2015 Rugby World Cup: Banking on shared values – and the 3bn viewers for a great global event April 12, 2015 When a senior figure from the world of banking talks up his company’s major sponsorship deal with a particular sport, because it represents the “core values” of his business, there’s a tendency sometimes to roll the eyes in a “that’s so on-message” kind of a way. So when Ian Fisher, head of coverage and investment [...]
Ugo Monye: I know how exhausting the 10 match Lions tour of New Zealand will be for players — but none will turn down the chance to go September 20, 2016 Former British and Irish Lions tourist Ugo Monye insists the pride will overwhelm the pain for players selected in Warren Gatland’s squad for next summer’s gruelling tour of New Zealand. Leading figures of the club game have warned that the month-long trip will take its toll on players’ bodies and lead to injuries in the [...]
PRO Rugby: As America’s first professional rugby league kicks-off, chief executive Doug Schoninger discusses the game’s prospects in the USA April 15, 2016 After over 150 years since rucks and mauls first formed on its shores, a professional rugby league is finally coming to America this weekend. Before even the American Civil War was waged primitive forms of the game were being contested in Ivy League universities. Amateur rugby clubs existed before the First World War and the USA still [...]
Heineken’s UK boss David Forde on the everlasting link between rugby and beer as World Cup fever grips the nation September 13, 2015 Rugby and beer have long been bedfellows. Since time immemorial, gnarled and cauliflower-eared players have taken enormous pleasure in knocking seven bells out of each other on the pitch, before retiring to the bar to share a friendly pint. Even now, in the age of sporting professionalism, it is a rugby tradition kept alive with [...]
Modern rugby players are in a bulk and power arms race – but must be responsible over doping dangers March 11, 2016 Saturday’s England v Wales battle is being touted as the biggest game of the season and when you look at the sheer size of the players this is true in more ways than one. Today’s international players are bigger than ever and just when you think they have maxed out, someone comes along who resets [...]
Boris Johnson’s best moments as London mayor: The good, the bad, and the slightly awkward May 5, 2016 You might have missed the news, but Boris Johnson is clearing his desk today as a new mayor of London is soon to be named. As Bojo packs his bags, The Capitalist looks back on his best, worst and most awkward moments from his time in office. The Good The Time He Was First Elected former mayor [...]
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch and former model Jerry Hall announce engagement (in The Times, obviously) January 12, 2016 Media magnate Rupert Murdoch and former model Jerry Hall have announced their engagement at the ripe ages of 84 and 59 respectively. The announcement of their engagement was printed in the births, marriages and deaths section of The Times newspaper, which Murdoch's company News UK owns. "Mr Rupert Murdoch, father of Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, James, Grace and Chloe Murdoch, [...]
Cillian Willis: Former scrum-half to sue Sale Sharks over concussion treatment August 24, 2016 Former Sale Sharks rugby player Cillian Willis is suing his old club over the alleged mishandling of a concussion that led to his retirement. It is believed to be the first time a Premiership Rugby club has faced legal action over a concussion injury. Willis, cousin of former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, was forced to call [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Four free fanzones set for London including Trafalgar Square and Wembley March 26, 2015 Four London locations will host Rugby World Cup “fanzones” when the tournament kicks off in England later this year. Trafalgar Square, Wembley Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Old Deer Park in Richmond will all host fan parks complete with big screens broadcasting live games, entertainment, food and drink and “rugby related activities”. A [...]
Keep cracking your whip as England won’t get to No1 if you don’t, full-back Mike Brown tells head coach Eddie Jones October 21, 2016 England vice-captain Mike Brown – tough, uncompromising and not afraid to speak his mind – was quick to jump to the defence of head coach Eddie Jones when the intensity of the Australian’s international training camp came under fire amid a succession of injuries. Jones, too, is famed for his no-nonsense, some might say authoritarian, [...]