Rugby

• 3 hours, 37 mins ago

  Brian O'Driscoll warns against dangers of rule trials 'sanitising' rugby

  Brian O'Driscoll has warned that rugby should not rush back to the field of play in the coming months if the game has to tinker too much with its DNA in the bid to satisfy new health and safety protocols.

• 21 hours, 28 mins ago

  World Rugby rejects invitational tournament proposal to help struggling unions

  Former RFU chief executive Francis Baron drew up a financial rescue plan involving a 16-team invitational tournament to be held in the UK next year.



• 1 day ago

  Saracens sign Wales scrum-half Aled Davies ahead of Championship campaign

  Davies, who has 20 Wales caps, has signed a three-year deal

• 1 day ago

  Former rugby chief calls for global tournament in UK and Ireland to raise funds for unions

  Francis Baron has drawn up a financial rescue plan and at its heart is a 16-team invitational tournament to be held in the UK and Ireland next year.

• 2 days ago

  Munster prop Brian Scott forced to retire after 18-month injury battle

  “I’m devastated to be finishing my career prematurely.”

• 3 days ago

  Leinster scrap season tickets for 2020/21 amid pandemic uncertainty

  Leinster Rugby have taken the “unprecedented step” of cancelling their season ticket offering for 2020/21 as the province grapples with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing requirements which are likely to be in place for the foreseeable future.

• 3 days ago

  George Kruis heading to Japan at the end of this season

  The England lock will end a 12-year association with Saracens to join Panasonic Wild Knights

• 4 days ago

  IRFU boss admits Irish players may look to leave country after pandemic

  IRFU chief executive Philip Browne admits that some players could be tempted abroad by clubs after the pandemic.

• 5 days ago

  Australia releases three players over contract concerns amid pandemic

  Rugby Australia (RA) has released three players including national representative Izack Rodda over contract disputes that arose during the pandemic, the game’s governing body in the country said.

• 5 days ago

  Roadmap out of Covid-19 lockdown signposted for Irish rugby but dark clouds remain

  IRFU CEO Philip Browne yesterday signposted Irish Rugby’s roadmap out of the Covid-19 lockdown for the rest of the year but warned the governing body was spending “tomorrow’s money today” just to stay afloat.

• 5 days ago

  IRFU hoping for August return to action

  Finally, after weeks of contingency planning, rugby has a target date for the safe resumption of play.

• 5 days ago

  Guinness PRO14 plans August return after receiving fresh investment

  The PRO14 board earlier confirmed that London-based private equity firm CVC had purchased a 28 per cent share in the league.

• 6 days ago

  Former Scotland international Tim Swinson hangs up his boots

  The forward played 38 times for his country.

• 6 days ago

  IRFU warn of potential €20m losses amid call for State support

  The IRFU had set a target of a return to competitive rugby with behind-closed-doors PRO14 derbies at the Aviva Stadium starting August 22-23.

• 6 days ago

  Pro14 sells 28% stake to private equity firm

  The Pro14 has received a major financial investment in a deal with private equity group CVC.

• 7 days ago

  John Cooney relishing Mathewson and Madigan's arrivals

  Ireland scrum-half John Cooney is relishing the arrivals of new signings Alby Mathewson and Ian Madigan at Ulster and the strength they will add to the northern province’s push for silverware.

• 8 days ago

  Co-captain Callum Gibbins to leave Glasgow Warriors

  The New Zealander scored 13 tries in 46 appearances.

• 8 days ago

  Tyler Bleyendaal forced to retire on medical grounds

  Tyler Bleyendaal has been forced to retire from rugby with immediate effect following a long struggle with neck injuries, Munster Rugby announced on Wednesday.

• 9 days ago

  Damian de Allende settling into life in Limerick

  Munster Rugby have confirmed that new signings Damian de Allende, RG Snyman, Matt Gallagher, and Roman Salanoa will join the province on July 1.

• 9 days ago

  Johnny Sexton admits motivation a challenge in lockdown

  Jonathan Sexton's drive has been tattooed across countless Leinster and Ireland performances for over a decade now but even he admits to struggling with his motivation at times during the current lockdown.

• 10 days ago

  Munster sign Salanoa as Arnold and Oliver exit for Connacht

  Munster announced the signing of exciting young Leinster tighthead prop Roman Salanoa as Sammy Arnold and Conor Oliver's exits from the province were confirmed on Monday.

• 13 days ago

  Arno Botha leaves Munster to rejoin Bulls

  The explosive back-row was Munster's top try-scorer this season.

• 13 days ago

  Ireland's tour to Australia called off due to Covid-19

  Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales were all due to go on tour this summer.

• 14 days ago

  Door open for Finn Russell return following regular talks with Gregor Townsend

  The Scotland head coach has been in contact with his fly-half during the sport’s shutdown.

• 14 days ago

  European chiefs considering return to 24-club Champions Cup

  The move is part of the contingency planning officials are undertaking due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 14 days ago

  Premiership clubs face titles being stripped for future salary cap breaches

  The review follows last year’s punishment of Saracens for breaches of the salary cap.