New Saints signing one of two Italy debutants for Japan clash
Italy have handed senior debuts to Alessandro Ortombina and Malik Faissal for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Japan…
Josh Raisey
02 Jul 2026, 4:18
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Analysis
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'
A Six Nations statistical deep dive suggests the European nations are no longer trailing their Rugby Championship counterparts.
Nick Bishop
01 Jul 2026, 1:42
Analysis
Rassie Erasmus pipped by fierce rival in Nations Championship win percentages
While Dave Rennie is just about to start his tenure as head coach of the All Blacks, Rassie Erasmus will draw level with Jake Whit…
Jon Newcombe
30 Jun 2026, 8:30
Analysis
Top 10 Junior World Championship record wins: South Africa U20s dominate
As defending champions, South Africa put out a statement of intent that they are not going to give up their Junior World Champions…
Jon Newcombe
29 Jun 2026, 1:59
Analysis
Who makes the most-capped U20 graduate XV - by position
Since 2008, when the U20 age category was first used for international rugby's elite 'next-gen' competition, over 1,000 players ha…
Jon Newcombe
26 Jun 2026, 4:54
Opinion
The time for specialist No.7s has come to an end
Now that a majority of the touring squads have been named, it has become clear that the role of the openside flanker, who wears th…
John Ferguson
24 Jun 2026, 15:52
Major change introduced to world rankings in time for Nations Championship
Other than introducing penalties for inactive unions, the rankings have largely remained unaltered since they were first used, in …
Jon Newcombe
19 Jun 2026, 2:30
Premier Sports add Junior World Championship to expanding rugby portfolio
United Rugby Championship, Champions League and EPCR Challenge Cup broadcast partner Premier Sports is to show every game of the u…
Jon Newcombe
17 Jun 2026, 8:52
Quesada announces Italy squad and explains Ange Capuozzo's absence
Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has named his 33-man squad for this July's Nations Championship, with three uncapped players incl…
Josh Raisey
17 Jun 2026, 6:38
Analysis
No.1 Springboks are third-best in the World Rankings record books
The Springboks will go into the inaugural Nations Championship in July sitting proudly at the top of the rankings, with a sizeable…
Jon Newcombe
16 Jun 2026, 7:54
Analysis
Report: URC finalists Leinster and Bulls suffer from fan fatigue
An extensive report by The Rugby Paper into the regular-season attendances in Europe's three main leagues shows Bordeaux-Begles wa…
Jon Newcombe
15 Jun 2026, 7:08
World Rugby confirm refs for Nations Championship as Luke Pearce gets big call
World Rugby have confirmed the match official appointments for the opening block of fixtures in the inaugural Nations Championship…
Ian Cameron
04 Jun 2026, 3:54
Irish province snubbed in URC 2025/26 Dream Team vote
For the first time since the inception of the United Rugby Championship in 2021, Munster Rugby do not have a single player in the …
Jon Newcombe
03 Jun 2026, 4:14
Analysis
Arguably rugby's most gifted nation tops Pro D2 try-scoring charts
With the Pro D2 knockouts in full swing, we still have time to dive deep into what happened in the regular season, specifically wh…
Francisco Isaac
30 May 2026, 0:54
Exclusive
URC ref tsar warns of 'zero-tolerance' if creeping player problem doesn't improve
United Rugby Championship referees’ boss Tappe Henning has warned players to expect a crackdown on backchat to referees in the p…
Neil Fissler
29 May 2026, 4:50
'Before every match, I feel him beside me': Georgian ref Saba Makharadze
Being selected as one of 12 referees for the upcoming World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia was a moment Saba Makharadz…
Jon Newcombe
27 May 2026, 6:59
