Rugby World Cup news — SportsCatch

Scotland to face All Blacks in New Zealand for first time in 27 years ahead of 2027 World Cup

Scotland will travel to Dunedin to play New Zealand at Forsyth Barr Stadium in 2027, their first Test on New Zealand soil since a 48-14 defeat at Eden Park in 2000. The match will serve as Scotland's final warm-up before their World Cup opener against Uruguay in Australia.

Rugby Oct 21

World Rugby names former USTA executive Megan Rose to lead 2031 Men's World Cup in the US

Megan Rose, a leading American sports executive and former professional tennis player, has been appointed Managing Director of the Men's Rugby World Cup 2031 — the first edition to be held on American soil.

Rugby Oct 21

Corrigan's rehearsed solo try stuns England and ends their 41-match unbeaten run

Alysha Corrigan has revealed the calculated thinking behind her spectacular solo try as Canada defeated Women's Rugby World Cup champions England 24-21 at BMO Field in Toronto, ending the Red Roses' 41-match unbeaten streak.

Rugby Oct 21

Malan reveals career-ending fear after 90-degree ankle dislocation at 2023 Rugby World Cup

Cardiff Rugby centre Le Roux Malan has opened up on the catastrophic ankle injury he suffered playing for Namibia against New Zealand at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, admitting his first thought was that his career was finished. Seven months later, he scored in a championship final.

Rugby Oct 20

Record Bledisloe crowd gives Karl Te Nana a glimpse of Rugby World Cup 2027's potential

More than 73,000 fans filled Accor Stadium for the All Blacks' 43-21 Bledisloe Cup win over Australia, prompting All Blacks Sevens great Karl Te Nana to predict next year's Rugby World Cup will be a landmark event for the sport.

Rugby Oct 20

Barrett and Holland reunion gives All Blacks second-row clarity ahead of World Cup

Forwards coach Jason Ryan has praised the returning Scott Barrett and Fabian Holland after both locks delivered commanding performances in the second Bledisloe Test in Sydney, easing a selection headache that has plagued New Zealand throughout 2026.

Rugby Oct 20

Crusaders release forwards coach Dan Perrin to lead USA Eagles into 2027 Rugby World Cup

Dan Perrin will take up a fixed-term role with the USA Eagles across their 2026 fixtures and the 2027 Rugby World Cup while retaining his position on the Crusaders coaching staff under new head coach Scott Hansen.

Rugby Oct 20

Hooper likens rising Wallaby Isaac Henry to 1999 World Cup winner Nathan Grey

Michael Hooper has drawn a comparison between versatile Wallabies centre Isaac Henry and 1999 Rugby World Cup winner Nathan Grey, praising Henry's 14-carry, nine-tackle display in the 43-21 Bledisloe Cup loss to the All Blacks in Sydney.

Rugby Oct 20

Rennie vows All Blacks will carry attacking blueprint into 2027 Rugby World Cup

Dave Rennie has reaffirmed his commitment to high-tempo, expansive rugby after New Zealand outscored Australia 93-40 across two Bledisloe Cup Tests, setting a record ball-in-play time of 59 minutes in Sydney.

Rugby Oct 20

Referee Ben Whitehouse swaps whistle for clipboard in full-time Wales coaching role

Ben Whitehouse, a Rugby World Cup TMO and veteran URC referee, will retire from officiating after this weekend's Ospreys-Dragons match to join Steve Tandy's Wales coaching staff as a specialist in law, discipline and decision-making.

Rugby Oct 19

Emily Chancellor retires from Wallaroos after 11 years and 41 caps

Flanker Emily Chancellor has announced her retirement from international rugby following this weekend's WXV clash with Scotland, ending an 11-year Wallaroos career that included two Women's Rugby World Cups and seven Super Rugby Women's titles.

Rugby Oct 19

Tommaso Allan targets fourth Rugby World Cup as Zebre return extends storied career

Italy utility back Tommaso Allan, 33, has signed for Zebre Parma and is targeting a place in Italy's squad for the 2025 Rugby World Cup in Australia, capping a career that has taken him across four continents over 14 seasons.

Rugby Oct 19

Former Wallabies coach Laurie Fisher joins Zimbabwe staff ahead of Rugby World Cup return

Laurie Fisher, who departed the Wallabies when Les Kiss took charge in July, has joined Zimbabwe as a breakdown consultant as the Sables prepare for their first Rugby World Cup since 1991.

Rugby Oct 19

Chile stun Belgium 30-17 to claim inaugural World Rugby U20 Challenger title

Chile became the first-ever World Rugby U20 Challenger champions after defeating Belgium 30-17 in the final. Portugal secured third place by beating Romania, while Canada thrashed Brazil 61-24 to finish fifth.

Rugby Oct 18

All Blacks seize Bledisloe for 23rd straight year as Suaalii and Jorgensen expose Wallabies' backline frailties

Australia's 43-21 defeat in Sydney, following a 50-19 loss in Auckland, handed New Zealand a 23rd consecutive Bledisloe Cup. Coach Les Kiss admitted the result was 'not good enough' as centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and winger Max Jorgensen drew sharp criticism.

Rugby Oct 18

Barnes insists All Blacks' physical DNA will not change despite 43-21 Wallabies rout

Assistant coach Neil Barnes kept expectations measured after New Zealand's back-to-back wins over Australia, stressing that physicality at the breakdown is non-negotiable as the All Blacks build squad depth ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup.

Rugby Oct 18

Canada end England's 42-match unbeaten run as Red Roses vow to respond in Ottawa

Canada defeated England 24-21 at Toronto's BMO Field on Friday to end the Red Roses' four-year, 42-Test unbeaten streak. Captain Megan Jones and head coach Mitchell have pledged an immediate response when the sides meet again next Friday in Ottawa.

Rugby Oct 17

Nawaqanitawase refuses to rush Test allegiance call ahead of 2025 Rugby World Cup

Mark Nawaqanitawase has addressed speculation over his international future, saying he will not decide whether to represent Australia, Italy, or Fiji until next year, after first settling in Japan with Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.

Rugby Oct 16

Tyson Beukeboom retires after 84 caps as Canada's most-capped rugby player in history

Lock forward Tyson Beukeboom has announced her immediate retirement from rugby after 13 years and 84 caps, having surpassed former men's hooker Aaron Carpenter to become Canada's most-capped player of all time.

Rugby Oct 16

All Blacks legend Marshall crowns Wallabies captain Wilson best No. 8 in the world

Justin Marshall, capped 81 times for the All Blacks, has declared Australia's Harry Wilson the best number eight in the world after the Wallabies skipper made 27 tackles and scored a try in the 50-19 Bledisloe Cup defeat at Eden Park.

Rugby Oct 16