What do the financial markets hold in store for 2020? January 7, 2020 After the festive break, everyone in the City is slowly settling back into work. The opening week of 2020 has been hectic already, with oil and gold prices rising and stocks falling in reaction to tension in the Middle East. But what else are the financial experts and asset managers keeping an eye on for [...]
Ruaridh McConnochie’s World Cup selection shows Eddie Jones’s methodology with England August 12, 2019 A year ago, Ruaridh McConnochie had not played a single top-flight match of rugby union. Today, despite still never having played competitively for England, he was named in Eddie Jones’s 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup next month. It was a momentous day in McConnochie’s career and one entirely in keeping with a whirlwind [...]
2020 Vision: What to expect from sport this year, by industry insiders January 5, 2020 What will sport look like in 2020? We asked a host of industry experts for their predictions – and this is what they said. Neil Hopkins, global head of strategy at M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment Euros offer ticket to ride Football fans used to tournaments taking place in one or, at most, two host [...]
Jamie Peacock: Rugby league great on the importance of mindset, ultramarathons, Rob Burrow, and accepting the risk of dementia December 18, 2020 “I was never the most physically talented player,” says Jamie Peacock. It is a remarkable statement from someone who stands 6ft 5in, became a titan of rugby league and won the game’s Man of Steel award. But it reflects Peacock’s conviction that mentality and character are everything. “My ability to get the best out of [...]
Speaker election: The seven candidates to succeed John Bercow November 4, 2019 The seven candidates to take over from John Bercow and step into the House of Commons’ speakers chair have been announced this morning. After 10 years in the chair, Bercow will be replaced this evening in the speaker’s election after a secret ballot is held. Read more: Boris Johnson pays backhanded tribute to speaker John [...]
Rugby set to enter a new era with games played over 11 months of the year June 11, 2019 When Saracens fought back to beat Exeter Chiefs to the Premiership crown 10 days ago it marked not only the end of a hugely successful season for Mark McCall’s side but also the end of an era for rugby. From next season, the game’s new calendar will see players in action for a total of [...]
What areas can England exploit in their World Cup semi-final with New Zealand? October 23, 2019 It has been a while since England beat the All Blacks – seven years to be precise – but last year’s narrow 16-15 defeat at Twickenham was the first time they had played since 2014. In the 11 months since, both teams have come a long way. On Saturday, ranked as the No1 and No2 [...]
Rhino boss Reg Clark on why rugby brand remains a good bet despite warehouse blaze and pandemic sales dip November 11, 2020 It is just as well Reg Clark, boss of rugby kit maker Rhino, is the level-headed type. Because 2020 has dealt the company the type of crunching blows that the world’s leading teams inflict on its scrum machines. Already braced for another dip in demand as many of its markets fell into second lockdowns, Clark [...]
Richmond, Cornish Pirates and how the growing gap between Premiership and Championship rugby is threatening clubs’ finances and professional status August 7, 2019 Three years ago amateur rugby club Richmond sealed a surprise promotion to the Championship, the second tier of England’s two professional leagues. They were faced with a stick-or-twist decision: hire an entirely new squad of full-time players and try to compete, or reward their existing part-timers with the opportunity to compete against the pros. At [...]
My Sporting Life: Merrick Haydon on breaking into the industry, making the British eventing team and his hopes for disability sport June 30, 2019 Merrick Haydon, managing director of agency rEvolution, recalls rubbing shoulders with Will Carling, representing Great Britain in equestrian eventing and running sub-four hour marathons, and makes the case for more coverage of disability sports. What is your sporting passion? Rugby union has been a big part of my life since going to a boarding school [...]