THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS October 3, 2011 GUSCOTT SLAMS ENGLAND FORMER England centre Jeremy Guscott has accused members of Martin Johnson’s squad of showing a lack of respect following accusations relating to their off-field antics. “Martin Johnson’s got a few kids that aren’t acting as though they’re playing for England, or at a World Cup,” said Guscott, who played alongside Johnson at [...]
Healey backs Ashton and Lancaster pairing April 1, 2012 FORMER England star Austin Healey has hailed new national team boss Stuart Lancaster as the ideal man for the job and backed 2007 World Cup coach Brian Ashton to be an “inspirational” addition to the set-up. Lancaster was handed the top job on a permanent basis last week, after revitalising a despondent squad and leading [...]
Moody sad as injuries end career March 6, 2012 FORMER England captain and World Cup winner Lewis Moody has admitted his “great sadness” after accepting defeat in his battle with injury and retiring from the game. The 33-year-old, who called time on his 71-cap international career in October, had been striving to recover from a December shoulder operation. British and Irish Lion Moody won [...]
Moody sad as injuries end career March 6, 2012 FORMER England captain and World Cup winner Lewis Moody has admitted his “great sadness” after accepting defeat in his battle with injury and retiring from the game. The 33-year-old, who called time on his 71-cap international career in October, had been striving to recover from a December shoulder operation. British and Irish Lion Moody won [...]
White reveals RFU approach over England job March 8, 2012 SOUTH AFRICA’S World Cup-winning coach Jake White claims the Rugby Football Union has approached him about taking over the England team. White is eight months into a four-year deal with the Brumbies in Australia and says he would not leave before the Super 15 season ends in August. However, the 48-year-old has “declared an interest [...]
Getting shirty: England told to sort numbers out September 12, 2011 WORLD CUP organisers have warned England they face a potential fine if they fail to fix their peeling shirt numbers. The white numbers on the controversial black jerseys began to rub off during England’s opening victory over Argentina. Rugby World Cup Ltd have said they will be seeking assurances from England that there will be [...]
On top of the world at last: All Blacks lift World Cup October 23, 2011 NEW ZEALAND (8) vs FRANCE (7) Much-improved France take hosts all the way as Donald and Woodcock prove unlikely heroes NEW ZEALAND’S unlikely hero Stephen Donald revelled in answering his critics after the fourth choice fly-half’s decisive penalty ended the All Blacks’ 24-year wait to lift the World Cup. Donald, who had been whitebait fishing [...]
THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS October 4, 2011 TUILAGI mouthguard fine ENGLAND centre Manu Tuilagi has been fined £4,800 by Rugby World Cup officials for wearing a sponsored mouthguard during the win over Georgia. Tuilagi, whose brother Alesana was fined last week for the same offence, also wore the gumshield in the victory against Argentina. The Rugby Football Union said Tuilagi’s breach was [...]
England’s Six Nations hinges on Ireland result, says Corry March 14, 2012 ENGLAND’S Six Nations campaign can only be rendered a success if Ireland are beaten at Twickenham on Saturday and even then Stuart Lancaster would not be an automatic choice to become head coach on a permanent basis, according to their former captain Martin Corry. Under Lancaster England have made significant progress since the World Cup [...]
THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS September 12, 2011 IT’S A KNOCKOUT FOR WALES Lock Luke Charteris has reflected on Wales’ shattering defeat against South Africa by declaring: “We are playing knockout rugby now.” Wales flew out of Wellington yesterday ready to regroup and prepare for Sunday’s Pool D showdown with Samoa in Hamilton. “It’s the World Cup, and unfortunately we are playing knockout [...]