Rugby Union

Bristol have promoted Sean Marsden to backs and attack skills coach. He replaces senior backs and attack skills coach Dave Walder, who has left the club with immediate effect. Marsden, 44, played more than 150 times for Bristol and first joined the club’s coaching staff in 2016 after taking up …

Chris, Danny & Ashy preview a bumper summer with Jamie George and Nick Tompkins. Source link

Ioan Cunningham’s next game will be his 30th as Wales head coach but he will take charge with renewed confidence and hope. Since his promotion from Under-20s head coach to the women’s senior side in 2021, the former number eight has taken Wales to new heights. Successive third places in …

Former Australia captain Michael Hooper has retired from international duty after his hopes of appearing at the Paris Olympics ended. The 32-year-old, who captained the Wallabies a record 69 times in his 125-Test career, transitioned from 15-man rugby to sevens after being frozen out of the side by Eddie Jones …

Sam Berman scored a hat-trick as Ireland started their Under-20 World Championship campaign with a convincing 55-15 win over Italy in Pool B. The Irish ran in five first-half tries in Cape Town to hold a 31-10 lead. Italy, who lost to Ireland by one point in this year’s Six …

Posting on X, the club said: “A true Cherry & White legend calling it a day. Thanks for all the memories, Billy.” At Trailfinders he was part of the first team outside the top flight to reach a Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final, as well as winning the second-tier title. “Although …

Newcastle Falcons have signed flanker Tom Gordon from Glasgow Warriors on a two-year deal. The New Zealand-born Scot, 27, made 76 appearances in six years with the United Rugby Championship winners. “I’ve had a great time with Glasgow and enjoyed being part of a successful squad this season, but it’s …

Ryan Woodman will lead Wales Under-20s into their World Rugby U20 Championship opener against New Zealand at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town, on Saturday (kick-off 18:00 BST). The Dragons back-row missed the junior Six Nations through injury and his return is a welcome boost to Richard Whiffin’s side, who also face …

Scotland’s summer clashes with Chile and Uruguay next month will be shown live on BBC Scotland. Gregor Townsend’s side will play two matches in South America in July as part of a four-game tour that also takes in Canada and the USA. The Uruguay clash will mark the first match …

Premiership champions Northampton Saints have signed George Smith after the lock walked away from the chance of forging an career in American football. The 22-year-old, who stands 6ft 8in (203cm) and weighs in at 138kg, was among the NFL’s international player pathway intake earlier this year alongside ex-Wales star Louis …

Saracens second row Callum Hunter-Hill will leave the club at the end of his contract this summer. The 27-year-old Scot won the Premiership and the Championship during his time at StoneX Stadium. He has made 81 appearances for Saracens since joining the club in 2019 from Edinburgh. But Hunter-Hill’s final …

Leicester Tigers have appointed former Australia and Argentina head coach Michael Cheika as their new boss. The 57-year-old succeeds fellow Australian Dan McKellar at the Premiership side, with the former ACT Brumbies boss leaving by mutual consent last week. More to follow. Source link

In addition to confirming Kolisi’s retention as captain, Erasmus said full-back Willie le Roux and wing Cheslin Kolbe are both fit to face Ireland in the opening Test in Pretoria on 6 July. “Willie and Cheslin are clear to play, but we’ll have to manage [wings] Edwill van der Merwe …

After a torrid 12 months on and off the pitch, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has outlined its five-year plan for the future of the game in Wales. Fittingly during a general election, the governing body has unveiled what is, in effect, its manifesto for rebuilding the national sport. New …

Analysis by BBC Radio Northampton’s Graham McKechnie: “Sam Matavesi has been a hugely popular and important player for Saints in his five seasons at the club. “It’s probably fair to say he exceeded most expectations. “He joined the club in 2019 from Cornish Pirates and although he had played in …

Scotland lock Alex Craig has committed his club future to Scarlets by signing a new contract. The 27-year-old made 20 appearances in 2023-24, his first campaign at Parc y Scarlets after joining from Gloucester, and was voted the players’ player of the season. Craig has won two Scotland caps and …

England captain Jamie George says his side will not be in awe of the All Blacks as they bid to win a series in New Zealand for the first time. Only twice has an England side won a Test match in New Zealand – in 1973 and 2003 – and …

The first tickets will go on sale in September priced from £5 to £95. The £95 category one adult ticket for the final at Twickenham becomes the highest value non-hospitality ticket for an international women’s team sport event in the UK, while 60% of tickets are priced under £25. The …

Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi, Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese. Backs: Lukhanyo …

After reaching the semi-finals the last two seasons but falling short, Bristol pulled off an impressive performance to stun two-time champions Saracens at their home ground and get to their first final. Like Gloucester, Bristol have been building a squad packed with international talent and it was England front-row duo …