Only two Wales players are in Andy Farrell's squad to tour Australia and Ieuan Evans says chances are still likely for more to go.

Ulster forward Nick Timoney says the pressure of the United Rugby Championship play-off race is "why you play the game".

Chris and Ugo chat to Maro Itoje and Andy Farrell at the Lions squad announcement.

Andy Farrell has named a squad of 38 players - 21 forwards and 17 backs - for the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia this summer.

Staging a live event is not such a bad idea but it should not have been used as an opportunity to gouge more money out of loyal followers When the scores are tied, there’s 50 seconds left on the clock, and you need someone who’s going to step up and take that drop goal, then Andy Farrell was your man. And when the series is all-square with one game left to play, and you need someone to give the big speech that’s exactly what everyone needs to hear in the last hours before the match, you won’t find many better. He may very well turn out to be exactly who you need to lead a group of 38 best players from across Britain and Ireland through a six-week tour of Australia, too. Whether any of this means Farrell’s someone you want to pay to see play the O2 Arena is another matter. But here he was under the bright lights, regardless sandwiched between Usher and Olly Murs in the (un)coveted Wednesday 3pm slot at the Indigo Lounge, front and centre of the British & Irish Lions’ first-ever live squad announcement show. “So what makes the Lions so special, Andy?” asked the presenter, Lee McKenzie. “Well,” Farrell replied under his breath, “it’s impossible to put into words”. After four years of waiting, the final 30 minutes started to feel painfully long. Continue reading...

We profile each player from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland who will compete for places in Andy Farrell’s Test match squads to take on Australia this summer Continue reading...

The SA Cup goes down to the wire with only one semi-final spot and a coveted qualifying place in the Currie Cup Premier Division at stake in the last round of league matches this weekend. The post Boland, Griffons and Valke race for last ticket to playoffs appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Watch as British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell names Saracens forward Maro Itoje as captain for the 2025 tour of Australia.

All the latest as Andy Farrell’s 40-strong party is unveiledEmail Niall your thoughts | Sign up for The Breakdown Lions szn is officially here. The first Test against Australia in Brisbane is just over a couple of months away, and the curtain-raiser against Argentina in Dublin will be upon us in six weeks’ time. This is the biggest milestone on the road to opening night, as Andy Farrell picks an expected 40-man squad from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales’ finest. It’ll be a career highlight for many players, and a day of great disappointment for others. Continue reading...

World Rugby and SA Player of the Year nominee Eben Etzebeth returns to captain the Sharks while Ox Nche, Lukhanyo Am and Jordan Hendrikse miss out.

He's big and physical, like Bismarck du Plessis and Malcolm Marx, said former national team scrum coach Matthew Proudfoot.

Itoje to be first English Lions captain in 24 years40-strong squad to be announced at O2 on Thursday Maro Itoje will be named captain of the British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia on Thursday, the Guardian understands. Itoje is set to become the first Englishman to lead the Lions in 24 years when he is unveiled as part of Andy Farrell’s squad announcement at a live event at the O2. Itoje, the England captain, became the overwhelming favourite for the role when it emerged Caelan Doris had suffered a shoulder injury last weekend that required surgery. The Ireland captain is a doubt for the tour of Australia, clearing the way for Itoje to be selected as captain and lead what is understood to be a 40-strong squad. Continue reading...

Head coach Philip Snyman says several Blitzboks stars could feature in the 2025 Currie Cup, as the national sevens team looks to play a bigger role in SA rugby. The post Currie Cup to get Blitzboks boost? appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

The Welsh Rugby Union tells Scarlets, Ospreys and Dragons they have until Thursday to sign a new Professional Rugby Agreement or risk a two-year notice period being imposed which could jeopardise the regions' futures.