Rugby Union

Ulster’s victory over Connacht ended a run of five defeats in a row after a difficult run of form. That run included two heavy losses in Europe at the hands of Toulouse and Bordeaux. Leicester lost their European opener to Bordeaux before bouncing back with a big win over South …

Newcastle are bottom of the Premiership, with the team finishing in that position set to contest a two-legged play-off with the winners of the Championship to decide who plays in the top flight next season. However, the situation is complicated. The team who finishes first in the Championship must meet …

Brown made 74 appearances for Dragons and scored five tries. “I’ve been lucky enough to spend my entire playing career with the Dragons, something I’ve truly cherished and am incredibly proud of,” said Brown. “I’d like to send a massive shout out to my team-mates – both past and present …

Former England scrum-half Danny Care says he will remain with Harlequins next season for his 20th campaign with the club. Care, 38, has made a club record 386 appearances for the London outfit, including 11 so far this season. “I will be at Harlequins next season, I ain’t leaving – …

Danny has some big news and we round up an eventful weekend in the Premiership. BBC News

Glasgow Warriors are “genuine contenders” to win European club rugby’s top prize this season, according to assistant coach Nigel Carolan. After clinching the United Rugby Championship in South Africa last term, Carolan feels the side can properly challenge for the Champions Cup if they can find even greater consistency to …

Ireland wing Mack Hansen will face a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday following critical comments he made about the officiating in Connacht games after last month’s defeat by Leinster. Hansen said the refereeing of his side’s United Rugby Championship (URC) 20-12 loss at Aviva Stadium on 21 December made it feel …

Michael Lowry is out of Ulster’s Investec Champions Cup game against Leicester on Saturday after being added to the Irish province’s lengthy injury list but Iain Henderson will be available for the Welford Road game. Utility back Lowry suffered a thigh muscle injury in the win over Connacht on 28 …

Bristol Bears are “running out of games” to finish in the top four of the Premiership Women’s Rugby says head coach Dave Ward. The Bears were beaten 40-17 by neighbours Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday and remain fifth in the table, seven points behind Saracens in fourth although with a game in …

England centre Meg Jones says she is finding “peace in the pain” after suffering the loss of both parents in quick succession. Jones’ father passed away from lung cancer last summer and four months later, her mother died. “It’s just been tough,” the 21-times capped Red Rose, told BBC Radio …

He may not the best back row in his family, but he is clearly the best in the Premiership right now. Tom Willis, whose brother Jack continues to tear up trees for European champions Toulouse, has been in superb form all season. His display in Saracens’ 35-26 win over Bristol …

Judicial officer Sheriff Mackie had originally requested a 10-game ban for O’Toole’s challenge on Nankivell, which resulted in the Munster centre suffering a hamstring injury. In a statement published on their website, the URC explained that O’Toole received 40% mitigation for his “admission of foul play, immediate apology and again …

Bath centre Ollie Lawrence has apologised for his reaction to the clash of heads which led to the sin-binning of Alex Mitchell in the Premiership defeat at Northampton. Bath were trailing 32-31 in the 77th minute when Lawrence made a half-break and England team-mate Mitchell, with little time to react, …

Away from his international commitments, Smith has scored 96 points in 11 games for Northampton this season and showed the full range of his skills against Bath, including a superb kick through for George Hendy to cross for their fourth try. “The quality of their defence, the quality of some …

Maher is the most followed rugby union player – male or female – on social media. Her profiles have amassed more than eight million followers across Instagram and TikTok. Having long been an advocate for body positivity and women’s sports, since claiming bronze as part of the USA’s rugby sevens …

American superstar Ilona Maher speaks to BBC Sport’s Elizabeth Conway after making her much-anticipated Bristol Bears debut off the bench. Bears lost 40-17 to Gloucester-Hartpury in Premiership Women’s Rugby in front of a club record crowd of 9,240 at Ashton Gate. READ MORE: Gloucester-Hartpury overpower Bristol on Maher debut Listen …

Bristol Bears: J. Joyce-Butchers, Bonner, Keight, Murray, David; Aitchison, Lewis; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Cunningham, Ward (c), A. Joyce-Butchers, Gallagher, Marston-Mulhearn. Replacements: 16.⁠ ⁠Jess Sprague, 17.⁠ ⁠Simi Pam, 18.⁠ ⁠Holly Phillips, 19.⁠ ⁠Delaney Burns, 20.⁠ ⁠Gabriella Nigrelli, 21.⁠ ⁠Tilly Ryall, 22.⁠ ⁠Meg Varley, 23.⁠ ⁠Ilona Maher. Gloucester-Hartpury: Sing; Venner, H. Jones, …

Leaders Harlequins secured a ninth consecutive Premiership Women’s Rugby victory with a thrilling 46-39 win at Trailfinders. With a comfortable 31-17 lead at half-time, Harlequins found themselves under pressure in the second half, with tries from Abi Burton, Vicky Laflin and Kate Zackary putting Trailfinders 39-36 ahead. With just over …

Saracens: Daly; Segun, Lozowski, Tompkins, Cinti; Burke, Van Zyl; Carre, George, Riccioni; Itoje (c), Wilson, Gonzalez, Earl, Willis. Replacements: Pifeleti, Brantingham, Clarey, Sodeke, Michelow, Simpson, Hartley, Hall. Sin bin: Maro Itoje (25 mins) Bristol: Lane; Bates, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Heward; Worsley, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Kloska; Dun, Hodgson, Luatua, Harding …

Leicester: Steward; Bassett, Kelly, Kata, Hassell-Collins; Pollard, van Poortvliet; Smith, Montoya (capt), Heyes, Henderson, Wells, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell. Replacements: Clare, Whitcombe, Cole, Holloway, Rogerson, Youngs, Shillcock, Woodward. Exeter: Hodge; Hammersley, Wimbush, Tua, Wyatt; Slade, Townsend; Sio, Frost, Street, Jenkins (capt), Molina, Roots, Vermeulen, Fisilau. Replacements: Innard, Goodrick-Clarke, Iosefa-Scott, Tuima, Capstick, …