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.
Six Nations news: Fifth round preview and predictions as France, England and Ireland vie for title
The fifth and final round of the Six Nations is here, with the fate of the 2025 Championship yet to be decided between France, England, and Ireland.
Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott previews all the action and offers his predictions.
England U20s trio Ben Coen, Jack Bracken and Angus Hall discuss Grand Slam decider vs Wales
England Under-20s head to Cardiff to face Wales in their final Six Nations match knowing that a win will secure a historic Grand Slam for Mark Mapletoft’s side.
Ahead of the game, Sports News Blitz–sponsored YouTube channel Rugby Analyst spoke to three of the best young talents in the team, Angus Hall, Jack Bracken and Ben Coen.
Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliot reports on the interview.
Six Nations analysis: England vs Italy review - Preview and score prediction vs Wales
Sunday, March 9 saw a brilliant display of attacking rugby on the Twickenham turf - a show which fans of England have been crying out for since the opening of the 2025 competition.
Steve Borthwick and his coaching team finally released the shackles of his squad, filled with attacking ability throughout the backline, but before restricted by a rigid kicking game.
The 47 points scored by the team in white came with great variation of scorers and methods, and England still have an outside chance at the title if Scotland can do them a favour against a French side missing their talisman, Antoine Dupont.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Jacob Garrett discusses several key talking points from the Italy game - then turns his attention to a game versus the much-improved Wales side.
Six Nations news: Five unwanted Championship records
Over the years, the Six Nations has established itself as a showcase of the best talent that the Northern Hemisphere has to offer.
And with no shortage of drama and good rugby guaranteed, there are plenty of memories of great teams from years gone by. For every winner, though, there must be a loser.
Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott takes a look at five unwanted Championship records.
Six Nations news: England and Steve Borthwick need to entertain the fans against Italy
England find themselves in a healthy position on the Six Nations table after taking two wins from their three hardest games, meaning it is time to entertain the fans against Italy on Saturday.
Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott analyses the importance of a big win at Twickenham.
Six Nations news: Why Marcus Smith being dropped could benefit England
Steve Borthwick named his England squad to face Italy in the Six Nations on Sunday and one notable omission from the starting XV was Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith.
Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott analyses the decision to jettison Marcus and predicts that it may be a blessing in disguise for both player and team.
Six Nations news: Fourth round preview and predictions as Ireland eye Grand Slam
After a week off, the Six Nations returns for a fourth and penultimate round this weekend, and the fate of the Championship hangs in the balance.
Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott previews all three games and offers his predictions.
British & Lions tour 2025: Dark horses and bolters
With the British & Lions tour to Australia on the horizon, there is always a lot of discussion around the main starting fifteen - who is going to lead the squad as captain and who will marshal the troops from the ten jersey.
But one aspect that doesn’t get as much attention, yet remains a recurring theme on every Lions tour, is the emergence of ‘bolters,’ writes Sports News Blitz rugby writer Jacob Garrett
Six Nations news: Matt Sherratt a serious contender for Wales head coach role
Rugby fans are sometimes guilty of being a bit reactionary, towards players such as Marcus Smith and Finn Russell or head coaches like Steve Borthwick, and opinions often change in an instant.
The reason for mentioning this is that Wales have only had one game under interim head coach Matt Sherratt, so – by default – any opinions on him can be considered somewhat reactionary.
With that said, Sports News Blitz rugby union writer Charlie Elliott takes us through the reasons why Sherratt should be the next permanent Wales head coach.
Six Nations news: The five oldest players in Championship history
After All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu joined Toulon earlier this week, the rugby world has been speculating about some of the greats who might come out of retirement for one last swansong.
That idea might be a little far-fetched, but it is worth remembering the players who managed to compete at the highest level late in their careers.
Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliot takes a look at the five oldest players in Championship history.
2025 Six Nations news: Can England still win it?
England’s Six Nations campaign has already surpassed expectations, with Steve Borthwick’s side securing two wins against the tournament’s toughest opponents.
However, with two matches left, their title hopes remain uncertain and depend on a complex set of results.
Here, Sports News Blitz rugby union writer Charlie Elliott breaks down England’s path to potential Six Nations glory.
Six Nations news: The team of the Championship so far
We are over halfway through the 2025 Six Nations and round 4 is poised to be the championship decider.
Ireland go into their clash with France as favourites for both the victory and the overall title, but France and England are very much still in with a shot at glory.
In this article, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Luke Ebden pieces together a team of the tournament so far.