Rugby

Scenes of unbridled joy greeted the 35-8 rout of South Africa’s Bulls in Treviso as Kieran Crowley bows out at Benetton in glorious fashion. Now he hopes to work magic on Italy Green party: Benetton celebrate beating the Bulls to win the Pro14 Rainbow Cup in Treviso (Inpho) Benetton romp to Rainbow Cup victory Benetton

Tom Youngs has accepted a charge of disrespecting a match official during Leicester’s game with Bristol in June. The 34-year-old hooker has been handed a two-week ban by an independent Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel. But he has already served one week, and the second week is suspended if he attends an England Rugby Refereeing

Irish complete men’s line-up while France and Russia qualify for women’s event in Tokyo Ireland celebrate booking their place at the Tokyo Olympics (Getty Images) Ireland qualify for the Olympics The line-ups for the sevens tournaments at the Tokyo Olympics are now complete. This weekend’s repechage event in Monaco determined the final qualifiers, with France

Harlequins arranged for England prop Joe Marler to travel to Saturday’s Premiership semi-final by helicopter after the birth of his fourth child. The baby was born on Thursday and the club wanted to make sure the 30-year-old could spend as much time with his wife and children following the birth. The rest of the squad

Don’t miss the action as Chiefs take on Sharks in this year’s play-offs – wherever you are in the world Exeter captain Joe Simmonds in action against Sale last weekend (Getty Images) Exeter v Sale live stream: How to watch the Premiership semi-final The Gallagher Premiership play-offs are familiar territory for Exeter Chiefs, the defending

Former British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton believes Warren Gatland can cement his legacy in South Africa. After leading the squad to a series victory in Australia eight years ago and a draw against New Zealand in 2017, Gatland completes the set against the Springboks this summer. “Even now he is probably the most

The England prop has been through the mill since being part of Harlequins’ 2012 title-winning side, as his outstanding book Loose Head reveals. But he’s come out smiling Joe Marler of Harlequins, who meet Bristol this Saturday in the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals (Getty) The rocky rise of Joe Marler Joe Marler was 21 when he

4:12 AM BST Wallabies captain Michael Hooper says time will tell whether his six-month stint in Japan was a personal success, but admits player sabbaticals are worth exploring in greater number as Rugby Australia fights to retain its best players. Hooper fronted the media via Zoom on Friday morning, the skipper back in green and

Wales have replaced lock Cory Hill with Matthew Screech for their summer Tests against Canada and Argentina. Hill’s team Cardiff Blues says the change came about after he informed them of a desire to join a team outside Wales. The 29-year-old former Dragons star has won 32 caps. A move to a team outside Wales

Exeter boss Rob Baxter has criticised “frightening inconsistency” in how dangerous tackles are being interpreted after key forwards Sam Skinner and Dave Ewers were given four-week bans. Skinner was sent off in Saturday’s win over Sale while Ewers had a yellow card upgraded to a red. It means both will miss Exeter’s Premiership play-off campaign.

Get the lowdown on the man who kicked South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory Handré Pollard in action at the 2019 Rugby World Cup (Getty Images) Who is Handré Pollard: Ten things you should know about the South Africa fly-half South Africa might be best known for their fearsome forward pack but they also

12:26 PM BST South African teams could feature in Europe’s elite club rugby competitions from the 2022-23 season following the formation of the United Rugby Championship (URC) which was unveiled on Tuesday. The Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers will square up against four sides from each of Wales and Ireland, and two from Scotland and

The Brave Blossoms face the British & Irish Lions at BT Murrayfield on Saturday 26 June Japan players celebrate beating Scotland at RWC 2019 (Getty Images) Japan coach Jamie Joseph on facing the Lions 2021 Japan’s game against the British & Irish Lions is a one-off opportunity for my players to play one of the

Last updated on 4 hours ago4 hours ago.From the section Rugby Union The Pro14 will rebrand as the United Rugby Championship (URC) when South Africa’s four teams join the competition in 2021-22. Sharks, Stormers, Lions and Bulls will play alongside the 12 existing sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in a 16-team league. There

Andy Farrell has selected 37 players for the matches against Japan and the USA Garry Ringrose takes on Japan at RWC 2019 (Sportsfile/Getty Images) Ireland squad for summer Tests 2021 Andy Farrell has named a 37-man Ireland squad for their Tests against Japan and the USA next month. There are 11 uncapped players included –

Ealing Trailfinders (0) 0 Saracens (27) 60 Tries: Itoje, Davies, George, B Vunipola 2, Penalty, Tompkins, Maitland Cons: Farrell 6 Pens: Farrell 2 Saracens all but booked their return to the Premiership as they hammered Ealing Trailfinders 60-0 in the first leg of the Championship play-off final. England internationals Maro Itoje and Jamie George, and

How did we end up with so many Harlequins players? Shoot down our Premiership Team of the Year if you wish but it would take a darn good side to roll over this XV! So many to pick from: Worcester’s Matt Kvesic juggles tennis balls before their game in Newcastle (Getty) Rugby World Premiership Team

Exeter: (3) 20 Tries: Cowan-Dickie, Townsend Cons: J Simmonds 2 Pens: J Simmonds 2 Sale: (14) 19 Tries: McGuigan, MacGinty, Reed Cons: MacGinty 2 Exeter Chiefs produced a superb comeback with 14 men to beat Sale and secure a home Premiership play-off semi-final against the Sharks. Byron McGuigan’s try after 90 seconds and one from