Wilkinson: Ford needs time to make mistakes March 29, 2015 ICONIC England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has backed modern day successor George Ford to cope under the escalating level of pressure being heaped on his shoulders in World Cup year. The 22-year-old Bath No10 has been a revelation since ousting Owen Farrell and making his full Test debut against Samoa in November. He now looks set [...]
More ticket woe as Rugby World Cup early seat sale postponed May 15, 2014 TODAY’S planned sale of Rugby World Cup tickets has been postponed after Ticketmaster said it needed extra time to prepare its website, just days after their Commonwealth Games sale process was plunged into chaos. The first 500,000 seats for next autumn’s showpiece were due to be available to members of the Rugby Community Ticketing Programme [...]
Ad cash key to ITV’s fifth year of strong profits March 4, 2015 SHARES in ITV leapt 5.7 per cent yesterday, as investors celebrated the fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth with pre-tax profits up almost 40 per cent. The television company was boosted by a six per cent increase in net revenues from advertising. cashing in on hits such as Downton Abbey and Dancing on Ice. Despite [...]
Lancaster: I picked right England side October 7, 2015 HEAD coach Stuart Lancaster insists the group of players which presided over England’s worst ever World Cup showing can rise from the ashes of failure and prove the foundation for future success. Lancaster admitted that his squad remain in a “dark place” after the 33-13 defeat to Australia at Twickenham on Saturday confirmed their tournament [...]
Code-switcher Sam Burgess will shun return to rugby league and continue union career, insists Bath coach Mike Ford October 29, 2015 BATH boss Mike Ford is convinced that Sam Burgess will shun any temptation to return to rugby league as speculation continues to rage over the code-switcher’s future. Burgess has two years remaining on his contract at Premiership side Bath but has been granted time off to consider his future after initially returning to training last [...]
Lancaster: You’re playing for your World Cup spots March 4, 2015 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has reminded his squad that they are playing not just for long-awaited Six Nations glory but also their Rugby World Cup places. A chastening defeat to championship leaders Ireland in Dublin on Sunday has left Lancaster needing to conjure a strong response from his team when Scotland visit Twickenham next [...]
Roberts: I have sympathy for England flops October 6, 2015 WALES centre Jamie Roberts admits he feels sympathy for Pool A rivals and tournament hosts England after their World Cup dreams were shattered just three matches into the competition. Warren Gatland’s Welsh side face a group decider against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, with the winners likely to face either Scotland or Japan in the [...]
Eddie Jones: New England head coach rules out overseas-based players rule change and addresses Chris Robshaw captaincy concerns November 20, 2015 New England head coach Eddie Jones has warned overseas-based English players they will not be offered a return into the national team under his leadership. When outlining his plans for the Red Rose, the Australian backed the RFU's controversial policy of only selecting players contracted to an Aviva Premiership club – a stance called into [...]
Rugby to use TV replays to detect concussion February 10, 2015 TELEVISION replays could be used in rugby union to identify players suffering from possible concussion following controversy over the treatment of Wales wing George North. Wales yesterday escaped punishment from World Rugby for failing to remove North during Friday’s Six Nations defeat to England after the Northampton player had appeared to be momentarily knocked out. [...]
ITV a takeover target after Adam Crozier oversees dramatic turnaround May 14, 2015 Charlotte Henry watches a positive programme at ITV, unlike a few years ago. No wonder that takeover talk persists. In a conference centre in Westminster, some of ITV’s shareholders have assembled for the company’s annual general meeting (AGM). They broadly welcomed the progress of the share price, their positivity no doubt boosted by a [...]