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.
How Sara Cox Rewrote the Rules of Authority in Men’s Sport
Sara Cox MBE is one of the most pioneering figures in modern rugby union and a leading voice among female inspirational speakers, known for breaking barriers in a sport long dominated by men.
Over more than a decade at the elite level, Sara’s journey has taken her from grassroots rugby to the global stage, officiating at the Olympic Games, Rugby World Cups and top-tier international fixtures. Her rise was not defined by shortcuts or symbolic milestones, but by consistency, credibility and performance under pressure in environments where scrutiny is unforgiving.
In this exclusive interview with the High Performance Speakers Agency, Sara Cox reflects on overcoming resistance, building confidence in male-dominated environments, and why visible female representation in sport remains critical for the next generation.
How elite mindset shapes everyday success: An interview with Heather Fisher
In a world where success is often measured by medals and record times, Heather Fisher offers a compelling reminder: resilience, mindset and integrity matter far more than trophies.
As a former elite athlete turned powerful advocate for personal growth and leadership, she embodies the values of grit, authenticity and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Her journey - from back-breaking injury and recovery to redefining what it means to win - shows that true strength lies in rebuilding, self-belief and harnessing adversity as fuel for growth. As a female motivational speaker, Heather speaks with rare authority to anyone seeking not just professional success, but personal transformation.
In this exclusive interview with the London Keynote Speakers Agency, Heather Fisher opens up about the core qualities of a winning mindset, the tough road to recovery, and how elite sport principles can reshape the way we lead our lives and businesses.
Quilter Nations Series: Key talking points from Springboks’ win over France in Siya Kolisi’s 100th game
South Africa’s 14-man Springboks produced a remarkable second-half surge to beat France 32-17 at the Stade de France on Saturday, November 8, extending their dominance over Les Bleus and compounding France’s frustrations following their 2023 Rugby World Cup heartbreak.
In a contest marking captain Siya Kolisi’s 100th Test, France had hoped to spoil the Springbok skipper’s milestone and send the world champions packing to Turin with a defeat.
But a flat second-half display, marked by unforced errors and a lack of attacking intent, proved costly as Rassie Erasmus’ side once again demonstrated why they remain rugby’s ultimate benchmark.
Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo assesses the standout moments and key talking points in the aftermath of the Springboks’ commanding performance and statement win in Paris against France.
Autumn Nations Series 2025: Full schedule confirmed for blockbuster November Tests
Rugby fans can look forward to a thrilling dose of international action next month, with the 2025 Autumn Nations Series set to deliver a series of heavyweight clashes across the Northern Hemisphere’s host nations from November 1-29.
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and France will all host a string of world rugby’s biggest names as the sport’s traditional November internationals return for another enthralling edition.
Here, Sports News Blitz previews the drama and offers a full breakdown of matches, including dates, kick-off times, and venues.
Rugby Championship news: Springboks to conquer All Blacks, vanquish Eden Park record
Both Rassie Erasmus and Scott Robertson have backed experience and poise in their team selections for the most highly-anticipated international rugby clash of the year: the All Blacks’ hosting of the Springboks at Eden Park in Auckland.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo looks ahead to the colossal clash.
Rugby Championship news: Game management key as Handre Pollard carries Springboks to much-needed win
After a 38-22 defeat to the Wallabies at Ellis Park in round one of the Rugby Championship, the Springboks bounced back to claim a 30-22 win at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Fly-half Handre Pollard was the key catalyst in the Boks’ return to winning ways, cementing his status as Rassie Erasmus’s first-choice pivot.
His kicking game, control, and game management, along with his consistent ability to bring calmness to the backline, were vital to the Boks’ round two success, earning him the Man of the Match award.
Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo assesses the reaction to the round two encounter.
Rugby Championship news: Rassie Erasmus goes for all-out attack as Springboks welcome Wallabies
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named his side to face the Wallabies at Ellis Park in Johannesburg a day earlier than usual in a move that suggests he sees little threat from the visitors.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo previews the first Rugby Championship encounter between the Springboks and the Wallabies.