Home nations under the hammer: rugby largely flopped in UK this autumn November 28, 2022 While England’s failures this month have been well documented, the other home nations experienced a range of fortunes during the Autumn Nations Series. In the rugby world rankings, European pair Ireland and France have maintained their hold at the summit while New Zealand have jumped South Africa for third. Beyond that, Wales have plummeted from [...]
Ed Warner: Has Sport England’s core purpose been forgotten? October 19, 2023 Chris Boardman. Olympic cycling pursuit champion. Tour de France stage winner. Adviser to British Cycling. Head of the government’s Gear Change strategy promoting cycling and walking at Active Travel England. Founder and face of Boardman Bikes, currently owned by Halfords. You may have one in the family, perhaps a balance bike for a toddler or [...]
Six Nations: Where do England play, when did they last win, what is their anthem and who is their coach? January 29, 2023 With the 2023 Guinness Six Nations on the horizon, here is a look at England ahead of their tournament opener against Scotland. England History England have won 13 Grand Slams in the history of the Six Nations and the tournaments that have preceded it, dating back to their first title in 1883. The side have [...]
Six Nations set for Netflix show as rugby union seeks Drive to Survive effect October 19, 2022 Six Nations chiefs are hoping to develop their fanbase through a new series set to be shown on streaming site Netflix. Rugby bosses have held talks with programme makers and a deal is thought to be close, paving the way to start at next year’s edition of the international tournament. The programme is expected to [...]
Wayne Barnes sets his focus on the law after he blows the whistle on refereeing January 26, 2024 Former rugby ref Wayne Barnes has traded the laws of the game for the laws of the land as he heads into practice full-time
Chapeau to you La Rochelle, it was a Champions Cup final for the ages May 21, 2023 You’d have been forgiven if, by the 12th minute of Saturday’s Champions Cup final between Leinster and La Rochelle, you’d turned over to Garden Rescue or Midsomer Murders because the match looked all but done and dusted. A brace from Dan Sheehan and a third try from Jimmy O’Brien gave Irish province Leinster a 17-0 [...]
Ollie Phillips: Do the RFU have the bottle to sack Eddie Jones? December 2, 2022 The main factor at play when it comes to Eddie Jones’s future as head coach of England is that I do not believe the Rugby Football Union has the bottle to sack him. Having led his side to a humiliating 27-13 loss last week against the Springboks, Jones’s year has concluded with his side having [...]
Former Lions captain Sam Warburton backs Andy Farrell to coach 2025 tour to Australia January 24, 2023 Former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has backed Ireland head coach Andy Farrell to be in charge of the famous rugby touring side when they head to Australia in 2025. The Welshman has played under Farrell on previous Lions tours, which in recent years have been coached by returning Wales boss [...]
Sports on TV this weekend: Big Bash, Six Nations and Premier League February 3, 2023 The Six Nations returns, cricket’s Big Bash reaches its climax Down Under, Great Britain are in Davis Cup action and there are big games in both the Premier League and LaLiga. Here’s your unmissable sports schedule for the weekend. Tennis: Davis Cup Finals qualifier, Friday It feels like the last Davis Cup has only just [...]
Money talks: ITV attracts 11.1m viewers for Oprah’s Meghan and Harry interview March 9, 2021 ITV last night racked up a bumper 11.1m viewers for the eagerly-awaited Oprah Winfrey interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The tell-all interview, which aired at 9pm last night, peaked at 12.4m viewers as Brits flocked to watch the couple make explosive claims about the royal family. The figures make Oprah with Meghan and [...]