The Ultimate Sevens Championship, a rugby union version inspired by The Hundred, launches in September with global sevens stars, abbreviated 10-minute games, and innovations to attract younger fans.
Former captain, 32, won more than 100 caps for GeorgiaWorld Rugby found evidence of urine sample swapsThe biggest anti-doping investigation in World Rugby’s history has resulted in six of Georgia’s men’s team and a medical official being handed lengthy bans, with their former captain, Merab Sharikadze, suspended for 11 years. Working alongside the World Anti-Doping Agency, evidence was uncovered of urine swapping and advance warning of upcoming drug tests being given to players.No firm proof was uncovered of attempts to mask the use of performance-enhancing substances but World Rugby did find evidence that urine sample substitutions had taken place to conceal non-performance-enhancing substances such as cannabis and tramadol. Continue reading...
Former captain, 32, won more than 100 caps for GeorgiaWorld Rugby found evidence of urine sample swapsThe biggest anti-doping investigation in World Rugby’s history has resulted in six of Georgia’s men’s team and a medical official being handed lengthy bans, with their former captain Merab Sharikadze suspended for 11 years. Working alongside the World Anti-Doping Agency, evidence was uncovered of urine swapping and advance warning of drug tests being given to players.No firm proof was uncovered of attempts to mask the use of performance-enhancing substances but World Rugby did find evidence that urine sample substitutions had taken place to conceal non-performance-enhancing substances such as cannabis and tramadol. Continue reading...
England's Red Roses secured their 36th consecutive win with an 11th straight victory over Wales in the Six Nations. Captain Meg Jones, born in Cardiff with Welsh fluency, scored twice at Ashton Gate while leading the team to the Triple Crown. Wales scored a record 24 points in the defeat, with England prevailing despite losing Sadia Kabeya to injury early on.
After overcoming a debilitating injury, the Ireland captain is relishing the prospect of a grudge match against FranceTwelve months ago Erin King was not only told she may never play rugby again but faced the possibility of being unable to even run. Fast forward to now and the 22-year-old is ready to lead Ireland in their revenge mission against France this Saturday after their rivals knocked them out of last year’s Rugby World Cup in King’s absence.King, who transitioned from sevens rugby after the 2024 Olympics, had sustained a serious knee injury against England at the 2025 Six Nations which ruled her out of the global showpiece. It was a blow for Ireland’s campaign with the back row going from strength-to-strength in the 15s game. In 2024 she had been named the World Rugby breakthrough player of the year after standout performances that included scoring two tries in the team’s historic win over New Zealand at the WXV tournament.This is an extract from our weekly rugby union email, the Breakdown. To subscribe just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...
Hong Kong's rugby sevens team could compete in the flagship HSBC SVNS within three years, but their semi-final elimination from the third-tier SVNS 3 in January has left them without competitive matches until October's Asian Games. World Rugby's sevens general manager Sam Pinder said promotion depends on performance, emphasizing the merit-based pathway through the Asian series and Asian Games development opportunities.
Hong Kong's rugby sevens team could compete in the flagship HSBC SVNS circuit within three years, according to World Rugby's sevens general manager Sam Pinder. Currently playing in the third-tier HSBC SVNS 3, Hong Kong's semi-final elimination in January left them without competitive matches until October's Asian Games, except for an exhibition tournament at last weekend's Hong Kong Sevens. Pinder emphasized that promotion depends purely on sporting meritocracy.
Hong Kong's rugby sevens team could compete in the flagship HSBC SVNS circuit within three years, but their current exclusion stems from semi-final elimination in January's third-tier SVNS 3 tournament. World Rugby sevens general manager Sam Pinder emphasized that progression depends on performance, with the current eight-core-team model locked until the 2028 Olympics.
Hong Kong brought the curtain down on its 50th anniversary Sevens in front of another record crowd on Sunday, and with the head of World Rugby calling the city a “significant global player”. According to organisers, some 113,395 supporters passed through the gates over the three days of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, the biggest official attendance since the tournament began in 1976. And while New Zealand’s women successfully defended their title, South Africa’s men won in Hong Kong...
Hong Kong will host another significant rugby tournament this year, with the game’s global governing body awarding the city the WXV Challenger in September. The two-week tournament, featuring some of the best women’s teams in the world, including Hong Kong, is expected to be held at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. Announcing the decision on Sunday on the sidelines of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson called the WXV a “very, very important competition” for his...
