Rugby news

• Promotion and relegation from Prem to be scrapped as rugby moves to franchise model

  27-02-2026 16:01
  RFU council approves change from 2026-27 season‘The professional game must evolve if it is to thrive’Promotion and relegation from rugby’s top flight is to be scrapped as part of a major restructure at the top of English club rugby after the Rugby Football Union council “overwhelmingly” voted to approve a move to a franchise model.From next season’s 2026-27 campaign, automatic promotion and relegation between the Prem and Championship will be replaced by a cri
  
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• Sports quiz of the week: Olympic heroes, world champions and Norwegian stars

  27-02-2026 09:00
  Have you been following the big stories in football, rugby, ice hockey, skiing, boxing, cricket and motor racing? Continue reading...
  
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• Birmingham City’s owners explore moving into rugby union and buying Prem franchise

  26-02-2026 23:44
  RFU due to confirm shake-up of rugby’s top divisionKnighthead Capital Management in early discussionsBirmingham City’s owner, Knighthead Capital Management, is among a number of American investors exploring the purchase of potential new franchises in Prem Rugby before a radical shake-up of the sport due to be ratified by the Rugby Football Union on Friday.The RFU council will vote at Twickenham on proposals to ringfence the 10-team Prem with no promotion or relegation until 2030, whe
  
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• Clare Balding’s 6ft 10in nephew made cheeky comment to Queen Elizabeth II during visit

  26-02-2026 12:34 via express.co.uk
  Clare Balding's towering nephew made an unexpected remark to the late Queen when they met.
  
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• Saracens’ salary cap penalty under scrutiny over conflict of interest claims

  25-02-2026 21:24
  Saffery Champness alleged to have been auditor for SaleSaracens were fined £5.36m and relegated in 2020Saracens will consider their position over an alleged undeclared conflict of interest at the centre of the disciplinary process into the 2019 salary cap scandal. The club were fined an unprecedented £5.36m for salary cap breaches over the previous three seasons and were relegated to the Championship, but the punishment has come under fresh scrutiny with these new allegations.Saracen
  
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• Steve Borthwick turns to 2003 World Cup heroes for Six Nations inspiration

  25-02-2026 19:31
  Blow as scrum-half Alex Mitchell is ruled out of campaignJohnson, Dallaglio, Leonard and co to dine with playersSteve Borthwick has turned to England’s 2003 World Cup winners to arrest his side’s drastic decline after enduring another setback with the scrum‑half Alex Mitchell ruled out for the rest of the Six Nations.Borthwick’s squad were due on Wednesday night to have dinner with members of the 2003 team, including the captain Martin Johnson, the Test centurion Jason Le
  
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• Huddersfield Giants bring in Zenon

  25-02-2026 15:23 via bbc.com
  Huddersfield Giants sign former Halifax Panthers outside back Tanguy Zenon on a deal until the end of the season.
  
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• England worse than Wales? - Six Nations half term report

  25-02-2026 10:19 via bbc.com
  At the halfway stage of the Six Nations, Rugby Special's John Barclay and Sam Warburton dish out their report cards for every team so far and give their predictions for what we could see in the rest of the tournament.
  
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• Uncapped Dragons forward tipped for World Cup call

  25-02-2026 07:04 via bbc.com
  Dragons forward Ryan Woodman has the ability to be world class and earn a Wales call for the 2027 World Cup, says coach Dale MacLeod.
  
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• Rugby player, 23, in a coma after being 'punched in the head' during match

  24-02-2026 21:02 via express.co.uk
  Noha Loubety, 23, is in a critical and life-threatening condition after allegedly being punched in the temple by an opposition player.
  
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• Mike Tindall rages at controversial Six Nations incident and slams 'idiotic' ball boy

  24-02-2026 20:46 via express.co.uk
  Mike Tindall has criticised a Welsh ball boy's role in Scotland's comeback victory over Wales in the Six Nations.
  
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• Yates signs on for two more years at Warrington

  24-02-2026 20:28 via bbc.com
  Australian forward Luke Yates signs a two-year contract extension with Warrington Wolves to stay at the club until 2028.
  
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• Worsley and Boshoff extend deals with Bristol

  24-02-2026 19:09 via bbc.com
  Bristol Bears fly-half Sam Worsley and winger Aidan Boshoff agree new deals to stay with the Prem club.
  
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• Hull FC's Pryce out for season with ACL injury

  24-02-2026 18:24 via bbc.com
  Hull FC full-back Will Pryce is ruled out for the rest of the Super League season with an ACL ligament knee injury.
  
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• Cardiff coach Van Zyl holds talks with Benetton

  24-02-2026 16:32 via bbc.com
  Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl holds talks with Benetton about taking over as boss of the United Rugby Championship club next season.
  
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• Sacked All Blacks coach Robertson to lead Barbarians

  24-02-2026 14:30 via bbc.com
  Sacked New Zealand coach Scott Robertson will return to rugby by taking charge of the invitational side this summer.
  
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• Eddie Jones blames Borthwick’s title talk for England’s Six Nations slump

  24-02-2026 13:32
  Former head coach unimpressed by France comments‘To look ahead for any team is fraught with danger’Eddie Jones believes England’s dramatic collapse in the Six Nations can be explained by Steve Borthwick’s overconfidence in looking ahead to a title decider against France before the tournament had begun.Successive emphatic defeats to Scotland and Ireland have undone the progress made during a 12-Test winning run and turned the round-four appointment against Italy in Rome on
  
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• The Breakdown | Six Nations half-term report: France are flying while England’s decline is steep

  24-02-2026 12:14
  Les Bleus have variety and gifted youngsters but, by contrast, Steve Borthwick’s men are predictable and flawedFrance (15 points) Three games played, three bonus-point victories banked and the title at their mercy. If they claim another four-try win at Murrayfield on Saturday week, they will secure the crown with a round to spare, setting up a rousing grand slam opportunity in Paris. Above all else, though, Les Bleus have illuminated this year’s championship with their pace and attac
  
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• Ireland defeat reminiscent of end of my era - Jones

  24-02-2026 12:10 via bbc.com
  Former England coach Eddie Jones says the team's defeat by Ireland left him feeling sick as it brought back memories of the end of his own time in charge.
  
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• Ramm to leave Saints for Western Force as he targets World Cup spot

  24-02-2026 11:02 via bbc.com
  Northampton Saints winger James Ramm will join Australian Super Rugby side Western Force on a two-year deal at the end of the Prem season.
  
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• Ex-Scotland full-back Murchie to join Wales as defence coach

  24-02-2026 10:26 via bbc.com
  Wales turn to a former Scotland colleague of Steve Tandy to fill their defence coach vacancy in time for the Nations Championship in July.
  
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• In-form McCloskey 'delivering' for Ireland - Ringrose

  24-02-2026 08:28 via bbc.com
  Ireland centre Garry Ringrose says that he feels "lucky" to play alongside the in-form Stuart McCloskey in this year's Six Nations.
  
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• Six Nations controversial incident sparks concern as rugby officials questioned

  23-02-2026 20:10 via express.co.uk
  Concern has been raised by campaign group Progressive Rugby over a controversial incident in the Wales vs Scotland Six Nations match.
  
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• Jamie George makes thoughts clear on whether Steve Borthwick has lost England stars

  23-02-2026 19:35 via express.co.uk
  England have suffered damaging back-to-back defeats in the Six Nations that have raised questions about Steve Borthwick's future as head coach.
  
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• Why are England suffering a Six Nations slide?

  23-02-2026 18:58 via bbc.com
  England's downturn in form has been steep and sudden. Why has their Six Nations campaign turned from Grand Slam dreams to a salvage job?
  
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• Oldham wing Russell leaves to join Catalans

  23-02-2026 18:03 via bbc.com
  Well-travelled winger Matty Russell joins Catalans Dragons from Championship club Oldham until the end of the season.
  
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• England expected to field second-string XV against Fiji due to travel schedule chaos

  23-02-2026 18:00
  Nations Championship involves 25,000-mile itineraryEngland to split squad in July and leave a team to face FijiEngland have been handed a gruelling 25,000-mile travel itinerary for their inaugural Nations ­Championship fixtures in July and are expected to split their squad and field a weakened team against Fiji as a result.As revealed exclusively by the Guardian, England’s match against Fiji – the week after they face South Africa in Johannesburg and the week before playing
  
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• Ireland's Lowe a doubt for Wales with groin injury

  23-02-2026 15:34 via bbc.com
  Ireland wing James Lowe is a doubt for the Six Nations game against Wales after he sustained a groin injury in his side's 42-21 victory over England.
  
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• Thomas among Wales players released and Davies out

  23-02-2026 15:33 via bbc.com
  Steve Tandy releases players for the next round of the United Rugby Championship but Rhys Davies is ruled out of the Six Nations.
  
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• Sale sign Loganimasi and Canakaivata for next year

  23-02-2026 14:54 via bbc.com
  Fiji internationals Ponipate Loganimasi and Elia Canakaivata will join Sale Sharks next season.
  
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• Hewitt ban adds to Giants' early-season problems

  23-02-2026 14:19 via bbc.com
  Huddersfield will be without suspended back row Sam Hewitt for Friday's Super League early-season basement battle at Castleford.
  
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• Three countries, 25,000 miles - England's daunting summer itinerary

  23-02-2026 13:56 via bbc.com
  England will take to the skies for their summer fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, posing difficult decisions for the team.
  
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• Is 'influential' Dupont back to his best?

  23-02-2026 12:51 via bbc.com
  Rugby Special's John Barclay analyses the "huge influence" Antoine Dupont had in France's 33-8 win over Italy, highlighting the scrum-half's vision and toughness.
  
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• Wakefield hold on for derby win over Huddersfield

  23-02-2026 11:29 via bbc.com
  Watch highlights as Wakefield Trinity hold on to win 18-16 at West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Giants in Super League.
  
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• England’s zombies have rapidly descended into collective brain fog in Six Nations | Robert Kitson

  23-02-2026 09:00
  After their poorest pair of tournament performances in years, Steve Borthwick’s project is inevitably under scrutinyThe band on the stadium concourse were playing a familiar tune in the immediate aftermath of England’s latest debacle on Saturday. “Zombie! Zombie!” the vocalist sang, ostensibly in tribute to Ireland’s record 42-21 victory at Twickenham. Alternatively he might just have been riffing on the horribly listless, blank-eyed performance that ended England&r
  
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• Ireland potential 'huge' after record win - Farrell

  23-02-2026 08:28 via bbc.com
  Head coach Andy Farrell says the potential in his current Ireland squad is "huge" after Saturday's historic Six Nations win over England at Allianz Stadium.
  
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• British rugby player hospitalised with 'unbearable' pain after falling in dog poo

  23-02-2026 08:00 via express.co.uk
  A Tondu RFC player spent two nights in hospital on an IV drip after a cut became severely infected due to dog mess.
  
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• Should Scotland's winning try against Wales have stood?

  22-02-2026 21:15 via bbc.com
  Rugby Special pundits John Barclay and Sam Warburton analyse Scotland's winning try against Wales and whether it should have stood.
  
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• England couldn't match Ireland intensity - analysis

  22-02-2026 20:01 via bbc.com
  Rugby Special pundits John Barclay and Sam Warburton are surprised by the nature of England's last two defeats in the Six Nations and feel Steve Borthwick's side couldn't match the "intensity" of Ireland at Twickenham.
  
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• France 33-8 Italy: Six Nations rugby union – as it happened

  22-02-2026 19:11
  France score five tries to one to blow Italy away and take comfortable lead at the top of the Six Nations table.Bad news for the mercurial 10. Although it’s hardly a downgrade as Ramos, who has found himself at first receiver this campaign, slots in at 10. Continue reading...
  
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• Walmsley scores double as Wakefield edge out Giants

  22-02-2026 19:05 via bbc.com
  Wakefield Trinity get their Super League season up and running as two tries from Lachlan Walmsley gives them victory at Huddersfield Giants.
  
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• Bielle-Biarrey and France power past Italy to keep Six Nations grand slam plans on track

  22-02-2026 19:03
  France 33-8 ItalyWing scores in eighth consecutive matchFrance pulled clear at the top of the table and kept their grand slam ambitions on track with a hard-fought win against Italy on Sunday.The Azzurri had unfinished business in Lille. It was two years ago in the northern city that Les Bleus, still in the midst of a post-World Cup hangover, escaped with a draw after being outplayed by the visitors. Continue reading...
  
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• Bielle-Biarrey and France power past Italy to keep Six Nations grand slam hopes alive

  22-02-2026 19:03
  France 33-8 ItalyWinger scores in eighth consecutive matchFrance pulled clear at the top of the Six Nations table and kept their grand slam ambitions on track with a hard-fought victory against Italy on Sunday.The Azzurri had unfinished business in Lille. It was two years ago in the northern city that Les Bleus, still in the midst of a post-World Cup hangover, miraculously escaped with a draw after being outplayed by the visitors. For the French, that quasi-defeat prompted a complete rejuvenatio
  
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• England to conduct ‘uncomfortable’ review of Six Nations defeat by Ireland

  22-02-2026 19:00
  George Ford: ‘We want to get to root of the problems’Second straight loss destroyed championship hopesGeorge Ford has vowed that England will conduct a “properly honest” and “uncomfortable” review of their Six Nations humiliation against Ireland on Saturday.The hosts collapsed spectacularly in the face of an Irish onslaught at Twickenham, falling 22-0 behind after half an hour, with Ford’s surprising inaccuracy at fly-half exemplifying an error-strewn te
  
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• Better right ideas than wrong results | Brief letters

  22-02-2026 18:54
  Labour’s plans | Scotland rugby | Bed-warming wheezes | Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor | It is hard to escape the conclusion that this government is not very competent (Starmer abandons plans to delay local elections in England in latest U-turn, 16 February). However, I prefer a government that tries to do the right thing but is not very good at it, rather than one which competently does the wrong thing.
  Laurence Gibson
  Stowe, Buckinghamshire• We in Scotland support our national rugby tea
  
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• France ease to bonus-point win over Italy

  22-02-2026 18:43 via bbc.com
  France score five tries on their way to a bonus-point win over Italy in Lille to take a four-point lead at the top of the Six Nations table after three games played.
  
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• France 33-8 Italy: Six Nations rugby union – live reaction

  22-02-2026 18:14
  Updates from 3.10pm kickoff (GMT) in Lille.
  Follow us over on Bluesky | And you can email Daniel.Bad news for the mercurial 10. Although it’s hardly a downgrade as Ramos, who has found himself at first receiver this campaign, slots in at 10. Continue reading...
  
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• France maintain Grand Slam dream with Italy win

  22-02-2026 18:05 via bbc.com
  France record a bonus-point win against a spirited Italy in Lille to maintain their bid for a Six Nations Grand Slam and back-to-back titles.
  
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• Toulouse beat Cas to continue good start

  22-02-2026 15:35 via bbc.com
  Watch highlights as Toulouse make it two wins from two in Super League with a 24-12 victory over Castleford.
  
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• Field scores twice as Wigan beat Hull

  22-02-2026 15:34 via bbc.com
  Watch highlights as Jai Field scores twice in Wigan's 34-6 Super League win over Hull FC.
  
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