Rugby

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

Jan 16, 2023 A dreadful year for the Wallabies, riddled by injuries and poor results, and the desire not to see Eddie Jones gainfully employed elsewhere, has given way to yet another stunning decision by Rugby Australia — an organisation that has earned a reputation for doing just that. Nearly two decades after he was

10:44 AM GMT Steve Borthwick has included five uncapped players in his first England Six Nations squad with Dan Cole and Ben Earl returning but Billy Vunipola, Jonny May and Jack Nowell have been omitted. England open their championship against Scotland on Feb. 4 at Twickenham and Borthwick has put his stamp on the team

10:38 PM GMT ESPN staff Eddie Jones will make a stunning return to Australian rugby as Wallabies coach, with Dave Rennie sacked after a disappointing 2022 season when Australia won just five of 14 Tests. Rugby Australia [RA] on Monday morning confirmed Jones had been signed on a five-year deal through to the 2027 Rugby

7:22 PM GMT Owen Farrell is available for England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland upon the completion of his ban, the RFU said on Saturday. Farrell was handed a four-match ban earlier this week for a dangerous, high tackle on Jack Clement in a Premiership match between Saracens and Gloucester. When announcing the ban, the

1:57 PM GMT Flanker Tom Curry has been ruled out of England’s first two Six Nations games after suffering a hamstring tear in Sale Sharks’ Premiership win over Harlequins on Sunday. Curry, who has won 45 caps and captained England for the first time in last year’s Six Nations, will miss the matches against Scotland

8:30 AM GMT England’s Owen Farrell will be available for the opening match of the 2023 Six Nations despite being handed a four-week suspension for a dangerous tackle. Farrell is set to be a key part of England’s charge in the championship under new coach Steve Borthwick, but was a doubt for their opener on

8:03 PM GMT Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has poured cold water on the prospect of a World Cup union with Eddie Jones, while revealing his messages to two key squad omissions. A 44-man Australian cast has assembled on the Gold Coast for a four-day camp to begin preparations for this year’s showpiece in France. Rennie

10:54 AM GMT Owen Farrell has been cited for a high tackle in Friday’s Premiership match between Saracens and Gloucester and if he is found guilty of foul play will face a ban that could rule him out of England’s Six Nations game against Scotland on Feb. 4. Farrell’s shoulder made contact with the jaw

3:17 PM GMT Harlequins coach Nick Evans has joined England’s coaching ranks and is scheduled to work under Steve Borthwick only for the duration of the Six Nations championship, the RFU said on Friday. Former All Black fly-half Evans will work as attack coach during the tournament, with England kicking off at home to Scotland

9:34 AM GMT Scotland could be without fly-half Adam Hastings for next month’s Six Nations after his club Gloucester said he will require shoulder surgery, adding to coach Gregor Townsend’s injury problems in the build-up to the tournament. Hastings, who has 27 caps, damaged his shoulder in their 28-13 Premiership defeat to Leicester Tigers on