Rugby Union

“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 …

Simon Easterby has said it will be a ‘huge honour’ to lead Ireland on an interim basis next year. Easterby will take charge of the back-to-back Six Nations winners while current boss Andy Farrell is on a sabbatical to coach the British and Irish Lions in Australia next summer. Farrell …

Bristol is a club known for its running rugby and it is easy to see why Ibitoye has thrived there under Lam, who said he had “developed immensely”. “You would always see the guy who was at Quins and that he could do something special,” Lam added. “Now when you …

Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey has signed a two-year contract extension with Ulster. The 32-year-old, who has won 18 Test caps, debuted for his native province in February 2014 and has since amassed 190 appearances for the side. An integral part of the set-up at Kingspan Stadium, he had been linked …

The 2023-24 season was a painful one for everyone connected with the club. Professional pride took a huge dent with not a single Premiership victory to their name amid a mixture of narrow defeats and chastening hammerings. They averaged fewer than two tries per match and conceded more than five, …

Prop Sadhbh McGrath is back in the 30-player Ireland squad for the WXV1 tournament in Vancouver. However while the 20-year-old Ulster front row has returned to fitness, injury rules out fellow prop Christy Haney. The four players who made their Test debuts in last Saturday’s victory over Australia – Ruth …

Newcastle Falcons have signed fly-half Ethan Grayson on a short-term deal in time for the start of the 2024-25 Premiership season. The 22-year-old, who can also play at centre, joins the Falcons until the end of the year after which he will resume his contract with Major League Rugby side …

Danny, Ashy and Chris discuss the potential merger between the Premiership and the URC. Source link

England flanker Tom Curry says he “curled up into a ball” and “just cried” to his girlfriend Lilla before hip surgery last season because of a warning that his career could be over. The 26-year-old underwent surgery in February after being diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome – a condition that …

Former England assistant coach Paul Gustard, Oyannax head coach Joe El-Abd, and Stormers assistant Norman Laker are all in contention to replace Felix Jones as England defence coach. England boss Steve Borthwick has quickly moved to find a replacement for Jones, who handed in his shock resignation last month. While …

With an English father and Kiwi mother, the duo have the qualifications to play for two of the biggest nations in world rugby. But Ethan says an international cap – for any nation – is a reward not just for him but for the family, friends and coaches who have …

Scotland head into the defence of their WXV 2 crown after a nine-try victory over Fiji in the first meeting between the women’s international teams. They had to bide their time as Fiji had most of the momentum in the early stages but once the Scots got their first points …

England had New Zealand “exactly where we wanted”, but need to be more ruthless when in control to ensure they “bury” top teams, head coach John Mitchell has said. The Red Roses comfortably defeated the Black Ferns 24-12 at the renamed Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, but failed to sustain their …

Ireland’s women started their season with an impressive six-try win over Australia in Belfast with back-row Aoife Wafer scoring a try in each half in a player of the match performance. Three tries were scored in a frantic opening 13 minutes with Aoife Dalton’s early try cancelled out by Wallaroos’ …

Alex Dombrandt has been named the new captain of Harlequins after Stephan Lewies stepped down from the role. South African Lewies, who had four years as captain of the club, led the club to the 2020-21 Premiership title. Dombrandt, 27, has scored 70 tries in 139 appearances since joining the …

South African Werner Kok is in line to make his Ulster debut in Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Exeter at Sandy Park. The back-three player, who was signed from the Sharks this summer, is named among the replacements for the trip to England. Zack Ward is handed his first Ulster start, …

Diamond arrived at Kingston Park in February, but the rot had long since set in and he was unable to stop the team from suffering a season whitewash. However, plans were being put in place to make things better for the new campaign. The squad has been streamlined and in …

Rugby fans will have a new programme to enjoy as they get ready for the kick-off of the United Rugby Championship (URC) 2024-25 season. Scrum V: The Warm Up will begin on BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds next Thursday, 19 September and will run during each week …

Ireland captain Edel McMahon says Saturday’s game against Australia in Belfast (14:30 BST) will begin the team’s preparations for the 2025 World Cup and the “next chapter of where we’re growing as a squad”. After all the turmoil that enveloped Irish women’s rugby after the failure to reach the 2022 …

One of many complications is how a British and Irish league would leave the South African and Italian teams out in the cold. While the Italians could strike a deal to enter the French system, South Africa is a different proposition. As one of the greatest rugby nations on earth, …