Ruck.co.uk

5 days ago | ruck.co.uk | Charlie Elliott

England U20s head coach Mark Mapletoft has explained his decision to name co-captains for this summer’s World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, as his side looks to defend the title they won in South Africa last year. Newcastle Falcons fullback Ben Redshaw and Sale Sharks lock Tom Burrow have been named as co-captains for the campaign, with both players bringing different qualities and experiences to the leadership role.

5 days ago | ruck.co.uk | Charlie Elliott

Seb Atkinson has had quite the season. The 23-year-old Gloucester centre has become a standout performer in a Cherry and Whites team that rediscovered its flair and identity under George Skivington.  While Atkinson’s skill set has grown on the pitch, it’s the midfielders fitness that has truly set him apart. Earlier this year, he recorded a time of 4 minutes and 8 seconds in the Bronco test – a brutal running drill used to measure rugby conditioning. That mark didn’t just top the Premiership.

1 week ago | ruck.co.uk | Tom Sansom

Tommy Freeman is one of 14 players on track for a British & Irish Lions debut, as Andy Farrell’s side take on Argentina tomorrow night in Dublin. The Northampton Saints wing is set to continue his meteoric season with a maiden cap in the fabled red of the Lions, after scoring in every round of the 2025 Men’s Six Nations for England.

1 week ago | ruck.co.uk | Tom Sansom

British & Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje has called for his teammates to rise up to the weight of the jersey, as the Lions prepare for their official tour warm-up match tomorrow evening against Argentina. The Lions take on Los Pumas in the Aviva Stadium, with 14 players from the match day 23 set to don the historic red shirts for the first time in their careers. “The jersey has weight to it, significance to it, meaning to it.” Itoje told the media, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

1 week ago | ruck.co.uk | Tom Sansom

The British & Irish Lions jerseys will include player names for the first time, in what is a move into an new era from the world famous touring side. The names will be etched upon the heralded red jerseys for the opening match of the 2025 tour, as the Lions take on Argentina in Dublin tomorrow night. With a decorated history that dates all the way back to 1888, the decision to include player names upon shirts ends 136 years of consistency from the Lions.