Scotland rocked by triple injury blow ahead of Fiji clash
Alex Samuel (knee), Kyle Steyn (foot) and Rory Darge (concussion) have all been ruled out Saturday's match at Murrayfield.
Jon Newcombe
14 Jul 2026, 6:59
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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!
Alfie Barbeary's 'bolt upright' admission about the key change he made at Bath
Not long after he'd been told his contract wouldn't be renewed at Bath, Alfie Barbeary turned in a hat-trick of player of the matc…
Jon Newcombe
14 Jul 2026, 5:53
1
Reigning champions Leicester begin PREM Rugby Cup defence in London
The Tigers will take on Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, 5 September.
Jon Newcombe
14 Jul 2026, 4:00
Gloucester sign Champ tight-head as 'Proving Ground' bears fruit again
Coventry tight-head Eliot Salt is the latest player to make the step up to the Gallagher PREM after establishing himself in the Ch…
Jon Newcombe
13 Jul 2026, 9:50
1
Opinion
France U20 player ratings vs New Zealand | World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026
France's hopes of a fourth Junior World Championship title remain alive after a tense 26-22 semi-final win over New Zealand in Tbi…
Jon Newcombe
13 Jul 2026, 8:55
2
Saracens sign 104kg cross-code 'Tongan Torpedo' from Champ Rugby
Saracens have signed former rugby league player Sione Va'enuku after the centre impressed during his two-season stay at Champ Rugb…
Jon Newcombe
13 Jul 2026, 6:06
3 up, 6 down as World Rankings get shaken up
England, Japan and Spain will all have improved positions when the rankings are officially updated at 12pm on Monday (BST).
Jon Newcombe
12 Jul 2026, 2:44
3
Bristol recruit one of their own to beef up second row stocks
Proud Bristolian Josh Caulfield is returning to Bristol Bears and Prem Rugby after one season in the Champ at Ealing Trailfinders.
Jon Newcombe
10 Jul 2026, 7:00
Georgia's Davit Niniashvili reaches career landmark on eve of 24th birthday
Georgia star Davit Niniashvili will make his 50th appearance for the Lelos, and win his 48th Test cap, after being named in the te…
Jon Newcombe
10 Jul 2026, 6:07
Bath given brutal Investec Champions Cup schedule as fixtures confirmed
Reigning champions Bordeaux, who beat Bath in the semi-finals, begin their title defence away at Gloucester on Friday, 16 October.
Jon Newcombe
10 Jul 2026, 3:05
3
Rare world rankings opportunity opens up for Springboks
Springbok supporters aghast to find out that their 45-21 destruction of England wasn't rewarded in the rankings, will be pleased t…
Jon Newcombe
10 Jul 2026, 2:08
12
'Birthplace of Welsh Rugby' threatened with closure
In debt to the tune of £1 million, Wales’ most-prestigious rugby school, which counts George North amongst its alumni, is under…
Jon Newcombe
08 Jul 2026, 8:53
3
Harlequins sign one-cap Wallaby prop from Western Force
Versatile Super Rugby prop Harry Johnson-Holmes has come on board ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Jon Newcombe
08 Jul 2026, 6:11
Exeter bolster their second-row stocks with addition of Champ Rugby winner
Exeter Chiefs have signed Obinna Nkwocha from Champ Rugby winners Worcester Warriors for the 2026/27 season.
Jon Newcombe
08 Jul 2026, 4:10
130kg, 6'8 giant among three new signings unveiled by PREM champions Northampton
Northampton Saints have handed full-time contracts to three triallists ahead of the 2026/27 PREM season, further underlining their…
Jon Newcombe
08 Jul 2026, 1:50
2
Opinion
South Africa U20 player ratings vs Wales | World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026
South Africa U20 player ratings: The reigning champions conceded the first two tries of the match at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilis…
Jon Newcombe
07 Jul 2026, 9:04
12
Opinion
Assessing England's depth chart at full-back: 7 players vying for one shirt
England's specialist full-back options look limited beyond Freddie Steward and George Furbank.
Jon Newcombe
07 Jul 2026, 5:32
20
England name Six Nations regular as George Furbank's replacement
Sale Sharks winger Tom Roebuck has been called into the England squad ahead of Saturday's match against Fiji at the Hill Dickinson…
Jon Newcombe
06 Jul 2026, 9:00
France's record try scorer Damian Penaud suffers injury setback
Damian Penaud Damian Penaud's Test comeback has been put on hold after only 40 minutes with the news that the Bordeaux-Begles star…
Jon Newcombe
06 Jul 2026, 7:01
4
Classic Calcutta Cup match loses its record status
Canada and Spain created a bit of rugby history when they shared 84 points in the opening round of the World Rugby Nations Cup in …
Jon Newcombe
06 Jul 2026, 2:20
