Eddie Jones hailed the emergence of England’s new crop of rising stars for creating an “enormous competitive strain” on selection as his squad builds towards the 2023 World Cup in France. An injury-hit and Covid-affected England side rounded off this year’s fixtures with a morale-boosting 27-26 win over world champions South Africa at Twickenham at … Read more
France’s impressive victory over New Zealand on Saturday put down a marker for the hosts’ potential at the next Rugby World Cup. The sides will meet again on September 8, 2023, in the tournament’s opening game, also at the Stade de France. The win marked former skipper Fabien Galthie’s 20th game in charge after he took over … Read more
Veteran Peter O’Mahony has been called into the Ireland starting XV in place of the injured Jack Conan for their final November Test against Argentina at Lansdowne Road on Sunday. The 32-year-old O’Mahony will win his 79th cap as he slots in at flanker with Caelan Doris — man of the match in last weekend’s … Read more
British and Irish Lions centre Robbie Henshaw gets his first start for Ireland since recovering from a foot injury in their final November Test against Argentina on Sunday. The 28-year-old partners Garry Ringrose with Andy Farrell making four changes to the starting XV that lined-out for the impressive 29-20 win over New Zealand last Saturday. … Read more
France captain Antoine Dupont said on Friday their focus is on this weekend’s Test with New Zealand and not the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The next time the sides meet after Saturday’s game in Paris will be for the opening match of the tournament in less than two years’ time. Even the Webb Ellis trophy … Read more
Living in Belgium, playing for an English university’s fifth team and working in Argentina for a year is not the most orthodox route to facing the All Blacks. On Saturday, lock Thibaud Flament is set to make his third international appearance as France host New Zealand in a highly-anticipated dress rehearsal for the opening game … Read more
Romain Ntamack will start at fly-half for this weekend’s Test with New Zealand after featuring at centre throughout November, Fabien Galthie said on Thursday. Ntamack replaces Matthieu Jalibert in the No. 10 shirt with the Bordeaux-Begles playmaker dropping to the bench for Saturday’s dress rehearsal for the opening game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The 22-year-old … Read more
Josh Adams and Aaron Wainwright have been named in the Wales side that takes on Australia on Saturday in a boost for coach Wayne Pivac, who has had to juggle an injury-hit squad. Dan Biggar links up with Tomos Williams at half-back. Adams is selected on the wing after pulling out with a calf injury … Read more
Gregor Townsend has made seven changes to his side, with five of those in the forward pack, for Scotland’s concluding Autumn Nations Series match against Japan at Murrayfield on Saturday. Scotland are looking to return to winning ways after last week’s 30-15 defeat by world champions South Africa. This will be Scotland’s first match against … Read more
World Rugby announced a new global education campaign on Wednesday “to increase understanding of the importance of brain health” for players. The initiative, in conjunction with the International Rugby Players union, follows the revelation this month that former All Blacks prop Carl Hayman has early-onset dementia aged just 41. Hayman has joined a concussion legal action launched by ex-players … Read more
England fly-half George Ford will leave Leicester to join Premiership rivals Sale ahead of the 2022/23 season, the clubs announced on Wednesday. The 28-year-old, who has won 77 caps for England, has signed a three-year deal at the club, based in the northwest of the country. “It has been the most difficult decision of my … Read more
Ireland have to perform as well when they are favourites as they are to beat Argentina on Sunday as they did as underdogs in the 29-20 win over New Zealand last weekend, said captain James Ryan. The 25-year-old skippers the side, as he has done on several occasions since the 2019 Rugby World Cup when Johnny Sexton … Read more
Eddie Jones has confirmed the 2023 World Cup will be his final campaign as England coach, saying he has “never been so excited in my life” as he targets South Africa’s crown. It is the first time Jones, who has been in charge since 2015, has indicated that he will step down after the tournament … Read more
Jaques Rogge has spent 12 years as president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The organization announced on Sunday that Jaque has passed away at the age of 79. They have not revealed any details yet. After his presidency ended in 2013, his health was starting to weaken. “It is with great sadness that the … Read more
