Six Nations news — SportsCatch

Glasgow's McKay set to qualify for Scotland just in time for November Japan Test

Josh McKay, Glasgow Warriors' New Zealand-born full-back, is on the verge of meeting Scotland's five-year residency requirement, with head coach Franco Smith confirming he could be available for Gregor Townsend's squad as early as the 21 November clash with Japan.

Rugby Oct 23

Burton says England's first defeat since 2022 frees Red Roses from fear ahead of Canada decider

Back-row Abi Burton insists England's 24-21 loss to Canada last Friday — their first defeat since 2022 — will ultimately benefit the Red Roses, arguing that errors are magnified in defeat in ways a winning streak can never reveal.

Rugby Oct 23

England medical team to overrule Exeter on Feyi-Waboso's hamstring return date

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso faces a fresh scan on his hamstring this weekend as England's medical staff take control of his comeback timeline, leaving Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter uncertain whether his winger will feature against Harlequins next week.

Rugby Oct 22

Ratier makes eight changes as France seek response to 81-12 Black Ferns humiliation

France head coach François Ratier has overhauled his starting XV for the second WXV Global Series Test against New Zealand in Whangārei, recalling experienced players including Émilie Boulard, Gabrielle Vernier and Carla Arbez after last week's 81-12 defeat in Hamilton.

Rugby Oct 22

Farrell hands first Ireland call-ups to Benson and McNabney for Nations Championship autumn tests

Andy Farrell has named two uncapped Ulster players — fly-half Jamie Benson and back-rower James McNabney — in a 36-man Ireland squad for November tests against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa. Dan Sheehan continues as captain with Caelan Doris still sidelined by knee and foot issues.

Rugby Oct 21

Springbok Women target historic first win over Ireland in maiden WXV meeting

South Africa forward Catha Jacobs says the objective is straightforward ahead of a two-Test WXV Global Series series against Ireland — the first time the two nations have ever faced each other.

Rugby Oct 21

Ulster's Mark Sexton named Ireland XV head coach for three 2026/27 fixtures

Ulster attack coach Mark Sexton has been appointed head coach of Ireland XV, who will face Fiji A in Cork, Chile in Belfast, and England A in Exeter across the 2026/27 season.

Rugby Oct 21

Northampton boss Dowson backs flying winger Hendy for England Nations Championship call-up

Northampton Saints head coach Phil Dowson has publicly endorsed 24-year-old winger George Hendy for inclusion in Steve Borthwick's England squad, citing four tries in three games and a standout Champions Cup display against Cardiff.

Rugby Oct 21

Reffell and Cracknell left out as Wales name 39-man squad for Nations Championship

Leicester back-rowers Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell have been overlooked by Wales head coach Steve Tandy for the Nations Championship, despite strong club form. Three uncapped players — Aneurin Owen, Che Hope and Rhys Barrett — earn first call-ups in a squad averaging 27 years of age.

Rugby Oct 20

Stormers centre Jonathan Roche weighs Ireland switch as provinces circle

Cape Town-born Jonathan Roche, 23, is out of contract at the Stormers at the end of the season and is considering switching international allegiance to Ireland, for which he qualifies through his grandmother. The inside centre could emerge as a long-term successor to Bundee Aki or Robbie Henshaw.

Rugby Oct 20

Canada end England's 41-match unbeaten run with 24–21 victory at BMO Field

Canada defeated England 24–21 in Toronto on Friday, ending the Red Roses' 41-match unbeaten run and avenging their Women's Rugby World Cup final defeat. The result, watched by a record North American crowd of 18,621, sets up a decisive series decider in Ottawa.

Rugby Oct 17

France coach Ratier takes full responsibility after 81-12 thrashing by Black Ferns

France suffered their heaviest defeat in 30 years as New Zealand's Black Ferns ran in 13 tries to win 81-12 in Hamilton on Saturday. Coach Gaëlle Ratier accepted personal responsibility for the selection, insisting her inexperienced players should not feel ashamed.

Rugby Oct 17

Raised in a medieval castle, Seb Stephen earns Scotland debut at 21 after New Zealand detour

Glasgow Warriors hooker Seb Stephen won his first Scotland cap in the July win over Fiji, with head coach Gregor Townsend already eyeing the 21-year-old as a World Cup contender despite him going uncapped by the Scottish academy just four years ago.

Rugby Oct 15

France lose Flament to shoulder injury ahead of Springboks test and Nations Championship

Toulouse lock Thibaud Flament has been ruled out for several weeks with a shoulder injury, leaving France without both their first-choice second rows for November Tests against Fiji, South Africa and Argentina.

Rugby Oct 14

Revamped France head to New Zealand buoyed by first top-three win since 2023

France travel to New Zealand for the southern hemisphere leg of the WXV Global Series carrying a 2-1 record and renewed confidence after beating World Cup finalists Canada 21-5 in La Rochelle — their first victory over a top-three nation since October 2023.

Rugby Oct 14

Ireland lose Six Nations Player of the Championship Wafer to surgery ahead of South Africa tour

Aoife Wafer has been ruled out of Ireland's two-Test tour of South Africa after undergoing surgery, with Sam Monaghan also absent through an Achilles injury as Scott Bemand's squad prepares to face the Springbok Women in Cape Town.

Rugby Oct 9

Nel Metcalfe returns to Wales squad after knee injury kept her out since Rugby World Cup

Wales full-back Nel Metcalfe has been named in Sean Lynn's squad for the WXV Global Series tour of Japan, ending a lengthy absence caused by a knee injury that ruled her out of the 2026 Women's Six Nations. The 21-year-old last played Test rugby in Wales' 28-25 loss to Fiji at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

Rugby Oct 8

Bemand urges Ireland women to embrace physical test against South Africa on historic tour

Ireland women's head coach Scott Bemand has called on his squad to thrive against a physically imposing South Africa side in a two-match WXV Global Series tour to Cape Town — the first time the two nations have met in 20 years.

Rugby Oct 7

Ben Carter on six straight Wales starts: 'To get a run of games was brilliant'

Dragons lock Ben Carter has reflected on cementing his place in the Wales starting XV during the Six Nations, making six consecutive starts after initially coming off the bench. The 21-cap second row is now focused on maintaining that form at regional level with an unbeaten Dragons side.

Rugby Oct 7

Meafou commits to Toulouse until 2032 with five-year extension despite rival interest

France lock Emmanuel Meafou has signed a five-year contract extension with Toulouse, tying him to the Top 14 champions until 2032 and ending reported interest from Stade Français.

Rugby Oct 7