World Rugby

International governing body of rugby union and its variants

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World Rugby is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. World Rugby organises the Rugby World Cup every four years, the sport's most recognised and most profitable competition. It also organises a number of other international competitions, such as the World Rugby Sevens Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens, the World Under 20 Championship, and the Pacific Nations Cup.

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World Rugby to introduce new heat guidelines World Rugby is looking to introduce extended half-times and more water breaks during matches played in hot and humid conditions. BBC Sport - Published on April 12, 2024
World Rugby considers smaller ball for women World Rugby is collecting training and playing data on a smaller size 4.5 ball for the women's game. BBC Sport - Published on April 10, 2024
World Rugby to trial red card replacements World Rugby is planning to run trials on red cards and examine tackle height in the elite game as part of moves to improve the sport's safety and appeal. BBC Sport - Published on March 19, 2024

Legal action taken after World Cup online abuse World Rugby confirms legal action is being taken following match official abuse monitoring after the World Cup. BBC Sport - Published on January 31, 2024
Beaumont hopes Farrell can return 'reinvigorated' World Rugby chair Bill Beaumont says he hopes England captain Owen Farrell can return "reinvigorated" after making himself unavailable for the 2024 Six Nations. BBC Sport - Published on November 30, 2023
England's Packer named World Rugby player of year England's WXV-winning captain Marlie Packer is named World Rugby Women's Player of the Year for 2023. BBC Sport - Published on November 4, 2023

Packer & Dow nominated for world player of the year England captain Marlie Packer and wing Abby Dow have been nominated for World Rugby's women's player of the year. BBC Sport - Published on November 2, 2023
Farrell named World Rugby coach of the year Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is named World Rugby's coach of the year. BBC Sport - Published on October 29, 2023
'Insufficient evidence' to charge South Africa rugby player with racial abuse World Rugby has found there is "insufficient evidence" to charge South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi over the alleged racial abuse of an England player during the World Cup semi-final. Sky News - Published on October 26, 2023
2027 Rugby World Cup will be more compact - Gilpin The 2027 Rugby World Cup will be a "more compact" tournament which will lead to "more interest and bigger audiences", says World Rugby boss Alan Gilpin. BBC Sport - Published on October 25, 2023

World Rugby announces new competition in 'overhaul' World Rugby announces a new competition starting in 2026 as part of a "significant overhaul" of the men's international calendar. BBC Sport - Published on October 24, 2023
World Rugby to review Mbonambi racial slur allegation World Rugby confirms it will formally review Bongi Mbonambi's alleged use of discriminatory language towards England's Tom Curry. BBC Sport - Published on October 23, 2023
Tier-two nations 'central' to World Rugby plans World Rugby wants to provide "greater certainty and opportunity" for tier-two nations, says chairman Sir Bill Beaumont. BBC Sport - Published on October 10, 2023	World Rugby apologises for Marseille crowd 'chaos' World Rugby apologises after fans complain of chaos and safety fears before England's opening Rugby World Cup match against Argentina in Marseille. BBC Sport - Published on September 10, 2023
Farrell banned for first two World Cup pool games Owen Farrell will miss the first two pool games at the World Cup as World Rugby successfully appeals against the decision to overturn his red card. BBC Sport - Published on August 22, 2023	Community game 'belly tackle' trial approved World Rugby unanimously approves a recommendation that unions participate in trials of 'belly tackles' in the community game to reduce concussions. BBC Sport - Published on May 11, 2023
World Rugby confirms card review trial with U20s World Rugby confirms it will trial a card review system at the upcoming World Rugby Under-20 Championship. BBC Sport - Published on April 17, 2023	'Red cards not the way to fix high-tackle issue' Former Ireland and Ulster wing Tommy Bowe wants World Rugby to introduce sterner punishments for players who BBC Sport - Published on February 14, 2023
'Shot clock' to be introduced by World Rugby A countdown timer on scrums and kicks at goal will be introduced in January to help speed up the game, says World Rugby. BBC Sport - Published on December 22, 2022	Law changes have destroyed rugby - Thorburn Former Wales full-back Paul Thorburn says World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont has "overseen the destruction" of rugby union due to law changes. BBC Sport - Published on December 2, 2022
Ireland's Cooney considering switch to Scotland Ireland scrum-half John Cooney can switch allegiance to Scotland in February under World Rugby’s new eligibility rules. BBC Sport - Published on November 30, 2022	White should have been withdrawn from Ireland game World Rugby says Australia scrum-half Nic White should have been permanently withdrawn during the game against Ireland after suffering a second head impact. BBC Sport - Published on November 29, 2022
Van der Flier and Demant win World Rugby awards Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier and New Zealand fly-half Ruahei Demant are named Men's and Women's 15s Player of the Year at the World Rugby Awards on Sunday. BBC Sport - Published on November 20, 2022	World Rugby awards: Zoe Aldcroft named women's player of year England second row Zoe Aldcroft is named World Rugby's women's player of the year. BBC Sport - Published on December 10, 2021
Rassie Erasmus and SA Rugby apologise and withdraw appeal over World Rugby ban South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus apologises and withdraws his appeal against his World Rugby suspension. BBC Sport - Published on November 25, 2021	World Rugby changes rules to allow players to switch national teams A revolutionary change to rugby union's international eligibility rules has been approved by World Rugby, allowing players to switch national teams. BBC Sport - Published on November 24, 2021
Adam Hughes welcomes brain injury clinics, but brands World Rugby video as 'patronising' A former professional rugby player, who had to retire due to brain injuries, dubs part of World Rugby's latest brain health campaign "patronising". BBC Sport - Published on November 24, 2021	Maro Itoje, Poppy Cleall & Zoe Aldcroft up for World Rugby awards England's Maro Itoje is nominated for the men's world player of the year, while compatriots Poppy Cleall and Zoe Aldcroft are up for the women's award. BBC Sport - Published on November 15, 2021
World 12s: World Rugby "do not wish to explore concept further" A revolutionary 12-a-side competition launching next year appears to have been killed off by World Rugby. BBC Sport - Published on October 27, 2021	World Rugby to limit contact training to prevent injuries and protect players Contact training is to be drastically reduced across rugby union in an attempt to prevent injuries and protect player welfare. BBC Sport - Published on September 22, 2021
Transgender women allowed to play rugby in France after unanimous Federation vote Transgender women can play rugby in France's domestic competitions from next season after the FFR board votes to go against World Rugby guidelines. BBC Sport - Published on May 17, 2021