Rugby World Cup news — SportsCatch

Rugby Canada secure $2.8m funding boost as women's team stuns England twice in a week

Rugby Canada confirmed an additional $2,815,000 in federal funding on Friday, raising their total government support for 2026/27 to $4,975,000 — news that arrived as the national women's team beat England 31-22 in Ottawa for a second consecutive victory.

Rugby Oct 24

From university pub to Test starter: Lizzie Gibson's rapid rise with Canada

Twelve months ago Lizzie Gibson watched Canada's Women's Rugby World Cup final from a pub in Kingston, Ontario. By September she was a Test starter, scoring four tries and playing 54 minutes as Canada ended England's 41-match unbeaten run.

Rugby Oct 23

Benz-Solomon twins earn first Spain call-up for November Nations Cup

Coventry RFC brothers Aristot and Jonathan Benz-Solomon have been named in Spain's initial training squad for the World Rugby Nations Cup, with the 25-year-old twins set for their Test debuts when Los Leones host Uruguay, Chile and Samoa in November.

Rugby Oct 23

USA Women's Eagles target top-five world ranking on back of four-game winning streak

The USA Women's Eagles have won four straight tests under coach Jack Hanratty and face Italy in Nashville with a chance to record five consecutive victories for the first time since the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Rugby Oct 22

Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane and Shaun Stevenson named in Samoa's Nations Cup squad after All Blacks switch

Head coach Tusi Pisi has selected three former All Blacks — Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane and Shaun Stevenson — alongside ex-New Zealand Sevens star Etene Nanai-Seturo in a 30-man Manu Samoa squad for the November World Rugby Nations Cup.

Rugby Oct 22

Ben O'Keeffe set to reach 60-test milestone as World Rugby confirms Nations Cup referee panel

World Rugby has named 18 referees from 11 unions to oversee the November leg of the inaugural Nations Cup, spanning 18 matches across Europe and Hong Kong from November 6 to 21. New Zealand's Ben O'Keeffe will hit a personal milestone when he takes charge of Spain versus Uruguay on November 7.

Rugby Oct 22

NRL Grand Final winner Nawaqanitawase returns to rugby union with World Cup ambitions

Mark Nawaqanitawase is leaving the Sydney Roosters after a standout NRL season to join Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, with the dual-code star eyeing a Wallabies recall ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

Rugby Oct 22

Hansen hails nine Black Ferns debutants pushing hard for Test spots in World Cup cycle

All nine players to make their Black Ferns debut in 2026 are still pressing for Test selection, with five named in the matchday 23 for the second Test against France in Whangarei. Head coach Whitney Hansen says she saw the talent coming.

Rugby Oct 22

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