SportsCatch

Dave Butcher confirmed as Scotland Women head coach after interim spell at WXV Global Series

Scottish Rugby have appointed Dave Butcher as permanent head coach of the Scotland Women's team. The Canadian-born coach stepped up from assistant to interim head coach earlier in 2026 and now takes the role on a full-time basis.

Rugby Oct 29

McCarthy relishes South Africa reunion as Ireland brace for Nations Championship without six key men

Joe McCarthy has spoken of his eagerness to face the world's best as Ireland prepare for the northern swing of the 2026 Nations Championship, a campaign already complicated by six confirmed absentees and doubt over Tadhg Furlong's availability following a citing.

Rugby Oct 29

Singleton starts first game since heart attack as Glasgow field eight Scotland returnees

Jack Singleton, the former England and Gloucester hooker who suffered a heart attack in September 2023, will make his return to rugby in Glasgow's URC fixture against the Lions at Scotstoun on Friday, alongside eight players released from Scotland duty.

Rugby Oct 29

Scotland release Van der Merwe to Edinburgh for crucial URC fitness run-out

Duhan van der Merwe has been released by Scotland to play for Edinburgh against Benetton on Saturday, giving the wing a vital chance to build match fitness ahead of November's Tests against New Zealand, Australia and Japan at Murrayfield.

Rugby Oct 29

Oghre and Kloska return from injury as Bristol host Leicester in top-of-table Friday clash

Pat Lam has recalled hooker Gabriel Oghre and prop George Kloska from injury for Bristol Bears' Remembrance fixture against Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate on Friday, with the winners set to top the Gallagher Premiership overnight.

Rugby Oct 29

Injury-hit Sharks recall Springbok Ethan Hooker for Thomond Park test against Munster

The Sharks have recalled 13-cap Springbok centre Ethan Hooker for Saturday's URC trip to Thomond Park, where the Durban side close out a three-match European tour against a Munster side stung by defeat to Leinster. Hooker will earn his 50th Sharks appearance in international competition.

Rugby Oct 29

Bulls ring 13 changes for Scarlets visit but retain eight Springboks in 23

The Bulls have overhauled their squad for Saturday's URC clash with the Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld, making 13 changes including a new front row, while Marcell Coetzee returns from a disciplinary process to take a bench role.

Rugby Oct 29

Gloucester seal Seb Atkinson on two-year deal to fend off Leicester Tigers

Gloucester Rugby have secured England centre Seb Atkinson on a new two-year contract, keeping the 24-year-old at Kingsholm until 2029 and ending Leicester Tigers' pursuit of the two-time club Player of the Year.

Rugby Oct 29

Anscombe returns to Wales with Scarlets to savour one final chapter at 35

Gareth Anscombe has joined the Scarlets on what may be the last contract of his playing career, drawn back to Wales by a call from head coach Dwayne Peel after 42 caps, two World Cups, and stints in Japan, England, and France.

Rugby Oct 29

McReight claims John Eales Medal as Rugby Australia crowns its best of 2026

Fraser McReight has won the John Eales Medal at the 2026 Rugby Australia Awards after a standout year for the Wallabies, while 21-year-old Faitala Moleka was named Wallaroos Player of the Year in her first such honour.

Rugby Oct 29

USA Eagles lead Nations Cup Pool A with defining European tests to come in November

Scott Lawrence's USA Eagles sit top of their World Rugby Nations Cup pool with 14 points and a +24 scoring differential, holding a four-point lead over Chile ahead of November clashes against Hong Kong China, Romania, and Georgia.

Rugby Oct 29

Sam Parry becomes first Ospreys forward to score 50 tries in historic St Helen's return

Sam Parry reached a milestone no Ospreys forward has managed before, scoring his 50th try for the region during last Saturday's 31-14 bonus-point win over Dragons RFC — the club's first match back at the redeveloped St Helen's in 20 years.

Rugby Oct 29

Werner Kok on Christian Wade's record chase: 'Both teams will hunt him down'

Former Springbok Sevens star Werner Kok has revealed Newcastle's dressing room is gleefully winding up Christian Wade as the 35-year-old prepares to break Chris Ashton's all-time Premiership try-scoring record at Saracens.

Rugby Oct 29

New Zealand Rugby merges Super Rugby and NPC operations from 2028 to close $20m deficit

New Zealand Rugby has announced plans to consolidate its Super Rugby and NPC structures from 2028, cutting spending by five per cent as it confronts a structural deficit of approximately $20 million NZD per year.

Rugby Oct 29

Wales chase historic third straight title as Deaf Rugby World Sevens heads to Tokyo

Nineteen teams from 11 nations will contest the 2026 World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship in Tokyo from 31 October, with Wales defending both the men's and women's titles they have held since the tournament's sevens era began in 2018.

Rugby Oct 29

Cross-code star Zac Lomax earns first Australia A start against USA in heavily rotated XV

Zac Lomax, who made the switch from rugby league, has been named at outside centre for Australia A's second match against the USA after head coach Stephen Larkham overhauled his starting lineup following a 61-12 win in Nashville.

Rugby Oct 29

Mitchell urges Red Roses to look beyond defeats as England face USA to end two-match skid

England head coach John Mitchell has made six changes for Friday's Test against the USA Women's Eagles in New Jersey, as the Red Roses look to arrest a two-match losing streak following back-to-back defeats to Canada.

Rugby Oct 29

South Africa-born Redelinghuys to captain overhauled USA XV against Australia A

Marno Redelinghuys will lead an almost entirely new USA XV against Australia A at New Jersey's Sports Illustrated Stadium, with coach Scott Lawrence rotating the bulk of his starting side after a 61-12 defeat in Nashville.

Rugby Oct 29

Kiss urges Wallabies to cross a threshold on four-Test Spring Tour after Bledisloe setbacks

Australia head coach Les Kiss has called on his Wallabies squad to translate their behind-the-scenes effort into results on a four-Test Spring Tour, beginning with a trip to Twickenham to face England.

Rugby Oct 28

Five-win USA Women's Eagles target England to prove they belong among rugby's elite

The USA Women's Eagles carry a five-game winning streak into Friday's WXV clash with England at Sports Illustrated Stadium, as head coach Jack Hanratty insists his side can challenge a Red Roses team reeling from back-to-back defeats against Canada.

Rugby Oct 28