Sarina Wiegman: Lionesses know Australia’s weaknesses at Women’s World Cup August 15, 2023 England manager Sarina Wiegman insists the Lionesses have done their homework as they seek revenge against Australia and a place in the Women’s World Cup final. The Matildas scored a shock 2-0 win over the European Champions in London four months ago and it remains the only defeat of Wiegman’s 37-game England reign. But she [...]
European rugby attendances point to major issue for the sport December 14, 2022 Hopes of a newfound interest in the European Champions and Challenge Cups took a hit this weekend as home sides struggled to fill their terraces for what some argue are the best club competitions in world rugby. Attendances peaked at a bastion of European rugby in Munster’s Thomond Park where 21,884 watched the province lose [...]
Ollie Phillips: Loss of Eddie Jones gives England Rugby mega opportunity December 9, 2022 Well last week I said I didn’t think the Rugby Football Union had the bottle to sack head coach Eddie Jones despite me saying that he should go. How wrong I was. I do think the call to sack the Australian has come a couple of years late – he himself has said previously about [...]
Scotland and Wales name their Six Nations squads January 17, 2023 Scotland and Wales have today confirmed their squads ahead of the Six Nations Championships, which begin next month. Scotland’s 40-man training squad includes four uncapped players, one of whom – Ruaridh McConnochie – has previously played for England. Jamie Ritchie will captain the Scots in the Six Nations, whose first match will see them travel [...]
Six Nations to pay TV? Government rejects call to add it to ‘crown jewels’ list January 22, 2024 The Welsh Affairs Committee had asked the Government to protect the rugby tournament for free-to-air TV.
Red Roses dominance is bad omen for women’s game (but they’re great to watch) March 29, 2024 Having beaten Italy 48-0 with 14 players in their Women’s Six Nations opener, it is fair to say England’s Red Roses continue to be one of rugby’s most dominant teams ever. Yes, that makes successive World Cup failures harder to stomach but the England national team are otherwise seemingly unstoppable. However, their impressive win in [...]
The rise, rise and fall of Eddie Jones at the helm of England December 6, 2022 He has the best winning percentage of any coach to have been in charge of England and he took a team from one of their lowest points in recent times to an unlikely World Cup final, but Eddie Jones is down and out – and English rugby is poorer for it. Whether it was his [...]
Autumn Nations Series offers glimpse into future of global calendar November 2, 2022 In rugby circles, the month of November is synonymous with international action. It’s when some of the world’s best teams travel to Europe to play other top-level sides in what has now become the Autumn Nations Series. Broadcast via Amazon Prime Video, it is hoped the series could be a stepping stone towards a new [...]
Neil Barnes: Netflix, coaching Italy, Eddie Jones and Six Nations February 13, 2024 When you meet ex-Italy assistant coach Neil Barnes in Six Nations rugby’s Netflix drama Full Contact, his bluntness scares the bejesus out of you. “For F**k’s sake”, “hit that p***k” and “give the ball to Capu-whatever-his-name-is [Ange Capuozzo], he’s f*****g quick” were just some of the wholesome proverbs that the non-Italian speaking New Zealander utters. [...]
Toulouse too good as they book Investec Champions Cup home semi April 14, 2024 A second-half surge saw Toulouse cruise past Exeter Chiefs 64-26 to book themselves a place in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals today. The French Top 14 side are on the hunt for a record-extending sixth title in the most prestigious club rugby competition in the world. Les Rouge et Noir, as they’re known locally, put [...]