Six Nations news — SportsCatch

Clarke relishes first Clarke-Penaud duel as Six Nations snub fuels French winger

Caleb Clarke admits he expects a fired-up Damian Penaud when New Zealand host France in Christchurch on Saturday, with the All Blacks winger acknowledging his opposite number's motivation after being dropped for the Six Nations despite being France's all-time leading try-scorer.

Rugby Jul 3

Chessum backs returning Martin to haunt Springboks again in Johannesburg opener

Ollie Chessum has backed George Martin's return from a nerve injury to unsettle South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday, warning the back-to-back world champions will need to prepare for the lock who floored Pieter-Steph du Toit at the 2023 World Cup semi-final.

Rugby Jul 3

Dewi Lake concedes Wales pay dispute timing was 'a shame' ahead of Fiji Nations Championship opener

Wales captain Dewi Lake has acknowledged the embarrassment of a WRU pay dispute spilling into Test week, though the matter was resolved on Wednesday, clearing the way for Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium.

Rugby Jul 3

Sheehan steps up as Ireland captain for Nations Championship tour after Doris injury

Dan Sheehan will skipper Ireland across their three-match Nations Championship tour of Australia, Japan, and New Zealand after Caelan Doris was ruled out with a foot injury. The 27-year-old hooker says the call came mid-celebration after Leinster's URC final win and left him unfazed.

Rugby Jul 3

Rejected by Leinster, Prendergast and O'Toole earn their biggest Ireland starts

Cian Prendergast and Tom O'Toole were both passed over early in their careers before finding new homes and fighting their way to prominent roles in Ireland's Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney.

Rugby Jul 3

Wilson relishes Wallabies backrow duel with Ireland's Lions-tested loose forwards in Sydney

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has singled out Ireland's backrow trio of Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier and Cian Prendergast as a defining matchup ahead of Saturday's first Test in Sydney, with Australia's own experienced loose forward unit boasting more than 135 combined caps.

Rugby Jul 3

Borthwick backs Pollock to thrive as South Africa name him 'public enemy number one'

England flanker Henry Pollock has been branded 'public enemy number one' by South African fans and former players ahead of Saturday's Test at Ellis Park, but head coach Steve Borthwick insists the 21-year-old will only shine brighter under the pressure.

Rugby Jul 2

Tandy insists Wales match fees dispute leaves 'no hangover' ahead of Fiji opener

Head coach Steve Tandy says Wales players can 'wholeheartedly focus' on Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Fiji after a last-minute match fees dispute between the WRU and Welsh Rugby Players' Association was resolved on Wednesday evening.

Rugby Jul 2

Pollock named on bench as Borthwick reshuffles England XV to face Springboks at Ellis Park

Henry Pollock starts on the bench as Steve Borthwick names his England side to face South Africa in the Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on Saturday, with George Furbank returning at full-back and Jamie George taking the captaincy in Maro Itoje's absence.

Rugby Jul 2

Finn Russell ruled out injured as Tom Jordan starts Scotland's Nations Championship opener against Argentina

Bristol fly-half Tom Jordan steps in at number 10 after Finn Russell was omitted from Gregor Townsend's match-day squad with a calf injury. Scotland face Argentina in Cordoba on Saturday, with Pierre Schoeman and Scott Cummings both set to earn their 50th caps.

Rugby Jul 2

Farrell backs Prendergast to start at fly-half for Ireland's Nations Championship opener against Australia

Andy Farrell has defended his decision to hand Sam Prendergast the fly-half jersey for Ireland's Nations Championship clash with Australia in Sydney, saying the 23-year-old has earned his place after a strong finish to the club season.

Rugby Jul 2

Ex-Springboks coach Mallett warns Ellis Park suits England more than World Cup holders

Former South Africa head coach Nick Mallett says he is 'not secure at all' about the Springboks' opening Nations Championship match against England, arguing Ellis Park's conditions favour Steve Borthwick's physical, cohesive side.

Rugby Jul 2

Rees-Zammit returns to wing as Wales name six changes for Fiji Nations Championship opener

Louis Rees-Zammit moves back to his preferred wing position as Wales make six changes for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Fiji in Cardiff, with the squad's pay dispute with the WRU confirmed as resolved.

Rugby Jul 2

Alex Coles urges England to seize their chance as Maro Itoje sits out South Africa opener

Northampton lock Alex Coles has called on England's squad players to step up in Maro Itoje's absence, with Steve Borthwick's side facing South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday in their Nations Championship opener.

Rugby Jul 1

Salvin leaves Exeter after one season to join Wales Women as full-time forwards coach

Steve Salvin has departed Exeter Chiefs following a single season as head coach to take up a full-time forwards coaching role with Wales Women, having previously worked with the side on a part-time basis during the 2026 Women's Six Nations.

Rugby Jul 1

Umaga warns All Blacks that Galthié has restored France's attacking identity

New Zealand defence coach Tana Umaga says France have rediscovered their instinctive attacking game under Fabien Galthié, cautioning that Les Bleus will pose a stern test in Christchurch in the Nations Championship opener.

Rugby Jul 1

Easterby warns Ireland's experienced players as uncapped trio join Nations Championship tour

Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby has cautioned established squad members that younger players are pushing hard for places ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney, with Dan Sheehan set to captain the 36-man touring party.

Rugby Jun 30

Uncapped James and Warren earn Wales call-up as Jenkins misses Nations Championship

Steve Tandy has named a 33-man Wales squad for the Nations Championship, handing first call-ups to Exeter back-row Kane James and Ospreys tighthead Ben Warren. Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins is absent after shoulder surgery following the Gallagher Premiership final.

Rugby Jun 30

Jenkins faces surgery after Prem Final as Exeter count the cost of Twickenham defeat

Exeter Chiefs captain Dafydd Jenkins will undergo shoulder surgery and miss Wales' summer Nations Championship campaign after sustaining the injury in the Gallagher Premiership Final defeat to Northampton Saints. Head coach Rob Baxter expects him fit for the start of next season.

Rugby Jun 30

Atkinson embraces de Allende duel as England prepare for Ellis Park altitude test

Gloucester centre Seb Atkinson has spoken candidly about facing Damian de Allende — a player who has shaped his own development — as England prepare to meet South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday. The 23-year-old, holder of rugby's Bronco Test world record, says altitude training has already begun paying off.

Rugby Jun 30