Saracens academy player Totoa Auvaa will not face disciplinary action for punching an ECB security guard, despite the incident involving England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson. The RFU considers it an employment matter, while the ECB expressed bemusement.
The English Premiership semi-finals showcased brilliant rugby, leading to a Northampton v Exeter final. This presents an opportunity for England to embrace a more dynamic, attacking style, potentially identifying future national team talent beyond current coach Steve Borthwick.
Matthew Smith, an RFU council member, resigned after posting discriminatory criticism against TV pundit Maggie Alphonsi, prompting calls for stricter policies against sexism in rugby.
An RFU council member, Matthew Smith, has been suspended for seven months for making a discriminatory Facebook comment about pundit Maggie Alphonsi. He questioned her knowledge of men's rugby, leading to a ban on his RFU privileges, though he retains voting rights.
Jo Yapp, former England captain and current RFU women’s pathway head, appointed as the first head coach for the British & Irish Lions women’s tour to New Zealand in 2027, aiming to lead a combined team from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales against the Black Ferns in three Tests.
Liz Crake joins England's squad for the Six Nations grand slam decider against France due to Kelsey Clifford's injury, highlighting the team's depth challenges amid injuries and part-time player contributions.
Japan suspends head coach Eddie Jones for 4 games and cuts his salary for verbal abuse towards local officials during an Australian tour, missing the Nations Championship opener against Italy.
Japan's rugby head coach Eddie Jones, 66, suspended for 4 games and fined for verbally abusing local officials during an Under-23 tour in Australia, missing Nations Championship opener against Italy on July 4.
Red Roses are reaping rewards of investment with call for others to follow their lead to increase jeopardyA world record winning streak stretched to 36 matches, no defeats in the Six Nations since 2018 and none at all since the 2022 Rugby World Cup final: England’s dominance of women’s rugby is undeniable but is it bad for the game?Before addressing that question as England prepare for their penultimate 2026 Six Nations match against Italy in Parma on Saturday, another needs to be answered – why are the world champions so dominant? The simple answer is the investment made by the Rugby Football Union. Of course the big player pool and talent play a huge part but they have been able to develop professionally since full-time contracts were announced in 2018. Alongside they have invested in marketing, getting sponsorships and gradually building crowds by showcasing the team across the country. Continue reading...
If supporters want transparency, they won’t find it in the rubber-stamping of Steve Borthwick’s coaching teamThere has been a lot of fuss in recent days about French TV directors not giving rugby fans the full picture. In that particular department, sadly, there remains a runaway market leader. To say the Rugby Football Union’s public response to England’s disappointing Six Nations campaign has failed to supply all the relevant angles is an understatement.In an ideal world, there would have been a media conference with Bill Sweeney, the RFU’s chief executive, alongside Steve Borthwick, his head coach, presenting a united, purposeful front and outlining precisely why the status quo needs preserving despite England having racked up four championship defeats for the first time since 1976. Instead, there was only a “Don’t tell ‘em, Pike” statement on email best summarised in four words: “Nothing to see here.” Continue reading...
England suffered four defeats in dismal Six NationsBill Sweeney says improvement not ‘one simple answer’Steve Borthwick and his coaching staff are to remain in charge of England’s men’s team despite the squad’s worst Five or Six Nations for 50 years. The Rugby Football Union has opted to back Borthwick and his lieutenants through to next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia having completed what it described as “a detailed and robust review” of England’s latest campaign.Despite having lost four Five or Six Nations games in the same season for the first time since 1976, the RFU has chosen to keep faith with the Borthwick regime in the belief that things can only get better. The union has decided that sacking the head coach is not the optimal solution, having previously dispensed with Eddie Jones’s services nine months prior to the 2023 World Cup. Continue reading...
