15 h. ago England coach John Mitchell questions smaller women’s World Cup squad size

Squad sizes are capped at 32 for the women’s tournament, one fewer than men’s sides are permitted to select at the World Cup

Politics

36 h. ago Narrow win ‘ideal’ for England’s World Cup preparations, says Mitchell

Red Roses win Six Nations after 43-42 victory over FranceCoach believes Twickenham experience will help playersJohn Mitchell said England’s one-point win over France was the “ideal” test for his side with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon.The Red Roses won their seventh consecutive Women’s Six Nations title after holding off a late French comeback at Twickenham. It was by far the closest match for England in this tournament, with their other four matches resulting in dominant wins. The lack of competition that the Red Roses face have led some to believe they needed a loss or a close game to learn from in order to know the answers if challenged at the upcoming World Cup. Continue reading...

Economics

38 h. ago England hold on to claim Women’s Six Nations grand slam with one

England 43-42 FranceDow and Sing score twice before visitors’ late fightbackThere was a moment after France’s Joanna Grisez scored where fans were wondering if this would be the day England’s stranglehold on this competition came to an end. The Red Roses were 31-7 up after 23 minutes, but a resolute France cut back the lead to one point in the final minute. A French knock-on ended the game and the sheer pressure the hosts were under was plain to see by the wild celebrations by the England players at full-time. Despite the nervous ending for England, they not only retained the trophy at Twickenham but claimed a seventh successive title. England’s victory stretched their winning run in this tournament to 34 games and 25 in all competitions.The Red Roses are used to lifting silverware, but the trophy they are hunting will be on the line in the next game they could play here in five months’ time in the Rugby World Cup final. That has eluded them since 2014 and it remains their main targ...

Politics

61 h. ago First Europe, then the world: Twickenham awaits in year of twin peaks for England

Grand slam clash is vital stepping stone in Red Roses’ quest to reclaim the World Cup crown they last held in 2014There are two games to think about at Twickenham on Saturday, the one the Red Roses will play in, and the one they want to play in. The first is their grand slam decider against France, which kicks off at 4.45pm. The second – at the same venue, five months and one day later – is the World Cup final which, if everything goes as the team hopes at the Stadium of Light, Franklin’s Gardens, Ashton Gate and the other grounds they will visit between now and then, will be the next game they play at the home of English rugby.The Red Roses head coach, John Mitchell, has been around long enough to know the smart thing to do is separate the two. “We’ve got to be careful focusing on the World Cup final because we’ve got to earn the right to contest it,” Mitchell said this week. “It’s good to have the chance to be back at our home stadium, but it’s an isolated situation, that’s the wa...

Politics

66 h. ago Wales unveil World Cup winner as new director of rugby in key appointment after Six Nations woe

Dave Reddin was part of England’s staff in 2003 and has also worked with the Football Association

Politics

5 d. ago Today's rugby news as 'fantastic' Tandy backed for two World Cup cycles and star confirms Wales eligibility

The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world

Sport

6 d. ago 'We're interested in rugby': Saudi Arabia sports minister weighing up bid for 2035 Rugby World Cup

Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal discussed the plans at Formula One’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Politics

1 week ago All Blacks star Rieko Ioane shockingly signs for Leinster despite Johnny Sexton feud

Rieko Ioane and Johnny Sexton clashed after the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final between New Zealand and Ireland but that hasn’t stopped the All Blacks centre joining the club where Sexton is a legend

Events

1 week ago The Breakdown | Rugby World Cups aren’t adding up for major unions and there is no easy fix

South Africa no longer see hosting as viable and World Rugby is under pressure to deliver for its membersThe starting gun has been fired on the race to host the 2035 and 2039 Rugby World Cup tournaments. Expressions of interest have been made: Spain’s proposal has piqued interest, Italy’s too, while the Middle East stalks along as the elephant in the room. The idea of going back to Japan within 20 years of a first World Cup in Asia is a popular proposition.News came over the weekend, however, that South Africa has all but ruled out a bid for either edition of the tournament. South Africa threw its hat into the ring in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 but was overlooked on each occasion and the SA Rugby president, Mark Alexander, was brutally honest when asked about the prospect of doing so again. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Northampton’s growing list of Lions contenders sparkle in Castres thrashing

Northampton 51-16 Castres: The Saints set up a Champions Cup semi-final date with Leinster that could prove crucial to Andy Farrell’s final selection

Politics

2 w. ago Northampton set up Leinster rematch after Henry Pollock batters Castres

Quarter-final: Northampton 51-16 CastresYoung flanker dazzles with two tries in Champions CupWhat is the East Midlands equivalent of deja vu? For the second season in succession Northampton are into the Champions Cup semi-finals and have booked themselves a trip to Dublin to face Leinster. Last time they came within three points of victory so, on paper at least, there is still a chance that Saints can march all the way to next month’s final in Cardiff.All the evidence would suggest, though, that Leinster are a more formidable force this year than last while Northampton had be initially resolute to see off a hard-edged Castres team who competed strongly until two tries in five minutes early in the second half from the fit-again George Furbank and the man of the moment Henry Pollock cracked their resistance. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago What channel is Edinburgh Rugby v Bulls on? TV, live stream, team news plus who winner plays next

Full details ahead of Edinburgh Rugby v Bulls in Challenge Cup

Sport

2 w. ago Spain want club in URC and propose 'Eight Nations' as they close in on Wales

Spanish rugby bosses have big plans after the country emerged as the frontrunner to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup

Politics

2 w. ago Glasgow Warriors suffer major team blow ahead of Champions Cup clash with Leinster

Prop ruled out due to concussion

Events

2 w. ago The Breakdown | Premiership clubs’ European debacle illustrates growing French and Irish strength

Four English clubs conceded 215 points on a calamitous weekend with French clubs poised to improve furtherAnd then there was one. Good luck to English club rugby’s sole survivor Northampton, who still have a winnable home Champions Cup quarter-final against Castres this Saturday, but otherwise the flag of St George hangs limply at half‑mast. To suggest the Premiership’s contenders had an underwhelming weekend is like saying global share prices have taken a slight dip.If you’re squeamish about needle-sharp disappointment, look away now. Between them Saracens, Harlequins, Leicester and Sale conceded 215 points in their last-16 ties. While Sarries and Sale had their first-half moments in Toulon and Toulouse respectively, would you care to guess the aggregate second-half score over those four defeats? The uncomfortable answer was, ahem, 144-21. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Parachutist left dangling from rugby stadium roof after crash

A parachutist was left dangling from a rugby stadium roof after crashing in France ahead of Sale's Champions Cup on Sunday, 6 April.

Events

3 w. ago Wales great Dan Biggar to retire from rugby at end of season

The fly half won 112 caps for Wales before retiring from international rugby after the 2023 World Cup

Politics

3 w. ago There's only one worthy candidate to host 2035 Rugby World Cup

CHRIS FOY: The people have spoken. The response has been emphatic. Since news broke that Spain want to host the 2035 men's World Cup, there has been a deluge of support.

Politics

3 w. ago Toulouse break through Sale’s resistance with thrilling Champions Cup fight back

Toulouse 38-15 Sale: The defending champions cruised into the quarter-finals

Sport

3 w. ago Stuck paratrooper prevents play before Sale slump to Toulouse defeat

Last 16: Toulouse 38-15 SaleStricken army captain was dangling 30 metres upIt is rare that Toulouse do not live up to the pre-match theatrics but it is not every day that a paratrooper attempting to land on the pitch gets snagged on the stadium roof and suspended in midair for half an hour. As it was, the paratrooper in question was rescued by the fire brigade before Toulouse dug in to beat a dogged Sale side, finishing with a flourish to send their supporters home happy.Ultimately, the Sharks’ defeat caps a thoroughly miserable weekend for the Premiership clubs and for the first time since 2019 there will be just one representative – Northampton – in the last eight. As far as England’s British & Irish Lions hopefuls are concerned, it has not been a great weekend either and Andy Farrell will anxiously await news of Tom Curry’s suspected wrist injury which forced the flanker off during the first half here. Continue reading...

Politics