Tindall injury may prove a blessing in disguise for England October 6, 2011 MIKE TINDALL has been a fantastic servant to English rugby but I’d venture to say the dead leg which has ruled him out of tomorrow’s World Cup quarter-final against France may just have made life easier for manager Martin Johnson. England have been nowhere near as poor in this tournament as has been documented, but certainly [...]
Fragile French are there for the taking, says Flood October 5, 2011 Fly-half believes a strong start will render quarter-final a walk in the park ENGLAND fly-half Toby Flood believes World Cup last eight opponents France are in such a state of disarray that a strong opening 20 minute salvo will as good as seal a semi-final spot for the Red Rose. After narrow victories over Argentina [...]
Moody on course for speedy return September 6, 2011 ENGLAND captain Lewis Moody looks likely to be in contention to make his comeback against Georgia next week after he delivered an upbeat bulletin on the damaged knee which will keep him out of Saturday’s World Cup opener against Argentina. The flanker, who has been restricted to just over an hour of international rugby this year [...]
The Debate: Was Gatland right to consider cheating in France defeat? October 18, 2011 YES JAMES GOLDMAN SO AN international coach considered massaging the rules to his potential advantage in a bid to counter a perceived injustice – forgive me if I don’t combust in a fit of moral outrage. Warren Gatland’s confession that he thought about asking one of his prop forwards to feign injury in order to [...]
England face test of nerve over ballgate controversy September 29, 2011 ENGLAND vs SCOTLAND ENGLAND will go into their most important and fiercely contested match in four years tomorrow engulfed in controversy for the second time in this eventful World Cup campaign. National team chiefs yesterday took the unusual step of banning two of their own staff – assistant coach and kicking supremo Dave Alred and [...]
Fierce Pumas pack will keep it tight in Dunedin September 8, 2011 TOMORROW – 9.30AM ITV1 SPORT TRADER DAVID WILD AND BEN CLEMINSON BRING YOU THE BEST RUGBY AND FOOTBALL BETS GIVEN that England are likely to need to win Pool B to avoid a clash with hosts New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals, the Red Rose cannot afford to start as slowly as they did [...]
Wales lose skipper for World Cup August 15, 2011 RUGBY UNION: Wales captain Matthew Rees has been ruled out of the World Cup with a neck injury. The hooker has been told by doctors he needs surgery to relieve the painful condition. Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards said: “It’s disappointing but there are more important things in life than rugby.”
No punishment for Tindall and co after night out September 16, 2011 ENGLAND’S management team have launched a vehement defence of skipper Mike Tindall and several of his team-mates who embarked on a night out in Queenstown following last Saturday’s win over Argentina. Tindall, who led the side in the absence of the injured Lewis Moody, and a group of players, including Dan Cole and Steve Thompson, [...]
No punishment for Tindall and co after night out September 16, 2011 ENGLAND’S management team have launched a vehement defence of skipper Mike Tindall and several of his team-mates who embarked on a night out in Queenstown following last Saturday’s win over Argentina. Tindall, who led the side in the absence of the injured Lewis Moody, and a group of players, including Dan Cole and Steve Thompson, [...]
Hape let down by conduct of his England team-mates October 4, 2011 ENGLAND centre Shontayne Hape admits he feels let down by the off-field conduct of those team-mates who were reprimanded by manager Martin Johnson, but denied the suggestion his side are spiralling out of control. The trio of James Haskell, Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley were recently read the riot act by Johnson over inappropriate comments [...]