Rugby: the main stories of 26.09.2026

England beat New Zealand 26-19 at Twickenham after Zoe Harrison intercepted and scored with the clock already in the red. New Zealand had been heading for at least a draw. One pass decided the WXV fixture between the two sides that have dominated the women's game. It was also the first Red Roses Test since Shaun Edwards joined the coaching staff on a consultancy deal, announced on 21 September. The result gives England a win over the Black Ferns to carry through the rest of the series. For New Zealand, the lesson is how thin the margin is against this opponent late in a game.

Australia also won in the same WXV series. The Wallaroos trailed Scotland 10-5 in Edinburgh, then kept them scoreless after the break and won 30-10. In the Prem, Gloucester took a bonus-point win at Exeter, 45-24. Hooker Dewi Lake and wing Ben Loader each scored twice. Lake stretched the Exeter back line from close range. The reports say Gloucester want to move well up the table this season, and an away win of that size is a start.

• A former member of a violent far-right group has been found guilty of murdering former Argentina international Federico Aramburu four years ago, according to one report. Other outlets have not yet confirmed it.
• Fiji play Papua New Guinea in a friendly today.
• The Cook Islands play Tahiti in a friendly today.