Rugby

James Regan Feb 8, 2025, 10:37 PM Open Extended Reactions France’s evening was summed up perfectly, albeit jovially, by defence coach Shaun Edwards following a crushing 26-25 defeat to England on Saturday. “We got the oopsies, didn’t we? Every time we got near the tryline we seemed to just drop the ball,” Edwards said. “I’ve

Tom HamiltonFeb 8, 2025, 08:54 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions England’s luck was going to change eventually, but few predicted it would come on this cold, sodden night

James Regan Feb 8, 2025, 04:59 PM Open Extended Reactions Wales head coach Warren Gatland has said he “understands” fans’ frustrations after his side fell to a record-extending 14th straight Test defeat on Saturday, later adding he is feeling the pressure of those results. Wales hit a new low as they were beaten 22-15 in

Feb 7, 2025, 05:34 PM Open Extended Reactions Winger Tommy Freeman has said England will put pressure on France scrum-half Antoine Dupont and “take his legs” at Twickenham on Saturday. Dupont — considered by many to be the best player in the world — ran riot in France’s 43-0 thrashing of Wales last week, with

Feb 7, 2025, 02:00 PM Open Extended Reactions Scotland have made three changes to their side for the visit of champions Ireland to Murrayfield on Sunday, with Tom Jordan drafted in at inside centre, Jack Dempsey at No. 8 and Rory Sutherland into the front-row. Scotland beat Italy 31-19 in their tournament opener, but coach

Tom HamiltonFeb 7, 2025, 12:00 PM Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions On Friday evening, France had been hammering away at Wales’ tryline for much of the opening quarter of

Associated Press Feb 7, 2025, 09:24 AM Open Extended Reactions The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) sacked former women’s captain Laijipa Naulivou four days into her job as Director of Rugby after she said the women’s game had a “gay problem”. Laijipa Naulivou resigned as director of rugby before her appointment was cancelled by the Fiji

Feb 6, 2025, 04:23 PM Open Extended Reactions England coach Steve Borthwick has said he is excited to unleash the Fin Smith, Marcus Smith combination against France at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday. Northampton’s Fin Smith will start at fly-half, with Marcus Smith, who started at No. 10 against Ireland last week, shifted to fullback.

Feb 6, 2025, 02:40 PM Open Extended Reactions Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has made just change to his side ahead of their crucial Six Nations clash with Wales at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday. Lock Niccolo Cannone replaces Dino Lamb and there is also only one change in personnel across the 23-man squad, with

Feb 6, 2025, 11:00 AM Open Extended Reactions Veteran forward Taulupe Faletau will play his first game for Wales since the 2023 Rugby World Cup after being named at No. 8 to face Italy in Rome on Saturday. In a boost for beleaguered Wales coach Warren Gatland, Faletau’s selection is one of two changes to