9 h. ago Wallabies and Springboks in identity swap for clash amid thin air of Highveld | Daniel Gallan

The frenemies meet in this year’s Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park where they are expected to rip pages out of the other’s playbookOne team boasts some of the most menacing forwards found anywhere in the world. The other is developing a scintillating backline capable of tearing apart any defence. Business as usual, then, for a Wallabies versus Springboks clash. Except this time, like the characters of Freaky Friday, the two sides have switched identities ahead of the first round of the Rugby Championship.Australia might have lost the British & Irish Lions series but they were one referee’s decision at the breakdown away from causing a seismic upset. That the margin was so small was thanks largely to the thundering cameos of Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Taniela Tupou and a handful of other meaty men who provided the front-foot grunt that was absent in the first Test in Brisbane. Continue reading...

Politics

65 h. ago The Breakdown | Jac Morgan’s pivotal Lions moment reignites jackling debate in rugby

Some people consider it sacrosanct but has World Rugby extended too much latitude to the jackler or ‘stealer’?Another Lions tour added to the annals, and everyone is more or less happy. The British & Irish Lions take a series win, just about, and Australia have a pivotal moment at the end of the second Test to whinge about, or console themselves over, depending on your viewpoint.Certainly, these days, it is difficult to know what disciplinary outcome may pertain to each incident in the cut and thrust of elite rugby. Most people with eyes can appreciate there was no head contact when Jac Morgan tried to clear out the jackling Carlo Tizzano in the buildup to Hugo Keenan’s winning try, but there is no doubt, either, that Tizzano was in an exposed position, just as that particular split-second represented an impossible situation for Morgan. Had he gone any lower he would have made contact with the head, higher and he would have missed the clearout altogether. Continue read...

Politics

3 d. ago Henry Pollock rewarded with England Elite Player contract after breakout year

Pollock was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer

Sport

8 d. ago Jamie Roberts flies in to start new life as he immediately gets to work

The former Wales and British & Irish Lions centre says he is 'excited by the new challenge'

Politics

9 d. ago Owen Farrell sparks major backlash as 'awful' video emerges and stars blasted

The British and Irish Lions star was caught in a verbal exchange with Wallabies star Joseph Suaalii

Politics

9 d. ago The Breakdown | The Lions will endure but who can we expect in the squad for 2029?

Ben Earl’s unambiguous backing shows how the tourists’ future could work even in a new world of rebel leaguesThe average worker bee, in the busiest months of the year, generally lives for up to seven weeks. Talk about a short and sweet existence. It is not dissimilar with British & Irish Lions tours. One moment players are winning a major series, the next their team abruptly ceases to exist. That’s all, folks, unless you can make the next trip in four years.That is a lifetime for many professional athletes, particularly those who routinely operate on a week-to-week basis and are about to enjoy a long-awaited summer break. So you would expect someone like England’s Ben Earl to roll his eyes and change the subject when asked if he would like to be involved in the scheduled next men’s tour to New Zealand in 2029. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Lions writer awards: man of the series, unsung hero and where tourists should go next

Main man Finn Russell was at the heart of everything the Lions did, but Australian duo Tom Wright and Charlie Gamble also win praiseMan of series Finn Russell was at the heart of everything the Lions did well. Calm, assured, skilful and accurate from the tee. Chapeau. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Henry Pollock, Dan Sheehan and five players who could shape the next British and Irish Lions tour

Who could be in line to star against the All Blacks on the 2029 trip to New Zealand?

Sport

1 week ago Rugby legend's heartbreak over wife's death as he reveals her poignant final act

The 'unfathomable' tragedy left the former British & Irish Lion 'utterly broken-hearted'

Sport

1 week ago British and Irish Lions' final chaotic night as Owen Farrell steps in to stop security

The British and Irish Lions were defeated in the final game of their tour Down Under on Saturday as a chaotic night played out in a rain-lashed Accor Stadium

Events

1 week ago Lions had special moments but lacked consistency needed to be ranked among greats | Robert Kitson

Andy Farrell’s team deserve place in history after a 2-1 series win but return from Australia nursing nagging regretsHow best to describe the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour? Even before the final Test was interrupted by lightning, it was a strange old series. To the Lions the spoils but it was Australia who led for all but 60 seconds of the last two Tests. Just a solitary point divided the teams over three games and it was only courtesy of Will Stuart’s late consolation that the visitors collected 10 tries compared to the Wallabies’ nine.What would have happened had Joe Schmidt’s side had an extra warmup fixture or made a faster start in Brisbane? Had Will Skelton been fit for the pivotal opening game, or Rob Valetini and Taniela Tupou featured for more than 40 and 60 minutes in the series respectively? If Australia had not lost their first-choice fly-half on the eve of the series, or protected their 23-5 lead in Melbourne? Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago British & Irish Lions star's baby born in car before first match of series

British and Irish Lions centre Bundee Aki missed the birth of his fifth child with the Irishman preparing for the First Test in Australia and has revealed his wife gave birth in the car

Politics

1 week ago Lions chief executive says Andy Farrell in ‘strong position’ to return as coach

Farrell has steered the Lions to their first series triumph since 2013.

Politics

1 week ago British and Irish Lions to explore facing Fiji or Japan on New Zealand tour with schedule up for discussion

Ben Calveley has said that the Lions are considering ways of ensuring that they are properly challenged ahead of the Test series

Politics

1 week ago Successful series shows why the Lions are here to stay — but new threats provoke tough questions for the future

A 2-1 win in Australia displayed both the joys of the touring side and the challenges they face in the modern era

Events

1 week ago Lions vs Australia LIVE: Third Test result, latest updates and reaction after tourists beaten

Can the tourists complete their sweep?

Society

3 w. ago James Slipper urges Wallabies to ignore ‘losing mentality’ jibe with Lions series on the line

Veteran calls for history to repeat after being part of fightback in 2013Australia boosted by return of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton from injurySteely Wallabies veteran James Slipper is urging his battered troops to block out the “noise” as they look to stop the Lions juggernaut in their do-or-die second Test in Melbourne.The series is on the line at the MCG on Saturday night with Slipper offering a unique perspective in the current Australian line-up as the only player to have taken part in two series. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago British and Irish Lions: Owen Farrell captain for First Nations & Pasifika XV clash as Blair Kinghorn returns

Farrell has not previously been captain for a match on any of his four Lions tours

Politics

3 w. ago Owen Farrell to captain Lions for first time in Melbourne clash

The former England captain came on as a second-half replacement against AUNZ on July 12.

Politics

3 w. ago Tuipulotu believes ‘stars have aligned’ for him as Lions arrive in Melbourne

The Scotland centre has the opportunity to seal a series win against Australia with victory in the second Test in the city where he was bornSione Tuipulotu has to raise his game this week. By his own admission he has not been up to scratch. He has been surprised by just how off the pace he has been, but he is confident he will deliver in the buildup to the second Test between the British & Irish Lions and Australia.Tuipulotu is, of course, referring to his role as the Lions’ tour guide, having grown up in Australia, as Andy Farrell’s players arrive in his home city of Melbourne hoping to wrap up the series. “I haven’t actually been that good at it,” he says. “It’s surprising, I don’t actually know that much about Australia having lived here that long. I know a bit about Melbourne so I’ll point the boys to some good spots.” Continue reading...

Politics