Rugby union mourns the loss of two titans, Fergus Slattery and Roger Spattery, embodying unquenchable warrior spirit, whose impact on and off the field will be deeply missed.
The race for the top four in rugby union's Premiership is wide open after a weekend of close matches. Exeter and Saracens face a direct shootout for the final play-off spot, while other teams battle for Champions Cup qualification.
Scott Hastings, a legendary Scottish rugby player and key figure in the 1990 Grand Slam victory, has died aged 61 after a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Known for his defensive prowess and a famous tackle on Rory Underwood, Hastings played 65 caps for Scotland and was part of the first brother pairing in a Lions Test side.
The article discusses the current trend of high-scoring rugby matches, questioning if an overemphasis on tries is detrimental to the game's balance and excitement, using recent blowouts as examples.
Wales Women's rugby team has suffered another Six Nations clean sweep of defeats, culminating in a loss to Italy and the Wooden Spoon. Despite a quiet optimism entering the tournament, the team's performance has led to questions about coach Ioan Lynn's future.
Former Scotland rugby union centre Scott Hastings has died at the age of 61. Hastings, who won 65 caps for Scotland and played in two British and Irish Lions tours, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, May 17, after undergoing cancer treatment.
Scottish rugby icon Scott Hastings has died at age 61 after a battle with cancer. Known for his role in Scotland's 1990 Grand Slam win and his broadcasting career, his family confirmed his peaceful passing on May 17th.
South African Rugby Union (Saru) is conducting a major review of its playing schedule, with a potential withdrawal from European competitions like the Champions and Challenge Cups being considered due to player welfare concerns and logistical challenges.
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.
Eddie Jones has been suspended from coaching Japan during its rugby union Test match against Italy in July after "incidences of verbal abuse" during a recent tour of Australia.
Women’s Six Nations updates from 2pm BST kick-off Is England’s dominance an issue? | And mail Lee6 mins. The home side decide to ram a stick in their own spokes by booting the restart out on the full. England will have a scrum on the centre spot.4 mins. A return to the 22 pulls the Italy defence in narrow and that is all the opportunity Harrison needs to find space on the right with a cross kick that Packer dives on to score. Continue reading...
Women’s Six Nations updates from 2pm BST kick-off Is England’s dominance an issue? | And mail LeePre-match readingGive me a shout with all your thoughts and feelings on the match and anything else besides on the email. Don’t be shy now. Continue reading...
Stonewood take minority stake in Champ clubPirates officials call it a ‘landmark’ dealCornish Pirates have stolen a march on some bigger sides in the Prem by becoming the first English rugby union club to complete a significant deal with wealthy American-based backers. The Champ club have joined forces with the Pittsburgh-based private equity firm Stonewood Capital with the aim of revitalising the prospects of the Penzance side.The long-term arrangement would give Stonewood a substantial minority stake in the club for what is understood to be an initial seven-figure sum. Pirates officials are calling it a “landmark” deal and a “major milestone in the club’s evolution”. Continue reading...
It is feared soft-power politics and a $240m war-chest could leave Samoa and Tonga uniquely vulnerableThere’s a new war in the Pacific brewing, with the Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika collapsing and rugby league on a new signing spree in union’s traditional heartlands.The conflict spells trouble for Rugby Australia (RA), whose federal government is funding a $600m NRL franchise in Papua New Guinea, $240m of which will go into poaching talent and creating pathways throughout Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands. Continue reading...
The NRL's expansion has ramifications for more than the existing 17 clubs, with Australian and New Zealand rugby talent also in the crosshairs.
Premiership Women's Rugby will introduce a 10-point plan next season to increase female coaches at international level, addressing a situation where only one top-10 nation (New Zealand) is currently led by a woman. The scheme includes financial investment, training programmes, and potential minimum standards for female coaches at clubs. Research with the RFU produced a 100-page report on diversifying coaching in the women's game.
Have you been following the big stories in football, darts, rugby union, boxing, athletics, swimming and horse racing? Continue reading...
Article highlights three young rugby wingers - Noah Caluori (19, Saracens), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (22, France/Bath) and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (23, Exeter) - as exceptional talents who could transform rugby's image from physical collisions to skill-based spectacle. Caluori has scored 18 tries in nine Premiership matches, drawing comparisons to 'cheat code' players. The piece argues these athletes represent a new era of quick, intelligent rugby that could attract younger audiences and transcend the sport.
Sara, Kat Merchant & Siwan Lillicrap dissect England's victory over Wales at Ashton Gate.
Updates from Ashton Gate; kick-off 2.15pm BST Sign up for The Breakdown newsletter | Mail DanielAnother yarn from Sarah. In this one she hears from young Millie David who makes her Red Roses debut on the wing today. Continue reading...
The Welsh Rugby Union has ended talks with Y11 Sport & Media regarding the sale of Cardiff. While the WRU maintains its goal of reducing the number of professional teams to three by 2028, it has offered the remaining regions a new Professional Rugby Agreement through 2030.
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...
The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend’s actionSubscribe to get our editors’ pick of the Guardian’s award-winning sport coverage. We’ll email you the stand-out features and interviews, insightful analysis and highlights from the archive, plus films, podcasts, galleries and more – all arriving in your inbox at every Friday lunchtime. And we’ll set you up for the weekend and let you know our live coverage plans so you’ll be ahead of the game. Here’s what you can expect from us.Try our other sports emails: there’s daily football news and gossip in The Fiver, and weekly catch-ups for cricket in The Spin and rugby union in The Breakdown.Living in Australia? Try the Guardian Australia’s daily sports newsletter Continue reading...
The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week’s action reviewedEvery Tuesday, Guardian rugby writer Robert Kitson gives his thoughts on the headlines, scrutinises the latest matches and provides gossip from behind the scenes in his unique and indomitable style. See the latest edition here.Try our other sports emails: there’s daily football news and gossip in The Fiver, a weekly cricket catch-up in The Spin, and our seven-day round-up of the best of our sports journalism in The Recap.Living in Australia? Try the Guardian Australia’s daily sports newsletter Continue reading...
