No nonsense, no choice January 4, 2012 World Cup misdemeanours left new England coach Lancaster little option but to throw the book at Care WHEN Stuart Lancaster was handed control of a senior England set-up reeling from the fall-out of a disastrous World Cup he promised to stamp out a culture of laddishness and indiscipline that undermined and ultimately overshadowed that doomed [...]
Red Rose pass a test of character February 12, 2012 ANOTHER STEP FORWARD The margin of victory wasn’t as emphatic as Stuart Lancaster would have liked but his emerging England side passed another significant test in Rome at the weekend. It would have been easy for the team to have panicked when they trailed 15-6 but it speaks volumes for the level of trust that [...]
Greenwood: RFU right to wait for boss December 1, 2011 FORMER England centre Will Greenwood believes the Rugby Football Union is right to delay naming a permanent successor to Martin Johnson until after the Six Nations. The RFU confirmed on Wednesday its intention to appoint a caretaker manager, which would seemingly pave the way for former Italy head coach Nick Mallett to take over ahead [...]
Mixed Christmas presents for Scottish January 5, 2012 TOMORROW we play our first home game of 2012 against Plymouth Albion at the Richmond Athletic Ground (3pm kick off), and it will be great to get back to the Athletic Ground following a mixed festive period for the squad. I was very pleased with our victory away at Moseley on Boxing Day. Parts of [...]
RFU ‘at rock bottom’ after Twickileaks November 24, 2011 EMBATTLED Rugby Football Union chief Rob Andrew has again steadfastly refused to consider tendering his resignation, despite admitting the sport has hit “rock bottom” as a result of the damaging Twickileaks scandal. Three confidential reports into England’s dismal World Cup campaign were leaked into the public domain earlier this week which revealed the level of [...]
RFU reshuffle paves the way for Mallett November 30, 2011 THE RUGBY Football Union yesterday confirmed their intention to appoint an interim manager ahead of February’s Six Nations, but hope to have named Martin Johnson’s full-time successor before next summer’s tour of South Africa. Following yesterday’s meeting of the Professional Game Board, it was also revealed that embattled elite director of rugby Rob Andrew will [...]
RFU reshuffle paves the way for Mallett November 30, 2011 THE RUGBY Football Union yesterday confirmed their intention to appoint an interim manager ahead of February’s Six Nations, but hope to have named Martin Johnson’s full-time successor before next summer’s tour of South Africa. Following yesterday’s meeting of the Professional Game Board, it was also revealed that embattled elite director of rugby Rob Andrew will [...]
Tindall: RFU made me World Cup scapegoat November 29, 2011 FORMER England captain Mike Tindall remains deeply dissatisfied with the Rugby Football Union for making him “a scapegoat” following the infamous alcohol-fuelled night out in Queenstown that nearly cost him his Test career. Tindall on Monday successfully appealed against his expulsion from the elite squad, thus opening the door to an international return, while he [...]
RFU open talks with Kiwi World Cup winning coach Smith over England role December 7, 2011 NEW ZEALAND’S former World Cup winning coach Wayne Smith has been approached by the Rugby Football Union with regards to the vacancies at Twickenham. Smith was in the country last week working alongside Nick Mallet, one of the leading contenders to succeed Martin Johnson as team manager, coaching the southern hemisphere side for the Help [...]
Moody slams criticism in dossier leaks November 23, 2011 ENGLAND’S World Cup captain Lewis Moody has hit back at criticism of his conduct and leadership at the tournament, after leaked official reports laid bare the failings of the team’s disastrous campaign. Moody was accused by Rugby Football Union (RFU) elite rugby director Rob Andrew of leading a revolt by senior players over payments for [...]