First apologies for earlier error: the PWR final will take place at the Twickenham Stoop
1 January. Saracens enter 2026 on an unbeaten run of 11 home victories
1. A figure looking distinctly like Sadia Kabeya appears in the giant New Year’s Day fireworks display, River Thames, London
5. Ioan Cunningham (ex-Wales and Fiji head coach) becomes assistant coach to Scotland
6. Ireland will play play their first 6N match in Galway, v Italy, 18 April
7. Abi Burton (England and Trailfinders) to chair a new leadership group of PWR players
8. Claire Daniels (Canada) joins Bristol Bears
9. Christine Belisle (Scotland) retires from international rugby
11. Serie A Elite, Italy, resumes; Valsugana still unbeaten
12. England and Ireland training squads announced
12. Sara Tounesi (Italy, 52 caps) retires
14. 34 players picked for England U21 training squad; 7 return from senior squad sessions
14. Rugby Canada: Meet & Greet in Vancouver with the Canada squad
14. Erin King selected as new captain of Ireland
14. SVNS Challenger 3 Series starts in Dubai
14. England RWC squad invited to Windsor Castle by their patron, HRH Princess of Wales, (irony!) then to No 10 Downing Street by PM, Sir Keir Starmer
16. Canada’s 7s squad for Singapore and Perth announced; includes 5 PWR-based players
17. WER ( USA) invites applications for posts as assistant coaches to the six franchises
18. Wolfhounds remain undefeated after four rounds of the Celtic Challenge
18. South Africa promoted to HSBC SVNS 2 after winning SVNS 3 in Dubai
18. Netherlands Rugby opens a referees course in Etten-Leur
18. Sara Cox (RFU) announces retirement from international rugby; first woman to officiate 50 test matches
20. Group bookings available for Ireland v Scotland match at national Aviva Stadium Dublin
20. Rugby Canada launches new TI Rugby, non-contact version
20. Molly Roberts, granddaughter of a former Welsh international, will entertain at the Wales v France 6N match at the Principality Stadium
20. NZR invites you to indicate interest in the Howden B&I Lions tour in 2027
21. NZR announces dates, venues and fixtures for the B&I Lions tour
21. Red Roses receive their personal (outsize and artificial) rose, previously displayed in public at South Bank London last year
21. Sione Fukofuka addresses his new Scottish squad for first time
21. USA Eagles to play two tests in South Africa for first time in July, in Johannesburg and Pretoria
21. The U20 6 Nations championship to become U21
22. Celia Quansah and Meg Jones announce their engagement
23. Elan Jones (Brython Thunder) banned for 3 matches for dangerous tackle in Celtic Challenge
23. Wallaroos to wear Castore kit
25. First round of Sarah Beaney Cup starts in Scotland; six competing sides
25. Celtic Challenge Round 5; Wolfhounds (Ireland) still first, Gwalia Lightning (Wales) second
26. England Rugby unveils 5- year growth plan
26. Rugby Canada still seeking Athletic Therapists and Physiotherapists
26. Barbarians to play Wales in double-header at Twickenham, 27 June 2026
27. Abbie Ward (England and Bristol Bears) expects her second child next summer
27. Mark Robinson (ex-CEO of NZR) to succeed Charlotte Samuelson as Chief Operating Officer of World Rugby
27. USA Eagles: 5-day talent identification camp opens in Chula Vista
28. First ever Celtic Challenge final to be staged at the Hive Edinburgh, 28 March
29. For the first time the Wallaroos will host the Black Ferns on ANZAC Day; 25 April, at Sunshine Coast Stadium, Queensland
29. Paige Stathopoulos (USA) to join Loughborough Lightning as injury cover
29. The WER (USA) successfully completes its “Seed Round”, that is, attracting capital investment
29. Gerald Bastide and Florent Wieczorek added to France’s coaching staff
29. John Mitchell’s contract with the Red Roses extended long-term
29. Isabella Locatelli (Italy, 50 caps) retires
29. Ellen Scantlebury and Eleanor Febrey join Exeter Chiefs as injury cover
30. The Italy-England 6N match confirmed as taking place in Parma
30. Jo Yapp appointed as Head of England Women’s Pathway, a new post
30. Ruahei Demant and Sarah Bern to co-captain Bristol in absence of Abbie Ward
31. Brython Thunder gain first win of season away to Edinburgh Rugby, 14-7
