Author: Sports News UK

On Sunday, Jones celebrated her first victory in her seventh first-round appearance at the sport’s four Grand Slams – although this was her debut at Roland Garros.The British number four admitted she had come through “arguably the hardest moment of my career” to achieve victory over former top-10 player Haddad Maia.Earlier this year, Jones suffered lingering concussion symptoms following a freak gym accident, in which the locking mechanism on a leg-press machine failed and a 45kg weight crashed onto her head and knee.That incident occurred just as she neared a return to full fitness, after her Australian Open was ended…

World Rugby has announced the Emirates Match Official panel for the World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026, which will take place in Georgia from 27 June to 18 July in Tbilisi and Kutaisi. Two officials from Hong Kong China have been selected. World Rugby Talent ID Manager and Tournament Referee Manager Johnny Lacey said: “The selection of this panel highlights the officials that are coming through our pathway system. It’s great to see all of World Rugby’s regional associations and regional competitions represented. I would like to thank the regional referee managers and regional competition managers for their work and…

On Sunday, May 31, Northern California will play the Pacific Northwest in a U23 selection match at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, Calif. Coaches will be vetting talent for the Pacific Coast Grizzlies squad that will head to Clearwater, Minn., on June 19-21 for the USA Rugby U23 All-Star 15s Tournament, a major selection venue for the USA Pathways. This Sunday’s match kicks off at 2 p.m. PT and it’s a double-header, as the Bay Area Breakers and Chicago Tempest will follow at 5 p.m. PT in the teams’ first Women’s Elite Rugby game of the 2026 season. Buy tickets.…

While O’Neill did not explicitly say in his press conference he would be open to another short-term dual role going forward, he also did not rule it out. He has admitted he “underestimated” the noise surrounding him taking on both roles, and added that “probably could have done with a little less drama”.Speaking to BBC Sport NI ahead of June’s friendlies with Guinea and France, he reiterated his commitment to Northern Ireland for the long term – but did say there are “clauses on both sides”. “I’ve signed here for four years. You do that with the intention of staying…

The Classic Can-Am Series played its first official women’s match in February 2025, pitting the Canada Classics against USA Rugby South in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers won that match 35-27 and rolled that momentum into a 2025 Mary Graham All-Star Tournament title. The Americans now head to Halifax, Nova Scotia, this Saturday, May 30 for the 2026 rematch. The tour north also includes an exhibition game against the Atlantic Privateers on Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. ET. [lead photo: Nick Davis / @knoxminx] https://nextphaserugby.com Twenty-three players have been selected for 2026 Classic Can-Am tour. There has been decent turnover…

Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn says his side are still aiming for a top-eight Prem finish to secure European competition next season, despite being “disappointed” with their performances this campaign.Defeat by Saracens last time out ended a run of two consecutive home wins and leaves George Skivington’s side ninth with two games remaining – this Saturday at leaders Northampton and seven days later at home to bottom side Newcastle.”As a playing group we feel disappointed with how we have been performing, but it [eighth] is definitely something we are going after,” 27-year-old Welshman Llewellyn told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.”It will be a…

Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland)Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur) Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Noah Lang (Galatasaray), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Guus Til (PSV), Quinten Timber (Marseille), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion)Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Donyell Malen (AS Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United), Wout Weghorst…

Cornish Pirates have re-signed lock Steele Barker from Bristol for the 2026-27 Champ season.The 25-year-old returns to the Mennaye two years after leaving to join the Prem side.He featured four times in the Prem Rugby Cup for the Bears this season, as well as having a loan spell at Champ side Hartpury. Barker made his Prem debut for Bristol in January 2024 before playing twice in the Champions Cup later that month. He returns to Penzance, having previously made 38 appearances for the Pirates in a two-year spell from 2022, scoring one try. “Steele came on so much with us…

Gloucester-Hartpury head coach Dan Murphy insists players leaving is simply part of the game, following the news three of his squad will depart at the end of the season.England captain Zoe Stratford and fellow World Cup winner Tatyana Heard will leave Gloucester this summer, along with former international Sarah Beckett, it was announced last week.Stratford is currently out of action as she prepares to give birth to her first child, while Heard will join Sale for 2026-27.Murphy, whose side are bidding for a fourth successive Premiership Women’s Rugby title, said he sat down with his squad to discuss the news…

For most players, it is simple: more winnings means more support. Britain’s Toby Samuel earned £75,000 in Paris after coming through qualifying to reach a Grand Slam main draw for the first time. That is enough to fund the rest of his season.”These events are where you make real money that can boost your career and pay for your team,” Samuel said.”As you do better at Grand Slams and get more money, everything off the court becomes a bit easier and helps you on the court.”Hiring a coach on a full-time basis, alongside a physiotherapist or fitness trainer, makes up…