3 d. 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

4 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 The ultimate test: watching this glorious sporting summer has given me a headache

Euros final, Lions tour of Australia and a riveting Test series forced social engagements on to the back burnerThere is a crick in my neck, a rick in my back, and a permanent ache behind my eyes. A friend refuses to offer sympathy. “You did this to yourself,” she says as I pop paracetamol. Thousands of hours of medical research are ploughed into elite sport, but where are the studies into the physical and mental demands of keeping up with it?While winter may be fiercely programmed, it’s the multi-disciplinary bunfight of summer that is the ultimate test of a sports fan. Right when our diaries demand we’re at our most sociable, our most available, our most outdoors, the calendar loses all sense of perspective and dumps events on us like it’s trying to save them from a burning building. We stand below, arms hopelessly full, desperately trying not to drop anything. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago The ultimate test: watching this glorious sporting summer has given me a headache | Emma John

Euros final, Lions tour of Australia and a riveting Test series forced social engagements on to the back burnerThere is a crick in my neck, a rick in my back, and a permanent ache behind my eyes. A friend refuses to offer sympathy. “You did this to yourself,” she says as I pop paracetamol. Thousands of hours of medical research are ploughed into elite sport, but where are the studies into the physical and mental demands of keeping up with it?While winter may be fiercely programmed, it’s the multi-disciplinary bunfight of summer that is the ultimate test of a sports fan. Right when our diaries demand we’re at our most sociable, our most available, our most outdoors, the calendar loses all sense of perspective and dumps events on us like it’s trying to save them from a burning building. We stand below, arms hopelessly full, desperately trying not to drop anything. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Graham Price: Lions didn't fulfil their potential and duo did not justify selection

The Lions tour was ultimately a success for Andy Farrell's men but they would have been beaten by New Zealand or South Africa, argues Pricey

Politics

8 d. ago Welsh players who could be on the 2029 Lions tour including rising star who has real X

There were only two Welsh players on the 2025 Lions tour

Sport

9 d. ago Lions star in brutal response to Jac Morgan's cheeky dig as team

Josh van der Flier did not earn a Test cap on the 2025 Lions tour, with Tom Curry and Jac Morgan keeping him out of the team.

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 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 Lions tour ratings as Jac Morgan rises to the challenge but Ireland star 'completely wretched'

Some members of Andy Farrell's squad shone Down Under while others underwhelmed

Politics

1 week ago This Lions tour was an SOS and they desperately need a revamp

WORLD OF RUGBY: Where do the Lions go from here? Home, in the first instance, to disperse and recharge, but then the hierarchy must review this Australia tour in forensic detail.

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 Why Andy Farrell is favourite to lead the Lions again despite letting golden opportunity slip

Farrell’s Lions missed out on a whitewash but the head coach has been well liked by his squad and got a lot of bold calls right

Politics

1 week ago Andy Farrell 'unbelievably proud' of Lions squad as 2025 tour ends in defeat

The tourists won eight of their nine summer outings

Politics

3 w. ago Why Aussie footy fans should be very worried about rugby star turned Royal Mike Tindall's special guest appearance at one of the NRL's biggest games

The former World Cup-winning rugby union star and his wife Zara got the red-carpet treatment at one of the jewels in the NRL's crown recently.

Sport

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

3 w. ago Warren Gatland didn't hold back in brutally honest remark to Mako Vunipola

Warren Gatland's man-management was famous in rugby and it proved to have the desired effect on Mako Vunipola during the British and Irish Lions tour in 2021

Events