Rugby

The northern rugby season might be winding down, but with the Rugby World Cup now just a touch over three months away don’t expect things to quieten around Europe and the U.K. And it’s full steam ahead down south, as Super Rugby Pacific enters its final round of the regular season this weekend. Read on

A French court on Tuesday handed rugby international Mohamed Haouas a one-year prison sentence, AFP and L’Equipe reported, after a fast-track trial for alleged domestic violence. Haouas, who plays as a prop for the Montpellier team in southern France, had been in police custody since Friday. Sports paper L’Equipe reported the court had chosen an

Eddie Jones made a triumphant return to Twickenham as the Barbarians defeated a World XV 48-42 in a match when controversial former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau was booed nearly every time he touched the ball. Selected on the wing right wing by World XV coach Steve Hansen, Folau had several nice touches including one outrageous

Saracens won their sixth title and first in four years when they eventually overpowered a spirited Sale to triumph 35-25 in a superb English Premiership final at a sun-drenched Twickenham on Saturday. Saracens, who finished top of the standings in the regular season, had their noses in front for most of the game having led

World XV coach Steve Hansen has welcomed the decision to raise the rainbow flag above Twickenham for their game against the Barbarians on Sunday after he named Israel Folau in his squad. Folau, an evangelical Christian, had his Wallabies contract terminated in 2019 after he posted a meme on social media that said “hell” awaits

La Rochelle became the fifth team to win back-to-back European Champions Cups on Saturday when they clawed back a 17-point deficit to beat Leinster 27-26 at the Aviva Stadium in another breathless final between the sides. The Irish province made a dream start and were 17-0 up after 11 minutes thanks to a try from

Wales pair Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric have both announced their retirement from international rugby, just four months before the World Cup in France. Jones, 37, is the record cap holder in world rugby with 170 Test appearances for Wales and British and Irish Lions. 33-year-old Tipuric captained Wales in the autumn internationals late

Wales flanker Justin Tipuric has announced his retirement from international rugby with immediate effect, just four months before the World Cup in France. Tipuric, 33, captained Wales in the autumn internationals late last year and has 93 caps since making his debut in 2011, plus one appearance for the British & Irish Lions. He was

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week 2023, this May, ESPN highlights the stories of athletes, coaches and other sports figures who have experienced personal battles with mental health, and who want to use their platforms to openly discuss what happened next, and what helped them. These stories reflect a broad range of subjects and

A 10-year, 21-game drought finally over and in memorable fashion with the Reds finally ending their New Zealand hoodoo and ending the Chiefs’ 10-game unbeaten run while they were at it. Elsewhere, the Crusaders held the Blues off in an almighty arm-wrestle, while the Brumbies put on the after burners to down the Highlanders. Read

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterMay 9, 2023, 11:07 AM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Scotland men’s head coach Gregor Townsend has signed a contract extension until April 2026, Scottish Rugby announced on Tuesday.

A bull broke free during a Super League match in Perpignan, France on Friday, causing the players of Catalans Dragons and St Helens to run for cover at the Stade Gilbert Brutus. In videos posted on social media, the bull could be seen dragging a man for several metres before charging around the pitch as

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterMay 4, 2023, 12:18 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 John Mitchell has been appointed as England Women’s head coach, taking over from Simon Middleton, the Rugby Football Union

One of the biggest names in women’s rugby Black Ferns’ Ruby Tui has signed with Premier Rugby Sevens, the highest professional sevens competition in the United States. Re-signing with New Zealand Rugby last week, Tui made the announcement she would be taking a sabbatical immediately before returning to both the sevens and 15s program. A

Eddie Jones has checked in with his Japan-based Wallabies and says Quade Cooper is on target for the Rugby World Cup, with the veteran playmaker back in action as soon as this weekend. Recovering from a ruptured achilles tendon, Cooper last month ticked a box to qualify for the upcoming Japan Rugby League one relegation/promotion

England beat a spirited France 38-33 to win their fifth straight women’s Six Nations title with a Grand Slam in front of a record-breaking crowd at Twickenham on Sunday to give coach Simon Middleton a fitting farewell. With 58,498 fans in attendance, top-ranked side England struggled with nerves at first before pulling away from third-ranked

Ospreys scrum-half Harri Morgan is taking a break from the sport as he revealed his struggles with mental health. Morgan, 23, posted on social media about how he has “suffered in silence,” and spoke about how he tried to take his own life earlier this year. In his Instagram post titled “My Story”, Morgan encouraged

World Rugby will trial a Television Match Official (TMO) Bunker concept aimed at reducing lengthy stoppages and making correct decisions on foul play, with the system expected to be used at the men’s World Cup later this year if the trial is successful. The concept, which is essentially a card review system, will be trialled