Favourites
David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images
'People outside don't know women's strategy'
England Women's rugby has become big news due to some justified concerns about the 15-a-side squad's contracts. But head of professional rugby Nigel Melville insists the move is part of a bigger plan to grow the female game.
Rugby
Hunter: England women focused on World Cup
England captain Sarah Hunter insisted her teammates remain focused solely on regaining their World Cup crown as she faced questions over the squad's contract status.
England's women are putting the furore surrounding contracts to one side as they continue their preparation for the World Cup.
0:28
Rugby
Law changes should provide speedier, simpler rugby - Dowd
World Rugby should be applauded for its looming law changes with the amendments set to simplify and speed up the game, which is a huge positive for referees and fans alike -- Craig Dowd writes.
TOP RUGBY HEADLINES
Irish Rugby
Tomas O'Leary announces his retirement
Former Ireland scrum-half Tomas O'Leary has announced his retirement from professional rugby.
Super Rugby
Rugby
Ackermann mustn't rein in Lions, but ...
The Lions need to play a lot smarter and be streetwise when they take on the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby semifinal on Saturday.
Rugby
Kiwis spare SANZAAR finals embarrassment
Despite a lopsided, illogical conference system, the best four teams have advanced to the Super Rugby semifinals. As the New Zealand conference was easily the toughest of the four- it is justified that three Kiwi sides remain.
Rugby
Fekitoa confirms 'difficult' Toulon switch
All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa says his decision to leave New Zealand Rugby for French giants Toulon was the most difficult of his life.
Rugby
Rugby
Opinions split over ruck law amendments.
Greg Growden and Sam Bruce debate World Rugby's amendments to its ruck laws, disagreeing over whether it's a positive step for the game's development.
2:02
Rugby
Law amendments to shake up breakdown
The ability of openside 'fetchers' to dominate the breakdown could be a thing of the past, after World Rugby rubberstamped three new amendments as part of an overhaul to the game's laws set to commence next month.
AVIVA PREMIERSHIP
Flood: Newcastle heading for Europe
Former England fly-half Toby Flood thinks Newcastle Falcons will soon be playing top tier European rugby after re-signing for the club where he started his career.
South Africa PRO12 switch
Rugby
Doubts over Cheetahs' Currie Cup defence
The Free State Cheetahs will begin the defence of their domestic Currie Cup title despite their likely move to the PRO12 in September.
Rugby
PRO12 in talks to add South African teams
Celtic Rugby have confirmed that they are in advanced discussions with the South African Rugby Union (SARU) with the view to add two teams to the current PRO12 format.
Rugby
Who are the new PRO14 sides?
Everything you need to know about the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings - the two Super League Rugby teams who are set to be invited to join the Pro12 competition from September.
Australia
Rugby
Ruck'n Maul: Cheika wrong with Quade call.
Greg Growden and Sam Bruce return with the latest edition of Ruck'n Maul, addressing Karmichael Hunt's withdrawal from the Wallabies squad and why Michael Cheika hasn't yet called in Quade Cooper as a replacement.
4:15
Australia
Beale's Indigenous goal achieved, now for Wallabies
An emotional Kurtley Beale ticked off a major personal milestone in launching the Wallabies' special Indigenous jersey, but a greater challenge looms over the next few months when he re-joins a struggling Wallabies squad.
Rugby
Beale excited by Wallabies' midfield options.
He looks almost certain to wear the Wallabies No.12 jersey in Bledisloe I, but Kurtley Beale likes the look of the midfield options Australia have at their disposal for the Rugby Championship.
1:04
Rugby
Wallabies need help from All Blacks
With the once-loved Bledisloe Cup series causing nothing but dread for Wallabies fans, perhaps New Zealand can lend us a hand again, writes Greg Growden.
British & Irish Lions Tour
British and Irish Lions
Warburton defends Sincker arrest.
Lions captain Sam Warburton has defended teammate Kyle Sinckler who was arrested in Auckland during a team night out.
0:35
British & Irish Lions
Breathtaking series reaffirms Lions' standing
Do the British & Irish Lions have a future in the global calendar? Ask those involved over the last six weeks and you'll get a resolute "yes."
British & Irish Lions Tour
ESPN's 2017 Lions tour awards
Ten matches, 12 flights, 12 different hotels, innumerable glasses of pinot noir and a series which ended up as draw. Here are ESPN's Lions tour awards.
Aviva Premiership
Exeter kick off title defence at Gloucester
Exeter will begin the defence of their Aviva Premiership title in a west country derby against Gloucester at Kingsholm on Friday, Sept. 1.
Top Headlines
Don't Miss...
- Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images/Getty Images
Everything you need to know about the new PRO14 sides
Everything you need to know about the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings - the two Super League Rugby teams who are set to be invited to join the Pro12 competition from September.
ESPN Recommends
Live Sports on ESPN Player
Watch the very best in U.S. sport LIVE and on-demand with ESPN Player. Available across Europe, subscribe today.
Customise ESPN
- Richard Heathcote/World Rugby/Getty Images
Definitive rugby fixtures
Keep up to date with all the latest fixtures from around the rugby world.
- Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The unrivalled Statsguru database
Every single player who's ever played Test rugby features in our unrivalled database of the stats behind our great sport.
