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Three uncapped players named as Wallabies open 2026 Nations Championship campaign
Joe Schmidt has named a 37-man Wallabies squad for the Nations Championship featuring three uncapped players — Brumbies duo Declan Meredith and Lachlan Shaw, plus Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero — alongside the return of veteran prop James Slipper.
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Eight debutants set to light up Hurricanes Poua's first home game against Matatu
Five Hurricanes Poua debutants and three Matatu newcomers are poised to make their Super Rugby Women's bows in Upper Hutt on Sunday, as the Wellington side seek a first win after a heavy round-one defeat to the Blues.
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Three Black Ferns Sevens stars set for Super Rugby Aupiki debuts as Blues and Chiefs Manawa name squads
Justine McGregor and Louise Blyde will make their Chiefs Manawa debuts in Round 2 of Super Rugby Aupiki, while the Blues hand Samoan prop Glory Aiono a starting role in Hamilton.
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Reds lock in Bloomfield and Blake after breakout Super Rugby seasons earn new deals
Queensland Reds have re-signed props Nick Bloomfield and George Blake following career-best Super Rugby Pacific campaigns in 2026. Bloomfield signs through 2028, while Blake commits for 2027 after making his first starts in three years.
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Black Ferns prop Kalounivale starts as Reds seek first win against Western Force
Tanya Kalounivale, the 29-Test Black Ferns tighthead, makes her first Super Rugby regular-season start for the Queensland Reds on Saturday as they face the Western Force at Wanneroo Rugby Club, with both sides still searching for their opening win.
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136-game veteran Cadeyrn Neville rejoins Queensland Reds after seven seasons with Brumbies
Eight-Test Wallabies lock Cadeyrn Neville has signed with the Queensland Reds for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, returning to Ballymore after departing the ACT Brumbies following seven seasons at the club.
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Grace Freeman set to end 450-day injury absence as Western Force face Queensland Reds
Western Force fly-half Grace Freeman has been named in the reserves for Saturday's Super Rugby Women's clash against the Queensland Reds in Wanneroo, more than 450 days after fracturing her foot against the Fijian Drua in 2024.
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Ford backs England's leadership depth to cover Itoje absence on summer tour
George Ford says England's leadership is a collective effort and will not collapse without Maro Itoje, who could be rested until next season after a gruelling year with the British and Irish Lions. Ford also praised debutant Benhard Janse van Rensburg ahead of Friday's non-cap match against France XV.
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Baxter refuses to confirm reports of Tom Hooper contract extension ahead of Prem final
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter declined to address reports that Wallabies flanker Tom Hooper has signed a one-year extension to remain at Sandy Park until 2028, calling the matter 'not commentable' days before Saturday's Gallagher Premiership final against Northampton Saints.
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Genge backs Heyes to prove he is world's best tighthead against South Africa
Ellis Genge has declared Leicester Tigers prop Joe Heyes the best tighthead in the world and believes a Nations Championship Test against South Africa in Johannesburg on July 4 is the perfect stage for him to prove it.
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Farrell hands Ireland debuts to Connacht trio as Lions stars rest before tour
Andy Farrell has named a 36-man Ireland squad for the Nations Championship summer tour, handing potential Test debuts to uncapped Connacht players Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Sean Jansen while 12 Lions await their first summer break in two years.
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Six uncapped players named as France XV face England in Vannes warm-up
Fabien Galthié has selected six uncapped players in a France XV squad to face England XV on Friday at the Stade de la Rabine in Vannes, with Lyon lock Mickaël Guillard captaining the experimental side.
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Feyi-Waboso cleared to face Northampton as Exeter Chiefs gain double injury boost
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been passed fit to play in Saturday's Gallagher Premiership final against Northampton Saints at Twickenham after recovering from facial fracture surgery. Winger Campbell Ridl has also been cleared following a knee scare at Bath.
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World Cup winner Cleall headlines 700-cap Barbarians Women squad to face Wales
Barbarians Women have named a squad boasting over 700 Test caps, including World Cup winner Bryony Cleall, for their fixture against Wales at Allianz Stadium on 27 June. The two sides last met in 2019, when the Barbarians won 29-15 in Cardiff.
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World Cup winner Williams and ex-All Black Bridge sign for Japan champions Kobe Steelers
Kobelco Kobe Steelers have bolstered their squad for the 2026/27 Japan Rugby League One season by signing Springbok scrum-half Grant Williams and former All Black outside back George Bridge, who has agreed a two-year deal.
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Munster close in on Harrison and Brookes as McMillan reshapes squad for next season
Munster are set to sign Australian fly-half Will Harrison and Irish-qualified former England tighthead Kieran Brookes, bringing their summer recruitment to four new arrivals ahead of the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship campaign.
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Matfield warns Leinster: Fail to extend Nienaber and he returns to Springboks for World Cup
Springbok legend Victor Matfield has cautioned Leinster that a failure to extend Jacques Nienaber's contract will see the World Cup-winning coach reunite with Rassie Erasmus ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
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Cullen bids farewell to Lowe and Ioane as Leinster brace for URC Grand Final exodus
Leo Cullen has spoken candidly about the wave of departures from Leinster, including James Lowe, Rieko Ioane and Luke McGrath, insisting the club's 'grow your own' model will sustain them beyond Friday's URC Grand Final against the Bulls.
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Borthwick set to rest Itoje for summer Tests unless injury crisis forces rethink
England head coach Steve Borthwick is poised to stand down captain Maro Itoje for July Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, citing the lock's gruelling year — but the plan hinges on second-row cover emerging unscathed this weekend.
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Highlanders lock in Pledger, Tengblad and Lavanini as re-signing spree reaches eight
The Highlanders have extended contracts with halfback Dylan Pledger on a three-year deal, lock Josh Tengblad on two years, and Argentina veteran Tomas Lavanini for one more season, bringing their total re-signings to eight ahead of 2027.
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