Category: Rugby

Rugby News

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Kevin Sinfield urges England players to ‘come out swinging’ for Six Nations

  • ‘We all love that an underdog can prove people wrong’
  • Some players have suffered heavy defeats at club level

England’s players have been urged to jettison the mental baggage of heavy recent club defeats and start afresh when the Six Nations kicks off next week. The majority of the squad have endured at least one ­disappointing result since Christmas but the ­management hope it will intensify their collective desire to transform England’s fortunes over the next seven weeks.

While Leicester’s 80-12 drubbing in Toulouse and Saracens’ ­unscheduled home loss to a second-string ­Castres side last weekend have cast an ­inevitable shadow over England’s warm weather training camp on the Costa Brava, it has at least awoken Steve Borthwick’s players and coaches to the urgent need to raise their level if they are to enjoy a more productive Six Nations campaign.

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RFU’s Bill Sweeney refuses to apologise for taking £358,000 bonus

  • CEO says even vote of no confidence will not get him out
  • Sweeney distances himself from Borthwick appointment

Bill Sweeney has revealed he is determined to stay on as the Rugby Football Union’s chief executive until 2027 – even if he loses a forthcoming vote of no confidence – and refused to apologise for accepting a £358,000 bonus amid record losses and redundancies.

Sweeney also distanced himself from the appointment of Steve Borthwick as England head coach two years ago – the most significant decision of his tenure – on the eve of a make-or-break Six Nations campaign that could pile more pressure on the embattled chief executive.

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Jones and McCann join Wales for Guinness Men’s Six Nations

Former Wales international Adam Jones and psychology and human performance specialist Andy McCann will join Warren Gatland’s back-room team for the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. 95-cap and triple Grand Slam winner Jones joins Wales for the 2025 Championship on secondment from Gallagher Premiership side Harlequins. He will work closely with forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys […]

The post Jones and McCann join Wales for Guinness Men’s Six Nations appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

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Jones & McCann join Wales for Guinness Men’s Six Nations

Former Wales international Adam Jones and psychology and human performance specialist Andy McCann will join Warren Gatland’s back-room team for the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. 95-cap and triple Grand Slam winner Jones joins Wales for the 2025 Championship on secondment from Gallagher Premiership side Harlequins. He will work closely with forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys […]

The post Jones & McCann join Wales for Guinness Men’s Six Nations appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

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Scarlets U18 kick-off defence of title in style

Llandovery College skipper Gryff Watkins helped himself to a hat-trick of tries as Scarlets U20 got the defence of their Regional Academies U18 title off to a flying start against Cardiff Rugby in Llandovery. Having sat out the first round the young Scarlets got up to speed pretty quickly as they ran in a magnificent […]

The post Scarlets U18 kick-off defence of title in style appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

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Wales announce squad for men’s U20 Six Nations

Head coach Richard Whiffin has confirmed a 41-strong Wales U20s squad for the forthcoming Six Nations championship. The squad contains 23 forwards and 18 backs and will be captained by Leicester Tigers flanker Harry Beddall with Cardiff Rugby centre Steffan Emanuel his vice-captain. Eight backs will be returning from last year’s squad while seven forwards […]

The post Wales announce squad for men’s U20 Six Nations appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

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Welshman Sean Lynn appointed as head coach of Wales Women’s senior side

The Welsh Rugby Union is proud to announce the appointment of Sean Lynn as the new Wales Head coach for the Wales Women’s senior side. Lynn has signed a three-year contract with the WRU and brings a wealth of rugby and coaching experience to the role. Swansea-born Lynn masterminded Gloucester-Hartpury’s back-to-back Premiership Women’s Rugby titles […]

The post Welshman Sean Lynn appointed as head coach of Wales Women’s senior side appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

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Roof to be shut for all Wales fixtures as Ireland’s visit completes Guinness Six Nations sell-out

Principality Stadium has announced its iconic roof will close for all Wales’ international fixtures for the next two years. Fans will be invited to bring their voice and show why there is no better atmosphere to experience an  international rugby match than when Wales play at home; this includes upcoming sold-out Senior Men’s fixtures against […]

The post Roof to be shut for all Wales fixtures as Ireland’s visit completes Guinness Six Nations sell-out appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

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England Six Nations injury worries grow with George out of Ireland opener

  • Hooker joins number of players ruled out
  • Alex Mitchell also a doubt for game in Dublin

England have been hit by the loss of their vice-captain, Jamie George, for their Six Nations opener against Ireland on 1 February, with Alex Mitchell also a doubt for the Dublin showdown. Hooker George suffered a hamstring injury in Saracens’ Champions Cup defeat by Castres on Sunday.

The Northampton scrum-half Mitchell sustained a knee problem against Munster on Saturday but could yet feature against Ireland after being taken to the squad’s pre-championship training camp in Girona to continue his rehabilitation.

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Eddie Jones to run rule over England as ITV pundit during Six Nations

  • Jones led England to three titles during tenure
  • Tuipulotu ruled out of tournament for Scotland

Eddie Jones will cast a critical eye over England’s make-or-break Six Nations campaign with the former head coach signed as an ITV pundit for the forthcoming championship.

Jones was sacked as England head coach in late 2022 and was lined up for a TV job for the 2023 Six Nations, only to agree to an ill-fated spell in charge of Australia. Having left the ­Wallabies in November 2023, he returned to Japan for a second term at the helm of the Brave Blossoms but will join the ITV team for this year’s competition.

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Welshman Sean Lynn appointed as Head Coach of Wales Women’s senior side

The Welsh Rugby Union is proud to announce the appointment of Sean Lynn as the new Wales Head coach for the Wales Women’s senior side. Lynn has signed a three-year contract with the WRU and brings a wealth of rugby and coaching experience to the role. Swansea-born Lynn masterminded Gloucester-Hartpury’s back-to-back Premiership Women’s Rugby titles […]

The post Welshman Sean Lynn appointed as Head Coach of Wales Women’s senior side appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

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Llandovery move to top of SRC with Pooler double

Euros Evans was pleased to see his Llandovery side climb to the top of the Super Rygbi Cymru table after seeing off 38-27 Pontypool at Church Bank to make it nine consecutive victories. Drovers No 8 Nathan Hart bagged a first half brace, while hooker Taylor Davies marked his 50th appearance with a try – all […]

The post Llandovery move to top of SRC with Pooler double appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.