Rugby Union

Bath are not letting pressure to win a trophy affect them as they go into the new Premiership campaign, says head of rugby Johann van Graan. Bath finished runners-up to Northampton in last season’s final at Twickenham in a rollercoaster match that saw them come from behind with 14 men …

Ulster’s Ethan McIlroy says he feels revitalised going into the 2024-25 season and wants to “nail down” the full-back position during the forthcoming campaign. The 24-year-old, who missed a sizeable section of last season after suffering a fractured eye socket and concussion in a United Rugby Championship match against Munster, …

However, Ospreys players did not fare well with Gatland last season. His 34-man squad to tour Australia included just three players from the region, despite them reaching the knockout stages of both the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Europe. In comparison, 10 players were selected from Cardiff. Players including Jac …

Transforming teams and their fortunes is something Cheika has made a career of. He oversaw a cultural shift at Leinster, external and transformed New South Wales Waratahs at club level, was anointed World Rugby coach of the year after taking Australia to the 2015 World Cup final, and later took …

Gus McCarthy will make his first start for Leinster in their opening United Rugby Championship game against Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium on Friday night. The former Ireland Under-20 captain is named in the front row with Michael Milne and Thomas Clarkson. Leo Cullen has opted for a mix of …

Bristol Bears full-back Noah Heward will be out until the New Year after injuring his hamstring during a training session. The 23-year-old, who played 15 times for the club last season, has since undergone a “successful surgery” according to a Bears statement. Lock Steel Barker, who signed from Cornish Pirates …

Northampton head coach Sam Vesty says their strategy won’t change and challenges other clubs to “stop” their Premiership title defence. Source link

Back rows Lilli Ives Campion and Georgia Brock have been selected in England’s 30-player squad for the WXV campaign. Campion, 20, and Brock, 23, won their solitary Test caps during the wins over France and New Zealand this month. There is no place for former captain Poppy Cleall, who was …

Finn Russell “would love to” tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions next summer but is wary of devoting too much thought to the prospect. The Scotland fly-half, 31, was part of the past two tours and featured prominently against South Africa in 2021. “It’s always there,” the Bath …

Danny and Chris chat to Finn Russell and Mike Brown ahead of the new Premiership season. Source link

2023-24: Eighth Key signing: Izaia Perese, centre Adam Whitty, BBC Radio Leicester sports editor: Cautious optimism might be the phrase to describe Leicester supporters’ feelings about this season despite another chaotic summer. Head coach Dan McKellar is out after just one year, having overseen a disappointing eighth-place finish. In comes …

Exeter winger Paul Brown-Bampoe has the potential to be next young star to come out of the Chiefs, according to the club’s director of rugby Rob Baxter. The 22-year-old former England Students player has impressed in pre-season after signing professional terms. Brown-Bampoe caught Exeter’s eye while playing for Durham in …

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt has been clear he sees Thomas as an inside centre. But despite the competition, Thomas welcomes the return of Cardiff-born Sheedy from 10 years at Bristol. The pair know each other well having attended the same high school, Corpus Christi, and played for the same …

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter has challenged Wales forward Christ Tshiunza to “make one spot his own” in the Premiership side. The 22-year-old missed a large chunk of last season with injury but had been playing as a flanker for the Sandy Park club. But Baxter said he was impressed …

With the new rugby union season starting this weekend, BBC Sport NI assesses how the four Irish sides are shaping up for the campaign. Source link

Forwards: Jack Aungier (Connacht), Jack Boyle (Leinster), James Culhane (Leinster), Jordan Duggan (Connacht), Sean Edogbo (Munster), Ronan Foxe (Munster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Sean Jansen (Connacht), Alex Kendellen (Munster)(captain), Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Darragh Murray (Connacht), Evan O’Connell (Munster), Conor O’Tighearnaigh (Leinster), Danny Sheahan (Munster), Harry Sheridan (Ulster), Stephen Smyth (Leinster), Alex …

Ampthill’s local rivals Bedford Blues feel similarly hard done by. “We are extremely disappointed by the latest developments,” said Bedford chief executive, Gareth Alred. “It’s hard to swallow the Premiership receiving a per-club increase from just over £2m to £3.3m each, when we have just suffered another blow. “In the …

For most Northampton Saints supporters, that weekend in early June has a dreamlike, ethereal quality. It was an end to a season that felt too good to be true. A second Premiership title proved the perfect finish for those three great stalwarts of the club – Courtney Lawes, Alex Waller …

Irish international Iain Henderson has backed continued South African involvement in the United Rugby Championship. The 2024-25 URC campaign, which begins on Friday night, will be the fourth for the Bulls, Stormers, Lions and Sharks in what was once a northern hemisphere competition. Reports during the off season suggested talks …

“That’s the challenge. If you look at the likes of Mackenzie Martin, Alex Mann and Cam Winnett, they’ve been thrust into international rugby,” said Sherratt. “I couldn’t be more pleased that they have, but we’ve got to temper that with the fact they’re young players who are still developing. “I …