Rugby News Page

TOP NEWS

England return to winning ways with comfortable victory over USA

USA 12-55 EnglandClaudia Moloney-MacDonald runs in four triesEngland have seen a lot of records crumble around them in this WXV Global Series but the world champions were not going to let a 35-year winning streak go against the USA. The last time the Eagles claimed a victory over the Red Roses was in the 1991 Rugby World Cup and since then England have won all 22 matches they have played. The Red Roses got back to winning ways and while their recent losses to Canada displayed the top sides had caught up with the world No 1 team, Friday’s outing against the USA evidenced that outside of the top three there is still a gap to be closed.The USA headed into the match in good form with five consecutive wins, including victories over Wales and Ireland, and their No 8 Freda Tafuna has been one of the standouts across all of the teams during the WXV. However, England were able to contain the bright spark and despite good performances from Alev Kelter and Hope Rogers the hosts did not have enough firepower to extinguish England. Continue reading...

Latest News

Les Kiss backs Beale to ‘compete’ for Wallabies’ World Cup spot: ‘He’s in there to perform’

Australia coach says recalled 37-year-old adds depth to tour squadTom Hooper overcomes injury to be available for Nations ChampionshipCoach Les Kiss says veteran playmaker Kurtley Beale is in consideration for Australia’s Rugby World Cup squad after his shock recall for the Wallabies’ spring tour of the UK.Beale answered Kiss’s SOS call for next month’s three Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, before the inaugural Nations Championship finals from November 21-23. Continue reading...

Prem and RFU commit to expanding with English clubs after report of Welsh sides joining

Report claimed two Welsh sides could join PremJoint statement said ‘resources focused on English clubs’Prem Rugby and the Rugby Football Union have stated they are committed to expanding the top flight with English clubs in response to a report claiming that two Welsh sides could soon join the competition.According to the report, the Welsh Rugby Union is in advanced discussions with Prem Rugby and the RFU over the possibility of turning the Prem into a cross-border competition. Continue reading...

Kurtley Beale earns shock recall to Wallabies squad five years after last Test

Veteran playmaker could add to 95 caps as he returns aged 37 James Ramm and Kalani Thomas will also join Australia’s spring tourVeteran playmaker Kurtley Beale has been summoned for the Wallabies’ spring tour of the UK in a massive development ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.Beale on Wednesday answered an SOS call from coach Les Kiss to join the squad for next month’s three Tests against England, Scotland and Wales before the inaugural Nations Championship finals in the UK from 21-23 November. Continue reading...

Wallaroos complete Scotland sweep as retiring Smith gets standing ovation despite red

Women’s rugby union: Australia 38-31 ScotlandCecilia Smith ‘sorry’ for red card on final Wallaroos gameThe Wallaroos completed their three-game sweep over Scotland with a 38-31 win on Friday in a spicy contest that featured biting accusations and a string of yellow cards.Australia produced plenty of classy moments in Canberrabut again lacked discipline in tackles and around the ruck to keep the tourists in it. The hosts received four yellow cards, with the retiring centre Cecilia Smith earning two of those to finish her 34-Test career on a red. Continue reading...

Will Borthwick’s autumn England squad embrace Prem chaos or prioritise prudence? | Gerard Meagher

Scoring spree will be forgotten at the Rugby World Cup, and a return for Courtney Lawes may hint at coach’s thinkingIt says much about Steve Borthwick’s approach to England’s coming autumn campaign that he is due to name his training squad within minutes of the full-time whistle at Harlequins on Sunday. Simply put, there is no time to waste.Borthwick will have his squad for only a couple of days after the Prem’s derby weekend before they return to their clubs for a domestic fixture. In years gone by there was an extra week with the players but this time, as 12 months ago, Borthwick’s preparations are truncated. Continue reading...

Son of Wallabies great named in spring tour squad as Les Kiss turns to new faces

Teddy Wilson and Tom Lambert part of 33-man group to tour EuropeAustralia to face England, Scotland and Wales in Nations ChampionshipSon of a gun Teddy Wilson and prop Tom Lambert are the new faces in the Wallabies’ spring tour squad, which welcomes back some international reinforcements.Coach Les Kiss on Friday unveiled his 33-man group to tour Europe for Tests next month against England, Scotland, Wales and another yet-to-be-determined side in the maiden Nations Championship finals weekend. Continue reading...

Ex-tennis pro Megan Rose appointed to lead 2031 men’s Rugby World Cup in US

Tournament coming to the US for the first timeRose says tournament is a huge opportunityWorld Rugby has appointed Megan Rose, an American tennis pro turned United States Tennis Association (USTA) executive, as managing director of the 2031 men’s Rugby World Cup, a key appointment as the governing body prepares to host what is by some measures the third-biggest global sporting event on American soil for the first time.Rose said: “Rugby World Cup is one of the iconic events in global sport, defined by unforgettable moments on the pitch and the passion of fans around the world. To be entrusted with bringing Men’s Rugby World Cup to the United States for the first time is an extraordinary honour, and I’m thrilled to join this team.” Continue reading...

Doomsday for Wallabies and Les Kiss as clinical All Blacks expose fault lines

It was a Bledisloe Cup mauling at the arena where Australia will host a home World Cup at which they must perform or perish as a rugby powerThe honeymoon is over for Les Kiss and Doomsday protocols have been activated. Australia’s embarrassing capitulation to the All Blacks – their 13th in a row – is a cold reminder of where the Wallabies sit in rugby’s world order. In a year these teams meet in Sydney again at a World Cup. But the gulf between them remains massive.The Kiss Army’s defeat of world No 1 South Africa last month filled the golden sails with wind and left the Wallabies unbeaten after six Tests. Last week at Eden Park they at least held the All Blacks to parity at half-time before giving up 26 unanswered points. But this was an understrength All Blacks and the men in gold still got monstered. Continue reading...

Wallabies humiliated as ruthless All Blacks claim 13th straight Bledisloe Test victory

Australia 21-43 New Zealand at Accor StadiumConcerns mount for Les Kiss’s side with Rugby World Cup on horizonThe ruthless All Blacks embarrassed the Wallabies in their final home Test of the year, brushing aside the golden pretenders 43-21 in Sydney, a second thrashing in a week that makes a mockery of the hosts’ ambitions for next year’s World Cup.The All Blacks were too fast at the breakdown, the ball hardly slowing as the New Zealanders appeared to advance it at will. They spoiled all but three Wallaby attacking forays, aided by errors and execution failures. Continue reading...