Rugby

November 6, 2025 Rugby
England A return to the international stage this Saturday against the All Blacks XV in a clash that promises valuable insights for the medium-term future of English rugby. Between players already glimpsed at senior level and emerging talents from the 2024 U20 World Championship, Mark Mapletoft is fielding a side in Bath brimming with ambition. While the fixture will not count as a full Test, it offers a rare opportunity for young players to measure themselves against the intensity and demands of top-level rugby. Conceived as a bridge between the U20s and the senior England squad, this match forms part of a broader development strategy that has been carefully implemented over recent months under the guidance of Steve Borthwick. Read more Read More
October 20, 2025 Rugby
At just 19 years of age, Noah Caluori has exploded onto the English rugby scene with the force of inevitability. In a matter of weeks, the Saracens winger has gone from academy prospect to Premiership sensation, crossing the whitewash five times on his very first start. Enough to catch the eye of Steve Borthwick, who promptly brought him into England’s wider training squad. A meteoric rise for a player whom some observers — Sam Warburton among them — already describe as a generational talent. Read more Read More
June 25, 2025 Rugby
Reigning champions England arrive in Italy determined to defend their World Rugby U20 Championship title with a blend of youthful energy and seasoned leadership. One year on from their triumph in South Africa, a new-look England U20 side prepares to take on the world once again, led by head coach Mark Mapletoft and assistant Andy Titterrell. A 30-man squad has been named, featuring seven uncapped players who impressed in recent warm-up wins against Wales (47–14) and Georgia (43–14). Read more Read More
May 22, 2025 Rugby
With several senior figures either recovering from injury or selected for the British & Irish Lions tour, England are set to inject a significant dose of youth and energy into their national side this summer. In preparation for the clash against France at Twickenham on 21 June, followed by a summer tour of Argentina (two Tests) and the USA, head coach Steve Borthwick has named an extended squad of 33 players. Notably, 14 of them are uncapped, underlining a clear intention to build for the future. Read more Read More
April 12, 2025 Rugby
Northampton Saints are gearing up for a high-octane European quarter-final showdown with Castres Olympique this Saturday at Franklin’s Gardens. Fresh off the back of a dazzling attacking display against Clermont in the round of 16, Phil Dowson’s men will line up with an unchanged starting XV, a side brimming with confidence and bolstered by several England internationals. But their French visitors, transformed since their heavy defeat to the Saints back in December and hungry for revenge, may well have the tools to derail the ambitions of the East Midlands club. Read more Read More