Global Rugby News

GLOBAL RUGBY NEWS — TODAY

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

• England, on a record 37-game winning run, travels to Bordeaux for the Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France. Ruby Tui notes that "France can end the Red Roses' 37-game winning streak."
• Wales needs a win over Italy to avoid a third consecutive Wooden Spoon, a goal that Keira Bevan said the squad "completely gets" the criticism aimed at the team.
• Beibhinn Parsons stated that Ireland aims to finish the Women's Six Nations on a high with a home victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.
• Wales and Scarlets lock Jake Ball has announced his retirement from professional rugby, citing "injuries and future business commitments."

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

• The PNG Chiefs are actively targeting Australian talent, laying out a pitch for Treyvon Pritchard (19) and his brother Kadin Pritchard (21) to join the inaugural Chiefs roster in 2028.
• Queensland Reds flyer Treyvon Pritchard is the subject of intense poaching attention, leading coach Les Kiss to fight hard to retain one of Australian rugby's most promising prospects.
• Stormers coach John Dobson praised Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s growth, noting the flyhalf is joint top point-scorer in the Vodacom URC with 147 points.
• Speaking on the national stage, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie stated he is determined to ensure that "we have to host the World Cup" in South Africa.
• Rassie Erasmus called up Sharks youngster Zekhethelo Siyaya and Lions loose forward Sibabalwe Mahashe for the Springbok alignment camp, emphasizing that “This camp will be a good opportunity to expose those invited to our setup and the standards expected of the national coaches.”

Transfers & Contracts

TRANSFERS & CONTRACTS

Melvyn Jaminet — Transferring to Toulouse (Stade toulousain) amid media buzz calling it "l'affaire Jaminet". Jules Le Bail — Announcing immediate retirement from Vannes, after having been contracted until the end of the season. Tanya Kalounivale — Pausing her career in New Zealand to move to Australia, stating she will "absolutely miss my teammates and the Black Ferns environment, but family comes first."

Injury & Ban Tracker

INJURY & BAN TRACKER

Will Muir (Bath) — Ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Head of rugby Johann van Graan confirmed he will have surgery.

Eddie Jones (Japan) — Suspended for six weeks and banned for four matches after the Japanese Rugby Football Union found him guilty of "verbal abuse directed at local officials" during a tour in Australia.

Flyhalf (Benetton) — Suspended for four matches following a red card for a dangerous tackle on Mapimpi, which breached Law 9.13.

Controversy Corner

CONTROVERSY CORNER

No major citing decisions or TMO controversies today.