Former Scotland wing Byron McGuigan will join England's coaching team for the November internationals and Six Nations while retaining his fulltime job of defence coach with Prem club Sale, the Rugby Football Union said on Thursday.

McGuigan, 36, who started with Sale last November, initially joined England coach Steve Borthwick's lengthy list of assistants during the successful summer tour of Argentina and the United States.

He will have dual duties, working closely with assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge on the collision area, helping to develop players’ contact skills, while also focusing on the back three to "help enhance their skills and tactical understanding."

“Byron is a knowledgeable and driven coach with a real passion for improving players,” said Borthwick.

“He has an excellent understanding of the game, both as an international player and now as a coach. I’m looking forward to the impact he’ll make during the autumn.”

McGuigan was brought up in Cape Town and played for the Border Bulldogs before moving to Glasgow Warriors. He then made over 100 appearances for Sale and earned 10 Scotland caps from 2017-20 after qualifying through his Glasgow-born mother.

“It was a huge privilege to be involved during the summer, and I’m excited to be back to contribute to the team,” McGuigan said.

“I’m very grateful to Sale for supporting me in taking on this opportunity alongside my club role. It’s a fantastic chance to continue developing as a coach while contributing to both teams.”

England play Australia on November 1, with further tests against Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina - all at Twickenham.

Eddie Jones said facing his native Australia brings out his "extreme competitive spirit" as the Japan coach plots a surprise win over his old team on Saturday in Tokyo.

Jones comes up against Australia for the first time since stepping down as Wallabies coach following their disastrous 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign to begin a second stint in charge of Japan.

The move sparked anger in Australia, after Jones had repeatedly denied reports that he was set to take the Japan job.

The 65-year-old has led teams against Australia in the past and enjoyed a successful head-to-head record during his time as England coach from 2015 to 2022.

Jones named his team on Thursday for the game at Tokyo's National Stadium and said he was looking forward to upsetting his countrymen again.

"I enjoy beating Australia – I coached against them 10 times for England and beat them nine times," he said.

"Playing against you own country, there's always a certain amount of different feeling involved in it, but it just brings out the extreme competitive spirit within yourself."

Australia play Japan before heading to Europe to take on England, Italy, Ireland and France on successive weekends.

Coach Joe Schmidt named his team to face Japan earlier in the day, with 13 changes from the side that lost to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.

Jones said there was "a winning opportunity" for Japan if they can unsettle an unfamiliar Wallabies line-up.

"When you're playing a team that has got a lot of players that are playing for a spot and they want to be the starting guys, if things don't go their way at the start of the game, they can get frustrated," he said.

"Our job is to bring out that frustration. Our job is to be at them the whole time."

Jones handed veteran flanker Michael Leitch his 90th cap in a line-up that mixes experience with youth.

The coach said his team were planning to hit the Wallabies with "a Japanese style of rugby".

"We realise that it's a big task for us but we feel like we're up to it," he said.

"We're ready to take them on."

Japan (15-1):

Yoshitaka Yazaki; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Tomoki Osada; Seungsin Lee, Shinobu Fujiwara; Michael Leitch, Kanji Shimokawa, Ben Gunter; Warner Dearns (capt), Jack Cornelsen; Shuhei Takeuchi, Hayate Era, Kenta Kobayashi

Replacements: Kenji Sato, Ryosuke Iwaihara, Keijiro Tamefusa, Tyler Paul, Tiennan Costley, Kenta Fukuda, Charlie Lawrence, Sam Greene

Nick Champion de Crespigny was named Australia captain to face Japan in Tokyo on Saturday in just his third test as coach Joe Schmidt admitted making 13 changes to his team was "definitely a risk".

The Wallabies face Eddie Jones's side before heading to Europe to take on England, Italy, Ireland and France on successive weekends.

Flanker Champion de Crespigny made his debut in the first test against the British and Irish Lions in July.

The 29-year-old will line up in the back row alongside Carlo Tizzano and Rob Valetini, and Schmidt said his new captain would take it in his stride.

"Nick has been with us consistently week to week throughout and is part of the leadership group anyway, so it was a natural enough progression for him," Schmidt said as he named his team on Thursday.

"Nick is very much a leader by actions and he'll want to be in the thick of the action as much as he can be."

Schmidt made wholesale changes to the team that lost 28-14 to New Zealand earlier this month to draw the curtain on a frustrating Rugby Championship campaign won by South Africa.

The coach said his selections were about "energy management" after a gruelling few months that have included a home test against Fiji, the Lions series and the Rugby Championship.

"There is definitely a risk – part of the job of the coaching staff is to manage risk as best we can," said Schmidt.

"If we don't give opportunity to the squad, we start to lose energy towards the end of a five-test window, particularly when you're travelling such long distances."

Tane Edmed keeps his place at fly half despite the return of Carter Gordon to the squad after a stint in rugby league.

Gordon was not named in the matchday squad and Schmidt said it was too early for the playmaker after being rushed back into the fold following his move to Super Rugby's Reds.

"In such a pivotal position as 10 it's very hard to go straight in and start leading the team," said Schmidt.

"There was a temptation to put him into the matchday squad, and at the same time looking after him so that he feels as ready as he can be to start at some stage or come off the bench at some stage in the coming weeks."

Zane Nonggorr gets his first start in his 17th appearance for Australia, combining with Angus Bell and Josh Nasser in the front row.

Dylan Pietsch returns from a jaw fracture to start on the left wing, with Corey Toole on the right and Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook in the centres.

Aidan Ross was named on the bench and could become the fifth man to represent both Australia and New Zealand in test matches.

"The players have acclimatised well here in Tokyo and the whole squad is conscious of the threat the Brave Blossoms pose," said Schmidt.

"They play hard and fast and are very tough to beat, especially at home."

Australia (15-1)

Andrew Kellaway; Corey Toole, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch; Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon; Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion De Crespigny (capt); Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams; Zane Nonggorr, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Tom Robertson, Josh Canham, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu

 All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland has announced he will be departing when his contract is up at the end of the season, leaving head coach Scott Robertson without two of his original four staff.

Holland, who previously worked as head coach at the Hurricanes Super Rugby team, will continue to look after the backs and set piece on New Zealand's end-of-season Grand Slam tour before finishing up.

"I was happy to take a two-year contract and the time feels right for me to step away from this role and look ahead," Holland said in a New Zealand Rugby statement on Thursday.

"We're a close group so this wasn't an easy decision...we think the team are making shifts in the right direction. There are four tests left, and I'm absolutely focused on helping this team to win in the Northern Hemisphere."

Robertson, whose original attack coach Leon MacDonald departed by mutual agreement last year, said Holland would be missed.

"There's a massive amount of respect for Jase in our group," Robertson said.

"While we're disappointed, he has our support and we respect the decision he's come to."

The All Blacks open their end-of-season tour against Ireland in Chicago on 1 November before heading to Britain to take on Scotland, England, and Wales.

Former England centre Manu Tuilagi has signed a contract extension to stay at Bayonne until 2027, the French Top 14 club announced on Wednesday.

Tuilagi joined the Basque outfit a year ago and had been linked with a move to Leicester and the rebel R360 league.

The 34-year-old made the last of his 60 England appearances in 2024 but is ineligible to represent his country as he plays his club rugby abroad.

"Ageing like a fine wine," Bayonne said on social media.

"Our English centre will continue to torment defences and attacks next season," they added.

Tuilagi is part of an illustruous rugby-playing family which includes brothers Henry and Alesana who featured for Samoa and nephew Posolo Tuilagi, who represents France.

Manu Tuilagi's Bayonne face Bordeaux-Begles in the Top 14 on Saturday and sit two points off leaders Pau after seven rounds of the season.

New Wales rugby coach Steve Tandy accepts he cannot avoid the "elephant in the room", with the domestic game in chaos and the threat of a players' strike still a possibility.

Tandy takes charge of the national side for the first time next month amid huge turmoil for Welsh rugby.

The Welsh Rugby Union has announced plans to halve the number of professional men’s sides in Wales from four to two, with a decision imminent on the future structure of the game following a six-week consultation period.

But the Welsh Rugby Players Association have warned the WRU proposals would "drive talent to leave Wales" and national team captain Jac Morgan has indicated he would leave to play club rugby outside Wales if his Ospreys team were one of the sides axed.

Meanwhile, the Newport-based Dragons have described the plans as "unacceptable" and on Wednesday former WRU chief executive David Moffett resigned from a United States-based company which promised new investment in Llanelli's Scarlets two months ago, although no reason has been given for the decision.

"I think you’ve got to be really empathetic to that situation," said Tandy, who is preparing for Autumn Nations Series matches against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

"We've all got families, partners and children, but we can't avoid it either. It's something I’m encouraging from the senior players.

"We’ve got to talk about it. You can’t avoid the elephant in the room.

"With uncertainty, that’s the last thing you want to do. If they feel it’s awkward, I’d rather know."

Wales players threatened strike action in February 2023 –- just days before a Six Nations game against England in Cardiff –- following a delay over a new financial agreement between the WRU and the four regions.

No strike went ahead them but Tandy, asked if he feared a players' strike now, replied: "It's something you have to talk about. But just having that dialogue, you never want that to happen.

"Ultimately the way you avoid things like that is having constant dialogue and knowing boys have channels to voice their opinions."

England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has been cleared to play in the November test against Australia after the red card he received for a dangerous tackle playing for his club Sale Sharks was overturned.

An independent panel reviewed video footage of the incident involving head contact and decided the 32-year-old Cowan-Dickie's sending-off should be rescinded.

England host Australia at Twickenham on 1 November in the Autumn Nations Series before taking on Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.

 

Disciplinary Outcome 🚨

Luke Cowan-Dickie's 20-minute red card has been overturned by an independent panel, making him available for selection for Saturday's visit to Welford Road.

Read more here - https://t.co/a600bJiKye pic.twitter.com/nkefDeXomK

— Sale Sharks 🦈 (@SaleSharksRugby) October 22, 2025

 

Gregor Townsend insists his decision to take on an advisory role with Red Bull will help "energise" rather than distract him from his main job of coaching the Scotland national rugby team.

After extending his Scotland contract until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, it emerged earlier this month the long-serving Townsend will be spending 30 days a year working on Red Bull's global rugby strategy in a non-executive position.

Townsend, a former Scotland playmaker, was criticised for accepting a part-time role while also being in charge of the national side.

In August, Austria-based energy drinks company Red Bull extended tby investing in rugby union for the first time with a take over of English top-flight strugglers Newcastle.

Townsend, speaking during a press conference on Tuesday after naming his Scotland squad for next month's autumn internationals, was adamant his role with Red Bull would enhance rather than detract from his day job. .

'LEARN FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS'

"Yeah, look, everyone's got their opinions," said the 52-year-old. "It's something that obviously I talked about with Scottish Rugby, and the benefits that we saw in the role.

"In my own time, I'd like to learn from other sports and other organisations. This gives me an opportunity to do that, but it's not going to be something that I'm focusing on the next few weeks, because that's going to be the Scotland job.

"I'm well aware of my role and the time that I'm able to allocate, and I've got to make sure I manage that because there will be less holidays, less time off over the next couple of years."

Nevertheless, he added: "But that also can be a real positive in terms of energising me and being involved on a wider level with sport and management, and that's what I've felt like over the last couple of months (since starting with Red Bull).

"Some of the experiences I've had, it has been energising, but the full focus when I'm with Scotland and also in the planning phases with Scotland, that's that's the main role that I have, and it's the role that gives me a massive purpose in my life and something I'm totally committed to."

Townsend stressed he understood the importance of time management created by taking on the Red Bull post ahead of November encounters at Murrayfield against the United States, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga.

"But there's times throughout the year when you can choose what to do," he said.

"Some people do the media, some people do work away from rugby, and this opportunity I have is to work with another sporting organisation or a company that runs different sports, and I feel that's going to be helpful for my learning.

"They obviously want what I can contribute in terms of advice.

"Scottish Rugby are very well aware of what that means, and I have to be wary if there's any potential conflicts. I don't see any, but if there are, then I have to flag that up with my bosses."

After a two-year absence, Louis Rees-Zammit was recalled to a 39-strong Wales squad unveiled Tuesday by new coach Steve Tandy.

The British and Irish Lions winger, who won the last of his 32 caps at the 2023 World Cup, made the switch to American Football in January 2024.

The 24-year-old Bristol player joined the Kansas City Chiefs and then the Jacksonville Jaguars, but did not play a competitive game in the NFL.

His inclusion is a boost for Tandy as he named his squad for November tests on successive weekends against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and world champions South Africa.

"It's been really exciting going through the whole process and realising how many good players we've got," said Tandy, who left his role as Scotland defence coach - a position he had held since 2019 - to fill a vacancy created by Warren Gatland's departure in February.

"There's a really good mix of some young guys coming in, mixed with some experience as well.

"But the overall feeling is really exciting and I can't wait to get the boys into camp on Monday."

Jac Morgan will captain the squad for the campaign, having been on tour with the British and Irish Lions this summer in Australia.

Fellow Lion Tomos Williams is also selected for Wales this autumn.

Second rows Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins return having missed the two-test series in Japan in the summer due to being given a break and elective surgery respectively.

The squad of 22 forwards and 17 backs contains five uncapped players: Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan, Cardiff prop Danny Southworth, lock James Fender and back row forward Morgan Morse from the Ospreys and Bath centre Louie Hennessey.

Saracens prop Rhys Carre is included following confirmation by the Welsh Professional Rugby Board that he is eligible for selection despite playing in the English Prem competition and being five caps short of the 25 required for those playing for clubs outside Wales.

Wales squad

Forwards (22): Keiron Assiratti, Adam Beard, Liam Belcher, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Brodie Coghlan, Christian Coleman, Rhys Davies, Taulupe Faletau, James Fender, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan (capt), Morgan Morse, Taine Plumtree, Nicky Smith, Danny Southworth, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright

Backs (17): Josh Adams, Jacob Beetham, Rio Dyer, Dan Edwards, Jarrod Evans, Kieran Hardy, Joe Hawkins, Louie Hennessey, Max Llewellyn, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Rogers, Callum Sheedy, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Tomos Williams

Three uncapped players have been named by Scotland in a 45-man squad for their November internationals, with Sione Tuipulotu returning to captain the team after missing this year's Six Nations.

The uncapped players are all forwards, with eighthman Alexander Masibaka touring with Scotland in the Pacific in July but yet to win a cap, while flanker Liam McConnell and hooker Harri Morris win a place after showing form for Edinburgh.

Coach Gregor Townsend on Tuesday named 27 forwards and 18 backs, with the tests on consecutive weekends against the United States, New Zealand, Argentina, and Tonga.

There are 11 players who were picked by the British & Irish Lions to join their tour of Australia in mid-year, including Tuipulotu, who could not play in the Six Nations after a pectoral muscle tear.

Zander Fagerson, who was picked for the Lions but did not tour because of a calf injury, is also back.

Edinburgh captain Magnus Bradbury returns to the international fold, seeking a first Scotland cap since the 2022 tour to Argentina.

"A lot of players are coming to their prime years," said Townsend.

"Over the last couple of years, players outside the squad have had that chance to get into the group, but it's very competitive now. In certain positions, there's quality all the way through, and some very good players have missed out on this squad."

Squad:

Backs: Fergus Burke (Saracens), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Tom Jordan (Bristol Bears), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Stafford McDowall, Kyle Rowe (both Glasgow Warriors), Arron Reed (Sale Sharks), Finn Russell (Bath), Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Thompson (Edinburgh), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon)

Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh), Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson (all Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist, Patrick Harrison (both Edinburgh), Nathan McBeth (Glasgow Warriors), Alexander Masibaka (Montpellier), Liam McConnell (Edinburgh), Elliot Millar Mills (Northampton Saints), Harri Morris (Edinburgh), Andy Onyeama-Christie (Saracens), D'Arcy Rae, Dylan Richardson (both Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Perpignan), Alex Samuel (Glasgow Warriors), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors), Marshall Sykes (Edinburgh), George Turner (Harlequins), Murphy Walker, Max Williamson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Ireland’s Mack Hansen has been ruled out of next week’s test against New Zealand while fellow British & Irish Lions Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are doubts for the clash in Chicago, the Irish Rugby Football Union said on Monday.

Hansen aggravated a foot injury in Connacht’s 28-27 loss to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship in Galway on Friday and will not travel with the squad on Tuesday as they prepare for the 1 November game at Soldier Field.

Aki and Henshaw will travel with the squad but Aki has a hip injury, although he also played for Connacht at the weekend, and Henshaw went off with a groin injury in Leinster’s 31-14 defeat by Munster in the URC in Dublin on Saturday.

Uncapped Munster forwards Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson are also out of the squad because of injury but Jimmy O’Brien and Tom Farrell have been added to the travelling party.

Munster centre Farrell, 31, had a first international call-up six years ago in the Six Nations but did not play. O’Brien has 10 caps.

The pair will remain in the squad for the home tests against Japan, Australia and South Africa next month.

Former captain Owen Farrell was not among the 36-man training squad named by England head coach Steve Borthwick on Sunday ahead of the Autumn Nations Series, with centre Seb Atkinson missing out through injury after impressing on his debut.

Farrell has not played for England since stepping back from national duty in November 2023 to prioritise his mental health, before joining French side Racing 92, but returned to Saracens in June.

The 34-year-old flyhalf and centre was called up to the British & Irish Lions squad by his father, head coach Andy Farrell, following an injury to Elliot Daly, and featured in two of the tests against Australia.

Farrell has played at centre since his return to Saracens, but despite Atkinson's injury, has not been considered by Borthwick.

Atkinson made his test debut in July in England's 35-12 win in Argentina, and scored a try in the second test, but the 23-year-old suffered a leg and hip injury with his club Gloucester last weekend.

The squad will begin a three-day training camp on Monday at England's Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park.

Borthwick's side host Australia at Twickenham on 1 November, and will also take on Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina at the London venue.

Winger Noah Caluori will also join the training camp as part of a development agreement with his club Saracens.

The 19-year-old scored five tries on Saturday in his first Premiership start, having scored on his debut in the competition when coming off the bench last month.

Gearing up ⚙️🌹

Steve Borthwick has named his 36-player squad for a three-day training camp ahead of the upcoming @QuilterNations.@O2 | #WearTheRose

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 19, 2025

ENGLAND'S TRAINING SQUAD:

Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Theo Dan (Saracens), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers) Emeka Ilione (Leicester Tigers), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks) Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints),Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)

Backs: Henry Arundell (Bath Rugby), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs),George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks), Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)

Tom Willis has been left out of England's training squad ahead of the November internationals after the No 8 agreed to join Bordeaux-Begles at the end of the season.

England boss Steve Borthwick named his squad for a three-day training camp on Sunday, with Willis and former captain Owen Farrell the most high-profile omissions.

Willis was dropped following his decision to leave Saracens at the end of the season and sign a contract with French Top 14 side Bordeaux that will make him ineligible for international selection.

He also spent the 2022/23 season at Bordeaux after his former club Wasps went into administration and had to pull out of the league.

His older brother, Jack Willis, who is also a back-rower, left Wasps at the same time and has played for Toulouse ever since.

He won the French title with Toulouse last season and was named the Top 14 player of the season.

Gearing up ⚙️🌹

Steve Borthwick has named his 36-player squad for a three-day training camp ahead of the upcoming @QuilterNations.@O2 | #WearTheRose

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 19, 2025

There is also no place in the England squad for Farrell, despite Borthwick having injury issues at inside centre.

The 34-year-old, who has 112 England caps, has featured at inside centre for Saracens this season and played in midfield for the British and Irish Lions in the summer.

Noah Caluori, the 19-year-old who scored five tries for Saracens in Saturday's thumping win over Sale, has been included in the squad as an additional player as part of a development agreement with the English Prem club.

The squad assembled on Sunday for the training camp at England's performance centre at Pennyhill Park.

England host Australia at Twickenham on November 1 before matches against Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.

Flyhalf Carter Gordon was drafted straight into the Wallabies squad a couple of hours after his return from rugby league was announced on Monday but Tom Lynagh has been rested for the end-of-season tour of Japan and Europe.

Gordon was released from the last year of his contract with the Gold Coast Titans and will resume his career in the 15-man code on a tour that features tests against Japan, England, Italy, Ireland and France in successive weeks.

Lynagh, who started in the number 10 shirt in all three tests against the British & Irish Lions and one Rugby Championship test this season, has been given a chance to recover fully from a few niggles.

"We've taken a long-term view with Tom Lynagh, who is still just 22-years-old," said coach Joe Schmidt.

"He has had a few injury frustrations since the third test versus the Lions in early August and will follow an individualised programme ... which will allow him to recover to full fitness."

Tane Edmed is the other flyhalf named in the squad with James O'Connor, who played all six Rugby Championship tests, having joined up with his new club Leicester.

Flanker Tom Hooper and centre Len Ikitau, two of Australia's best players this season, have also departed for England to join Exeter, while lock Will Skelton has returned to his French club.

The team said overseas-based players might link up with the squad during the tour, but not for the Japan clash on 25 October and England test on 2 November as they fall outside of the international window.

Former All Blacks prop Aidan Ross and 23-year-old Reds scrumhalf Kalani Thomas are the only two uncapped players in the squad.

Loosehead Ross, who was born in Australia, returns to the Wallabies squad in the wake of the retirement of James Slipper and Thomas earned a call-up in the absence of his injured Reds teammate Tate McDermott.

"The squad and staff have had a brief chance to catch their breath after what has been a dense and attritional test season so far," added Schmidt.

"The challenge certainly doesn't get any easier with five consecutive tests on the road against high-quality international opposition ..."

SQUAD:

Forwards - Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Pete Samu, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson

Backs - Filipo Daugunu, Tane Edmed, Josh Flook, Carter Gordon, Jake Gordon, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Lonergan, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Corey Toole

Marcus Smith scored 15 of Harlequins' 20 points on his return to the Prem on Sunday as the London club beat local rivals Saracens 20-14 for their first win of the season.

England international Smith, making his first appearance since the British and Irish Lions tour, ran in Quins' opening try and directed the aerial assault that ended the visitors' perfect league record this season.

The 26-year-old playmaker also landed two conversions, the second after Tyrone Green's second-half touchdown, and two penalties to shade his duel with former England captain Owen Farrell, who pulled the strings for Saracens at inside centre.

Farrell created tries for Fergus Burke and Ben Earl with a sublime offload and pinpoint crossfield kick, but it was not enough to stop his side suffering their third successive defeat by Harlequins.

Burke's superb try in the 26th minute ensured Saracens trailed only 10-7 at halftime at The Stoop.

But the home side extended their lead to 10 points moments into the second half when Green went over and Smith converted.

The north London club conjured their second try in the 63rd minute, with Farrell executing an exquisite crossfield kick for Earl to score. Farrell's conversion reduced the deficit to 17-14.

Quins spent the closing minutes in enemy territory, closing out the game when Smith slotted his second penalty on the stroke of fulltime, just moments before he was named player of the match.

Italy will play Chile, who have just qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, rather than Samoa, as part of their November test series, the Italian federation (FIR) said on Thursday.

This decision "following a request by Samoa, reflects the evolving priorities for both Chile and Samoa as they navigate their respective pathways towards RWC 2027 qualification," the FIR said.

Chile booked their ticket to the World Cup in Australia last month following a two-leg play-off victory against Samoa.

That left Samoa facing a 2027 World Cup final qualification tournament in Dubai from November 8-18 – which coincides with the November tests.

Gonzalo Quesada's Italy will host Australia on November 8 in Udine, South Africa a week later in Turin, followed by Chile on November 22 in Genoa.

The fixture will mark an historic first test between Italy and Chile.

 

The qualified teams for the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 🏆

One place is still up for grabs ahead of the draw on the 3rd of December ✍️#RWC2027 pic.twitter.com/Ux854wdqqv

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 1, 2025

 

Toulouse's exiled England flanker Jack Willis says he avoids thinking too much about missing out on Test selection after winning the French Top 14's player of the season award for 2024/2025.

Willis helped the aristocrats of French rugby to their record-extending 24th Top 14 title in June after a barnstorming campaign in which he scored 10 tries and stepped in for the injured Antoine Dupont as captain.

The 28-year-old is unable to add to his 15 England caps under head coach Steve Borthwick as he plays his club rugby abroad.

"I would love to play for England. It's something that you dream of as a little kid," Willis told reporters on Monday after claiming the award.

"You're screaming in front of the TV, singing the national anthem.

"It's not something that you ever want to give up on.

"So there's no point in overthinking it," he added after the ceremony at Paris' L'Olympia theatre.

Willis joined star-studded Toulouse in December 2022 after Wasps went into administration, leaving the versatile back-rower and dozens of other players without a club.

Since his move across the Channel he has won the Top 14 twice, the Champions Cup in 2024 and now French rugby's most-coveted individual award, beating out team-mate Thomas Ramos and Bayonne's Fijian centre Sireli Maqala.

"I'm genuinely very proud of this," Willis said with the golden rugby-ball shaped trophy in his hands.

"But I genuinely also think that if I didn't play for Toulouse with such great players around me, I wouldn't be here tonight.

"I'm incredibly lucky with the guys I've got around me, the space they make for me, the holes they put me through, and I just try and do my job and add to the team the best I can."

Willis's younger brother, Tom, has been linked this week with a move to France for next season, having spent a part of the 2022/2023 campaign with Bordeaux-Begles.

He is likely to be involved with England during their November Test series having impressed for Saracens this term.

"He's a hell of a ball-carrier, in fairness to him," said Willis senior.

"Tom has consistently, in my opinion, been the best player in the Premiership for the last 12 months.

"I don't think it's just me who thinks that. I'm obviously a little bit biased with him being my brother, but I think he's been fantastic."

This Sunday, Toulouse host Bordeaux-Begles in a re-run of last season's epic Top 14 final.

Willis is expected to feature despite suffering a niggle in last weekend's loss at Bayonne, which left Toulouse fifth in the table after five games.

"It's a bit sore, to be honest with you," he said.

"I took a head straight to the kneecap, so it was not only the impact, but also a bit of hyperextension, but I don't think it's anything serious."

 

The following statement has been agreed by the national rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy.

“As a group of national rugby unions, we are urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition.

“We all welcome new investment and innovation in rugby; and support ideas that can help the game evolve and reach new audiences; but any new competition must strengthen the sport as a whole, not fragment or weaken it.

The national rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy have released the following statement on the proposed R360 competition ⬇️#IrishRugby

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 7, 2025

“Among our roles as national unions, we must take a wider view on new propositions and assess their impact on a range of areas, including whether they add to rugby’s global ecosystem, for which we are all responsible, or whether they are a net negative to the game.

“R360 has given us no indication as to how it plans to manage player welfare; how players would fulfil their aspirations of representing their countries, and how the competition would coexist with the international and domestic calendars so painstakingly negotiated in recent years for both our men’s and women’s games.

“The R360 model, as outlined publicly, rather appears designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, potentially hollowing out the investment that national unions and existing leagues make in community rugby, player development, and participation pathways.

“International rugby and our major competitions remain the financial and cultural engine that sustains every level of the game — from grassroots participation to elite performance. Undermining that ecosystem could be enormously harmful to the health of our sport.

“These are all issues that would have been much better discussed collaboratively, but those behind the proposed competition have not engaged with or met all unions to explain and better understand their business and operating model.

“Each of the national unions will therefore be advising men’s and women’s players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection."

 

Players who join the R360 global franchise league will be ineligible for international selection, the rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy said on Tuesday.

The R360 league, fronted by former England centre Mike Tindall, is due to launch in 2026 and media reports have linked it with big-money offers for top rugby union and league players, but the unions are united in their opposition.

"As a group of national rugby unions, we are urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition," the unions said in a rare joint statement.

"International rugby and our major competitions remain the financial and cultural engine that sustains every level of the game — from grassroots participation to elite performance.

The national rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy have released the following statement on the proposed R360 competition ⬇️#IrishRugby

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 7, 2025

"Undermining that ecosystem could be enormously harmful to the health of our sport."

The unions say that R360 has given them no indication as to how it plans to manage player welfare, how players would fulfil their aspirations of representing their countries, or how the competition would coexist with the international and domestic calendars.

They also say that the R360 model appears designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, and those behind the proposed competition have not engaged with all unions to explain their business and operating model.

"Each of the national unions will therefore be advising men's and women's players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection," the statement concluded.

The league hopes to establish eight men's teams and four women's teams who will compete in a condensed season format in 'grand prix' style events around the world.

The International Rugby Players Association (IRPA) has also told their members to be cautious about R360, urging them to speak to their player association, to the IRPA or a legal advisor before signing any contract with the new league.

"Detailed information about the competition remains outstanding," the IRPA said in a statement.

"And the competition does not currently have World Rugby regulatory approval."

France captain Antoine Dupont made his first tentative steps towards a return to the rugby field when he reported for training on Tuesday for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in March.

The 28-year-old, who was World Player of the Year in 2021 and World Sevens Player of the Year in 2024, has been out of action since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament seven months ago during France's 42–27 victory over Ireland in the Six Nations.

A source at his Top 14 club Toulouse said that Dupont joined his teammates for some warming up exercises before training alone, away from the rest of the team.

No time has been given for Dupont's return to action although he and Toulouse staff have indicated it will not be until December at the earliest.

That rules him out of France's autumn internationals against South Africa, Fiji and Australia.