Player Transfers and Signings
Newcastle Falcons have made a couple of additions to their squad for the upcoming seasons. Jamie Hodgson, the Scottish lock, has signed a one-year deal that will keep him at the club through the 2025/26 campaign. Meanwhile, Argentine scrum-half Simón Benítez Cruz has put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Premiership side.
Elsewhere, things have been quiet on the transfer front over the past eight hours. There haven’t been any notable moves reported in Super Rugby, the Top 14, or the URC. While clubs like Leinster and Toulouse have made some high-profile signings this summer, none of those developments happened within the last day.
Injury Reports
The All Blacks will be without loose forward Wallace Sititi for their Rugby Championship opener against Argentina. Sititi, who was named the team’s 2024 Player of the Year, is still recovering from ankle surgery. On a brighter note, fly-half Beauden Barrett has been cleared to play after being sidelined since May.
Over in the Wallabies camp, coach Eddie Jones provided some positive updates. Lock Will Skelton, loose forward Rob Valetini, and prop Taniela Tupou are all fit and available for the upcoming test against South Africa. However, the squad will still be missing fly-half Tom Lynagh and prop Allan Alaalatoa, both of whom are dealing with long-term injuries.
The Wallaroos have suffered a significant setback ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Captain Charlotte Caslick won’t be available for the tournament in England after her ankle surgery in July failed to heal in time. Her absence leaves a noticeable gap in leadership, with uncapped center Manu’a Moleka stepping in as her replacement.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s squad has received a boost with several key players returning from injury. Juan Cruz Mallía, Santiago Chocobares, Marcos Kremer, Bautista Delguy, Mateo Carreras, and Ignacio Ruiz are all back in contention after missing the July tour against England. Their return strengthens the Pumas’ depth ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Team Announcements and Lineup Changes
New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has named a 36-player squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship. The selection includes four uncapped players, with loose forward Simon Parker being the most notable newcomer. Three additional players—prop Tevita Mafileo, halfback Kyle Preston, and utility back Leroy Carter—have been included as injury cover. Meanwhile, six regulars—Tu’ungafasi, Aumua, Perofeta, Jacobson, Roigard, and Clarke—remain sidelined due to injuries.
On the Australian side, the Wallabies have opted for a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent. Veteran scrum-half Nic White, who previously toured with the Lions alongside Adam Ashley-Cooper in 2019, has delayed his retirement to rejoin the squad. Head coach Eddie Jones confirmed that Valetini, Skelton, and Tupou will retain their starting roles as initially planned. The selections suggest a focus on stability, with an eye on both immediate performance and long-term development.
Ireland’s women’s rugby head coach Scott Bemand has selected a 32-player squad for the upcoming 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. The roster includes notable names such as Cian Moloney and Zille Gerber, though the complete list can be found on Rugby Pass for those interested in the finer details.
Meanwhile, other nations like South Africa, Wales, and France are still in the process of finalizing their squads for both the World Cup and the Rugby Championship. As of now, there haven’t been any new official updates in the last eight hours beyond what’s already been reported. Things remain fluid, and further announcements are expected in due course.
Administrative and Organizational News
World Rugby is introducing “smart” mouthguards with LED technology for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The mouthguards flash red when a player sustains a significant head impact, signaling medical staff to intervene and prompting referees to stop play. This initiative aims to mitigate concussion risks. The same technology is expected to roll out in elite men’s rugby the following season.
Meanwhile, Super Rugby Pacific has confirmed that the 2026 season will feature a first-of-its-kind “Super Round” in Christchurch. The newly constructed stadium will host all ten Pacific teams—five from New Zealand and five from Australia—for a full round of matches in late April.
The Six Nations schedule for 2026 has also been finalized. France and Ireland will open the tournament on February 6, followed by England hosting Wales at Twickenham the next day. Some commentators have noted that England’s opening fixture provides a favorable start to their campaign.
World Rugby has made a notable decision regarding future tournaments, naming host nations for the next five Rugby World Cups spanning men’s, women’s, and youth competitions from 2027 to 2033. Specific details are still pending, but some developments are already taking shape. For instance, England remains set to host the Women’s World Cup in 2025. Meanwhile, bids are under consideration for upcoming Men’s World Cups, with potential locations including Asia in 2027 and the Americas in 2031.
While no immediate updates have been released in the past eight hours, the broader announcement has been widely covered in World Rugby’s official communications. The selections reflect a strategic effort to expand the sport’s global footprint, though full confirmation of venues and logistical plans is still forthcoming.