Middle East war uncertainty leads to delay for £80m deal November leg of new rugby tournament could feature brandingQatar Airways has put its £80m sponsorship of rugby union’s new Nations Championship on hold due to the fallout from the war in the Middle East.The Guardian has learned that while the state-owned airline remains committed to the deal, contracts have not been signed, and the inaugural edition of the new competition will kick off next week without a title sponsor. Continue reading...

Squad are due to arrive in Johannesburg on ThursdaySpringboks coach Rassie Erasmus praises Henry PollockMarcus Smith says England are flying south determined to make a fast and furious start to the new Nations Championship at South Africa’s expense next week. A 36-man squad will touch down in Johannesburg on Thursday and Smith says there is a shared desire to rise to the high-altitude challenge of upsetting the world champions in their backyard.England have been training in oxygen masks in Bagshot to prepare themselves for the Highveldt and, with games against Fiji and Argentina to follow, are conscious of the need to make an early impression against the Springboks. “It’s one shot,” said Smith, who has now played 50 Tests for his country. “We’ve spoken about leaving it all out there. It’s a hell of an opportunity. I don’t think England have been there since 2018 so we could create history, going down there to deliver a result. Continue reading...

The Red Roses' top stars stand to earn £100,000 with England in 2029 should they successfully defend their Women's Rugby World Cup title in Australia.

Harlequins appoint Brad Cooper as their new attack coach, as they reshape their backroom staff for the 2026-27 season.

From that crunch classic in Paris to the Red Roses’ trailblazing and Rhys Carré’s try, our pick of the moments that made the 2026-27 seasonBest games attended1) 14 March, France 48-46 England. Thirteen tries – including four for Louis Bielle-Biarrey – and a last-gasp winning penalty from Thomas Ramos. Truly magnifique. Continue reading...

BBC Sport NI assesses the credentials of the three uncapped players named by Ireland head coach Andy Farrell in his squad for the upcoming Nations Championship fixtures.

Veteran prop James Slipper has gone back on his international retirement to return to Australia's ranks after being named in the Wallabies squad for the forthcoming Nations Championship.

Leinster retain their United Rugby Championship title with a resounding 36-7 win over the Bulls at Croke Park in Dublin.

Ardie Savea has been made the All Blacks captain in coach Dave Rennie's first squad announcement, while Newcastle-bound winger Fehi Fineanganofo gets a first call-up.

Caluori, Fisilau, Janse van Rensburg, Sela, Kloska selectedFin Smith says he had to ‘fake’ confidence after Lions tourAt some stage there will be better times ahead for English rugby. They have an encouraging amount of young talent, a decent age profile and another 15 months to develop prior to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Get it right – and they have a more than promising draw – and the sunlit uplands could yet be glimpsed in Australia next year.That, at least, is the cosy scenario. First, though, there is the equivalent of a precarious-looking rope bridge to be crossed by those named in Steve Borthwick’s squad for this summer’s inaugural leg of the new Nations Championship. Three Tests in three different continents in successive weeks with a squad lacking its regular captain and on a four-match losing streak is not the idyllic travel brochure it might have been. Continue reading...

Ardie Savea has been made the All Blacks captain in coach Dave Rennie's first squad announcement, while Newcastle-bound winger Fehi Fineanganofo gets a first call-up.

Reaction from Twickenham has Northampton win their second Prem title in three yearss

Leinster captain Caelan Doris will get a new injury checked out after being forced off in the early stages of his side's 36-7 United Rugby Championship final win over the Bulls.

Leinster retain their United Rugby Championship title with a resounding 36-7 win over the Bulls at Croke Park in Dublin.