I know what a World Cup axe feels like August 27, 2015 Ex-England No10 Charlie Hodgson tells Ross McLean that Lancaster can’t win THERE is simply no mechanism for cushioning the heart-rending blow of missing the final cut for your country’s Rugby World Cup squad. That is the view of Saracens fly-half Charlie Hodgson as England head coach Stuart Lancaster today prepares to name his 31-man party [...]
Saracens swell forward ranks with capture of South Africa World Cup winner Schalk Burger January 4, 2016 Saracens boss Mark McCall revelled in his capture of “one of the world’s finest” after the club announced the signing of influential South Africa back-row forward Schalk Burger on a two-year deal ahead of next season. World Cup-winner Burger, who has won 86 caps for the Springboks, will link up with his new side ahead [...]
Saracens v Harlequins: Sarries in Kruis control as they look to cement successful legacy April 15, 2016 Second row George Kruis was at the forefront of England’s Grand Slam success but, with domestic issues now back at top of the agenda, attention has refocused on building the Saracens dynasty. Defending champions and Premiership leaders Sarries are primed for a showdown with top-four chasing London rivals Harlequins in front of an 80,000-strong crowd [...]
England head coach Eddie Jones warned to treat recalled centre Manu Tuilagi with care March 9, 2016 England have been warned to treat Manu Tuilagi with great care after head coach Eddie Jones named the powerhouse centre in his matchday squad for Saturday’s likely Six Nations title decider against Wales at Twickenham. Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill has consistently voiced his reservations over Tuilagi’s return to the international fold so soon after [...]
Premiership Rugby considering approach from French club Toulon about possibility of joining league January 21, 2016 England's top rugby clubs have confirmed to City A.M. that they are considering an extraordinary request from French side Toulon to switch leagues and join them in the Premiership. League representatives received a letter on Wednesday afternoon from Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal enquiring about the possibility of him moving his star-studded team out of the [...]
Jones non-committal on skipper after squad shake up January 14, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones has refused to be drawn on whether controversial hooker Dylan Hartley will be appointed captain but insists his skipper will be expected to uphold exemplary behaviour. Jones delivered the expected shake-up of England’s squad for the Six Nations by selecting seven uncapped players, including Sale forward Josh Beaumont, Saracens lock [...]
Cipriani unable to resist lure of old flame Wasps as fly-half confirms return to his first club February 16, 2016 England fly-half Danny Cipriani insists the lure of rekindling his former love affair with Wasps proved irresistible after yesterday confirming that he will re-join the club from Sale Sharks next season. Wasps fended off competition from Harlequins for the signature of Cipriani, who had a season to run on his existing deal at Sale but [...]
Four-week ban rules Hartley out of England’s World Cup opener May 27, 2015 ENGLAND hooker Dylan Hartley will miss the opening game of the Rugby World Cup after being slapped with a four-week ban for headbutting an opponent at a disciplinary hearing last night. Northampton skipper Hartley received the lowest possible ban for the offence after clashing with Saracens’ counterpart Jamie George during his side’s 29-24 Premiership semi-final [...]
England’s appointment of Eddie Jones as head coach signals southern hemisphere coaching dominance of world rugby November 20, 2015 On February 6, 2016 history will be made at Murrayfield – for the first time in history, England's players will be directed by a head coach from abroad. The RFU has appointed Australian Eddie Jones as the man to lead England's recovery from a disastrous World Cup, succumbing to the temptation of sourcing southern hemisphere expertise [...]
How do I get a Rugby World Cup 2015 ticket? Fans who miss out in official ballot could face prices 400pc higher October 3, 2014 Rugby fans who miss out on World Cup tickets from the official ballot could end up paying four-figure sums just to watch group games. The application period for Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets closed on Monday, leaving scores of rugby fans nervously waiting to find out if they have struck lucky later this month. [...]