Rugby Union
The Irish and English women's rugby teams have finalized their squads for their final warm-up matches before the World Cup. Ireland has opted for a nearly completely revamped starting XV in their August 9 fixture against Canada. Meanwhile, England's Red Roses have made 11 changes to their lineup for this weekend's clash with France, their last test before the tournament kicks off.
In other news, Australian fly-half Tane Edmed, who has earned just one cap for the Wallabies, confirmed he’ll be joining the ACT Brumbies in 2026. On the other side of the globe, Richie Mo’unga, New Zealand’s standout playmaker, secured an 18-month deal to return home from Japan. He’ll rejoin Canterbury in 2026 and the Crusaders the following year, putting him back in contention for All Blacks selection from October 2026.
Off the pitch, World Rugby unveiled new commercial partnerships for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, with SharkNinja stepping in as the Official Consumer Appliance Partner for RWC 2025.
Rugby League
The Parramatta Eels’ situation remains unsettled, with Bailey Simonsson pushing once more for an early exit from his contract. His dissatisfaction seems tied to recent positional changes within the team.
Meanwhile, South Sydney faces its own challenge, scrambling to keep hold of Jye Gray. The young fullback has reportedly caught the eye of the emerging R360 competition, with a substantial offer nearing $900,000 on the table.
In Super League news, Catalans Dragons are reshaping their squad in a major way. Their latest signing, Charlie Staines, will join from the Wests Tigers next season. They’ve also brought in several other backs—Toby Sexton, Harvey Wilson, Solomona Fa’ataape, and Josh Allen—as part of an aggressive recruitment push.
The UK Super League’s decision to expand from 12 to 14 teams by 2026 hasn’t gone down smoothly. Fans and analysts alike have met the move with skepticism, questioning whether the league is ready for such a change.
Rugby Sevens
The USA Club Rugby Sevens Nationals are just around the corner. This year’s women’s division championship will take place in Madison, Wisconsin, on August 9 and 10. Sixteen teams are set to compete, with Scion Sirens returning as defending champions.
For those who can’t make it to Wisconsin, The Rugby Network will be streaming all the matches live. It’s always interesting to see which team comes out on top when clubs from across the country go head-to-head.