Global rugby championship, crowned world champions every four years.
Scotland has exited the World Cup group stage after defeats to Morocco and Brazil, with a 1-0 win over Haiti. Steve Clarke has stepped down as Scotland head coach after seven years in charge, ending a tenure that delivered three major tournament appearances and a long-awaited return to a World Cup.
Scotland Under-20s have advanced to the semi-finals after beating Argentina 44-26, setting up a potential fifth-place finish. Pringle has rotated his squad, hoping to replicate or improve on their 2017 fifth-place benchmark.
England dominates Fiji in a 73-8 Nations Championship win, with Henry Pollock scoring a hat-trick and new debuts making strong impressions. Kuruvoli is sent off for Fiji, and England eye a trip to Argentina next.
England’s captain has warned of a strong response if racist abuse recurs in the July tour match in Santiago del Estero. Players are consulting with teammates from diverse backgrounds, with plan B in place if abuse reoccurs, and the team has expressed support for Argentina’s efforts to prevent it.
Ryan Fox has won The Open at Royal Birkdale, finishing one stroke ahead of Cameron Young after an 11-foot birdie on the final hole. The 39-year-old New Zealander has become only the third Kiwi to win a major, delivering a decisive, low-stress finish and confirming his rise in the majors.
Ryan Fox has won the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, finishing ten under. The win makes him New Zealand’s fourth major champion and follows a week marked by fast play and dramatic momentum. He defeated Cameron Young with a final-round surge, while the event featured record attendance and praise for Fox’s pace.
England has completed a demanding July tour with a win over Argentina, after traveling thousands of miles across continents. The side has faced sleep disruption and a compressed training camp, with calls for format changes growing as focus shifts to the autumn leg and a potential World Cup path.
Multiple football figures have disclosed probable or suspected CTE linked to repeated head impacts. Reports show higher dementia and neurodegenerative risks among players, fueling debates over heading guidelines and player support. Authorities and unions are urged to strengthen concussion protocols and youth-heading rules as more cases surface.
Ryan Fox has won The Open at Royal Birkdale, becoming the second New Zealander to lift the Claret Jug. He seals victory with a 12-foot birdie on the final hole after a tense Sunday, beating Cameron Young as Sam Burns faltered.
ITV has renewed its deal to show all 52 matches of the expanded 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, with subsequent ties to the Nations Championship and Six Nations coverage; World Rugby says the move ensures UK audiences can experience the event across ITV platforms.
Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles has joined Fulham for £30m, becoming the country’s most expensive player. Former international Stuart Dallas backs Charles and teammate Ethan Galbraith for Premier League success, while NI boss Michael O’Neill has built the side around him.
Scottish Rugby has dismissed chief executive Alex Williamson after an independent investigation found his conduct to fall significantly below the organisation’s standards. Williamson, appointed in 2024, was on extended leave since May. The board says an interim chief executive will be appointed as Murrayfield begins the search for a permanent replacement. The organisation faces a crucial autumn and 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Australia has secured a 56-17 Nations Championship victory over Japan in Townsville, moving to a three-match winning streak under new coach Les Kiss. Flyhalf Carter Gordon and a standout backline move show Australia’s growing attacking threat, while Japan’s pace and tactical kicking kept the match competitive before Australia pulled away in the second half.
The edited set of interviews and comments from Sue Gray and related sources show a culture of leaks and briefings in No 10 amid leadership changes. Gray says the atmosphere was unbearable and that actions from Keir Starmer’s team were insufficient to curb negative briefings.
Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston has died at 92. The Cardiff-born winger, a trailblazer who helped break racial barriers in the sport, is remembered for a 15-year career with Wigan, 571 career tries, a knighthood in 2025 and multiple statue tributes. Tributes pour in from clubs and fans alike.
Airlink has conducted a low-altitude flyby over Cape Town Stadium before a rugby match, with authorities saying it complied with safety limits, while experts warn of risk and potential precedent for future stunts. The event has drawn global attention and sparked debate about aviation safety.
The SACAA has obtained flight data and is reviewing whether safety concerns from the recent Cape Town stadium flyover require further action. Airlink has withdrawn its Sept. 1 flyover because weather conditions were forecast to be unsafe. Authorities say a full report with recommendations will be issued after the assessment.
Maro Itoje has taken a break from England’s Nations Championship fixtures to recover mentally and physically. He has rested during July and is back at Saracens with a full pre-season ahead as England prepare for four Tests in November and a Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.
The trial over the March 2022 killing of Argentine rugby star Aramburu has opened in Paris. Two former rugby players, Loïc Le Priol and Romain Bouvier, face murder and attempted murder charges. A third defendant faces conspiracy-related charges, with the case expected to stretch over several weeks and a verdict due on Sept. 25.
England's rugby union head coach Steve Borthwick has had his contract extended past the 2028 Six Nations to provide certainty ahead of next year’s World Cup in Australia. The RFU says the move will allow time to decide leadership beyond the tournament while backing the team if they perform well in Australia.
South Africa has sealed a 3-1 series win over New Zealand in Baltimore after a second-half surge, extending their Rugby World Cup buildup with a dominant performance in the USA.
England has defeated Canada in a tight WXV Global Series clash, extending their winning run and setting up a rematch in Toronto and Ottawa.
England back-rower Pollock remains in contract talks with Northampton Saints while weighing overseas opportunities, with a seven-figure potential value cited by promoter Eddie Hearn. Northampton faces salary-cap constraints as negotiations continue ahead of the new season.
Joe Marchant has moved to Sale Sharks after a France stint, admitting expectations were high yet he has delivered with enhanced communication and versatility. He credits improved language skills and tactical clarity from Top 14 time, and is aiming to earn a return to England duty while continuing his Prem form.
Shaun Edwards has joined England's Red Roses as a consultant for the remainder of the WXV Global Series, aiming to restore their winning form after a 39-match streak ended with a 26-26 draw with Canada. He will work with defence coach Sarah Hunter ahead of tests against New Zealand, Canada, and the USA.
The Wallabies have delivered a commanding start with a high-scoring attack before a late surge from the Springboks nearly overturned the lead. Australia has preserved the win in a dramatic finish as the world champions push for a late comeback.