Rugby World Cup news — SportsCatch

World Rugby launches Nations Cup to give 24 unions a competitive global calendar

World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin has confirmed the Nations Cup will run alongside the new Nations Championship, giving 12 unions across two pools a full round-robin competition culminating in a Finals weekend in November.

Rugby Jul 3

SA Rugby dismisses 'misinformed' reports of near-empty Ellis Park for England test

SA Rugby have rejected mid-week claims that only 21,000 tickets had been sold for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park, insisting the figures were 'entirely erroneous' and citing actual sales data.

Rugby Jul 3

Wilson urges Wallabies to seize sold-out Sydney moment 15 months from home World Cup

Harry Wilson says the Wallabies must convert a sold-out Allianz Stadium crowd into lasting momentum as Australia prepares to host Ireland on Saturday, with the 2027 Rugby World Cup looming on home soil.

Rugby Jul 3

Keylock's 18-point haul fires England U20s into winner-takes-all clash with Argentina

Finn Keylock kicked 18 points as England U20s ran in ten tries to demolish illness-hit USA 68-40 at the Avchala Stadium, setting up a decisive Pool A decider against Argentina at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Rugby Jul 2

Latsha named permanent Springbok Women captain as South Africa host USA at Ellis Park

Babalwa Latsha has been confirmed as the permanent captain of the Springbok Women, succeeding the retired Nolusindiso Booi ahead of Saturday's Test against the USA at Ellis Park. The 41st cap for Latsha makes her South Africa's most-capped tighthead prop.

Rugby Jul 2

Farrell names both Prendergast brothers to start Ireland's Nations Championship opener against Wallabies

Andy Farrell has selected Sam and Cian Prendergast in the same starting XV for Ireland's first Nations Championship Test against Australia in Sydney, with Hugo Keenan returning to the country of his Lions heroics at fullback.

Rugby Jul 2

Fiji enlist 2007 World Cup final referee Rolland to sharpen discipline ahead of Wales opener

Fiji have brought in former World Cup final referee Alain Rolland to run a laws session with their squad ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Wales, while veteran tighthead Mesake Doge has been called up to replace the injured Luke Tagi.

Rugby Jul 1

Springbok Women target forward dominance and rankings climb against USA Eagles at Ellis Park

South Africa's Springbok Women host the USA Eagles at Ellis Park on Saturday in the first of a two-Test series, targeting set-piece dominance and a rise from their all-time high of 10th in the World Rugby rankings.

Rugby Jul 1

New Zealand U20 survive lightning abandonment to set up Scotland clash at Junior World Championships

New Zealand were awarded a bonus-point win over Japan after a lightning storm forced the abandonment of their World Rugby Junior Championships opener in Kutaisi, Georgia. Coach Kane Jury has already identified Scotland's dangerous backline as the next threat.

Rugby Jun 30

Tom Farr-Jones set for Junior World Championship debut after illness ruled him out against Spain

Tom Farr-Jones, nephew of 1991 World Cup-winning captain Nick Farr-Jones, is named on the wing for Australia's Junior World Championship clash with Fiji in Kutaisi on Thursday, having missed the opening 90-22 win over Spain through illness.

Rugby Jun 30

Belgian prop Bruno Vliegen fighting for recovery after severe burns cover 37 per cent of his body

Bruno Vliegen, a Belgium international with more than 20 caps, is hospitalised at the Grand Hôpital de Charleroi after a serious accident left him with burns across 37 per cent of his body. A fundraising appeal has been launched to help cover his medical costs.

Rugby Jun 29

Selknam supply 32 of 37 as Chile name Nations Cup squad for July window

Pablo Lemoine has named Chile's 37-man squad for the July 2026 Nations Cup window, with 32 players drawn from Super Rugby Americas franchise Selknam. Racing 92 hooker Diego Escobar returns after missing the Cóndores' 34-19 defeat to Italy.

Rugby Jun 28

Ellis Genge targeted by French and Japanese clubs ahead of 2025 Rugby World Cup

England loosehead Ellis Genge is attracting serious interest from Top 14 and Japan Rugby League One clubs, with a move likely to follow the 2025 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The Bristol Bears prop, who has 80 England caps, signed a long-term deal at Ashton Gate as recently as September 2024.

Rugby Jun 28

Wales edge Barbarians 33-31 as George North scores twice in farewell appearance

Wales secured back-to-back victories for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a 33-31 win over the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, as retiring George North signed off with a try double against the nation he represented 121 times.

Rugby Jun 27

Lightning forces abandonment of New Zealand U20 vs Japan U20 with Baby Blacks leading 38-21

New Zealand's World Rugby U20 Championship Pool B match against Japan in Kutaisi was abandoned due to lightning strikes near the AIA Arena. World Rugby confirmed the final score stands at 38-21 to New Zealand.

Rugby Jun 27

De Bruin names 22 World Cup veterans in Springbok Women squad to face USA Eagles

Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has selected a 30-player squad for a two-Test series against the USA Women's Eagles, with 22 players returning from the side that reached the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 quarter-finals.

Rugby Jun 27

Sale's Perris-Redding named USA Eagles captain for historic first tour of South Africa

George Perris-Redding will skipper the USA Women's Eagles on their first-ever tour of South Africa, stepping up after regular captain Erica Jarrell-Searcy was ruled unavailable for the two-Test series in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Rugby Jun 27

Ruby Tui returns for Barbarians after year away but keeps future plans open

Ruby Tui lines up for the Barbarians against Wales on Saturday in what she calls her first 'public appearance' in almost a year, after being left out of New Zealand's Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 squad. The 34-year-old wing says she will decide on her next move only after stepping back onto the pitch.

Rugby Jun 27

Georgia stun New Zealand U20s in warm-up as Junior World Championship looms

Georgia edged New Zealand 22-19 in a pre-tournament hitout ahead of the World Rugby Junior Championship, with All Blacks coach Kane Jury prioritising new combinations over the result after a mixed Under-20 Rugby Championship campaign in South Africa.

Rugby Jun 27

Hardy warns Wales that snubbed Springbok De Klerk has a point to prove against them

Kieran Hardy believes Faf de Klerk will arrive at Allianz Stadium with a chip on his shoulder after missing out on South Africa's Nations Championship squad, making Saturday's Barbarians clash a personal audition for the veteran scrum-half.

Rugby Jun 26