Rugby

The rugby news you need to know – from the Premier 15s and Red Roses to the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup,

Women’s Sport Daily has it covered

women's rugby, Premier 15s

RFU confirms Premier 15s restart

The Allianz Premier 15s will resume this weekend with two rearranged fixtures before the tournament continues fully from Round 11 onwards on Saturday 6 February.

Rounds 11 and 12 were originally suspended at the same time as the men's season was also paused with two rounds of European fixtures cancelled.

As part of the restart, all clubs will now have access to two rounds of...

women's rugby, Premier 15s

Women's Premier 15s to take two-week "circuit breaker"

Rounds 11 and 12 of the Allianz Premier 15s have been postponed with play not resuming until the end of January at the earliest despite the competition having dispensation to continue during the current national lockdown.

The Premier 15s was granted "elite" status alongside the men's Premiership to carry on playing and has been operating under adapted laws to reduce the risk of...

England Women, Red Roses, Six Nations, England rugby, women's rugby

Six Nations likely to be delayed until April

The coronavirus crisis is likely to lead to disruption to the Women's Six Nations for a second season in a row, with the 2021 tournament set to be delayed until April instead of taking place on the same weekends as the men's event which is due to start in February.

Although England were eventually able to claim the Grand Slam with victory over Italy - in a match delayed from March to...

Rugby ball on pitch women's sport

Premier 15s review: leaders pushed hard but maintain perfect start

Between them, Harlequins and Saracens have won all 15 matches they've played with a try bonus point in the Allianz Premier 15s. Only a postponed fixture separates the sides, with Quins five points clear at the top, but both had their winning records pushed to the limit at the weekend.

Loughborough Lightning opened a 12-point lead against Saracens but eventually succumbed to a 29-24...

Football, women's football, women's sport

More COVID cancellations hit Allianz Premier 15s schedule

DMP Durham Sharks' match against Sale Sharks is the latest Allianz Premier 15s fixture to be postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak.

Three members of the DMP squad have tested positive for COVID-19, with several others forced to self-isolate as close contacts, giving the Rugby Football Union no choice but to call off Saturday's game.

Earlier in the week it was confirmed...

women's rugby, rugby world cup, england women

"Milestone moment" as Rugby World Cup is expanded to 16 teams from 2025

World Rugby has confirmed an additional four teams will take part in the Rugby World Cup from 2025 onwards as the competition expands from 12 to 16 teams.

The change in format comes too late for the next tournament in New Zealand in 2021 where the pool draw has already taken place.

However, World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont called the expansion a 'milestone moment' for the...

women's rugby, Premier 15s

Premier 15s review: as you were at the top for perfect Quins and Sarries

Harlequins and Saracens maintained their perfect starts to the season, although both had to work hard to secure bonus-point victories on the road.

Leaders Quins overcame a physical Gloucester-Hartpury side but an interception try from England centre Lagi Tuima eventually helped them to a 22-5 victory.

Saracens were also forced to toil against Bristol Bears, although two...

women's rugby, rugby world cup, england women

England and Wales handed tough draws for 2021 Rugby World Cup

England and Wales have received tough draws for the 2021 Rugby World Cup. Wales will play in Pool A alongside hosts New Zealand as well as Australia and an as-yet undecided qualifier.

The Red Roses will face France, South Africa and Fiji in Pool C in the event set for October and November next year.

Pool B comprises of Canada, the USA and qualifiers from Europe and Asia....

Wales, welsh rugby, women's rugby, women's sport

Wales appoint first full-time female coach

Rachel Taylor has become the first full-time coach for the Wales women's team ever appointed by the Wales Rugby Union. The former captain becomes skills coach under new head coach Warren Abrahams.

The pair will start with immediate effect with less than a year until the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. "Having been to three Rugby World Cups as a player, I saw how much the competition...

Rugby bal on pitch women's sport

Hunt returns to Red Roses squad for France tie at Twickenham

Scrum half Natasha Hunt has returned to the England training squad ahead of Saturday's international against France at Twickenham. The Gloucester-Hartpury star missed last weekend's 33-10 victory in Grenoble.

Club teammate Ellena Perry also comes into the squad to bolster head coach Simon Middleton's front row options. Abbie Brown of Loughborough Lightning is selected for the first...