Rugby Union

Six Nations pundits John Barclay and Martin Johnson do not believe the torrential rain is a valid excuse for the errors Scotland made in their defeat against Italy, as both sides were playing under the same conditions. MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Italy 18-15 Scotland Available to UK users only. BBC News

Scotland face a washout of a Six Nations campaign after suffering a dispiriting opening loss to Italy in rain-soaked Rome. BBC News

Thanks to their unusual Thursday start to the campaign, Ireland will have nine days to prepare for the visit of the Azzurri. While the injury count was high coming into the tournament, Farrell felt his side came through their opener relatively unscathed despite “wounded pride, bangs and bruises”, but a …

Steve Tandy is the man attempting to mould something out of the mess. The 46-year-old, who represented Neath and Ospreys – the tradition most under threat as the Welsh Rugby Union streamline their regional system – became Wales head coach in September. His reputation was built on forging suffocating defences …

England Under-20s: Pater (Northampton), Caluori (Saracens), Lilley (Exeter), Knight (Gloucester), Pearson (Leicester), Davidson (Saracens), Friday (Harlequins), Scola (Northampton), Staples (Harlequins), Streeter (Harlequins), Williams (Harlequins), Hogg (Sale), Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton), Marsh (Leicester), Treacey (Harlequins). Replacements: Freeman-Price (Gloucester), Spencer (Sale), Tonga’uiha (Northampton), Ogden-Metherell, Kelly (Sale), Stewart-Harris (Saracens), Winters (Bath), Worsnip (Bristol). Wales Under-20s: …

Ireland XV: Daly; Kenny, Hume, Kelly, Z Ward; Frawley, Gunne; Bohan, McCarthy, Wilson, Irvine, Wycherley, Deegan (capt), B Ward, Gleeson. Replacements: Barron, Crean, Aungier, Sheridan, Boyle, Jansen, Devine, Forde. England A: Carpenter; Murley, Northmore, Bailey, Hassell-Collins; Searle, Randall; Haffar, Blamire, Kloska; Bamber, Batley; Roots, Kenningham, Dombrandt. Replacements: Tuipulotu, van der …

At some point over his 30 years of playing rugby for several Welsh clubs and for Wales Sevens, Pook suffered a brain haemorrhage. He knows this because it was discovered during an assessment. Neurological tests showed Pook had post-concussion syndrome and disrupted emotional circuitry. He said it explained his severe …

Feel-good drama starring Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman BBC News

When Jacob Stockdale burst onto the international scene during Ireland’s 2018 Grand Slam-winning campaign, it seemed he was on course to become one of rugby’s biggest stars. Seven tries during that campaign earned him the Player of the Tournament award, while another later in the year as Ireland beat New …

Cornish Pirates have launched a crowdfunder, external to help pay for the damage caused by last month’s storms. Storm Goretti badly damaged the main stand at the Mennaye Field, causing about £200,000 of damage, which is insured. But further damage caused by Storm Ingrid to the club’s electronic scoreboard, electrics …

Alun Wyn Jones was part of the Twickenham triumphs of 2008, 2012 and 2015 and was Wales’ captain when they were top of the world. This week he found himself sitting in a council meeting in Swansea – alongside current and former players – discussing whether Ospreys would still be …

It was a knock-on by Cian Prendergast that cleared the way for a bit of broadcasting history. After the Ireland flanker’s fluffed attempt to gather a loose ball in the 17th minute of his team’s defeat by France, ITV’s shot switched to a wide, high angle of the Stade de …

Slade has made 259 appearances and scored 50 tries for Exeter, as well as winning 74 caps for England and playing in two World Cups. Baxter says Slade, who is the Prem’s top points scorer with 115 from 10 starts this season, is still one of the best players in …

Available for over a year What went wrong for Ireland in Paris? Conor and Gavin are joined by Rob Kearney to review Ireland’s bruising 36-14 defeat to France. The panel look at where the game was won and lost, try and explain why Ireland have fallen off, and suggest what …

Available for over a year France made the perfect start to the defence of their Six Nations title as they toppled Ireland in Paris. Chris is joined by Irish Grand Slam winner Donncha O’Callaghan and Ashy to reflect on a statement victory on the opening night of the tournament and …

Cambridge Rugby Club have said all players and staff have been paid in full and on time, after reports regarding the club’s financial position. The club, currently bottom of the Champ – English rugby’s second tier – issued a statement from its board of directors on Thursday night. “Like many …

Rewind to three years ago and England were effectively the worst attacking side in the top tier of Test rugby. Steve Borthwick had been appointed as head coach with just nine months to prepare for a Rugby World Cup and opted for a failsafe approach: kick high, long and often, …

Ruthless France inflict more pain on Ireland as the Six Nations holders open their title defence with a bonus-point victory at a buoyant Stade de France. BBC News

Scotland have lost only one of their past 15 matches against Italy, but that came on their last visit to the Stadio Olimpico in 2024. That was another Scottish second-half collapse as the hosts came from behind to win 31-29. Townsend is not underestimating the Italians as the Scots aim …

Hill first got an England call-up for the tour to South Africa in 2018 and, although he was named on the bench for the final Test of the series, did not feature. Looking back at that experience, Hill said being an “apprentice” on that tour taught him a huge amount …