Red Roses face toughest test against side determined to avenge years of being runners-up in Twickenham clash England are on the hunt for their seventh consecutive Women’s Six Nations title today but their toughest opponent yet in France stand in their way, who are also targeting their own grand slam success. France have been the runner-up to England in the past five Six Nations and the Red Roses have beaten their rivals in the last 14 games across all competitions. Twickenham will witness something special whoever wins. The statistics stack up in England’s favour. John Mitchell’s side have been more clinical this tournament, scoring 213 points across their four victories and only conceding 29. France, meanwhile, have scored 141 and conceded 63. Continue reading...

Stormers boss John Dobson confirms Ben-Jason Dixon is out for the remainder of the Vodacom URC season, and looks doubtful to feature for the Springboks’ season-opening clashes. The post BJ blow for Boks as Stormers feel his loss appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Stormers boss John Dobson confirms Ben-Jason Dixon is out for the rest of the Vodacom URC, and looks doubtful to feature for the Springboks’ season-opening clashes. The post BJ blow for Boks as Stormers feeling his loss appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Harry Potter catches the Chiefs napping from the restart to score in the corner, but the Super Rugby front-runners put the Force to the sword 56-22 in Tauranga on Friday. The post Watch: Potter casts a spell on Chiefs appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

The Welsh Rugby Union will unveil Dave Reddin as its new director of professional rugby on Friday.

The Grand Slam is on the line as Sara Orchard & Philippa Tuttiett preview the final round

Full-back misses Six Nations clash with hamstring injuryEmma Sing to start at Twickenham on Saturday England remain confident Ellie Kildunne will be fit for this summer’s Rugby World Cup buildup after the joint-top try scorer in this year’s women’s Six Nations was ruled out of Saturday’s grand slam decider due to a hamstring injury. Kildunne, the World Rugby women’s player of the year, has featured in all four games of England’s campaign in their attempt to win a seventh successive title, but will be replaced by Emma Sing at full-back for the match at Twickenham against France, who have also won four out of four. Continue reading...

The 20-year-old prop is making a name for himself with eye-catching displays but visit of Saracens is a serious test Some of English rugby union’s biggest names will be front and centre in Salford on Friday evening. Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Ben Earl and Tom Willis all start for Saracens while Tom Curry, George Ford and Luke Cowan-Dickie, among others, will trot out for Sale Sharks. Most 20-year-old props, invited to mix in such lofty company, would be feeling seriously intimidated. It is increasingly obvious, however, that young Asher Opoku-Fordjour is different gravy. As anyone who saw his eye-catching performance against Harlequins last weekend will be aware, his strength and bullocking presence with ball in hand are quite something. “If last week’s anything to go by he’s tracking well, isn’t he?” nods Alex Sanderson, the Sharks’ director of rugby. Continue reading...

Gloucester-Hartpury's Emma Sing starts at full-back in place of Ellie Kildunne for England Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France on Saturday.

Ireland name two uncapped players in the matchday squad for their Women's Six Nations game with Scotland on Saturday, but Aoife Wafer is out through injury.

Scotland add Leah Bartlett and welcome back Rachel Malcolm and Leia Brebner-Holden as they end the Six Nations at home to Ireland.

SA U20 lock Jacobus Grobbelaar is set to make his debut from the bench as Springboks Willie le Roux and Marco van Staden return to the side.

Five players raised in England have swapped the Premiership for life in the beautiful Italian city of Treviso By No Helmets Required The weather starts to warm up nicely in Treviso at this time of year and so does the race for playoff places in the United Rugby Championship. Benetton – Treviso’s team and the cream of Italian rugby – are fifth in the league table and on course to reach the URC quarter-finals, booking a place in next season’s European Champions Cup in the process, but they could slip out of the top eight with just one defeat.​ The club’s annual budget of €8m is half what league leaders Leinster spend, but the Benetton family expect a return on their money. With three games to play in the regular season and their place in the top eight still not secured, the heat is on. “There’s a lot more focus now,” says Jacob Umaga, the former England international who joined the club in 2022 when Wasps went into administration. “We’ve not reached our ceiling and we’ve got such a good squad. We’ve got two of our last three games away and know one poor performance will take us straight out of the top eight.” Continue reading...

The Pumas will aim to end Griquas' unbeaten run over two SA Cup tournaments when last year’s finalists clash in Nelspruit on Friday night. The post SA Cup: Top two on collision course appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.