The Welsh Rugby Union has outlined how it plans to cut from four professional teams to three by 2028, with Ospreys and Scarlets set to fight to be the side in south west Wales. The governing body confirmed in April it intended to press on with plans to go down to three men’s teams from the 2028-29 season, with one in the capital, one in the east and one in the west.
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Andy Farrell has signed a new deal to remain as Ireland’s head coach until 2031, removing any chance of England luring him back to Twickenham after next year’s Rugby World Cup. Instead, Farrell has opted to stay put in Dublin and will now preside over their next two World Cup campaigns. Farrell, who led the British & Irish Lions to a series win in Australia last year, has steered Ireland to two Six Nations titles, including a grand slam in 2023 and a historic Test series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand since replacing Joe Schmidt in late 2019.
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A magnificent England performance came thrillingly close to derailing France’s Six Nations party in Paris, only for Thomas Ramos to land a long-range penalty with the clock in the red to clinch an extraordinary 48-46 victory and the title. Ireland, winners against Scotland earlier in the day, watched on in Dublin, seeing the title wrenched out of their grasp in the final act of an enthralling edition of the sport’s oldest international championship.
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Ireland kept their hopes of clinching the Six Nations alive with a 43-21 victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium, a result which secured the Triple Crown. After beating England, Wales, and now Scotland, Ireland have picked up a fourth Triple Crown in the last five years. The victory also means they will spend their evening supporting England in their match against France which concludes this year’s tournament. An England win would be enough for Ireland to clinch the Championship thanks to their Dublin victory, secured with a bonus point.
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Ireland lock James Ryan has been ruled out as head coach Andy Farrell makes four changes for Saturday’s Six Nations Triple Crown decider against Scotland in Dublin. Joe McCarthy returns to the line-up to replace his Leinster teammate while Connacht’s Bundee Aki returns to the bench having served a four match ban for verbally abusing match officials in January.
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