SportsCatch

Lia Green returns to Bristol Bears after four seasons with Loughborough Lightning

Bristol Bears have signed fly-half Lia Green for the 2026/27 Premiership Women's Rugby season. The 22-year-old, who made 30 appearances and scored 109 points for Loughborough Lightning, originally came through Bristol's Centre of Excellence.

Rugby Jul 6

World Cup winner Ponsonby among 17 players leaving Trailfinders Women this summer

Trailfinders Women have confirmed 17 departures following their PWR Final defeat to Saracens, including Black Ferns World Cup winner Georgia Ponsonby, club captain Kate Zackary, and six other internationals.

Rugby Jul 6

Wallaroos star Caitlyn Halse joins Leicester Tigers after standout Women's World Cup

Caitlyn Halse, 19, will leave the NSW Waratahs to join Leicester Tigers in Premiership Women's Rugby for the 2026/27 season. The full-back scored four tries at Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 across four appearances for Australia.

Rugby Jul 6

Adams urges Wales to move on from 125-point autumn horror ahead of Argentina and Springboks tests

Josh Adams has called on Wales to build on three successive victories rather than dwell on last autumn's heavy defeats to Argentina and South Africa, as the squad prepares to face both sides in the Nations Championship.

Rugby Jul 6

Penaud's France comeback lasts 40 minutes as calf injury rules him out of July Tests

Damian Penaud, France's record try scorer, was forced off at half-time during last weekend's Nations Championship defeat to New Zealand and will now miss the remaining July Tests against Australia and Japan.

Rugby Jul 6

Wallaroos climb World Rugby rankings as South Africa rout USA Women 34-21

Australia's Wallaroos have overtaken the USA Women's Eagles in the World Rugby rankings after South Africa defeated the Eagles 34-21 at Ellis Park on 4 July, with the Springbok Women leading 29-0 at half-time.

Rugby Jul 6

Erasmus makes 10 changes as injury-hit Springboks face Scotland at Loftus Versfeld

Rassie Erasmus has overhauled his Springboks starting XV for the Nations Championship clash against Scotland in Pretoria, with only five survivors from the side that beat England 45-21 last weekend and seven senior players sidelined through injury.

Rugby Jul 6

Canada and Spain's 42-42 thriller sets new record for highest-scoring draw in Test rugby

Canada and Spain shared 12 tries and 84 points in a breathless 42-42 draw at Clarke Stadium, Edmonton, surpassing England and Scotland's 38-38 Calcutta Cup classic from 2019 to become the highest-scoring draw in Test rugby history.

Rugby Jul 6

Loughman's concussion forces Ireland change with Bohan set for Japan debut

Jeremy Loughman has been ruled out of Ireland's Nations Championship clash with Japan in Newcastle on Saturday after suffering a concussion, with Connacht loosehead Billy Bohan in line for a first Test cap from the bench.

Rugby Jul 6

Reds end Waratahs hoodoo to sneak into Super Rugby Women's finals as Brumbies exit

Queensland secured their first-ever win over NSW with a 26-19 victory at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, leaping into fourth place and booking a semi-final against Fijian Drua. The Western Force also sealed a maiden home semi-final after defeating the ACT Brumbies 36-20 earlier in the day.

Rugby Jul 6

Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu faces six months out after hamstring surgery

New Zealand co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu will miss the next six months after suffering a hamstring tear for Chiefs Manawa on 27 June. The 37-Test Black Fern faces surgery and will be absent for the entire 2026 international season, including a historic Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

Rugby Jul 6

All Blacks attack coach Blair credits player freedom after France first-Test win

Mike Blair has reviewed New Zealand's attacking display in the first Nations Championship Test against France in Christchurch, praising the instinctive style that created numerous opportunities — while acknowledging the team still needs to sharpen its finishing and find better balance with the kicking game.

Rugby Jul 6

Ex-Springboks coach Mallett slams Borthwick for benching Pollock in 45-21 Ellis Park defeat

Nick Mallett, the former Springboks head coach, has criticised Steve Borthwick for failing to start 21-year-old Henry Pollock against South Africa, arguing England's back row was weaker for it in a 45-21 loss at Ellis Park.

Rugby Jul 6

Kane Jury makes seven changes as New Zealand U20 target perfect Pool B record against Italy

New Zealand U20 head coach Kane Jury has reshuffled his side for their Junior World Championship clash with Italy in Kutaisi, with Bay of Plenty halfback Charlie Sinton named captain and David Lewai replacing Haki Wisemen in the starting lineup.

Rugby Jul 5

Smith brands England 'soft' after 45-21 mauling hands Boks fifth straight Test win

Fly-half Fin Smith admitted England were 'soft' in defence and missed too many tackles as South Africa ran out 45-21 winners at Ellis Park on Saturday, extending England's losing run to five consecutive Tests.

Rugby Jul 5

Radradra and Hoyt ruled out of Nations Championship after Fiji's defeat to Wales

Fiji face a significant setback after Semi Radradra and Tim Hoyt both left the field injured during Saturday's 39-24 loss to Wales in Cardiff. Head coach Senirusi Seruvakula confirmed both players face at least six weeks on the sidelines.

Rugby Jul 5

Wainwright savours Wales win at Cardiff City Stadium he never graced as a footballer

Aaron Wainwright reflected on a personal milestone as Wales beat Fiji 39-24 at Cardiff City Stadium — a ground he trained at as a Cardiff City academy player but was released before ever appearing in a competitive match.

Rugby Jul 5

Townsend hails Scotland depth after five Lions sit out 47-38 win over Argentina

Scotland ran in seven tries to beat Argentina 47-38 in Córdoba without Finn Russell, Huw Jones, Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn, all of whom toured with the British and Irish Lions last summer. Head coach Gregor Townsend said the result underlined the squad's growing depth ahead of next week's test against world champions South Africa.

Rugby Jul 5

Springboks fans booed the wrong England flanker in Ellis Park hostile reception for Pollock

South Africa's crowd spent a week targeting Henry Pollock ahead of England's 45-21 defeat in Johannesburg, but it was Bath flanker Guy Pepper who absorbed most of the jeering after supporters mistook him for their intended target.

Rugby Jul 5

Munster sign Irish-qualified tighthead Kieran Brookes on two-year deal from Perpignan

Munster have completed the signing of 35-year-old tighthead prop Kieran Brookes on a two-year contract after his Perpignan deal was terminated early. The former England international brings extensive club experience to Clayton McMillan's front row.

Rugby Jul 5