England rugby players, including No 8 Ben Earl, have criticized the new Nations Championship format due to extensive travel across three continents for successive Test matches, citing player welfare and reduced preparation time as key concerns.
England rugby coach Steve Borthwick draws inspiration from Thomas Tuchel's approach to managing high-expectation teams, focusing on preparation and continuous improvement. He sees potential in new talent like Henry Pollock and considers tactical experiments, such as using Marcus Smith at scrum-half, to build a more attacking and successful England side for future tournaments.
England's rugby squad for the Fiji match includes newcomers Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori, both set to earn their first caps from the bench. Bristol prop George Kloska is also in line for his Test debut. Janse van Rensburg, 29, qualifies via residency, while 19-year-old Caluori is a top try-scorer.
England's rugby team suffered a significant 45-21 defeat against South Africa, raising concerns about Steve Borthwick's coaching and the team's development. Despite facing a depleted Springboks side, England's performance highlighted defensive weaknesses, ill-discipline, and coaching staff departures, casting doubt on their prospects for the upcoming Fiji match and future tournaments.
England's rugby team has made five changes to its starting XV for the match against South Africa, including new signings George Martin and Jack van Poortvliet. The team aims to counter South Africa's physicality and end a four-match losing streak.
England coach Sir Kevin Sinfield states the team is ideally prepared for their Nations Championship opener against world champions South Africa at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, despite the high altitude. The squad arrived 10 days early to adapt to the conditions, which Sinfield believes is optimal.
England's rugby team faces a challenging Nations Championship debut with three Tests across continents in three weeks. The reappointment of veteran Jamie George as captain, in Maro Itoje's absence, raises questions about the management's confidence amid a four-match losing streak.
Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody, 48, is cycling 500 miles from Newcastle to Twickenham to raise awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) following his own diagnosis. He aims to honor George "Doddie" Weir and support the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.
Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody, 48, has begun a 500-mile cycle from Newcastle to Twickenham to raise awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) following his own diagnosis. He is joined by over a dozen players, friends, and family, honoring MND campaigner George "Doddie" Weir.
Christiana Balogun made her England rugby debut on Nov 4, 2022, the same day she finished chemotherapy for Burkitt lymphoma. Diagnosed in May 2022, she battled aggressive cancer, side effects, and isolation before receiving the all-clear in Jan 2023. Now 28, she has returned to rugby, signing a new contract with Bristol and being called up for England's Six Nations.
Tom Youngs, a former England and Leicester Tigers rugby star, now runs a 'Scrums and Buns' burger stall on his family's Norfolk farm, promoting local food and farm education.
Former England U21 rugby player Matt Hampson and jockey Sir AP McCoy have completed the 2026 London Marathon to raise funds and awareness for supporting young people who have suffered serious injuries in sport.
Former England rugby wing Anthony Watson, capped 56 times and a 2019 World Cup finalist, retired at 30 last year due to a chronic back injury. Rather than regret, the ex-player describes his forced retirement as a "blessing" that gave him clarity and control over his life for the first time since age 13. Attending the Hong Kong Sevens as a Laureus ambassador, Watson said he would have risked his health to continue playing had the decision been left to him.
New England rugby league head coach Brian McDermott has confirmed that Jake Connor is part of his plans for this autumn's World Cup, dismissing previous negative narratives surrounding the player.
Brian McDermott will be confirmed as England men's rugby league head coach this week, succeeding Shaun Wane after the Ashes whitewash. The 56-year-old, currently assistant at Newcastle Knights, beat candidates including Sam Burgess and Brad Arthur to lead England at the autumn World Cup in Australia.
