International Rugby
The British and Irish Lions have already secured the series victory, but there’s one more match to play. This Saturday in Sydney, they’ll aim for something rare—a clean sweep with a 3-0 series win.
Garry Ringrose won’t be part of it, though. The Irish centre has been ruled out after suffering a concussion. On a brighter note, some key players are back in the mix. Joe McCarthy, Mack Hansen, and Sione Tuipulotu have all returned to full training ahead of the final Test.
Dan Sheehan, who scored in Melbourne, mentioned the team’s mindset. The Irish hooker made it clear—they’re not just there to finish the tour. They want that whitewash.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt acknowledged his team is making progress, though the narrow defeat to the Lions was a tough one to take. On the injury front, wing Harry Potter is almost certainly out for the third Test with a hamstring issue. England’s Elliott Obatoyinbo, part of the Lions squad, won’t be available for Australia’s last match either. Schmidt also confirmed that Rob Valetini and Allan Alaalatoa won’t be fit in time.
There’s some news on the comeback front—Nic White is likely to start in what could be his final Test appearance. In other developments, former All Blacks lock Tom Donnelly has been confirmed as a new addition to Schmidt’s coaching staff ahead of the Rugby Championship. The move signals a shift in preparation as Australia looks to regroup after the series.
Women’s Rugby
England revealed their 32-player squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup on July 24. The Red Roses feature experienced players like captain Zoe Aldcroft and Emily Scarratt, both eyeing their third and fifth World Cups respectively, alongside some fresh faces. Their campaign kicks off in Sunderland on August 22 with a match against the USA.
Brazil’s women’s team, the Yaras, confirmed their 32-player squad for their first-ever World Cup appearance. The selection includes 11 players with Olympic sevens experience, such as Luiza Campos and Raquel Kochhann, a three-time Olympian.
Japan’s Sakura Fifteen also announced their 32-player squad for Pool C, where they’ll face Ireland, New Zealand, and Spain. Notable inclusions are Seina Saito, the veteran back-rower returning from injury, and 20-year-old winger Misaki Matsumura.
Ireland’s women’s rugby team is cautiously optimistic about Aoife Wafer’s potential involvement in the World Cup following her knee surgery. The flanker’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, but there’s guarded hope she might contribute at some stage of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Wallaroos have seen a positive development with Maya Stewart’s return from injury. The winger, who holds the record as Australia’s all-time leading try-scorer, has recovered sufficiently to feature in their final warm-up match against Wales before the World Cup begins. Her return provides a timely boost to the squad’s attacking options.
These contrasting situations highlight the unpredictable nature of injuries in elite sport. While some players race against time to regain fitness, others make crucial comebacks at just the right moment. Teams must balance optimism with realism when managing these delicate rehabilitation processes.
Premiership Rugby (England)
Newcastle Falcons have secured Connor Doherty for another year, keeping the centre who moved from Sale last season. It’s part of their effort to rebuild after losing several players.
At Sale Sharks, Tadgh McElroy has earned a one-year extension following his solid form since October. Lock Hyron Andrews has also signed a new deal, adding stability to their pack.
Harlequins have turned to a familiar face, bringing back scrum-half Max Green on a short-term deal. With injuries hitting their half-back options, Green’s experience from Bath and Saracens makes him a useful stopgap.
United Rugby Championship (and Pro14 News)
Glasgow Warriors have secured a notable addition to their squad for the 2025/26 season. Sione Tuipulotu, the Scottish captain, will be joined by his younger brother Ottavio, who currently plays as a hooker for the Wallabies U20s. The two-year deal brings another Tuipulotu into the fold, adding depth to Glasgow’s roster.
As for other URC transfers, there hasn’t been much movement reported in the past day. The focus remains on Glasgow’s latest signing for now.
Super Rugby Pacific
The Crusaders have decided to keep Rob Penney on as head coach through 2026. It makes sense—he just guided them to the Super Rugby Pacific title in his second season. The team struggled early under his leadership, but they turned things around, finishing top of the table and taking home the championship.
As for other Super Rugby updates, there hasn’t been much movement in the last eight hours. Nothing else worth noting right now.
Currie Cup (South Africa)
The first round of the Premier Division delivered some lopsided scorelines. In Mbombela, the Pumas put up 49 points against Griquas, who managed 28. Cape Town witnessed the Blue Bulls dominating Western Province with a 48-23 victory. In Johannesburg, the Golden Lions ran rampant over a Sharks XV side, finishing 46-5. Meanwhile, Bloemfontein hosted a tighter affair where the Boland Kavaliers narrowly edged past the Cheetahs 37-35.
In the First Division final, things went down to the wire. The NovaVit Griffons and Valke were deadlocked at 37-37 after regulation. Extra time couldn’t separate them either until sudden death, when the Griffons crossed for the winning try, sealing a 51-44 victory and the title.
Looking ahead, Round 2 of the Premier Division kicks off the first weekend of August. The Cheetahs will host the Pumas, the Lions take on Western Province, the Bulls face the Sharks, and Griquas meet the Kavaliers. SARU has confirmed the schedule, so fans can start marking their calendars.
New Zealand Domestic (NPC)
The Bunnings NPC 2025 season kicks off on July 31, with Auckland taking on Waikato in the opening match. The rest of Round 1 unfolds over the weekend of August 1–3, featuring key matchups like Wellington versus Canterbury.
Teams are still putting the final touches on their squads. The provincial competition will run through early November, giving players plenty of time to settle in and find their rhythm. It’s always interesting to see how rosters shape up before the first whistle blows.
The schedule looks packed, and with the season stretching into November, there’s a lot of rugby ahead. Fans will be watching closely to see which teams hit the ground running and which ones take a bit longer to find their form.
Sevens and Other Competitions
The ISPS Handa NextGen 7s kicks off this weekend in Australia, marking an important step for emerging talent in women’s rugby. The Queensland Reds squad boasts some notable names, including Olympic gold medalist Teagan Levi and experienced campaigner Faith Nathan. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea makes her comeback after spending considerable time sidelined with a knee injury.
This development series serves as a crucial platform for players like the Levi sisters, Liberty and Teagan, to sharpen their skills ahead of a packed schedule. With the SVNS series on the horizon and the Olympics approaching, the competition offers a glimpse into Australia’s next generation of sevens talent. The stakes feel higher this year, and the performances here could shape selections down the line.