Rugby

Liam Napier Feb 18, 2024, 09:28 PM Open Extended Reactions Revered and resented, the Crusaders are one of the most successful teams in modern sport. This season, though, they face the greatest test of their Super Rugby dominance. Super Rugby could be accused of being predictable. Australian teams, other than the Brumbies, have offered minimal

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterFeb 14, 2024, 12:29 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions Manu Tuilagi makes his return from a groin injury that he picked up in December last

Brittany Mitchell, ESPN Assistant EditorFeb 14, 2024, 02:20 AM Close Brittany Mitchell has been a sports fan from an early age, with a keen interest in netball, cricket and rugby. Brittany interned at Rugby Magazine and the Australian Rugby Union before joining ESPN. Open Extended Reactions AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Melbourne Rebels captain Rob Leota

Feb 1, 2024, 09:53 AM Ireland were far too strong for Italy on Sunday, making it two Six Nations’ bonus point wins from two with a dominant 36-0 win at the Aviva Stadium that kept their hopes of defending their grand slam title firmly on track. Andy Farrell made six changes from the team that

Feb 1, 2024, 09:45 AM Bielle-Biarrey’s late try proved enough to secure the win for France. Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images A superb solo score from winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey led France to a 20-16 Six Nations victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, but there was controversy at the final whistle as the home

James Regan Feb 10, 2024, 08:52 PM Open Extended Reactions England head coach Steve Borthwick hailed his side’s resolve after their 16-14 win over Wales at Twickenham on Saturday as they remain unbeaten in the Six Nations. Just as in Rome against Italy on the opening weekend, England weren’t perfect but found a way to

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterFeb 10, 2024, 08:02 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions TWICKENHAM, London — England talked all week about wanting to rebuild trust at Twickenham and they

James Regan Feb 1, 2024, 09:51 AM England clawed their way back from a first-half deficit for the second straight weekend in this year’s Six Nations as they beat Wales 16-14 at Twickenham on Saturday. Just as they did against Italy last weekend, England were made to scrap hard for their victory, this time against

Sam Bruce, Deputy Editor, espn.com.auFeb 8, 2024, 11:40 PM Close Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPN after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Open Extended Reactions

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterFeb 8, 2024, 12:56 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions England have named an unchanged starting team for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Wales at Twickenham,

Sam Bruce, Deputy Editor, espn.com.auFeb 7, 2024, 11:25 PM Close Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPN after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Open Extended Reactions

Feb 7, 2024, 11:46 AM Open Extended Reactions England fullback Freddie Steward has urged his teammates to give fans at Twickenham reasons to be loud and proud again in Saturday’s Six Nations match against Wales after players were booed off in previous home games that ended in defeat. England have lost four of their last

Feb 6, 2024, 01:02 PM Open Extended Reactions Rassie Erasmus will coach champions South Africa to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with former Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery added to the technical team as defence coach and ex-New Zealand flyhalf Tony Brown signed to sharpen the attack. Erasmus returns as head coach after four years, a

Feb 5, 2024, 10:19 AM Open Extended Reactions The Six Nations began last Friday with Ireland‘s stunning victory over France in Marseille where the hosts struggled in the absence of their star scrum-half Antoine Dupont. Saturday saw England eventually overcome Italy after as Steve Borthwick’s team recovered from a slow start to find their groove

Feb 4, 2024, 06:25 PM Former Wales and British & Irish Lions fly-half Barry John has died aged 79, his family said on Sunday. “Barry John died peacefully today at the University Hospital of Wales surrounded by his loving wife and four children,” a family statement said. John made his Wales debut in 1966, making

Feb 3, 2024, 08:16 PM Open Extended Reactions Scotland players were left bitterly disappointed after their epic 27-26 victory over Wales on Saturday, with coach Gregor Townsend admitting their decision making was poor. Scotland led 27-0 after 45 minutes and were cruising to what seemed like it would be a record victory, but let Wales

Feb 1, 2024, 09:42 AM Duhan van der Merwe scored two tries as Scotland claimed a dramatic first win in Cardiff for 22 years after withstanding a remarkable fightback from Wales to seal a 27-26 victory on Saturday. Pierre Schoeman also crossed for a try for the visitors who led 27-0 early in the second

Feb 1, 2024, 09:40 AM England recovered from a slow start to begin their Six Nations campaign with a win over Italy in Rome. Getty England recovered from a scruffy start and a 17-8 deficit to beat Italy 27-24 in their opening Six Nations game in Rome on Saturday, ending a run of four successive opening