnt not only a Wallabies recall but the national team captaincy, Liam Wright wasn’t ready for the devastation of a shoulder injury that ended his 2024 campaign less than an hour into his first Test in four years.

15/02 Poppy Cleall drives Saracens to win over Exeter to close in on home semi-final

Saracens clinched a 21-12 victory against Exeter in the Premiership Women’s Rugby to close in on a home semi-final

15/02 Mitchell return instrumental to England’s Six Nations revival

The scrum-half’s contribution towards the end of France victory justified Borthwick’s faith in giving the Northampton man the full 80 minutes

15/02 ‘Rugby can be pretty complicated’: Cole and Youngs tackle plain speaking in hit podcast

No more biting of lips as former England stalwarts Cole and Youngs are saying what they actually think in their rugby podcast

14/02 Ineos and Ratcliffe’s sporting empire risks atrophy with horizons narrowing | Nick Ames

The dream of sharing expertise across six sports, hoping to be supreme in all, was always likely to be a high wire act

14/02 ‘I’ve told Dad to be neutral’ – Fin Smith on split family Calcutta Cup loyalties

Fly-half starred in Six Nations victory against France and is now set to face Scotland, the country of his father’s birth

14/02 London Irish’s attempt to leave English club system set to be blocked by RFU

The RFU is set to block a request from reborn London Irish to leave the English game and join the United Rugby Championship

14/02 Sports quiz of the week: Super Bowl LIX, top dogs and high scorers

Test your knowledge of the last seven days in football, rugby union, basketball and more

13/02 Marcus Smith can become England’s pinch hitter with a licence to thrill

Fin Smith’s control at fly-half looks the better option but that need not mean the end of the Harlequin’s Test career

12/02 Red flags raised after debts soar at Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s chemicals empire

Ratings agencies downgraded outlook for Ineos Group to ‘negative’ as tycoon’s sporting interests also hit crisis point

12/02 F1 legend Eddie Jordan’s consortium launches revival of London Irish

A consortium led by the former Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan has bought London Irish more than a year after the Premiership club collapsed

11/02 The Breakdown | Time for Wales to face the Six Nations music as faith and form nosedive

If Welsh rugby sinks any lower, big questions about the tournament’s long-term health may have to be asked

11/02 Warren Gatland set to leave Wales job after dismal second stint as head coach

The Wales rugby union head coach Warren Gatland is to leave his role after 14 consecutive defeats

11/02 New Zealand Rugby launches legal action against Ineos over sponsorship

New Zealand Rugby has launched legal action against Ineos, founded and run by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, alleging the company dropped a sponsorship agreement

10/02 Government officials ‘more pessimistic’ about financial health of rugby union

Fate of Worcester, Wasps and London Irish has left DCMS officials concerned about the state of the sport

10/02 England win has fans dreaming again as Borthwick’s plans come together | Robert Kitson

Emotional success against France captures imagination and showcases the charm and unpredictability of the Six Nations

09/02 Furbank and Feyi-Waboso fitness boost bolsters England’s Six Nations charge

Steve Borthwick said both players could return for the business end of tournament, with England back in the title hunt after beating France

09/02 Was England’s win a watershed moment for Borthwick or a fleeting slice of joy?

Last-gasp Six Nations victory over France could signal a new dawn but may simply be the law of averages at play

09/02 Ireland power through Scotland to stay unbeaten with Prendergast to the fore

Finn Russell was forced off early after a clash of heads and Ireland dominated with Sam Prendergast scoring 12 points in their 32-18 win in Scotland

09/02 Scotland v Ireland: Six Nations 2025 – live

Join Daniel Gallan for updates from the crunch Six Nations clash at Murrayfield this afternoon

08/02 ‘A vindication’: Maro Itoje hails England’s Six Nations win over France

Maro Itoje saluted his team’s ambition and bravery after their stunning last-gasp victory over France

08/02 Muddy, bloody and bruised, Fin Smith comes of age on the grand stage | Andy Bull

Incredible clutch performance of the sort fans have craved proves England have found their new fly-half

08/02 England 26-25 France: Six Nations player ratings from Twickenham

Tom Curry and Fin Smith inspire dramatic victory for hosts while Peato Mauvaka exemplified bungling visitors

08/02 France’s carelessness proves costly as win slips through their fingers | Michael Aylwin

Visitors range from the sublime to the ridiculous at Allianz Stadium as old failings returned to haunt them

08/02 England stun France as dramatic late Daly try clinches Six Nations classic

Elliot Daly’s last-minute try secured a 26-25 England victory over France in an enthralling encounter at Allianz Stadium

08/02 Gatland has sympathy for nation’s frustration as sorry Wales slump again

Warren Gatland said he “understands people’s frustration” after Wales slumped to a worst‑ever world ranking of 12th in the world

08/02 Italy beat the deluge and condemn toothless Wales to 14th defeat in a row

Tomasso Allen kicked 17 points as Italy beat Wales 22-15 in Rome to leave Warren Gatland’s side staring at the wooden spoon

08/02 England v France: Six Nations 2025 – live

Minute-by-minute report: Join Lee Calvert for all the latest news from Twickenham as England host Les Bleus

08/02 Italy v Wales: Six Nations 2025 – live

Minute-by-minute report: The second round of fixtures kicks off with a potential wooden spoon decider. Join Lee Calvert

08/02 Sutherland will need full tank for Scotland to end losing run against Ireland

Prop banking on final-quarter heave to buck the trend and dent holders’ hopes of three Championship titles in a row

08/02 Forget the Smiths, French pack could cause panic on the pitch in London

If England are blown away up front, Will Smith might as well be playing fly-half for all the difference it will make

07/02 When it comes to Le Crunch, England don’t seem to know what their best XV is | Ugo Monye

The world’s greatest teams know who plays when everyone is fit and horses-for-courses selection won’t help Steve Borthwick

07/02 Wallabies on hunt for new coach once again as Super Rugby turns into casting call | Angus Fontaine

As a familiar flux returns to Australian rugby, the preference will be for a local coach to succeed Joe Schmidt with a home World Cup so close

07/02 Favoured Italy face return of Faletau as Wales look to stop their slide

Warren Gatland’s men are seeking to avoid their 14th consecutive defeat but Italy also lost their first game in this year’s Six Nations

07/02 ‘Sorry, good game’: why English rugby attitudes still infuriate France

The one thing France fear about England isn’t their scrum, maul or back-play – it’s their attitude when they beat them

07/02 Maro Itoje reveals he turned down big-money French offers to put England first

England’s captain will lead his country out on Saturday at Allianz Stadium with several former team-mates ineligible plying their trade in France

07/02 Sports quiz of the week: Six Nations, stadiums, Simona Halep and speed

Have you been paying attention to the big (and small) stories in football, rugby, cricket, tennis, boxing and NFL?

07/02 Stalling England seek to step on the gas with Smith shuffle against France | Robert Kitson

Be bold and back yourself will certainly be the theme of Steve Borthwick’s pre-match paddock pep talk at Twickenham

06/02 ‘Important but not the biggest’: Gatland denies Italy game is Wales’s most crucial in 20 years

Warren Gatland has dismissed the notion Wales are facing their biggest game for two decades against Italy on Saturday

06/02 Good times for a change? Borthwick pairs playmaker Smiths against France

Fin Smith will start at fly-half for England and namesake Marcus at 15 in the Six Nations on Saturday

06/02 Jalibert at fly-half as France make two changes to starting XV against England

France’s head coach, Fabien Galthié, said the Bordeaux-Begles No 10 was the clear choice to partner Antoine Dupont at half-back at Twickenham

06/02 Joe Schmidt to stand down as Wallabies coach after Rugby Championship

Huge blow for Rugby Australia ahead of home 2027 World Cup with the New Zealander to face All Blacks in last match in charge in October

05/02 Ntamack suspended for England clash with Jalibert likely to step up for France

Romain Ntamack was sent off in the 43-0 defeat of Wales in Paris and has been handed a three-week suspension, but will be available again to face Ireland

05/02 England team’s struggles remind me of Manchester United, says Wigglesworth

England’s attack coach Richard Wigglesworth, who is a Manchester United fan, sees similarities between the rugby team and progress under Ruben Amorim

05/02 Rugby’s concussion trial moves a step closer to reality after high court progress

The class action being brought by hundreds of former rugby union and league players over the devastating effects of repetitive head injuries has taken a significant step forward at the high court in London

04/02 England set to name both Smiths in starting XV for France Six Nations clash

England are poised to select both Fin Smith and Marcus Smith in the same starting team to face France in the Six Nations this weekend

04/02 The Breakdown | England beware: rugby’s Messi is even better after Olympic sevens stint

Scrum-half Antoine Dupont took time off to snare Olympic gold which has made him even more effective around the rucks

03/02 Foot injury set to rule England’s Cadan Murley out of French test in Six Nations

Steve Borthwick primed to make changes for Les Bleus visit to Twickenham with injury to Harlequins winger and fit-again Jamie George in contention

03/02 Six Nations warning lights are flashing for exposed England and weak Wales

Steve Borthwick’s side still lack an effective Plan B while Warren Gatland’s aim is to avoid embarrassment in Rome

02/02 Jamie George fit to return against France as England try to ‘break the dam’

The former England captain Jamie George has been declared fit for the daunting Six Nations clash with France on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring injury

02/02 Steve Borthwick must stop blaming inexperience for England’s failings

This England side have character and can carry out a game plan, but there is no guarantee they will improve in time

02/02 James Lowe ensures Ireland finish on a high after hit-and-miss start | Brendan Fanning

Champions show their enduring class in the second half after making a sloppy start to Six Nations defence

01/02 Beaten Steve Borthwick cites lack of experience for England’s Dublin defeat

Steve Borthwick said Ireland’s greater experience was key to them beating England in Dublin

01/02 Maro Itoje leads from the front but can’t fix England’s familiar frailties | Gerard Meagher

New captain was impressive but could not summon steeliness the Lions needed to close out a tight match

01/02 Ireland 27-22 England: Six Nations player ratings

James Lowe was the standout of a superb Irish back line while for England the Curry twins shone but the backs struggled

01/02 England’s early promise blown away by Ireland’s second-half storm

Ireland delivered a powerful second-half performance to secure a 27-22 win over England in their opening Six Nations match

01/02 Scotland hit the ground running as Huw Jones hat-trick sinks Italy

Scotland got their Six Nations campaign off to a winning start, scoring five tries in a 31-19 victory over Italy at Murrayfield

01/02 Ireland v England: Six Nations 2025 – live

Minute-by-minute report: Join Lee Calvert as Ireland begin their bid for an unprecedented third Six Nations title in a row

01/02 France revel in fleeting return of near-telepathic Dupont-Ntamack pairing

Wales could not cope with half-back partnership as Romain Ntamack made good on injury comeback before seeing red

01/02 Scotland v Italy: Six Nations 2025 – live

Minute-by-minute updates: Join Lee Calvert for all the action from Murrayfield in the opening round

01/02 Some games are bigger than others … so pressure is on Ireland and England

Visitors have potential to forge a winning new identity under Maro Itoje’s captaincy but the experienced Irish remain marginal favourites

01/02 ‘Not an entirely bad day at the office,’ claims Gatland after 43-0 defeat by France

Wales were beaten in Paris by a dominant France side, a result that extends their losing run under Gatland to 13 consecutive matches