Rugby

Feb 13, 2025, 05:43 PM Open Extended Reactions An independent review of the Rugby Football Union’s controversial scheme that handed CEO Bill Sweeney a £358,000 ($448,681) bonus found that it was “appropriate and well-reasoned.” However, the review did also identify some key failings, largely in terms of communication. Sweeney was paid £1.1 million for the

Tom HamiltonFeb 13, 2025, 12:53 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 Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt has already put his stamp on the role by recalling Gareth Anscombe,

Tom HamiltonFeb 12, 2025, 05:35 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 are confident Tom Curry and George Martin will be fully fit to face Scotland on Feb. 22,

Feb 11, 2025, 05:04 PM Open Extended Reactions Wales interim coach Matt Sherratt is ready to hit the ground running to end their record 14-game losing streak but, whatever happens in the remainder of the Six Nations, he has said he will not be seeking the role on a permanent basis. The exit of former

Associated Press Feb 11, 2025, 11:40 AM Open Extended Reactions Masivesi Dakuwaqa left his teammate requiring 20 stitches after an alcohol fuelled bite. Getty Fiji Olympian Masivesi Dakuwaqa has offered apologies to his Biarritz teammate Pierre Pagès after viciously biting his cheek during an alcohol-fuelled night out, an incident that has led to the rugby club

Tom HamiltonFeb 11, 2025, 01:31 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 Warren Gatland’s departure from Wales was inevitable after their defeat in Rome on Saturday. It was their 14th

Tom HamiltonFeb 11, 2025, 01:41 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 Wales head coach Warren Gatland has left his post midway through the Six Nations, the country’s governing body

Reuters Feb 11, 2025, 02:39 PM Email Print Open Extended Reactions Ireland are hopeful Tadgh Furlong will return against Wales. Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images Ireland are hoping to continue their Six Nations Grand Slam bid against Wales in 11 days time with a clean bill of health with the return of Tadhg Furlong, Mack Hansen

Feb 11, 2025, 01:13 PM Open Extended Reactions France fly-half Romain Ntamack will miss the next Six Nations match against Italy through suspension but will be allowed to return for the Ireland clash once he takes part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme. Ntamack picked up a yellow card for a shoulder-to-head tackle on Ben

Feb 10, 2025, 12:00 PM Open Extended Reactions It was in Week 2 of this year’s Six Nations that the action really kicked into gear. Wales sank further with a humbling defeat against Italy in Rome, England stunned France with a chaotic victory at Twickenham and Ireland showed why they are firm favourites for the

Feb 9, 2025, 05:07 PM Open Extended Reactions Ireland put on a superb display as they dominated Scotland in a 32-18 victory to stay perfect in this year’s Six Nations, adding fuel to their bid for an unprecedented third straight title. Tries from Calvin Nash, captain Caelan Doris, James Lowe and Jack Conan plus 12

Feb 9, 2025, 09:01 PM Open Extended Reactions Ireland’s marauding forwards laid the platform for the dominant 32-18 win away to Scotland in the Six Nations on Sunday which kept them on course for Grand Slam success as the only unbeaten side left in the tournament, said interim coach Simon Easterby. He was also pleased

ESPN Feb 9, 2025, 08:05 PM Email Print Open Extended Reactions Ireland interim coach Simon Easterby lauded his side’s performance in their dominant 32-18 victory over Scotland, praising their control of the game. Scotland were hindered for much of the game by injuries to two of their brightest stars — Finn Russell and Darcy Graham

James Regan Feb 8, 2025, 08:44 PM Open Extended Reactions England captain Maro Itoje lauded his side’s desire and heart following their dramatic win over France on Saturday, but warned it was “by no means perfect” as they aim to keep improving. The hosts looked set for another tight defeat at Twickenham when France winger

James Regan Feb 8, 2025, 10:37 PM Open Extended Reactions France’s evening was summed up perfectly, albeit jovially, by defence coach Shaun Edwards following a crushing 26-25 defeat to England on Saturday. “We got the oopsies, didn’t we? Every time we got near the tryline we seemed to just drop the ball,” Edwards said. “I’ve

Tom HamiltonFeb 8, 2025, 08:54 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 England’s luck was going to change eventually, but few predicted it would come on this cold, sodden night

James Regan Feb 8, 2025, 04:59 PM Open Extended Reactions Wales head coach Warren Gatland has said he “understands” fans’ frustrations after his side fell to a record-extending 14th straight Test defeat on Saturday, later adding he is feeling the pressure of those results. Wales hit a new low as they were beaten 22-15 in

Feb 7, 2025, 05:34 PM Open Extended Reactions Winger Tommy Freeman has said England will put pressure on France scrum-half Antoine Dupont and “take his legs” at Twickenham on Saturday. Dupont — considered by many to be the best player in the world — ran riot in France’s 43-0 thrashing of Wales last week, with