Rugby

James Regan Oct 31, 2024, 02:37 PM Open Extended Reactions All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has said the Haka is “part of who we are” in response to England prop Joe Marler’s comments on social media calling the ceremonial dance “ridiculous.” England host New Zealand on Saturday at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, but Marler won’t be

Sam Bruce, Deputy Editor, espn.com.auNov 1, 2024, 01:34 AM Close Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPN after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Open Extended Reactions

Oct 31, 2024, 03:46 PM Open Extended Reactions International rugby returns with several blockbuster Test matches in November, as the northern and southern hemisphere sides go head-to-head once more. England and New Zealand kick things off at Twickenham on Saturday in a match that always promises drama and entertainment, before Scotland host Fiji in Edinburgh.

James Regan Oct 31, 2024, 04:11 PM Open Extended Reactions This year’s autumn rugby internationals will feature a trial of a 20-minute red card system that could have a dramatic impact on matches and how they are officiated. While the trial has already been conducted in the Rugby Championship this year, it is being rolled

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 30, 2024, 01:39 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions England prop Joe Marler left the camp on Monday morning due to “personal reasons,” a source

Oct 30, 2024, 12:36 PM England prop Joe Marler has re-activated his X account after saying New Zealand should stop performing the Haka, the side’s pre-match tradition. England face the All Blacks on Saturday in their first game of this year’s autumn international, although Marler has not been named in Steve Borthwick’s matchday squad. Editor’s

Oct 30, 2024, 11:35 AM Open Extended Reactions England lock Maro Itoje has said he is confident that England can prove they are heading in the right direction with a series of wins this autumn, adding the side are “not here to make up the numbers.” England face New Zealand on Saturday in the first

Oct 30, 2024, 09:14 AM Open Extended Reactions France face Japan, New Zealand and Argentina in this year’s autumn internationals. FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has banned players from drinking alcohol during national team gatherings as part of efforts to improve discipline following a series of controversies off the field this

The rugby world is together once again, as the autumn internationals [or spring tours, if you reside down south] take centre stage across the United Kingdom and Europe. And hasn’t there been some spice in the build-up? An intriguing slate of matches awaits in November. Read on as we take a look at where things

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 29, 2024, 06:00 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions England head coach Steve Borthwick has backed Henry Slade to deliver against New Zealand despite playing

Oct 28, 2024, 09:26 AM Open Extended Reactions George Ford has 96 Test caps for England. David Rogers/Getty Images England coach Steve Borthwick has added George Ford, Alex Coles and Ted Hill to the squad as they prepare to face New Zealand in the first of their four November internationals, the Rugby Football Union said on

Oct 27, 2024, 06:57 PM Open Extended Reactions George Ford could play against New Zealand on Saturday. Dan Mullan – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images Fly-half George Ford is in contention to play for England against New Zealand on Saturday after being added to Steve Borthwick’s 36-man squad. Ford had to prove his fitness after

Oct 25, 2024, 05:54 PM Open Extended Reactions The Rugby Football Union has finally announced the 17 players who have been awarded enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts, which will provide a guaranteed annual payment in place of game-by-game match fees. The introduction of the contracts, discussed for almost a year and which form part

Oct 24, 2024, 04:43 PM Open Extended Reactions The RFU wants to boost female participation in rugby ahead of the 2025 World Cup. Catherine Ivill – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images England have introduced sanitary provisions at more than 500 nationwide rugby clubs for their female players, members and visitors to boost women’s participation in

Sam Bruce, Deputy Editor, espn.com.auOct 24, 2024, 03:46 AM Close Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPN after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Open Extended Reactions

Oct 23, 2024, 05:53 PM Open Extended Reactions Antoine Dupont took time out of the full French setup to take part in the Paris Olympics. Hannah Peters/Getty Images Antoine Dupont returned to the French squad for the first time since last year’s World Cup as 42 players were named by coach Fabien Galthie on Wednesday for

Oct 23, 2024, 01:57 PM Open Extended Reactions Centre Sione Tuipulotu will captain Scotland in their November internationals, coach Gregor Townsend announced on Wednesday, as he named an expansive 45-player group for the Tests against Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia at Murrayfield. Editor’s Picks 1 Related The Australia-born Tuipulotu, who qualified through his Scottish

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 23, 2024, 02:36 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions Ireland have named Caelan Doris as captain for their November Tests with Andy Farrell including two