SportsCatch

Jo Yapp appointed head coach of British & Irish Lions Women for 2027 New Zealand Tour

Jo Yapp, currently England Rugby's Head of Women's Pathway, has been named head coach of the British & Irish Lions Women's team for their inaugural 2027 Tour of New Zealand, beating Red Roses coach John Mitchell to the historic role.

Rugby May 27

Baxter confirms Vintcent out for Leicester trip as Ikitau and Woodburn return to fitness

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has confirmed flanker Ross Vintcent will miss Sunday's Gallagher Premiership clash at Leicester Tigers with an ankle injury, while Len Ikitau and Ollie Woodburn are both expected to be available for the fourth-place showdown at Welford Road.

Rugby May 27

Cardiff's Dan Thomas leads URC tackle charts ahead of Stormers quarter-final

Flanker Dan Thomas has made more tackles than any other player in the URC this season and earned Cardiff's Players' Player of the Season award. The Welsh side face the DHL Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday in their first-ever URC play-off appearance.

Rugby May 27

Charlie Cale returns to Brumbies starting XV for Super Rugby Pacific regular-season finale

Flanker Charlie Cale is back in the Brumbies' starting lineup for their round 16 clash with Moana Pasifika after missing seven weeks with a shoulder injury. The return gives the Brumbies their first fully fit Wallabies contingent of the season at a critical moment, with a home qualifying final still within reach.

Rugby May 27

Scott Barrett to undergo back surgery with 3-5 month recovery ahead

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will have back surgery by the end of this week after non-invasive treatment failed, the Crusaders confirmed. The lock faces a 3-5 month recovery, ruling him out of Super Rugby Pacific's playoffs and threatening his availability for the Bledisloe Cup Tests.

Rugby May 27

Sevu Reece reaches 100 Crusaders appearances as side targets home playoff against Blues

Sevu Reece will earn his 100th Crusaders cap when the side host the Hurricanes at One New Zealand Stadium, with a top-three finish and a home playoff berth against the Blues on the line.

Rugby May 27

Oudenryn set for Super Rugby debut as Blues lose Barrett, Tuipulotu and Slater to injury

Vern Cotter has named his Blues squad for their Round 16 trip to Hamilton with three regular starters ruled out through injury, but Development Player of the Year Eli Oudenryn is in line for his Super Rugby debut off the bench.

Rugby May 27

Donaldson and Bridge return as Western Force close Super Rugby Pacific season against Waratahs

Western Force welcome back fly-half Ben Donaldson and centre George Bridge for their final Super Rugby Pacific round-robin match against the NSW Waratahs. The only other selection news is flanker Carlo Tizzano's chance to set a new club try-scoring record.

Rugby May 27

Nasser targets HSBC SVNS title and 2028 gold to honour women's rugby pioneers

Australia Sevens co-captain Isabella Nasser says the 2016 Olympic gold medal triumph inspired her to take up rugby, and she is now chasing a Championship win in Valladolid and Bordeaux before setting her sights on Los Angeles 2028 and a potential 15s debut ahead of the 2029 home World Cup.

Rugby May 27

Bordeaux retain Champions Cup with 41-19 demolition of Leinster in Bilbao

Union Bordeaux Bègle claimed back-to-back Champions Cup titles on Saturday, overwhelming Leinster 41-19 at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. Former Wallabies Adam Coleman and Lachlan Swinton both featured for the dominant French side.

Rugby May 26

Ruben Love apologises after referee catches Hurricanes playmaker swearing during Kids Round

All Blacks first-five Ruben Love has issued a public apology after Australian referee Angus Gardner reprimanded him on the mic for swearing at a Highlanders player during Super Rugby Pacific's designated Kids Round in Wellington on Saturday.

Rugby May 26

Hurricanes secure Super Rugby Pacific top spot but Laidlaw sweats injury niggles

The Hurricanes have clinched first place in Super Rugby Pacific with a round to spare, but head coach Clark Laidlaw faces selection headaches after Du'Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Siale Lauaki, and Ngane Punivai all picked up injuries ahead of next Friday's clash with the Crusaders.

Rugby May 26

Joseph admits Highlanders' red cards and ill-timed penalties cost them a 2026 playoff place

Jamie Joseph says Saturday's defeat to the Hurricanes in Wellington was a microcosm of the Highlanders' entire 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, with yellow cards, red cards and poorly timed penalties repeatedly costing his side winning opportunities.

Rugby May 26

Cullen admits Leinster tried to keep Frawley as Champions Cup defeat sharpens the loss

Leo Cullen has confirmed Leinster made efforts to retain Ciaran Frawley before the out-half agreed to join Connacht, with the departure looking increasingly costly after Frawley's influential cameo in the Champions Cup Final defeat to Bordeaux in Bilbao.

Rugby May 26

Cheslin Kolbe set for Stormers return after Tokyo Sungoliath buyout deal

Double Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe is reportedly on the verge of rejoining the Stormers from July 1, with the Cape Town franchise buying him out of his contract with Japan League One side Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.

Rugby May 26

Carbery confirms Leinster return after Bordeaux's back-to-back Champions Cup triumph

Joey Carbery has confirmed he will re-join Leinster ahead of next season, with head coach Leo Cullen publicly endorsing the move. The Ireland fly-half made the admission after watching his current club Bordeaux-Bèglès beat Leinster 41-19 in Bilbao to retain the Champions Cup.

Rugby May 26

Sorensen-McGee ruled out of Valladolid and Bordeaux with concussion as McGregor steps in

Braxton Sorensen-McGee will miss the Black Ferns Sevens' next two HSBC SVNS World Championship events in Valladolid and Bordeaux after being sidelined with a concussion. Three-Test back Justine McGregor has been called up as her replacement.

Rugby May 26

Sharks sign 2.06m schoolboy lock Vermeulen on two-year development deal

Sebastian Vermeulen, an 18-year-old lock from Rondebosch Boys' High regarded as South Africa's tallest schoolboy rugby player, has signed a two-year development contract with the Sharks. The 2.06-metre, 140-kilogram prospect will join the Sharks Academy in Durban in January.

Rugby May 26

McMahon and Foley keep Australian hopes alive in Japan League One semi-finals

Former Wallabies flanker Sean McMahon's Sungoliath edged through to the semi-finals with a last-gasp try, while Bernard Foley's Spears Funabashi Bay dismantled two-time defending champions Brave Lupus 26-3 to set up a blockbuster last-four weekend.

Rugby May 26

All Blacks bolter Moorby draws Ben Smith comparisons ahead of Rennie's first squad

Hurricanes winger Josh Moorby is forcing his way into All Blacks contention after scoring his 13th Super Rugby Pacific try of the season. Former All Blacks Jeff Wilson, Mils Muliaina, and Christian Cullen have all weighed in on his chances of making Dave Rennie's first squad, announced in late June.

Rugby May 26