Sport loses icons with deaths of Franz Beckenbauer and JPR Williams January 8, 2024 The world of sport lost two icons on Monday with the deaths of Franz Beckenbauer, aged 78, and JPR Williams, aged 74. German footballing legend Beckenbauer won the World Cup twice – once as captain in 1974 and once as manager in 1990 – and played 582 games for club side Bayern Munich. Williams changed [...]
The top sports events to watch in London in 2024 January 3, 2024 The coming 12 months will see London at the heart of a number of iconic sports events. From sport which returns annually to European finals that the city has bid for, here are 15 of the top events to put in your calendar for 2024. Men’s and Women’s Guinness Six Nations 10 February, 9, March, [...]
Why is it called the Calcutta Cup? When was it made? Is it from India? Why do England and Scotland compete for it? February 23, 2024 This weekend Scotland host England in the oldest international rugby fixture in the world. The Calcutta Cup has been in Scottish hands for three years thanks to matches in the Six Nations, but when did it start, how did it get its name and who owns it? History of the Calcutta Cup According to the [...]
Rugby race scandal: Morning deadline to report alleged slur to England player by South Africa hooker October 23, 2023 England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa on Saturday has descended into a race scandal after Red Rose flanker Tom Curry accused Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi of using a racial slur against him. South Africa fought back to beat England 16-15 in Paris on Saturday to book themselves a spot in the World Cup [...]
‘France promised to be all I enjoy about rugby. They’ve let me down’ February 7, 2024 When Ben O’Keeffe blew his full-time whistle last Saturday afternoon it marked the conclusion of round one of the Six Nations. And amid the feelings of what could have been for Scotland after their Wales scare or for England with Italy breathing down their necks, it was France who left a longstanding and unsavoury aftertaste [...]
Vile abuse that drove Farrell away from Test rugby a sad reflection of society December 1, 2023 Rugby columnist Ollie Phillips writes this week on the news that England Test captain Owen Farrell is walking away from international rugby for the Six Nations to manage his and his family’s well-being. How serious does abuse to our sporting stars need to get before real, severe and meaningful action is taken against mostly anonymous [...]
Best of 2021: England rugby’s year dissected January 1, 2022 England rugby enjoyed highs and lows in 2021. In November, former Sale Sharks winger and 55-cap England back Mark Cueto, and City A.M.’s Matt Hardy, dissected Eddie Jones’ side across 2021. First published on 24 November. It’s been an extraordinary year for rugby. Initially empty stadiums, new found stars and the development of world class [...]
England lead way in Champions Cup round of 16 qualifiers January 21, 2024 England will lead the way for representation in the Round of 16 of the Investec Champions Cup with six sides qualifying for the next stage of the world’s top club rugby competition. Saracens from Pool 1, Harlequins and Bath from Pool 2, Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs from Pool 3 and Leicester Tigers from Pool [...]
Investec Champions Cup: The final of a generation May 27, 2024 It was billed as the final we deserved, between two powerhouses of the Investec Champions Cup meeting in a showpiece for the first time ever. And what a match fans were served up. At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, seen by many as one of the world’s greatest arenas, Leinster and Toulouse went toe-to-toe; the Dublinners [...]
Leinster’s Sexton to face disciplinary panel over misconduct charges June 29, 2023 Johnny Sexton will face a disciplinary panel next month over misconduct charges relating to the Champions Cup final last month. As revealed by City A.M., the Irish stalwart fly-half was slapped with three misconduct charges relating to his behaviour when Leinster lost 27-26 to La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final. He was alleged to [...]