Northern | US
26 - 7
FT
47 - 40
FT
29 - 14
FT
21 - 35
FT
30 - 31
FT
75 - 9
FT
59 - 28
FT
29 - 26
FT
36 - 35
FT
53 - 12
FT
31 - 30
FT
21 - 29
FT
7 - 47
FT
31 - 26
FT
14 - 36
FT
33 - 12
FT
22 - 17
FT
28 - 33
FT
24 - 33
FT
31 - 26
FT
45 - 15
FT
7 - 84
FT
WOMENS
62 - 3
FT
54 - 12
FT
28 - 35
FT
41 - 23
FT
22 - 54
FT
42 - 31
FT
22 - 47
FT
7 - 38
FT
WOMENS
48 - 15
FT
24 - 28
FT
57 - 20
FT
WOMENS
15 - 45
FT
21 - 17
FT
25 - 42
FT
HSBC SVNS World Championship 2026
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Investec Champions Cup

Sale Sharks left shell-shocked after record Toulouse thrashing

By PA
Toulouse's French wing Matthis Lebel (R) is congratulated by Toulouse's French center Antoine Dupont after scoring a try during the European Champions Cup pool 1, round 4, rugby union match between Stade Toulousain Rugby (Toulouse) and Sale Sharks at the Ernest Wallon Stadium in Toulouse, southwestern France, on January 17, 2026. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP via Getty Images)

Sale Sharks suffered a record defeat as six-time winners Toulouse avoided a shock Champions Cup exit by scoring 11 tries en route to a crushing 77-7 victory.

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Sharks’ 70-point hammering in the Pool One fixture at Stade Toulousain easily surpassed the club’s previous biggest loss – a 58-8 reverse at the hands of Wasps in 2000.

Alex Sanderson’s side, who had already qualified for the knockout stages but have now dropped out of a home last-16 spot, would have eliminated the Top 14 leaders with victory.

VIDEO

Kalvin Gourgues added Toulouse’s bonus-point try in the closing stages of the first half after Emmanuel Meafou, Julien Marchand and Antoine Dupont all crossed.

Sale’s Tom Curtis converted his own consolation score early in the second period before tries from Dimitri Delibes, Matthis Lebel, Thomas Ramos and Paul Graou stretched the hosts’ advantage.

After France star Dupont crossed for his second try of the game, Joshua Brennan and Lebel completed the scoring, with Ramos landing all 11 conversions.

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Comments

3 Comments
u
unknown 90 days ago

I agree 💯 % that it was a debacle. It also undermined the integrity of the competition. However, have some sympathy for Alex Sanderson .. who’s a great DOR and is never less than honest. He’s got to juggle a small squad (even by PREM standards) .. with injuries. In the modern game, players need rest - and I very much doubt if Sale have given up on making the playoffs for the PREM.

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AA 90 days ago

What message did it send to the opposition .

Ford has missed a couple of games through injury so was already rested . No excuse there for not playing him . Especially as he is a top coach as well. Apparently .

A
AA 90 days ago

This is what happens when the coach as good as admits his first team aren’t good enough to win , so sends his second team to the slaughter.

What has this debacle done for the players moral . Shameful management .

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Comments on RugbyPass

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Bazzallina 8 minutes ago
Chiefs vs Hurricanes takes: There he is, Chiefs tighten screws

I’m all about the Love train but if he wants that ABs 10 jersey imo he gotta nail most of that stuff most of the time or balance it out with a few more game breaking moments my point on Dnac was more cometh hour cometh the man ( but he should have been penalized for holding on in front of his posts) still good game to lose now only down side is with 1 less win up their sleeve Laidlaw can’t rest Cam without pressure and they will need to soon

6 Go to comments
T
TruthHurts 10 minutes ago
Highlanders rally but Blues hold on in 87-point Super Rugby thriller

Isn't Segner from Cologne in Germany - not an NZer…… Which sort of tells us where the game is going.

14 Go to comments
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TruthHurts 13 minutes ago
Highlanders rally but Blues hold on in 87-point Super Rugby thriller

87 Point thriller? Really? This is symptomatic of the game of rugby in NZ and the lack of sensible reporting in favour of spectacular headlines. This game was a disgrace. The basics of defence were totally absent. That is the reality and the stupidity of the game at present in NZ. The tour to SA is looking bleak unless this stupidity cam be reversed in double quick time, which I doubt. Good D requires a practised mindset that understands the ebb anf flow of a game. The current crop of NZer’s palying and coaching the game do not present this. A balanced game with brilliant attacking skills and equally brilliant defence, this game was not. The score reflects what in essence became a processional bore.

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G
GM 1 hour ago
The five performers of the week from Super Rugby Pacific round ten

Also endorse the comments about Segner - there’s a 7 who could thrive in South Africa.

2 Go to comments
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GM 1 hour ago
The five performers of the week from Super Rugby Pacific round ten

Simon Parker’s battle with Devon Flanders at #6 tended to prove that when the going gets that intense, size really does matter - and Parker’s got it.

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G
GM 1 hour ago
Chiefs vs Hurricanes takes: There he is, Chiefs tighten screws

A bit tough! Masterly game management for the most part. His missed conversion in the 1st half was almost impossible across a big wind, his ‘bad exit’ was an under-hit attacking kick, and DMac wasn’t his man when he made that break. He did miss a critical penalty for touch, again in a foul wind. Roughly one third of the mistakes that Beuden made in much better conditions at Eden Park. His role for the Canes is very different (and dare I say it, more akin to test football) from DMac’s spark-plug role at the Chiefs.

6 Go to comments
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TheNotoriousFig 2 hours ago
Ireland player ratings v Italy | 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations

Love seeing the game in Galway. Some of the passing and interplay was really excellent and Italy were certainly game. Interesting match up against the French next week.

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GodOfFriedChicken 3 hours ago
Ardie Savea doesn't need to return to Super Rugby in 2027

Honestly given the way the game’s been going, with the Northern Hemisphere closing the gap more than they have ever before, they should rebrand some of them as “excursions” and encourage more players to do a season at a time away in Europe after they’ve played a season or two in the black jersey. Get them some more money, soak up some IP from overseas and bring it back to our competitions. Japan is good financially but I’m still skeptical on the overall benefit for the players from a developmental perspective.

29 Go to comments
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PMcD 3 hours ago
Why UBB are edging the battle of dynasties in European rugby

I think Bath will rest the UBB starting side, so sadly we will likely see a weakened “rotated” team for the Saints game and they will likely face a strong Saints team putting them to the sword at the Gardens.

183 Go to comments
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John Breslin 3 hours ago
Munster player ratings vs Benetton | 2025/26 URC

Yeah, away to Benneton isn’t the free one it used to be. They looked a wee bit off though.

Their next game against Connacht is nicely set up. Been nice to get some inter-pro’s so late in the season with plenty still to play for



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EatBreathe7s 3 hours ago
New Zealand power into Hong Kong Sevens semis as four-peat bid continues

The womens semifinals are gonna be interesting…. Could the monopoly of finals actually be broken?

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BH 3 hours ago
Wallace Sititi game-winner ends Hurricanes' streak in super point thriller

Chiefs turned the game around with their excellent kick-returns and counter-attacks by the backline. Carter and Taumoefolau clearly outshone their opposites and broke the game open on multiple occasions late in the game. The Chiefs bench stood tall despite missing a large number of key players.

Canes really should’ve had more points on the board after dominating the 1st half and the referee giving them some questionable decisions. Then late in the 2nd half they kicked too much ball away, missed way too many tackles and then didn’t play smartly with the game in their favour at 17-10.



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Eric Elwood 4 hours ago
Stuart Lancaster's Connacht pull off stunning URC shock at Stormers' expense

Thanks Graham. Re. my unkindness to SA fans I’ll try to do better!

I could sense the loss today, and I am happy that Connacht showed respect along with the Stormers fans.



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E
Eric Elwood 4 hours ago
Ireland player ratings v Italy | 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations

Solid win by Ireland and super having the match in Galway.

2 Go to comments
E
Eric Elwood 4 hours ago
Munster player ratings vs Benetton | 2025/26 URC

He was immense. Benneton on a come down from last week but good by Munster.

Was looking today like all 4 Irish teams would finish top 8, until Cardiff’s (jammy) comeback against Scarlets.



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3 Go to comments
B
BH 4 hours ago
Waratahs vs Moana Pasifika takes: Super subs, moments that mattered

If MP won this game it would’ve been the ultimate weekend of upsets. Waratahs were ready for the taking!

Stupid captaincy and decision making by MP with penalty kicks on offer in front of the posts. And some poor handling and passing when they were hot on attack.



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8 Go to comments
B
BH 4 hours ago
Waratahs vs Moana Pasifika takes: Super subs, moments that mattered

MP did this at least 2 times and that’s an easy minimum of 6 points gone begging. It was stupid!

8 Go to comments
B
BC1812 4 hours ago
Red Roses player ratings v Scotland | 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations

A fall over the line try. More metres carried because she played in Kildunne’s position where you have the most opportunity to carry. Her kicking is the most positive thing about her game. She doesn’t look fast because she isn’t but she is quite strong in the tackle, hence why I think 12 might be worth a try whilst Heard and Shekells are injured and could become a back up. Reminds me of Maher a bit, once she builds up a head of steam she takes a bit of stopping but doesn’t have raw speed. Still give a generous 7.

6 Go to comments
C
Courtney20 4 hours ago
Red Roses player ratings v Scotland | 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations

Another well balanced perspective.

6 Go to comments
J
John Breslin 4 hours ago
Munster player ratings vs Benetton | 2025/26 URC

Just finished it. Nankivell looked superb

Any player that manages to do a job on Menoncello is going well



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3 Go to comments
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