The Rugby Championship will not be played in 2026, organiser Sanzaar has confirmed.
Traditionally played between August and October, the Rugby Championship is contested by South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina – with the Springboks the current holders.
But it will not go ahead next year, with the southern hemisphere’s leading international competition mothballed for a season to create space for New Zealand to tour world champions South Africa in a series billed as “the Greatest Rivalry”, as well as World Rugby’s inaugural Nations Championship.
Sanzaar confirmed that the Rugby Championship will be played 2028 and 2029 before pausing again in 2030 for an international multi-week tour, likely to be another series between the Springboks and All Blacks.
Next year, World Rugby launches the Nations Championship, taking place in the July and November Test windows and featuring the leading teams in the world – the Six Nations sides, their Rugby Championship counterparts and two more invited teams.
“Looking ahead, our joint venture is committed to driving the next chapter of southern hemisphere rugby,” Sanzaar CEO Brendan Morris said.
Katie Price and Kerry Katona have been on tour around the country with their stage show, and one attendee has admitted they now ‘see the duo in a different light’
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‘I went to Katie Price and Kerry Katona’s show and now see them in a different light’(Image: PA)
Katie Price has caused shockwaves on her tour around the UK with Kerry Katona after sharing some deeply personal and traumatic revelations about her personal life.
At a recent gig, Katie told fans she was raped by a British male celebrity more than two decades ago. She chose to name the man publicly at her gig in Stockport this week. The former glamour model had previously said back in 2009 and 2012 that she would never name the TV star.
After the jaw-dropping show, one fan took to their Facebook page to share an honest review of the night, claiming they now “have a different understanding and level of respect” for Katie.
The fan said the talk from Katie and Kerry was ‘not what they were expecting’ and went so far as to say they see the famous pals in a ‘new light now.’
They added that parts of the two-woman show were ‘dark and horrific’ but there were some lighter moments that had the crowd laughing.
The audience member said they felt they understood the two women better and had a new level of ‘respect’ they didn’t think possible prior to attending.
The fan also discussed how protective Katie seemed to be of her son, Harvey who was in attendance.
Katie has never named the man until now. She previously said in 2017: “I was raped by a celebrity but no, I’ll never name him, I just don’t want the drama. I don’t even know if he knows that I’ve spoken about him, I doubt he does.”
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.
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Shoppers praised the ‘stunning’ decoration that improves the look of your home
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Primark could have just the thing for festive shoppers (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
Shoppers looking ahead to winter are starting to search for seasonal decorations to spruce up their homes. From festive wreaths to outdoor lights, there are plenty of options for customers keen to add some colour to their home and brighten up the dark winter evenings.
Festive wreaths are proving particularly popular this year, with most major retailers selling festive designs in seasonal red and green shades. One standout accessory from Primark is The Edit Poinsettia Christmas Wreath, which is proving to be an early hit on social media.
Priced at £35, the Christmas wreath is only available in stores. Described as “a Christmas wreath with poinsettia, berries and festive foliage,” the dark red decoration has impressed online shoppers.
The “stunning” accessory was featured in a TikTok carousel post shared by @thehauledit_. In the post, the shopper shared a selection of their favourite items from Primark’s Christmas range, starting the carousel with the wreath, which was showcased in the first slide.
The festive fan wrote: “Some absolute gorgeous finds online @Primark. We need/want it all.” The Edit Poinsettia Christmas Wreath was also showcased in a recent video shared by TikTok user @emilyhendersonn_.
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In her video, Emily praised Primark’s festive range and showed off several items, including the wreath. “I don’t know how Primark manage to do it, but every year their decorations just get better. I was really loving the traditional colours of the greens, the golds, the reds.”
Her caption added: “No this literally gave me butterflies.” Viewers were just as impressed, and someone commented: “Love this!!!!” A second fan said: “This Is SO CUTE.” A viewer added: “Looks stunnnnning.”
For Primark shoppers seeking more options, the retailer offers a variety of festive wreaths. Autumn lovers might prefer the £18 Harvest Foliage Wreath. The product description states: “Celebrate the beauty of autumn with this harvest foliage wreath, bursting with warm seasonal charm.
“Designed in a classic circular shape, it’s brimming with faux leaves in rich tones of red, orange, yellow and brown. Plush orange pumpkins, pinecones, acorns and muted faux flowers add natural texture and harvest-inspired detail.
“A twine loop at the top makes it easy to hang on doors, walls or mantelpieces. Whether you’re decorating for a seasonal gathering or just embracing cosy vibes, this wreath brings autumn indoors with style.”
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There’s also an £8 Harvest Half Wreath. The product description states: “Welcome autumn in style with this harvest half wreath. Designed on a sleek metallic hoop, it features a generous cluster of faux foliage, plush orange pumpkins, pinecones, acorns and muted faux blooms, all artfully arranged across one half of the circle.
The inquest into the death of former boxer Ricky Hatton has been opened and adjourned.
The 46-year-old, who won world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight, was found dead at his home in Hyde on 14 September.
South Manchester Coroner’s Court, in Stockport, heard that Hatton was found by his manager Paul Speak.
The court was told by Alison Catlow, of Greater Manchester Police, that Hatton was last seen by his family on 12 September and appeared well.
The following day he did not attend an event as expected.
On 14 September Speak, who was in court to represent the family, attended Hatton’s home to pick him up for a flight to Dubai.
Hatton, who was known as The Hitman, was found unresponsive.
Senior coroner Alison Mutch said they are awaiting the final cause of death, but it was indicated as hanging.
No family were in attendance.
Tributes poured in from the sporting world following news of Hatton’s death, with Amir Khan remembering him as “one of Britain’s greatest boxers” and Tyson Fury saying he was a “legend”.
Hatton was one of Britain’s most popular fighters, building a loyal following with more than 30,000 supporters travelling to Las Vegas for his title bout with Floyd Mayweather in 2007.
Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has opened up about her ‘wholesome’ plans to ‘keep her mind positive’ on the week of his death anniversary
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Liam Payne’s girlfriend now as she reveals how she’s spending death anniversary(Image: kateecass/TikTok)
Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy revealed that she spent the lead-up to his one-year anniversary of his death on a brand trip to ‘keep her mind positive’ and ‘busy’. On October 16 last year, One Direction singer Liam tragically died after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Kate was back in the US when he died, and has been open about her grieving process over the last 12 months. However, she has also received a lot of flak from ‘fans’ who have made assumptions about her grief. In a video shared on TikTok this week, Kate discussed her plans while getting ready for her day.
She said: “I am getting ready to go on a trip. I’m obviously transparent and open about my life on social media. I have been for a while now. This week hasn’t been the easiest week and it’s not going to be the easiest week.
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“I have so many mixed emotions and my grief comes in so many waves. No matter what I do, I get commentary so if I make this video, people are going to be like, ‘Of course she had to make this video’, but if I didn’t make this video and just went on a trip, people would be like ‘What is she doing? How is she not in bed crying?’
“For those who might now know, October 16th, which is in two days, is the date my late partner passed away I have said this so many times in the past, I like to stay busy. It keeps my mind positive and keeps my mind active.
“Doing nothing for me and laying in bed and sitting around the house does absolute not good things for my head space. It reminds me of the really dark place I was in last year and I finally am starting to see the light again in life.”
She went on to reveal she received an offer to go on a “wholesome” brand trip for two nights, with the itinerary including brunch, pilates, and poolside hangouts. One of her close friends, who also lost her partner, would join her on the trip.
“After a lot of consideration, I was like, Liam would want me to go. I would be here in my apartment. I know for a fact I won’t be able to commit to plans on the 16th,” she added.
The influencer later shared a glimpse of her trip, which featured her and her friend enjoying coffee shop dates, barbecues, pilates and sewing activities.
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Hours before his death anniversary, Kate posted: “Grief is a reminder of how lucky I am to have loved someone so much that I will endure missing them the rest of my life.”
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England striker Michelle Agyemang and nine Premier League stars are in the running for honours that recognise the best young players in Europe.
Agyemang has been nominated for the Golden Girl award, while the Premier League contingent are on the 25-player Golden Boy shortlist.
The awards, created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, are given to the best under-21 footballers each year, with Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal becoming last year’s Golden Boy winner. Vicky Lopez, also of Barcelona, is the Golden Girl holder.
The likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Wayne Rooney are previous winners of the men’s award, while Germany’s Jule Brand and Colombian Linda Caicedo have taken the women’s award.
For a player to be considered in 2025, they must have been born on or after January 1, 2005, and belong to a squad in one of Uefa’s top 25 leagues.
Despite remaining eligible by age, Yamal, 18, is not named among the nominees because a player cannot win the award twice.
The nine Premier League nominees are Arsenal left-back Lewis-Skelly and midfielder Ethan Nwaneri, Tottenham Hotspur midfielders Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, Chelsea forward Estevao and defender Jorrel Hato, Manchester United defender Leny Yoro, Manchester City full-back Nico O’Reilly and Liverpool centre half Giovanni Leoni.
O’Reilly, 20, was named in the senior England squad for the first time for the recent internationals but has yet to make his debut for Thomas Tuchel’s team.
Defender Dean Huijsen, who joined Real Madrid from Bournemouth in the summer, is also nominated.
A leading contender for the Golden Boy award is Paris St-Germain forward Desire Doue, who finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or vote after winning the Champions League with his club side.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham is also a nominee after helping Sunderland reach the top flight via the play-offs before a move to the Bundesliga. Brother Jude of Real Madrid won the award in 2023.
Agyemang was a Euro 2025 hero for England, with the 19-year-old coming off the bench to score vital late equalisers against Sweden and Italy in the knockout stage as the Lionesses went on to successfully defend the trophy.
Those notable contributions earned her the Young Player of the Tournament award.
She joins Chelsea midfielder Wieke Kaptein and Manchester City midfielder Iman Beney on the 10-player shortlist for the women’s award.
Award winners are decided by a poll of 50 selected sports journalists from across Europe.
