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Today News

04

Save our Scarlets! DWAYNE PEEL takes you inside the battle to keep west Wales' beating heart alive: A talent exodus, frozen budgets... and the 'edge' keeping them going

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Their long-term future might be at threat amid the Welsh Rugby Union's plan to cut the number of Wales' domestic teams from four to three, but the Scarlets have no other option than to plough on.

Friday, Dec 12

Training with DALEY THOMPSON and MARCUS SMITH: Sprint buddies explain unlikely bond, the skill rugby star is perfecting to win back England No 10 shirt... and Smith's secret Olympic 'dream'

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Marcus Smith is catching his breath between sprints. Daley Thompson tells him to keep his shoulders down when fatigue kicks in.

Question: Which England star sets quizzes for his team-mates, runs 'magical' history tours, 'hated' rugby a year ago before becoming a star and plays golf with his trousers down? Answer: JOE HEYES

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Spend just a few minutes with England's Joe Heyes and you will be entertained by his company. But you're also likely to learn a thing or two from this 26-year-old history buff.

Wednesday, Dec 10

00

Rugby player, 23, dies suddenly just hours after celebrating his birthday

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At his funeral on Wednesday, the young man, who worked as an electrician, was described as a popular person who 'always pushed himself to be better' in life.

19

Revealed: The reason why Gloucester-bound Wales captain Jac Morgan will still be able to play for Wales despite breaking 25-cap rule

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Jac Morgan is free to pursue a move to England and also continue his international career despite having 24 Test caps with Gloucester set to sign the Wales captain.

Tuesday, Dec 9

17

Leicester Tigers tie Emeka Ilione to new deal - in major boost for club's evolution after losing George Martin to Saracens

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NIK SIMON: The news of George Martin's departure to Saracens will bring mixed emotions at Leicester. Many at Welford Road thought he could become the club's modern Martin Johnson.

04

Will Stuart's injury is devastating for Steve Borthwick - now he should turn back to this forgotten French exile to rescue England's front row, writes NIK SIMON

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Depth is building nicely in England's prop stocks but the news that Will Stuart will miss the remainder of the season left me with one question.

Sunday, Dec 7

Saracens' thrashing of sorry Clermont should set alarm bells ringing... but here's the one change that could save the Champions Cup

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Standing on the sideline in his big winter coat, the sight of the great Aurelien Rougerie offered a reminder of what this competition used to be.

Friday, Dec 5

19

Hyper-sensitive rugby bosses must give fans the insight they crave and release CCTV footage of Tom Curry tunnel skirmish

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NIK SIMON: Only the ticket holders who were sat beside the tunnel at Twickenham will ever see what really happened between Tom Curry and Felipe Contepomi.

Thursday, Dec 4

Wednesday, Dec 3

Gregor Townsend admits he has unfinished business with an Ireland side he's never beaten as Scotland head coach ... as nations are paired together for the THIRD World Cup in a row

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Gregor Townsend admits Scotland have unfinished business with Ireland after being drawn against their Celtic rivals for a third World Cup in a row.

16

Rugby World Cup 2027 draw: England learn pool stage opponents - including Six Nations rival - as route to final is mapped out

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NIK SIMON: England have been drawn in the same pool as Wales for the 2027 World Cup and have a potentially dream route to the final.

Tuesday, Dec 2

20

ITV to take advantage of BBC squeeze by signing £90million deal to show every England rugby Test until 2029

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NIK SIMON: ITV are on the brink of signing a £90million deal to broadcast every England rugby Test until 2029.

Saturday, Nov 29

South Africa rugby legend faces a 12- WEEK ban after disgraceful eye gouge on Wales rival - but captain Siya Kolisi launches astonishing defence of teammate: 'I'm sure he didn't mean it'

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In the scuffle, hulking lock Etzebeth used his thumb to make contact with the eyes of Mann in what was a disgraceful and totally needless act of violence for which he was justly sent off in the 79th minute.

19

Wales MAULED by South Africa in 73-POINT drubbing as hosts fail to score in a home test for the first time since 1967 - but Springboks veteran Eben Etzebeth faces long ban after disgraceful eye gouge

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ALEX BYWATER: Wales might not have been killed by this defeat by South Africa. But at the same time, the country's national game is only just alive.

04

Inside the demise of R360: Why broken promises will haunt rebel league, how the unions delivered their deadly blow and the dilemma facing stars who have signed up

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All of a sudden, the phones stopped ringing. After months of regular conversations, the last week has seen R360's leading authorities go quiet on rugby's top agents.

Friday, Nov 28

11

Rugby's mega-money breakaway league delayed by TWO YEARS as Mike Tindall provides update on new tournament

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R360 - rugby's proposed rebel league - has pushed back its scheduled start date from September 2026 and now plans to launch in 2028.

04

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: South Africa are NOT invincible - here's my three-step plan to taking down the Boks

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South Africa are a formidable rugby team. To beat them, you don't only have to come out on top on the field, you also have to outwit the total genius of their coach.

Thursday, Nov 27

20

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus sends warning to his side ahead of David vs Goliath clash against Wales

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Rassie Erasmus started on the blindside flank and scored one of South Africa's 15 tries when the Springboks inflicted a 96-13 humiliation on Wales in 1998. It remains Wales' record defeat.

19

Wales dealt devastating injury blow with captain Jac Morgan ruled OUT of the Six Nations after undergoing shoulder surgery

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Morgan - who was his country's only Test Lion in Australia last summer - dislocated his shoulder against Argentina on November 9. The blow ruled him out of the rest of the Autumn campaign.

17

Former World Cup winner's astonishing gesture as he donates £15,000 to Lewis Moody's fundraiser after ex-England captain was diagnosed with MND

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Moody, a former Leicester and Bath flanker, now 47, was a member of Sir Clive Woodward's squad that tasted global glory in Australia in 2003, and also captained his country.

Wednesday, Nov 26

00

Scottish Rugby chief still backing Gregor Townsend... and isn't setting targets for Six Nations as 'progress' is not about 'winning or losing games'

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Scottish Rugby CEO Alex Williamson insists Gregor Townsend is not 'untouchable' but still backed the under-fire head coach.

18

England star Joe Marchant returns from France to join Premiership side and reignite World Cup dream, moving closer to home with fiancée Hollie Shearer

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Joe Marchant reignited his England World Cup dream after he confirmed his return home from France by signing with a Premiership side.

13

Finn Russell 'frustrated, disappointed & devastated' but believes Scotland can bounce back with Six Nations glory if they become 'ruthless'

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Finn Russell says he can understand the frustration at Scotland's Autumn Test series performances - but is still backing his side to win the Six Nations.

09

Gregor Townsend's 'entitlement' comments were a slap in the face for all Scotland fans who paid top dollar for autumn tickets, writes CALUM CROWE

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Much of what Gregor Townsend had to say over the past month didn't really make a whole lot of sense. Deflection, denial, delusion - it was all in there.

Tuesday, Nov 25

20

Steve Borthwick will not be handed England contract extension beyond 2027 World Cup for now - as RFU chief insists it is 'premature' to discuss new deal despite 11-game winning streak

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Borthwick's England have had a fine 2025, losing only to Ireland in their 12 matches. Victories over Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina sealed a first autumn clean sweep since 2017.

Steve Borthwick WON'T get new England deal despite his 11-game win streak - as RFU chief Bill Sweeney explains decision

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Steve Borthwick won't be handed a contract extension as England head coach for now despite him leading the national team to an 11-game winning streak.

19

All 33 England players this autumn rated out of 10: Who's the 'glue' for Steve Borthwick, which bolters are making a World Cup case and who has 'significant room for improvement'?

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Daily Mail Sport looks at the 33 men Steve Borthwick used this month and assesses who impressed and who still has work to do as the countdown to the 2027 World Cup continues.

04

DAN BIGGAR: England's unbeaten autumn has made them one of the best of the rest behind South Africa... but here's why their fans can't get carried away

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The age profile of England's squad is very, very good with the 2027 World Cup in mind and I also like the way the team has connected with the fans in the last year. But I would urge caution.

Monday, Nov 24

19

The secrets of England's autumn clean sweep - and why they believe they can win the World Cup: Steve Borthwick's key mantra,

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Back in October, when Pennyhill Park was still decked out with pumpkins, Steve Borthwick had one key line of messaging for his players.