Rugby news
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Former Brave Blossoms lock Kitagawa named Sakura Fifteen head coach ahead of WXV Global Series
Toshizumi Kitagawa, a 43-cap Japan men's international and 2011 Rugby World Cup veteran, has been appointed head coach of the Sakura Fifteen, replacing Canadian Lesley McKenzie following Japan's group-stage exit at Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.
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Deon Fourie set to become oldest Springbok ever at 39 years and 338 days
Stormers forward Deon Fourie, already South Africa's oldest debutant, has been named on the bench for the second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town. If he takes the field, the 39-year-old will surpass Victor Matfield's long-standing record as the oldest Springbok in Test history.
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Two caps, two tries: Aicha Sutcliffe eyes more after electric Scotland debut
Hooker Aicha Sutcliffe marked her Scotland debut against France with a try in the 63rd minute, then repeated the feat against Ireland eight days later. The 21-year-old Glasgow Warriors player now targets the WXV Global Series with Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
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Former Leicester Tigers lock Harry Wells joins Bristol Bears on three-month deal
Harry Wells, who made 236 appearances for Leicester Tigers over more than a decade, has signed a short-term deal with Bristol Bears to bolster their pack ahead of the 2026/27 season.
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Uruguay hand Rugby World Cup veteran Barreiro head coach role with 2027 in sight
Guzmán Barreiro has been appointed head coach of Uruguay's Los Teros, replacing Rodolfo Ambrósio one year out from the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The former High Performance director helped guide Uruguay to their best-ever World Cup run in 2019.
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Blair says All Blacks' five-try Springboks win only scratches the surface of their potential
Attack coach Mike Blair insists the All Blacks have more to give after a five-tries-to-one victory over South Africa in Johannesburg, where Dave Rennie's side came from behind at half-time to take the opening Test of the 2026 series.
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NRL great Shaun Johnson reveals he came close to joining All Blacks Sevens in his mid-20s
Retired NRL halfback Shaun Johnson has disclosed that legendary All Blacks Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens once held talks with him about switching codes, making it the nearest he ever came to leaving rugby league during his decorated career.
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Western Force promote Academy scrum-half Luke Aiken to Super Rugby Pacific squad
Western Force have elevated 20-year-old halfback Luke Aiken from their Academy to the full Super Rugby Pacific squad ahead of the 2027 season. The former Blues Under-20s and Queensland Reds junior joins an experienced scrum-half group that includes Nathan Hastie and Agustin Moyano.
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Queensland Reds sign Lachlan Hooper after standout NPC campaign with Northland
Backrower Lachlan Hooper has committed to the Queensland Reds for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season after two impressive NPC campaigns with Northland, including a hat-trick in round three. The 22-year-old is the younger brother of Wallabies flanker Tom Hooper.
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Sevens Dream Team star Tamani earns Flying Fijians call-up for Pacific Nations Cup defence
HSBC SVNS Dream Team of the Year pick Terio Tamani is among seven uncapped prospects in Fiji's 31-man squad for the Pacific Nations Cup in Japan, where the reigning champions open against Canada on September 12.
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Seven uncapped players earn Ireland Women's call-up for WXV Global Series campaign
Ireland Women's head coach Scott Bemand has named seven uncapped players in a 36-strong WXV Global Series training squad, with home fixtures against the USA and Japan scheduled before a two-Test tour of South Africa in October.
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Erasmus admits 6/2 bench tactic backfired on Springboks in All Blacks defeat
Rassie Erasmus has openly conceded that his signature 6/2 bench split cost South Africa in their 21-3 second-half collapse against New Zealand at Ellis Park, calling the substitution decisions an avoidable error of his own making.
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Pollock blasts six in charity T20 as Northampton's Sri Lanka tour takes a cricketing turn
Henry Pollock showcased his batting skills in Colombo on Monday, hitting 13 runs off four balls for the International Rugby Stars in a charity T20 against Sri Lanka's 1996 Cricket World Cup winners, though his side fell short of the 140-run target.
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Bath captain Ben Spencer ruled out for start of season after shoulder surgery
Ben Spencer, who skippered Bath to the Premiership title in 2025, will miss the opening rounds of the 2026/27 season after undergoing shoulder surgery this summer. The club says the scrum-half will return 'later in the autumn.'
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Scotland lock McMillan retires at 29 after rejecting contract over pay and mental toll
Louise McMillan has retired from international rugby at 29 after turning down a Scotland contract that would have required a significant pay cut. The Saracens lock cited financial reality, exhaustion from combining club rugby with a full-time job, and a loss of confidence under previous coaching staff.
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Erasmus confirms Kolisi and Kolbe doubts as five Springboks face late fitness tests
Rassie Erasmus has left the door open for last-minute squad changes ahead of South Africa's second Test against New Zealand, with captain Siya Kolisi and winger Cheslin Kolbe both racing to be fit, while Ben-Jason Dixon, Canan Moodie, and Grant Williams are also sidelined.
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Jack Singleton nears rugby return a year after cardiac event but will leave Gloucester
England hooker Jack Singleton is entering the final phase of rehabilitation almost 12 months after suffering a cardiac event in training, with Gloucester confirming he will not be retained beyond the current season.
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Edinburgh complete new-look coaching staff by signing ex-Australia 7s international Hodge
Michael Hodge, a former Australia Sevens player and ex-IRFU under-20 assistant coach, has signed a two-year deal as Edinburgh's skills and contact coach, completing head coach Sean Everitt's revamped backroom team ahead of the 2026/27 URC season.
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Fiji Rugby opens permanent head coach search with Rugby World Cup 2027 in sight
Fiji Rugby has publicly advertised for a permanent Flying Fijians head coach, with the successful candidate contracted through to December 2027 and tasked with guiding the ninth-ranked nation at the next Rugby World Cup.
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Erasmus starts Pollard over Feinberg-Mngomezulu as Springboks face must-not-lose second Test
Rassie Erasmus has recalled Handré Pollard to start at fly-half for South Africa's second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town on Saturday, dropping Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to the bench after a difficult outing in the 33-16 first-Test defeat.
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