Rugby

Feb 7, 2025, 02:00 PM Open Extended Reactions Scotland have made three changes to their side for the visit of champions Ireland to Murrayfield on Sunday, with Tom Jordan drafted in at inside centre, Jack Dempsey at No. 8 and Rory Sutherland into the front-row. Scotland beat Italy 31-19 in their tournament opener, but coach

Tom HamiltonFeb 7, 2025, 12:00 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 On Friday evening, France had been hammering away at Wales’ tryline for much of the opening quarter of

Associated Press Feb 7, 2025, 09:24 AM Open Extended Reactions The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) sacked former women’s captain Laijipa Naulivou four days into her job as Director of Rugby after she said the women’s game had a “gay problem”. Laijipa Naulivou resigned as director of rugby before her appointment was cancelled by the Fiji

Feb 6, 2025, 04:23 PM Open Extended Reactions England coach Steve Borthwick has said he is excited to unleash the Fin Smith, Marcus Smith combination against France at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday. Northampton’s Fin Smith will start at fly-half, with Marcus Smith, who started at No. 10 against Ireland last week, shifted to fullback.

Feb 6, 2025, 02:40 PM Open Extended Reactions Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has made just change to his side ahead of their crucial Six Nations clash with Wales at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday. Lock Niccolo Cannone replaces Dino Lamb and there is also only one change in personnel across the 23-man squad, with

Tom HamiltonFeb 6, 2025, 02:00 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 have made three personnel changes for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with France at Twickenham with Fin Smith,

Feb 5, 2025, 08:52 AM Open Extended Reactions Week 1 of the Six Nations saw some players further cement their spot in this year’s British & Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia, while it only increased the intrigue around some other positions. Is Caelan Doris now nailed on as captain? Who edged ahead

Feb 5, 2025, 10:20 AM Open Extended Reactions Le Crunch returns to Twickenham this week as England host France in what promises to be a blockbuster clash. France, who started their campaign in sensational fashion against Wales last week, will have fond memories from their last trip to London, when they thrashed England 53-10. Last

Tom HamiltonFeb 5, 2025, 10:15 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 Follow on X Email Print Open Extended Reactions England head coach Steve Borthwick is planning to start both Marcus Smith and

Tom HamiltonFeb 4, 2025, 10:04 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 will be without Cadan Murley for Saturday’s Six Nations match against France at Twickenham. Murley, 25, scored

Feb 3, 2025, 12:00 PM Open Extended Reactions The 2025 Six Nations began with a bang as France routed Wales, an injury-hit Scotland defeated Italy and Ireland came from behind to down England in familiar fashion. There’s plenty of food for thought, but are those reactions irrational or legitimate? ESPN’s Tom Hamilton and James Regan

Feb 2, 2025, 09:17 PM Open Extended Reactions Former captain Jamie George has been added to the England squad after overcoming a hamstring injury, it was announced on Sunday. George, 34, missed England’s defeat to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, but will link up with the side side ahead of their clash against France at

Tom HamiltonFeb 2, 2025, 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 DUBLIN — Steve Borthwick has said England must fix their discipline issues after another painful defeat to Ireland

Tom HamiltonFeb 2, 2025, 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 DUBLIN — England’s Ben Earl is adamant “the dam will break” and the team will start turning their

Feb 1, 2025, 09:45 PM Open Extended Reactions A second half blitz that left England for dust showed glimpses of what Ireland are capable of in attack, captain Caelan Doris said on Saturday, challenging his side to show more of it to make their Six Nations three-in-row dream a reality. While two late English consolation

Tom HamiltonFeb 1, 2025, 08:33 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 DUBLIN — England head coach Steve Borthwick said his team’s inexperience played a key role in their 27-22

Tom HamiltonFeb 1, 2025, 08:28 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 DUBLIN — This defeat was far too familiar for England as they lost 27-22 to Ireland in Dublin.

Feb 1, 2025, 06:50 PM Open Extended Reactions Ireland came from behind to beat England 27-22 in Dublin on Saturday to begin their quest for a third-straight Six Nations title with a bonus-point victory. England got their gameplan spot on in the first half to lead 10-5 at the break, striking early thanks to a