Rugby Union

Scotland: Kinghorn, Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu (c), Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Ashman, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, Ritchie, Darge, M Fagerson. Replacements: Richarsdson, Sutherland, Hurd, Craig, Bayliss, Horne, Rowe, Jordan. Australia: Wright, Kellaway, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter; Lolesio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Williams, Skelton, Valetini, Tizzano, Wilson (c). Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Kailea, …

England: Furbank; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; M Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, T Curry, Underhill, Earl. Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Opoku-Fordjour, Isiekwe, Cunningham-South, Randall, F Smith, Roebuck. Japan: Matsunaga; Osada, Riley, Fifita, Naikabula; McCurran, Saito; Okabe, Harada, Takeuchi, Waqa, Uluiviti, Shimokawa, Himeno, Makisi. Replacements: Lee, Morikawa, Tamefusa, …

Bristol Bears need to start winning at home, said head coach Dave Ward as the Premiership Women’s Rugby returns this weekend. All three of the Bears’ wins in the league this season have come on the road with defeats to Saracens and Harlequins at home. They return from the two-week …

Ireland centre Bundee Aki admitted his performance against New Zealand “just wasn’t good enough” after he was dropped from the matchday squad to face Argentina last week. Robbie Henshaw for Aki was the only change made to the starting side for the 22-19 win over the Pumas, but the Connacht …

Scotland A’s first game at home for 10 years will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer on Saturday. The A side – returning as part of Scottish Rugby’s new performance pathway plans – take on Chile at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, with a 18:00 GMT …

During Gatland’s first 12-year stint in charge, Wales were twice World Cup semi-finalists, won three Grand Slams and celebrated a 14-match unbeaten run that briefly took them to number one in the world rankings. Since he returned in December 2022, Wales have won six and lost 17 times in 23 …

“While I was away I got a call from Mark Mapletoft [England A head coach] talking about how well Bats had gone there but he’s not going to be able to make it. “He had a scan and he’s got a slight fracture in his leg, so at this stage …

Harlequins flanker Will Evans has signed a new contract with the Premiership club. He follows vice-captain Cadan Murley, scrum-half Will Porter, winger Cassius Cleaves and full-back Tyrone Green in committing his future to the club. Evans, 27, has made 97 appearances and scored 15 tries in the famous quarters since …

Ireland’s Jamie Osborne says the side must be wary of opponents who “can create something out of nothing” when they take on Fiji at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Ireland have never lost to Fiji but the tourists claimed the scalp of Wales in Cardiff two weeks ago. “They’re a …

Fly-half Marcus Smith is improving the way he dovetails with the rest of England’s attack, says assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge. Smith, 25, has been one of England’s standout performers in three Autumn Nations Series defeats against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. However, despite Smith’s creativity in attack and accuracy …

Newcastle’s Argentina second row Pedro Rubiolo will join Premiership rivals Bristol next summer. The 21-year-old, who has won 19 caps for the Pumas, has signed what Bristol describe as a “long-term deal” at Ashton Gate. Rubiolo has played 21 times for Newcastle since joining the club in January 2023. He …

Scotland legend Donna Kennedy is one of five players that will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame this weekend. Scotland’s most-capped player, male or female, was a stalwart of the women’s national team for much of the first two decades of its existence. She made her Test …

Gloucester’s young players have showed “good character” in the Premiership Rugby Cup so far, said director of rugby George Skivington. The Cherry and Whites have two wins from two group games as they look to retain their title from last season, and fielded 12 debutants across the matches including academy …

Gatland added that he understands “the pressures of international rugby with performances and results”. “We can only work as hard as we have done. I’m aware of the pressure and that decisions could be made outside of my control,” he continued. “We’ve just asked for a little bit of time. …

England have not won since beating Japan in the summer, losing to New Zealand three times before defeats by Australia and world champions South Africa. Jones, who masterminded Japan’s seismic shock win over the Springboks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, has prioritised speed in both thought and action since …

Harlequins full-back Tyrone Green has become the latest player to extend his contract at Twickenham Stoop. The 26-year-old South African has scored 25 tries in 79 appearances since joining the club from Lions in 2020, winning the Premiership title in his first season. Quins vice-captain Cadan Murley and scrum-half Will …

Ireland hooker Rob Herring has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at Ulster until 2026. Since joining Ulster in 2012, Herring has become the province’s most-capped player. The 34-year-old has won 42 caps for Ireland and helped Andy Farrell’s side to the Six Nations Grand Slam in …

The 23 players in Wales’ matchday squad have 334 caps between them, while South Africa’s replacements alone have played a collective total of 431 international games. In all, the Springboks’ matchday 23 have 970 caps between them. South Africa are overwhelming favourites to inflict defeat on Wales, who have lost …

Gwalia Lightning coach Catrina Nicholas-Mclaughlin said: “To have a Welsh derby to kick off the new Celtic Challenge campaign will focus the minds of both sets of players and coaches on the first weekend. “Both teams have one win each from last season and there is always an extra edge …

Saints beat Leicester Tigers 31-12 in their opening match of this season’s PRC before narrowly overcoming a fired-up Nottingham side 31-29. “For Nottingham it was their European Cup final, it was their Prem final, you could see how serious they took it,” said Radford. “They got together in a huddle, …