Here are the latest rugby news stories.
Welshmen look to storm Twickenham
Exeter Chiefs captain Dafydd Jenkins says Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final against Northampton Saints at Twickenham is the biggest match of his career as his side aim to complete a remarkable turnaround season.
The 23-year-old Wales international, who has 31 caps, will lead Exeter out at the home of English rugby after last weekend’s dramatic 27-26 semi-final win over defending champions Bath Rugby. He will be joined in the Exeter ranks by fellow Welshmen Christ Tshiunza and Kane James, while Welsh-born Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and scrum-half Stephen Varney also start.
“It’s definitely the biggest game I’ve been involved in, just with everything that’s on the line, the occasion, being at Twickenham, sell-out,” Jenkins said. “I’m really excited to see where I am at that level and where this team is at that level.”
Exeter are chasing a third Premiership title under director of rugby Rob Baxter, having rebuilt strongly after finishing second bottom last season. They won just four league games a year ago but have surged back into contention this term, finishing third before reaching the final.
“From day one of the season we set out to win the Premiership and we’re only in the final now,” Jenkins added. “I’m extremely proud of the group and where we’ve come from after adversity last season.”
Northampton head into the showpiece as table-toppers and favourites after beating rivals Leicester Tigers in the semi-finals. The Saints also edged Exeter 35-28 at Sandy Park in April, having earlier played out a thrilling 33-33 draw at Franklin’s Gardens.
Jenkins admitted his challenging international spell with Wales, including a long losing run and successive Six Nations wooden spoons, has shaped his mindset.
“It’s going to make winning this final even sweeter when we do,” he said. “Being Welsh and representing my country in a Premiership final is something I’m not taking lightly.”
Exeter boss Baxter expects a high-tempo contest. “Northampton score points. We’ve had games where we’ve looked our best in the last 20 minutes,” he said. “It’ll be a pretty high-energy, hurly-burly 80 minutes.”
England well beaten by France
France overpowered an experimental England side 35-19 in Vannes, with Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s debut outing marked by a costly late handling error in the non-cap international. The South African-born centre was introduced in the 52nd minute amid a raft of changes and was immediately handed a gilt-edged opportunity to score on debut. With the line open, the Bristol man looked set to cross, only to spill the ball under pressure, snuffing out England’s final realistic chance of a comeback.
Head coach Steve Borthwick used the fixture to rotate heavily, with Tom Curry and George Martin both completing 51 minutes as they build towards England’s Nations Championship opener against South Africa on July 4. There were brighter moments for England in a lively, if disjointed, ‘A’ clash. Winger Cadan Murley crossed early, while teenage prospect Noah Caluori again enhanced his reputation with a sharp attacking display. Marcus Smith, Max Ojomoh and Murley also added tries in flashes of attacking promise.
But France were sharper and more clinical throughout. Nicolas Depoortere and Gregoire Arfeuil helped the hosts establish control early, before Nolann Le Garrec and Antoine Hastoy stretched the lead with well-worked second-half scores. England briefly threatened a fightback, with Caluori’s disallowed effort adding to their frustration, while their scrum impressed in patches. However, cohesion suffered as changes disrupted rhythm. France sealed victory late on through Fabien Brau-Boirie, before Ojomoh’s late score offered only consolation. Despite moments of promise, England’s error count and lack of continuity ultimately proved decisive against a composed French side in front of a home crowd in Vannes.
Leinster celebrate becoming URC champions
By Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union Correspondent
Caelan Doris was delighted by Leinster’s response to their recent European setback as they claimed a 10th United Rugby Championship title with a 36-7 victory over the Bulls at Croke Park. Leinster were routed in the Champions Cup final by Bordeaux last month but there was no hangover from that afternoon as they ran in five tries in a repeat of the 2025 URC showpiece.
Doris told Premier Sports: “Following a big disappointment a few weeks ago, very proud of the whole organisation and the way that we’ve been able to turn the page and have a special day. There was an unbelievable feeling from the start of the game, you could see the boys were on it physically and that went a long way. It was full squad effort and it has been through the season, we’ve used so many players. Some of the boys stood up massively and it was great to watch.”
Doris lasted just seven minutes of the final after sustaining an injury to his right leg and the Ireland captain confirmed it would need further examination. He had been passed fit for the game despite carrying a knee problem. The Leinster skipper said: “We were chatting before and I was saying I was optimistic about my knee. My knee was actually fine, it was something else so we’ll get a check later, but first I’ll enjoying a few beers with the boys. The boys were unbelievable. I was watching on eagerly and to see them front up physically…that goes a long way against beating the Bulls.”
Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast was named man of the match with his individual 11-point haul complimented by some neat touches. Prendergast said: “No one’s won this trophy back to back, now we have and that’s pretty special.”
