Rugby news
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Bielle-Biarrey eyes sevens switch and LA28 Olympics amid UBB contract talks
France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey is exploring a move to the SVNS circuit with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in mind, according to RMC Sport. The 22-year-old is currently negotiating a contract extension with Union Bordeaux-Bègles, with any new deal expected to include provisions for sevens involvement.
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Sheehan ruled out as Cullen makes three Lions changes for Leinster's URC semi-final
Dan Sheehan misses Leinster's URC semi-final against the Stormers at the Aviva Stadium after sustaining knee and shoulder injuries against the Lions. Ronan Kelleher, Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier all come into the starting XV.
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Departing Wales prop Nicky Smith backs Leicester to challenge for silverware for years
Nicky Smith has admitted leaving Leicester for Sale was a "very, very tough" decision, but the Wales loosehead prop insists the Tigers are built to compete at the top of English rugby long after his departure.
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Dowson confirms Northampton will rotate squad for final regular-season match against Harlequins
Phil Dowson says Northampton Saints will manage player minutes on a case-by-case basis when they face Harlequins on Saturday, with the club already assured of a home Gallagher Premiership semi-final and targeting a second title in three years at Twickenham.
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Bath confirm 10 departures including Springbok 'legend' Du Toit and Barbeary
Bath Rugby have confirmed 10 players will leave the club at the end of the season, headlined by Springbok lock Lood de Jager — wait — flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, who returns to South Africa to join the Sharks after 72 appearances and three consecutive forward of the season awards.
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Darcy Graham joins GB Sevens for SVNS Bordeaux finale with core status at stake
Scotland's all-time leading try-scorer Darcy Graham has linked up with Great Britain Sevens ahead of the SVNS World Championship finale in Bordeaux, where GB must perform to preserve their top-flight core status for next season.
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Tameifuna ends season early after shoulder surgery as Bordeaux face crunch Top 14 finale
Bordeaux-Bègles tighthead prop Ben Tameifuna has had his season cut short by shoulder surgery, ruling him out of Saturday's decisive Top 14 clash against Clermont. The 34-year-old revealed he played on through two torn tendons to help secure the Champions Cup.
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Baxter dismisses points buffer talk as Exeter face must-win Saracens clash
Rob Baxter has urged Exeter Chiefs to focus solely on winning Saturday's Gallagher Premiership top-four decider against Saracens at Sandy Park, warning that their three-point lead is no safety net given the sides are level on wins.
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Fergus Slattery, Ireland captain and Lions flanker, dies aged 77
Fergus Slattery, one of Ireland's most celebrated back rows, has died at the age of 77. The former Ireland captain won two Triple Crowns and toured with the British and Irish Lions twice, earning 61 caps across a distinguished career.
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Papier crowned URC South African Player of the Season after Erasmus alignment camp snub
Embrose Papier has won the United Rugby Championship's South African Player of the Season award after a standout campaign with the Bulls, having been overlooked by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for the first alignment camp of 2025 before earning a recall to the squad.
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Loughborough Lightning sign five Canada internationals ahead of 2026/27 PWR season
Loughborough Lightning have recruited five Canada internationals for the 2026/27 Premiership Women's Rugby season, including Olympic silver medallist Chloe Daniels and Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 finalist Smith. Head coach Nathan Smith called the quintet a "statement of intent".
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Luke Pearce to referee New Zealand v France as World Rugby names Nations Championship officials
World Rugby have confirmed referee appointments for the opening block of the inaugural Nations Championship. England's Luke Pearce leads the way, taking charge of New Zealand v France in Christchurch on 4 July, while Hollie Davidson is set to make history in the second round.
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Jamie Ritchie signs for Glasgow Warriors after injury-hit season at Perpignan
Glasgow Warriors have confirmed the signing of Scotland flanker Jamie Ritchie on a two-year deal. The 63-cap international returns to Scottish rugby after a single, injury-disrupted Top 14 season with Perpignan.
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Eloise Webb almost rejected Springbok Women's Sevens call after Olympic heartbreak
Eloise Webb has revealed she nearly turned down a place in the Springbok Women's Sevens squad for the HSBC SVNS World Championship, with the pain of missing out on the 2024 Paris Olympics and the physical demands of switching from fifteens almost convincing her to say no.
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Vannes and Provence Rugby meet in ProD2 final with Top14 promotion at stake
RC Vannes and Provence Rugby face off in the ProD2 final on 7 June, with the title and a guaranteed Top14 place on the line. Vannes, powered by Mako Vunipola and a dominant forward pack, enter as favourites after a 48-7 semi-final demolition of Oyonnax.
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Blitzboks hold World Championship lead despite Valladolid defeat to Australia
South Africa captain Impi Visser says his side are embracing the pressure of leading the HSBC SVNS World Championship standings heading into the season finale in Bordeaux on June 5-7, despite losing the Valladolid Cup Final 26-19 to Australia.
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Samoa name Nations Cup squad without McFarland as Umaga-Jensen earns first call-up
Samoa have named a 32-man squad for the Nations Cup in Chile, with captain Theo McFarland and Scott Sio among the notable absentees. Former All Blacks centre Peter Umaga-Jensen is one of six uncapped players included.
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De Jager returns for Wild Knights as Kolbe bows out of Japan Rugby League One
Springbok lock Lood de Jager is set to start for Saitama Wild Knights in Saturday's third-place playoff against Tokyo Sungoliath, ending an absence that stretched back to a red card and subsequent hip surgery in November. The match also marks Cheslin Kolbe's farewell to Sungoliath after three seasons and 321 points.
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Bristol Bears retain Marston-Mulhearn, Phillips and Herring for 2026/27 season
Bristol Bears have confirmed the re-signing of back-row forwards Rownita Marston-Mulhearn and Jenny Herring, along with Canada international prop Holly Phillips, as the club builds its squad for the 2026/27 campaign.
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Glasgow lock Jare Oguntibeju explains the 'dead leg' behind his viral slow-motion try
The 6ft 8in Glasgow Warriors forward scored a game-breaking try against Connacht last Friday in a style that drew comparisons to a 'baby giraffe' — but Oguntibeju says a dead leg, not a quirky running style, was behind the lolloping strides that amused viewers.
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