Rugby news

• Barbeary shows class as Bath score nine tries to race into Champions Cup last 16

  16-01-2026 23:01 via theguardian.com
  Bath 63-10 EdinburghTwo tries for Cokanasiga while front-rowers all scoreScotland’s fly-half Finn Russell had spoken about his desire to claim the pre-Six Nations bragging rights at the expense of several good mates in the Edinburgh squad. There was never the slightest doubt his wish would be granted as Bath eased to a comprehensive nine-try victory that guarantees pool winner status plus a home knockout draw in the last 16 and, potentially, beyond.On this occasion, Russell also had the lu
  
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• ‘I was knocked for six’: Zander Fagerson on his Lions injury despair and Glasgow’s European quest

  16-01-2026 14:05 via theguardian.com
  The Glasgow prop turns 30 on Monday and helping to raise four kids under seven he is feeling it, but has Saracens to deal with on Sunday firstIt is a proper challenge. The screeching pressure, the hard graft, the energy-sapping demands. And all that before Zander Fagerson, father of four kids under seven including 14-month-old twins, heads out for his intense day job with Glasgow Warriors and Scotland. As the big man wryly puts it: “You definitely need a lot more patience with the kids. It
  
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• 'It feels a lot like home' - Hooper on Exeter move

  16-01-2026 08:11 via bbc.com
  Exeter's Australia flanker Tom Hooper tells BBC Sport about his first few months at Sandy Park and his hopes for the future.
  
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• Princess of Wales hosts Rugby World Cup winners England

  15-01-2026 19:41 via bbc.com
  The Princess of Wales hosts the England team at Windsor Castle to celebrate their Women's Rugby World Cup triumph.
  
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• Bristol back row Mata signs one-year extension

  15-01-2026 19:14 via bbc.com
  Bristol number eight Viliame Mata signs a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2027.
  
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• Leigh centre Hanley signs new two-year contract

  15-01-2026 18:46 via bbc.com
  Leigh Leopards centre Umyla Hanley signs a two-year deal to remain with the Super League club until the end of the 2028 season.
  
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• Princess of Wales hosts World Cup winners England

  15-01-2026 18:04 via bbc.com
  The Princess of Wales hosts England's women's rugby team at Windsor Castle to celebrate their World Cup success in September.
  
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• Reborn Salford 'vulnerable' but ready to start 'tough' 2026

  15-01-2026 18:02 via bbc.com
  Having cobbled together the basis of a functioning rugby league team in less than a month, Salford RLFC are ready to start the new season.
  
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• Lawrence back as Bath name strong side for Edinburgh

  15-01-2026 17:53 via bbc.com
  England internationals Ollie Lawrence, Sam Underhill and Guy Pepper return to the Bath line-up to face Edinburgh.
  
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• Razor’s All Blacks lacked sharp edge but sacking Robertson does not guarantee revival | Robert Kitson

  15-01-2026 17:42 via theguardian.com
  There is still time before 2027 World Cup to rescue the drooping silver fern but rebuilding an international team is hard and New Zealand’s aura has fadedAs a keen surfer Scott Robertson is well aware how abruptly situations can change. One minute you are riding the perfect wave, the next you’re being dumped from a great height and having your world tipped upside down. Which is essentially how “Razor” will now be feeling after being ousted as All Blacks head coach barely
  
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• Hull KR centre Gildart & winger Burgess extend deals

  15-01-2026 17:00 via bbc.com
  Hull KR centre Oliver Gildart and winger Joe Burgess extend their contracts at the defending Super League champions.
  
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• England face prop shortage as Opoku-Fordjour ruled out of Six Nations

  15-01-2026 16:00 via bbc.com
  England's front-row stocks take a hit as prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour is ruled out of the Six Nations with a shoulder injury.
  
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• 'Ultimate honour' - King named Ireland captain after fearing career was over

  15-01-2026 15:18 via bbc.com
  Erin King says being named Ireland captain before the Women's Six Nations is the "ultimate honour" after fearing her Test career was over during an injury lay-off.
  
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• Lam's Bristol ready for 'historic' Bordeaux game

  15-01-2026 14:18 via bbc.com
  Bristol Bears are in a "historic" situation as they face Bordeaux Begles in the Champions Cup, with a top-seed knockout spot at stake.
  
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• Robertson sacking marks another slip from the summit for All Blacks

  15-01-2026 14:08 via bbc.com
  Scott Robertson's sacking is just the most high-profile symptom of a deeper malaise in New Zealand rugby union.
  
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• Sale sign Wales prop Francis from next season

  15-01-2026 13:28 via bbc.com
  Sale Sharks sign Wales international Tomas Francis on a two-year deal from the start of next season.
  
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• Wainwright back as Dragons hunt knockout stages

  15-01-2026 13:11 via bbc.com
  Dragons bring back their leading players for the bid to make the last 16 of the Challenge Cup when they face Newcastle at Rodney Parade.
  
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• Hooker Smith signs new Northampton deal

  15-01-2026 12:08 via bbc.com
  Scotland hooker Robbie Smith signs a new deal to remain with Prem side Northampton Saints.
  
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• Newcastle fly-half Connon signs new deal

  15-01-2026 11:28 via bbc.com
  Newcastle Red Bulls fly-half Brett Connon signs a new two-year deal.
  
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• New Zealand sack 'gutted' head coach Robertson

  15-01-2026 08:30 via bbc.com
  Scott Robertson is sacked as head coach of New Zealand after two years in charge of the All Blacks, following an internal review of the 2025 season.
  
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• Scarlets want Wales' Hawkins to settle at centre

  15-01-2026 07:43 via bbc.com
  Scarlets intend to allow Wales centre Joe Hawkins to focus on his midfield role after the return from injury of Sam Costelow.
  
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• All Blacks begin search for new coach after ‘gutted’ Scott Robertson departs

  15-01-2026 02:32 via theguardian.com
  Robertson leaves role two years into four-year contractDecision to part ways comes after internal NZR reviewScott Robertson has stepped down as New Zealand coach following an internal review of the All Blacks’ performance.Speculation over Robertson’s future has mounted since December amid reports of friction between senior players and All Blacks staff. Continue reading...
  
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• Calf injury threatens Smith's Six Nations start

  14-01-2026 23:01 via bbc.com
  Northampton fly-half Fin Smith is suffering with a calf strain that may put him out of England's Six Nations opener against Wales.
  
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• James signs new deal with Sale until 2029

  14-01-2026 18:54 via bbc.com
  Sale Sharks full-back Luke James signs a new deal to remain with the Prem club until 2029.
  
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• Never say never - Davies back in pro rugby 11 years on

  14-01-2026 18:34 via bbc.com
  Nigel Davies returns for a third term in charge at Scarlets despite not being involved in professional rugby since 2014.
  
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• England head coach Wane steps down in World Cup year

  14-01-2026 17:30 via bbc.com
  Shaun Wane steps down from his position as England coach, nine months before the Rugby League World Cup.
  
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• Faletau out of Wales' first three Six Nations games

  14-01-2026 17:28 via bbc.com
  The number eight has been ruled out of Wales' first three games against England, France and Scotland.
  
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• Aki on sacrifices, outside noise and the World Cup

  14-01-2026 15:12 via bbc.com
  Ireland and British and Irish Lions star Bundee Aki sits down with the Ireland Rugby Social for an in-depth chat about his life and career.
  
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• Mortgage advisor to Gloucester hooker - Crane's big step up

  14-01-2026 12:47 via bbc.com
  Full-time mortgage advisor and part-time rugby player Will Crane on making the jump into the top tier during his loan with Gloucester.
  
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• Baxter aiming for 'continuity' in Exeter squad

  14-01-2026 12:31 via bbc.com
  Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says he is encouraged with how his squad building for next season is going.
  
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• 'Shaking up old order' - Newcastle sign Sale's Quirke

  14-01-2026 11:39 via bbc.com
  Newcastle Red Bulls confirm the signing of Sale Sharks scrum-half Raffi Quirke and hooker Bryn Gordon.
  
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• Scotland's Jones to join Toulon from Glasgow in summer

  13-01-2026 19:55 via bbc.com
  Scotland centre Huw Jones is to leave Glasgow Warriors to join French Top 14 club Toulon at the end of the current season.
  
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• Finn Russell ready for bruising clash with Scotland colleagues against Edinburgh

  13-01-2026 19:28 via theguardian.com
  Bath fly-half up against fellow Scot Duhan van der Merwe‘I’d imagine there’ll be a couple of late shots,’ he saysFinn Russell is braced for a potentially bruising reunion with his Scottish international teammates but is intent on winning the “bragging rights” when Bath host Edinburgh on Friday in their Champions Cup pool decider. Russell has already messaged Duhan van der Merwe to warn him to expect a tough night and says the English champions are seeking to s
  
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• Head coach Murphy keen to extend Ulster contract

  13-01-2026 18:46 via bbc.com
  Richie Murphy says he would like to extend his stay as Ulster head coach into next season as his contract expires at the end of the season.
  
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• Gloucester sign World Cup-winning Springbok Kleyn

  13-01-2026 16:12 via bbc.com
  Gloucester sign World Cup-winning South African lock Jean Kleyn for the 2026-27 season, after 10 years playing for URC side Munster.
  
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• Casey could return but prop worries for Ireland

  13-01-2026 15:49 via bbc.com
  Ireland scrum-half Craig Casey's shoulder injury will be assessed ahead of Munster's Investec Champions Cup game with Castres.
  
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• Davies returns to Scarlets as Jones departs

  13-01-2026 12:29 via bbc.com
  Scarlets appoint Nigel Davies as interim director of rugby until the end of the 2025-26 season to work with head coach Dwayne Peel.
  
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• Hearle to stay for two more years at Newcastle

  13-01-2026 11:59 via bbc.com
  Alex Hearle signs a new contract to stay with Newcastle Red Bulls until the summer of 2028.
  
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• Scotland prop Belisle retires from internationals

  13-01-2026 11:53 via bbc.com
  Christine Belisle says playing for Scotland has been her proudest honour as she retires from international rugby.
  
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• The Breakdown | Rugby is moving towards Moneyball-style data but value of flair remains

  13-01-2026 11:34 via theguardian.com
  Numbers may point towards a more formulaic product but there is plenty of evidence that risk and style can win outThe Six Nations championship is fast approaching but, ahead of rugby union’s beloved annual fiesta, two recent away club victories are worth contemplating. The first was Northampton’s stunning win at Bath last month with a supposedly weakened team: the sharp attacking angles, deft handling and speed of thought were supremely good. Then there was Bristol’s 60-point a
  
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• Tight-head prop Green signs new Northampton deal

  13-01-2026 11:31 via bbc.com
  Prop Luke Green becomes the latest Northampton Saints player to sign a new contract with the Prem leaders.
  
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• Player safety a priority in cancellation - Best

  12-01-2026 20:45 via bbc.com
  Ulster's general manager Rory Best says it is "unfortunate" Sunday's European Challenge Cup game in the Netherlands was called off.
  
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• Hull KR to face Yorkshire minnows in Challenge Cup

  12-01-2026 16:59 via bbc.com
  Challenge Cup holders Hull KR will make a trip to Castleford Lock Lane or Brighouse when they begin the defence of their title.
  
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• Northampton forward Graham latest to join Newcastle

  12-01-2026 14:30 via bbc.com
  Back-row forward Sam Graham will join Newcastle Red Bulls on a two-year contract, ending a four-year stay at Northampton Saints.
  
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• Hastings to join Montpellier from Glasgow Warriors

  12-01-2026 13:33 via bbc.com
  Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings will join Montpellier from Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season.
  
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• Hopkins among 11 uncapped players in Red Roses squad

  12-01-2026 13:04 via bbc.com
  England Under-20s wing Sophie Hopkins is among 11 uncapped players named in a 47-strong training Red Roses training squad.
  
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• Pollock boos a sign of respect - Saints boss Dowson

  12-01-2026 11:15 via bbc.com
  Northampton Saints boss Phil Dowson hails Henry Pollock's big-match temperament after his two tries in their Champions Cup defeat by Bordeaux.
  
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• Cardiff fans warn WRU against Ospreys takeover deal

  12-01-2026 07:46 via bbc.com
  Cardiff supporters tell the Welsh Rugby Union they do not favour their side being bought by owners of rivals Ospreys.
  
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• 'A weird and emotional day' - Tom Willis upstages brother as Saracens beat Toulouse

  11-01-2026 23:09 via bbc.com
  Saracens produce an outstanding performance in testing conditions to beat Toulouse 20-14 and all but secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions Cup.
  
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• Champions Cup key moments and qualification stakes

  11-01-2026 23:05 via bbc.com
  What were the key moments and qualification stakes after the penultimate round of pool games in this season's Investec Champions Cup?
  
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