English

TheGuardian.com

Tuesday, Jul 2

20

Marcus Smith ready to become master of his own destiny at No 10 for England

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Fly-half admits he is not the finished article, but he gets his chance to shine in the first Test against the All Blacks on Saturday

18

New Wallabies era beginning against Wales cannot be another false dawn | Angus Fontaine

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Australia will be hoping to start a critical ‘golden decade’ in style against a Welsh side that humiliated them at the 2023 Rugby World Cup

12

The Breakdown | All Blacks’ alchemists are trying to turn mud-slinging into black gold

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There is still no bigger rugby team than the All Blacks but administrators realise the world is changing rapidly

06

England bolster starting XV as Dan Cole benched for first Test in New Zealand

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England have thrown down the gauntlet to the All Blacks by naming their team 48 hours early for Saturday’s pivotal first Test in Dunedin. The starting XV shows two changes, with props Joe Marler and Will Stuart both selected in the front…

Monday, Jul 1

16

New Zealand rugby chief says the sport needs to bring in 20-minute red cards

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New Zealand’s top rugby official says the introduction of 20-minute red cards at all levels of the game is an increasingly urgent necessity if the sport is to remain relevant to younger fans. He has also warned that rugby needs to think…

03

Michael Hooper retires from Australian rugby after missing out on Olympics place

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Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has announced his retirement from Australian rugby after missing selection for the sevens team at the Paris Olympics. The 32-year-old revealed through social media that he would not be part of the…

Sunday, Jun 30

16

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso can be England’s secret weapon, says Slade

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The All Blacks have been warned to watch out for England’s new secret weapon in Saturday’s first Test in Dunedin. New Zealand have not yet encountered the visitors’ fast-rising wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and the 21-year-old’s Exeter…

10

Campbell Johnstone: ‘My story has rekindled people’s love for rugby’

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The first – and only – All Black to come out publicly as gay on his life-changing decision and being a role model

08

Kurtley Beale’s Wallabies comeback in doubt due to serious injury

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Kurtley Beale’s Wallabies comeback has been dealt a cruel blow after the full-back suffered an expected torn Achilles on Saturday.

Sunday with Steve Backshall: ‘The kids’ capacity to consume pancakes blows my mind’

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The naturalist gets up early to enjoy a busy day with rugby, canoeing, a picnic and waterbirds

Friday, Jun 28

18

Kevin Sinfield to leave England tour and attend Rob Burrow’s funeral

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Kevin Sinfield has been granted compassionate leave from England’s tour of New Zealand to fly home and attend his friend Rob Burrow’s funeral next weekend.

14

Band of brothers: the Barretts on new challenges and facing old rivals

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Jordie is heading to Leinster. Beauden is back from Japan. Scott is All Blacks captain. And next up is England for the unique siblings

Thursday, Jun 27

13

Leicester name Michael Cheika head coach in wake of McKellar departure

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Leicester Tigers have appointed Michael Cheika as their head coach ahead, the Premiership Rugby club said on Thursday. The 57-year-old is taking over from his fellow Australian Dan McKellar, who parted ways with the club last week.

Wednesday, Jun 26

14

Ardie Savea ready to settle scores with England after ‘smack in the nose’

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Ardie Savea, the reigning world player of the year, says the All Blacks want to settle a few old scores when they meet England next week. The New Zealand No 8 has made clear the home side have not forgotten the “smack in the nose” they…

Tuesday, Jun 25

Borthwick turns down Lions role to concentrate on improving England

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The England head coach, Steve Borthwick, will not be ­joining Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions ­management team for next year’s tour of Australia. Borthwick wants to concentrate on reshaping ­England’s fortunes and is not set to be…

12

The Breakdown | New Zealand face a discernible sense of nervousness before England visit

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An absence of familiar names and a new head coach has cast doubt on the immediate outlook of the All Blacks

Monday, Jun 24

14

Borthwick backing England to show mental strength to handle All Blacks

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Teams in past have been beaten before stepping off plane in New Zealand but head coach believes squad are up to task

10

Scott Barrett named as new All Blacks captain for England and Fiji Tests

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Scott Barrett has been named as New Zealand’s new captain ahead of next month’s two-Test series against England. The All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has also included five uncapped players in his first squad selection since taking…

Sunday, Jun 23

17

England plan same starting XV for New Zealand opener in drive for consistency

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England are keen to name an unchanged starting lineup for the first Test against New ­Zealand as part of a ­plan to maximise the chances of a series win against the All Blacks. It means Marcus Smith is set to be retained at fly-half while…

13

England call up Nick Isiekwe for New Zealand tour with Charlie Ewels banned

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The Saracens lock Nick Isiekwe is heading out to join England’s tour squad in New Zealand as a replacement for Bath’s Charlie Ewels, who has been suspended for two weeks after being sent off against Japan on Saturday.

01

Glasgow Warriors fight back against Bulls to clinch United Rugby Championship title

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The captain of Glasgow Warriors, Kyle Stern, saluted his side’s collective effort as they lifted the United Rugby Championship title after a hard-fought 21-16 victory over the Bulls at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Saturday, Jun 22

20

Gloucester-Hartpury seal comeback against Bristol to retain PWR title

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Table-topping Gloucester-Hartpury finished 18 points ahead of Bristol, but for a while here it seemed simple maths is not the Bears’ strong point. Dave Ward’s outfit performed like champions in the first half against opponents who defeated…

18

Jesse Kriel inspires South Africa to emphatic victory against Wales

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During his side’s run to the 2019 World Cup title, Rassie Erasmus emphasised the physical threat that Wales possessed. “They’re not softies,” he said, suggesting there is some inherent toughness found in the valleys and old coal-mining…

14

Steve Borthwick warns England must improve discipline to beat All Blacks

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Steve Borthwick says England’s discipline will have to improve if they want to beat the All Blacks in a two-Test series in New Zealand next month. The touring team frequently impressed with ball in hand in their 52-17 victory over Eddie…

12

Blues beat Chiefs to break 21-year Super Rugby title drought

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The Blues have broken a 21-year Super Rugby title drought, sweeping aside the Chiefs in a 41-10 drubbing at a sold-out Eden Park.

11

Rejuvenated England run in eight tries to thrash Japan and open tour in style

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Better opposition than Japan awaits this developing England team but they will arrive in New Zealand having relished their Tokyo stopover. There was plenty to admire in this eight-try flattening of Eddie Jones’s inexperienced side and they…

Japan 17-52 England: rugby union international – as it happened

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England score eight tries in an attacking show marred by a red card to get their summer tour off to a bright start.

Friday, Jun 21

18

Wales will relish physical test from South Africa, insists captain Dewi Lake

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Dewi Lake has vowed Wales will not shy away from the challenge of what is mission improbable against the world champions South Africa.

04

Kurtley Beale recalled by coach Joe Schmidt in new-look Wallabies squad

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Veteran playmaker Kurtley Beale has been recalled to the Wallabies squad in Joe Schmidt’s much-anticipated first team-naming since replacing Eddie Jones as coach. Beale has been impressive since linking up with the Western Force in the…

Thursday, Jun 20

19

‘A little bit weird’: England cross paths with Eddie Jones in Japan Test

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Steve Borthwick’s side face Jones’s Brave Blossoms in a one-off Test in Tokyo before heading to New Zealand