Rugby Union

Gatland reiterated that the development of the Wales side is a long-term project. “Our whole planning was to pick a group of youngsters after the experience we lost from the World Cup to develop through to the World Cup in 2027 in Australia,” he added. “If you’re another team at …

The All Blacks clinch a 2-0 series win, but England pushed them all the way. Source link

Borthwick said the call was “not one to dwell upon now” as it may “take away from what was an excellent Test match”, while New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson said: “When you slowed it down, it got pretty clear. Most things slowed down in rugby become clear.” Speaking on …

New Zealand: Perofeta; Reece, Ioane, J Barrett, Tele’a; McKenzie, Christie; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Tuipulotu, Finau, Papali’i, Savea. Replacements: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Newell, Vaa’i, Jacobson, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, B Barrett. England: Steward; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; M Smith, Mitchell; Baxter, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Earl. Replacements: …

Earlier this week, before his return to Ireland’s starting line-up was confirmed, Garry Ringrose offered an insight into the level of importance head coach Andy Farrell attaches to every game. The fit-again centre recalled Farrell saying “the biggest game in Irish rugby’s history is always the next one”. Grandiose, yes, …

USA: Carty, Mooneyham, Lopeti, Boni, Augspurger; MacGinty, Smith; Iscaro, Fawsitt, Ainu’u, Helu, Peterson (c), Golla, Ryan, Fa’anana-Schultz. Replacements: Pifeleti, Turnbull, Mullen, Uhila, Bonasso, McVeigh, Campbell, Wilson. Scotland: Rowe, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu (cc), Van der Merwe, Hastings, Horne; Schoeman, Ashman, Walker, Cummings, Craig, Ritchie, Darge (cc), M Fagerson. Replacements: Smith, Sutherland, …

Following a 27-20 loss to the Springboks in a chaotic first Test, Farrell has opted to shake things up in his pack with Tadhg Beirne shifting to O’Mahony’s blindside flanker role and James Ryan coming into the second row. While conceding that O’Mahony was “not happy obviously” to being benched, …

Harlequins Women have announced former men’s player Ross Chisholm as their new head coach. The 33-year-old is stepping up from his previous role as attack and transition coach while former boss Amy Turner will become a pathway coach for the men’s team. Former full-back Chisholm made 128 appearances for Harlequins …

Wales will hope Botham can make the same Melbourne impact as his famous grandfather did 38 years ago in the 1986 Boxing Day Ashes Test. Botham’s five-wicket first-innings haul across the road at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) set England up for a successful retention of the Ashes. Australia collapsed …

Ireland forward Dorothy Wall has joined Exeter Chiefs Women for the upcoming Premiership Women’s Rugby season. The 24-year-old, who can play in the second row or at flanker, has won 28 caps for Ireland. She helped her country qualify for next year’s World Cup after a third-placed finish in this …

Andy Farrell expects world champions South Africa to be “twice as good” as they were when winning last weekend’s first Test but still believes his Ireland side can secure a drawn series in Durban on Saturday. Farrell feels Ireland have room to improve considerably from their performance in the 27-20 …

We’re in the heart of Auckland ahead of the second Test between New Zealand and England. Source link

New Zealand: Perofeta; Reece, Ioane, J Barrett, Tele’a; McKenzie, Christie; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Tuipulotu, Finau, Papali’i, Savea. Replacements: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Newell, Vaa’i, Jacobson, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, B Barrett. England: Steward; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; M Smith, Mitchell; Baxter, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Earl. Replacements: …

England fans have seen those attributes in spades since Cunningham-South burst on to the international scene when he made his debut against Italy in Rome in February. But it took a leap of faith to get to this point. At the end of 2021, Cunningham-South’s development in New Zealand had …

Montpellier have confirmed the signing of Stuart Hogg as the Scotland full-back returns to rugby while awaiting the outcome of a domestic abuse trial a year after he retired from the sport. The French Top 14 club announced the 32-year-old’s signing along with England number eight Billy Vunipola and Georgia …

A new crest has been unveiled by rugby Premiership champions Northampton Saints. The club said the previous design was not easy to recall and did not feature its core colours of green, black and gold. The new badge was “instantly recognisable and memorable” and developed after 12 months of research, …

Gloucester-Hartpury have signed Wales back Carys Williams-Morris from Loughborough Lightning. The 30-year-old has 10 caps for her country, with the most recent coming against New Zealand in the WXV tournament last autumn. Williams-Morris previously represented England and made five appearances for the Red Roses before switching allegiance. The winger also …

While Ryan’s promotion to the starting side over O’Mahony appears to be a selection decision, Farrell was always going to have to alter his team for what is the last game of a long season. Scrum-half Craig Casey and hooker Dan Sheehan were both ruled out earlier this week with …

“I want them to play big this weekend,” England head coach Steve Borthwick told BBC Sport. “New Zealand has a formidable record at this venue, but with that comes the pressure of expectation. “It will be interesting to see how New Zealand manages that expectation in front of a full …

The defeat in Sydney was Wales’ eighth international loss on the bounce and they have not won a Test match since beating 2023 World Cup pool-stage opponents Georgia last October. Wales have also slipped to 11th in the world rankings, their lowest ever position. Another defeat against Australia would leave …