British & Irish Lions news: Player watch – Premiership, United Rugby Championship semi-finals
With three of four semi-finals across the English Premiership and United Rugby Championship involving constituent nations of the British & Irish Lions, several members of Andy Farrell’s squad for the upcoming tour to Australia had a welcome run-out in pressure matches.
Here, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Jacob Garrett reviews the weekend’s action and considers which Lions players put their hands up to start against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies side.
Springboks news: Rassie Erasmus charges into the 2025 Test season with bold 54-man squad
On Thursday, June 5, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus named his first official Test squad consisting of 54 players for the season-opening clashes against the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia.
The squad blends explosiveness and versatility with a make-up that balances youth and experience.
What this means for the 2025 Test season - Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo discusses.
British & Irish Lions news: 2025 Australia tour - Analysis and warm-up games preview
With the beginning of the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia just over two weeks away, all the hype is building around the challenging Test matches against Joe Schmidt’s charges.
But who else will Andy Farrell’s men go up against in the lead up to the three premier matches against the Wallabies?
Sports News Blitz’s rugby union writer Jacob Garrett elaborates on the tour further.
British & Irish Lions news: A backline of players not selected by Andy Farrell for Australia tour
Head coach Andy Farrell recently named his British & Irish Lions squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, and the Englishman had to leave out some noteworthy talent in the process.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Garrett picks seven backline players that would not look out of place Down Under.
British & Irish Lions news: A forward pack of players not selected by Andy Farrell for Australia tour
Andy Farrell has chosen his squad for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, giving 38 players what will no doubt be one of the best experiences of their careers.
However, the cut-throat nature of professional sport has also left a number of top-class players devastated that their name was not called out during the live event on May 8.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Garrett picks eight players who will feel hard done by not to be sitting on the plane Down Under.
British & Irish Lions news: Six Wallabies to look out for on the eagerly awaited tour to Australia
With the British and Irish Lions squad officially confirmed by Head Coach Andy Farrell and his team, it’s time to look forward to the team in gold and green looking to crush the hearts of stalwart Lions supporters.
After a turbulent couple of years for Australian rugby, the appointment of Joe Schmidt in that team has galvanised the national outfit and aided in steadying the ship.
With the Wallabies going from strength to strength, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Jacob Garrett assesses six of the national team’s most relentless players to look out for on tour.
Rugby union news: Forgotten Springbok stars – Jan Serfontein
In this series, we look at those ex-Springboks who, although still active, have receded into obscurity despite their historical contributions remaining cherished memories for many fans.
First up is current Montpellier star and erstwhile Bulls centre Jan Serfontein, a former youth sensation who made his mark in the annals of World Rugby while wearing the green and gold of the Springboks during the mid-2010s.
Sports News Blitz/Film News Blitz writer and Springbok enthusiast Aidan Leo takes an in-depth look back at the career of one of South Africa’s greatest centres.
British & Irish Lions news: Five best Lions jerseys of all time
Over the years, the various iterations of British & Irish Lions jerseys have taken on both cultural and historical importance.
Here, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott counts down the five best Lions jerseys of all time.
British & Irish Lions news: The two teams with a 100% winning record against the Lions
Only two teams have a 100% win record against the British and Irish Lions in Test matches.
Since its inception in 1888, the Lions have played 144 recognised Test matches, with 70 wins and 63 defeats.
British & Irish Lions news: Who are head coach Andy Farrell’s assistants?
Head coach Andy Farrell has named his assistants for the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.
It is, by all accounts, set to be a varied backroom that tours Australia in a couple of months, with lots of different experiences and expertise at Farrell’s disposal.
Here, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott takes a look at each assistant and gives a rundown of their career so far.
British & Irish Lions news: Complete fixture list and opposition breakdown for Australia tour
The British & Irish Lions are set to play 10 games as part of their 2025 tour to Australia, with nine of those taking place Down Under.
Ahead of the much-anticipated tour, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliot takes a look at the fixture list and breaks down each opposition team.
Rugby union news: Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus launches podcast
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has released a new podcast, Rassie+, on the Smash Sports YouTube channel and excitement is building over the rugby insights and general sporting prowess that will be on offer.
Sports News Blitz and Film News Blitz writer – not to mention stalwart Springboks supporter – Aidan Leo analyses the purpose of the new podcast and what it means for the South African national side this season and beyond.
Rugby union news: Premiership weekend review, British & Irish Lions watch
The English Premiership returned this week after a hiatus for the Six Nations.
Storming back with the ‘Derby Weekend’, the competition returned with an absolute bang.
From high-scoring contests to demolitions of local rivals, this weekend had it all.
With British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell constantly watching over the action for which players may put their hand up, there are several talking points from this weekend.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s rugby writer Jacob Garrett breaks it down game by game.
British & Irish Lions news: The top five Lions players of all time
Since their inception in 1888, the British & Irish Lions have gone down in rugby folklore, with every player to have ever donned the famous jersey being etched in the history books forever.
Yet, while all Lions players can be considered legends of the game in their own right, some will be remembered particularly fondly.
Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott takes a look at the top five Lions players of all time.
British and Irish Lions Tour: Australia’s key players
As the British and Irish Lions gear up for their upcoming tour to Australia, the Wallabies are preparing for one of the most intense and anticipated rivalries in rugby.
The Lions’ visits to Australia are always thrilling, and this series promises to be no different.
With a blend of experienced stars and emerging talent, Australia’s rugby future looks bright ahead of the 2027 World Cup that will also be held in the country.
In this article, Sports News Blitz rugby union writer Charlie Elliott looks at some of the stars from Joe Schmidt’s side.
British and Irish Lions: Top five points scorers of all time
Established in 1888, the British and Irish Lions' tours to the Southern Hemisphere have become legendary, with the team facing off against some of the world's most formidable opponents, including New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia.
Over the years, many iconic players have donned the Lions jersey, contributing to the team's rich history of success and memorable moments.
Among these players, a select few have left their mark by becoming the highest points scorers in Lions history.
British and Irish Lions news: A look at the last three tours to Australia
The British and Irish Lions tours have become a staple every four years, with the best from the Home Nations heading to the southern hemisphere to battle it out with some of the finest national teams in World Rugby.
In recent years, the touring side has gone to South Africa, New Zealand and Australia every four years, meaning that it is a 12-year turnaround before facing each nation again.
This long gap means it’s been quite a while since the Lions last clashed with the Wallabies, who they play in the 2025 edition.
There have only been three tours in which these two have solely played each other in the Test series, with the tour going to New Zealand and Australia together before 1989.
In this article, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott revisits those three iconic Lions tours Down Under.
Six Nations 2025 Team of the Tournament: Maro Itoje, Antoine Dupont, Tom Curry and more
With the conclusion of the 2025 Six Nations, and France reclaiming the title and being crowned champions, it is time to turn attention to the stand-out players in each position.
This year's Six Nations has been one of the most competitive in a long time, between the top four at least, which translates to this team being quite a tricky one to pick - with several candidates in each spot.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s rugby union writer Jacob Garrett selects his team of top performers.
British & Irish Lions news: Who are the coaches joining Andy Farrell?
The selection of coaches for the British and Irish Lions tour is always a hot topic of conversation.
Will the head coach stick to who he knows? Or will he change it up and get some new perspectives?
Andy Farrell being the man to lead it all is well known amongst rugby fans, but the people joining him may be less familiar.
Right now, the assistants are unknown, but some of the backroom staff have already been assembled.
Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott goes through the confirmed appointments, and who exactly they are.
British & Irish Lions news: Australia’s previous results against the home nations
The British and Irish Lions head to Australia this summer for another tour which is bound to create some classic games and matchups.
As is the fashion of the touring sides, it is always such a high standard of rugby and usually a few very close Tests.
Australia played all the home nations in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, with Sports News Blitz rugby union writer Charlie Elliott looking at how they did.
Two wins and two defeats are not a bad return for Joe Schmidt’s side and offer a potential look into how the Lions will fare this summer.