Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has pleaded guilty to one charge of domestic abuse over a five-year period against his former partner. Selkirk Sheriff Court heard Hogg’s behaviour left the mother of his children scared and wishing “for it…
England’s most-capped rugby player Sarah Hunter announces she will retire after Six Nations opener against Scotland
England’s record cap-holder Sarah Hunter will bow out of international rugby with a ‘fairytale’ finale in her home city of Newcastle on Saturday. Hunter will make her 141st and last international appearance against Scotland in the Six Nations opener and…
IRFU committee approves proposal for 40% female representation on committee
The Irish Rugby Football Union committee has unanimously approved a proposal to achieve 40% female representation on its committee by the end of 2023. This IRFU said the recommendation will “be brought to the IRFU annual council meeting in July…
Michael Ward: Batley prop gives up teaching job to play in Rugby League World Cup
Batley Bulldogs player Michael Ward has given up his job as a maths teacher to play in the Rugby League World Cup for Ireland. The prop forward left his full-time role in an effort to earn selection for the Wolfhounds…
Jake Connor: Hull FC full-back to miss 10 to 12 weeks of the season with knee injury
Hull FC full-back Jake Connor will miss 10 to 12 weeks of the season after sustaining a medial ligament injury. Connor came off with the knee injury midway through the second half of their golden-point drop-goal defeat by Wakefield Trinity…
Māori All Blacks player Sean Wainui, 25, dies after car crash
New Zealand Rugby is mourning the death of Māori All Blacks player Sean Wainui after the 25-year-old died in a car accident on Monday. A rising star who played 10 times for the Māori All Blacks, Wainui had a brief…
Losing an only child can drive you mad!
When I finish telling you this story, please don’t ask me questions because I have asked myself so many questions and found no answers. I just came back from Ireland where I went to be with my younger sister. She…
Rugby star found guilty after anti-gay post (BBC)
Israel Folau has been found guilty of a “high level breach” of Rugby Australia’s player code of conduct after he said “hell awaits” gay people in a social media post. A three-person panel who presided over his hearing will now consider…
RFU introduces full-time contracts for England women 15-a-side players (BBC)
The Rugby Football Union will reintroduce contracts for their England women’s 15-a-side players to make them fully professional. Twenty-eight full-time deals will be available from 1 January, along with seven elite player squad agreements. Contracts were previously awarded based on…