SportsCatch

Scotland lock McMillan retires at 29 after rejecting contract over pay and mental toll

Louise McMillan has retired from international rugby at 29 after turning down a Scotland contract that would have required a significant pay cut. The Saracens lock cited financial reality, exhaustion from combining club rugby with a full-time job, and a loss of confidence under previous coaching staff.

Rugby Aug 24

Erasmus confirms Kolisi and Kolbe doubts as five Springboks face late fitness tests

Rassie Erasmus has left the door open for last-minute squad changes ahead of South Africa's second Test against New Zealand, with captain Siya Kolisi and winger Cheslin Kolbe both racing to be fit, while Ben-Jason Dixon, Canan Moodie, and Grant Williams are also sidelined.

Rugby Aug 24

Jack Singleton nears rugby return a year after cardiac event but will leave Gloucester

England hooker Jack Singleton is entering the final phase of rehabilitation almost 12 months after suffering a cardiac event in training, with Gloucester confirming he will not be retained beyond the current season.

Rugby Aug 24

Edinburgh complete new-look coaching staff by signing ex-Australia 7s international Hodge

Michael Hodge, a former Australia Sevens player and ex-IRFU under-20 assistant coach, has signed a two-year deal as Edinburgh's skills and contact coach, completing head coach Sean Everitt's revamped backroom team ahead of the 2026/27 URC season.

Rugby Aug 24

Fiji Rugby opens permanent head coach search with Rugby World Cup 2027 in sight

Fiji Rugby has publicly advertised for a permanent Flying Fijians head coach, with the successful candidate contracted through to December 2027 and tasked with guiding the ninth-ranked nation at the next Rugby World Cup.

Rugby Aug 24

Erasmus starts Pollard over Feinberg-Mngomezulu as Springboks face must-not-lose second Test

Rassie Erasmus has recalled Handré Pollard to start at fly-half for South Africa's second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town on Saturday, dropping Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to the bench after a difficult outing in the 33-16 first-Test defeat.

Rugby Aug 24

Stormers eye Faf de Klerk on loan to fill scrum-half crisis before URC opener

DHL Stormers head coach John Dobson is exploring a loan move for 34-year-old Springbok scrum-half Faf de Klerk after losing two half-backs to injury ahead of their United Rugby Championship season opener against Connacht on 25 September.

Rugby Aug 24

Chile's Lucas Berti signs two-year deal with Grenoble after Montpellier exit

Scrum-half Lucas Berti, a key figure in Chile's 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification campaign, has joined ProD2 side FC Grenoble on a two-season contract after leaving Montpellier without making a Top 14 appearance.

Rugby Aug 24

Kolisi bracketed as injury toll forces Erasmus into four Springbok changes for All Blacks rematch

Rassie Erasmus has named South Africa's squad for the second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town, with Cheslin Kolbe and Grant Williams ruled out through injury and Siya Kolisi's fitness still being monitored ahead of the match.

Rugby Aug 24

Newcastle Red Bulls sign 147kg Argentina tighthead Moreno as 23rd summer recruit

Francisco Moreno, a 24-year-old Argentina international tighthead weighing 147kg, is set to join Newcastle Red Bulls from Super Rugby Americas side Tarucas, becoming the club's 23rd signing of an extraordinary summer rebuild.

Rugby Aug 24

Jason Ryan admits All Blacks lost eight scrum 'rounds' but won the ones that mattered against Springboks

All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan has described the scrum battle in New Zealand's victory over South Africa at Ellis Park as '12 rounds of boxing', conceding his pack likely lost eight of them — but won the crucial late penalties that sealed the result.

Rugby Aug 24

Mo'unga returns for All Blacks as Erasmus releases Horn and Venter to face Lions

Richie Mo'unga makes his first All Blacks appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup as New Zealand name a strong side for Tuesday's clash with the Lions at Ellis Park, where Springbok pair Quan Horn and Boan Venter have been released to bolster Ivan van Rooyen's matchday 23.

Rugby Aug 24

Bath risk losing loyal servant Obano to Bordeaux-Bègles after contract talks

England loose-head Beno Obano, who has made close to 200 appearances for Bath, held face-to-face talks with Champions Cup winners Bordeaux-Bègles last week, leaving the Premiership club facing a significant prop shortage heading into next season.

Rugby Aug 24

Mo'unga embraces All Blacks return and backs Rennie's attacking game-plan ahead of Lions clash

Richie Mo'unga says he has quickly adapted to Dave Rennie's new All Blacks system and is excited by the licence it gives players, as he prepares to start alongside Beauden Barrett against the Lions at Ellis Park on Wednesday.

Rugby Aug 24

Mo'unga returns to All Blacks squad and backs rival Love to hold No.10 jersey

Richie Mo'unga has rejoined the All Blacks in South Africa after a two-year absence, replacing injured Billy Proctor. The 32-year-old says his immediate focus is supporting Hurricanes playmaker Ruben Love rather than reclaiming the starting No.10 role.

Rugby Aug 24

Northland end 46-year wait to seize Ranfurly Shield with stunning 36-12 rout of Canterbury

Northland claimed the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1979, dismantling defending champions Canterbury 36-12 in Christchurch. Blindside flanker was the standout performer, making 17 carries and scoring twice as the Taniwhas produced a tactically masterful upset.

Rugby Aug 23

Mo'unga returns and Tuipulotu captains overhauled All Blacks side to face Lions

Richie Mo'unga makes his first All Blacks appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final as Patrick Tuipulotu leads a heavily rotated squad in the final midweek fixture against the British and Irish Lions.

Rugby Aug 23

Kriel concedes Springboks face three-match knockout run after heavy All Blacks defeat

Jesse Kriel has acknowledged South Africa's series against New Zealand has become a playoff scenario after losing the opening Test at Ellis Park, with the Springboks now needing three consecutive wins to claim the Greatest Rivalry series.

Rugby Aug 23

Springboks fans demand Pollard recall after All Blacks hand South Africa 33-16 defeat

South Africa's 33-16 loss to New Zealand in the opening Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test has sparked widespread calls for Handré Pollard to replace Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly-half for next week's Cape Town fixture.

Rugby Aug 23

Erasmus admits All Blacks' stripping tactic caught Springboks completely off guard in 33-16 defeat

Rassie Erasmus conceded that New Zealand's ball-stripping defensive approach was something the Springboks had not prepared for, with 23 turnovers proving decisive in their 33-16 first-Test loss at Ellis Park.

Rugby Aug 23