Rugby

Last updated on Less than a minute agoLess than a minute ago.From the section Rugby Union Date: Wednesday, 7 July Kick-off: 18:00 BST Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app England flanker Tom Curry will make his first appearance for the British and Irish Lions while

4:22 PM BST England scored seven tries — but conceded a worrying four — as a virtual reserve team beat a spirited United States 43-29 in an entertaining though ragged Twickenham clash on Saturday. England were without 13 players on Lions duty and several others being rested, and starting with eight debutants, they led 26-3

The Bristol Bears superstar is hunting for gold Semi Radradra in action for Bristol Bears (Getty Images) Semi Radradra in Fiji Olympics Squad We are used to seeing him perform wonders on the field of the Gallagher Premiership for Bristol Bears, but today it became official that the electrifying Semi Radradra will be in the

3:44 PM BST Ireland survived some brilliant attacking Japanese play to gain revenge for their shock 2019 World Cup defeat with a 39-31 win in an entertaining and free-scoring match at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. While Ireland struck first and outscored the visitors by three tries to two to lead narrowly at the break,

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland says he is keeping an “open mind” about his team for the Test series after the tourists’ fine warm-up win in Johannesburg. The Lions beat the Sigma Lions 56-14 in their first game on South African soil and several players have already put their hands up for

The world champions beat the Lelos 40-9 in Pretoria Debutant Aphelele Fassi runs in the opening try down the wing (Gallo Images/Getty Images) South Africa beat Georgia on return to Test stage South Africa hadn’t played a Test since winning the Rugby World Cup 20 months ago, so a fair bit of rust was to

Date: Saturday 3 July Kick-off: 17:00 BST Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app Alun Wyn Jones has been backed by kicking coach Neil Jenkins to return for the British and Irish Lions Test series against South Africa as the side prepares for its first warm-up

10:36 AM BST Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg will captain the British & Irish Lions in the opening match of their South African tour, when they take on the Gauteng-based Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday. Welsh winger Josh Adams is the only player retained in the starting lineup from the side that beat Japan 28-10

All the details you need to catch the action wherever you are in the world Lions fans won’t want to miss any of the action from South Africa (AFP/Getty Images) British & Irish Lions live stream: How to watch the South Africa tour The British & Irish Lions 2021 play eight matches on their tour

Date: Saturday 3 July Kick-off: 17:00 BST Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Stuart Hogg says he will “be his own man” when he leads a new-look British and Irish Lions XV against the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday. “I think being captain doesn’t change anything you do,” said Scotland’s Hogg. “I’ve never been the

Gavin Mortimer laments the lack of quality rugby on show in France Toulouse celebrate lifting the Bouclier de Brennus after the Top 14 final (Getty Images) The Fallacy of French Flair It was the denouement to the domestic seasons in England and France at the weekend. One was a thriller, 80 minutes of edge-of-your-seat rugby

2:14 PM BST South Africa named a strong team to take on Georgia on Friday in their first test in 20 months since winning the World Cup in Japan in 2019. The test is one of two warm-ups for the Springboks ahead of their three-test series against the British & Irish Lions and new coach

10:35 AM BST South African Rugby President Mark Alexander has accepted there will be no fans at stadiums for the British & Irish Lions series but is confident the COVID-19 protocols in place will allow all the scheduled games to go ahead. The Lions, who will face the Springboks in three tests from July 24,

Captain Conor Murray says the British and Irish Lions want to “put a smile on people’s faces” amid rising Covid-19 infection rates in South Africa. The Lions arrived in Johannesburg shortly after president Cyril Ramaphosa announced stricter measures. Organisers are exploring contingency plans with doubts over the eight-match series taking place as scheduled. “We’re very

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny set for a career milestone Leigh Halfpenny is set to win his 100th Test cap on Saturday (NurPhoto/Getty Images) Wales squad for summer Tests 2021 Leigh Halfpenny will make his 100th Test appearance when Wales take on Canada at the Principality Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The full-back has won 95 Wales caps

I cannot quite understand how gutted Alun Wyn Jones must be not to be going on the Lions tour, but unfortunately there is no time for the players to dwell on it. The day after he dislocated his shoulder in the warm-up game against Japan, the rest of the squad was on the plane to

1:27 PM BST South Africa cancelled a Sunday training session after three unnamed Springbok players tested positive for COVID-19 on the eve on the British & Irish Lions’ departure to the country for a three-test series next month. The players had been put into isolation and a decision on further team activities would be taken

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said there is “no threat” to July’s British and Irish Lions Tests after three of his players returned positive Covid-19 results. The Springboks squad is isolating in Johannesburg, where the Lions play their first game on 3 July. Warren Gatland’s side travel to South Africa on Sunday evening