Rugby Union

Faletau had hoped to return before the autumn internationals following a six-month injury lay-off with a broken shoulder, targeting his Cardiff return before the end of October. The British and Irish Lions back row suffered this latest injury blow on his Cardiff comeback against Ulster in April. Faletau’s injury was …

England have also become more creative, with the Red Roses attacking with more ambition and vision since coach John Mitchell took charge at the end of 2023. “We went through years of our driving maul and set-piece being our strongest point,” said Kildunne. “That has never been taken away – …

The chief executive of Premiership Women’s Rugby, Belinda Moore, is stepping down in October “to focus on other opportunities”. The news was not expected and comes after just one round of the new PWR season has been played. She is just 22 months into her tenure and the women’s World …

El-Abd will initially combine his work with England with a final season as head coach of Oyonnax as the French second-tier side attempt to regain their place in the Top 14. “I will have to compartmentalise the roles, but when I am here, I am all in,” he said. El-Abd …

Munster flanker Peter O’Mahony will miss Saturday’s United Rugby Championship showdown with rivals Leinster because of a hamstring injury. The 35-year-old Ireland captain picked up the injury in last weekend’s 23-0 victory over Ospreys in Cork. O’Mahony and prop Oli Jager, who hurt his neck against the Welsh side, were …

Former Wales head coach Chris Horsman says Cunningham faces major scrutiny. But he believes the coach has enough credit – just – to survive a whitewash in South Africa, given successive third-place finishes in the Six Nations in his first two campaigns. “As a coach the currency you trade in …

In Anscombe’s absence and with Dan Biggar retiring from international rugby after the World Cup, young fly-halves Sam Costelow, Ioan Lloyd and Ben Thomas have filled the Wales number 10 shirt in the last 12 months. “It is a position that demands attention,” said Anscombe. “It is the quarter-back spot …

A groom-to-be has recovered after being tackled by his best man on the pitch at a rugby union match during his stag do. The second half of Saturday’s match between Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers was delayed after medics from both teams were called to Martyn Disney’s aid. The 44-year-old …

Ugo, Danny and Chris talk sledging, a big win for Bristol, Alex Lozowski’s return and WXV Source link

“I didn’t want to participate because I didn’t want to hear the outcome – I knew what the outcome was going to be. “It hurts my reputation. I was really disappointed and I almost felt like – I’m not spitting the dummy here – do they really want me to …

In the 20th minute at Franklin’s Gardens, there was a tantalising glimpse of what could be. Marcus Smith caught the ball at pace, with the Northampton defence on the hop in front of him. With a puff of the cheeks, a swish of the hair, Smith jagged off his left …

“This is just a stepping stone for that. Performing for the Dragons is a massive focus for me at the moment. “I just want to go out there and put my own stamp on things. I want to be different to any other seven but know I have things to …

“This new arrangement allows me to keep doing the thing that I’m passionate about, coaching and mentoring players, while also balancing other commitments which are important to me.” Sinfield’s new contract reportedly commits him to England until the next Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027. England head coach Borthwick …

Watch highlights as England show “too much class” and outplay world champions New Zealand, beating the Black Ferns 49-31 in their second match of their WXV1 title defence. READ MORE: Clinical England hammer New Zealand at WXV Available to UK users only. Source link

New Zealand: Holmes; Leti-I’iga, Brunt, Demant (co-captain), Vahaakolo; King, Joseph; Viliko, Ponsonby, Kalounivale, Bremner, Roos, Mikaele-Tu’u, Tukuafu (co-captain), Olsen-Baker. Replacements: Lolohea, Henwood, Rule, Vaipulu, Sae, Hohaia, Paul, Tui. England: Kildunne; Dow, Rowland, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Ward, Talling, M Packer, Matthews. Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Carson, Bern, Galligan, …

Saracens: Daly; Elliott, Lozowski, Tompkins, Segun; Burke, van Zyl (capt); Carre, George, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Tizard, McFarland, Earl, Willis. Replacements: Dan, Maw, Hoskins, Onyeama-Christie, Gonzalez Samso, Knight, Bracken, Goode. Exeter: Hodge; Feyi-Waboso, Woodburn, Hawkins, Hammersley; Haydon-Wood, Maunder; Goodrick-Clarke, Yeandle (capt), Street, Dunne, Tshiunza, Roots, Capstick, Fisilau. Replacements: Innard, Blose, Iosefa-Scott, Tuima, …

After their shock victory over world champions New Zealand a week ago, Ireland started the game in promising fashion by producing early pressure. However, they failed to turn their early territorial superiority into points and Bemand said the match video analysis will focus on that. “We had opportunities in that …

Newcastle: Obatoyinbo, Redshaw, Doherty, Arnold, Stevenson, Grayson, Stuart, Brovklebank, Blamire, Palframan, Hawkins, McDonald, Van der Walt, Gordon, Chick Replacements: Fletcher, De Brun, McCallum, Rubiolo, Lockwood, Davis, Spencer, Brown Leicester: Steward, Watson, Perese, Woodward, Hassell-Collins, Shillcock, Van Poortvliet, Smith, Clare, Hurd, Martin, Chessum, Ilione, Reffell, Liebenberg Replacements: Vanes, Cronin, Cole, Wells, …

Emerging Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has made a raft of changes to his starting team for Sunday’s game against Western Force [12:00 BST] in Bloemfontein, with Ulster centre Jude Postlethwaite among those drafted in. The squad began their three-match tour to South Africa with a 36-24 victory over the …

Saracens’ win over Trailfinders at StoneX Stadium hung in the balance until the 79th minute, when Sarah McKenna crossed to finally seal a hard-fought victory. Trailfinders winger Victoria Laflin was unfortunate to find herself on the losing team after running in three tries in the game. She opened the scoring …