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INJURYAlex MitchellNorthampton Saints — out, remainder of the season
INJURYXavier SaifoloiCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYScott BarrettCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYHemopo CunninghamBlues — out, season-ending
INJURYJames CameronBlues — out, season-ending
INJURYMitch DrummondCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYToby BellCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYHugh CooneyLeinster — out, Season-ending
INJURYHenry RobertsonWestern Force — out, season-ending
INJURYJayden SaChiefs — out, season-ending
INJURYBilly SearleLeicester Tigers — out, Remainder of season
INJURYJack YeandleExeter Chiefs — out, remainder of the season
INJURYEthan HookerHollywoodbets Sharks — out, extended spell out
INJURYGabin VilliereRC Toulon — out, season-ending
INJURYBernard van der LindeBath Rugby — out, before end of season
INJURYSacha Feinberg-MngomezuluStormers — doubt
INJURYALEX NANKIVELMUNSTER — out
INJURYKwagga SmithSpringboks — out
INJURYGlen NewmanFijian Drua — out
INJURYFraser HannonFijian Drua — out
INJURYJames DolemanFijian Drua — out
INJURYFijian DruaFijian Drua — out
INJURYStar RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe DruaFijian Drua — out
INJURYBut Queensland'sFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe Queensland RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYQueensland RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYCiaran FrawleyLeinster — out, N/A
INJURYJohn BryantQueensland Reds — out
INJURYCharlie GambleNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYFolau FaingaaNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYAustin DurbidgeNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYJimmy TupouMoana Pasifika — out
INJURYJordie BarrettHurricanes — out, 1 week
INJURYNgane PunivaiHurricanes — out, week-to-week
INJURYBilly VunipolaMontpellier — doubt
INJURYTommy O'BrienLeinster — doubt
INJURYAJ MacGintyBristol — return_pending, N/A
INJURYMcDermottReds — return_pending, N/A
INJURYDeon FourieStormers — return_pending, set to return to Cape Town for scans
INJURYTommy ReffellLeicester Tigers — return_pending
INJURYDuhan van der MerweEdinburgh Rugby — return_pending
INJURYJosh van der FlierLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
INJURYRobbie HenshawLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
TRANSFERSarah Beckettsigns for Sale Sharks
TRANSFERAoife Waferagreed a new deal with Harlequins Women; prop Hannah Duffy retiring.
TRANSFERSteven LuatuaSigns new deal into 10th season with Bristol Bears.
TRANSFERTommaso Menoncellojoins Stade toulousain, engaging until 2029.
TRANSFERHannah Dallavallere-signs with Gloucester-Hartpury
TRANSFERZoe Stratfordagreeing to join Sale Sharks, leaving Gloucester-Hartpury at the end of the season.
TRANSFERApete Narogojoin Toulon for several seasons, according to reports
TRANSFERZoe Stratfordjoins Sale Sharks.
INJURYAlex MitchellNorthampton Saints — out, remainder of the season
INJURYXavier SaifoloiCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYScott BarrettCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYHemopo CunninghamBlues — out, season-ending
INJURYJames CameronBlues — out, season-ending
INJURYMitch DrummondCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYToby BellCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYHugh CooneyLeinster — out, Season-ending
INJURYHenry RobertsonWestern Force — out, season-ending
INJURYJayden SaChiefs — out, season-ending
INJURYBilly SearleLeicester Tigers — out, Remainder of season
INJURYJack YeandleExeter Chiefs — out, remainder of the season
INJURYEthan HookerHollywoodbets Sharks — out, extended spell out
INJURYGabin VilliereRC Toulon — out, season-ending
INJURYBernard van der LindeBath Rugby — out, before end of season
INJURYSacha Feinberg-MngomezuluStormers — doubt
INJURYALEX NANKIVELMUNSTER — out
INJURYKwagga SmithSpringboks — out
INJURYGlen NewmanFijian Drua — out
INJURYFraser HannonFijian Drua — out
INJURYJames DolemanFijian Drua — out
INJURYFijian DruaFijian Drua — out
INJURYStar RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe DruaFijian Drua — out
INJURYBut Queensland'sFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe Queensland RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYQueensland RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYCiaran FrawleyLeinster — out, N/A
INJURYJohn BryantQueensland Reds — out
INJURYCharlie GambleNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYFolau FaingaaNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYAustin DurbidgeNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYJimmy TupouMoana Pasifika — out
INJURYJordie BarrettHurricanes — out, 1 week
INJURYNgane PunivaiHurricanes — out, week-to-week
INJURYBilly VunipolaMontpellier — doubt
INJURYTommy O'BrienLeinster — doubt
INJURYAJ MacGintyBristol — return_pending, N/A
INJURYMcDermottReds — return_pending, N/A
INJURYDeon FourieStormers — return_pending, set to return to Cape Town for scans
INJURYTommy ReffellLeicester Tigers — return_pending
INJURYDuhan van der MerweEdinburgh Rugby — return_pending
INJURYJosh van der FlierLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
INJURYRobbie HenshawLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
TRANSFERSarah Beckettsigns for Sale Sharks
TRANSFERAoife Waferagreed a new deal with Harlequins Women; prop Hannah Duffy retiring.
TRANSFERSteven LuatuaSigns new deal into 10th season with Bristol Bears.
TRANSFERTommaso Menoncellojoins Stade toulousain, engaging until 2029.
TRANSFERHannah Dallavallere-signs with Gloucester-Hartpury
TRANSFERZoe Stratfordagreeing to join Sale Sharks, leaving Gloucester-Hartpury at the end of the season.
TRANSFERApete Narogojoin Toulon for several seasons, according to reports
TRANSFERZoe Stratfordjoins Sale Sharks.
Global Rugby. No Filter.
International & Sevens · Roundup

International & Sevens — Friday 08 May 2026

Friday 08 May 2026

Match of the Day

Red Roses set for tactical reset against Italy

England face Italy in Parma on Saturday, May 9, for a Women's Six Nations game set against a backdrop of squad depletion and significant changes. Coach John Mitchell is heavily rejigging the back three, bringing in Emma Sing at full-back and moving Ellie Kildunne to the wing, while Mia Venner secures her third cap on the wing. The squad depth has been severely tested, with six players from the pack who won the Rugby World Cup final sidelined by injury or pregnancy.

Key replacements include the debut of Bristol teenager Demelza Short at blindside flanker and Haidee Head, a Trailfinders back row, in line for a bench appearance. Front-row props Kelsey Clifford and Maud Muir are starting, maintaining a continuous rotation between fly-halves, with Zoe Harrison set to start in place of Holly Aitchison. The sheer number of absences—including Sadia Kabeya (shoulder/chest muscle) and Alex Matthews (shoulder), alongside multiple pregnant players—has reportedly kept the forwards coach occupied. “It has been stressful and challenging at times, but in a strange way quite rewarding and enjoyable,” England forwards coach Louis Deacon stated, reflecting the unique difficulties facing the squad.

Talking Point
The extensive injury list for the forward pack, forcing the Red Roses to rely heavily on debutantes and rotational players to keep the squad operational.
Stats
  • Saturday 9 May, 14:00 BST kick-off
  • Emma Sing: Scored six tries in 15 Red Roses appearances
  • Ellie Kildunne: Scored two tries against Scotland
  • Mia Venner: Third cap on the wing
  • Demelza Short: Made Test debut at blindside flanker
  • Haidee Head: Expected Red Roses debut off the bench

Other Results & News

In the Sakura Sevens, Japan kicked off the historic 50-year tournament with a comfortable 12–5 victory over Pool A rivals Fiji. Japan’s next match against New Zealand resulted in a 7-point loss. In the Women's Six Nations, Wales claimed a best-ever score and a bonus point against the Red Roses.

Injury Flash

Quote of the Day

"It has been stressful and challenging at times, but in a strange way quite rewarding and enjoyable," said England forwards coach Louis Deacon.

Next Up

Next FixtureIreland hosts Wales for the Women's Six Nations match on Saturday at 18:30 BST.
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