Stephen Varney returns for Exeter's Anglo-Welsh clash vs Cardiff
The Italy international has recovered from the knock he suffered vs Bath in the Gallagher PREM and is named in the Chiefs' startin…
Jon Newcombe
16 Jan 2026, 3:59
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Contributors
Jon Newcombe
@rugbytimes
Once editor of Rugby Times (2002-11), the UK's first weekly newspaper devoted to Rugby Union, and now owner of Heads Up Sports Media; Not the former Aussie tennis player of the same name, nor the son of well-known former rugby writer Barry Newcombe!
Scott Robertson's win stats highlight weight of All Blacks expectation
Robertson, 51, began his tenure as head coach with unconvincing 16-15 victory over England in Dunedin in July 2024.
Jon Newcombe
16 Jan 2026, 3:19
5
'Major asset' George McGuigan signs new Red Bulls deal
The hooker will remain at Newcastle next season and possibly beyond, having signed a new one-year deal with an option to extend.
Jon Newcombe
16 Jan 2026, 2:31
Sean Everitt settles uncertainty over his future with new deal
Edinburgh have received a boost ahead of their top-of-the-table Investec Champions Cup clash with Bath at The Rec on Friday night,…
Jon Newcombe
14 Jan 2026, 8:15
Ulster sign towering Zimbabwean Eli Snyman on two-year deal
Uncapped Benetton lock Eli Snyman has agreed to swap one URC club for another, after signing for Ulster on a two-year deal until t…
Jon Newcombe
14 Jan 2026, 5:54
2
One-cap Bok Stephan Lewies set to return to South Africa
After sevens seasons playing with Harlequins in the Gallagher PREM, lock Stephen Lewies has decided to move back to South Africa a…
Jon Newcombe
14 Jan 2026, 4:29
PREM's most-travelled 'journeyman' revealed ... and it's not Billy Searle
Leicester's man-of-the-moment Billy Searle appears to have finally found his rugby home at Welford Road, having spent most of his …
Jon Newcombe
14 Jan 2026, 3:59
New Newcastle signing Raffi Quirke backed to reignite England career
The Red Bulls have officially announced one of the worst-kept secrets in rugby, that England international Raffi Quirke will be jo…
Jon Newcombe
14 Jan 2026, 2:03
5
Edinburgh turn to Ranfurly Shield winner amid centre crisis
Scottish-qualified, New Zealand-born centre Kienan Higgins has joined Edinburgh on a short-term contract, with immediate effect.
Jon Newcombe
13 Jan 2026, 3:11
Scrum-half concerns mount for France ahead of Six Nations
France could be missing their three leading scrum-halves behind Antoine Dupont when they set out to defend their Guinness Men's Si…
Jon Newcombe
13 Jan 2026, 1:11
3
Seven former Investec Champions Cup winners still to qualify for knockouts
With one round of the pool phase left to play, Toulouse are in danger of missing out on the knockout stages of the Investec Champi…
Jon Newcombe
12 Jan 2026, 9:10
Adam Hastings to leave Glasgow and join Scottish exodus to France
The fly-half will be reunited with two former Scotland team-mates, Stuart Hogg and Ali Price, after deciding to join Montpellier a…
Jon Newcombe
12 Jan 2026, 5:12
Question mark over Andrew Porter as Ireland's injury woes mount up
Ireland's principal loose-head, Andrew Porter, is a doubt for the early rounds of the Guinness Men's Six Nations after it was reve…
Jon Newcombe
12 Jan 2026, 4:29
3
Opinion
Northampton player ratings vs Bordeaux-Begles | 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup
Northampton player ratings: Northampton were stopped firmly in their tracks and put in their place by a rampant Bordeaiux-Begles o…
Jon Newcombe
11 Jan 2026, 9:19
6
Jack Kenningham achieves career first in big win over Stormers
The openside was awarded the Player of the Match medal for his outstanding display in Harlequins' 61-10 win at home to the Stormer…
Jon Newcombe
11 Jan 2026, 7:12
3
Manu Tuilagi set for Welford Road return
Manu Tuilagi will play at Mattioli Woods Welford Road for the first time since his move to France in 2024 after being named at ins…
Jon Newcombe
09 Jan 2026, 7:13
Four Lions in Northampton line-up for Champions Cup grudge match
Henry Pollock is back and joins Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman in the starting XV as Saints look to avenge last year's…
Jon Newcombe
09 Jan 2026, 4:41
2
Champ Rugby club counting the cost of Storm Goretti damage
90mph winds are estimated to have caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage to Cornish Pirates' Mennaye Field ground …
Jon Newcombe
09 Jan 2026, 3:44
'I didn't want to hit anyone, I hated inflicting pain': Vilikesa 'Billy' Sela
With Thomas du Toit's departure back to South Africa this summer confirmed, Bath are increasingly putting their faith in the Engla…
Jon Newcombe
09 Jan 2026, 1:47
Premier Sports add 'crown jewel' to expanding rugby portfolio
Subscription-only Premier Sports will complement the terrestrial coverage provided by ITV, the BBC and S4C.
Jon Newcombe
07 Jan 2026, 6:48
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