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Baxter backs RFU overseas ban as Borthwick's England selection headache grows
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has urged the RFU to retain its rule barring overseas-based players from England selection, arguing the policy is essential to the long-term health of the Premiership — even as Steve Borthwick remains unable to call on players such as Jack Willis, Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam.
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Springbok Women find credibility in defeat as Johannes-Haupt backs new coaching setup
Co-coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt insists the Springbok Women 'established credibility' despite a 52-20 loss to the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium, pointing to a dominant scrum and forward display in the opening 30 minutes as proof of progress.
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McFarland pledges attacking rugby as he rebuilds Newcastle with 23 new signings
New Newcastle Red Bulls head coach Dan McFarland has described his rebuilding project as a 'start-up', warning fans it will take time but promising the rugby will not be boring. The former Kobelco Steelers title-winner has brought in 23 new players ahead of the Gallagher Premiership season.
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Leicester vs Saracens to open ITV's three-match Gallagher Premiership free-to-air slate
ITV has confirmed three free-to-air Gallagher Premiership fixtures for the first half of the 2026/27 season, beginning with Leicester Tigers hosting Saracens on 27 September, followed by Sale vs Exeter in December and Harlequins vs Northampton on Boxing week.
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England A host Argentina XV at Bath's Rec in first meeting since 2009
England A will face Argentina XV at The Recreation Ground in Bath on Friday, 6 November (19:45 GMT), marking the first clash between the two development sides in 16 years and only the third ever.
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Baxter backs Wimbush to seize Exeter's No.12 shirt after Ikitau departure
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has singled out 22-year-old centre Zack Wimbush for a breakthrough Premiership season, with the 112kg powerhouse set to compete alongside new signing Will Butt for the inside-centre role vacated by Len Ikitau.
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Former Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap appointed to lead WRU women's coaching development
Siwan Lillicrap, who earned 51 caps as Wales captain, has been named head of women's coaching and development by the Welsh Rugby Union in a newly created role designed to align the women's performance pathway for players aged 14 to 24.
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Chile snatch first continental title with 28-27 comeback win over Argentina XV
Chile XV claimed the 2026 Americas Rugby Championship with a dramatic 28-27 victory over Argentina XV, overturning a 27-14 deficit in the final 15 minutes to secure the country's first continental rugby title.
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Wallaroos target unbeaten England with nothing-to-lose mindset at WXV opener
Record-setting winger Desiree Miller says Australia can draw on their strong opening 30 minutes against England at last year's World Cup as the Wallaroos prepare to face the unbeaten Red Roses in their WXV Global Series opener at Manchester's CorpAcq Stadium.
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Rennie admits All Blacks lineout lacks experience to replace Retallick and Whitelock
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has acknowledged his side's set-piece struggles during the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tour, pointing to the absence of centurions Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock as a key factor in his locks' inexperience.
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MLR dominates USA's Pacific Nations Cup squad as Taufete'e earns recall
Thirty of the USA's Pacific Nations Cup players come from Major League Rugby, with former World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Joe Taufete'e among them. The Eagles open the tournament against Japan in Osaka on September 12.
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Australia to host New Zealand and Fiji in Sydney sevens double-header ahead of Wallabies-All Blacks Test
Rugby Australia has announced the inaugural Kick On 7s event at Woollahra Oval on October 16, featuring the Australian women's sevens side against the Black Ferns and the men's team against Fiji — the day before a historic quadruple-header at Accor Stadium.
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Rennie admits All Blacks got set-piece 'badly wrong' after second straight loss to Springboks
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has acknowledged his side's scrum and maul discipline handed South Africa repeated set-piece opportunities in Soweto, contributing to a second consecutive defeat in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.
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Carter Gordon fractures fibula and faces two months out ahead of Springboks clash
Australia fly-half Carter Gordon has been confirmed with a fractured fibula after leaving the field in the Wallabies' 28-all draw with Argentina, ruling him out for up to two months and putting his place in the Springboks Test in serious doubt.
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Erasmus says Springboks must outscore All Blacks, not contain them, in series-sealing fourth Test
Rassie Erasmus has urged his Springboks side to focus on outscoring the All Blacks rather than defending them into submission as South Africa target a 3-1 series win in Baltimore. Two backline changes see Damian Willemse and Morne van den Berg come into the starting XV.
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Erasmus makes just two changes as Springboks name side to seal series against All Blacks in Baltimore
South Africa have named their team for the fourth Test against New Zealand in Baltimore, with Damian Willemse returning at fullback and Morne van den Berg handed a start at scrumhalf as the Springboks look to close out the series holding a 2-1 lead.
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Wales sink to all-time low in World Rugby rankings after Fiji beat Japan
Wales have slipped to 13th in the World Rugby rankings — their lowest position ever — after Fiji defeated Japan 15-12 in Fukuoka, overtaking the Welsh side who have not won a Test since July 2025.
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Baxter warns Exeter fans Black Knight investors won't simply 'throw money' at the Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has clarified that new majority owners Black Knight Entertainment expect the club to return to profitability, not act as a blank-chequebook rescue. Bill Foley's investment has eased cash-flow pressure and allowed squad strengthening, but sustainable business performance remains the goal.
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One-club loyalist Lotte Sharp re-signs with Saracens for record 13th season
Lotte Sharp has extended her stay at Saracens, committing to a 13th season with the North London club. The 31-year-old USA international has made over 180 appearances for Saracens and won the Women's Premiership four times.
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Van Poortvliet vows Leicester will chase title after Northampton's Twickenham triumph stung
Leicester Tigers scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet says watching rivals Northampton Saints lift the Premiership title at Twickenham — after beating Leicester 45-31 in the semi-finals — left a bitter taste, and insists the Tigers have the squad to go one better this season.
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