Six Nations news — SportsCatch

Wales poach Leicester's Alex Davies as full-time kicking coach ahead of Nations Championship

Wales have appointed Leicester Tigers assistant Alex Davies as a dedicated kicking coach under Steve Tandy, with the former Bath fly-half leaving Welford Road with immediate effect to take up the role on 1 September.

Rugby Aug 20

France name 24-player forward camp to sharpen set-piece ahead of WXV Global Series

Head coach François Ratier has called a four-day front-five training camp in Capbreton starting 20 August, bringing together senior internationals and emerging talent to refine France's scrum, lineout and maul ahead of an eleven-match international season.

Rugby Aug 19

Spain's Las Leonas host Springbok Women in Seville for first time in seven years

Spain's Las Leonas will face the Springbok Women in Seville on 4 October, ending a seven-year drought against South Africa. The match at La Cartuja Sports Complex is the first Las Leonas fixture ever played in the city and carries 2029 World Cup qualification implications.

Rugby Aug 19

Lisa Neumann weighs London life against Wales return as club future stays unresolved

Wales wing Lisa Neumann says she has yet to sign with a new club following her Harlequins departure, with quality-of-life considerations shaping her decision as much as finances. A return to Wales remains possible but complicated by her established life in London.

Rugby Aug 18

All Blacks veterans warn rising star Lakai what Ellis Park has in store

Peter Lakai, 23, is in line for his first Test against the Springboks on Saturday in Johannesburg, with All Blacks centurions telling the 10-cap flanker that Ellis Park ranks among the toughest venues they have ever played.

Rugby Aug 18

Matfield spots All Blacks vulnerability ahead of first Springboks Test at Ellis Park

Former Springboks captain Victor Matfield believes New Zealand showed a defensive weakness in their 50-19 warm-up win over the Bulls, warning that South Africa's physicality could expose them in Saturday's first Test in Johannesburg.

Rugby Aug 18

Djougang returns to Ireland's central contracts as four Six Nations debutants earn first deals

Prop Linda Djougang has rejoined Ireland Women's centrally contracted programme for 2026/27 after a year away, while Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan, Aoibheann McGrath and Eilís Cahill — all Six Nations debutants this season — have earned their first national contracts.

Rugby Aug 17

Quesada's ban halved to one match after disciplinary hearing over referee criticism

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has had his suspension reduced from two matches to one following an independent disciplinary hearing. He will miss Italy's Nations Championship clash against Australia in Perth on 18 July.

Rugby Jul 17

Wales lock Alaw Pyrs commits to Gloucester Hartpury for a second PWR season

Twenty-year-old Wales lock Alaw Pyrs has re-signed with Gloucester Hartpury for the 2026/27 Premiership Women's Rugby season, extending a debut campaign in which she made five league appearances and scored one try.

Rugby Jul 17

Rees-Zammit admits slow return to rugby form as Wales face South Africa

Louis Rees-Zammit has acknowledged struggling to rediscover his best since returning from 18 months in the NFL, with the Wales winger recalled for Saturday's Nations Championship clash against world champions South Africa in Durban.

Rugby Jul 17

Townsend makes 14 changes as Scotland overhaul XV to face Fiji at Murrayfield

Gregor Townsend has made 14 changes and one positional switch to his Scotland starting XV for Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Fiji at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, leaving Gregor Brown as the only survivor from the side beaten 42-28 by South Africa in Pretoria.

Rugby Jul 16

Romane Ménager retires at 29 after recurring concussions end France career

France back-row Romane Ménager has announced her retirement at 29 after repeated concussions made a return to top-level rugby impossible. The 68-cap international won two Grand Slams and two French championships across a career spanning more than two decades.

Rugby Jul 16

Rees-Zammit recalled as fit-again Lake captains Wales against world champions South Africa

Louis Rees-Zammit returns to the Wales starting XV for Saturday's Nations Championship clash with South Africa in Durban, one of six changes made by head coach Matt Tandy. Captain Dewi Lake overcomes a groin injury scare to retain his place at hooker.

Rugby Jul 16

Dunedin-born Jansen set to face All Blacks at Eden Park on just his second Ireland cap

Sean Jansen, born in Dunedin and capped for Ireland only last week against Japan, has been named on the bench for Saturday's Nations Championship Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Rugby Jul 16

Sheehan returns to captain Ireland against All Blacks at Eden Park

Dan Sheehan reclaims the Ireland captaincy for Saturday's Nations Championship Test against New Zealand at Eden Park, where the All Blacks have not lost in 52 consecutive matches.

Rugby Jul 15

Biggar backs Borthwick to keep Pollock on the bench despite hat-trick heroics against Fiji

Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar has defended Steve Borthwick's decision to use Henry Pollock as an impact substitute, arguing the 21-year-old thrives when games are already broken open — despite ex-England fly-half Andy Goode insisting Pollock should start as England's best player.

Rugby Jul 15

England rugby squad hides team kit in Buenos Aires ahead of football World Cup semi-final

Steve Borthwick's squad are avoiding England-branded clothing in public in Buenos Aires as football World Cup fever grips the city. Wing Tommy Freeman warns Saturday's rugby Test against Argentina could turn hostile if England's footballers beat the Pumas in their semi-final.

Rugby Jul 15

Olympic gold medallist Grandidier-Nkanang scores twice on emotional France debut in Brisbane

Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang fought back tears after scoring two tries on his France debut against Australia at Suncorp Stadium, helping Les Bleus secure their first win in Brisbane since the early 1970s in the inaugural Nations Championship.

Rugby Jul 14

Pepper warns England face chaotic Buenos Aires exit if Argentina reach World Cup final

England flanker Guy Pepper has raised the prospect of a logistical nightmare getting to the airport if Argentina reach Sunday's football World Cup final, with millions of supporters expected to flood the streets of Buenos Aires. England face the Pumas on Saturday in Santiago del Estero.

Rugby Jul 14

Scotland lose three Glasgow starters to injury ahead of Fiji test at Murrayfield

Rory Darge (concussion), Kyle Steyn (foot) and Alex Samuel (knee, requiring surgery) have all been ruled out of Scotland's Nations Championship clash with Fiji on Saturday, leaving Gregor Townsend short of options.

Rugby Jul 14