Ireland will beat New Zealand and finally win World Cup knockout October 14, 2023 The pool stage of this Rugby World Cup provided some corking matches for fans new and old to get their teeth into, and I expect all four quarter-finals this weekend to be equally show-stopping. The big game of the weekend for me sees Ireland take on New Zealand on Saturday night in Paris. It’s hard [...]
‘2024 will be the year rugby finally finds stability… I hope’ December 27, 2023 When it comes to rugby it is difficult to know what exactly is in store for us across 2024. There’s no World Cup or Lions Tour to steal the headlines so the sport will need to work especially hard to remain relevant. But there are opportunities, and that’s something the sport must exploit. Here’s my [...]
Owen Farrell’s England future in doubt after Racing 92 confirm signing from Saracens January 22, 2024 Farrell will join the Paris-based Top 14 club in the summer.
Six Nations teams to have names on backs of shirts January 9, 2024 All teams in this year’s Six Nations will put player names on shirts in a bid to grow the profiles of key players throughout the tournament. The move has been trialled in the past and will be adopted next month by all competing teams. Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney said in 2022: “We [...]
Premiership Rugby: Saracens slow off the mark, Bath heating up October 24, 2023 The knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup have largely allowed for the start of the English Premiership to go under the radar. But after two rounds the defending champions are bottom, a trio of West Country teams occupy the top three spots and internationals are slowly returning to action after their escapades across the [...]
Billy Vunipola facing defeat in battle to force England World Cup recall April 12, 2023 England No8 Billy Vunipola is a major doubt for this year’s Rugby World Cup after being ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. The bulldozing back row is set to undergo surgery on Thursday after suffering the problem in Saracens’ bruising Champions Cup defeat at La Rochelle on Sunday. Vunipola’s [...]
Slade named Premiership rugby player of the season at London award dinner May 22, 2024 Henry Slade was last night named Premiership Rugby’s player of the season at a glitzy Central London awards dinner. The Exeter Chiefs centre has been pivotal for a West Country team on a major rebuild having suffered an exodus of top players across the last 12 months. Premiership RUgby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor said: “Henry [...]
Rugby League World Cup offers London chance to shine September 28, 2022 England legend Martin Offiah has championed the decision to take the Rugby League World Cup to the South for this year’s trio of tournaments. The men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions are due to take place concurrently in the same country for the first time when they get under way next month, a year later than [...]
Eddie Jones sacked: England Rugby coach axed after team’s worst year since 2008 December 6, 2022 England Rugby have sacked head coach Eddie Jones after seven years in charge following a review of the team’s dismal form. The move comes just nine months before he was due to lead England at another Rugby World Cup, having guided them to the final in 2019. England forwards coach Richard Cockerill is to take [...]
Woodward: RFU have sold soul in Allianz Stadium deal August 7, 2024 Coach of the 2003 Rugby World Cup winning England side Clive Woodward has described the decision to rename Twickenham the Allianz Stadium as “sad”, and insists the RFU board have “sold its soul”. England entered into a partnership with the major insurer Allianz which will see home of rugby Twickenham rebranded with the firm’s name [...]