2026 NIRA Rugby Week 1: What We Learned From Opening Weekend
By The Rugby Fan Central Team The first weekend of the 2026 NIRA women’s rugby season gave us our first real evidence about the championship race. Harvard survived a dramatic late comeback from Sacred Heart. Dartmouth turned a matchup of 2025 semifinalists into the most convincing Division I result of Saturday. Brown was pushed to […]
FISU World University Championship Day 3
FISU WORLD UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIP RUGBY SEVENS Canada Wins FISU Rugby Sevens Gold as USA Finishes Sixth in Stellenbosch Canada shut out France 20–0 to win the women’s championship, while the United States completed its three-day campaign with a sixth-place finish. September 6, 2026 Stellenbosch, South Africa Rugby Fan Central THE QUICK READ 🥇 Canada Women’s […]
USA Women Earn First FISU Win as Emma Buxton Scores Five Tries on Day 2
By the Rugby Fan Central Team USA earned its first victory of the 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens on Saturday, defeating host South Africa 31–12 before falling 28–15 to Australia in the quarterfinals in Stellenbosch. The United States women’s university sevens team delivered a much stronger second day at the 2026 FISU World […]
South Africa Edges New Zealand 29–24 in Soweto to Take 2–1 Series Lead
By The Rugby Fan Central Team South Africa 29–24 New Zealand South Africa will take a 2–1 series lead to Baltimore after holding off New Zealand 29–24 in a gripping third Test at FNB Stadium in Soweto. The Springboks recovered from a fast New Zealand start and a 12–5 deficit to draw level at halftime […]
Black Ferns Beat Springbok Women 52–20 in Historic Soweto Test
By The Rugby Fan Central Team South Africa had more possession, made 37 more carries and ran for nearly 200 more metres. New Zealand still scored eight tries and won 52–20. That contrast defined a historic first Black Ferns Test on South African soil at FNB Stadium in Soweto. The Springbok Women repeatedly put New […]
Japan 57–12 Canada: Brave Blossoms Power to Nine-Try Win in Niigata
By The Rugby Fan Central Team Japan didn’t need overwhelming possession to overwhelm Canada. The Brave Blossoms turned a dominant set piece, effective field-position game and explosive carrying into a 57–12 victory Saturday in Niigata, scoring nine tries and pulling away from a Canadian side that spent much of the match trying to escape pressure. […]
USA Women Open FISU World University Rugby Sevens 0–2 in Stellenbosch
By the Rugby Fan Central Team The United States fell to Japan and France on the opening day of the 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens in Stellenbosch, South Africa, with a roster featuring players from across the American college rugby system. The United States women’s university sevens team opened the 2026 FISU World […]
Fiji Hold Off Japan 15–12 in Fukuoka as Fijiana Make It Back-to-Back Wins Over Sakura Fifteen
By The Rugby Fan Central Team Fiji defeated Japan for the second consecutive meeting, holding off a second-half Sakura Fifteen comeback to claim a 15–12 victory at JAPAN BASE in Fukuoka on Friday. Three tries were enough for the Fijiana, with Ivamere Nabura Rokowati, Varanisese Qoro and Aqela Raitubu crossing as Fiji repeatedly threatened Japan’s defense with their […]
Rugby This Weekend September 4-6
RFC WEEKEND GUIDE THIS WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 4–6 2026 RFC WHAT TO WATCH · WHERE TO FOLLOW · WHY IT MATTERS RUGBY THIS WEEKEND South Africa and New Zealand share the stage twice in Soweto. NIRA’s 2026 regular-season schedule moves into full swing. Australia goes after a series sweep in Mendoza, while another full Saturday of […]
California Leads First RFC D1A Men’s College Rugby Rankings
By The Rugby Fan Central Team Rugby Fan Central is launching a new way to track the national picture in men’s D1A college rugby. The first RFC D1A Men’s College Rugby Rankings place defending national champion California at No. 1, followed by Navy at No. 2, Life at No. 3, Saint Mary’s at No. 4 and Lindenwood at No. 5. But these are […]