Every story on the wire.
151 items · General · Reports
Rennie weighing Savea workload ahead of Springbok Tests
Dave Rennie says Ardie Savea may not start New Zealand's provincial warm-up matches in South Africa in August, with the All Blacks managing their captain's workload ahead of four Tests against the Springboks.
Rankings permutations: How Scotland could reach a new high and what South Africa must avoid
World Rugby's Round Two ranking permutations show South Africa's top spot is safe barring a 15-point loss to Scotland, while a Springbok defeat combined with an All Blacks win over Italy would hand New Zealand first place. Scotland could reach a new high of fourth with a win in Pretoria and a France loss in Brisbane.
Borthwick flags aerial game and discipline after England's fifth straight defeat
Steve Borthwick says England's 45-21 defeat in Johannesburg — their fifth loss in a row — highlighted ongoing problems with discipline and the aerial contest, with eight yellow cards now collected in five matches. George Furbank requires emergency surgery and misses the rest of the July window.
Furbank withdrawn from England squad hours before Ellis Park clash
George Furbank has been withdrawn from England's matchday squad ahead of their Nations Championship clash against South Africa at Ellis Park.
Ox Nche braced for Ellis Park scrum battle as England seek World Cup redemption
Springbok loosehead Ox Nche expects a fierce set-piece contest when England visit Ellis Park on Saturday for the Nations Championship opener. The visitors boasted the Six Nations' best scrum success rate and carry motivation from their 2023 World Cup semi-final defeat, with Ellis Genge describing that loss as an 'open wound'. Captain Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick dismissed suggestions the Springboks are outright favourites despite their world number one ranking.
Nations Championship explained: Format, conferences and SA's July fixtures
The Nations Championship is a 12-team cross-hemisphere tournament contested across the July and November windows. South Africa open at home to England on 5 July, followed by Scotland at Loftus and Wales in Durban.
Koch scores but Barbarians fall short as Wales edge 33-31 thriller
Wales beat the Barbarians 33-31 in a ten-try Twickenham thriller, with Vincent Koch and a two-try George North among the Baabaas' scorers. Wales record back-to-back wins for the first time since the 2023 World Cup ahead of their Nations Championship campaign against Fiji, Argentina and the Springboks.
Nations Championship launches as rugby's most significant structural shift since professionalism
The Nations Championship, a SANZAAR-Six Nations joint venture featuring the world's 12 strongest teams, launches imminently with July's 'Super Saturdays' and a Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium in London in November — billed as the sport's biggest structural development since professionalism.
Lake confirmed as Wales captain for Nations Championship, including Springbok clash
Dewi Lake has been confirmed as Wales captain for the Nations Championship, including their match against South Africa, after Jac Morgan's shoulder injury opened the door during the November 2025 series.
Lake confirmed as Wales captain for Nations Championship campaign, including Springbok clash
Dewi Lake has been confirmed as Wales captain for the Nations Championship, including the clash with the Springboks, after edging out Jac Morgan following the flanker's shoulder injury in November 2025.
Cullen to leave Leinster in 2027 as Nienaber's future draws scrutiny
Leo Cullen will leave Leinster at the end of the 2026-27 season, with the province already searching for his successor. Jacques Nienaber's contract expires at the same time, intensifying questions about his next destination.
World Rugby scraps home weighting from rankings calculations ahead of Nations Championship
World Rugby removes home weighting from rankings calculations from July 1, responding to the growing number of international matches played at neutral or out-of-country venues. South Africa remain top of the men's rankings on 93.94 points.
George North to end career in Barbarians jersey against Wales at Twickenham
George North will make his final professional appearance for the Barbarians against Wales at Twickenham on 27 June, joining a squad that also features Duhan van der Merwe, TJ Perenara and Tomás Albornoz.
George North to bow out in Barbarians jersey against Wales at Twickenham
George North will play his final professional match for the Barbarians against Wales at Twickenham on 27 June, capping a career of 121 Wales caps, four Six Nations titles, two Grand Slams and two Lions tours.
Fainga'anuku fibula fracture rules him out of Nations Championship and clouds Greatest Rivalry availability
Leicester Fainga'anuku's fibula fracture rules him out of the All Blacks' Nations Championship Tests and puts his availability for the opening Greatest Rivalry matches against the Springboks in serious doubt, shelving the hybrid back-row experiment the Crusaders had been building across the second half of the Super Rugby season.
World Rugby scraps home weighting in first rankings overhaul since 2003
World Rugby will eliminate home weighting from its rankings points calculation from July 1, 2026 — the first major change to the system since its 2003 introduction — citing the surge in Tests played at neutral venues, including the Springboks vs All Blacks Baltimore clash.
Fainga'anuku's broken leg rules him out of Nations Championship and clouds Springbok series availability
Leicester Fainga'anuku faces 10 to 12 weeks out after fracturing his fibula in the Crusaders' semi-final defeat to the Chiefs, ruling him out of the Nations Championship and casting doubt over his availability for the opening Tests against the Springboks.
Borthwick set to rest Itoje for England's July clashes with Springboks and beyond
Steve Borthwick plans to rest Maro Itoje for England's July Nations Championship tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, with the decision contingent on George Martin and Alex Coles coming through their weekend matches unscathed.
Nations Championship trophy unveiled ahead of July 4 kick-off
The Nations Championship trophy has been unveiled ahead of the tournament's July 4 start, with the 67cm, 15kg prize featuring a gold-plated globe design that reflects the competition's north-versus-south format.
Nations Championship trophy unveiled ahead of July 4 kick-off
The Nations Championship trophy has been unveiled — 67cm tall, 15kg, centred on a gold-plated globe — ahead of the tournament's July 4 kick-off, with 12 nations competing across two North-versus-South windows before a Finals Weekend.