Rugby Union

The arrival of Red Bull as the club’s owners has seen Newcastle play in front of two sell-out crowds of more than 10,000 at Kingston Park and another bumper attendance is expected for the visit of the Tigers. That shows the potential is there if the north-east club gets it …

Before his move to Paris, Marchant had spent all his career at Harlequins where he played more than 150 matches and was part of the side that won the Prem title in 2021. He was first picked for England in 2019 and he can try to win more caps from …

A previous version, which was lighter as well as smaller, was used in 2024’s under-18 Six Nations. The new incarnation, which is the same weight as a size five, aids players handling, while not impacting their kicking. “World Rugby is committed to supporting women’s rugby in forging its own path …

Ireland internationals Niamh O’Dowd and Brittany Hogan have exited the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU]’s central contract system for playing opportunities in England. Prop O’Dowd has joined Ireland team-mates Sam Monaghan, Neve Jones and Ellena Perry at Premiership Women’s Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury as injury cover for the rest of the …

Warriors take on winless Cambridge seven points behind unbeaten leaders Ealing and one point ahead of Bedford. Cruse said he and the rest of the coaches could not have asked for more from the squad over the first seven weeks. “We’ve picked up some injuries, especially to some of the …

Vintcent scored three tries in Exeter’s opening three matches of the season before a short spell out with a knock. Baxter said that while it is a blow, he is confident he will come back strongly. “He’s had a really, really strong start to the season for us,” he said. …

Having juggled the early stages of her rugby career with her studies, a life in engineering now beckons for Dow. No job is lined up but she’s in talks with different companies in a sector she describes as “so logical – it’s literally a bit of me”. “I do love …

Gloucester-Hartpury have signed Ireland loose-head prop Niamh O’Dowd as injury cover for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old has been capped 20 times and played in three of Ireland’s four World Cup matches this summer as they reached the quarter-finals. The three-time reigning Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) champions are …

Skivington was appointed head coach at Gloucester in 2020 and promoted to the director of rugby role in 2023. During his time in charge, Gloucester have yet to finish in the top four of the Prem, with fifth last year and in 2021 their best results in the table. They …

During a distinguished playing career, former Ireland, Munster and British and Irish Lions scrum-half Conor Murray played alongside some legendary figures in the world of rugby union. In a special edition of the BBC’s Ireland Rugby Social podcast, Murray selects the best XV from all the players he lined up …

Newcastle Red Bulls have signed Saracens hooker Samson Adejimi on loan for the rest of the season. Adejimi, 23, has scored eight tries in 14 games for Sarries, as well as 12 in 27 appearances for Championship side Ampthill. The English hooker will provide cover in that area for Newcastle …

Ireland internationals Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney are all available for Ulster’s return to United Rugby Championship action on Friday against Benetton at Affidea Stadium (19:45 GMT). The trio reported back for club duty at the conclusion of the Autumn Nations Series this week as Richie Murphy’s men …

The Rugby Football Union has announced a 10-year high revenue of £228m in its latest financial accounts, but returned a small overall loss of nearly £2m. This marks a significant improvement from the £42m loss in 2023-2024, which sparked a furore that threatened chief executive Bill Sweeney’s position. Sweeney’s salary …

Available for over a year Who were the big winners and losers this autumn? Ugo, Danny and Chris reflect on what we’ve learnt this November. Who has progressed and who has regressed? The Springboks have cemented their place at the top of the world game but who would win between …

A danger is when teams hit their absolute pomp in the middle of a World Cup cycle. We’ve seen it before. But New Zealand and South Africa have both won back-to-back World Cups and been the best team in the world over sustained periods. It’s not a negative to be …

Bristol Bears’ star centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg has signed a new contract with the club. Van Rensburg arrived at Ashton Gate in 2023 from London Irish and has made 56 appearances. The Bears have not disclosed the length of his deal. The 28-year-old South African has scored nine tries …

Former Ireland international Stephen Ferris said that he felt that rugby was “broken” while watching Ireland’s 24-13 defeat by South Africa because of the officiating. Referee Matthew Carley showed Ireland five yellow cards, in a game which lasted more than two hours. After James Ryan’s yellow card was upgraded to …

Harlequins centre Ben Waghorn has signed a new contract with the Prem club. The 21-year-old former England Under-20 centre played 12 times for Quins’ first team last season in Europe and the Prem. Waghorn, who made his debut in 2022, has also had loan spells at Champ side London Scottish. …

Ireland quartet Ryan Baird, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne and Tommy O’Brien have all been ruled out of Leinster’s United Rugby Championship game against Dragons on Friday. Baird was forced off in Ireland’s 24-13 defeat by world champions South Africa with a leg injury and Leinster say he will be out …

While that group were away on international duty, Saints beat Harlequins in the Prem Rugby Cup but then lost to Newcastle Red Bulls and Leicester Tigers. “In the PRC we give players an opportunity, we put them under pressure and they find out about themselves. We’re going to squeeze everything …