Cian is a writer who has written for football and rugby publications. He is an avid Wales and Ospreys supporter, and has played age grade rugby growing up. He has come to Read Rugby with a wealth of knowledge and breadth of interest.
Few competitions in world rugby place as much importance on home advantage as the United Rugby Championship. From the altitude of Pretoria to the atmosphere of Thomond Park and the travel demands of intercontinental fixtures, the URC has developed into one of the toughest leagues in which to win away from home. That reality becomes […]
The role of the rugby back row has evolved dramatically over the last decade. Gone are the days when each position carried a rigidly defined job description. The traditional breakdown specialist at openside flanker, the heavyweight blindside enforcer and the powerful ball-carrying No.8 still exist in theory, but modern rugby increasingly demands players who can […]
Welsh rugby is once again preparing to say goodbye to some of its biggest names. Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake are heading to Gloucester Rugby, while Aaron Wainwright will join Leicester Tigers next season. Their departures follow a growing trend that has seen some of Wales’ best players move away from the regions in search […]
Len Ikitau has added further fuel to speculation surrounding a potential long-term return to Exeter Chiefs after revealing discussions are already taking place behind the scenes. The Wallabies centre is currently spending the season at Sandy Park on a sabbatical deal from Rugby Australia, but his existing contract means he is due to return home […]
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has long been viewed as one of South African rugby’s brightest talents, but the Stormers now believe they are witnessing the complete evolution of the Springboks playmaker. Stormers head coach John Dobson says Feinberg-Mngomezulu has transformed from an instinctive X-factor player into the driving force behind one of the URC’s strongest teams. The […]
Connacht know exactly what is required heading into the final weekend of the URC regular season. A win over Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium on Friday night is essential if Connacht are to keep their URC play-off hopes alive, with the western province also needing other results elsewhere to fall in their favour. Sitting ninth […]
World Rugby has not rewritten the maul lawbook. But from June 1, officials will referee one part of the game very differently, and it is expected to have a major impact on how teams attack from lineouts. The governing body’s new Law Application Guideline targets players who work themselves around to the “wrong” side of […]
When Johan Mulder arrived at Cardiff Rugby in 2024, few expected the South African scrum-half to become such an important figure so quickly. Signed with little fanfare from Currie Cup side Griquas, Mulder initially looked destined to provide depth rather than lead Cardiff’s push towards the United Rugby Championship play-offs. Instead, the 26-year-old has emerged […]
Kane James may be one of the most exciting additions to Wales’ extended summer squad. Still, Rob Baxter has admitted the back-row’s international call-up comes with significant concerns for Exeter Chiefs. The 21-year-old No.8 was included in Steve Tandy’s wider Wales training group earlier this week after committing his international future to Wales despite previous […]
Cory Jane will remain at the Hurricanes until at least 2028 after signing a contract extension that continues his role as the club’s defence coach. The former New Zealand national rugby union team star has become one of the defining figures of the modern Hurricanes era, both as a player and now as a coach, […]
Leicester Fainga’anuku has already spent years bulldozing defenders as a winger and centre. But his latest reinvention may prove the most fascinating chapter of his career yet. The Crusaders back has stunned Super Rugby Pacific by moving into the back row, with the 26-year-old now featuring at openside flanker in one of the competition’s boldest […]
Munster Rugby have commissioned an independent governance and organisational review following what chief executive Ian Flanagan described as a “difficult” period for the province. The review is to be carried out by The Governance Company, led by David Duffy, with an independent chair still to be appointed. According to a statement released by Munster, the […]
