Rugby

Nov 20, 2024, 10:20 AM Open Extended Reactions South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has come out in defence of Wales counterpart Warren Gatland ahead of their clash in Cardiff on Saturday. Gatland is under fire having overseen a run of 11 straight defeats. A loss against the Springboks would see them lose all their Tests

Nov 19, 2024, 05:29 PM Open Extended Reactions Week 3 of the Autumn Nations Series left contrasting emotions after another sensational batch of games. The pressure has intensified on Wales and coach Warren Gatland after their 11th straight defeat, going down in a 52-20 thrashing at the hands of Australia. However, they weren’t the only

Nov 19, 2024, 04:01 PM Open Extended Reactions South Africa have selected brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse to start their final autumn international clash with ailing Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, the first time the siblings will play together for the Springboks. Scrum-half Jaden is already a Rugby World Cup winner after helping South Africa

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterNov 19, 2024, 01:30 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 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been ruled out of England’s match against Japan. Mike Hewitt/Getty Images England will be

Multiple contributors Nov 18, 2024, 01:00 PM Open Extended Reactions Week 3 of this year’s Autumn Nations Series saw the northern hemisphere hit back at their southern counterparts, with France edging to victory over New Zealand and Ireland staving off an Argentina comeback to hang on for a win. Still, a convincing win for South

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterNov 18, 2024, 02:54 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 Maro Itoje has said playing for his country “is the Mecca” for him, as talk of

Nov 18, 2024, 11:31 AM Open Extended Reactions The World Rugby Awards nominations were released on Monday, with three Springboks nominated in the men’s Player of the Year category. Forwards Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit, and winger Cheslin Kolbe, were recognised for their efforts this year, while newcomer Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was nominated for men’s

Sam Bruce, Deputy Editor, espn.com.auNov 17, 2024, 07:32 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 WriterNov 17, 2024, 06:00 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 fullback Freddie Steward says any criticism of the team’s recent run should be on the

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterNov 17, 2024, 12:16 AM 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 head coach Steve Borthwick says he has the full backing of the RFU despite the

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterNov 16, 2024, 10:12 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 There was no missed penalty, or knocked on restart this time to direct fury at. England’s

James Regan Nov 16, 2024, 11:50 PM Open Extended Reactions PARIS — France took the chance to send a message to their Six Nations counterparts against New Zealand on Saturday: “We’re back.” Last year’s World Cup disappointment — when they were knocked out in the quarterfinals on home soil — brought on a hangover that

Nov 12, 2024, 11:57 AM Cheslin Kolbe scored South Africa’s fourth try during the Autumn Nations Series 2024 match between England and South Africa. Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images Two irresistible tries by winger Cheslin Kolbe helped South Africa to a 29-20 victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday and though the home crowd was treated

James Regan Nov 15, 2024, 03:59 PM Open Extended Reactions The British & Irish Lions will embark on their Tour of Australia next year with coach Andy Farrell set to step away from his Ireland responsibilities in December to focus on the Lions. Players have the ongoing autumn internationals and the Six Nations, as well

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterNov 15, 2024, 11:56 AM 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 Rugby union’s stars are being targeted for a breakaway competition, with the powerbrokers aiming to launch

Nov 14, 2024, 10:55 PM Open Extended Reactions Four law trials aimed at speeding up the game, reducing time-wasting and “enhancing the fan experience” will be introduced on a global trial across all competitions that start from Jan. 1 2025, World Rugby said on Thursday after its Council approved the changes. But a decision to

Nov 14, 2024, 09:00 PM Open Extended Reactions New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor have returned to the side to face France in Paris on Saturday, having recovered after concussion forced them off against England two weeks ago. The pair have successfully completed head injury assessment protocols and were included in the team named

James Regan Nov 14, 2024, 03:57 PM Open Extended Reactions Within two matches, England’s autumn has turned from hopeful to something a little more agonising as they prepare to welcome two-time reigning World Cup champions South Africa to Twickenham on Saturday. It has been a difficult couple of weeks for Steve Borthwick’s side. They have