South Africa 30-22 Australia: The Springboks survived another spirited Wallabies performance to revive their Rugby Championship hopes

Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman are identified as England’s standout performers following their side’s statement 69-7 victory over the United States in the Rugby World Cup opener.

France make a winning start to their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 24-0 victory over Pool D rivals Italy at Exeter’s Sandy Park.

High expectations as England bid to win on home soil

I was in Carton House when I got the call that dad had been knocked off his bike and taken by ambulance to hospital in Limerick where his condition was critical. It was Tuesday February 7, 2023. The previous Saturday I’d started the first game of that season’s Six Nations and was due to start the following Saturday against France. In my world, everything was going well.

Argentina record a first home win over New Zealand with a 29-23 victory in the Rugby Championship in front of a raucous crowd in Buenos Aires.

A 69-7 thrashing of the USA represented a perfect start to the tournament for the hosts as they begin their World Cup quest

England 69-7 USA: A record Women’s World Cup crowd watched the Red Roses thrash the United States to get the tournament started in style

These Six Nations rivals go head to head on the first weekend of the Rugby World Cup with fans set for another nail-biter.

Ireland’s World Cup squad have offered their support to team-mate Shannon Ikahihifo after she revealed her breast cancer diagnosis.

Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon is fit to start Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool C opener against Japan.

Eddie Jones has played down the Wallabies’ landmark Ellis Park triumph over the Springboks in the Rugby Championship opener

The All Blacks have announced their squad for the second Rugby Championship Test against Argentina, which will be played at Estadio Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning New Zealand time.

Harlequins have confirmed the signing of Boris Wenger, a 23-year-old prop from Argentina, ahead of the 2025/26 Premiership Rugby season.

Everything you need to know ahead of the Pool B clash

England are hoping to secure success on home soil

The potential of England’s forward pack is “scary” following a 69-7 opening Women’s Rugby World Cup win over the United States, says New Zealand World Cup-winner Ruby Tui.

St Helens move into second place in the Betfred Super League with a 16-10 victory over Hull FC as Leigh overwhelm crisis-hit Salford 38-6; watch every Super League game this season live on Sky Sports – including two matches in each round exclusively live

Six years ago, the possiblity of filling 82,000 seats for a Women’s Rugby World Cup final seemed fanciful. But a booming game has confounded expectations.

The Welsh Rugby Union presented a “radical” plan to save rugby in Wales but there are still plenty of issues to sort out.

Leeds served further notice of their Grand Final intent with an emphatic 28-6 win over Betfred Super League leaders Hull KR at Headingley.

Ryan Carr has signed a three-year deal with Castleford Tigers and will start his role ahead of the 2026 season; Carr is currently an assistant coach at NRL side St George Illawarra Dragons; watch every Super League game this season live on Sky Sports

Will Genia, one of the most decorated players in Australian rugby history, announces his retirement at the age of 37.

The Welsh Rugby Union backs reducing the number of professional teams from four to two but insists no final decision has been made.

Women’s Rugby World Cup favourites England will kick off the tournament against the United States on Friday in Pool A. Here is everything you need to know.

Flanker Claire Boles says Ireland must “start faster” in their World Cup opener against Japan in Northampton on Sunday.

American social media sensation Ilona Maher says she may move into WWE or Hollywood as her next career move after the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

ALEX BYWATER: The Welsh Rugby Union is set to propose reducing the number of Wales’ professional clubs from four to two as part of plans to restructure the country’s national game.

South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus named a much-changed starting XV for the second Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday, with only five of the starters from Ellis Park returning.

Red Roses have extra spring in step for home World Cup after Lionesses success this summer; England target first world title since 2014; Tournament favourites start campaign against USA in Sunderland on Friday before Pool A contests against Samoa and Australia

The Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham has sold out making it likely to be the biggest ever crowd for a one-off women’s rugby match.

Newcastle Red Bulls sign forward Fergus Lee-Warner on a one-year deal from New South Wales Waratahs.

Defeat in the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup final was Ellie Kildunne’s “first rugby heartbreak”, but the England full-back says she it can fuel their title bid this summer.

The All Blacks have suffered a double setback ahead of their Rugby Championship rematch with Argentina in Buenos Aires after injuries ruled out two key players.

Salford Red Devils’ Super League fixture against Leigh Leopards is set to go ahead as scheduled, the club have said.

Jade Shekells targeting special moments at the tournament on home soil

Pieter-Steph du Toit has also been ruled out after suffering a concussion in South Africa’s defeat in the opening round of the Rugby Championship

2025 Womens Rugby World Cup – tournaments 10th edition – starts in Sunderland on August 22 and concludes at Twickenham on September 27; England hoping home advantage helps dethrone defending champions New Zealand and propels the Red Roses to glory

Over a year ago, Maher rose to superstardom with the bronze-medal American Olympic rugby team, with her peak athleticism helping the United States get on the medal stand.

South Africa were stunned by Australia in Johannesburg after letting a 22-0 lead slip

🗣️ “I’m sitting here in the Brisbane sunshine eating copious amounts of humble pie. And, given the performance by the Wallabies, it’s actually the sweetest of pies and I don’t mind swallowing the lot!” #RSAvAUS #RugbyChampionship

Argentina 24-41 New Zealand: Two tries from wing Sevu Reece helped the All Blacks secure victory despite a Pumas fightback

A former Ireland rugby star convicted of failing to prevent a gang rape took part in a rugby event in Northern Ireland recently.

Munster put themselves in pole position for a shot at regaining the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship title following a business-like 33-22 win over Leinster at Energia Park.

Ireland winger keen to lay down a marker in Pool C opener against Japan

Runaway world number ones England will have to buck a losing trend if they are to win a home World Cup, with a host of overseas raiders and neighbouring rivals eyeing an upset.

There was a degree of consternation from those in Australia for the Lions series when Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt made mention of the upcoming challenges that the Rugby Championship would pose. 

The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond

Ffredi Easterby has enjoyed much success in rugby as a teenager.

ALEX BYWATER: Louis Rees-Zammit declared Bristol ‘the obvious choice’ and said the ambitious Bears were perfect for him on and off the field as he confirmed his rugby return.