Six Nations news — SportsCatch

Scotland interim coach Butcher in talks over permanent role despite seven-game losing run

Dave Butcher has revealed that conversations with Scottish Rugby about taking the head coach role permanently are already under way, even as Scotland prepare for two WXV fixtures in Australia having lost all three matches in the series so far.

Rugby Oct 7

Six Nations winner Gill Bourke joins Leicester Tigers as lead forwards coach for 2026/27

Two-time Women's Six Nations champion Gill Bourke has been appointed lead forwards coach at Leicester Tigers, joining a heavily overhauled backroom staff as the club rebuilds after a winless 2025/26 Premiership Women's Rugby season.

Rugby Oct 6

Sandy Park to host first men's England A fixture since 2012 during Six Nations

The RFU and Exeter Chiefs have confirmed that Sandy Park will host England A against an Ireland XV on 20 February 2027, marking the ground's first men's representative fixture in 13 years.

Rugby Oct 1

Caelan Doris ruled out until January as knee infection delays Leinster captain's return

Caelan Doris faces an extended spell on the sidelines after a knee infection complicated his recovery from foot and knee surgery, pushing the Leinster and Ireland captain's return beyond November's Nations Championship fixtures.

Rugby Sep 30

Dragons flanker Ryan Woodman targets first Wales cap after Barbarians debut

Ryan Woodman, the 22-year-old Dragons RFC flanker, is pushing for a first senior Wales cap after appearing in the uncapped Barbarians match at Twickenham in June. The forward says adding size and physicality are central to his bid for Nations Championship selection.

Rugby Sep 30

Ireland to host England at Aviva Stadium in 2027 Women's Six Nations return

Ireland will face England at Dublin's Aviva Stadium in Round 4 of the 2027 Women's Six Nations, the IRFU has confirmed. The venue hosted a record crowd of 31,294 for Ireland's first standalone fixture there earlier this year.

Rugby Sep 30

Parsons breaks Ireland women's all-time try-scoring record in win over Japan

Béibhinn Parsons became Ireland women's all-time leading try-scorer on Sunday, crossing twice in a 31-24 WXV Global Series victory over Japan in Galway to move to 24 tries in 37 caps, surpassing Alison Miller's previous record.

Rugby Sep 29

Bevan Rodd faces 12 weeks out with scaphoid injury, ruling him out of England's autumn internationals

Sale Sharks loosehead Bevan Rodd has undergone a fourth operation in two years after fracturing his scaphoid against Bristol Bears, ruling him out for eight to 12 weeks and ending his hopes of featuring in England's November Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

Rugby Sep 29

Red Roses return to Stadium of Light for Six Nations clash with Scotland in April 2027

England Women will play Scotland at Sunderland's 49,000-capacity Stadium of Light on 17 April 2027, marking their first appearance at the venue outside a Rugby World Cup following a record-breaking 2025 opener there.

Rugby Sep 29

Jack Willis retains Top 14 Player of the Year to match Dupont's back-to-back feat

Jack Willis has been named Top 14 Player of the Season for the second consecutive year at La Nuit du Rugby, matching Antoine Dupont's achievement of winning the award in back-to-back seasons. The Stade Toulousain back-rower scored six tries, won 19 jackals, and made 173 tackles across the campaign.

Rugby Sep 29

Snubbed by Wales this summer, Cracknell channels his frustration into Leicester's new season

Leicester flanker Olly Cracknell has revealed that being dropped from the Wales touring squad by head coach Steve Tandy has given him renewed motivation heading into the new club season, despite having featured in the Six Nations earlier this year.

Rugby Sep 27

Harrison's intercept try seals England's 26-19 win over New Zealand seconds after missed penalty

Zoe Harrison turned heartbreak into heroism at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, picking off a New Zealand pass to score a match-winning intercept try in the final play of England's 26-19 victory over the Black Ferns — just moments after missing a penalty from 40 metres.

Rugby Sep 26

Bryony Field crashed her car after England call-up — now she has two caps and two tries

Hooker Bryony Field marked her first England selection by accidentally rear-ending a car on the M25 while still buzzing from the news. She has since repaid the faith with two tries in two appearances for the Red Roses.

Rugby Sep 25

Coles reveals nervy Borthwick call after earning enhanced England contract ahead of World Cup push

Northampton Saints lock Alex Coles has described the moment England head coach Steve Borthwick called him over the summer to confirm his first enhanced EPS contract, with the 27-year-old targeting a place in England's squad for the 2026 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Rugby Sep 24

Darcy Graham ruled out until Christmas with ruptured bicep, ending Scotland's autumn hopes

Edinburgh wing Darcy Graham faces at least three months on the sidelines after rupturing a bicep muscle in a pre-season friendly at Harlequins, ruling him out of Scotland's November Tests against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Rugby Sep 24

Meafou knee injury rules France lock out of November clash with world champions Springboks

Toulouse second-row Emmanuel Meafou faces up to three months out after sustaining a knee injury in the Top 14 on Saturday, dealing a significant blow to France ahead of their November test against South Africa in Paris.

Rugby Sep 23

Ashton backs electric Bracken for England's 2027 World Cup squad despite fierce wing competition

Former England wing Chris Ashton has tipped uncapped 20-year-old Saracens flyer Jack Bracken as a surprise contender for Steve Borthwick's 2027 Rugby World Cup squad, after the son of 2003 World Cup winner Kyran Bracken scored back-to-back hat-tricks in pre-season.

Rugby Sep 23

Lochner's red card rescinded, freeing Springbok lock to face Italy in WXV

Danelle Lochner will be available for South Africa's WXV Global Series fixture against Italy in Pordenone after the Foul Play Review Committee dismissed her red card from the 50-19 loss to Wales in Cardiff.

Rugby Sep 23

Hepburn eyes Scotland RWC 2027 spot after Edinburgh move: 'It'd be naive to think it's not a big carrot'

Former England prop Alec Hepburn has joined Edinburgh hoping proximity to Gregor Townsend's setup gives him the best chance of making Scotland's 2027 Rugby World Cup squad. The 33-year-old has earned just five Scotland caps since switching allegiances in 2024.

Rugby Sep 22

Tuipulotu's two-try audition puts Lions Women spot at top of her agenda

Sisilia Tuipulotu scored twice as Wales opened their WXV Global Series campaign with a 50-19 win over the Springbok Women at Cardiff Arms Park — unaware that British & Irish Lions Women coach Jo Yapp was watching from the stands.

Rugby Sep 22