Category: Rugby Union

Rugby Union News

Posted on

Principality Stadium launches Accessible Fan Guides in sporting venue first

Principality Stadium is setting a new standard for accessible event experiences with the launch of its Accessible Fan Guides – a first-of-its-kind resource for sporting venues that provides both comprehensive event information tailored to individual accessibility needs and a fully accessible platform. These guides empower fans with access requirements to easily plan their stadium visit […]

The post Principality Stadium launches Accessible Fan Guides in sporting venue first appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Scotland’s dangermen Russell and Van der Merwe loom large for England

Hosts must unlock solutions to the deadly duo when the teams contest the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham on Saturday

No one can say England have not been forewarned. Their recent record against Scotland – one win in their past seven Calcutta Cup encounters – has involved a range of painful indignities but two familiar themes stand out. Their names are Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe and, fitness permitting, the deadly duo will be back in harness in London on Saturday.

If Russell has been the deft-fingered architect of many of Scotland’s best moments, Van der Merwe has been the breeze-block destroyer of English reputations in each of the last two years. Who can possibly forget his brace of tries at Twickenham two years ago or, indeed, his hat-trick in the same fixture at Murrayfield 12 months ago?

Continue reading...
Posted on

WRU and Reviva Coffee announce exciting new partnership

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Reviva Coffee, a fast-growing speciality coffee brand offering 100% Arabica, Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee sourced from South America. The multi-year deal marks the Union’s first-ever collaboration with a coffee brand. As an Official Coffee Supplier to the WRU, fans will be able to […]

The post WRU and Reviva Coffee announce exciting new partnership appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

2025 Autumn Nations Series fixtures confirmed

The Welsh Rugby Union is delighted to announce the 2025 Autumn Nations Series which will see Wales take on Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa in matches across four consecutive weekends at Principality Stadium this November. Wales will kick off its autumn campaign at 3.10pm on Sunday 9 November against Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final […]

The post 2025 Autumn Nations Series fixtures confirmed appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Borthwick sticks with Marcus Smith as England’s goal-kicker for Calcutta Cup

  • Harlequin missed important kicks in win against France
  • ‘He’s a world class goal-kicker so it’s very simple’

Steve Borthwick has given the “world class” Marcus Smith a vote of confidence as England’s goal-kicker for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup after sticking by the Harlequins playmaker despite his recent wobble from the tee.

Smith will retain the kicking duties against Scotland despite handing over to Fin Smith against France, when the Northampton fly-half guided England to a 26-25 victory. Marcus Smith missed two straightforward kicks against Les Bleus in the second half, hooking both left, before Fin Smith took over and kicked crucial conversions in the 71st and 80th minute.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Hewitt hat-trick keeps Newport on course in SRC Cup

Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt continued his comeback from long-term injury with a hat-trick to inspire Newport’s 47-26 SRC Cup victory over Carmarthen Quins. A week on from marking his first game after more than a year out with a try in the Black & Ambers’ league win at Aberavon, Hewitt made it four tries in […]

The post Hewitt hat-trick keeps Newport on course in SRC Cup appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Drovers go on the rampage to stay in hunt for SRC Cup final spot

In-form Llandovery gave their chances of securing a place in the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup final a huge boost with a crushing nine try win at RGC in Pool A. The Gogs had won both of their opening two cup fixtures against Aberavon and Cardiff respectively, while also defeated the Drovers in their league showdown at […]

The post Drovers go on the rampage to stay in hunt for SRC Cup final spot appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

The Breakdown | ‘Clubs are going to disappear’: grassroots rugby crying for help in Six Nations’ shadow

The community game’s feedback for the Bills, Sweeney and Beaumont, makes for painful reading as RFU hits the road in week of Calcutta Cup

You may have noticed that the sports pages are less, well, sporty than they once were. There is rather more chance of reading stern-faced stories about Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers or Manchester City’s latest legal dispute than, say, the muddy winter joys of grassroots rugby union. It is the way of the modern world and, anyway, England playing Scotland in the Six Nations this Saturday is a bigger deal, right?

Well, yes and no. If you are counting the beans inside the Rugby Football Union’s offices in Twickenham there is barely a contest. The Six Nations annually bankrolls the rest of the domestic game: it is the commercial goose that lays the golden Gilbert‑shaped eggs. Never mind the scoreboard, let’s keep the corporate guests well fed and watered. It’s all about the bottom line.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Forshaw: ‘Wales will not die wanting against Ireland’

Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw has pledged Wales ‘won’t die wanting’ when they take on Ireland at a sold-out Principality Stadium in Round 3 of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations this Saturday. It will be a first home game of the tournament for Jac Morgan’s side after defeats in Paris and Rome and they will be facing […]

The post Forshaw: ‘Wales will not die wanting against Ireland’ appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

England exposed to video nasties in bid to end losing streak in Calcutta Cup

  • Scotland have won the last four meetings in Six Nations
  • Steve Borthwick using clips of defeats for motivation

England players have been shown Calcutta Cup video nasties for extra motivation as they seek to end a miserable run against Scotland on Saturday.

Steve Borthwick’s side will bid for a first win against the auld enemy in five years buoyed by their one-point victory against France last time out. But the head coach is waiting on the second-row George Martin, who did not take part in full training on Monday because of discomfort in his knee.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Thomas joins Wales for remaining Guinness Six Nations fixtures

Former Wales international T. Rhys Thomas will join head coach Matt Sherratt’s back-room team as a skills coach for the remainder of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations. Thomas, who made 27 appearances for Wales and represented Cardiff, Wasps and Dragons during his playing career, joins the Wales senior men’s coaching team on secondment from Gallagher […]

The post Thomas joins Wales for remaining Guinness Six Nations fixtures appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Six Nations half-term report: Ireland top of class but Wales go from bad to worse | Ugo Monye

In rating the teams it is the defending champions that look a cut above as the other sides struggle to find consistency

There was a suspicion of vulnerability to Ireland coming into the Six Nations but they have answered those questions in style so far. Perhaps we’d just become a bit complacent about their standards but, as the only side unbeaten after two rounds, they look formidable.

Continue reading...