Rugby analysis: A look at wounded England and their 2027 Rugby World Cup chances
The dust has well and truly settled on the 2026 Guinness Six Nations - and questions are being asked about Steve Borthwick’s capabilities as England head coach.
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup looming in the distance, one must wonder why a sense of urgency still hasn’t set in.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Chloe Willis explores the fundamental issues that remain at the core of the England rugby team - and how their chances for the 2027 RWC weigh up against their performance in the 2023 RWC and the 2026 Six Nations.
Premiership rugby review: Saracens run riot over Sale, Northampton edge victory over Exeter and Leicester Tigers dismantle Newcastle
After nearly three weeks of no Premiership action, Round 13 took place over the weekend, showcasing some high-scoring affairs.
Saracens managed to score 85 points away from home against a struggling Sale Sharks side.
Exeter hosted top of the league Northampton Saints in a closely contested match, with only seven points separating the two sides at the full-time whistle.
Sports News Blitz’s rugby writer James Corrigan provides a round-up of all five matches that took place over the weekend.
Rugby union news: Challenge Cup quarter-finals produce thrilling games
Four excellent matches took place in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup this past weekend.
With every game providing plenty of tries and entertainment as the teams looked to progress to the semi-final stage, writes Sports News Blitz’s James Corrigan.
Rugby union news: High-scoring action in the Champions Cup quarter-finals
Four excellent games of rugby took place over the weekend in the Champions Cup, with each team showcasing their world-class talent.
With this year’s tournament more competitive than ever, every side was aiming to secure a place in the semi-finals, writes Sports News Blitz’s James Corrigan.
Rugby union: Premiership teams in action-packed weekend of European rugby
Seven matches involved Premiership sides in both the European Challenge Cup and the Investec Champions Cup in the round of 16.
With no Premiership action over the weekend, Sports News Blitz’s James Corrigan takes a look at the matches that took place in Europe.
Nine Premiership teams participated in the round of 16 across both competitions, but only four managed to progress to the quarter-finals.
Premiership Rugby analysis: A detailed look at Newcastle Red Bulls’ 19 signings for next season
Newcastle Red Bulls, formally known as Newcastle Falcons, are currently undergoing a huge change within the club.
Red Bull bought Newcastle Falcons shortly before the start of the current season (July 1, 2025), not only buying the club but paying off large amounts of debt.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s rugby writer James Corrigan looks at the 19 signings for next season and what each one has to offer the team.
Premiership round-up: Bath demolish Saracens, Northampton Saints edge Newcastle and more
With the Six Nations over, players returned from international duty to bolster their respective clubs in the Gallagher Premiership, writes Sports News Blitz’s James Corrigan.
Their impact was immediate as a high-intensity weekend of action delivered emphatic wins, dramatic turnarounds, and crucial shifts in the league standings.
Six Nations analysis: Improvements England can make against Italy
England entered this Six Nations with high hopes, having won their previous 11 matches at the time.
Starting the tournament with a convincing win over a weak Wales side, the England fans were encouraged that their high expectations could be met.
However, after two heartbreaking defeats to Scotland and Ireland, England have to find a way to pull themselves out of this slump and finish the tournament strong.
Here, Sports News Blitz rugby writer James Corrigan gives his thoughts.
The Biggest Talking Points in South African Rugby
South African rugby has rarely been short on headlines, but even a relatively quiet year has underlined just how dominant and dynamic the Springboks and their broader rugby ecosystem have become.
As one of the sport’s true heavyweights, the headlines coming out of South African rugby reflect performance, leadership continuity, and a fresh wave of talent.
The Ever-Evolving Landscape Of UK Rugby
The fallow week before Round Four of the Six Nations always creates space for reflection, and the table matters at just three rounds in, but so does the bigger picture.
While the championship shapes each nation's yearly campaign, it also often reveals where rugby across the UK is actually heading.
Will Carling says ‘winning is not normal’ on the standards elite teams live by
A former England captain at 22 and one of the most successful leaders in the modern era of international rugby, Will Carling led his country to three Five Nations Grand Slams and a Rugby World Cup final. Across 59 Tests as captain, he set new standards for accountability, internal competition and performance culture within elite sport.
In this exclusive interview with High Performance Speakers Agency, he breaks down what leadership actually demands, why winning is never normal, and how teams build the internal standards required to stay at the top.
Six Nations third round winners and losers: Ireland and Scotland joy, woe for Wales
The Six Nations third round kicked off with one of the oldest international rugby rivalries, England vs Ireland.
Wales played Scotland next with a much-improved home-crowd attendance in Cardiff compared to the week prior. The final game of the weekend was between France and Italy in Paris.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s rugby writer James Corrigan outlines his winners and losers from the weekend’s action.
Six Nations news: Second-round power rankings as Scotland surge, England and Ireland disappoint
France cemented their place as favourites to win the 2026 Six Nations in round two as Scotland redeemed themselves by claiming a famous victory over Grand Slam hopefuls England.
Scotland defeated their lacklustre neighbours 31-20, France crushed beleaguered Wales 54-12, and Ireland failed to impress in beating Italy 20-13.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joseph Terry gives his second-round power rankings as Scotland climb and title not-so-contenders shuffle down the order.
Six Nations news: Power rankings after first round as France and England impress, Ireland struggle
The first round of the 2026 Six Nations has been and gone as France and England both staked claims to win the crown.
England crushed Wales 48-7 and France outplayed Ireland 36-14, while Italy defeated Scotland 18-15 in what was a demoralising loss for the under-pressure Scots.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joseph Terry gives his power rankings after the opening weekend of arguably the greatest rugby competition in the world.
Six Nations 2026: Is advertising during breaks in play a kick in the teeth for fans? Or a way of growing the sport?
After an Ireland flanker knocked on the ball during their Six Nations match against France on Thursday, February 5, an unwanted advert was shown while the two teams packed down into the scrum.
Sports News Blitz writer Cameron Cleugh discusses whether scrums should be held as sacred or a boring tradition.
Rugby union analysis: How winning the Six Nations will help continue England’s path towards the 2027 World Cup
England began their hunt towards the Six Nations title with a convincing 48-7 victory over Wales at the Allianz Stadium.
A result most fans predicted would be one-way traffic and a huge mismatch - considering the issues Welsh rugby is currently facing at club and country level - offered nothing out of the ordinary, writes Sports News Blitz’s Ruben Picardo Ashworth.
Six Nations news: Five talking points from England’s comprehensive victory over Wales at Twickenham
England kick-started their Six Nations campaign with a comprehensive 48-7 victory over Wales at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
A Henry Arundell hat-trick and tries from Ben Earl, Tom Roebuck, and Tommy Freeman, plus a penalty try, saw the home side dispatch an ill-disciplined and underperforming Welsh team.
The win has set England in good stead as they prepare for a Calcutta Cup showdown at Murrayfield, so here’s Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell’s talking points from England’s win.
Rugby union analysis: Is Henry Pollock a future England legend, or a loud-mouthed flash in the pan?
With the 2026 Six Nations starting on Thursday, February 5, now could be an amazing time for the sport to grow and gain new fans.
This growth starts with the players, and there is one player above all who has caught the attention of the fans and press in recent times.
Henry Pollock is quickly becoming famous, but is it for all the wrong reasons?
Sports News Blitz writer Cameron Cleugh discusses how Pollock is bringing more attention to the sport - and why he is an overall net positive despite what some fans say.
What elite rugby reveals about leadership under pressure
Charlie Hodgson built his career in one of the most demanding performance environments in professional sport.
In this exclusive interview with the High-Performance Speakers Agency, Charlie shares his perspective on building high-performing teams, developing resilience through failure, and why mindset remains the defining factor between those who thrive under pressure and those who fall away.
Six Nations opinion: Five notable absences from England’s squad
With England just under two weeks away from kicking off their 2026 Six Nations campaign at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham against Wales, head coach Steve Borthwick has announced his 36-man squad.
Borthwick’s squad contains a depth of talent across the board, plus a strong-looking injury list including the likes of Ollie Lawrence, Fin Smith, and Fin Baxter, therefore, some players will feel unfortunate to not be selected given their club form.
Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at five names that were unlucky to miss out on England’s Six Nations squad.