# rugby union (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 1 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover rugby union. Page: Feed: --- ## [Wales pushing the pain barrier in bid to improve](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cqx7n5gw0wxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-23 · BBC Sport_ BBC Sport spends a day in Wales' pre-season camp, watching players put through their paces ahead of the new WXV Global Series. ## [Leicester sign Tonga hooker Moli](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c9989vmgz48o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-22 · BBC Sport_ Prem Rugby side Leicester Tigers sign New Zealand-born Tonga international hooker Sam Moli. ## [High court allows rugby brain injury case to go on](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c70g2n4w49lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-21 · BBC Sport_ The cases of hundreds of players in rugby's multi-million-pound concussion legal battle allowed to continue after High Court ruling. ## [Wales great Jones returns to Ospreys as a director](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cp870222y26o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-21 · BBC Sport_ Ospreys confirm former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones as a new member of their board before the 2026-27 season. ## [Exeter lock Zambonin to miss start of new season](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cpd7w9l9n2eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-21 · BBC Sport_ Exeter Chiefs' Italy international lock Andrea Zambonin is set to be out until the end of November following shoulder surgery. ## ['Borderline Personality Disorder is my superpower'](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c3w0vw7530no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-21 · BBC Sport_ Wales' Donna Rose tells BBC Sport how rugby union has helped her manage Borderline Personality Disorder. ## [Exeter Chiefs women promote Bishop to head coach role](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c05q44de4lzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-20 · BBC Sport_ Premiership Women's Rugby side Exeter Chiefs appoint assistant Oli Bishop as head coach to replace Steve Salvin. ## [Wales appoint Leicester's Davies as kicking coach](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cn4ne55n8zpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-20 · BBC Sport_ Alex Davies joins Steve Tandy's Wales management team as kicking coach after leaving Leicester. ## [Wales sports minister meets WRU after fans' fears](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cm2gd4ken4jo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-19 · BBC Sport_ Wales' sports minister Heledd Fychan meets with Welsh Rugby Union to express fears of split with fans over three-team plan. ## [Cardiff sign Leicester lock Manz on loan](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c3ekl5w5z9wo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-19 · BBC Sport_ Cardiff strengthen pack ahead of 2026-27 season by signing Leicester lock Tom Manz on loan. ## [Privacy-first AI-native browser (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/li6505NqrsT2) _2026-08-19 · **Sponsored**_ No telemetry or ads — built on Ungoogled Chromium with a built-in AI sidebar and CLI. ## [New Zealand great Tui joins Trailfinders](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cd69dj304wxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-19 · BBC Sport_ World Cup-winning New Zealand international Ruby Tui, 34, signs a one-year deal with Trailfinders Women. ## [Neumann uncertain over future after Quins exit](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c20eygrlklzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-18 · BBC Sport_ Wales wing Lisa Neumann says she is considering her options after leaving Harlequins this summer. ## [How has the dry weather affected rugby clubs?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c935veddkz9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-18 · BBC Sport_ BBC Sport examines how the drought conditions in England have affected rugby clubs. ## [Knowles has top-flight ambition for Cornish Pirates](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cdew0k8n3g3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-18 · BBC Sport_ TV presenter Nick Knowles believes Cornish Pirates are capable of making the Prem after investing in the club. ## [Newcastle lock Usher signs new deal](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/ckg3vrm15rno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-17 · BBC Sport_ Newcastle Red Bulls lock Oscar Usher signs a new three-year deal with the club. ## [Is All Blacks' tour of South Africa a new chapter for rugby union?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c2dkz3k94dlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-17 · BBC Sport_ Is New Zealand's 'Greatest Rivalry' tour of world champions South Africa a signpost to the future of rugby union? ## [Wales centre James signs new Scarlets contract](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/clylqd034n9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-17 · BBC Sport_ Wales centre Eddie James signs a new contract with Scarlets before the start of the 2026-27 season. ## [Ex-Wales and Cardiff centre Halaholo retires](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c77g043v6neo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-17 · BBC Sport_ Former Wales and Cardiff centre Willis Halaholo has ended his professional rugby career after 'a series of niggling injuries'. ## [Wales great Jones set to join Ospreys board](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cwy44131ydno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-15 · BBC Sport_ Ospreys are set to announce former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones as a new member of their board before the 2026-27 season. ## [WRU condemns abuse and doubles down on three-team plan](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cq891l3g3keo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-15 · BBC Sport_ The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) states there is no prospect of the game generating enough revenue to fund four professional teams beyond 2028. ## [CLI-first decentralized GPU compute (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/MOMbXB2qnZIk) _2026-08-15 · **Sponsored**_ Pay workers or run your GPU for FFmpeg transcode and AI inference. ## [Davies calls for WRU board to step down](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c330yrpdlz0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-14 · BBC Sport_ Former Wales captain Jonathan Davies calls for the Welsh Rugby Union board to step down. ## [Start of England's community rugby season postponed](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c3v0y1epl54o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-14 · BBC Sport_ The Rugby Football Union delays the start of the community rugby season because of concerns about player welfare and pitch conditions affecting much of England. ## [Prem champions Saints name Dingwall club captain](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cjrvpv21y7wo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-13 · BBC Sport_ Premiership champions Northampton Saints appoint Fraser Dingwall as their new club captain. ## [Jones turns to geese to inspire Japan](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cgq5pk5gpyyo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-13 · BBC Sport_ Before their second Test against Australia, Eddie Jones reveals an interesting method he uses to coach Japan - watching videos of geese fly in formation. ## [Centre Hall extends stay at Saracens](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cn8np14v005o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-12 · BBC Sport_ Saracens' England 'A' centre Angus Hall signs a new contract with the Prem club. ## [Sale hooker Longstaff signs new deal to 2029](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cjejpld0ddeo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-12 · BBC Sport_ Sale Sharks hooker Alfie Longstaff signs a new deal to remain with the Prem club until 2029. ## [Saints extend strategic partnership with Bedford](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cr59p8e0850o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-12 · BBC Sport_ Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson says the partnership with Bedford Blues is "valuable" to both clubs. ## [Five players get first England deals in Borthwick shake-up](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cwy427n1dnvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-12 · BBC Sport_ Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Alex Coles, Guy Pepper, Jack van Poortvliet and Seb Atkinson are handed England central contracts for the first time as Steve Borthwick shakes up his squad. ## [Ospreys say WRU plan to cut team is wrong](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c1w12eqdy0lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-12 · BBC Sport_ Ospreys respond publicly to WRU plans for the first time with the belief four professional Welsh sides is the way forward. ## [Smaller balls, national anthem test & tough travel schedule - England gear up for WXV](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c235249ynjlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-12 · BBC Sport_ England's Red Roses are in pre-season training before the upcoming WXV Global Series and have been using the controversial smaller balls. ## [Brisk AI News Briefings (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/wd51HtPMd6UC) _2026-08-12 · **Sponsored**_ Read AI summaries and listen to audio briefings for top stories. ## [Nonu, 44, performs solo haka in response to All Blacks](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/crl7p3e8xj5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-12 · BBC Sport_ Former All Blacks star Ma'a Nonu responds to the haka by performing one of his own before his side, the Sharks, take on New Zealand in Durban. ## [Ulster captain Henderson to miss start of season](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c74gvd10kkxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-11 · BBC Sport_ Ulster captain Iain Henderson will miss several months of the new season after hip surgery during the summer. ## [Bath in 'serious discussions' to play in Reading](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cx2jrge11rwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-11 · BBC Sport_ Reading owner Rob Couhig says the club have had "serious discussions" with Bath about the Prem Rugby club playing at their stadium. ## [Gloucester decide against Villa Park return](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c9d8vxdgqx7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-10 · BBC Sport_ Gloucester Rugby confirm they will not be returning to Villa Park to face Leicester Tigers in the Prem next season. ## [Fijian Vunilagi dies in Japan from suspected heatstroke](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c998kznxlx7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-08 · BBC Sport_ Fijian Saimoni Vunilagi has died of suspected heatstroke after a training session, his Japanese club Kyuden Voltex announce. ## [Kloska & Halliwell stay as Bears also sign Lennon](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cz05n170mvko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-05 · BBC Sport_ Bristol props George Kloska and Jimmy Halliwell agree new deals and scrum-half Oscar Lennon re-signs with the club. ## [Ex-England prop Marler to become BBC's first celebrity Gladiator](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c39ep0eyk21o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-05 · BBC Sport_ The former rugby star will be known as Mauler when the fourth series airs in 2027, the BBC confirmed. ## [TV presenter Knowles buys stake in Cornish Pirates](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c9809dx87dgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-05 · BBC Sport_ Television presenter Nick Knowles becomes a shareholder in Champ Rugby side Cornish Pirates. ## [Mumbai, Mie, Madrid - GB part-time stars' search for sevens](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c4gvqe0n73vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-05 · BBC Sport_ Since their contracts were stripped back to part-time last summer, Great Britain Sevens players have had to find alternative employment and teams to keep their passion alive. ## [Why £1m-a-season deal will be hard for Pollock and Hearn to find](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/ckg4y9ylr77o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-04 · BBC Sport_ Salary cap regulations might not be high on everyone's holiday reading list, but Eddie Hearn might be interested if he's keen to get Henry Pollock's £1m pay-day. ## [The teenage Cardiff hooker ignoring Wales hype](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cpw9r1d0ll4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-04 · BBC Sport_ Hooker Tom Howe stays grounded after being tipped as one to watch for Wales before his debut for Cardiff. ## [Pollock to demand £1m a year at Northampton - Hearn](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c05q1g9v2evo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-08-03 · BBC Sport_ Henry Pollock is set to demand a substantial increase on his current Northampton contract to stay at Franklin's Gardens, with agent Eddie Hearn suggesting annual earnings of £1m are his going rate. ## [Progress or standing still - where are England under Borthwick?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/crr8r25yv7vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-07-21 · BBC Sport_ As the 2027 Rugby World Cup continues to creep closer, where are England under Steve Borthwick, and do their Nations Championship performances point to progress? ## [Rugby Union Weekly](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nzwqp2?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-07-20 · BBC Sport_ Ugo, Danny, Ashy and Chris discuss the fallout from Argentina. ## ['Chaos' & 'comedy refereering' as England beat Argentina](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/videos/cpq8zr5prxvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-07-18 · BBC Sport_ Watch the highlights as England hold on to beat Argentina in a chaotic match in the Nations Championship with the hosts having a last-gasp try controversially ruled out. ## [Nations Championship highlights: South Africa 43-0 Wales](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/videos/cn4nynd3yyno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-07-18 · BBC Sport_ Watch highlights as South Africa secure an emphatic 43-0 victory over Wales in the Nations Championship. ## [Highlights: New Zealand crush Ireland at Eden Park](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/videos/c9v4p0ln0n2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-07-18 · BBC Sport_ Watch highlights as a dominant New Zealand beat Ireland 40-21 in the Nations Championship in Eden Park. ## [Inside rugby's greatest production factory](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cwym77z8gl9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-07-17 · BBC Sport_ On Saturday Wales face South Africa - a nation who never seem to run out of international-class players. Are there lessons the tourists can learn? ## [Have Wales got their midfield partnership right?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cly98eny8j0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-07-17 · BBC Sport_ Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn have another chance as midfield partners as Wales finish the season in South Africa. ## [Former Bristol lock Vui 'devastated' by doping ban](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cq616nejy6po?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) _2026-07-16 · BBC Sport_ Former Bristol Bears lock Chris Vui says he has been left "devastated" after being banned until July 2027 for a contested doping violation.