Who’s hot and who’s not: Depleted Glasgow flex depth as Sharks go back-to-back while rugby rocked by ‘awful’ Uini Atonio news
Stafford McDowall led an impressive Glasgow Warriors side to victory.
It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend.
THEY’RE ON FIRE!
Glasgow Warriors: 20, yes 20 players missing due to international duty or injury, but still the Warriors produced a cohesive performance like the one they did against Munster on Friday night. Led by Stafford McDowall, the hosts were outstanding with ball in hand as they caused their opponents numerous problems at Scotstoun Stadium, which resulted in a bonus-point win. Attack coach Nigel Carolan deserves praise for how this much-changed side went about their business in an impressive win for the current United Rugby Championship (URC) leaders.
Sharks back it up: JP Pietersen’s stock continues to rise as interim head coach as his Sharks outfit made it successive victories against the Stormers in the Coastal Derby. The come-from-behind 36-24 result in Durban continues the Sharks’ revival under Pietersen and takes them up to ninth spot with a game in hand on the eighth-placed Ospreys. To get the win again on Saturday in some ways is even more impressive as the Stormers were determined to put things right after that Cape Town shock. Pietersen must be thrilled with how his troops are playing.
John Mitchell deal: Stability at the top for the Red Roses as head coach Mitchell put pen to paper on a new contract in a significant boost to the Rugby World Cup holders. World Rugby Coach of the Year Mitchell is highly thought of by the squad, so this seems an excellent move all round, especially as the New Zealander looks to build on the side’s 25-game winning streak. “This emerging group has the opportunity to continue leading our game globally,” Mitchell declared, with England once again very much the team to beat in the women’s game in 2026.
John Mitchell makes decision on Red Roses future as Rugby World Cup winner brought in
Newcastle recruitment: The busiest club on the planet in terms of recruitment at the moment just keep making announcement on top of announcement. The latest fresh incoming ahead of next season will be Scotland hooker George Turner, who joins a whole host of new arrivals at Kingston Park. There’s a lot to like about the signings being made by the Red Bulls but the big question is can they bed them all in quickly in 2026/27, with such a vast turnover of players always proving tough to manage. One expects there are more signings to come in the future.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey: The speed merchant took on French sprinting great Christophe Lemaitre recently, as the duo faced off in a 50 metre foot race. The France wing, 22, turned on the afterburners as he faced the 35-year-old former Olympian in one of the most entertaining races in recent times. Bielle-Biarrey won with a bit to spare with the Union Bordeaux-Begles star reaching 38.5 kilometres per hour, which equates to a stunning 10.69 metres per second. Six Nations opponents beware, the rapid Bielle-Biarrey is certainly one to watch this Championship.
Sevens winners: Congratulations to Fiji’s men who edged out France 21-12 in a thrilling final to sign off the Singapore leg of the SVNS in style. It was joy too for New Zealand’s women as the Black Ferns beat Australia 36-7 in the final, with the superb Jorja Miller crossing twice.
COLD AS ICE!
Uini Atonio’s retirement: What awful news for the France tighthead prop who has been forced to hang up his boots after suffering a heart attack. The 35-year-old is currently recovering in hospital and the tributes have flooded in for this man mountain of a player. Ronan O’Gara was one of those offering lovely words on his La Rochelle stalwart. “For me, it’s a huge privilege because I know him very well. I know all the things he does behind the scenes. That’s why I love this sport. To meet someone like him. There aren’t many like him in the world. That’s for sure.” These were emotional comments from O’Gara and everyone at Planet Rugby would like to wish Atonio the very best in his recovery.
Bundee Aki banned: The veteran centre will miss Ireland’s first three Six Nations fixtures after being slapped with a four-game suspension for verbally abusing and disrespecting the match officials during Connacht’s game against Leinster. Frankly, it’s great to see that the officials have taken a stand in this case and are seemingly getting the backing of their employers, as the disrespect towards the refereeing team is a nasty growing trend. It’s no means just an Irish Rugby problem, but Johnny Sexton and Mack Hansen provide examples that work needs to be done there. Aki has been rightly punished for his behaviour and hopefully this is a sign of a trend where players are held accountable.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
Warrick Gelant’s mistake: Clement Poitrenaud’s got company. This gaffe on Saturday brought back memories of the Toulouse full-back’s blunder against Wasps on the biggest club stage of all, the European Cup final. Gelant was all too casual in his own in-goal area, and young Sharks wing Jaco Williams sensed an opportunity and duly pounced, diving on the live ball before the Springbok could ground it. It was a nightmare for Gelant and ultimately played a part in the Stormers suffering back-to-back losses that sees them fall to third spot in the URC.
Munster showing: It’s now five losses in their last six matches in all competitions as Munster drop to sixth in the league standings. Like Glasgow, Munster were missing several players, but not on the same scale as their Scottish hosts. However, it was the manner in which they were outplayed for large spells of the game that will most concern Clayton McMillan, notably defensively and in their game management. A break will most definitely do the Irish province good before hosting Zebre Parma on their return to action, before they head to South Africa.
READ MORE: Ex-Ireland stars call on management to ‘put their hands up’ after ‘pitbull on a lead’ fiasco