If supporters want transparency, they won’t find it in the rubber-stamping of Steve Borthwick’s coaching teamThere has been a lot of fuss in recent days about French TV directors not giving rugby fans the full picture. In that particular department, sadly, there remains a runaway market leader. To say the Rugby Football Union’s public response to England’s disappointing Six Nations campaign has failed to supply all the relevant angles is an understatement.In an ideal world, there would have been a media conference with Bill Sweeney, the RFU’s chief executive, alongside Steve Borthwick, his head coach, presenting a united, purposeful front and outlining precisely why the status quo needs preserving despite England having racked up four championship defeats for the first time since 1976. Instead, there was only a “Don’t tell ‘em, Pike” statement on email best summarised in four words: “Nothing to see here.” Continue reading...

Emma Sing, Ellie Kildunne and Mia Venner comprise a new-look back-three combination for England's Women's Six Nations game against Italy on Saturday.

England suffered four defeats in dismal Six NationsBill Sweeney says improvement not ‘one simple answer’Steve Borthwick and his coaching staff are to remain in charge of England’s men’s team despite the squad’s worst Five or Six Nations for 50 years. The Rugby Football Union has opted to back Borthwick and his lieutenants through to next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia having completed what it described as “a detailed and robust review” of England’s latest campaign.Despite having lost four Five or Six Nations games in the same season for the first time since 1976, the RFU has chosen to keep faith with the Borthwick regime in the belief that things can only get better. The union has decided that sacking the head coach is not the optimal solution, having previously dispensed with Eddie Jones’s services nine months prior to the 2023 World Cup. Continue reading...

The Rugby Football Union demands improvement from England head coach Steve Borthwick after their worst-ever Six Nations campaign.

Powerful teenage forward Jorja Aiono eyes Ireland after grasping her Six Nations opportunity with Wales.

Bath unhappy with collision between Barbeary and LucuSome camera angles were unavailable to TMO in semi-finalAn independent broadcast director is set to be in position for this month’s Champions Cup final in Bilbao after disquiet about the lack of crucial replays available to match officials during Bath’s 38-26 semi-final defeat against Bordeaux-Bègles on Sunday. Johann van Graan, Bath’s head of rugby, suggested three high tackles on his No 8, Alfie Barbeary, were missed because the referee and television match official (TMO) had not been supplied with all the requisite angles by the French host broadcaster. Members of the commentary team on Premier Sports also highlighted the absence of replay footage.Different protocols are in place in the Champions Cup compared with the United Rugby championship and the Six Nations, when an independent operator sits with the TMO to ensure the best pictures are readily available. On Sunday, under EPCR regulations relating to host country arrangements, a French director was in place. Continue reading...

A new scheme will attempt to address the glaring lack of diversity among top coaches in elite women’s rugby unionA 10-point plan will be introduced by Premiership Women’s Rugby next season that aims to increase the number of female coaches at international level, with only one top-10 nation currently being led by a woman.The scheme aims to create a springboard for more women at the elite tier of the sport, where there is a glaring lack of diversity among top coaches. Whitney Hansen is in charge of New Zealand, but, Jo Yapp and Gaëlle Mignot stood down from their positions after last year’s Rugby World Cup, with the Wallaroos and France respectively. Continue reading...

The semi-pro league gets under way with aims of elevating the sport ahead of the 2033 World Cup on American soilDr Jessica Hammond-Graf is president and chief sporting officer of Women’s Elite Rugby, the US semi-professional rugby union competition that kicks off its second season on Saturday in Massachusetts and Illinois. Like most Americans, she did not grow up with the game.An Army kid, she spent a lot of time playing soccer. In the early 90s, at the University of Connecticut, she tried out for the round ball and then played Ultimate Frisbee. Then, one fateful day, a woman on her floor said, “Hey, you should come try rugby, OK?” Hammond-Graf agreed, then found herself starting her very first game at fly-half, responsible for directing a team. Continue reading...

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Bordeaux Bègles’ dual Wallabies and Tonga international says holders are primed for clash of cultures against BathThere are in truth few Bordeaux Bègles players better qualified to explain just how it feels to be in the eye of the storm with European rugby’s newest force quite like Adam Coleman. Three years ago their paths collided in almost perfect timing, with Bordeaux mid-table and Coleman unceremoniously dropped into rugby purgatory.Coleman’s career looked to be over when London Irish went out of business in the summer of 2023 before a move to France with Bordeaux. It has proven to be an inspired decision for both parties, with Coleman playing a pivotal role in UBB’s rise to the top of the club game, culminating in their Champions Cup triumph over Northampton last year. Continue reading...

Wales captain Kate Williams and wing Catherine Richards are ruled out of the final two rounds of the 2026 Women's Six Nations.

Chris and Ashy preview the Champions Cup semi-finals with Bath’s Henry Arundell.

Ireland kicking coach Gareth Steenson says closing out the Women's Six Nations with two home wins will be "huge" for the squad after last weekend's deflating defeat by France.

England's patched-up Women's Six Nations squad is boosted by the return of centre Jade Shekells, but Sadia Kabeya is still recovering from injury.