Rugby news

• Champions Cup organisers defend format but consider changes next season

  19-01-2026 17:10 via theguardian.com
  Pool stages could revert to an October start‘The format is delivering,’ insists European rugby chiefThe organisers of the Champions Cup are looking to shift the start of the tournament back to October to add extra impetus to the pool stages. This year’s competition kicked off in December but there is collective support from coaches and clubs to commence their campaigns prior to the packed November Test window.The current structure and calendar slots are technically in place unt
  
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• Champions Cup roundup: Saracens face last-16 tie at Bath after defeat against Glasgow

  18-01-2026 22:49 via theguardian.com
  Saracens to play Prem champions after losing to WarriorsHarlequins defeat La Rochelle to help Leicester progressSaracens will travel to face Bath in the round of 16 after being beaten 28-3 by Glasgow in their final pool match at Scotstoun. Most of the points came in the first half, with the Warriors scoring three converted tries through Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn and George Horne while Saracens replied with an Owen Farrell penalty.Seb Stephen then rumbled over in the closing seconds of the match to
  
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• Trio through but Welsh clubs rue missed Euro chances

  18-01-2026 21:44 via bbc.com
  Scarlets are regretting missed chances in the Champions Cup while Cardiff, Dragons and Ospreys will have to travel in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.
  
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• Bath v Saracens and Leicester at Bordeaux - Champions Cup last 16

  18-01-2026 21:30 via bbc.com
  Bath will play Saracens in the last 16 of the Champions Cup, while Leicester travel to holders Bordeaux and Bristol face six-time winners Toulouse away.
  
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• Glasgow beat Saracens to set up Bulls last-16 tie

  18-01-2026 20:29 via bbc.com
  Glasgow Warriors continue their fine form in the Champions Cup with victory over Saracens to set up a home last-16 tie against the Bulls.
  
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• Harlequins knock out La Rochelle with stunning away win

  18-01-2026 18:44 via bbc.com
  Harlequins stun La Rochelle to claim a place and home advantage in the last 16 of the Champions Cup.
  
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• Todaro hat-trick seals Saints home last-16 tie

  18-01-2026 18:15 via bbc.com
  Impressive teenager Edoardo Todaro scores a first-half hat-trick to help seal Northampton Saints a home last-16 tie in the Investec Champions Cup and eliminate Scarlets.
  
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• Clovers claim bonus-point win over Glasgow Warriors

  18-01-2026 18:05 via bbc.com
  A strong second-half showing helps Clovers to a 57-31 victory over Glasgow Warriors in an entertaining Celtic Challenge game at the Affidea Stadium.
  
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• Chiefs rout Cardiff to seal home tie in last 16

  18-01-2026 17:19 via bbc.com
  Bachuki Tchumbadze scores an early double as Exeter Chiefs overcome a reshuffled Cardiff side to book a home tie in the last 16 of the European Challenge Cup.
  
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• ‘It felt amazing to be on the start line again’: the rugby pro who became paralysed – and is aiming for the Paralympic Games

  18-01-2026 17:00 via theguardian.com
  Aged 20, Taylor Gough had a car accident. Five years later, he’s hoping to compete in the 2028 Paralympics. How did he do it?From the age of 16, Taylor Gough’s body was a finely tuned machine. A professional rugby player who came up through the youth team at Leicester Tigers, his weeks revolved around training: heavy weights, tactical drills, contact sessions, cardio. “My body served a purpose and I ate to fuel it.”Then, aged 20, he woke up in hospital unable to move or t
  
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• Bielle-Biarrey hat-trick fires holders Bordeaux to Champions Cup victory at Bristol

  18-01-2026 16:25 via theguardian.com
  Pool 4: Bristol 15-27 BordeauxBielle-Biarrey lights up match to secure top spotThe odds on Bordeaux-Bègles successfully defending their Champions Cup crown shortened considerably on a damp, grey Sunday lunchtime in Bristol. Good sides can adapt their game to suit awkward conditions and, for the second weekend in a row, French class outflanked English energy and optimism with a hat-trick of tries from the spectacularly prolific French winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey.The Bears, seeking to play
  
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• Bielle-Biarrey hat-trick denies Bristol top spot

  18-01-2026 16:09 via bbc.com
  Bristol Bears miss out on top spot in their Champions Cup pool as Louis Bielle-Biarrey's hat-trick gives defending champions Bordeaux victory at Ashton Gate.
  
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• Wolfhounds pick up big win over Brython Thunder

  18-01-2026 14:50 via bbc.com
  Wolfhounds produce a rampant display in the Celtic Challenge to ease to a 69-0 victory over Brython Thunder at the Affidea Stadium.
  
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• Partington returns to Wigan on five-year deal

  18-01-2026 12:51 via bbc.com
  Wigan Warriors re-sign prop forward Oliver Partington from Catalans Dragons, with Kruise Leeming making the opposite move on loan.
  
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• Gloucester eliminated after home defeat by Toulon

  17-01-2026 23:34 via bbc.com
  Gloucester are out of the Champions Cup after a disappointing 31-14 home defeat to Toulon.
  
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• Connacht thrash Montauban to advance in Challenge Cup

  17-01-2026 23:21 via bbc.com
  Connacht score 11 tries in a thumping 75-14 bonus-point win against Montauban to secure a spot in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.
  
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• Away tie for Ospreys after loss to Montpellier

  17-01-2026 23:15 via bbc.com
  Ospreys will face an away tie in the Challenge Cup knockout stages in April after a 31-26 defeat by Montpellier in Bridgend.
  
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• Toulouse run 11 tries through ragged Sale as Thomas Ramos finds kicking perfection

  17-01-2026 21:04 via theguardian.com
  Pool 1: Toulouse 77-7 SaleBoth clubs are through to Champions Cup last 16 They are box office, of course. The team anyone would pay good money to watch. A collection of youngsters from Manchester were given the best seats in the house, as their magisterial hosts ran rings round them. This is Sale’s record defeat. This is Toulouse avenging their defeat to Saracens last week. Far older and uglier players than Sale could call on would have suffered similarly.Both teams qualify for the last 16
  
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• Munster out of Champions Cup after loss to Castres

  17-01-2026 21:00 via bbc.com
  Munster crash out of the Investec Champions Cup after losing an enthralling Pool Two encounter against Castres at Thomond Park.
  
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• Toulouse inflict Sale's record loss to avoid shock exit

  17-01-2026 20:42 via bbc.com
  Toulouse avoid a shock Investec Champions Cup exit by scoring 11 tries and inflicting Sale Sharks' record defeat.
  
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• World Sports Photography Awards 2026 winners revealed – in pictures

  17-01-2026 20:00 via theguardian.com
  More than 4,120 photographers from 123 countries submitted a record-breaking 23,130 images across the 24 categories to this year’s World Sports Photography awards, the only global competition for sporting photography.To see the silver, bronze and special merit images from all of the categories click here Continue reading...
  
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• Leicester hopes in the balance after Stormers loss

  17-01-2026 19:01 via bbc.com
  Leicester face a nervous wait to find out if they will progress to the Champions Cup round of 16 after a 39-26 defeat against the Stormers in Cape Town.
  
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• Leinster late show clinches home tie in last 16

  17-01-2026 18:30 via bbc.com
  Leinster seal a late 22-13 win over Bayonne to ensure that they win Champions Cup Pool Three and will enjoy home advantage in the knockout stages.
  
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• Ulster hold off Parisian fightback to win Challenge Cup pool

  17-01-2026 15:58 via bbc.com
  Ulster secure a top-spot finish in their Challenge Cup pool thanks to a nervy 26-19 win over Stade Francais in Belfast.
  
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• Lightning top table with bonus-point Edinburgh win

  17-01-2026 15:55 via bbc.com
  Gwalia Lightning's impressive Celtic Challenge form continued as they enjoyed a bonus-point victory over Edinburgh.
  
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• Dragons on brink of last 16 after thrashing Newcastle

  17-01-2026 10:43 via bbc.com
  Dragons beat Newcastle 35-12 in the Challenge Cup at Rodney Parade to move to within touching distance of the last 16.
  
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• Nine-try Bath thump Edinburgh to win Pool 2

  16-01-2026 23:33 via bbc.com
  Bath seal top spot in Pool 2 and a home last-16 match in the Investec Champions Cup with a nine-try thrashing of Edinburgh.
  
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• 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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• 'The only thing on the menu was duck' - Oghre relishing Bordeaux reunion

  16-01-2026 14:41 via bbc.com
  Gabriel Oghre spent five "amazing" months with Bordeaux-Begles in the Top 14. Now, the Bristol hooker is plotting their downfall in the Champions Cup.
  
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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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• World Cup winners Stratford and Hunt back to grind with coffee-shop venture

  16-01-2026 10:43 via bbc.com
  England captain Zoe Stratford and fellow Women's Rugby World Cup winner Natasha Hunt are continuing their teamwork by opening a coffee shop together.
  
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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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• Wales face thousands of empty seats for Six Nations as WRU react

  15-01-2026 09:31 via express.co.uk
  Over 72,000 tickets remain available across Wales' three Six Nations home matches at the Principality Stadium against France, Scotland and Italy.
  
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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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