Category: Rugby

Rugby News

Posted on

Nathan Cleary set to miss State of Origin series due to hamstring injury

  • NSW Blues’ half-back expected to be sidelined for eight weeks
  • Playmaker re-injured hamstring in Penrith’s win over Canterbury

NSW half-back Nathan Cleary could miss the entire State of Origin series after scans confirmed a grade two hamstring injury that will sideline him for eight weeks. The champion Penrith playmaker re-injured his right hamstring in ther Panthers’ 16-10 win over Canterbury on Friday night in a devastating blow for the Blues, who have a number of other key players sidelined through injury.

Cleary left the field just before half-time after hurting the hamstring for a second time is as many months, with the Panthers issuing a statement on Sunday confirming the diagnosis. “Scans revealed a grade 2 hamstring tear which will see Cleary ruled out for eight weeks,” the club said in a statement.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: ‘The Lions is every rugby player’s dream – it would be unbelievable’

Flying wing is juggling Exeter’s playoff push with medical exams after a remarkably swift rise to Steve Borthwick’s England side

The future for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the meteoric new star of English rugby, could be as glittering next month as it is filled with gravitas in the years ahead. England’s summer tour of Japan and New Zealand will surely include the 21-year-old Exeter Chiefs wing, who won his first four caps during the Six Nations. His opening three appearances came from the bench, and featured a try against Scotland, but his starting debut, as England ruined Ireland’s grand slam ambitions, provided the most substantial evidence of his composure and talent.

He offers engaging company but is also different to most modern rugby players. After admitting it would be “the stuff of dreams” to play against the All Blacks, and perhaps score a try in Dunedin or Auckland, the medical student moves on to a weighty subject. He is certainly the first sportsman I’ve interviewed who might specialise in plastic surgery to help burns victims or patients born with a cleft palate.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Premiership Rugby: Bath and Sale keep playoff hopes alive with victories

  • Bath fend off bottom side Newcastle with 28-17 victory
  • Tom O’Flaherty caps Sale’s bonus-point win at Leicester

Bath moved a step closer to the Premiership playoffs with a 28-17 win over rock-bottom Newcastle at Kingston Park. The away side secured the attacking bonus point in a rampant first half – Thomas du Toit, Ben Spencer, Joe Cokanasiga and Matt Gallagher all scoring tries – with only Jamie Blamire’s double providing respite for their opponents.

Finn Russell, returning after a groin injury, was imperious from the tee, nailing all four conversions to give his side a commanding 28-10 lead at half-time. Sam Stuart’s try after the interval was reward for a spirited display from the home side, who stopped Bath from adding any points to their first-half haul – but there was no comeback for the crowd to savour, with Bath moving second.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Wales to face Spain in WXV play-off at Cardiff Arms Park

Wales will host their crucial WXV play-off clash against Spain at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, June 29th (KO:2pm). Both sides have qualified for the new global WXV tournament but the winner of the clash in the Welsh capital will qualify for WXV2 in South Africa with the runner-up playing in WXV3 in Dubai. Wales […]

The post Wales to face Spain in WXV play-off at Cardiff Arms Park appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Breakspear ready for URC debut after Olympic selection

The milestones keep racking up for Welsh referee Ben Breakspear, who earlier this week was announced as one of the officials to attend the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. That came a few days after he controlled his 100th game in the World Sevens series, a quarter-final clash between South Africa and Australia in […]

The post Breakspear ready for URC debut after Olympic selection appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Super League’s new era makes the grade as Warrington hold off Rovers

There is a spread of genuine title contenders like never before – a remarkable endorsement of the strength of Super League

Rugby league’s new beginning under IMG and the gradings system that will determine which 12 teams play in Super League every year has, understandably, focused attention on the bottom of the table this year. There is genuine doubt and uncertainty over around half a dozen clubs in Super League and the Championship about who will make the grade in 2025.

But for all the drama IMG hopes to manufacture at the bottom, it is at the top of the table where all the intrigue and fascination lies this year. Super League has never had it this good when it comes to competitiveness among the competition’s elite clubs.

Continue reading...
Posted on

‘I won’t miss the weather’: Manu Tuilagi bids farewell to England

Sale centre reflects on highs and lows as he prepares to bring down curtain on Premiership career with move to France

Manu Tuilagi arrived in the United Kingdom for what he initially believed was a short break to visit his brothers but now, 20 years later and with more than a whiff of a northern twang in his voice, that extended holiday in this part of the world is finally drawing to a close.

When Tuilagi’s parents returned to Samoa, a 12-year-old Manu opted to remain with his siblings. The boy who walked through the door at Rumney RFC to fill time while his brother Freddie was playing for the then Cardiff Blues, leaves the UK as one of the greats of English rugby over the past decade and more. It has been some journey, one with high and low points plus a moment or two of controversy to boot.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Billy Vunipola escapes with slap on the wrist from RFU over taser arrest

  • Vunipola given formal warning after incident in Mallorca
  • Forward cleared to play for Saracens in league and playoffs

Billy Vunipola is free to finish the season with Saracens after escaping a suspension from the Rugby Football Union, which has instead issued the No 8 with a formal warning following his arrest in Mallorca.

The RFU has warned Vunipola according to its rule that governs misconduct but, having considered the forward’s contrition and “the circumstances around the incident”, the union has not seen fit to take further disciplinary action. In effect, the RFU has given Vunipola – who is set to move to France in the summer – a slap on the wrist.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Premiership finale: what’s at stake for clubs in running for playoff places

Saracens’ momentum and knockout rugby experience stands out as all eight teams face the season’s crucial remaining weeks

Whatever happens in the remaining weeks of the season it has been a year to remember for Northampton who pushed Leinster close last weekend and are expected to seal their place in the playoffs on Saturday against Gloucester. A raft of youngsters who emerged under Chris Boyd – who remains an influential presence on the other end of the phone to director of rugby Phil Dowson and head coach Sam Vesty – have peaked while Saints are reaping the rewards of Courtney Lawes’s international retirement and have picked up clever signings in Curtis Langdon and Tom Pearson. All the while Fin Smith continues to look an elite Test fly-half despite only turning 22 on Saturday. It has made Northampton a thrilling side to watch this season with a defensive resilience – after bulking up in preseason – allied to their unmatched attacking game. Defeat by Bath on the final day might just see them knocked off top spot but Northampton won’t care as long as they secure a home semi-final.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Scarlets great ‘Foxy’ set to leave after 16 seasons

Jonathan Davies has announced he will be leaving the Scarlets at the end of the season, bringing down the curtain on a 16-year involvement with his home region over two spells. Having made his debut against Northampton Saints as an 18-year-old in 2006, he has gone on to make 209 appearances in a Scarlets jersey […]

The post Scarlets great ‘Foxy’ set to leave after 16 seasons appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Women’s U20 get summer boost from Six Nations

It’s going to be a busy summer of international action for Wales’ rising female stars as Six Nations Rugby is introducing a Women’s Summer Series at U20 level. The new tournament will bring together the best players from the six countries for a tournament that will be played in Parma, Italy, over three game days […]

The post Women’s U20 get summer boost from Six Nations appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Cardiff sign-up two new props for next season

Cardiff Arms Park view

Cardiff Rugby have moved quickly to replace the departing Rhys Carre by signing two new looseheads for next season. Six-times capped Irish international Ed Byrne, a veteran of 10 seasons at Leinster, will be heading to the Arms Park this summer along with 25-year-old Exeter Chiefs prop Danny Southworth. While Byrne will arrive from Dublin […]

The post Cardiff sign-up two new props for next season appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.