Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter and get behind-the-scenes access and unrivalled insightJoin the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletterJoin the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletterThe rugby year is almost at an end with 2025 delivering plenty of twists and turns – on and off the pitch.The biggest Women’s World Cup in history provided a moment to potentially alter the future of the sport, with England deserved winners in front of a sold-out Twickenham crowd, beating a Canadian side that emerged as one of the stories of the year.In the men’s game, the British and Irish Lions emerged as 2-1 winners over Australia in a series that swung this way and that, while the Springboks produced several reminders of why they are currently best in class on their way to another Rugby Championship success. Who can stop them securing a World Cup three-peat in 2027? Six Nations winners France and an improving England might fancy their chances. open image in gallerySouth Africa continued to lead the way in men’s Test rugby (Getty Images)With the threat of rebels and disruptor leagues seen off for now, the traditional club game showed its strength with Toulouse triumphant in the Top 14, Bordeaux-Begles beating Northampton in a thrilling Champions Cup final and Bath delivering a long-awaited title as part of a treble that stirred a city that has rugby in its soul. Leinster channelled European disappointment into URC success, while the Crusaders bounced back in style to secure a 13th Super Rugby crown.Plenty, then, to get stuck into – here are some of The Independent’s rugby highlights and lowlights of 2025:Game of the yearopen image in galleryHugo Keenan’s 80th-minute try saw the Lions claim victory at a raucous MCG (PA Wire)Australia 26-29 British & Irish Lions, second Test. A load of excellent contenders across 12 months with plenty of peaks – Canada’s semi-final win over the Black Ferns in Bristol was a corker, while the Red Roses’ pipping of a rampant France at the end of the Women’s Six Nations was mad and magnificent. A nod, too, to Northampton’s improbable Champions Cup win at Leinster – but for its blend of occasion, atmosphere, arena, stakes, quality and a dollop of drama, it has to be an unforgettable night at the MCG.Moment of the yearopen image in galleryEngland arrived to a remarkable reception at Twickenham (Getty Images)It is hard to pick just one but virtually all of the options come from a single…
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