Rugby Union

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, …

Clovers made it back-to-back victories in the Celtic Challenge as they picked up a bonus-point win against Gwalia Lightning at Kingspan Stadium. Denis Fogarty’s side started brightly in Belfast and went ahead on seven minutes as Emily Lane raced through to score the opening try, with Nicole Fowley converting. Anna …

Wales and Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas has signed a new deal to stay with Premiership club. The 23-year-old came through the Cherry and Whites’ academy and has played 50 games since his debut in 2020, with nine appearances so far this campaign. Thomas made his Wales debut in November against …

Saracens flanker Toby Knight has been given a three-match ban after being sent off during their defeat by Bath last Saturday. Knight, 22, was shown a red card in the 14th minute for a “reckless” high tackle on Bath’s Ollie Lawrence that saw shoulder contact to the head. His ban …

Saracens back Tom Parton has left the club to join Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights. The 26-year-old, who can play at full-back or on the wing, joined Saracens from London Irish in the summer of 2023 and made 29 appearances for the club. He scored eight tries for Sarries, including …

Bristol Bears will be without winger Gabriel Ibitoye, the Premiership’s leading try scorer this season, for up to six weeks with a leg injury. The back went off after 31 minutes during their record home defeat by Sale last Friday. The 26-year-old has seven tries in nine games and has …

England will play two Tests against Argentina in July in their first tour of South America since 2017. Steve Borthwick’s side are scheduled to face Argentina in La Plata on 5 July and San Juan on 12 July. The fixtures clash with the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia …

La Rochelle back Teddy Thomas has been ruled out of his side’s Investec Champions Cup game against Leinster in France on 12 January after receiving a suspension for an incident in a Top 14 game. The 31-year-old France international was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Clermont Auvergne’s …