SportsCatch

Bristol Bears lose Janse van Rensburg for three weeks after Henry Pollock collision

Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been ruled out for three weeks after suffering a head injury collision with Northampton's Henry Pollock, leaving Bristol without the England centre for Saturday's trip to Saracens and the Champions Cup clash with Stormers in Cape Town.

Rugby Oct 8

Cullen names entirely new Leinster XV for first home URC game after winless South Africa tour

Leo Cullen has overhauled his Leinster starting XV for Saturday's URC home opener against Cardiff at the Laya Arena, with none of the players who started the bonus-point defeat in Durban retained as the province seeks its first win of the season.

Rugby Oct 8

Skivington reveals Robson's 11-year grudge is fuelling Gloucester's flying start

Gloucester head coach George Skivington says Dan Robson returned to Kingsholm carrying a long-held grievance about his original departure, and that motivation is driving the 34-year-old scrum-half's impressive form this season.

Rugby Oct 8

Wallaroos prop Bridie O'Gorman signs for Gloucester Hartpury ahead of 2026/27 PWR season

Gloucester Hartpury have secured the signing of Australia tighthead Bridie O'Gorman, a 43-cap Wallaroos international and seven-time Super Rugby Women's champion, for the upcoming Premiership Women's Rugby season.

Rugby Oct 8

Horne dropped to bench as Glasgow make six changes to face Connacht

George Horne pays the price for a costly penalty reversal against Ulster as Glasgow name six changes for Friday's URC home clash with Connacht at Scotstoun, with Jamie Dobie switching from wing to scrum-half.

Rugby Oct 8

Etzebeth promoted to start as Sharks name Bok-heavy XV for Stormers derby

Eben Etzebeth is one of three Springboks elevated from the bench to start as the Sharks head south for their first away URC fixture of the season against the Stormers, with scrum coach Philip Lemmer flagging a fierce set-piece battle between two Bok-stacked packs.

Rugby Oct 8

Everitt urges Patterson to block out Scotland buzz and Premier League interest

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt has called on 21-year-old scrum-half Hector Patterson to tune out speculation over a Scotland call-up and interest from English and French clubs, insisting the youngster still has significant development ahead of him.

Rugby Oct 8

Marcus Smith cleared to return as Harlequins seek first points of the season

Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore has confirmed England fly-half Marcus Smith is on track to face Sale Sharks on Sunday, offering a timely lift to a side still winless after two defeats, including a 48-0 thrashing by Gloucester.

Rugby Oct 8

Ige da Ros named Brazil Women's Sevens head coach as Crystal Kaua departs after contract dispute

Crystal Kaua has left her role as Brazil Women's Sevens head coach after the union declined to renew her contract. Former Brazil international Ige da Ros steps up from within the Yaras programme to replace her ahead of this month's Sudamérica Rugby Sevens.

Rugby Oct 8

Celtic Challenge reveals 2026/27 fixtures as record international numbers set to raise competition level

The 2026/27 Celtic Challenge season will kick off on 5 December, spanning 10 rounds before a final on 27 March 2027. For the first time, the highest-seeded team will host the final, with more Ireland, Scotland and Wales internationals involved than in any previous edition.

Rugby Oct 8

Leinster return to revamped Laya Arena after two years away from their fortress

Leinster are set to play their home matches at the newly renovated Laya Arena — formerly the RDS — from the 2026-27 season, ending a two-year stint at the Aviva Stadium while a long-awaited redevelopment was completed.

Rugby Oct 8

Rennie dismisses point-to-prove narrative ahead of Bledisloe Cup return against Wallabies

Dave Rennie faces the Wallabies at Eden Park this weekend as All Blacks head coach, two years after Rugby Australia sacked him in favour of Eddie Jones. Seven players he once selected for Australia are in Les Kiss's squad for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash.

Rugby Oct 8

Kenya Shujaa and Lionesses defend crowns as nine nations descend on 30th Safari Sevens

The 2026 Safari Sevens gets underway at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi this weekend, with 12 men's sides and six women's teams competing across two days. Kenya's Shujaa arrive as defending champions fresh from winning the Mauritius Sevens, while Lionesses skipper Sheila Chajira says her side are primed to retain the women's title.

Rugby Oct 8

Rennie drops Lomax for All Blacks Eden Park clash and delivers blunt verdict on tighthead

Dave Rennie has explained why Tyrel Lomax was left out of New Zealand's matchday 23 to face Australia at Eden Park, saying the coaching staff simply want more from the tighthead prop. Fletcher Newell takes the No.3 jersey in his place.

Rugby Oct 8

Kiss confirms Suaalii stays on wing and Henry starts against All Blacks in Bledisloe opener

Wallabies coach Les Kiss has named Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wing for a second consecutive Test and handed Isaac Henry a starting berth against New Zealand, with Hunter Paisami's suspension forcing a midfield reshuffle.

Rugby Oct 8

All Blacks call up Narawa as Mo'unga ruled out of Bledisloe Cup with calf injury

Richie Mo'unga is set to miss both Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia after suffering a calf injury at training on Tuesday. Emoni Narawa has been called into the All Blacks squad as cover, with Damian McKenzie moving to fly-half and Beauden Barrett shifting to fullback.

Rugby Oct 8

Kiss keeps Suaalii on the wing as Wallabies name side for Bledisloe opener at Eden Park

Les Kiss has resisted shifting Joseph Suaalii back to midfield despite Hunter Paisami's suspension, naming the star on the left wing as Australia prepare to face New Zealand in the first Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park.

Rugby Oct 8

Former All Blacks trio Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane and Stevenson named in Samoa's Nations Cup squad

Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane and Shaun Stevenson are among eight uncapped players selected in Samoa's 30-man squad for November's World Rugby Nations Cup fixtures against Zimbabwe, Portugal and Spain.

Rugby Oct 7

Beauden Barrett returns at fullback as All Blacks name all three Barrett brothers to face Wallabies

Beauden Barrett starts at fullback for the All Blacks against Australia at Eden Park after Richie Mo'unga is ruled out with a hamstring tear, reuniting all three Barrett brothers in the starting XV.

Rugby Oct 7

Hong Kong China and Japan seize Asian Games sevens gold with dominant final-day displays

Hong Kong China shut out China 26-0 in the men's final while Japan edged China 10-5 in the women's decider at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, with both gold medallists going through the tournament largely unbeaten.

Rugby Oct 7