Forward thinking: Eddie Jones reveals unorthodox idea to field nine forwards ahead of England’s Six Nations campaign January 17, 2019 Eddie Jones is no stranger to causing a stir, and in his first media appearance of a World Cup year he was at it again. The England head coach said on Thursday, as he named his squad for the Six Nations opener against Ireland on 2 February, that he is considering turning conventional wisdom on [...]
A family affair: England captain Owen Farrell must unlock an Ireland defence organised by father Andy January 31, 2019 England kick off their Six Nations campaign with the toughest test possible when they face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, but for the Farrell family it is a game with extra meaning. Owen Farrell, England’s captain, will not only be coming up against the world’s No2 side but also his father, Andy, Ireland’s defence coach [...]
Ollie Phillips: Johnny Sexton’s outstanding Ireland and dominant Saracens lead my 2018 roll of honour December 20, 2018 There is only one place to start a look back at rugby in 2018 and that’s with its best side. Ireland have been the undoubted stars of the last 12 months. They may not have overtaken New Zealand as No1 in the world rankings, but their first ever home win over the All Blacks last [...]
Can CVC Capital Partners’ £230m investment into Premiership Rugby save loss-making English clubs? December 12, 2018 It may not quite have got over the line at this week’s board meeting but CVC Capital Partners’ prospective acquisition of a minority stake in Premiership Rugby now seems to be a question of when, not if – and then, what will it mean for a domestic game ailing financially? The most significant immediate change [...]
Football’s coming home to the City for the Square Mile’s unofficial club, the Honourable Artillery Company FC June 16, 2019 You could be forgiven for not realising it, but the City of London has its own football club which dates back to the 1800s and is among the leading lights of the amateur game. One reason you might have missed it is because red tape has seen them exiled from the Square Mile for two [...]
Ollie Phillips: England will go route one and try a new tactic against Italy with Joe Cokanasiga and Ben Te’o back March 7, 2019 Italy head coach Conor O’Shea would have always been expecting a tough challenge at Twickenham on Saturday, but England’s line-up means they’re in for a torrid time. The Italians’ game is based on heart and physicality and I think that’s part of the reason why Eddie Jones has made five changes to his starting XV. [...]
Davis Cup reboots, Wembley sale talk and Premiership Rugby takeover bids: how private investment is shaking up a sports industry at a crossroads November 22, 2018 From plans for a breakaway Super League in European football to takeover bids for Premiership Rugby, the collapsed sale of Wembley Stadium and the $3bn revamp of the Davis Cup, there is a common thread running through some of the biggest sports stories of recent months. Change is sweeping through the industry at breakneck pace [...]
Former Saracens back Ben Ransom is ready to hang up his boots and start a career in the City… but first up it’s the Varsity Match December 5, 2018 At just 26 years old, former Saracens and London Irish back Ben Ransom is ready to trade in a career on the field for one in the City. The former Premiership rugby player is studying for a master's in business administration at the University of Oxford and is preparing to move into investment banking, although [...]
Ollie Phillips: Scrapping relegation could help Premiership balance the books after CVC Capital Partners’ investment January 10, 2019 Debate about the possible scrapping of relegation from the Premiership is not new, but following the recent investment into the division it has been given new impetus. Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners’ deal last month to inject £200m for around 27 per cent of Premiership Rugby is significant because it changes the league’s objectives. [...]
Ollie Phillips: Hard to look past pedigree of Leinster and Saracens for Champions Cup glory October 11, 2018 Exeter have been consistently challenging Saracens for top honours in the Premiership over the last few years, but they have yet to really translate their domestic form into European competition. The Chiefs’ game-plan has been undermined in the Champions Cup and coach Rob Baxter will need to add new strings to their bow this season. [...]