17 h. ago Caelan Doris set for operation on shoulder in major British and Irish Lions injury scare

The Ireland No 8 is one of two leading contenders to be named captain of the touring party

Events

18 h. ago Caelan Doris requires shoulder 'procedure' in major injury scare ahead of British and Irish Lions tour

Doris was one of the big favourites to be named as captain by Andy Farrell

Events

22 h. ago British & Irish Lions 2025: Predicting the squad to tour Australia

The final international action before the squad is named is over - who will Andy Farrell be picking to head Down Under?

Politics

61 h. ago Henry Pollock revels in ‘special win’ over Leinster in hardest game of his life

Saints beat Irish province to make Champions Cup finalPhil Dowson says his players enhanced Lions prospectsNorthampton hope their extraordinary semi-final win over Leinster will be a springboard to further personal and collective success in the coming weeks. The Saints director of rugby, Phil Dowson, also believes several of his players have “undoubtably” enhanced their British & Irish Lions selection chances before Thursday’s tour squad announcement.Henry Pollock and Fin Smith, along with hat-trick try-scorer Tommy Freeman, could not have made a better impression on a high-pressure stage and Dowson believes Pollock’s exuberance is beneficial to any team. “It’s infectious and spreads throughout the team,” said Dowson. “Leinster are one of the best sides in Europe and the world. For our players to perform on that stage and execute under that pressure speaks volumes for them.” Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Wallabies aim for smooth coaching transition with Les Kiss to take over in 2026

Kiss to see out Super Rugby Pacific contract with Queensland RedsJoe Schmidt to remain in charge for end-of-season European tourIncoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss is confident he will have enough time to prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, despite only taking charge of the national side from mid-2026.Rugby Australia confirmed on Wednesday that current head coach Joe Schmidt will continue to lead the Wallabies through the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour and until July next year to allow Kiss to see out his contract with Queensland Reds. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Johnny Sexton: Ireland legend joins British & Irish Lions coaching staff for Australia tour

Former fly-half will reunite with Andy Farrell this summer ahead of a full-time coaching position with the IRFU

Politics

2 w. ago Johnny Sexton makes surprise move to join Andy Farrell’s Lions coaching staff

Raises further intrigue over fly-half selection debateSexton endorsed Owen Farrell in press interviewJohnny Sexton has been added to the British & Irish Lions coaching staff for the summer tour of Australia in a surprise move that raises further intrigue over the fly-half selection debate following his previous criticism of Finn Russell and endorsement of Owen Farrell.Sexton was not named by Andy Farrell when the head coach unveiled his assistants for the tour last month but will now join Simon Easterby, John Dalziel, Andrew Goodman, Richard Wigglesworth and John Fogarty on the coaching ticket. The 39-year-old will also join Farrell’s coaching staff at Ireland upon the conclusion of the Lions tour. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Rugby Australia posts $36.8m deficit amid wait for financial windfall to arrive

RA expects commercial bonanza from British and Irish Lions tourBody hit by costs of running Waratahs, Brumbies and RebelsRugby Australia says it has “changed the trajectory” of the sport despite recording a deficit of $36.8m in 2024, as the organisation looks forward to the commercial windfall of this year’s British and Irish Lions tour and the coming men’s 2027 and women’s 2029 World Cups.The governing body also took the opportunity at its results announcement to lash out at efforts to poach Australia’s best young talent, after the pursuit this year of multiple junior Wallabies by French recruiters. Continue reading...

Economics