#rugby

#rugby

Ulster opened the New Year with appropriate cheer, seeing off Munster at a bitterly cold Affidea Stadium to rack up a second successive interprovincial victory which saw them hit second in the URC table.

Harry Byrne's goal-kicking proved the difference as error-strewn Leinster held off a determined Leicester to claim a 23-15 Investec Champions Cup victory at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Each team scored two tries but three penalties and a conversion from Byrne were decisive as the bottom side Leicester's European campaign continued to falter and they remain pointless after their opening two fixtures.

The Royal Courts of Justice are a warren. They were built piecemeal over 125 years of intermittent construction, wings were added, blocks were expanded and then joined by a web of twisting staircases and long corridors. You navigate your way to whichever corner of it you have business in by checking the tiny print on the long daily case lists that are posted in the lobby early each morning, when the building always seems to be full of people hurrying in the other direction.

The launch of rugby's rebel R360 has been delayed until 2028 at the earliest after organisers admitted defeat in the first round of their battle to get the competition off the ground next year. In a statement issued this morning, Mike Tindall and his group admitted that there is a credibility problem for R360 which has dominated discussions behind the scenes at executive level all year.

It's hard not to feel like we let this one get away. While New Zealand were impressive in the final quarter on Saturday, it was their worst performance in our last 11 meetings, which now stands at 6-5 in favour of the All Blacks. After a nightmare start with Tadhg Beirne's red card, we managed the 20 minutes with 14 men really well, deservedly leading 10-7 at half-time and 13-7 after 60 minutes.

Sometimes in sport, as in life, you get what you deserve and at the Soldier Field on Saturday Andy Farrell's side did just that. For anyone to suggest anything otherwise is deluding themselves to reality. While I hate the much-used expression 'fail to prepare, prepare to fail,' our opening match of the Autumn series on Saturday in Chicago was that to a tee.

Greetings from Soldier Field, where Jack Crowley has just been given a big ovation as he is the first Ireland player to begin his warm-up.

They were still standing, undefeated, as 'Stand up and Fight' rang out at Musgrave Park.

“committed to breaking down the barriers - from gender stereotypes to self-doubt - that hold girls back from realizing their limitless potential.”

New Zealand were the Rugby Championship's fastest starters and Australia the slowest. So for the Wallabies to be 13-3 down after 15 minutes surprised few. The men in black were red hot from the get-go, moving with cohesion and precision, each pass and kick a dagger. Australia were back-pedalling, making mistakes, losing collisions. Caleb Clarke had cried through the anthems but his tears had dried in time to finish a slick catch and pass in the fourth minute.

Ellie Kildunne returns to the England starting XV in one of four changes for their Rugby World Cup semi-final against France on Saturday. Kildunne missed the Red Roses' quarter-final win against Scotland as she went through concussion protocols with Helena Rowland stepping in at full-back. Rowland has been named among the replacements for the semi-final at Ashton Gate while England have also restored Hannah Botterman at loosehead prop, Abbie Ward in the second row and Zoe Harrison at fly-half to the starting XV.

I'll never forget standing on the sideline of our first SaberCats match, watching one of our players get leveled by a brutal tackle. Most people would've stayed down. He didn't. He fought for every inch, rolled and kept driving the ball forward. The crowd erupted. That image stuck with me. In rugby, getting hit is part of the game, and when you get hit, you don't stop - you adapt mid-impact.

I was just dead-set on playing for Munster and Ireland - that was my goal,

It's been a tough year for Marlie Packer, who had her captaincy taken away and faced self-doubt about her World Cup selection despite being a former world player of the year.

Capturing people's laughs and the candid moments in rugby is a passion for Maud Muir, who has taken hundreds of photos in the England women's camp.

Joe McCarthy was riding high in the series when he experienced a pop in his foot, affecting his playing status on the Lions tour in Australia.

Kelly Arbey scored a remarkable solo try against England, showcasing her speed and strength. This performance aimed to solidify her place in the World Cup squad.

In 2025, we have not yet seen the best of Kinghorn − although, after a few errors against the First Nations and Pasifika XV, the Scot was strong off the bench in the second Test and started the third.

Phil Waugh, the Rugby Australia chief executive, called for accountability after the decision to award the Lions a last-gasp try which he deemed controversial.

Jac Morgan is the first British & Irish Lion from Cwmtwrch RFC, where he learned rugby. His international debut has brought pride and excitement to the club.

Hugo Keenan will forever be known for scoring the try that secured the 2025 series win for the Lions, a remarkable moment in his career.

Maro Itoje's leadership in the series-clinching victory showcased his potential among British & Irish Lions greats. Leading the Lions to a series victory, he demonstrated calmness and character under pressure.

Garry Ringrose self-reported concussion symptoms, leading to a last-minute team reshuffle for the British & Irish Lions against the Wallabies.