Rugby

1:38 PM GMT Steve Phillips has resigned from his position as CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), the governing body said on Sunday after he came under pressure for its handling of allegations of misogyny, sexism and racism within the WRU. In a BBC Wales documentary, several former female WRU employees made allegations about

5:42 PM GMT Benetton Rugby prop Ivan Nemer has been suspended until June 30 after giving Black teammate Cherif Traore a “rotten banana” as a Christmas present, the Italian Rugby Federation said on Friday. The sanction was imposed based on investigations into what happened during a private lunch organised by the club’s players on Dec.

2:50 PM GMT The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has issued an apology for the “anger and concern” in the rugby community following its announcement last week that the tackle height would be lowered across the community game. The announcement, made on Thursday, caused uproar in the sport and a flurry of criticism. There was widespread

2:15 PM GMT French rugby was thrown into further turmoil just over seven months before the World Cup as Bernard Laporte resigned as president of the French rugby federation (FFR) on Friday. “I can confirm Bernard Laporte’s resignation. I welcome this decision … which is a good thing for French rugby, for its values and

12:27 AM GMT As the fallout continues from the Rugby Football Union’s decision to implement a waist-high limit for tackling in community rugby, World Rugby has confirmed it intends to follow suit with a reduction in the defensive height at the elite level of the game. In an interview with The Telegraph, World Rugby chief

8:34 AM GMT Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chairman Ieuan Evans said he will set up an external task force to examine accusations of sexism, racism and misogyny within the governing body as it looks to address issues raised by a BBC Wales documentary. Several former female WRU employees, including Charlotte Wathan, who resigned as the

11:47 AM GMT England are facing a growing injury crisis ahead of their Six Nations opener against Scotland with Jamie George and Elliot Daly the latest players to withdraw from training. Steve Borthwick begins his England tenure in the Calcutta Cup clash on Feb. 4, but his front-row resources are being tested with George the

9:06 AM GMT Six Nations Chief Executive Ben Morel has said there are no plans to expand the championship or change the participants, amid media reports of interest from South Africa’s rugby union. South Africa have been increasingly aligning themselves with the northern hemisphere, with four clubs joining the United Rugby Championship in 2021 and

5:09 PM GMT The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on Monday denied allegations made in a BBC documentary that some former employees suffered sexist discrimination, as a Welsh MP and former women’s international player call for an enquiry into all Welsh sporting bodies. In a BBC Wales programme, to be screened on Monday, several former WRU

10:00 AM GMT Vice-captain Courtney Lawes and hooker George McGuigan have been forced to withdraw from England’s Six Nations squad due to injury, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced on Monday. Lawes withdrew due to a calf injury after he limped off during Northampton Saints’ clash with La Rochelle on Saturday while McGuigan injured his

3:16 PM GMT Tackling above the waist will be banned in community rugby matches from next season to “reduce head impact exposure and concussion risk”, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on Thursday. The RFU added that ball carriers would be encouraged to “follow the principle of evasion” and avoid “late dipping.” “Designed to improve

10:29 AM GMT Ireland named a near full-strength squad for the Six Nations on Thursday, with one uncapped player among the 37 selected and captain Johnny Sexton included as expected as he bids to return to fitness for the Feb. 4 opener in Wales. The only surprise in Andy Farrell’s selection was the omission of

10:53 PM GMT Dim the lights and prepare the popcorn, the Eddie Show is here. One of the more extraordinary twists in Australian rugby — in a code not unfamiliar with such drama — shocked both the global rugby community and wider Australian sporting scene as veteran coach Eddie Jones was on Monday confirmed as

2:59 AM GMT Sacked Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has resisted the temptation for a parting shot at Rugby Australia following his dismissal on Monday, instead lauding the “hard work” of his playing group and staff while wishing the team all the best at this year’s Rugby World Cup. Rennie was dumped by RA in favour

1:42 PM GMT Gregor Townsend has named four uncapped players in Scotland’s squad for the Six Nations with England-capped wing Ruaridh McConnochie included. McConnochie played for England at the 2019 Rugby World Cup but hasn’t featured since. Due to World Rugby regulations, this gap between caps means he can switch allegiance and Scotland have called

1:02 PM GMT Hooker Ken Owens has been named as captain of Wales for the Six Nations as returning head coach Warren Gatland included four uncapped players in his expanded 37-man selection on Tuesday. Gatland’s trust in Owens, 36, is a disappointment for former skippers Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar, who have both been

Jan 16, 2023 Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan says he wants Eddie Jones to bring out the “slightly feral, slightly mongrel’ Australian characteristics that went missing under Dave Rennie, while the veteran coach is adamant he has enough time to change the Wallabies’ course for this year’s World Cup. News of Jones’ appointment on a

6:00 PM GMT The reminders of the past are everywhere Twickenham. Even as Steve Borthwick named his first Six Nations squad as England head coach, with his own approach and touch, there are unavoidable spectres. The claustrophobic nature of rugby means the past and present collide frequently, so just as Borthwick was making the final