Six Nations shows rugby is rucking good for Guinness – Brand Index February 24, 2015 The Six Nations rugby championship reaches its half-way point this weekend, it might be worth Guinness considering the commercial opportunity the tournament offers it. A partner of the championship, Guinness already has a strong association with the Six Nations, and YouGov BrandIndex and Profiles data help to confirm why the relationship is a beneficial one. [...]
Yarde sees mileage in World Cup ambition April 1, 2015 Harlequins winger struggled to watch Six Nations after England snub but is bent on winning back place RENDERED powerless to influence England’s ultimately forlorn Six Nations title challenge, Harlequins speedster Marland Yarde has resolved to avoid a repeat of that painful scenario during this autumn’s home World Cup. There remains work to do, though. Yarde [...]
QBE’s David Hall on how insurers are the unsung heroes of major sporting events: “I like to think we are the glue that allows the World Cup to operate” August 9, 2015 For A few short weeks next month, England's rugby team will find itself at the centre of the sporting universe. The World Cup will provide nailbiting thrills and drama, established stars will shine, new stars will burst into life, and seminal moments will be etched into the sport’s history books. Amid this landscape of excitement, [...]
England v Estonia Euro 2016 qualifying fixtures preview: Unbeaten Lions to claw out win October 9, 2015 After English rugby hit an all-time low in the World Cup last weekend, international football returns to raise spirits. We hope. In marked contrast to the rugby, England’s footballers keep on winning and will be looking to extend their 100 per cent Euro 2016 qualifying record tonight. Their opponents, Estonia, will offer a [...]
ITV share price jumps on double-digit growth and £250m special dividend payout – but audiences continue falling March 4, 2015 The figures ITV's shares shot up five per cent in early trading as revenue climbed eight per cent to £2.6bn in 2014 and adjusted pre-tax profit jumped 23 per cent to £712m. The UK's largest broadcaster will pay out a special dividend of £250m to shareholders, or 6.25 pence per share. That's in addition to a 3.3 [...]
Burgess will want to make his presence felt, insists Robinson September 10, 2015 FORMER England winger Jason Robinson insists fellow rugby league convert Sam Burgess will not be content with a place among head coach Stuart Lancaster’s replacements when the World Cup gets underway next week. Burgess was one of four centres named in Lancaster’s 31-man squad for the home tournament, which starts on 18 September when England [...]
England’s Stuart Lancaster defends World Cup hopeful Sam Burgess in face of criticism August 17, 2015 England head coach Stuart Lancaster has hit back at the criticism fired in the direction of rugby league convert Sam Burgess following his international bow against France at Twickenham on Saturday. Former World Cup-winning scrum-half Matt Dawson has warned Lancaster against selecting Burgess in his World Cup squad, while in the past has questioned the [...]
Dawson: Burgess should not make World Cup squad August 16, 2015 FORMER England scrum-half Matt Dawson has insisted that rugby league convert Sam Burgess does not warrant a place in head coach Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup squad after making his international debut against France at Twickenham on Saturday. Former South Sydney Rabbitohs star Burgess made his first England appearance at centre alongside fellow debutant Henry Slade [...]
England’s Jonathan Joseph tips Bath team-mate Sam Burgess to make World Cup statement August 13, 2015 England centre Jonathan Joseph has backed rugby league convert Sam Burgess to seal his place in head coach Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup squad with a breakthrough performance against France tomorrow. Former South Sydney Rabbitohs star Burgess has a prime opportunity to press his claims for inclusion after Lancaster named him in an experimental England XV [...]
Kyran Bracken: Stuart Lancaster’s pick of Owen Farrell and Sam Burgess is no surprise considering Wales’ strengths September 24, 2015 I’m not surprised that Stuart Lancaster has gone with Owen Farrell and Sam Burgess at 10 and 12 for England against Wales this Saturday. The most important thing for this match is to have a very, very strong defensive line. Wales will want to get over the gainline and those two probably won’t let [...]