Rugby news

• Ireland where they 'want to be' for Black Ferns

  27-09-2024 13:13 via bbc.com
  
  Ireland's Aoife Dalton says taking part in WXV1 is a great opportunity for the side as they prepare for their first time in the competition's top tier.
  
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• ‘It’s painful but we’re on the right path’: Borthwick positive despite Springbok defeat

  16-11-2024 23:22
  England coach believes team are on right track ‘I can feel the frustration of the players’England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, still believes his side are on track to become a successful team but admits a fifth consecutive Test defeat was a “painful” experience for all concerned. England have not lost three November Tests in a row since 2006 and have now managed just four wins in 11 matches in 2024.Excluding their summer tour game against Japan, England’s on
  
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• Thomas Ramos’s boot helps France to thrilling win over New Zealand

  16-11-2024 23:16
  France 30-29 New ZealandHome side claw back half-time deficit in seesaw contestSilky skills, crushing power and a ding-dong on the scoreboard lapped up by a sold-out Saturday-night crowd: this was a vintage instalment of a classic fixture that went right down to the wire.The scrum-half Antoine Dupont may have looked a little rusty on his second outing for France since his sevens sojourn at the Paris Olympics but Thomas Ramos, who kicked 15 points, was as dependable as ever. Ardie Savea was a mon
  
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• Eben Etzebeth shows why he is heart and soul of South Africa | Michael Aylwin

  16-11-2024 22:57
  
  Lock shines with ruthless display of energy and aggression for a team who know how to win playing within themselvesAnd repeat. Last weekend, they ventured into the lair of an aspirant team of the north, endured all their hosts could throw at them – “endured”, handled with comfort, more like – and then pulled away from their flailing opponents in the final quarter with an imperiousness that befits their standing as the world’s best.So they did it again this weekend.
  
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• England 20-29 South Africa: Autumn Nations Series player ratings

  16-11-2024 21:19
  Cheslin Kolbe was superb for South Africa and Sam Underhill was exceptional but it was a struggle for the rest of the England pack15) Freddie Steward Picked for his “super strength” under the high ball and showed why during aerial ding-dong. Is still looking for Williams though. 7/10 Continue reading...
  
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• England 20-29 South Africa: Autumn Nations Series rugby union – as it happened

  16-11-2024 21:07
  
  Magic from Cheslin Kolbe and stubborn Springboks defence consigns England to yet another agonising defeat. The anthems are done. They’re stripping the banners and flags off the park. The players are getting into position after one final huddle. We’re almost there.My word, I’m buzzing for this! Should be a belter!It’s not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to th
  
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• England offer glimpse of brighter future but Kolbe double gives South Africa win

  16-11-2024 20:54
  
  Autumn Nations Series: England 20-29 South AfricaSteve Borthwick’s side impress but are beaten againFinally a performance to make English fans believe in a brighter future. The results are still not falling their way but a fifth defeat on the spin told only a fraction of the story of this compelling match. If the world champions ultimately walked away victorious, this was also the day that Steve Borthwick’s side answered a good few uncomfortable questions about their ability and tact
  
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• England 20-29 South Africa: Autumn Nations Series rugby union – live

  16-11-2024 20:33
  
  Updates from 5.40pm start time at TwickenhamHave any thoughts? Send Daniel a mailThe anthems are done. They’re stripping the banners and flags off the park. The players are getting into position after one final huddle. We’re almost there.My word, I’m buzzing for this! Should be a belter!It’s not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in t
  
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• England v South Africa: Autumn Nations Series rugby union – live

  16-11-2024 19:09
  Updates from 5.40pm start time at TwickenhamHave any thoughts? Send Daniel a mailThe anthems are done. They’re stripping the banners and flags off the park. The players are getting into position after one final huddle. We’re almost there.My word, I’m buzzing for this! Should be a belter!It’s not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in t
  
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• Darcy Graham equals record as Scotland run in nine tries despite Portugal grit

  16-11-2024 18:18
  Autumn Nations Series: Scotland 59-21 PortgualWing takes try total to 29 in 41 appearancesWing Darcy Graham equalled the record for the most tries for Scotland as they ran in a total of nine in a dominant 59-21 victory over Portugal in their Test at Murrayfield on Saturday.Graham scored the third of Scotland’s five first-half tries to bring his total to 29 in 41 international appearances and equal Duhan van der Merwe’s record. Continue reading...
  
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• Graham equals record as nine-try Scotland beat dogged Portugal

  16-11-2024 18:15 via bbc.com
  
  Darcy Graham equals Duhan van der Merwe's Scotland try-scoring record in a comfortable nine-try victory over Portugal at Murrayfield.
  
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• Gatland's legacy on line as unwanted record looms

  16-11-2024 15:34 via bbc.com
  
  Warren Gatland has endured the toughest week of his 15-year Wales career with former players turning on the coach.
  
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• Wales at risk of record low with World Cup rout of Australia a fading memory

  16-11-2024 13:00
  
  Warren Gatland’s side take on the Wallabies knowing defeat will mean they surpass their longest run of Test lossesAnother match, another inquest into the state of Welsh rugby. This time, the hand-wringing is particularly fervent, for Wales stand on the brink of an unwanted threshold. Should they lose to Australia in Cardiff on Sunday they will surpass their longest run of Test defeats.Losing to Fiji last weekend was upsetting on any number of levels, but the sharpest pain was the fact it w
  
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• Smartball has revolutionised data in rugby and refereeing could be next | Gavin Willacy

  16-11-2024 11:00
  
  New technology can tell how much a kick is swirling but not whether a pass is forward or a try has been scored – yetBy Gavin Willacy for No Helmets RequiredWhile Twickenham debated why England can’t hold on to a lead at home and whether the southern hemisphere is pulling away from the north in rugby union now as well as league, those watching the Autumn Nations Series on TV saw a new toy being played with.Viewers as well as match officials, broadcasters and coaches could now see exac
  
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• Better Ireland still seeking answers after vital win

  16-11-2024 09:05 via bbc.com
  
  Seeking a response to defeat by the All Blacks seven days prior, Ireland's victory over Argentina answers some questions while presenting a few more.
  
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• Borthwick faces up to South Africa in defining test of England’s character | Robert Kitson

  16-11-2024 09:00
  A win would resurrect the autumn but a heavy defeat by the world champions could see his team equal an all-time lowNot for the first time in rugby union’s turbulent professional history there is a lot happening. A mooted breakaway global league is the latest curveball threatening to destabilise the sport with even the newly elected chair of World Cup suggesting rugby’s financial sustainability is “at crisis point”. No one, from the top down, can be entirely sure how the m
  
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• Bad-blood match demands England raise game for the Boks

  16-11-2024 08:06 via bbc.com
  
  The gap between England and South Africa is usually narrower than expectations, but Steve Borthwick's side must raise their game again.
  
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• 'Three or four games in one' as Ireland 'win ugly'

  16-11-2024 00:36 via bbc.com
  
  Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says his side held their nerve "and just about got there" in their 22-19 win over Argentina.
  
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• Ireland 22-19 Argentina: Autumn Nations Series rugby union – as it happened

  15-11-2024 23:22
  
  Ireland’s defence holds firm as they get back to winning ways against a spirited Argentina.OK, I’m going to stick my neck out.Argentina to nick it by a score! Continue reading...
  
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• Ireland hold off Argentina’s fightback after making rapid start

  15-11-2024 23:17
  Ireland 22-19 ArgentinaThree first-half tries enough for Andy Farrell’s sideJeopardy is a word with plenty of currency in rugby these days. Mostly it is used in reference to how competitions are structured, but also in describing individual matches. This one had plenty. Not always evident, especially in the first half when Ireland looked a good deal better than against the All Blacks a week ago. But the race down the home straight, with Argentina a man down, had heaps of it. When at last t
  
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• Ireland edge past Argentina in Dublin thriller

  15-11-2024 23:08 via bbc.com
  
  Ireland respond to a first home defeat in more than three years with a 22-19 win over Argentina at the Aviva Stadium despite twice being reduced to 14 men.
  
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• Ireland v Argentina: Autumn Nations Series rugby union – live

  15-11-2024 20:53
  
  Updates from 8.10pm start time at Aviva StadiumHave any thoughts? Send Daniel a mailThis is the 20th meeting of the two sides.Ireland lead 13-6 and have never lost to the Pumas at home.The week has been good, there have been some lessons that we need to transfer now.It’s the perfect assignment. It’s a top drawer opponent on top form. The improvement they’ve made over the past 18 months has been phenomenal. Continue reading...
  
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• England rugby star clashes with Steve Borthwick ahead of South Africa test

  15-11-2024 20:34 via express.co.uk
  
  Steve Borthwick is at odds with one of starting XV.
  
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• Freddie Steward’s selection can strengthen England in defence and in attack | Ugo Monye

  15-11-2024 20:07
  
  Steve Borthwick’s team always kick a lot but they must use the ball well if they are to have a chance against these brilliant South AfricansThe kicking duel is going to be pivotal at Twickenham on Saturday. South Africa have said they’ve been expecting it all along and it’s what they’re going to get. Over to England – don’t disappoint. It might not be as aesthetically pleasing, maybe the impetus to win becomes greater as a result, but the thinking is obvious i
  
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• Exeter prop Iosefa-Scott banned for three games

  15-11-2024 19:17 via bbc.com
  
  Exeter Chiefs prop Josh Iosefa-Scott is banned for three matches after striking Hartpury's Robbie Smith in the face.
  
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• Jamie George expects ‘war’ with South Africa as England aim to end losing run

  15-11-2024 19:00
  
  Captain backs side to revel in ‘confrontational game’ ‘Historic rivalry’ continues at Twickenham on SaturdayEngland are braced for physical ­warfare when they seek to end their losing streak against South Africa on Saturday, according to the ­captain, Jamie George.Steve Borthwick’s side host the back-to-back world champions at Twickenham having endured a four-game losing streak and have dropped to seventh in the world ­rankings. The Springboks, mean
  
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• Wales players must share responsibility for defeats

  15-11-2024 18:17 via bbc.com
  
  Wales captain Dewi Lake admits there is no hiding place for the players as they look to avoid a record 11th international defeat in a row.
  
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• England warn rebels that joining rugby breakaway would end Test careers

  15-11-2024 18:08
  
  Plans afoot for global league with eight franchise teamsBut RFU insists anyone who signs up won’t be in Test sideSteve Borthwick’s ailing national side could be decimated by England players signing up to a breakaway global league, with the Rugby Football Union adopting a view that they would be sacrificing their Test careers if they did so.Plans are afoot for a new league featuring eight franchise teams and about 200 players which would take matches around the world across major citi
  
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• 'It's been tough' - recalled Steward relishing aerial battle

  15-11-2024 17:57 via bbc.com
  
  England full-back Freddie Steward is relishing his return to the side against South Africa and says new laws intended to create more contestable kicks "are brilliant for the game".
  
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• France against New Zealand still offers all that is holy in rugby union

  15-11-2024 17:22
  Teams meet in Paris on Saturday having delivered brutality and artistry in some of the sport’s greatest gamesIt is France-New Zealand time again. These words should conjure a frisson in any rugby connoisseur – and, by and large, they do. There are other more intense rivalries – the All Blacks against South Africa or Australia, for example, or England against, well, anyone – but for the promise of all that is holy in union, the brutality and the artistry, nothing quite sti
  
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