A modern, multi-team rugby competition and governing idea
Ireland scrum-half? Actually fly-half Jack Crowley is out with a lower limb vascular injury, sidelined since April. Munster confirm he won’t return until the new year, affecting Ireland’s Nations Championship run and Munster’s URC plans.
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.
Six nations teams start the Nations Championship by facing off against southern teams in July, with Scotland playing Argentina in Córdoba and a slate of matchups that will define the tournament’s early tone. The inaugural event will be broadcast on ITV and STV in the UK, with daily live coverage.
Ireland has beaten Australia before and aims to start the Nations Championship strongly with matches against Japan and New Zealand on the horizon. Joe Schmidt bows out to Les Kiss with Australia eyeing a home World Cup in 2027 as Andy Farrell seeks a return victory in Sydney.
South Africa has extended its Nations Championship lead with a 42-28 win over Wales, featuring debuts for Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams. Erasmus rotates the squad, aiming to build depth while maintaining dominance. Wales, despite changes, cannot break the bite of the Springbok pack.
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.
France has claimed a convincing win over Japan in Tokyo, extending their Nations Championship campaign with two wins and one loss. Jalibert, Lamothe and Roumat score tries as the Six Nations champions outpace the hosts in hot, humid conditions.
England has claimed back-to-back Test wins, including a dramatic 31-24 victory over Argentina, but their discipline remains a worrying trend with multiple yellow cards across eight matches in 2026. The run follows a brutal summer schedule that contributed to travel fatigue and scrutiny over the team’s performance ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
England have claimed a 31-24 victory over Argentina in a dramatic Test, extending their July tour. Four players were sin-binned and yellow cards rose, highlighting discipline issues. Argentina were denied a late try by video review amid celebrations in England’s locker room.
Scotland have forged a strong position in the Nations Championship, building momentum with a bonus-point win over Fiji after an intense first half. The side's depth has shone through as substitutes impacted the game, while Fiji showed moments of quality before Scotland finished stronger.
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.
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.
Rugby talent Henry Pollock is pressing for a pay rise at Northampton. The Prem salary cap and marquee-player rules limit options, with talks intensifying as Hearn and Pollock navigate cap constraints and potential market moves.
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.