Sale statement: Alex Sanderson contract extension
The Sharks’ 31-22 success against the Tigers lifted the Manchester outfit into third in the table with one regular season match …
Liam Heagney
11 May 2024, 1:46
Contributors
Liam Heagney
@heagneyl
A seasoned rugby journalist, Liam hails from Limerick and has covered World Cups, Lions tours, Six Nations Championships and European Cup campaigns since 2000. He became a content editor at RugbyPass in 2019 after joining from the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday in Ireland.
Billy Vunipola retained on bench as Saracens make four XV changes
The back-rower, who was a 57th-minute introduction last time out at The Rec on April 26, found himself tasered twice in a bar in M…
Liam Heagney
10 May 2024, 7:18
Semi-final citing hands Toulouse a Champions Cup final headache
The Argentine back was a 69th-minute replacement for midfielder Paul Costes but his part in finishing out the 38-26 semi-final vic…
Liam Heagney
10 May 2024, 6:43
James Coughlan poised to take charge at Biarritz – report
Olympique are a very different club these days from their Top 14 title-winning heyday of the mid-noughties, an era accompanied by …
Liam Heagney
10 May 2024, 5:21
Will Greenwood: ‘The RFU dropped a huge ball with us’
The 2003 Rugby World Cup winner has been coaching at grassroots level with Maidenhead and believes he can improve international-le…
Liam Heagney
10 May 2024, 4:32
RFU statement: Billy Vunipola issued with formal warning
The England No8 was arrested in Spain last week during a trip to Mallorca with Saracens.
Liam Heagney
09 May 2024, 10:30
Cancelled: Next month's Owen Farrell return to international rugby
It was just 13 days ago when the former England skipper announced he would end his recent Test sabbatical by lining out for an Ian…
Liam Heagney
09 May 2024, 12:38
Scarlets confirm exit of 13 players, two staff, four academy hopefuls
The Welsh region, who play their final home game of the 2023/24 season this Saturday versus Ulster, will lose a vast amount of Tes…
Liam Heagney
09 May 2024, 13:18
Exeter statement: The confirmed exit of Ollie Devoto
No indication was given about where the 30-year-old will move following his eight seasons at Sandy Park.
Liam Heagney
09 May 2024, 13:39
Dragons confirm nine departures, including exit of Sio Tomkinson
The list includes Sio Tomkinson, their 2022 Super Rugby Pacific signing, and Argentina scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou, a starter for…
Liam Heagney
09 May 2024, 8:40
Connacht confirm two signings from Leinster, including Ben Murphy
Scrum-half Ben Murphy – the son of interim Ulster head coach Richie – and dual-position prop Temi Lasisi have decided their ca…
Liam Heagney
09 May 2024, 8:13
The four No10s Fin Smith is currently taking inspiration from
The 21-year-old is enjoying his breakthrough year with England, having been capped twice off the bench during the recent Guinness …
Liam Heagney
09 May 2024, 6:43
Louis Rees-Zammit: Mahomes, route running, settling in at Chiefs
The 23-year-old has been living his American dream since he quit rugby last January to successfully participate in the internation…
Interview
Liam Heagney
08 May 2024, 6:30
Newcastle make a Pollard, Ford understudy their sixth new signing
The Falcons are rooted to 10th and last place in the current Gallagher Premiership campaign, but the capture of Wilkinson is the c…
Liam Heagney
08 May 2024, 10:22
'Bulls***': Ex-England international calls out Eben Etzebeth
It was last week when the Springboks talisman was interviewed on The Rugby Pod while he was in London ahead of the Sharks’ EPCR …
Liam Heagney
07 May 2024, 14:02
Stuart Hogg given court order, has trial date set – report
It emerged over the weekend that the former full-back was due to answer a domestic charge this week relating to an incident that t…
Liam Heagney
07 May 2024, 10:32
World Rugby confirms July referee list, including Springboks-Ireland
Thirty referees in total have been selected to take charge of 49 men’s internationals.
Liam Heagney
07 May 2024, 6:43
Fin Smith explains the Leinster 'chaos' that caught out Northampton
The Gallagher Premiership leaders found their way back from a 3-20 early second-half deficit to leave the URC side frantically def…
Liam Heagney
07 May 2024, 5:59
The 'most important' thing Leo Cullen said post-game about Leinster
There was even the frivolous revelation that Garry Ringrose is a Spurs fan, as is Cullen’s father, and that the May 25 final at …
Liam Heagney
05 May 2024, 4:30
Lawrence Dallaglio: 'A real problem and it’s only going to get worse'
It was in 2009, a year after his retirement from playing, when Wasps legend Dallaglio, the 2003 Rugby World Cup winner with Englan…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
05 May 2024, 4:27
Courtney Lawes: 'Disappointing thing is we didn’t really test them'
The 35-year-old had hoped to be leading his Saints out at Tottenham in the May 25 final in his final season at the Gallagher Premi…
Liam Heagney
04 May 2024, 17:12
Northampton player ratings vs Leinster | 2023/24 Champions Cup
Here, Leinster won again, but there was a world of a difference in how this 17-20 nerve-shredder unfolded in front of 82,300 enthr…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
04 May 2024, 14:57
The 'hug tackle' testimony Maro Itoje gave at disciplinary hearing
The England second row was sin-binned by referee Luke Pearce at the time, but he was later cited and had to attend a disciplinary …
Liam Heagney
03 May 2024, 10:21
Leinster change two, but Ringrose and Keenan remain absent
The Irish province swatted aside their French rivals, winning 40-13 after successive narrow defeats to Ronan O’Gara’s team in …
Liam Heagney
03 May 2024, 7:11
Harlequins keep the faith, changing just one of their match day 23
The Londoners beat off Gallagher Premiership leaders Northampton with a 41-32 win at Twickenham last Saturday.
Liam Heagney
03 May 2024, 7:32
The Dallaglio verdict on Saints, Quins in 'shot to nothing' semis
No English club has featured in the decider since Exeter lifted the trophy in the behind-closed-doors October 2020 showpiece again…
Interview
Liam Heagney
02 May 2024, 6:36
Championship bust-up sees ex-England hooker Cairns cop 12-game ban
The 45-year-old, who won his only Test cap away to South Africa in 2007, coached the Wirral club to promotion two seasons ago.
Liam Heagney
01 May 2024, 12:38
Lima Sopoaga: ‘We wish we left New Zealand sooner’
Then came that weekend, the sealing of promotion with the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks, the Division Three Tokyo club he signed for on…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
21 Apr 2024, 2:43
Eben Etzebeth has his say on who next Springboks captain should be
With Siya Kolisi, the skipper of the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning teams now based in France, there has been talk that Ras…
Liam Heagney
01 May 2024, 8:33
Alex Codling breaks silence, outlines his future after Newcastle
The 50-year-old ex-England second row had jumped at the opportunity to succeed Dave Walder, agreeing to become head coach at Kings…
Liam Heagney
01 May 2024, 7:45
RFU statement: Cited Maro Itoje 'free to play with immediate effect'
The 29-year-old was yellow-carded for his 29th-minute collision at The Rec, but he was subsequently cited and had to appear at a d…
Liam Heagney
01 May 2024, 6:00
Three Northampton signings, including a National League 2 back-rower
Luke Green, Fyn Brown and Archie Benson will join ahead of the 2024/25 campaign from San Diego Legion, Doncaster Knights and Lucto…
Liam Heagney
01 May 2024, 5:54
RFU statement: Maro Itoje cited for yellow-carded tackle
The second row collided with Alfie Barbeary approaching the 30-minute mark with his team 5-0 ahead in a match they were to win 15-…
Liam Heagney
30 Apr 2024, 6:36
The Springbok Eben Etzebeth calls ‘one of the hardest men in rugby’
The 33-year-old Mbonambi became a pivotal part of South Africa’s successful Rugby World Cup title defence in 2023 after Malcolm …
Liam Heagney
01 May 2024, 3:01
How 'goosebump tone-setter' has Fin Smith set for ‘hostile’ Leinster
Saints will visit the 82,300-capacity Dublin stadium, which is steeped in national symbolism as the site of the 1920 Bloody Sunday…
Liam Heagney
01 May 2024, 2:51
The post-game Ireland arrogance that left Eben Etzebeth in shock
South Africa were beaten 8-13 by the Irish in Paris but the defending champions from 2019 went on to retain their crown by defeati…
Liam Heagney
30 Apr 2024, 11:50
Dragons statement: David Buttress steps down as chairman
This vacancy will be filled by co-owner David Wright, but no replacement was named for the position of CEO with interim boss Grae…
Liam Heagney
30 Apr 2024, 9:34
Eben Etzebeth names 'biggest life achievement', issues Boks warning
The 32-year-old is currently in London preparing for the Sharks’ EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final versus Clermont at the Twickenham…
Liam Heagney
30 Apr 2024, 8:06
Newcastle sign 23-year-old identical twin props for next season
Tighthead Callum and loosehead Connor Hancock are currently involved with England Students, who take on France Universities this S…
Liam Heagney
30 Apr 2024, 4:41
Ben Woods: 'I don’t know a player that hasn’t had some struggles afterwards'
The pandemic wasn’t in the script when he transferred from Legion Sports Management in the summer of 2018. Neither was the colla…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
28 Apr 2024, 3:18
Maggie Alphonsi: 'With Joe Marler, the reality is that's social media'
For sure, her live appearance on the BBC will be a tad more glamourous pitchside at Stade Chaban Delmas rather than sitting in her…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
27 Apr 2024, 3:28
Test sabbatical over as Owen Farrell will take on France in June
The 32-year-old announced a Test rugby sabbatical away from England duty following the completion of last year’s Rugby World Cup…
Liam Heagney
26 Apr 2024, 7:03
Jannes Kirsten named for Bulls debut 11 months after Exeter exit
The 30-year-old, who notched a Heineken Champions Cup/Gallagher Premiership double in his first season in England in 2019/20, deci…
Liam Heagney
26 Apr 2024, 8:18
One change for six-in-a-row title-chasing England heading to France
The English, who are chasing a sixth successive championship title but a first with their Kiwi coach in charge, turned on the styl…
Liam Heagney
25 Apr 2024, 12:00
Son of a Wallaby legend set for Aussie Sevens debut in Singapore
The son of former Wallaby and Rugby World Cup winner David, Wilson is one of two changes to John Manenti’s side from Hong Kong.
Liam Heagney
25 Apr 2024, 16:55
Sixways statement: Financial collapse of Worcester owners Atlas
It was last May when the Jim O'Toole and James Sandford Atlas consortium became owners of the Sixways-based club that hasn't playe…
Liam Heagney
25 Apr 2024, 12:13
New Premiership salary cap report names best, worst paid positions
The document, which covers the 2022/23 season, is the third annual report to be publicly published by the English league’s admin…
Liam Heagney
25 Apr 2024, 12:48
Aaron Cruden explains the reason why he turned down Ulster
The 2011 Rugby World Cup winner is currently a free agent having returned to New Zealand last year to play for Waikato in the NPC …
Liam Heagney
25 Apr 2024, 10:37
Ireland change three following last Saturday's hammering by England
The Irish embarrassingly lost out 10-88 at Twickenham against the defending champions and the reaction for this Saturday’s third…
Liam Heagney
25 Apr 2024, 7:36
Wales alter four – all backs – for history-making game in Cardiff
The Welsh have lost all four matches so far in this year’s championship and they are set to finish last as they trail fifth-plac…
Liam Heagney
25 Apr 2024, 8:14
Scotland change three for Ireland, name two uncapped players as sub
The Scots bounced back from their round three disappointment against England to defeat Italy 17-10 in Parma last Saturday, a victo…
Liam Heagney
25 Apr 2024, 6:21
Rugby Australia statement: Melbourne Rebels' administration
The Rebels went into voluntary administration in January with Rugby Australia taking over their competition licence and covering p…
Liam Heagney
25 Apr 2024, 3:58
Steve Diamond: 'It was like going to a funeral for six hours'
The bottom-of-the-table Falcons slumped to their 15th successive Gallagher Premiership defeat this season, getting annihilated 85-…
Interview
Liam Heagney
24 Apr 2024, 13:04
The Newcastle update on the GB7s Olympics approach for Adam Radwan
The tournament at the Stade de France, which is set to see Antoine Dupont represent France and Michael Hooper play for Australia, …
Liam Heagney
24 Apr 2024, 11:17
Bristol confirm three new signings, including recruit from Leicester
A recent renaissance in results has fired the Bears into the end-of-season play-off positions, but they also believe they have rec…
Liam Heagney
24 Apr 2024, 7:15
The Owen Farrell conversations Lancaster is most looking forward to
Farrell, who took a Test rugby sabbatical following England’s bronze medal finish at the recent World Cup, is set to join Lancas…
Liam Heagney
23 Apr 2024, 5:31
Exeter Chiefs statement: The immediate effect exit of Jonny Gray
It was last December when RugbyPass reported that the Scottish forward, a 2020 Heineken Champions Cup and Gallagher Premiership do…
Liam Heagney
23 Apr 2024, 7:30
Wales Rugby League statement: Richard Hibbard appointed as new CEO
The retired 40-year-old, who toured Australia with the 2013 British and Irish Lions, enjoyed a stellar 19-year career as a union p…
Liam Heagney
23 Apr 2024, 6:51
Nemani Nadolo: 'Now I cut grass, do gardens, cut hedges for a living'
It was at the Hong Kong 10s the other week when RugbyPass caught up with the 36-year-old who had pitched up in the Far East to rol…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
21 Apr 2024, 3:02
Jaw-dropping attack stats and three other England talking points
They repeatedly smashed the 61-missed-tackles Irish, the last pass finally sticking in a sumptuous 14 tries to one Guinness Six Na…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
21 Apr 2024, 2:55
England: 'Only that style of rugby will bring people to watch us'
The English stretched their Guinness Six Nations winning streak to 28 with a swashbuckling 88-10 win over the outclassed Irish.
Liam Heagney
20 Apr 2024, 13:29
England player ratings vs Ireland | 2024 Guinness Women's Six Nations
Round four was the occasion when it all gelled, England winning 88-10 and scoring 14 tries in the process.
Analysis
Liam Heagney
20 Apr 2024, 11:33
RFU statement: 14-team Championship agreed in principle for 2025/26
Promoted Chinnor will join the current 11 clubs in next season’s league but the decision on how the Championship would jump to 1…
Liam Heagney
19 Apr 2024, 12:37
Five Six Nations changes for Wales, including a new cap on the wing
The Welsh were well beaten 5-36 last Saturday by Ireland in Cork and the response has been to alter four of the backline and one o…
Liam Heagney
19 Apr 2024, 7:20
The Nemani Nadolo verdict on Drua transformation of Fijian rugby
The franchise was originally launched in 2017 to take part in the Australian National Championship, but that participation was end…
Liam Heagney
18 Apr 2024, 13:40
Recall for skipper Marlie Packer as England change two for Ireland
Looking to win their sixth successive championship title, the English came away from Edinburgh last weekend with a 46-0 round thre…
Liam Heagney
18 Apr 2024, 11:00
Four changes for Scotland with Italy away next in the Six Nations
The Scottish boss was disappointed that his selection failed to fire a shot in their 0-46 home loss to England last weekend in Edi…
Liam Heagney
18 Apr 2024, 6:32
Two changes for Ireland for Six Nations trip to leaders England
The Irish snapped their recent championship losing streak with a commanding 36-5 win last weekend over Wales in Cork and they now …
Liam Heagney
18 Apr 2024, 5:54
The 'outstanding' Warren Gatland tribute to the retiring Ken Owens
The 37-year-old, who was his country’s most capped hooker, also worked with Gatland on two British and Irish Lions tours but he …
Liam Heagney
17 Apr 2024, 12:37
Montpellier explain giving troubled Mohamed Haouas 'a second chance’
It was last year when the 30-year-old had an impending three-year contract with Clermont ripped up following a court conviction fo…
Liam Heagney
17 Apr 2024, 9:11
Exeter confirm the exit of South African back-rower Aidon Davis
It was 2022 when the soon-to-be 30-year-old agreed to move to the Gallagher Premiership from the Currie Cup Cheetahs.
Liam Heagney
17 Apr 2024, 9:42
'It has left a sour taste': Lima Sopoaga hits out at changes in Samoa
Samoan officials told Mapusua earlier this year that he wouldn’t be kept on and the position has since been given to Mahonri Sch…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
16 Apr 2024, 13:50
Bath statement: The signing of Leinster lock Ross Molony
It was last December when Johann van Graan lost out to the Irish province in the race to sign Springboks forward RG Snyman, who de…
Liam Heagney
16 Apr 2024, 6:52
Stormers statement: The signing of lock JD Schickerling
Having debuted for the Cape Town franchise in 2016, Schickerling switched to the Far East in 2021 but will now return after agreei…
Liam Heagney
16 Apr 2024, 6:33
Red mist and three other talking points after England 'nil' Scotland
Scotland on Saturday was another example, the sold-out attendance of 7,774 being double the 3,988 at the Hive when England previou…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
14 Apr 2024, 2:57
Patrick Pellegrini: 'All these fans going nuts is a great memory'
Just a few weeks earlier, he was hidden away, performing in a Premiership Rugby Cup campaign. Then came the emergency call from Fr…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
14 Apr 2024, 3:52
The John Mitchell verdict on Amy Cokayne red in latest England win
The numerical disadvantage didn’t greatly impede the English – they ‘won’ the hooker’s 10-minute first-half absence 7-0 …
Liam Heagney
13 Apr 2024, 14:16
England player ratings vs Scotland | 2024 Guinness Women's Six Nations
It was an afternoon where the weather was four seasons piled into one, but the greasy/windy/rainy/sunny elements didn’t throw a …
Analysis
Liam Heagney
13 Apr 2024, 12:06
Jannes Kirsten: 'I got hit by the prop, he absolutely humbled me'
Kirsten played 80 Champions Cup/Gallagher Premiership matches across four seasons for Exeter, including a pivotal part in their 20…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
07 Apr 2024, 4:23
From a coma to Hong Kong 7s: The 'unbelievable' Abi Burton story
Great Britain player Abi Burton is another example of a player going from fighting for life to starring back out on the rugby fiel…
Interview
Liam Heagney
13 Apr 2024, 3:29
Leicester confirm 10 leavers list includes Wiese, Porter and Dolly
The exits of players such as Springboks No8 Jasper Wiese and Scotland midfielder Matt Scott were already known, while former Walla…
Liam Heagney
12 Apr 2024, 11:30
The ‘eyes on it’ reason why Tom Biggs is aiming for Thailand success
It was early last Sunday when RugbyPass bumped into Tom Biggs in the Hong Kong Stadium tunnel.
Interview
Liam Heagney
12 Apr 2024, 6:04
Ellis Genge criticises class divide, talent ID system in English rugby
He also queried rugby’s talent identification, taking issue that it could miss out on a player such as Alex Dombrandt who only s…
Liam Heagney
11 Apr 2024, 8:43
Two changes for Scotland, including return of the fit-again Skeldon
The Scots lost out 5-15 to France at home in round two of the Guinness Six Nations and they have now changed one of their backs an…
Liam Heagney
11 Apr 2024, 9:20
One change for Ireland, who also end exile of sub Cliodhna Moloney
The restoration of co-captain Edel McMahon in place of the absent Grace Moore is the only starting team alteration as Bemand has o…
Liam Heagney
11 Apr 2024, 7:50
Four changes for Wales as team named for Ireland Six Nations trip
The Welsh were beaten 10-46 by England at Bristol in their last outing and the response has been to alter two backs and two forwar…
Liam Heagney
11 Apr 2024, 7:21
Ronan O'Gara explains strategy behind La Rochelle visit to Cork
Cork to Dublin is a three-hour journey by bus but the former Munster and Ireland out-half preferred to take that approach for this…
Liam Heagney
11 Apr 2024, 6:34
'Fascinating continent' inspiring Simon Amor after his England exit
The tunnel area last weekend in Hong Kong was like a Formula One pit lane pre-race, a cosmopolitan melting pot of players and coac…
Interview
Liam Heagney
11 Apr 2024, 3:45
SA Rugby statement: Bulls' R4.1m travel arrangements
The Pretoria franchise defeated Lyon last Saturday in their round-of-16 tie at home at Loftus, but they didn’t know until the fo…
Liam Heagney
10 Apr 2024, 3:58
Perry Baker drops retirement hint despite wowing fans in Hong Kong
The USA legend is just months shy of his 38th birthday in June, but he reminded everyone at the weekend that he still has serious …
Interview
Liam Heagney
09 Apr 2024, 14:35
Nadine Roos' verdict on the latest South Africa last-place finish
The last time RugbyPass caught up with Nadine Roos, she was out the back of the tournament-hosting complex in Stellenbosch showing…
Interview
Liam Heagney
09 Apr 2024, 10:28
The 'special' Paris return Harry Glover wants after a 'crazy series'
It was July 2020 when the RFU informed him that contracts for the England sevens programme were terminated and it left the 2018 Ru…
Interview
Liam Heagney
09 Apr 2024, 5:57
Curious Ireland 'boys are frustrated getting bronze' Hong Kong verdict
Their team didn’t exist when David Nucifora pitched in Dublin in 2014 with a grand plan to get the Irish high performing across …
Interview
Liam Heagney
09 Apr 2024, 5:18
France issue Olympics warning after Dupont-less show in Hong Kong
Support for the French was abundant in the Far East decider but there was a franticness to their play in this sold-out decider com…
Interview
Liam Heagney
09 Apr 2024, 4:54
The blunt Baber verdict on fifth place Fiji's conditioning levels
The Welshman was at the helm when the Fijians successfully defended their gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Interview
Liam Heagney
07 Apr 2024, 23:00
'That killed us': The Ireland verdict on latest 7s semi-final loss
Five weeks ago in Los Angeles, the French narrowly won the last-four match 24-26. In Hong Kong, though, there was no tight finish …
Interview
Liam Heagney
07 Apr 2024, 4:14
Zac Ward: 'Ah, man, he’s the GOAT; I’ve said it from day one'
On Saturday, Terry Kennedy added to his legend, opening his box of tricks to eventually edge Ireland into the semi-finals at the H…
Interview
Liam Heagney
06 Apr 2024, 8:20
RECAP: Series leaders Argentina lose twice on Hong Kong 7s opening day
Los Pumas Sevens came into the weekend with the chance to become the men’s SVNS 2024 League Winners if they maintained their 20-…
Liam Heagney
05 Apr 2024, 10:58
RECAP: New Zealand, Australia, France faultless at Hong Kong 7s
All three sides have already secured their spots in Spain, but series leaders Australia have the chance to secure their top-two se…
Liam Heagney
05 Apr 2024, 11:14
'We really hurt them... that is what Springboks 7s stands for'
In Snyman, who debuted for the series-winning Blitzboks in 2008 and was an Olympic Games bronze medallist in 2016, they have a tem…
Interview
Liam Heagney
05 Apr 2024, 8:21
Great Britain's Alex Davis: 'Not how we planned our first day going'
Both sides lost twice during Friday’s opening day and now face a head-to-head to decide who keeps alive their chance of making t…
Interview
Liam Heagney
05 Apr 2024, 7:09
Ireland: ‘It’s just getting into the groove of all that again’
The Irish opened their campaign with a morning defeat against South Africa, a team they had beaten in the pool stages on the previ…
Interview
Liam Heagney
05 Apr 2024, 7:44
Vatemo Ravouvou: 'Hong Kong is like a home ground in Fiji’
The Fijians currently stand third overall in the 12-team 2023/24 series heading into the sixth leg in the Far East, but the quarte…
Interview
Liam Heagney
03 Apr 2024, 15:22
Kevon Williams: ‘Something pumping in the air… fans go wild’
Kevon Williams, the 32-year-old reared in Texas and New Mexico, has been involved with the USA since getting his initial chance in…
Interview
Liam Heagney
04 Apr 2024, 8:17
Britain skipper Robbie Fergusson: ‘It will be a hell of a journey’
Bagging a spare seat on a shuttle bus to the stadium across on the Island was the quest, with either Britain or Australia the opti…
Interview
Liam Heagney
04 Apr 2024, 2:28
Harry McNulty: 'The one thing I still haven’t done in my career'
When the accessories box was opened at the stadium, he dived in and wound-up wearing cat ears and a bow tie in the pictures that w…
Interview
Liam Heagney
04 Apr 2024, 2:11
Ireland player ratings vs Italy | 2024 Guinness Women's Six Nations
Not since April 2022, when Scotland were edged by a point in Belfast, have the Irish managed a victory in this championship and th…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
31 Mar 2024, 13:13
RFU statement: The Harlequins versus Bath Irne Herbst sin-bin
Bath boss Johann van Grann confirmed in the aftermath of his team’s 36-40 defeat that he had spoken with referee Anthony Woodtho…
Liam Heagney
31 Mar 2024, 6:29
The stark Six Nations warning issued by England boss John Mitchell
The English sit on top of the table with two wins from two following Saturday’s 46-10 win over Wales in Bristol.
Liam Heagney
31 Mar 2024, 5:05
England player ratings vs Wales | 2024 Guinness Women's Six Nations
John Mitchell’s England made it two wins from two in the Guinness Six Nations with an eight-try, 46-10 win over Wales in Bristol…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
30 Mar 2024, 15:03
Charles Piutau: 'You always saw that on the papers or the news'
It was tough going on Good Friday, his connection regularly lagging when speaking with RugbyPass about his latest rugby adventure,…
Interview
Liam Heagney
31 Mar 2024, 3:57
Bristol, you beaut, and three other England Six Nations talking points
Saturday’s defeat of Wales means they have now won 26 championship games on the bounce since March 2018, an incredibly consisten…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
31 Mar 2024, 3:30
'I said to Bruce...': The Bath message as fans finally dare to dream
Not since Bath last reached the final in 2015 has there been such optimism generated about the club last crowned champions of Engl…
Interview
Liam Heagney
30 Mar 2024, 4:54
'Until you have lived it and got burned, it’s very hard to react'
Having been in charge at Gloucester since the summer of 2020, you’d think he would have seen and experienced it all at Kingsholm…
Interview
Liam Heagney
30 Mar 2024, 4:11
Ireland change four as they look to end winless Six Nations run
The Irish opened their campaign with a 17-38 loss to France last weekend in Le Mans, a display where they received kudos for their…
Liam Heagney
29 Mar 2024, 8:27
Ardie Savea: 'It still stings not being able to win the World Cup'
We were ostensible online to chat about the World Rugby player of the year’s new Japanese adventure, a stint at the high-flying …
Interview
Liam Heagney
28 Mar 2024, 7:04
What Italy finally winning has done for Stephen Varney at Gloucester
It was the 2020 Autumn Nations Series when the soon-to-be 23-year scrum-half was first capped by the Azzurri but until the last tw…
Liam Heagney
28 Mar 2024, 13:15
'Gold': The glowing Bath verdict on Springboks prop Thomas du Toit
The Springboks front-rower joined the Gallagher Premiership club from the Sharks in Durban, and he has helped to transform the Eng…
Liam Heagney
28 Mar 2024, 12:32
Seven changes for John Mitchell's England in Six Nations round two
The defending champions eventually put Italy to the round one sword last Sunday in Parma, winning 48-0 despite the loss of Sarah B…
Liam Heagney
28 Mar 2024, 12:00
Wales change six heading to England for Six Nations round two
The Welsh were pipped 18-20 by Scotland in last weekend’s opening round and the reaction has been to change two of the starting …
Liam Heagney
28 Mar 2024, 8:39
Two changes for Scotland as they look to build on Six Nations win
The Scots got off to a flyer last weekend in Cardiff, beating Wales 20-18 and securing their highest-ever world ranking as they mo…
Liam Heagney
28 Mar 2024, 8:07
'Crikey': Son of league legend Martin Offiah picked by England U18s
Age-grade coach Jonathan Pendlebury has included the London and South Central academy winger in the 26-strong squad for the eight-…
Liam Heagney
27 Mar 2024, 11:27
George Skivington: The Zach Mercer 'ability you couldn’t coach'
Skivington believes in-form Mercer is still a potential Borthwick pick for the upcoming summer tour to Japan and New Zealand despi…
Liam Heagney
27 Mar 2024, 9:54
England No8 Sarah Beckett banned after leg-breaking croc roll tackle
The English forward was yellow carded 11 minutes into last Sunday’s opening-round match in Parma, but her foul play was upgraded…
Liam Heagney
27 Mar 2024, 7:33
Recent England A pick Rusi Tuima signs Exeter contract extension
The 23-year-old lock, who until this season played at back row, is part of the new guard making rapid progress at the Chiefs.
Liam Heagney
27 Mar 2024, 7:00
Career lifeline in France for George Tilsley after his Agen sacking
Following four seasons at Perpignan, the 32-year-old versatile back was signed by Toulouse last summer, but he never got to play f…
Liam Heagney
27 Mar 2024, 6:12
Exeter statement: Exit of Jack Nowell's brother Frankie to Australia
Jack's brother Frankie will travel further afield as he will look to fire up his career with a stint in the Australian Shute Shiel…
Liam Heagney
27 Mar 2024, 5:27
RFU statement: TMO reaction to alleged foul play against Owen Farrell
Ex-England scrum-half Austin Healey spotted a clear-out by Lewies while working as a co-commentator for TNT Sports at the top-flig…
Liam Heagney
27 Mar 2024, 5:02
Rugby Australia statement: Max Jorgensen signs new Waratahs deal
It also ensures his availability for the Wallabies whose upcoming schedule includes the eagerly awaited 2025 tour of Australia by …
Liam Heagney
27 Mar 2024, 4:24
The Gloucester verdict on the NFL progress of Louis Rees-Zammit
The ex-Wales winger quit rugby in January to take on a 10-week international player pathway crash course that could ultimately lea…
Liam Heagney
26 Mar 2024, 12:17
The verdict on England after 21 games with Steve Borthwick as boss
Having only been beaten by France with a monster last-minute penalty kick from the halfway line in Lyon, he just needed to leave t…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
24 Mar 2024, 4:28
Stormers statement: New CEO and a new role for John Dobson
It was last September when clubs in the region initially voted in favour of an equity deal that would take the province out of adm…
Liam Heagney
26 Mar 2024, 6:46
Jacques Nienaber explains a Springboks 'innovation' he won't forget
Jones, who joined the Boks as defence consultant in 2019, was working as attack coach when he and Nienaber went their separate way…
Liam Heagney
26 Mar 2024, 5:49
Irish rugby 'in another lifetime': Pizzas, beer and late to bed
White, who now has worked 30 years in the pro game in a variety of roles with multiple teams, recalled how he was the first full-t…
Liam Heagney
22 Mar 2024, 4:45
Toby Flood: 'Horrible and nasty' duo made difference for England
Steve Borthwick’s squad enjoyed a March renaissance which saw them upset the double Grand Slam-chasing Ireland and come within a…
Liam Heagney
21 Mar 2024, 10:11
Six changes for WXV3 champions Ireland, including one new cap
The Irish clinched WXV3 title success in Dubai in their last outing, coming from behind to defeat Spain 15-13 on October 28 and ro…
Liam Heagney
21 Mar 2024, 9:15
Jack van Poortvliet set to play first match since his England injury
The 22-year-had had been named on August 7 in Steve Borthwick’s squad for the finals, but his trip to France 2023 was scuppered …
Liam Heagney
21 Mar 2024, 8:38
The Sanderson theory on why George Ford still has his England critics
The recently-turned 31-year-old finished out the Guinness Six Nations with excellent performances versus Ireland and France.
Interview
Liam Heagney
21 Mar 2024, 5:51
Leicester statement: The signing of Wallabies midfielder Izaia Perese
The weekly RugbyPass transfers column explained that Tigers boss Dan McKellar had moved to strengthen his squad for next season wi…
Liam Heagney
21 Mar 2024, 4:22
Sale: Tom Curry could play before end of the season despite hip op
The England openside returned from the Rugby World Cup to learn that he required season-ending hip surgery.
Liam Heagney
20 Mar 2024, 14:14
'I've got a bottle of wine in the car and I'm off to Manu's house'
It was last February when the 32-year-old first told the director of rugby that he thought the time was ripe for him to move in fr…
Interview
Liam Heagney
20 Mar 2024, 15:17
Exeter statement: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso contract extension
The 21-year-old from Cardiff has enjoyed a coming-of-age season at Sandy Park and his winter exploits with the Chiefs vaulted him …
Liam Heagney
20 Mar 2024, 7:06
RFU statement: Doncaster eligible for Gallagher Premiership promotion
Doncaster have been cleared for Gallagher Premiership promotion provided they finish the current season as Championship champions …
Liam Heagney
20 Mar 2024, 10:12
England player ratings | The 31 players capped in Six Nations 2024
Eight players started in all five matches with two – Maro Itoje and Ben Earl – playing in all 400 minutes. There were 15 backs…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
20 Mar 2024, 8:48
Bayonne statement: Confirmed signing of Manu Tuilagi
The centre came off the bench in Lyon last Saturday night to feature for his country in their Guinness Six Nations match versus Fr…
Liam Heagney
19 Mar 2024, 16:23
Sale statement: Confirmed exit of England midfielder Manu Tuilagi
It was exclusively reported by RugbyPass last Saturday that the midfield powerhouse would stay on in France following that night…
Liam Heagney
19 Mar 2024, 14:29
Christopher Raymond: Meet the Kiwi with a Netherlands World Cup dream
For Raymond, a Sacred Heart College Auckland graduate, featuring across the Tasman in Australia in three years would be quite the …
Interview
Liam Heagney
19 Mar 2024, 14:08
John-Wessel Bell: 'We can give a lot to the world, we can shock teams'
The thrilling 11-try bronze medal clash with Romania hadn’t started well for the Spanish as they quickly fell 12 points behind. …
Interview
Liam Heagney
19 Mar 2024, 8:45
Ryan Godsmark: 'Big dream is to go to the World Cup' with Belgium
Fast forward 11 months and the work leave sacrifice wasn’t as onerous when RugbyPass touched base again with Godsmark.
Interview
Liam Heagney
19 Mar 2024, 6:13
Richard Cockerill: 'We're probably too good for this tournament'
Cockerill shared a few minutes with RugbyPass to run the rule over a Rugby Europe Championship campaign well done with Georgia and…
Interview
Liam Heagney
18 Mar 2024, 4:29
Declan Danaher: 'Not bitter... those were 24 pretty cool years'
These past few weeks have been a sort of belated homecoming for Declan Danaher, the 44-year-old Londoner who has pitched up in Dub…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
17 Mar 2024, 6:00
Live blog: Rugby Europe Championship 2024 finals in Paris
For the first time, tournament organisers have decided to stage all the last-round matches at a single venue rather than at scatte…
Liam Heagney
17 Mar 2024, 8:23
The bold hunch Jamie George has about 'huge strides' England
England were ahead until the final minute in Lyon, falling to a 31-33 defeat from a monster Thomas Ramos penalty kick from halfway…
Liam Heagney
17 Mar 2024, 4:30
Steve Borthwick: 'We weren’t beaten, we just ran out of time'
The English were on the cusp of nailing their first away win over France since 2016 but their 31-30 lead was snatched from them in…
Liam Heagney
17 Mar 2024, 4:42
Electric attack and three other third-place England talking points
RugbyPass never imagined it would be sitting on a train pulling out of Lyon on Sunday morning filing a tournament-finishing piece …
Analysis
Liam Heagney
17 Mar 2024, 3:38
England player ratings vs France | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
England player ratings live from Groupama Stadium in Lyon: This was yet another Guinness Six Nations classic, a seven-try, 64-poin…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
16 Mar 2024, 17:50
Agony for Ireland as a gutsy England clinch Six Nations U20s title
The Irish closed out a hard-fought five-try, 36-0 win over Scotland in Cork, their last three tries coming in the closing 10 minut…
Liam Heagney
15 Mar 2024, 18:01
England U20s' Henry Pollock: 'Brotherhood aspect has been thriving'
It’s gone swimmingly for the youngster who only turned 19 in January, but he certainly isn’t the type to get carried away. Pub…
Interview
Liam Heagney
15 Mar 2024, 9:46
The Feyi-Waboso absence and three other England team talking points
Last weekend’s ambush of Ireland guaranteed that they will finish the tournament with more wins than losses for the first time s…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
14 Mar 2024, 12:43
One XV change as England visit France; Tuilagi also named on bench
The English burst into life in their head coach’s 20th game in charge, ending Irish hopes of back-to-back Guinness Six Nations G…
Liam Heagney
14 Mar 2024, 10:00
France name an unchanged line-up to take on England in Lyon
The French gave their disappointing campaign a boost with their 45-24 success in Cardiff and the reaction ahead of welcoming the E…
Liam Heagney
14 Mar 2024, 6:43
Two changes to the Scotland XV and bench altered to a 5-3 split
Their 29-31 Stadio Olimpico setback quashed that ambition and rather than go to Dublin with a title shot, they will contest the mi…
Liam Heagney
14 Mar 2024, 9:10
Ireland name same starting team but abandon the six/two bench split
A last-gasp 22-23 loss on London put an end to Irish hopes of going for an unprecedented back-to-back Guinness Six Nations Grand S…
Liam Heagney
14 Mar 2024, 10:04
Gloucester statement: The signing of Christian Wade from Racing
It was February 27 when we first published the rumour that the former England winger was being lined up for a switch to Kingsholm …
Liam Heagney
13 Mar 2024, 15:22
'Fearless, brave': From National One to a first England U20s start
It was ahead of the round two match at home to Wales in Bath when Makepeace-Cubitt came in from the cold of English third-tier rug…
Interview
Liam Heagney
13 Mar 2024, 14:11
Title-chasing England U20s change four, include two new starters
The English were denied a shot at the Grand Slam by Ireland’s last-gasp, game-levelling converted try at The Rec last Friday.
Liam Heagney
13 Mar 2024, 10:16
Two changes for Ireland U20s in hunt for Six Nations title hat-trick
The Irish kept alive their hopes of securing a third successive Six Nations age-grade title by scoring a clock-in-the-red try to d…
Liam Heagney
13 Mar 2024, 13:37
Four changes for Wales for the wooden spoon game versus Italy
The Welsh were beaten 24-45 by the French in Cardiff last Sunday and their reaction for the wooden spoon encounter versus the Ital…
Liam Heagney
13 Mar 2024, 7:40
Dylan Hartley: 'Watershed' England win, 'inspirational' Jamie George
The retired Test captain was there in person, lapping it all up – and he wouldn’t change a thing. Not even the dramatic way th…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
12 Mar 2024, 5:11
Lood de Jager: 'I'm very thankful, it could have ended terribly'
Seven months ago there were grave fears that the Springbok lock’s stellar career might have suddenly abruptly ended at the age o…
Interview
Liam Heagney
12 Mar 2024, 6:50
Hartley tackles boring England narrative, George Ford at No10
Former England skipper Dylan Hartley has taken issue with accusations that Steve Borthwick’s team is boring but added that a sta…
Liam Heagney
06 Mar 2024, 5:34
England squad update: One change as Cunningham-South is ruled out
The soon-to-be 21-year-old back-rower had played off the bench in all four of England’s matches so far in the 2024 championship.
Liam Heagney
10 Mar 2024, 13:30
Joel Kpoku: 'It’s a contact sport, not touch... I got stuck in'
It was winter 2021 when the ex-England U20s lock quit Saracens for a leap into the unknown, a lockdown flight out of London into L…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
10 Mar 2024, 4:45
Steve Borthwick names the three things that won it for England
Another dispiriting loss and the increased chance of a fourth successive two-wins-from-five Guinness Six Nations campaign – the …
Liam Heagney
10 Mar 2024, 7:09
Why England's Jamie George was 'in awe of the boys on the field'
It’s been a crippling few weeks for the new English skipper. His mother Jane, a massive rugby fan, tragically passed away in mid…
Liam Heagney
10 Mar 2024, 6:56
Fight of Earl and three other England beating Ireland talking points
Beating Ireland, European rugby’s long-established international rugby entertainers, was no mean feat. Even more fantastic was t…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
10 Mar 2024, 3:07
Borthwick: Clash with Farrell and what pleased him most about England
England boss Steve Borthwick has played down his half-time incident with Ireland coach Andy Farrell.
Liam Heagney
09 Mar 2024, 16:16
England player ratings vs Ireland | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
England player ratings live from Twickenham: Incredible, simply incredible. England weren’t given a hope in hell of causing an u…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
09 Mar 2024, 13:59
Six Nations statement: Fixtures confirmed for 2025 men’s championship
Tournament officials have confirmed that next year’s competition will open in Paris next January with France hosting Wales in a …
Liam Heagney
09 Mar 2024, 8:45
'Fair contest in the air, it shouldn’t have been a penalty'
The English looked to have won it late on, Ben Waghorn seeing his 77th-minute try brilliantly converted from the touchline by Sean…
Interview
Liam Heagney
09 Mar 2024, 4:33
U20s title down to the wire after thrilling England-Ireland draw
Friday night at The Rec embellished this consensus, the quality of the edge-of-seat action igniting an electric atmosphere for the…
Liam Heagney
08 Mar 2024, 16:23
'The end of the game shows the character that is in this team'
The Irish only managed a 32-all draw away to England in Bath, but scratching the surface of that stalemate they were the team that…
Interview
Liam Heagney
09 Mar 2024, 5:54
Unbeaten England U20s finding it 'very difficult to be too picky'
Defending champions Ireland are in town looking to get stuck into their hosts and England head coach Markl Mapletoft can’t wait …
Interview
Liam Heagney
08 Mar 2024, 7:20
Ben Redshaw: 'The way the boys looked up to Farrell was special'
The plan four months out from his 19th birthday was to get used to academy life at Newcastle under new boss Alex Codling, not to h…
Interview
Liam Heagney
08 Mar 2024, 3:10
'The dark arts of causing as much havoc as he possibly can'
McCarthy’s career has taken off like a rocket since he secured inclusion as a fringe player in Farrell’s Rugby World Cup squad…
Liam Heagney
08 Mar 2024, 2:58
'First time in a while I’d seen weight of shirt feel heavy on players'
The English had gone to Edinburgh last month looking to confidently build on their best start to the championship since 2019.
Liam Heagney
08 Mar 2024, 2:45
England explain continued backing of George Furbank at full-back
The Northampton No15 was a shock inclusion to face Scotland last month, his first Test selection in two years.
Liam Heagney
08 Mar 2024, 2:36
The curious Andy Farrell claim about 'fantastic side' England
The English saw their rare unbeaten start to the championship blown to smithereens in Scotland the last day and now they face the …
Liam Heagney
07 Mar 2024, 14:16
The U18 academy report on Danny Care, England’s latest Test centurion
the Harlequins No9 has been named on the Twickenham bench for Saturday’s visit by the Irish.
Liam Heagney
07 Mar 2024, 13:48
The Immanuel Feyi-Waboso reaction to getting first England start
The 21-year-old had announced himself on the international scene with a try-scoring effort off the February 24 bench against Scotl…
Liam Heagney
07 Mar 2024, 13:01
'Best in the world': The Steve Borthwick verdict on Farrell's Ireland
The Irish were eliminated in the quarter-finals in France, losing out to the All Blacks in a tournament where Borthwick’s Englis…
Liam Heagney
07 Mar 2024, 10:40
Ireland explain 'freak' James Ryan injury, excluding Garry Ringrose
A round two starter versus Italy, the lock provided bench cover behind Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne in the wins over France and W…
Liam Heagney
07 Mar 2024, 9:18
Three changes for England, including a first start for Feyi-Waboso
The English had their best start to the championship since 2019 ruined by their 21-30 round three loss to Scotland in Edinburgh on…
Liam Heagney
07 Mar 2024, 9:00
One XV change for Ireland versus England, three bench alterations
With selection favourite Hugo Keenan now back to full fitness following the knee injury sustained against Italy in round two, Farr…
Liam Heagney
07 Mar 2024, 9:00
Four changes for Ireland U20s, including an entire new front row
The Irish were far too good last time out for the Wesh in Cork but that hasn’t prevented head coach Richie Murphy from altering …
Liam Heagney
06 Mar 2024, 12:33
Four changes for Wales and a positional switch for skipper Jenkins
The Welsh lost out 7-31 at Aviva Stadium on February 24 and they now go in against the French at Principality Stadium with an enti…
Liam Heagney
06 Mar 2024, 6:39
Unbeaten England U20s change five for visit of title rivals Ireland
The English were 30-17 winners away to Scotland the last time out, but they have now bolstered their side with some recalls, enfor…
Liam Heagney
06 Mar 2024, 9:21
Toby Flood wants George Ford to start, queries Ben Earl's weight
Former England out-half Toby Flood has given his verdict on the George Ford-Marcus Smith selection dilemma Steve Borthwick is faci…
Liam Heagney
06 Mar 2024, 11:35
Ex-England player likens 'destructive' van der Merwe to Jonah Lomu
England felt the wrath of van der Merwe on February 24 as he became the first Scottish player to score a try hat-trick in the Calc…
Liam Heagney
06 Mar 2024, 10:59
The Rassie Erasmus verdict on first 2024 Springboks coaches meeting
The 2023 SA Rugby director of rugby has taken over as head coach following the post-Rugby World Cup exit of Jacques Nienaber to Le…
Liam Heagney
05 Mar 2024, 8:47
Leinster lock Ross Molony poised for Premiership switch – report
Bath won’t be left empty-handed by Leinster’s recent signing of RG Snyman as they are reportedly poised to snap up Ross Molony…
Liam Heagney
05 Mar 2024, 8:18
Zach Mercer, Billy Vunipola again linked with Top 14 moves – report
Out-of-favour England No8s Zach Mercer and Billy Vunipola have both been linked with transfers to the Top 14 for the 2024/25 seaso…
Liam Heagney
05 Mar 2024, 5:33
Three changes to England squad, including return of Smith, Mitchell
Smith and Mitchell were with the squad in the north of England last week but weren’t officially part of the 36 as they were list…
Liam Heagney
03 Mar 2024, 13:00
Simon Raiwalui: 'Straight in the fire, I've been around the world'
He brilliantly guided Fiji last October to their first Rugby World Cup quarter-final appearance in 16 years and is now in the earl…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
03 Mar 2024, 4:00
The Super Round players who have caught the eye of Joe Schmidt
The New Zealander officially began work this weekend in a job he is contracted to do through to the completion of the 2025 British…
Liam Heagney
02 Mar 2024, 5:25
Glasgow statement: Six Nations campaign over for Sione Tuipulotu
The 27-year-old limped out of last weekend’s Calcutta Cup win over England, exiting the action at Scottish Gas Murrayfield short…
Liam Heagney
01 Mar 2024, 15:13
Exeter statement: Tony Rowe and the alleged 'fading dynasty'
The 2020 Gallagher Premiership and European Cup double winners endured an underwhelming 2022/23 campaign, finishing seventh in the…
Liam Heagney
01 Mar 2024, 12:13
Leinster find a different position for out-half Harry Byrne
The 24-year-old has started 35 times in his 60 appearances for the Irish province and has nearly always been named at fly-half.
Liam Heagney
01 Mar 2024, 10:26
Gloucester back-rower Harry Taylor makes loan switch
The immediate effect switch from the Gallagher Premiership will enable the 22-year-old to go straight into the team for a start in…
Liam Heagney
01 Mar 2024, 7:34
Andy Farrell's Ireland transformation ain't 'skin' deep
It’s been quite the twelve months in the making of Ireland coach Andy Farrell as a genuine Test team boss in his own right.
Opinion
Liam Heagney
27 Feb 2022, 3:49
World Rugby statement: Five Shape of the Game 2024 recommendations
The latest World Rugby Shape of the Game forum in London has put forward five recommendations for 2024 – speed and flow, languag…
Liam Heagney
29 Feb 2024, 15:23
Nigel Owens wades into Italy missed kick debate and Danty red card
Nigel Owens has reviewed the drama of Italy’s Paolo Garbisi missing his last-gasp penalty kick to beat France and the red card t…
Liam Heagney
29 Feb 2024, 13:26
The Ireland injury update and what they make of Borthwick's England
The Irish are two wins away from completing their historic first back-to-back Grand Slam campaigns in the Guinness Six Nations. St…
Liam Heagney
29 Feb 2024, 8:22
Glasgow Warriors statement: Huw Jones' contract extension
The centre had been linked with a trip to France this week with Montpellier looking to bring him to the Top 14 for the 2024/25 sea…
Liam Heagney
28 Feb 2024, 17:34
Feyi-Waboso missing as England make two training squad changes
Having had a few days’ break since that Scottish Gas Murrayfield defeat, Borthwick has now updated his options for the fallow we…
Liam Heagney
28 Feb 2024, 8:15
The 15 England players yet to play a single minute in this Six Nations
The question on the minds of English fans will be what the head coach can do to quickly improve his team for their round four Guin…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
28 Feb 2024, 9:07
The Simon Raiwalui verdict on the reimagined Pacific Nations Cup
Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the USA will be guaranteed a minimum of three Tests and one home fixture, boosting developme…
Liam Heagney
28 Feb 2024, 4:12
Ban means Jonathan Danty will miss the rest of the Six Nations
The La Rochelle centre was initially yellow carded in Lille, but his foul play was upgraded to red during the interval and he didn…
Liam Heagney
27 Feb 2024, 13:01
La Rochelle confirm 10 contract extensions, including Jack Nowell
Among the quartet that have committed to the Top 14 club until 2029 is France No8 Gregory Alldritt, who sat out last Sunday’s Gu…
Liam Heagney
27 Feb 2024, 12:37
Ollie Hassell-Collins claims he'd 'never' turn down Wales – report
The Leicester back debuted for England in last year’s Guinness Six Nations opener at home to Scotland and he also started the fo…
Liam Heagney
27 Feb 2024, 10:03
Steve Boden breaks silence over why he quit Doncaster – report
The Yorkshire club were placed second behind Ealing Trailfinders in the Championship, but Boden has now stepped away after three a…
Liam Heagney
27 Feb 2024, 8:15
Sale statement: Signing of 'loves to bang hard' 134kg Le Roux Roets
The Gallagher Premiership club developed a habit under former director of rugby Steve Diamond for recruiting South Africans and th…
Liam Heagney
27 Feb 2024, 6:10
'Steve's seen something': England A verdict on Charlie Atkinson
The 22-year-old was a Christmas Eve arrival at Kingsholm from Leicester and despite only playing one match so far with his latest …
Liam Heagney
25 Feb 2024, 6:00
'Amazing trip; I learned how to tour with a senior men’s team'
Charlie Ewels was involved in the last game that his country played at A level, the Saxons’ 2016 tour win over South Africa A in…
Liam Heagney
25 Feb 2024, 3:47
Jamie George's warning to Ireland despite England flop in Scotland
England's recent winning streak was ripped asunder by the clinical finishing of Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe, who bagged a …
Liam Heagney
25 Feb 2024, 3:36
Townsend: Why 'amazing' van der Merwe achievement won't beat last year
The 28-year-old South African is developing a habit of scoring in the world’s oldest rugby international fixture, his record now…
Liam Heagney
25 Feb 2024, 3:22
Four England talking points after their abject defeat in Scotland
Saturday was a brutal reminder that England remain a second-rate Guinness Six Nations team despite their Rugby World Cup bronze.
Analysis
Liam Heagney
25 Feb 2024, 3:04
'Painful lesson': The Steve Borthwick verdict on wounding England loss
Ten points up, England defensively wilted, enabling Duhan van der Merwe to grab the try hat-trick that allowed the Scots to close …
Liam Heagney
24 Feb 2024, 16:04
England player ratings vs Scotland | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
Player ratings: England title notions got a very rude awakening with this deflating 21-30 defeat in Scotland.
Analysis
Liam Heagney
24 Feb 2024, 13:55
The Skivington message for England A fans after eight-year absence
Not since the 2016 Saxons tour to South Africa have England fielded at A team level.
Liam Heagney
24 Feb 2024, 5:45
What England A expect from 'let me do my thing' Alfie Barbeary
The 23-year-old was initially set to miss this Sunday’s fixture versus Portugal at Mattioli Woods Welford Road through suspensio…
Liam Heagney
24 Feb 2024, 4:47
Northampton statement: Courtney Lawes signs for Brive
The England centurion, who retired from international rugby at the end of the recent Rugby World Cup, had been tipped in recent we…
Liam Heagney
23 Feb 2024, 12:00
Rassie Erasmus tweets clarification about his first Springboks camp
Erasmus named a 43-strong squad last Monday to attend a two-day camp in Cape Town from March 5.
Liam Heagney
23 Feb 2024, 7:44
France change two, give first start to 19-year-old Posolo Tuilagi
Fabien Galthie has made two changes to his France team to host Italy in Lille on Sunday, including giving the 19-year-old Posolo T…
Liam Heagney
23 Feb 2024, 6:34
Five Test players named in England A team, including Charlie Ewels
England have named an A team to take Portugal this Sunday in Leicester that includes eight players – including skipper Charlie E…
Liam Heagney
23 Feb 2024, 5:36
Four England talking points after Steward-less team named for Scotland
Most surprising of all was Borthwick’s decision to axe Freddie Steward and award George Furbank his first cap in two years. That…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
22 Feb 2024, 13:43
George Furbank starts for axed Steward as England make five changes
The full-back was originally axed for last October’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final win over Fiji in Marseille, the No15 shirt be…
Liam Heagney
22 Feb 2024, 10:00
Three changes for Scotland as Townsend names team to host England
Scotland will look to get their Guinness Six Nations campaign back on track versus England on Saturday with an XV containing three…
Liam Heagney
22 Feb 2024, 8:39
England explain two 'great changes' in Chandler Cunningham-South
The soon-to-be 21-year-old emigrated with his family to New Zealand at the age of four, returning 14 years later following an acad…
Liam Heagney
22 Feb 2024, 7:34
The Dylan Hartley verdict on the Finn Russell danger for England
The retired hooker’s old team head to Edinburgh on Saturday looking to extend their winning streak in the 2024 Guinness Six Nati…
Liam Heagney
22 Feb 2024, 5:03
TNT Sports clinch deal to broadcast Antoine Dupont's HSBC SVNS debut
The France men’s XV skipper decided last December to take a Test rugby sabbatical to play for his country at the upcoming Olympi…
Liam Heagney
20 Feb 2024, 5:51
England squad update: Harry Randall among four players released
Steve Borthwick has cut four players from his Guinness Six Nations squad for next Saturday’s round three match in Scotland, rele…
Liam Heagney
20 Feb 2024, 13:48
Newcastle statement: The immediate effect exit of Mateo Carreras
Newcastle have permitted the Argentina winger to exit the Gallagher Premiership for the Top 14 with immediate effect.
Liam Heagney
20 Feb 2024, 13:18
'Scotland by 10': Ex-England player criticises 'data-driven' Borthwick
The English have won their opening two matches in the championship for the first time since 2019 and they now go to Edinburgh look…
Liam Heagney
20 Feb 2024, 7:10
Wales make one XV change for Ireland, alter three of their bench
The Welsh went down 14-16 at Twickenham on February 10, their second consecutive loss in this year’s tournament.
Liam Heagney
20 Feb 2024, 6:07
Huge blow for England as Alex Mitchell ruled out versus Scotland
First-choice England scrum-half Alex Mitchell has been ruled out of next Saturday’s round three Guinness Six Nations game away t…
Liam Heagney
18 Feb 2024, 12:00
What England A selection could do for 'powerful athlete' Tarek Haffar
Three Saints players – front-rower Haffar, Test-capped back-rower Tom Pearson and winger Ollie Sleightholme – were named last …
Liam Heagney
18 Feb 2024, 6:00
Vesty: 'I’m probably not a great example of it, I only got a couple'
The Northampton head coach only made two senior international appearances – versus Argentina in 2009 under Martin Johnson.
Liam Heagney
18 Feb 2024, 6:30
Conor O'Shea: 'What Steve did in a short sprint was incredible'
Conor O’Shea was like a circus ringmaster last Thursday, enthusiastically jumping on a Zoom call with a host of media representa…
Interview
Liam Heagney
18 Feb 2024, 4:09
The latest RFU update on 'agreed' England player hybrid contracts
Negotiations about the provision of a fixed fee top-up of about £160,000 per player on top of their Gallagher Premiership club co…
Liam Heagney
18 Feb 2024, 3:57
Vesty: What England A are hoping to see from Ollie Hassell-Collins
England A assistant coach Sam Vesty is hopeful that Ollie Hassell-Collins can use the February 25 fixture versus Portugal in Leice…
Liam Heagney
15 Feb 2024, 13:41
RFU statement: Deadline set for new-look English Championship plan
There has been much debate over the future of the tier-two league following the recent financial collapse of three Gallagher Premi…
Liam Heagney
16 Feb 2024, 12:34
The two England rookies who have most impressed Dylan Hartley
England have enjoyed their best start to the Guinness Six Nations since 2019, beating Italy and Wales in their opening matches to …
Liam Heagney
16 Feb 2024, 10:46
The thing Kevin Sinfield enjoys most about his changed England role
Kevin Sinfield has explained the aspect he enjoys most working with England in a different role during the current Guinness Six Na…
Liam Heagney
16 Feb 2024, 6:16
The RFU view on England A team 'capture' of dual-eligible players
England high performance boss Conor O’Shea has insisted that the revival of the A team after an eight-year break won’t be cyni…
Liam Heagney
15 Feb 2024, 13:17
England explain why Zach Mercer didn't make their A team squad
Conor O’Shea has shed light on the thinking behind the England A squad selection announced on Thursday, a 27-strong group that i…
Liam Heagney
15 Feb 2024, 10:54
England name 27-strong squad for A team game versus Portugal
England have named a 27-strong provisional squad to take Portugal on February 25 in Leicester – including five Test-capped playe…
Liam Heagney
15 Feb 2024, 5:08
Paolo Garbisi poised for immediate effect move to Toulon – report
The Italian playmaker has been on Guinness Six Nations duty in recent weeks, appearing at No10 in his country’s losses to Englan…
Liam Heagney
15 Feb 2024, 6:49
The reason why Tommaso Allan has put his Italy Test career on hold
A try-scorer against England in a round-one start, Allan was an unused sub for last Sunday’s 0-36 round-two loss to Ireland in D…
Liam Heagney
15 Feb 2024, 6:19
England make three squad changes, including return of Manu Tuilagi
Steve Borthwick has confirmed that a 36-strong England squad – including the fit-again Manu Tuilagi – has assembled for midwee…
Liam Heagney
14 Feb 2024, 7:30
Saracens statement: Immediate effect retirement of Tom Woolstencroft
Saracens hooker Tom Woolstencroft has called time on his playing career with immediate effect at the age of 29.
Liam Heagney
13 Feb 2024, 12:29
Wales squad update confirms bad news about rookie Archie Griffin
Wales have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their Guinness Six Nations round three game with Ireland.
Liam Heagney
13 Feb 2024, 7:25
The England changes Chris Ashton insists Steve Borthwick must make
Not since 2019 have the English won both their opening matches in the tournament and having beaten Italy and Wales in recent weeks…
Liam Heagney
13 Feb 2024, 6:24
The Ireland 'headaches' Andy Farrell explains he can't get enough of
Andy Farrell sat very prettily last Sunday in the Aviva Stadium media auditorium having just watched his Ireland team go two wins …
Liam Heagney
13 Feb 2024, 2:53
England player ratings vs Wales | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
England players ratings live from Twickenham: Steve Borthwick pitched up at Twickenham looking to see his team win their opening t…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
10 Feb 2024, 14:09
Four England talking points after their comeback win over Wales
Having lost a Rugby World Cup semi-final 16 weeks ago after leading for ages versus South Africa, England would have left Twickenh…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
11 Feb 2024, 2:06
Steve Borthwick: 'The players handled it, the bench have been superb'
England boss Steve Borthwick has paid tribute to his bench after the introduction of a half-dozen replacements helped them to comp…
Liam Heagney
10 Feb 2024, 16:01
'Biggest lesson' Steve Borthwick learned from England win over Wales
England head coach Steve Borthwick has celebrated seeing his team move to the top of the Guinness Six Nations by praising their de…
Liam Heagney
10 Feb 2024, 16:22
Ex-Ireland player no longer 'embarrassed' at winning only one cap
The forward, who also played club rugby in France with Toulouse and Dax, made his only Test-level appearance on a tour in 2003.
Liam Heagney
10 Feb 2024, 7:01
Christian Wade names the Six Nations player best suited to play NFL
The former England winger quit Wasps in 2018 to try and make it in the NFL and he spent three years at Buffalo Bills before making…
Liam Heagney
10 Feb 2024, 6:11
Four England talking points as Wales make Twickenham Six Nations visit
Here are the RugbyPass talking points with England looking to go two wins from two at the start of the Guinness Six Nations for th…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
10 Feb 2024, 5:07
Six changes for Ireland as Andy Farrell names team to host Italy
The Irish were 38-17 winners in Marseille last Friday and the reaction has been to go with two backline alterations and four in th…
Liam Heagney
09 Feb 2024, 9:07
Italy alter four of their XV for the round two game away to Ireland
The Italians had led the English 17-14 at half-time before losing 24-27 and their new boss Gonzalo Quesada has now announced a lin…
Liam Heagney
09 Feb 2024, 11:05
'Porter can do it, Thomas du Toit... we’ll see how Asher gets on'
Nathan Catt was in his element the other day. He had popped up on Zoom to generally preview Friday night’s England versus Wales …
Interview
Liam Heagney
09 Feb 2024, 4:07
Sam Warburton makes 'massive' Lions prediction about England rookie
Former British and Irish Lions skipper Sam Warburton has been so impressed by new England cap Chandler Cunningham-South that he ha…
Liam Heagney
09 Feb 2024, 3:49
England boss Borthwick on the 'version' of Wales he is expecting
Warren Gatland’s side produced a wildly oscillating performance versus Scotland, falling behind by 27 points before mounting an …
Liam Heagney
08 Feb 2024, 13:46
The two 'new' England leaders singled out by skipper Jamie George
The hooker was appointed by Steve Borthwick after Rugby World Cup captain Owen Farrell opted to take a Test rugby sabbatical while…
Liam Heagney
08 Feb 2024, 13:01
England: Standing Feyi-Waboso down against Wales wasn't considered
The 21-year-old was born and raised in Cardiff, but he is now in line to earn his second Test cap against his native country after…
Liam Heagney
08 Feb 2024, 10:11
Scotland confirm three changes for Saturday's clash with France
Gregor Townsend has confirmed a Scotland XV to host France this Saturday at Murrayfield that has three changes from last Saturday…
Liam Heagney
08 Feb 2024, 8:41
Two changes for France as Galthie names team to play Scotland
France will pick up the pieces of their wounded Guinness Six Nations campaign by fielding a starting team away to Scotland on Satu…
Liam Heagney
08 Feb 2024, 5:38
No change to England XV to face Wales but one bench tweak confirmed
Steve Borthwick has ignored the temptation to tinker with his England selection for this Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash w…
Liam Heagney
08 Feb 2024, 8:00
Bernard Foley: 'I know I’m biased but rugby has got the best product'
Bernard Foley knows his stuff when it comes to promoting rugby in Japan... and back in his native Australia.
Interview
Liam Heagney
07 Feb 2024, 17:58
Dane Coles: 'I’m not going to be an ex-player that kicks up a fuss'
Coles' script had been long written: he was to retire from playing as soon as the All Blacks’ campaign at France 2023 ended. How…
Interview
Liam Heagney
07 Feb 2024, 13:19
Archie McParland: 'Competing with Alex Mitchell is quite nice'
The current England Test No9 Alex Mitchell is Phil Dowson’s first-choice scrum-half at Northampton and his story about shrugging…
Interview
Liam Heagney
07 Feb 2024, 13:19
Four changes for England U20s as team named to host Wales
The English chalked up a 36-11 success in Treviso but they will take the field at The Rec with three fresh faces in their backs an…
Liam Heagney
07 Feb 2024, 8:54
Bernard Foley on Test recall chances with Schmidt now Wallabies boss
The 35-year-old Kubota Spears fly-half had looked set to go to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France after starting three of Australi…
Liam Heagney
06 Feb 2024, 6:17
Liam Williams: 'There might be a couple of other Welshies coming over'
Snow had fallen in Funabashi when he touched down in the Far East for training with Kubota Spears ahead of the Rugby League One ch…
Interview
Liam Heagney
06 Feb 2024, 13:28
Harlequins statement: Jerry Flannery will depart in late February
Flannery’s friend Felix Jones recently stepped away from his role with South Africa following their back-to-back Rugby World Cup…
Liam Heagney
06 Feb 2024, 8:23
World Rugby statement: Referee change for Ireland versus Italy
Brousset had been named as the referee for the round two match featuring Andy Farrell’s defending champions against Gonzalo Ques…
Liam Heagney
06 Feb 2024, 7:51
SA Rugby statement: Rassie Erasmus to head coach, assistants named
With head coach Jacques Nienaber moving on to become senior coach at Leinster and assistant Felix Jones joining Steve Borthwick’…
Liam Heagney
06 Feb 2024, 7:18
Dane Coles' verdict on Joe Schmidt taking over the Wallabies
It was in London last August when the front-rower reacted with dismay on learning that Steve Hansen, his 2015 World Cup winning bo…
Liam Heagney
06 Feb 2024, 5:31
England update: Marcus Smith to miss round two versus Wales
England out-half Marcus Smith has officially been ruled out of next weekend’s Guinness Six Nations round two match versus Wales …
Liam Heagney
04 Feb 2024, 13:30
Jamie George 'absolutely' believes England can be title contenders
The English have won the two most recent tournaments played after a Rugby World Cup, being crowned champions in 2016 and again in …
Liam Heagney
04 Feb 2024, 6:32
England player ratings vs Italy | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
England player ratings live from Stadio Olimpico: A nervous, close-run thing on the scoreboard for England wasn’t in the script …
Analysis
Liam Heagney
03 Feb 2024, 11:45
Four talking points after England's narrowest-ever win over Italy
Borthwick's chutzpah was difficult to digest given how this was an Italy, pulverized at the Rugby World Cup by New Zealand and Fra…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
04 Feb 2024, 4:51
Steve Borthwick takes aim at culture of fear in England times past
The 44-year-old, whose 57-cap international career spanned nine years from 2001 to 2010 under Clive Woodward, Andy Robinson, Brian…
Liam Heagney
04 Feb 2024, 4:37
'Very pleased': The Steve Borthwick reaction to England pipping Italy
The English went into their opening round Guinness Six Nations game with fans expecting them to impressively build on their bronze…
Liam Heagney
03 Feb 2024, 13:21
England's injury-hit build-up has final twist as Genge ruled out
Ellis Genge has pulled up lame and won't take his place on the bench in Rome.
Liam Heagney
03 Feb 2024, 7:58
The change that Chris Ashton is expecting from England in Italy
A disappointing two-wins-from-five Guinness Six Nations was followed by a repeatedly dour playing style at the Rugby World Cup.
Liam Heagney
03 Feb 2024, 3:38
Ex-Ireland player's one score prediction for Six Nations opener
The champions open their title defence with a massive fixture in Marseille 16 weeks after both the Irish and the French were knock…
Liam Heagney
02 Feb 2024, 10:21
The Handre Pollard advice that England's Finn Carnduff has lapped up
He is the third Leicester youngster in succession to be appointed age-grade captain, following in the slipstream of Emeka Ilione a…
Interview
Liam Heagney
02 Feb 2024, 7:51
The Keith Wood verdict on rookie Ireland out-half Jack Crowley
Veteran out-half Johnny Sexton called it quits at the end of the Rugby World Cup at the age of 38 and the recently-turned 24-year-…
Liam Heagney
02 Feb 2024, 6:05
England given meagre five per cent chance of Six Nations title glory
This weekend’s start to the 2024 championship will see defending champions Ireland go to France on Friday night with England vis…
Liam Heagney
02 Feb 2024, 5:29
England U20s explain their selection of Paris-based Junior Kpoku
The senior-level restriction hasn’t affected the 18-year Kpoku who has been popping across the Channel this winter from Paris to…
Liam Heagney
02 Feb 2024, 3:25
Three talking points as Steve Borthwick names England team for Italy
It was a selection with a difference, Steve Borthwick making eight changes to his starting XV from the team that ran out 15 weeks …
Analysis
Liam Heagney
01 Feb 2024, 12:23
England name two new caps to start, include three more on the bench
Rookies Fraser Dingwall and Ethan Roots have been chosen to respectively start at inside centre and blindside, and there are three…
Liam Heagney
01 Feb 2024, 9:00
The England age-grade verdict on Test rookie Chandler Cunningham-South
The 20-year-old will make his Test debut this Saturday in Rome just seven months after starring at the Junior World Championship i…
Liam Heagney
01 Feb 2024, 9:41
EPCR statement: Josh Caulfield banned after disciplinary appeal
EPCR opted to appeal the disciplinary committee’s decision and Caulfield will now face a stint on the sidelines.
Liam Heagney
01 Feb 2024, 6:55
Why Chris Ashton feels France are the Six Nations 'team to beat'
The French fell at the quarter-finals in their recent home Rugby World Cup, agonisingly losing to eventual winners South Africa by…
Liam Heagney
01 Feb 2024, 3:35
Four changes for Ireland who also go with a six/two bench split
It was October 14 when the Irish were last in action, getting defeated 24-28 by New Zealand in Paris.
Liam Heagney
31 Jan 2024, 8:07
Alex Mitchell becomes the latest England injury doubt – report
Mitchell’s availability is now also uncertain as he didn’t take part in two days of practice in Spain at the start of this wee…
Liam Heagney
31 Jan 2024, 10:52
England name an U20s Six Nations team with eight new caps
Head coach Mark Mapletoft has called on seven players previously capped at this level, including skipper Finn Carnduff who was par…
Liam Heagney
31 Jan 2024, 8:36
The BastaShow Baptiste Serin verdict on France versus Ireland
The Toulon scrum-half was tipped to regain his place in the French squad after failing to make the cut for Rugby World Cup.
Liam Heagney
31 Jan 2024, 7:05
France name Six Nations team with five changes from World Cup exit
The French were knocked out of their home World Cup with a 28-29 defeat to the Springboks in Paris on October 15 and their return …
Liam Heagney
31 Jan 2024, 5:41
Saracens statement: Maro Itoje contract extension
There were fears that the forward might seek out a move as he was reportedly set to lose his marquee player status if Owen Farrell…
Liam Heagney
31 Jan 2024, 4:55
The RFU rule Mike Tindall would happily bin to make England better
Head coach Steve Borthwick is heading into the start of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations unable to select four players who were part …
Liam Heagney
31 Jan 2024, 3:28
Billy Burns poised to stay on in Ireland after Ulster exit – report
Irish province Munster have had issues at out-half in recent times following what was initially a logjam in the position.
Liam Heagney
30 Jan 2024, 10:36
Steven Kitshoff keeps top spot in latest URC Top 100 player list
The top 20 features seven South Africans, six Irish, three Scots, three Italians and one Welshman in Ospreys flanker Morgan. There…
Liam Heagney
30 Jan 2024, 7:32
Three Six Nations challenges facing Steve Borthwick and England
RugbyPass sets the scene ahead of next Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations start for England away to Italy in Rome.
Analysis
Liam Heagney
30 Jan 2024, 6:51
Jimmy Gopperth: 'I've been blown away by the quality of the Pro D2'
For Gopperth – who turns 41 next June – the cross-Channel adventure has been invigorating for the New Zealander who played a d…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
28 Jan 2024, 4:30
'Has to be done': The refereeing change Nigel Owens wants to see
The ex-Welsh official had taken umbrage over the disciplinary hearing decision to rescind the red card brandished last weekend to …
Liam Heagney
27 Jan 2024, 12:26
Callum Sheedy set to quit Bristol and join Welsh URC club – report
The 28-year-old has starred for Pat Lam’s Bristol since a 2018 top-flight debut following an apprenticeship at Championship leve…
Liam Heagney
27 Jan 2024, 6:50
The Stuart Lancaster verdict on Owen Farrell’s Lions tour chances
The 32-year-old England Rugby World Cup captain has currently ruled himself out of selection for his country until the summer of 2…
Liam Heagney
27 Jan 2024, 5:28
Lancaster: How Henry Arundell reacted to Racing signing Owen Farrell
The 32-year-old Farrell was confirmed last Monday as a new Racing recruit on a two-year deal that will begin this summer through t…
Liam Heagney
26 Jan 2024, 8:13
England statement: Replacement named as Nick Isiekwe drops out
It was last Tuesday when the RFU confirmed that three players – Bath’s Ollie Lawrence, Harlequins’ Oscar Beard and Sale’s …
Liam Heagney
26 Jan 2024, 6:00
Stuart Lancaster breaks silence on Racing's signing of Owen Farrell
The deal, which will be rubberstamped next week when Farrell visits Paris to undergo his medical, sent shockwaves through the game…
Interview
Liam Heagney
26 Jan 2024, 11:56
Change confirmed to the match officials for Italy vs England
Pierre Brousset of France had been named as an assistant referee for the February 3 Stadio Olimpico fixture.
Liam Heagney
25 Jan 2024, 5:25
Confirmed: Eddie Jones to coach against England at Twickenham
The Australian was at the helm in England for seven years but his team’s disimproving results meant that an Autumn Nations Serie…
Liam Heagney
25 Jan 2024, 5:01
France statement: Six released from Six Nations squad, Tuilagi called up
Five up-and-coming youngsters will fill in for them at national team training.
Liam Heagney
25 Jan 2024, 4:44
Ex-Ireland back: How to be 'a successful player' under Joe Schmidt
The ex-Irish head coach, who assisted the All Blacks to their recent second-place finish at the Rugby World Cup, has now taken on …
Liam Heagney
25 Jan 2024, 4:02
Northampton lock Alex Moon 'on verge' of Top 14 deal – report
The French league demonstrated its increasing allure for players in England when Racing 92 confirmed on Monday the signing of Owen…
Liam Heagney
24 Jan 2024, 6:22
'Glad I retired': Nigel Owens wades into Bristol red card debate
The Bears lock was sent off last Friday in Galway by French referee Pierre Brousset in the 13th minute of his team’s Investec Ch…
Liam Heagney
24 Jan 2024, 3:23
Cardiff statement: Helford Capital takeover deal confirmed
Club representatives met on Tuesday evening and it was ultimately decided that the best decision was for the Welsh region to accep…
Liam Heagney
24 Jan 2024, 4:11
England name replacements for 3 players, including Ollie Lawrence
The head coach is holding a training camp this week in Girona, his team’s base ahead of their February 3 campaign opener away to…
Liam Heagney
23 Jan 2024, 12:00
Ireland update: Replacement named for the injured Tom Ahern
Three training panelists – Ahern and fellow uncapped players Oli Jager and Sam Prendergast – had been included for this Wednes…
Liam Heagney
23 Jan 2024, 10:33
Bath statement: The contract extension of England prop Will Stuart
Midway through his fifth season at The Rec following his 2019 signing from Wasps, the prop is currently part of Steve Borthwick's …
Liam Heagney
23 Jan 2024, 7:40
France statement: Replacements named for injured duo Jelonch, Meafou
Both forwards shipped knocks last Sunday when playing for Toulouse in their Investec Champions Cup home win over Bath.
Liam Heagney
23 Jan 2024, 7:19
The Christian Wade verdict on Saracens' Owen Farrell joining Racing
The 32-year-old was named on Monday as a new signing for the 2024/25 season, a move that will see the long-time Saracens talisman …
Liam Heagney
23 Jan 2024, 6:03
Gareth Anscombe breaks silence about his contract-cancelling injury
Anscombe pulled up lame with a groin injury in the warm-up prior to their final group match against Georgia and while he missed th…
Liam Heagney
10 Jan 2024, 7:49
'We had a chat': Sale admit to talks with the in-demand Mason Grady
The 21-year-old back has been in excellent form this season for Cardiff after enhancing his reputation at the Rugby World Cup in F…
Liam Heagney
10 Jan 2024, 12:23
RFU issue 73-word reply to the latest Championship Rugby statement
The 11 Championship clubs called on the RFU board to set an urgent date to hear in full their amended proposals and it quickly pro…
Liam Heagney
10 Jan 2024, 11:49
Bristol statement: The immediate effect signing of Benjamin Grondona
Having featured for the Pampas XV last term in a season that culminated in playing for his country at the Junior World Championshi…
Liam Heagney
10 Jan 2024, 4:33
Sale confirm England's George Ford hasn’t travelled to South Africa
The England out-half suffered a bang to his knee near the end of the Sharks’ 17-21 Gallagher Premiership defeat at Northampton o…
Liam Heagney
10 Jan 2024, 10:13
Toby Flood: The Top 14 tactic that would allow Owen Farrell to thrive
It emerged last Friday that the 32-year-old, who is currently on a Test rugby sabbatical after skippering Steve Borthwick’s side…
Liam Heagney
09 Jan 2024, 8:11
Clive Woodward wades into debate over 'ludicrous passage of play'
Some fans, including England loosehead Joe Marler, branded the sequence of 12 kicks in a row at The Rec as the dullest 60-plus sec…
Liam Heagney
10 Jan 2024, 4:10
Shaun Edwards' 'sense of injustice' about French World Cup exit
The French were hotly tipped as a favourite to win the tournament, but they were eliminated by eventual winners South Africa follo…
Liam Heagney
09 Jan 2024, 4:05
Ireland's Joe McCarthy: 'I was subbing for the junior fourths team'
The 22-year-old attended Blackrock College and his enthusiasm for rugby wasn’t matched by his on-field exploits until his final …
Liam Heagney
09 Jan 2024, 5:54
Jonny Hill the latest England player poised for Top 14 move – report
It was just last Friday when the Test sabbatical-taking Owen Farrell was said to be “very close” to taking up a two-year deal …
Liam Heagney
09 Jan 2024, 5:12
Nottingham statement: The 'total flooding' of Lady Bay
The club, which is located near the River Trent, are set to host the British Army in a January 26 friendly and ahead of that game,…
Liam Heagney
09 Jan 2024, 4:36
Saracens explain 'glass half-full' reaction to loss at Leicester
Saturday’s 10-19 reverse at Leicester was the London club’s fifth loss in 11 outings, a record that contrasts sharply with las…
Liam Heagney
07 Jan 2024, 6:00
Leicester make bold England claim about Ollie Chessum, George Martin
Saturday’s win over Saracens was only the second time that the youthful pair had started together as a lock partnership in the T…
Liam Heagney
07 Jan 2024, 5:30
Alex Sanderson: ‘The game could die unless something dramatically changes’
The Gallagher Premiership has been riddled with financial concerns since its inception, a shortfall exacerbated by the pandemic an…
Liam Heagney
07 Jan 2024, 5:00
Joe Simmonds: 'I'd so much going on in my head; I just worried'
So far, so good. When RugbyPass caught up with Simmonds across the Channel on December 20, the day after his 27th birthday, he had…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
07 Jan 2024, 4:25
Leicester player ratings vs Saracens | Gallagher Premiership 2023/24
Leicester player ratings live from Mattoli Woods Welford Road: This was a must-win for Dan McKellar’s Tigers.
Opinion
Liam Heagney
06 Jan 2024, 12:30
The rule Mark McCall insisted must be kept when quizzed about Farrell
The sabbatical-taking England skipper captained Saracens in their 10-19 Gallagher Premiership loss at Leicester on Saturday the da…
Liam Heagney
06 Jan 2024, 13:27
Mark McCall addresses speculation Owen Farrell is off to Racing 92
The England skipper, who is on a Test rugby sabbatical following the recent Rugby World Cup, is out of contract at the London club…
Liam Heagney
06 Jan 2024, 10:09
Owen Farrell 'very close' to signing two-year Racing 92 deal – report
The Test-level skipper has taken a sabbatical from Steve Borthwick’s England squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations tournam…
Liam Heagney
05 Jan 2024, 11:37
Leicester stick with Bok-style bench as Pollard starts versus Farrell
Having gone with a five/three division in his replacements for the opening 11 league and Champions Cup matches this season, Dan Mc…
Liam Heagney
05 Jan 2024, 8:53
Leicester statement: The re-signing of Mike Brown
A statement read: “Leicester Tigers are excited to announce Mike Brown has re-signed with the club beyond the 2023/24 season."
Liam Heagney
05 Jan 2024, 4:31
The 'mega' thing Sale love about 19-year-old prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour
The 19-year-old played off the bench in six of the Sharks last seven league and cup matches and with the front-rower now marked ab…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
05 Jan 2024, 3:36
Sale verdict on George Ford with the Six Nations just four weeks away
Ford has started seven games back at Sale since England’s bronze medal finish in Paris and ahead of Friday’s game at home to B…
Liam Heagney
04 Jan 2024, 5:22
England statement: Recruitment of Strawbridge, new Sinfield role
Incoming assistant coach Felix Jones, who joins the coaching set-up having helped South Africa to back-to-back Rugby World Cup tri…
Liam Heagney
04 Jan 2024, 7:01
Leicester confirm immediate exit of two players, including Joe Powell
It was last July, shortly after the financial collapse of London Irish, when the 29-year-old Powell, who won four caps for Austral…
Liam Heagney
04 Jan 2024, 6:19
Tommy Freeman: 'Hopefully I'll get a shot in the Six Nations'
Just as well then that he spoke as quickly as he runs, gliding through a pile of queries with the same sort of panache that has hi…
Interview
Liam Heagney
03 Jan 2024, 13:19
'Ultimate speed bump': The John Cooney reaction to TV pundit praise
The effort of the 33-year-old scrum-half was pivotal in his province’s New Year’s Day URC win at Leinster and he has now react…
Liam Heagney
03 Jan 2024, 7:39
Toulon statement: The €70,000 Cheslin Kolbe salary cap fine
Kolbe's departure to Japan was followed by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby salary cap disciplinary committee being asked last Septemb…
Liam Heagney
03 Jan 2024, 5:08
Ex-Portugal boss Patrice Lagisquet: What Os Lobos must do next
The ex-France player was in charge of Os Lobos for four years, a tenure that culminated in a memorable 2023 Rugby World Cup appear…
Liam Heagney
03 Jan 2024, 4:30
‘Absolutely, why wouldn’t you back Fin Smith at 21?’
Potential England pick Smith has been at the heart of this Northampton consistency, starting all nine Premiership games so far.
Liam Heagney
03 Jan 2024, 3:05
Bristol statement: The signing of Viliame Mata
The Pacific Islander is currently playing his eighth season with Edinburgh in the URC, but he is now a confirmed signing for the G…
Liam Heagney
02 Jan 2024, 13:23
Ulster rate Nick Timoney's Ireland chances, tease positional switch
The back-rower was excellent in his team’s URC win over Leinster on New Year’s Day, scoring two tries as a No8 in a contest wh…
Liam Heagney
02 Jan 2024, 6:09
The Ulster verdict on exploiting the Jacques Nienaber defence
Trips to Dublin usually end in failure for the northern province, but they managed to get one over on the league leaders at the RD…
Liam Heagney
02 Jan 2024, 5:04
Sale player ratings vs Leinster | Champions Cup 2023/24
Their determined effort got them 13-3 ahead midway through the opening half before a loaded Leinster finally strutted their stuff …
Analysis
Liam Heagney
16 Dec 2023, 15:00
Where are they now? The last London Irish team before its collapse
Despite fifth place being their highest finish in the league since reaching the 2009 final, administration confirmed that the fina…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
17 Dec 2023, 5:00
Alex Sanderson: 'Judge us on competitiveness, great resilience'
The Sharks were rumbustiously competitive in an opening period that they led 13-3 for a stretch; then came the second wave where t…
Interview
Liam Heagney
17 Dec 2023, 4:45
Second-half Leinster power surge proves too much for Sale
The Irish province took over pole position in the group with a hard-fought 37-27 win over Sale in Dublin.
Liam Heagney
16 Dec 2023, 14:39
England duo Tuilagi, Lawes named in magazine's Top 12 Hitters list
England duo Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes, Argentina’s Marcos Kremer and Pieter-Steph du Toit, the Springboks back-rower who w…
Liam Heagney
16 Dec 2023, 6:59
The England prediction Lee Blackett has made about Alfie Barbeary
Test head coach Borthwick and Richard Hill were at The Rec last Saturday to scout the Bath No8, the RPA’s U23 player of the mont…
Liam Heagney
16 Dec 2023, 5:09
Barbarians statement: Killik Cup fixture confirmed versus Fiji
The Pacific Islanders reached the last eight at France 2023, bowing out to England in Marseille.
Liam Heagney
14 Dec 2023, 16:56
Lancaster: The Russell-like threat Racing face versus Marcus Smith
Smith’s Harlequins are in Paris nine days after they smashed Gallagher Premiership leaders Sale in London.
Liam Heagney
10 Dec 2023, 5:30
The turned-down offer Jono Ross made to come out of retirement
The Gallagher Premiership leaders learned in mid-November that they had lost Tom Curry for the season due to his need to have a hi…
Liam Heagney
10 Dec 2023, 4:58
Johann van Graan: The pitch 'stitching' story behind bossy Bath scrum
What’s the point in Bath having international standard piano shifters such as Beno Obano, Will Stuart and Thomas du Toit on the …
Liam Heagney
10 Dec 2023, 3:57
Gus Warr: 'It's trying to be a bit gobby to annoy someone ever so slightly'
That little vignette suggested how the scrum-half Gus Warr is a little bit of a Jack the lad around Carrington, something his boss…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
10 Dec 2023, 3:00
Bath excellent value for first Champions Cup win since January 2018
With the hosts on a 10-game losing streak in this tournament stretching back to January 2018, this victory will be seen as massive…
Liam Heagney
09 Dec 2023, 12:16
Bath player ratings vs Ulster | Champions Cup 2023/24
We left Bath believing this could be the first season since 2014/15 that the once giants of the English game are potentially a rea…
Opinion
Liam Heagney
09 Dec 2023, 13:18
Clermont bring a fresh twist to the Springboks' bomb squad tactic
The Rugby World Cup-winning South Africa raised eyebrows on a number of occasions throughout 2023 by naming replacements that had …
Liam Heagney
09 Dec 2023, 8:03
Sale explain the 'great bit' about this week's Steve Borthwick visit
The English head coach met an eight-strong Sharks contingent consisting of Jonny Hill, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Beva…
Liam Heagney
08 Dec 2023, 6:33
Kevin Sinfield back at England work on Sunday after marathon success
Steve Borthwick’s defence coach completed each of his marathons in Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Dublin, Brighton and L…
Liam Heagney
08 Dec 2023, 5:44
Kevin Sinfield: 'The team are a little bit tired, a little bit busted'
The former Leeds rugby league player is running seven marathons in seven days around the UK and Ireland to raise awareness and fun…
Liam Heagney
05 Dec 2023, 9:01
The club rookie Sam Warburton is backing for Six Nations selection
The Welsh begin their 2024 schedule with a February 3 trip to Scotland with experienced duo Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams no l…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
06 Dec 2023, 9:11
Sam Warburton: The 'brute force' recruitment needed by Leinster
Money talks in professional rugby, sadly. It talks. Even Leinster, they have got one of the best academies and have a good player …
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
08 Dec 2023, 3:14
'I've found the players keen on new ideas, not felt any push back'
Lancaster has got off to an encouraging start, Racing leading the Top 14 heading into its short pause to accommodate two rounds of…
Interview
Liam Heagney
07 Dec 2023, 9:40
British and Irish Lions statement: 2025 tour starts with Dublin match
It will be the first time they have played the Pumas since a 2005 pre-tour game in Cardiff – and the first time they have ever p…
Liam Heagney
07 Dec 2023, 6:28
Ronan O'Gara cops a ban at his latest French disciplinary hearing
The former Ireland out-half was called to account for his alleged behaviour towards the match officials in Paris during a Top 14 d…
Liam Heagney
06 Dec 2023, 12:39
The Stuart Lancaster verdict on his England winger Henry Arundell
The 21-year-old was signed by Racing 92 in the summer following the collapse of London Irish.
Liam Heagney
06 Dec 2023, 12:50
Sale give a 2024/25 contract update on George Ford, Manu Tuilagi
Out-half Ford signed a deal to move to the Sharks from Leicester in the summer of 2022... Tuilagi, meanwhile, is on a one-year ext…
Liam Heagney
06 Dec 2023, 12:18
Saracens statement: The signing of Logovi’i Mulipola
It was last week, when hosting a virtual media briefing to discuss the decision by Owen Farrell to take a Test rugby sabbatical fr…
Liam Heagney
06 Dec 2023, 13:26
The message on the Leinster wall Nienaber has already taken to heart
Leinster were left reliant on an 81st-minute try from Ciaran Frawley to snatch a 24-22 victory in Galway from the jaws of defeat.
Liam Heagney
06 Dec 2023, 5:59
Jacques Nienaber at Leinster: 'I don’t think they will buy me pints!'
It was October 28 in Paris when Nienaber led South Africa to back-to-back world titles, his team defeating the All Blacks in the f…
Liam Heagney
05 Dec 2023, 13:11
Six Nations debuts for three referees; Davidson to also make history
World Rugby confirmed on Tuesday their Emirates World Rugby match official appointments for the upcoming tournament, which begins …
Liam Heagney
05 Dec 2023, 11:24
Ex-Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani has named his new club
The 31-year-old last played for Biarritz in their 2021/22 Top 14 season which ended in relegation.
Liam Heagney
05 Dec 2023, 5:02
Out until 2024: Another World Cup winner is ruled out at Munster
Named Munster player of the year for 2022/23, Jean Kleyn made his 2023/24 seasonal debut in the November 25 URC derby away to Lein…
Liam Heagney
05 Dec 2023, 3:37
Getting to know: Wales U20s full-back Cameron Winnett
Good news in Welsh rugby is hard to come by in 2023. Even their U20s were mired by negativity, finishing with the wooden spoon in …
Interview
Liam Heagney
01 Jul 2023, 5:28
Getting to know: England U20s No8 Chandler Cunningham-South
Chandler Cunningham-South had a vibrant spring in his step when RugbyPass caught up with him on Thursday evening in Cape Town.
Interview
Liam Heagney
24 Jun 2023, 3:35
Will Evans: 'The stats don’t back it up when they say it is dangerous'
Intriguing is the candid admission to RugbyPass by the London club’s Will Evans that he used to beat himself up about seeing his…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
03 Dec 2023, 3:15
The massive compliment Joe Marler paid to a teenage Sale tighthead
Harlequins loosehead Joe Marler gave a wonderful compliment to a teenage opposition prop when conducting a flash TV interview near…
Liam Heagney
02 Dec 2023, 7:39
Ronan O’Gara hits back over his latest Top 14 disciplinary summons
The La Rochelle boss is due to appear before a committee next Wednesday, four days before his club hosts Irish rivals Leinster in …
Liam Heagney
02 Dec 2023, 6:44
Legal claim: Joint statement on behalf of World Rugby, WRU and RFU
World Rugby and the game’s governing bodies in Wales and England have issued a joint statement after more than 200 retired playe…
Liam Heagney
01 Dec 2023, 17:06
RFU statement: 2022/23 annual report, operating profit of £4m
The RFU have praised robust financial management for delivering an operating profit of £4m for 2022/23, even though that figure i…
Liam Heagney
01 Dec 2023, 13:15
Owen Farrell left out as Saracens name team to take on Northampton
Owen Farrell has been given this weekend off by Saracens just days after the England skipper revealed he was taking a sabbatical f…
Liam Heagney
01 Dec 2023, 7:20
Transcript: The Mark McCall 20-minute media briefing on Owen Farrell
Saracens boss Mark McCall provided a fascinating media briefing on Thursday to a virtual audience of 20 journalists on why England…
Liam Heagney
01 Dec 2023, 6:29
'Some interest from Edinburgh who don’t mind poaching our players'
Sale boss Alex Sanderson has delivered a mid-winter update about the Gallagher Premiership club’s contracting for the 2024/25 se…
Liam Heagney
01 Dec 2023, 4:20
Mark McCall slams 'shameful' negative narrative about Owen Farrell
Saracens boss Mark McCall conducted a near 20-minute media briefing on Thursday to shed some light on why Owen Farrell has decided…
Liam Heagney
30 Nov 2023, 10:17
Henry Arundell: Borthwick visit, next season, the winger he most fears
Henry Arundell has spoken about his meeting with England boss Steve Borthwick last week in Paris and given an update on where he m…
Liam Heagney
30 Nov 2023, 13:38
Cornish Pirates statement: Financial outlook after Truro FC sale
English Championship club Cornish Pirates have provided fans with a financial update following the sale of partner football club T…
Liam Heagney
30 Nov 2023, 8:06
Sale's verdict on Jonny Hill's form ahead of his Borthwick meet-up
Sale have shared their thoughts on the prospects of Jonny Hill potentially getting back in Steve Borthwick’s England squad for t…
Liam Heagney
30 Nov 2023, 2:19
Toulon statement: The immediate effect signing of Jack Singleton
French title chasers Toulon have snapped up the services of Jack Singleton, the England and Gloucester hooker, for the remainder o…
Liam Heagney
30 Nov 2023, 2:17
What Clive Woodward makes of the shock Owen Farrell England sabbatical
Former England boss Clive Woodward has given his verdict on the midweek revelation that Owen Farrell has made himself unavailable …
Liam Heagney
30 Nov 2023, 2:12
Sale reach decision on recruitment after latest Tom Curry injury
Alex Sanderson has come to a decision on whether or not Sale will dip into the short-term recruitment market to replace Tom Curry,…
Liam Heagney
29 Nov 2023, 4:07
Coventry statement: The immediate-effect signing of a Fijian tighthead
Mid-table Championship side Coventry have confirmed the signing of a Fijian tighthead who arrives with a reputation for explosive …
Liam Heagney
29 Nov 2023, 12:10
Courtney Lawes wants Lions call but won't do England U-turn – report
Courtney Lawes has issued a come-and-get-me call to Andy Farrell, the likely head coach of the 2025 British and Irish Lions.
Liam Heagney
29 Nov 2023, 11:36
Oyonnax's Kiwi full-back Tony Ensor has retired with immediate effect
Former Highlanders full-back Tony Ensor has retired with immediate effect following an injury picked up in a Top 14 match in Augus…
Liam Heagney
29 Nov 2023, 9:47
The two changes Raynal wants, and his view now of Foley Bledisloe call
Seasoned French referee Mathieu Raynal has named the two changes he would make in rugby – one a law alteration and the other to …
Liam Heagney
29 Nov 2023, 7:15
O'Gara facing disciplinary hearing before La Rochelle host Leinster
Ronan O’Gara is set for another disciplinary hearing in France after match officials again took exception to his alleged bad beh…
Liam Heagney
29 Nov 2023, 4:47
Rodd becomes latest England player at Sale to suffer injury setback
Another England international at Sale is set to for a spell on the sidelines, Bevan Rodd the latest to get ruled out of selection …
Liam Heagney
28 Nov 2023, 13:36
Breaking: Former Fiji boss Simon Raiwalui confirms his next move
Ex-Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui has revealed his new post-Rugby World Cup role.
Liam Heagney
28 Nov 2023, 10:50
Jack Singleton set for immediate effect switch to the Top 14 – report
Jack Singleton is reportedly set to become the latest England international to play his club rugby across the Channel.
Liam Heagney
28 Nov 2023, 7:44
'Look, it’s a unique job, unbelievable... I’ll miss it when it goes'
Jack Kelly is living the rugby dream, jetting into Dubai this week with James Topping’s Ireland sevens team for the start of an …
Interview
Liam Heagney
28 Nov 2023, 6:08
The World Cup elimination messages Galthie got from Henry, Woodward
France boss Fabien Galthie has revealed he was contacted by both Graham Henry and Clive Woodward the day after Les Bleus were elim…
Liam Heagney
28 Nov 2023, 5:02
'Our vision is to grow around the rugby a full festival element'
Sam Pinder can’t wait to see sevens go next level from next weekend. For 13 years the ex-Scotland scrum-half was involved in the…
Interview
Liam Heagney
26 Nov 2023, 6:30
Leinster verdict on beating Munster, 'glaring' Ringrose incident
Saturday night’s 21-16 victory over Irish rivals Munster wasn’t enough to edge Leinster to the top of the URC table after six …
Liam Heagney
26 Nov 2023, 3:37
‘We can’t play like Fiji, we haven’t got that sort of personnel'
James Topping laughed heartily the other day when RugbyPass suggested to him that Johnny Sexton was at a loose end and could perha…
Interview
Liam Heagney
26 Nov 2023, 4:00
Munster player ratings vs Leinster | 2023/24 URC round six
Munster player ratings live from Aviva Stadium: Twenty-seven weeks after Munster ambushed Leinster in Dublin, surprisingly winning…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
25 Nov 2023, 15:43
The long-term hope that Leinster have for the retired Johnny Sexton
Leinster boss Leo Cullen has outlined his hope that the recently retired Johnny Sexton won’t be lost to the game.
Liam Heagney
25 Nov 2023, 12:43
Hendre Stassen has made his comeback after a four-year doping ban
Hendre Stassen has become the latest South African rugby player to make his return to the professional game following a four-year …
Liam Heagney
25 Nov 2023, 7:34
The 'give it a crack' Terry Kennedy warning for Ireland's SVNS rivals
Watch out Dubai. Terry Kennedy is back and in mischievous form after a short break from the sevens circuit where he was so clinica…
Interview
Liam Heagney
25 Nov 2023, 4:21
Cobus Reinach has opened up on last month's World Cup death threat
Springboks scrum-half Cobus Reinach has opened up about the death threat he received last month after South Africa knocked host na…
Liam Heagney
24 Nov 2023, 6:26
Virimi Vakatawa breaks silence on his return to play in England
Former France midfielder Virimi Vakatawa has spoken out for the first time about his career lifeline in England at the age of 31.
Liam Heagney
24 Nov 2023, 5:59
Fiji name interim head coach following the exit of Simon Raiwalui
The Fiji Rugby Union have appointed assistant Senirusi Seruvakula as interim head coach of the Fiji national team following the po…
Liam Heagney
24 Nov 2023, 3:52
URC statement: Coetzee, Protheroe banned after their red cards
Bulls’ Marcell Coetzee and Ospreys’ Mathew Protheroe have received the same length of suspension following their URC red cards…
Liam Heagney
24 Nov 2023, 3:29
Toulouse statement: The signing of Scotland's Blair Kinghorn
Top 14 champions Toulouse have confirmed the signing of Scotland international Blair Kinghorn from Edinburgh.
Liam Heagney
23 Nov 2023, 13:30
Premiership club secures a March friendly versus URC's Stormers
Next month’s trip to Mattioli Woods Welford Road won’t be the only time that the Stormers will play in England during the 2023…
Liam Heagney
23 Nov 2023, 11:27
Steve Borthwick back in Paris less than four weeks after World Cup
Steve Borthwick was reportedly back in Paris on Wednesday, 26 days after England defeated Argentina in the French capital to clinc…
Liam Heagney
23 Nov 2023, 10:31
Martin Johnson explains his lack of desire to ever return to rugby
England World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson has revealed that he has no interest in returning to rugby.
Liam Heagney
23 Nov 2023, 9:46
Ex-Ireland player criticises return of 'proven doper' Aphiwe Dyantyi
Former Ireland midfielder Gordon D’Arcy has heavily criticised the recent return of Aphiwe Dyantyi with the Sharks after the exp…
Liam Heagney
23 Nov 2023, 8:23
The critical Agustin Creevy pep talk appreciated by Alex Sanderson
Alex Sanderson has revealed his delight that veteran Agustin Creevy outlined this week to him some situations that could derail th…
Liam Heagney
23 Nov 2023, 7:07
Munster statement: Peter O'Mahony steps down as captain
Long-serving Munster skipper Peter O’Mahony has relinquished the captaincy after more than a decade in the role at the Irish pro…
Liam Heagney
22 Nov 2023, 13:21
Stooke back in Premiership just days after Montpellier sack Cockerill
The sudden exit of Richard Cockerill as Montpellier boss last Sunday has had a ripple effect in the Gallagher Premiership.
Liam Heagney
22 Nov 2023, 12:34
Sam Matavesi on his late dad's passing in World Cup quarter-final week
Sam Matavesi has spoken about last month’s remarkable week where he flew from France to England to be with his father Sireli bef…
Liam Heagney
22 Nov 2023, 8:04
Blair Kinghorn poised for an immediate switch to the Top 14 – report
Scotland international Blair Kinghorn is reportedly poised to seal a high-profile switch to the Top 14.
Liam Heagney
22 Nov 2023, 4:26
Sacked on Sunday, Richard Cockerill could have a new job by Thursday
Former England assistant Richard Cockerill is reportedly set for a swift return to Test-level rugby after dramatically losing his …
Liam Heagney
22 Nov 2023, 5:04
Richard Cockerill is sacked by Montpellier after just seven games
Former England assistant Richard Cockerill has been sacked by Montpellier just seven games into the Top 14 season.
Liam Heagney
21 Nov 2023, 4:34
Sale deliver a devastating injury update on England back row Tom Curry
Sale have delivered a deflating update on Tom Curry, confirming that the England back row will require surgery to mend a hip probl…
Liam Heagney
21 Nov 2023, 12:04
Saracens statement: Ben Earl, Alex Lozowski, Elliot Daly injury update
Ben Earl will be available for the start of England’s Guinness Six Nations campaign after Saracens received a positive update on…
Liam Heagney
21 Nov 2023, 10:45
French age-grade star Oscar Jegou sanctioned for failed doping test
France U20s World Cup winner Oscar Jegou has reportedly learned his fate after recently testing positive for cocaine following a T…
Liam Heagney
21 Nov 2023, 8:57
Why Dallaglio believes 'ominously good' Saracens are the team to fear
Former England and Wasps talisman Lawrence Dallaglio believes Saracens are the team for everyone to fear in this season’s Gallag…
Liam Heagney
18 Nov 2023, 7:48
Rugby Pod verdict on rumoured hefty Maro Itoje pay cut at Saracens
Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton and England out-half Andy Goode have weighed in on the speculation surrounding the future of Mar…
Liam Heagney
21 Nov 2023, 6:12
Exeter boss Rob Baxter explains last month's 10-hour payroll delay
Exeter boss Rob Baxter has insisted there was nothing sinister behind the club’s players getting paid 10 hours late last month, …
Liam Heagney
21 Nov 2023, 5:09
The 'scary, scary thing' Stuart Hogg has noticed about Finn Russell
Life is now very different for Stuart Hogg, the ex-rugby player. It was July 9 when he brought forward his planned retirement, scr…
Interview
Liam Heagney
15 Nov 2023, 9:19
Dallaglio: 'Biggest disappointment is we never built on that legacy'
Lawrence Dallaglio will be dressed up to the nines next Wednesday evening in London 20 years to the very day when England clinched…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
19 Nov 2023, 3:23
Hogg: 'I absolutely hated it... but there was method in the madness'
Stuart Hogg had just finished up an interview with his old mucker Finn Russell on Wednesday in Bath when he popped up on the Rugby…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
19 Nov 2023, 3:48
Campese: 'Too many league people in our game has destroyed our game'
David Campese is still trying to get his head around the Wallabies failing to make the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the firs…
Exclusive
Liam Heagney
18 Nov 2023, 15:05
Bernard Laporte offered a role at Cockerill's Montpellier – report
Bernard Laporte is reportedly poised for a return to rugby at Montpellier, the club that fell to bottom place in the Top 14 with S…
Liam Heagney
18 Nov 2023, 14:15
SRU statement: Apology to the family of the late Siobhan Cattigan
The Scottish Rugby Union have issued an apology to the family of the late Siobhan Cattigan, the back-rower who won 19 caps for the…
Liam Heagney
18 Nov 2023, 11:04
The Jake White complaint after Bulls end four-week trip with a loss
Bulls boss Jake White has called on URC officials to review its fixtures scheduling after the toll being away from home for a mont…
Liam Heagney
18 Nov 2023, 5:35
'Beyond a joke' issue tackled in Nigel Owens' clean-up rugby plan
Retired referee Nigel Owens has outlined the changes he believes needs to happen before the next Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2…
Liam Heagney
18 Nov 2023, 4:55
Pro D2 club makes signing George North its top priority – report
Wales’ George North reportedly visited a French tier-two team in midweek with a view to signing for the 2024/25 season.
Liam Heagney
17 Nov 2023, 11:43
Championship Rugby statement: Unanimous opposition to Premiership 2
Championship Rugby clubs have quashed RFU hopes that a Premiership 2 franchise model might be set up in the future in England to u…
Liam Heagney
17 Nov 2023, 11:14
Ireland name their 2023/24 men’s and women’s sevens squads
James Topping and Allan Temple-Jones have named their respective men’s and women’s sevens squads for the 2023/24 season which …
Liam Heagney
17 Nov 2023, 7:13
The bold Sale prediction after England’s limited use of Bevan Rodd
Sale have ambitiously backed Bevan Rodd to benefit in the long term from his limited role with England at the recent Rugby World C…
Liam Heagney
17 Nov 2023, 2:30
Munster confirm three new signings, including Crusaders' Oli Jager
Graham Rowntree’s Munster have confirmed the signing of three players, including the December arrival of Crusaders’ Irish-qual…
Liam Heagney
16 Nov 2023, 10:05
Rassie Erasmus: 2021 resignation letter, Lions tour cancellation row
Rassie Erasmus has explained why he wrote a letter of resignation to SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux in July 2021 before the Test series v…
Liam Heagney
16 Nov 2023, 5:30
Sale hail ‘superhuman’ impact of tackle king South African signing
Less than two months into the Gallagher Premiership season, Sale are feeling massively chuffed with their recruitment of the unher…
Liam Heagney
16 Nov 2023, 3:41
France poised to confirm Antoine Dupont will miss 2024 Six Nations
France skipper Antoine Dupont will miss the 2024 Guinness Six Nations in order to prepare to represent his country at the Olympic …
Liam Heagney
15 Nov 2023, 13:26
Rugby Australia statement: Michael Hooper and the 2024 Olympics
Michael Hooper is on course to potentially clash with Antoine Dupont at next year’s Olympic Games after Rugby Australia confirme…
Liam Heagney
15 Nov 2023, 14:58
Jonny May banned after 'highly reckless' tackle on Ollie Lawrence
Jonny May, the Gloucester winger who recently announced his Test rugby retirement, has copped a three-game ban after getting cited…
Liam Heagney
15 Nov 2023, 10:51
The Sale verdict on England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie’s club debut
Sale have given their verdict on last weekend’s club debut by England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie.
Liam Heagney
15 Nov 2023, 5:35
‘Sleepless' Andrew Porter breaks silence on 'blood boiling' scrums
Ireland prop Andrew Porter has broken his silence on his country’s agonising exit last month from the Rugby World Cup.
Liam Heagney
15 Nov 2023, 3:45
World Rugby statement: Rugby World Cup final
World Rugby have issued a statement in light of a media report in New Zealand alleging that the governing body privately acknowled…
Liam Heagney
14 Nov 2023, 13:25
Tom Curry awaiting Harley Street verdict after latest injury setback
Sale boss Alex Sanderson has revealed he is awaiting a specialist opinion from London on the severity of the latest injury setback…
Liam Heagney
14 Nov 2023, 10:56
Rassie Erasmus names his biggest achievement in rugby
Rassie Erasmus has named his biggest achievement in rugby – and it isn’t winning the Rugby World Cup with South Africa.
Liam Heagney
14 Nov 2023, 6:48
Springboks, All Blacks dominate Rugby World magazine's World Cup XV
Rugby World magazine have named a Rugby World Cup team of the tournament dominated by last month’s finalists South Africa and Ne…
Liam Heagney
14 Nov 2023, 5:48
Johann van Graan reveals his ‘unthinkable’ number one rugby memory
Current Bath boss Johann van Graan has revealed his number one rugby memory from a career that has taken him from coaching at club…
Liam Heagney
14 Nov 2023, 8:34
Ampthill club statement: Paul Turner and Dragons
English Championship club Ampthill have issued a statement in the wake of the announcement in Wales that head coach Paul Turner is…
Liam Heagney
14 Nov 2023, 5:02
England player ratings | The 34 players capped at Rugby World Cup 2023
France 2023 ended in a bronze medal finish last weekend for England, a conclusion that few thought possible coming into the tourna…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
05 Nov 2023, 4:00
England player bike crash revealed in Joe Marler's World Cup review
England prop Joe Marler has delivered a brilliantly entertaining Rugby World Cup review on his eponymously named podcast, The Joe …
Liam Heagney
05 Nov 2023, 4:30
Api Ratuniyarawa misses Barbarians game after Cardiff court appearance
The Barbarians have been forced to make a change to their line-up for Saturday’s match in Cardiff versus Wales after Api Ratuniy…
Liam Heagney
04 Nov 2023, 9:19
Ireland dominate poll asking fans to pick Lions team to play today
British and Irish Lions fans reckon nine Ireland players would get in the Test team if they were playing today.
Liam Heagney
04 Nov 2023, 8:46
Watch: 5-minute video of Pieter-Steph du Toit tackling All Blacks
A five-minute compilation video showing all of the tackles made by Pieter-Steph du Toit for the Springboks in their Rugby World Cu…
Liam Heagney
04 Nov 2023, 7:36
Ronan O'Gara reveals interest in dream team Lions coaching ticket
Ronan O’Gara has thrown his hat into the ring to help coach the British and Irish Lions on their 2025 tour to Australia.
Liam Heagney
03 Nov 2023, 11:10
Dan McKellar addresses speculation that he could succeed Eddie Jones
Former Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar has responded to speculation that he could be the next coach of Australia after the resign…
Liam Heagney
03 Nov 2023, 9:38
The ‘hugely significant' BUCS Super Rugby milestone players list
BUCS Super Rugby have released a list celebrating the milestone of 102 of its university league players playing professionally in …
Liam Heagney
03 Nov 2023, 7:49
World Rugby statement: Wayne Barnes steps down from refereeing
Wayne Barnes has called time on his refereeing career, confirming on Thursday that last Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final between…
Liam Heagney
02 Nov 2023, 8:32
Sonny Bill Williams' verdict on Kolisi inspiring youths in poverty
Former All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has outlined what pictures of Siya Kolisi holding the Webb Ellis Cup can potentia…
Liam Heagney
02 Nov 2023, 9:42
Eddie Jones: Lack of Farrell appreciation, media overhype Smith
Former England head coach Eddie Jones has told William Hill’s podcast, Up Front with Simon Jordan, that Owen Farrell remains u…
Liam Heagney
01 Nov 2023, 6:21
Kubota Spears have named an All Black as Malcolm Marx's replacement
Monday’s confirmation that Malcolm Marx has withdrawn from the Kubota Spears team for the 2023/24 Japanese Rugby League One seas…
Liam Heagney
01 Nov 2023, 5:58
Deon Fourie explains ‘dark place’ pains he battled in World Cup final
Veteran Springboks forward Deon Fourie has revealed he found himself in a “dark place” trying to make the finish of Saturday n…
Liam Heagney
30 Oct 2023, 10:55
Japan League's 'amazing 40 per cent' World Cup final player claim
Japan Rugby’s League One has a dozen Rugby World Cup final starters enrolled to play in the 2023/24 season – more starters in …
Liam Heagney
28 Oct 2023, 13:14
The 'such a rush' addiction that Theo Dan just can't get enough of
Theo Dan has claimed he is addicted to Test match rugby after rounding off his maiden Rugby World Cup with a try-scoring appearanc…
Liam Heagney
28 Oct 2023, 3:41
Borthwick: 'Playing for England should be the time of your life'
Steve Borthwick has hailed the rapid progress of his England team, turning around a difficult run of form in 2023 to produce six w…
Liam Heagney
28 Oct 2023, 3:10
The Owen Farrell reaction to the Parisian crowd regularly booing him
England skipper Owen Farrell has given his take on having numerous fans barracking him at every opportunity on Friday night.
Liam Heagney
28 Oct 2023, 2:54
The 'no idea' Michael Cheika reaction when asked about his future
Michael Cheika has claimed he has no idea if he will be coaching Argentina in 2024 after their Rugby World Cup campaign ended with…
Liam Heagney
27 Oct 2023, 18:14
England player ratings vs Argentina | Rugby World Cup 2023
England player ratings live from Stade de France: Forty-eight days after a 14-man England comprehensively defeated Argentina 27-10…
Analysis
Liam Heagney
27 Oct 2023, 17:12
Retiring Ben Youngs names the proudest moment of his England career
Ben Youngs has named his proudest moment in the England shirt. First capped in March 2010, the 34-year-old is set to win his 127th…
Liam Heagney
27 Oct 2023, 7:32
RFU statement: Tom Curry and Bongi Mbonambi
The RFU have given its full support to England back row Tom Curry for raising the racially abusive behaviour he allegedly experien…
Liam Heagney
26 Oct 2023, 3:47
