The year 2026 promises to be one of the most exciting in rugby history, with the Gallagher Premiership, Premiership Women’s Rugby, the Guinness Six Nations, and the brand‑new Nations Championship all on the line.
🏉 Bath Rugby’s Rise
Just a few years ago, Bath Rugby were struggling at the foot of the Premiership table. Fast forward to 2025, and Johan van Graan’s men ended 29 years of hurt by edging Leicester Tigers 23–21 in a dramatic final at the Allianz.
Their resurgence has sparked talk of a new era of dominance reminiscent of the early 1990s. At Christmas, Bath sat top of the table with just one defeat, though a heavy loss to Northampton Saints saw them slip to third behind Saints and Exeter Chiefs. The race for the 2025/26 title looks set to go down to the wire.
⚡ Saracens Rebuild
While Bath climbed, Saracens have been rebuilding after a slump. Champions in 2023, they fell in the 2024 semi‑finals and finished mid‑table last season. The return of Owen Farrell and Max Malins has added experience, but it’s teenage winger Noah Caluori who has stolen the spotlight, crossing for 10 tries in his debut campaign.
👑 Gloucester‑Hartpury’s Dominance
In the women’s game, Gloucester‑Hartpury remain the team to beat. After three straight titles, they sealed a historic three‑peat in 2025 by defeating Saracens 34–19 at the StoneX. New coach Dan Murphy has kept the momentum going, with the Cherry and Whites unbeaten heading into 2026.
Their rivalry with Saracens is set to intensify, with England stars Jess Breach, Zoe Harrison, Marlie Packer and others aiming to dethrone Gloucester’s core of Natasha Hunt, Tatyana Heard, Alex Matthews.
🏆 Six Nations Showdown
England enter the 2026 Six Nations on the back of an 11‑match winning streak, having swept Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina in the autumn Quilter Nations Series. Their only defeat in 2025 came against Ireland, who now travel to Twickenham in Round Two.
The potential title‑decider looms in Round Five, when holders France host England at the Stade de France on March 14. Victory there could deliver England’s first Six Nations crown since 2020.
🌍 Nations Championship Debut
The inaugural Nations Championship launches this year, pitting Europe’s six giants against Argentina, Australia, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. After six rounds, the top northern and southern hemisphere sides will meet in a grand final at Allianz Stadium in November.
- Will South Africa extend their dominance as back‑to‑back world champions?
- Can the All Blacks bounce back after a bruising 2025?
- Or will England muscle into contention ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup?
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