https://www.theguardian.com/sport/rugby-union Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:48:13 GMT 2026-06-11T12:48:13Z en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/09/jo-yapp-andy-farrell-british-and-irish-lions-preparations-new-zealand-tour-womens-rugby <ul><li><p>Women’s head coach to select staff for New Zealand tour</p></li><li><p>‘My plan is to pick the brains of those who have gone before’</p></li></ul><p>Jo Yapp, the women’s British &amp; Irish Lions head coach, revealed that she has spoken to Andy Farrell to pick “the brains of those who have gone before” as she begins her preparations for the inaugural tour.</p><p>Yapp, who was in charge of Australia at the World Cup last year, was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/27/jo-yapp-head-coach-first-womens-british-irish-lions-tour-new-zealand-rugby">appointed last month</a> as the head coach for the 2027 women’s Lions tour of New Zealand. Farrell was the head coach of the men’s winning tour of Australia in 2025 and is the Ireland head coach.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/09/jo-yapp-andy-farrell-british-and-irish-lions-preparations-new-zealand-tour-womens-rugby">Continue reading...</a> Women's rugby union Andy Farrell Rugby union Sport Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/09/jo-yapp-andy-farrell-british-and-irish-lions-preparations-new-zealand-tour-womens-rugby Photograph: Dan Sheridan/INPHO/Shutterstock Photograph: Dan Sheridan/INPHO/Shutterstock Photograph: Dan Sheridan/INPHO/Shutterstock Sarah Rendell 2026-06-09T15:00:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/09/maro-itoje-out-england-training-squad-summer-rest-expected <ul><li><p>Captain to miss tour barring injuries to other second-rows</p></li><li><p>Feyi-Waboso could recover in time for tour after surgery</p></li></ul><p>The chances of Maro Itoje touring with England this summer continue to diminish after the national captain was left out of Steve Borthwick’s ­latest June training squad. It is understood England would ideally like to give Itoje a rest barring a sudden rush of injuries affecting the number of other second row candidates ­available to Borthwick.</p><p>Despite his club, Saracens, having failed to make the Prem playoffs, Itoje is not among the 26 players gathered in Bagshot to prepare for a fixture between an England XV and a France XV in Vannes on Friday week. Other senior players, including Jamie George, Ben Earl and Tom Curry, are involved, however, alongside uncapped hopefuls such as Gloucester’s Afolabi Fasogbon and Ben Redshaw and the Bristol centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/09/maro-itoje-out-england-training-squad-summer-rest-expected">Continue reading...</a> England rugby union team Maro Itoje Rugby union Sport Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:06:52 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/09/maro-itoje-out-england-training-squad-summer-rest-expected Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images/Reuters Robert Kitson 2026-06-09T12:06:52Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/09/rugby-mourns-spurrell-and-slattery-two-titans-who-exemplified-the-games-spirit <p>If you want to understand warrior mentality, look no further than these unflinching icons of the 1970s and 80s</p><p>People talk a lot about character in sport without always agreeing on a precise definition. Hanging in there when times get tough? Arguably that is a pre-requisite across top-level competition. The ability to keep cool, calm and collected under the most extreme pressure? Valuable, certainly, but not every cherished champion – John McEnroe or Diego Maradona, for example – fits that unflappable mould.<br><br> A more accurate gauge, perhaps, is how much certain individuals are missed once they are gone. In recent days rugby union has lost two titans who absolutely belong in that special category. Not every modern Prem flanker will be familiar with the exploits of Fergus Slattery and Roger Spurrell, both of whom have passed away at 77 and 71 respectively, but for many of us they exemplified what unquenchable warrior spirit looks like.</p><p>Give or take Willie John McBride, there was no more renowned Irish international forward in the 1970s than “Slattery of Ireland”, to borrow from Cliff Morgan’s famous commentary of the 1973 Barbarians v New Zealand game in Cardiff. On the 1974 British &amp; Irish Lions tour he was at the peak of his powers on the hard fields of South Africa, setting new standards for fit, fast-paced and forthright wing forwards everywhere. As the suitably warm tribute issued by Blackrock College put it: “He played with ferocity and grace but without ego or theatre … Fergus never sought admiration but earned it universally.”<br><br> Spurrell, for some bizarre reason, never won an England cap but the example he set as Bath’s unflinching captain during their glory years remains indelible. His former teammate Jeremy Guscott described him in the Rugby Paper as “a true Bath rugby icon” and the former paratrooper was renowned as one of the hardest players in a notable tough Bath pack who underpinned the club’s consistent success. The journalist Jon Newcombe described the curly blond-haired Spurrell as “the West Country’s answer to Jean-Pierre Rives” and his impact on youthful imaginations was similarly vivid.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/09/rugby-mourns-spurrell-and-slattery-two-titans-who-exemplified-the-games-spirit">Continue reading...</a> Rugby union Sport Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:27:35 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/09/rugby-mourns-spurrell-and-slattery-two-titans-who-exemplified-the-games-spirit Photograph: Mike Brett/Popperfoto/Getty Images Photograph: Mike Brett/Popperfoto/Getty Images Photograph: Mike Brett/Popperfoto/Getty Images Robert Kitson 2026-06-09T09:27:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/07/exeter-sale-premiership-womens-rugby-union-match-report <ul><li><p>Premiership Women’s Rugby: Exeter 50-24 Sale</p></li><li><p>Chiefs will play Saracens in playoff semi-final</p></li></ul><p>Claudia Moloney-MacDonald is hitting her best form at just the right time for Exeter as her performance was pivotal in the hosts’ victory against Sale. The England international, who was a part of the Red Roses’ grand slam-<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/17/england-win-eighth-successive-womens-six-nations-after-powering-to-victory-over-france">winning Six Nations campaign</a>, scored four tries to confirm the club’s Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final against Saracens on 13 June.</p><p>Moloney-MacDonald, who scored two tries against Bristol last week, was impressive in open play and among her scoring frenzy was a sensational effort as she hunted down a kicked ball before it was about to roll out of play. Her try-tally also took her to 14 scores in the PWR this season.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/07/exeter-sale-premiership-womens-rugby-union-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Premiership Women's Rugby Women's rugby union Rugby union Sport Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:33:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/07/exeter-sale-premiership-womens-rugby-union-match-report Photograph: Phil Mingo/PPAUK/Shutterstock Photograph: Phil Mingo/PPAUK/Shutterstock Photograph: Phil Mingo/PPAUK/Shutterstock Sarah Rendell at Sandy Park 2026-06-07T16:33:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/06/exeter-saracens-prem-rugby-union-match-report <ul><li><p>Prem Rugby: Exeter 32-12 Saracens</p></li><li><p>Chiefs to visit Bath in next Saturday’s semi-final</p></li></ul><p>Not since 2021 have Exeter finished in the Prem top four, hence the heartfelt Devon roar at the final whistle. To beat their old rivals Saracens to a playoff place made the result all the sweeter given the frequently acrimonious history of this fixture. It will be the Chiefs who progress to next Saturday’s semi-final, where they will face Bath at the Rec.</p><p>In doing so, they officially drew the curtains on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/saracens-mark-mccall-prem-rugby-union">Mark McCall’s 15-year tenure in charge of Sarries</a>. This is absolutely not how the Ulsterman or his players wanted it to end, but, for a while, this was exactly McCall’s type of game: hard, unforgiving and intense. By the end, though, the visitors were very much second-best to opponents whose physicality and endurance could yet make them tricky knockout customers.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/06/exeter-saracens-prem-rugby-union-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Prem Rugby Exeter Saracens Rugby union Sport Sat, 06 Jun 2026 16:41:16 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/06/exeter-saracens-prem-rugby-union-match-report Photograph: Harry Trump/Wired Photos/Shutterstock Photograph: Harry Trump/Wired Photos/Shutterstock Photograph: Harry Trump/Wired Photos/Shutterstock Robert Kitson at Sandy Park 2026-06-06T16:41:16Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/06/bath-leicester-prem-rugby-union-match-report <ul><li><p>Bath 24-22 Leicester</p></li><li><p>Bath will host Exeter, Leicester to visit Northampton</p></li></ul><p>Bath-Leicester is about as earthy a rivalry as it gets, and, boy, in this era of free-flowing, almost surreal, rugby, here we had a proper throwback to times past. Brutal. And with this hardest of wins, Bath, the champions, have chiselled out the right to play at home in Saturday’s semi-final.</p><p>You think Bath-Leicester is earthy? Prepare for next week, when Northampton host Leicester (earthiest of them all?) and Bath will take on Exeter. Two semis, two derbies. Forget about the razzmatazz. This is why most of us fell in love with rugby.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/06/bath-leicester-prem-rugby-union-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Prem Rugby Bath Leicester Rugby union Sport Sat, 06 Jun 2026 16:39:24 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/06/bath-leicester-prem-rugby-union-match-report Photograph: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Shutterstock Photograph: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Shutterstock Photograph: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Shutterstock Michael Aylwin at the Recreation Ground 2026-06-06T16:39:24Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/05/andy-farrell-new-ireland-contract-rugby-union <ul><li><p>Farrell to remain as Ireland’s head coach until 2031</p></li><li><p>Feyi-Waboso faces fitness race for England summer tour</p></li></ul><p>Andy Farrell has signed a new deal to remain as Ireland’s head coach until 2031, removing any chance of England luring him back to Twickenham after next year’s Rugby World Cup. Instead, Farrell has opted to stay put in Dublin and will now preside over their next two World Cup campaigns.</p><p>Farrell, who <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/04/british-irish-lions-special-moments-but-lacked-consistency-australia-wallabies-tour-rugby-2025">led the British &amp; Irish Lions</a> to a series win in Australia last year, has steered Ireland to two Six Nations titles, including a grand slam in 2023 and a historic Test series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand since replacing Joe Schmidt in late 2019. His latest five-year deal puts an abrupt end to speculation about a possible return to English rugby.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/05/andy-farrell-new-ireland-contract-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a> Ireland rugby union team Andy Farrell England rugby union team Sport Rugby union Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:03:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/05/andy-farrell-new-ireland-contract-rugby-union Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP Robert Kitson 2026-06-05T10:03:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/05/prem-rugby-team-of-the-season <p>The league has been a launchpad for players such as Noah Caluori while showcasing the best English rugby has to offer</p><p>The final round of the regular Prem season is nigh, with the playoffs yet to come. Here is the Guardian’s 2025-26 team of the season with players needing to have appeared in at least nine league fixtures to get the nod.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/05/prem-rugby-team-of-the-season">Continue reading...</a> Prem Rugby Rugby union Sport Northampton Saracens Exeter Leicester Bath Bristol Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:54:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/05/prem-rugby-team-of-the-season Composite: Getty, Shutterstock Composite: Getty, Shutterstock Composite: Getty, Shutterstock Robert Kitson 2026-06-05T08:54:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/05/sexism-and-bullying-keeping-women-out-of-careers-in-sport-mps-told <p>Women coaches routinely overlooked, undermined and denied opportunities despite qualifications, say experts </p><p>Women are being shut out of careers in sport by entrenched sexism, discrimination and workplace bullying, MPs have been told.</p><p>Female coaches are routinely overlooked, undermined and denied opportunities despite their qualifications, experts told a parliamentary select committee on Thursday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/05/sexism-and-bullying-keeping-women-out-of-careers-in-sport-mps-told">Continue reading...</a> Sport Women Gender Women's football UK news Football Rugby league Rugby union Basketball Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:00:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/05/sexism-and-bullying-keeping-women-out-of-careers-in-sport-mps-told Photograph: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images Photograph: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images Photograph: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images Amelia Hill 2026-06-05T07:00:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/04/rfu-council-member-matthew-smith-punished-maggie-alphonsi-comment-facebook-rugby <ul><li><p>Matthew Smith has privileges temporarily removed </p></li><li><p>Rugby pundit Alphonsi ‘disappointed’ with outcome</p></li></ul><p>A Rugby Football Union council member has had his privileges suspended for seven months after making a discriminatory comment about the England World Cup winner and pundit Maggie Alphonsi.</p><p>Matthew Smith, who represents Warwickshire, made the comment on Facebook about the 42-year-old during France’s 48-46 win against England in the Six Nations earlier this year. He posted: “Can someone please explain to me WTF does Maggie Alphonsi know about men’s rugby?”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/04/rfu-council-member-matthew-smith-punished-maggie-alphonsi-comment-facebook-rugby">Continue reading...</a> Rugby Football Union Rugby union Women's rugby union Sport Sport politics Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:36:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/04/rfu-council-member-matthew-smith-punished-maggie-alphonsi-comment-facebook-rugby Photograph: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile/Getty Images Photograph: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile/Getty Images Photograph: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile/Getty Images Sarah Rendell 2026-06-04T16:36:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/02/the-breakdown-expanding-premiership-womens-rugby-could-be-a-game-changer-if-done-right <p>Interest in joining the English top flight is strong, but how non-professional players are treated remains a key obstacle</p><p>Several clubs including Bath have registered their interest in joining England’s Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR). The expansion of the top flight has no concrete timeline, but the possibility of the league growing has thrown up different discussion points. How will non-professional players deal with travel if a club from another home nation is introduced? Will the expansion aid international competition? And how do players feel about it?</p><p>Before those questions are answered, let’s deal with the PWR expansion plans. The expression of interest phase was just an “exploratory” process and not a formal application to join the league. The move is part of the PWR’s 10-year plan to grow a sustainable and competitive league. The top flight is widely renowned as the best women’s club rugby competition in the world with international talent such as Ireland’s Aoife Wafer, New Zealand’s Alana Borland and Canada’s Sophie de Goede involved. However, the league has just nine teams after Worcester Warriors’ demise in 2023.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/02/the-breakdown-expanding-premiership-womens-rugby-could-be-a-game-changer-if-done-right">Continue reading...</a> Premiership Women's Rugby Rugby union Sport Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:53:23 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/02/the-breakdown-expanding-premiership-womens-rugby-could-be-a-game-changer-if-done-right Photograph: Ben Brady/INPHO/Shutterstock Photograph: Ben Brady/INPHO/Shutterstock Photograph: Ben Brady/INPHO/Shutterstock Sarah Rendell 2026-06-02T08:53:23Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/31/leicester-exeter-prem-rugby-union-match-report <ul><li><p>Leicester 26-35 Exeter</p></li><li><p>Fourth-placed Chiefs face Saracens to decide playoff spot</p></li></ul><p>Exeter became the first away side to win in the league at Welford Road in 14 months as two tries from the veteran full-back Olly Woodburn delivered a terrific win for the Chiefs.</p><p>In material terms the win made little difference to Exeter – they still need to beat Saracens at home in their final game of the regular season to reach the playoffs. But they will go into Saturday’s Sandy Park shootout with belief coursing through them after storming the Tigers’ lair.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/31/leicester-exeter-prem-rugby-union-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Prem Rugby Leicester Exeter Sport Rugby union Sun, 31 May 2026 17:05:39 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/31/leicester-exeter-prem-rugby-union-match-report Photograph: Matt Impey/Shutterstock Photograph: Matt Impey/Shutterstock Photograph: Matt Impey/Shutterstock Neil Squires at Mattioli Woods Welford Road 2026-05-31T17:05:39Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/saracens-harlequins-prem-rugby-union-match-report <ul><li><p>Prem Rugby: Saracens 26-12 Harlequins</p></li><li><p>Bonus point gained in final minute</p></li></ul><p>Not exactly a blaze of glory to send off Mark McCall on his last home match, but to win a good old-fashioned London scrap in such a way will no doubt be its own source of satisfaction. All the more so in that it means Saracens attain the top four for the first time since October with one round to play. All the more so given the bonus point that looked for 75 minutes as if it were a distant luxury.</p><p>Two tries in a crazy last few minutes meant one of those accrued too, to make the sweltering afternoon perfect, if not quite glorious. Theo Dan steered an attacking lineout over the line with the clock in the red to set off the faithful of a sold-out crowd with the final delirium of knowing they have two points’ grace over Exeter, who play at Leicester tomorrow.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/saracens-harlequins-prem-rugby-union-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Prem Rugby Saracens Harlequins Rugby union Sport Sat, 30 May 2026 14:23:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/saracens-harlequins-prem-rugby-union-match-report Photograph: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Shutterstock Photograph: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Shutterstock Photograph: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Shutterstock Michael Aylwin at the StoneX Stadium 2026-05-30T14:23:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/moana-pasifika-sign-off-super-rugby-pacific-hymn-win <ul><li><p>Undermanned side upsets finals-bound ACT Brumbies 21-19</p></li><li><p>Players come together to mark victory and club’s expected demise</p></li></ul><p>An undermanned Moana Pasifika have capped off their potential final match with a stirring victory, upsetting the finals-bound ACT Brumbies 21-19.</p><p>But there were mixed feelings as players celebrated a rare win before coming together with staff to mark the occasion of the club’s farewell game and expected demise with an emotionally charged hymn.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/moana-pasifika-sign-off-super-rugby-pacific-hymn-win">Continue reading...</a> Super Rugby Pacific Rugby union Australia sport Sport Asia Pacific Sat, 30 May 2026 08:31:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/moana-pasifika-sign-off-super-rugby-pacific-hymn-win Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Guardian sport 2026-05-30T08:31:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/saracens-mark-mccall-prem-rugby-union <p>Quiet architect of Saracens’ modern dynasty prepares for emotional farewell as his side battle for a playoff spot in penultimate match of the season </p><p>The quietest man in the stadium will be the most brilliantly lit when the spotlight falls on him come the end of the match. Mark McCall will hope his last home match in charge of Saracens will have ended with his team back in the top four, just when it matters most, with one round to play.</p><p>A win against Harlequins on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd would move Saracens ahead of Exeter into fourth, with the Chiefs visiting Leicester on Sunday. Saracens are 20-point favourites to beat Quins, Leicester 11-point favourites to beat Exeter. Unless both underdogs rear up to bite their hosts (an outcome the bookies rate as a one-in-50 chance), we are due a straight shootout for that fourth playoff spot on the regular season’s final weekend at Sandy Park, where Exeter will host Saracens.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/saracens-mark-mccall-prem-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a> Saracens Harlequins Exeter Prem Rugby Rugby union Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 13:19:31 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/saracens-mark-mccall-prem-rugby-union Photograph: Bob Bradford/CameraSport/Getty Images Photograph: Bob Bradford/CameraSport/Getty Images Photograph: Bob Bradford/CameraSport/Getty Images Michael Aylwin 2026-05-29T13:19:31Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/27/jo-yapp-head-coach-first-womens-british-irish-lions-tour-new-zealand-rugby <ul><li><p>Former England captain will lead side in 2027 to New Zealand</p></li><li><p>The 46-year-old preferred to Red Roses’ John Mitchell</p></li></ul><p>Jo Yapp has been named the head coach for the first women’s British &amp; Irish Lions tour, of New Zealand in 2027. The former England captain is the head of the women’s pathway at the Rugby Football Union and led Australia to the last eight of last year’s Rugby World Cup.</p><p>Yapp has been preferred to the England head coach, John Mitchell, for the job. The New Zealander led <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/27/england-outclass-canada-to-capture-glorious-womens-rugby-world-cup-triumph">England to World Cup glory in 2025</a> and said publicly he would like the job.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/27/jo-yapp-head-coach-first-womens-british-irish-lions-tour-new-zealand-rugby">Continue reading...</a> British & Irish Lions Women's rugby union Rugby union Sport New Zealand women's rugby union team Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/27/jo-yapp-head-coach-first-womens-british-irish-lions-tour-new-zealand-rugby Photograph: Bob Bradford/CameraSport/Getty Images Photograph: Bob Bradford/CameraSport/Getty Images Photograph: Bob Bradford/CameraSport/Getty Images Sarah Rendell 2026-05-27T10:00:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/26/rugby-union-breakdown-mo-hunt-england-six-nations-gloucester <p>Veteran scrum-half had to watch from the sidelines after a season-ending knee injury in the opening Six Nations game</p><p>Mo Hunt came into this season cresting perhaps the highest peak of her career. The scrum-half had added a second World Cup medal to her collection when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/27/england-outclass-canada-to-capture-glorious-womens-rugby-world-cup-triumph">England defeated Canada </a>in front of a record home crowd in September, carrying that form into Premiership Women’s Rugby, where Gloucester-Hartpury are chasing a fourth consecutive title.</p><p>Gloucester secured a home semi‑final before the league paused for the Women’s Six Nations and have not lost in the competition since November 2024. But just as another trophy-filled season looked within reach, Hunt’s campaign came to a sudden halt.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/26/rugby-union-breakdown-mo-hunt-england-six-nations-gloucester">Continue reading...</a> Women's rugby union England women's rugby union team Rugby union Sport Tue, 26 May 2026 07:50:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/26/rugby-union-breakdown-mo-hunt-england-six-nations-gloucester Photograph: Morgan Harlow/World Rugby/Getty Images Photograph: Morgan Harlow/World Rugby/Getty Images Photograph: Morgan Harlow/World Rugby/Getty Images Sarah Rendell 2026-05-26T07:50:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/25/bordeaux-leinster-france-rivals-rugby-union <p>Faster and smarter in deed and thought, Bordeaux ruthlessly demonstrated why Top 14 supremacy looks set to continue</p><p>Nothing in sport lasts for ever. Dynasties come and go and even the best fade to grey eventually. That, at least, is the theory. The stark truth in European club rugby is that France’s dominance grows stronger by the year. It is now six&nbsp;years since another nation won the Champions Cup and Bordeaux- Bègles’ second successive title did not feel like the last of its vibrant type.</p><p>Consider the evidence. Not only is the Top 14 spawning a golden generation of domestic players, it also has the major financial clout to attract premium foreign talent. Thus it is that Tom Willis, the most penetrative forward in England, is heading to Bordeaux next season while Tommaso Menoncello, the brilliant Italian centre, is joining Toulouse.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/25/bordeaux-leinster-france-rivals-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a> Rugby union Champions Cup Sport European Challenge Cup Mon, 25 May 2026 07:00:21 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/25/bordeaux-leinster-france-rivals-rugby-union Photograph: Miguel Oses/AP Photograph: Miguel Oses/AP Photograph: Miguel Oses/AP Robert Kitson in Bilbao 2026-05-25T07:00:21Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/23/king-of-bordeaux-lucu-injects-soul-into-triumph-of-a-french-club-on-the-rise <p>Leinster could not contain a team backed by tens of thousands of French supporters chanting with exuberance</p><p>They are in danger of running away with rugby, these French. The Springboks may have something to say about that, but South Africa do not have the Top 14. And they definitely do not have Union Bordeaux-Bègles.</p><p>Leinster tried to contain them. Leinster, packed with experienced internationals, dripping with silverware, were desperate to avoid yet another agonising defeat <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/23/leinster-bordeaux-champions-cup-final-rugby-union-match-report">in this final</a>. Leinster were rudely introduced to the concept of absolutely crushing defeat. They were destroyed, made to look one-paced by a team of exuberant artistes who play rugby as if they simply love it, as if playing brilliant rugby were the most obvious and natural course of action. Like breathing.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/23/king-of-bordeaux-lucu-injects-soul-into-triumph-of-a-french-club-on-the-rise">Continue reading...</a> Champions Cup Leinster Bordeaux Bègles Rugby union Sport Sat, 23 May 2026 17:50:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/23/king-of-bordeaux-lucu-injects-soul-into-triumph-of-a-french-club-on-the-rise Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA Michael Aylwin 2026-05-23T17:50:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/23/leinster-bordeaux-champions-cup-final-rugby-union-match-report <ul><li><p>Champions Cup final: Leinster 19-41 Bordeaux</p></li><li><p>French side run in five first-half tries in comfortable win</p></li></ul><p>Another vintage year for Bordeaux, another bitter final loss for Leinster. On a hot, unforgiving afternoon in Bilbao there was never the slightest doubt who would be hoisting the trophy into a cloudless Basque sky, such was the clear superiority of the reigning champions. Only Leinster have racked up more points in a Champions Cup final and the scoreboard did not lie.</p><p>That reality will not sit easily with anyone connected with an outgunned Leinster. This was their fifth final defeat in eight years, but there was some mitigation. No club side in the world possesses a sharper attacking edge than Bordeaux nor a deadlier finisher than Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The French wing added another two tries to his tally, which now stands at 34 in 30 games this season, and was later confirmed as the player of the year. Factor in the artistic direction of Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert and their back-to-back titles are not remotely a coincidence.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/23/leinster-bordeaux-champions-cup-final-rugby-union-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Champions Cup Leinster Bordeaux Bègles Rugby union Sport Sat, 23 May 2026 16:01:37 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/23/leinster-bordeaux-champions-cup-final-rugby-union-match-report Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA Robert Kitson at the Estadio de San Mamés 2026-05-23T16:01:37Z