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England or Ireland? Leicester prop Archie van der Flier faces Test allegiance dilemma after breakthrough start
Archie van der Flier earned his first Premiership start for Leicester against Gloucester and was named Player of the Match, sparking debate over whether the loosehead — who qualifies for both England and Ireland — will follow cousin Josh into Test rugby.
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USA Women's Eagles chase first four-match winning run since 2006 against Italy in Texas
The USA Women's Eagles host Italy in Texas on Saturday targeting a fourth consecutive Test victory, a feat the programme has not achieved since 2006. Italy name a reshuffled side that includes Beatrice Rigoni's first start in over 13 months and a debut for flanker Mascia Jelic.
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New Zealand Rugby loses injunction bid but vows to fight PNG Chiefs name in court
A New Zealand High Court has declined to grant an interim injunction blocking a new Papua New Guinea NRL franchise from using the 'Chiefs' name. New Zealand Rugby insists the ruling does not settle the underlying trademark dispute, which continues toward a final hearing.
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Gibraltar make competitive debut against Cyprus after 14 years in international wilderness
Gibraltar Rugby Football Union, admitted as Rugby Europe's 49th member in December, play their first competitive Test on Saturday against Cyprus — a side that once held a world record 24 consecutive wins. The historic home fixture marks the end of 14 years of friendly-only rugby for the British Overseas Territory.
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Hong Kong China and Japan chase Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series titles in Colombo finale
Twenty-four teams descend on Colombo, Sri Lanka, this weekend for the final leg of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series, with Hong Kong China and Japan poised to clinch the men's and women's titles respectively after dominant earlier rounds.
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Kenya Shujaa and Lionesses sweep Safari Sevens to claim historic back-to-back titles
Kenya dominated the 28th Safari Sevens at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, with the Shujaa defeating the Morans 24-5 in an all-Kenyan men's final to win a sixth straight title, while the Lionesses secured back-to-back women's crowns for the first time.
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Wilson urges Wallabies to end 12-match All Blacks drought in Sydney decider
Harry Wilson has called on the Wallabies to seize a rare home opportunity against the All Blacks in Sydney, days after a 50-19 thrashing at Eden Park extended New Zealand's unbeaten run in the rivalry to a record 12 consecutive Tests.
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Injury crisis hands Kirifi his All Blacks recall ahead of second Bledisloe Test in Sydney
Du'Plessis Kirifi returns to the All Blacks matchday 23 for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, with coach Dave Rennie turning to the Hurricanes co-captain after losing Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder and Anton Segner to injury.
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Uncapped McLaughlin-Phillips earns Wallabies debut after 'dominating the second team' in training
Fly-half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is set to make his Test debut for Australia against the All Blacks after Ben Donaldson was ruled out with an upper leg injury, with Wallabies captain Harry Wilson backing the uncapped Queensland product to seize his moment.
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All Blacks legend Marshall crowns Wallabies captain Wilson best No. 8 in the world
Justin Marshall, capped 81 times for the All Blacks, has declared Australia's Harry Wilson the best number eight in the world after the Wallabies skipper made 27 tackles and scored a try in the 50-19 Bledisloe Cup defeat at Eden Park.
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Injury-hit Brett Cameron re-signs with Hurricanes to chase Super Rugby title defence
Brett Cameron has committed to a further year with the Hurricanes despite managing just 223 minutes of Super Rugby over the past two seasons due to two major knee injuries. The one-cap All Black will target a return to fitness ahead of the 2027 campaign.
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Harlequins boss Gilmore tips viral sensation Sigauke for first-team debut after Christmas
Eddie Sigauke's 90-metre try against Leicester Tigers under-23s captured attention this week, and Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore says the 22-year-old Zimbabwe international is on course to break into the senior squad after Christmas.
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Rugby Canada extend Kévin Rouet's contract to 2030 after World Cup final run
Rugby Canada have handed head coach Kévin Rouet a contract extension through to the end of 2030, rewarding the Frenchman for guiding the side to the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 final and building one of the world's top programmes since 2022.
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Meg Jones admits England did themselves a 'disservice' in draw that ended 38-match winning run
Red Roses captain Meg Jones has acknowledged England fell below their own standards in September's 26-26 draw with Canada, which snapped a 38-match winning streak. The sides meet again at Toronto's BMO Field on Friday, with hooker Amy Cokayne returning to the starting XV.
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Pollard returns and Junior Bok Giliomee starts as Bulls overhaul side for Champions Cup opener
The Bulls have made sweeping changes for their Champions Cup clash against Stade Français, with Handré Pollard returning at flyhalf and uncapped youngster Luan Giliomee handed a first senior start at fullback ahead of Springbok veteran Willie le Roux.
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Darcy Graham returns ahead of schedule as Edinburgh face Toulon in European Challenge Cup
Scotland winger Darcy Graham has made a faster-than-expected recovery from a torn bicep to feature for Edinburgh against Toulon in the European Challenge Cup on Friday. The 29-year-old was initially ruled out until Christmas after suffering the injury in September.
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Sevens star Piper Simons embraces XVs crossover as Wallaroos target full 80-minute performance
Australian sevens standout Piper Simons, 21, has embraced the transition to XVs rugby in 2026, earning her third Wallaroos cap off the bench as Australia prepare for their second Test against Scotland at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
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France name four debutants as Chambon captains for Black Ferns test in Hamilton
Head coach François Ratier has handed first caps to Ylona Avril, Marion Latonnelle, Lylou Pedussaud and Charlie Gauyat for France's WXV Global Series clash with New Zealand, with Alexandra Chambon leading the side for the first time.
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Prop Tameifuna moves to second-row as injury-hit Bordeaux reshuffle for Gloucester title defence
Back-to-back Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Bègles have named 148kg tighthead Ben Tameifuna at lock and shifted scrum-half Maxime Lucu to fly-half for Friday's title defence opener against Gloucester at Kingsholm.
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Retired Scotland scrum-half Caity Mattinson returns to Scottish Rugby as pathways skills coach
Caity Mattinson, the 37-cap Scotland international who retired after the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, has joined Scottish Rugby in a newly created pathways skills coach role focused on developing the next generation of players.
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