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Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, August 5.
Greatest Rivalry tour to be shown in UK
Sky Sports has announced a new deal with SANZAAR after agreeing a new UK broadcast deal for southern hemisphere international rugby from 2026 to 2030. The agreement means Sky Sports will show this summer’s highly anticipated “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” tour between South Africa and New Zealand.
The series gets under way on Friday, August 7, with New Zealand embarking on an eight-match tour of South Africa. Sky Sports will show all four Test matches between the two rugby giants, as well as four additional tour games against South African club sides.
The deal also includes exclusive coverage of the Rugby Championship in 2027, 2028 and 2029, plus the Bledisloe Cup and other SANZAAR internationals in 2026 and 2030. In 2030, Sky Sports will also broadcast South Africa’s tour of New Zealand.
Fans will also be able to watch clips and highlights across Sky Sports’ digital and social media platforms.
SANZAAR chief executive Brendan Morris welcomed the agreement, saying: “SANZAAR is delighted to retain Sky Sports as a rights holder broadcaster in the UK for the next iteration of our international rugby tournaments.
“We have partnered with Sky Sports for over 25 years and rugby fans in the UK will continue to enjoy world-class action from Super Rugby Pacific, The Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup and additional tour matches, including this year’s series between South Africa and New Zealand.”
Henry Pollock’s bid for £1m deal dismissed
Sports presenter Jeff Stelling has dismissed Eddie Hearn’s claim that England star Henry Pollock is worth a £1million contract, insisting Northampton simply cannot afford to pay him a salary of that size.
Matchroom Sport boss Hearn, whose talent agency represents the 21-year-old Northampton Saints back-rower, recently demanded Pollock’s club pay him a £1m salary, arguing his commercial appeal and ability to attract supporters justified such a valuation.
But speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Stelling poured cold water on the suggestion.
When asked if Pollock was worth £1m, he replied: “Of course he’s not. We’re talking rugby union!
“And I’m sorry, Eddie’s playing a game here. Northampton, average crowd of 15,000. No big TV coverage as far as they’re concerned.
“Rugby’s in a financial crisis as well. Have we not heard of London Irish and Worcester and Wasps? They’ve all gone to the wall.
“Rugby union is not paying anybody £1m. Eddie, it’s complete Pollocks.”
Hearn’s comments come with Pollock entering the final year of his Northampton contract, which is understood to be worth around £150,000 a season. The flanker also receives an England enhanced elite player squad payment from the RFU.
There are very few players earning the type of money Hearn is after for Pollock, although one of them is thought to be the other player now on Hearn’s books, Finn Russell, who receives a seven-figure salary from Bath. Antoine Dupont, the best player in the world, is thought to earn just over £1m at Toulouse, with French rugby awash with far more money than the UK. You can see the reported best-paid rugby players in the world here.
Despite the speculation, Pollock has previously indicated he would like to remain with the Premiership champions.
Any significant pay rise would have to be balanced against Premiership Rugby’s salary cap rules. Each club is permitted one marquee player whose wages sit outside the £6.4million cap, with England fly-half Fin Smith currently believed to occupy that position at Northampton.
Former England prop dies
Former England prop Robin Cowling has died at the age of 82, with tributes pouring in for one of English rugby’s most respected coaches.
Cowling won eight caps for England during a distinguished playing career with Gloucester and Leicester Tigers before earning widespread admiration for his work in coaching, helping develop generations of young players.
After hanging up his boots, he joined Exeter Chiefs as forwards coach before becoming scrum coach under Rob Baxter and later taking on a key academy role as the club rose from the amateur game to the Premiership.
Paying tribute, Exeter described Cowling as a “passionate rugby man” who played a major part in the club’s success.
Director of rugby Baxter said: “Several of those players went on to become internationals and even British and Irish Lions.
“I have been receiving messages for several days from players who know he changed their lives; there really can be no bigger compliment than that.
“He is a great loss to the rugby community, particularly to Cornwall, and he will be greatly missed by us all.”
Cornish Pirates also honoured Cowling, posting: “A wonderful man who did so much for so many young players in Cornwall. Our thoughts are with Robin’s family and friends at this very sad time.”
Former Exeter and Cornish Pirates forward Ross Hancock added: “Such sad news. So grateful to have been coached by Robin as a youngster, but even more so to have called him a friend as an adult. A great coach. A great man.”
Chiefs chief executive Tony Rowe said Cowling had “dedicated so much of his time and energy” to helping Exeter become a professional club, adding: “I have countless fond memories of his time here with us at Chiefs. My thoughts are with his family.”
Six Nations star confirms shock move
France star Thomas Ramos has admitted it was a “particularly difficult” decision to leave Toulouse after confirming he will join Top 14 rivals Racing 92 following the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The 31-year-old full-back will bring an end to a glittering spell with his hometown club, where he has made 200 appearances after progressing through the academy and making his senior debut in the 2013-14 season.
Ramos has helped Toulouse win six Top 14 titles, including four in a row between 2021 and 2026, as well as two Investec Champions Cups. Reports earlier this week linked him with a move to Racing 92, with the transfer now officially confirmed.
“This decision was particularly difficult to make,” Ramos said. “Stade Toulousain is my club, the one that has seen me grow, thrive, and live moments I will never forget.
“I have chosen to take on a new sporting challenge, with the desire to discover a new environment and continue my development. Even though our paths will part ways at the end of this season, the respect, gratitude, and attachment I hold for Stade Toulousain will remain intact.
“Today, all my energy is focused on this final season under this jersey. I will give everything to help the club achieve its goals.”
Ramos leaves as one of Toulouse’s greatest modern players and will also take vast international experience to Paris, having won 52 caps for France and claimed three Six Nations titles with Les Bleus.
Toulouse president Didier Lacroix praised Ramos’ contribution, describing him as “one of the faces of Stade Toulousain” and backing the France international to give “total commitment” before his departure.
