SportsCatch

Latsha named permanent Springbok Women captain as South Africa host USA at Ellis Park

Babalwa Latsha has been confirmed as the permanent captain of the Springbok Women, succeeding the retired Nolusindiso Booi ahead of Saturday's Test against the USA at Ellis Park. The 41st cap for Latsha makes her South Africa's most-capped tighthead prop.

Rugby Jul 2

Finn Russell ruled out injured as Tom Jordan starts Scotland's Nations Championship opener against Argentina

Bristol fly-half Tom Jordan steps in at number 10 after Finn Russell was omitted from Gregor Townsend's match-day squad with a calf injury. Scotland face Argentina in Cordoba on Saturday, with Pierre Schoeman and Scott Cummings both set to earn their 50th caps.

Rugby Jul 2

Farrell backs Prendergast to start at fly-half for Ireland's Nations Championship opener against Australia

Andy Farrell has defended his decision to hand Sam Prendergast the fly-half jersey for Ireland's Nations Championship clash with Australia in Sydney, saying the 23-year-old has earned his place after a strong finish to the club season.

Rugby Jul 2

Ex-Springboks coach Mallett warns Ellis Park suits England more than World Cup holders

Former South Africa head coach Nick Mallett says he is 'not secure at all' about the Springboks' opening Nations Championship match against England, arguing Ellis Park's conditions favour Steve Borthwick's physical, cohesive side.

Rugby Jul 2

Northampton's Faissal among two Italy debutants for Nations Championship opener against Japan

Italy hand senior debuts to Malik Faissal and Alessandro Ortombina for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Japan in Tokyo. Gonzalo Quesada names an experienced side, with Juan Ignacio Brex set to win his 40th cap alongside World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Tommaso Menoncello.

Rugby Jul 2

Rees-Zammit returns to wing as Wales name six changes for Fiji Nations Championship opener

Louis Rees-Zammit moves back to his preferred wing position as Wales make six changes for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Fiji in Cardiff, with the squad's pay dispute with the WRU confirmed as resolved.

Rugby Jul 2

Galthié names youthful France squad to face All Blacks in Nations Championship opener

Fabien Galthié has selected a 23-man France squad with an average back-row age of just 23 to face New Zealand in the first round of the inaugural Nations Championship at Christchurch's One New Zealand Stadium.

Rugby Jul 2

Highlanders sign Tonga playmaker Pellegrini on two-year deal after Moana Pasifika exit

Patrick Pellegrini, 27, has joined the Highlanders on a two-year contract after Moana Pasifika's departure from Super Rugby Pacific left him as one of the competition's most sought-after free agents.

Rugby Jul 2

Ruben Love handed first All Blacks No.10 start as Rennie builds attack around new era playmaker

Ruben Love will start at fly-half for the All Blacks, becoming the first new first five to hold the jersey since Richie Mo'unga in 2019. The 25-year-old Hurricanes playmaker is central to head coach Dave Rennie's 'score from anywhere' attacking philosophy.

Rugby Jul 2

Rennie names surprise All Blacks back row for France Test with Savea shifted to No.8

Dave Rennie has revealed his All Blacks loose forward selection for Saturday's Test against France in Christchurch was the most debated part of his squad announcement, with Ardie Savea moving to No.8 and injury-plagued Luke Jacobson returning at openside.

Rugby Jul 2

Miller vows Waratahs will silence Reds in Super Rugby Women's finals showdown

Wallaroo winger Desiree Miller says the Waratahs are fired up and ready to respond after their first defeat in nine years, as New South Wales host Queensland in a winner-takes-all Super Rugby Women's regular-season finale at Leichhardt Oval.

Rugby Jul 2

All Blacks Sevens pair Lasaqa and Tocker retain starts as New Zealand U20s target Scotland

Kele Lasaqa and Bradley Tocker, both regulars on the HSBC SVNS World Series circuit, have kept their places in the New Zealand U20 side after helping the Junior All Blacks defeat Japan 38-21 at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia.

Rugby Jul 2

Schmidt hands Lonergan first Wallabies start as untested halves pairing faces Ireland

Joe Schmidt has named Ryan Lonergan and Carter Gordon as his starting halfback and fly-half for Australia's Nations Championship opener against Ireland, despite the duo never having played together at any level.

Rugby Jul 2

Farrell names both Prendergast brothers to start Ireland's Nations Championship opener against Wallabies

Andy Farrell has selected Sam and Cian Prendergast in the same starting XV for Ireland's first Nations Championship Test against Australia in Sydney, with Hugo Keenan returning to the country of his Lions heroics at fullback.

Rugby Jul 2

Rennie hands debuts to Numia and Fineanganofo as All Blacks face France in Nations Championship opener

Dave Rennie has named two uncapped players on the bench for New Zealand's Nations Championship opener against France in Christchurch, with Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia and winger Fehi Fineanganofo in line for their All Blacks debuts.

Rugby Jul 2

Jock Campbell ends 1,300-day Wallabies exile to start against Ireland in Nations Championship opener

Joe Schmidt has handed Jock Campbell a surprise recall to start at fullback for Australia against world number three Ireland in Sydney on Saturday, ending an absence of more than 1,300 days from international rugby. Ryan Lonergan is also set for his maiden Test start at scrum-half.

Rugby Jul 2

McKenzie embraces Rennie's attack reset as All Blacks prepare for France series opener

Damian McKenzie says the All Blacks' renewed attacking intent under Dave Rennie and Mike Blair is as much a shift in mindset as it is a structural overhaul, with the 74-Test playmaker eager to embrace a counter-attacking style ahead of the first-ever Test at Christchurch's new roofed stadium.

Rugby Jul 2

Chancellor returns to lead Waratahs against Reds in final-round Super Rugby Women's derby

NSW Waratahs captain Emily Chancellor is back in the starting XV for Sunday's Super Rugby Women's derby against the Queensland Reds at Leichhardt Oval, having missed last week's defeat to the Western Force while on Women's Barbarians duty.

Rugby Jul 1

Cramer returns from Barbarians duty to start at fly-half in Reds-Waratahs Super Rugby Women's derby

Lori Cramer has been named at fly-half for the Queensland Reds against two-time defending champions NSW Waratahs on Sunday, days after representing the Women's Barbarians against Wales at Twickenham.

Rugby Jul 1

Alex Coles urges England to seize their chance as Maro Itoje sits out South Africa opener

Northampton lock Alex Coles has called on England's squad players to step up in Maro Itoje's absence, with Steve Borthwick's side facing South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday in their Nations Championship opener.

Rugby Jul 1