James Haskell interview: England flanker will help RFU England Rugby World Cup review but is concentrating on Wasps Premiership duties October 20, 2015 As the England rugby chiefs investigate the team’s pool stage exit at its home World Cup and pundits lament the northern hemisphere’s failings in recent weeks, James Haskell says his attentions are set firmly in the opposite direction. The Rugby Football Union is seeking input from players in its review into how the Red Rose [...]
England v Australia: Eddie Jones has put his team on the front foot in war of words with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, says ex international Martin Corry December 1, 2016 Eddie Jones’ public confidence has given England an advantage in clashes with Australia they’ve never enjoyed before according to Rugby World Cup winner Martin Corry. The ex-England international believes the Australian head coach has got under the skin of Wallabies boss Michael Cheika ahead of the two sides’ meeting at Twickenham this weekend. Earlier this week [...]
Australia coach Michael Cheika labels Wallabies Rugby World Cup final underdogs after semi-final victory over Argentina October 25, 2015 Australia coach Michael Cheika immediately installed his side as overwhelming longshots for Saturday’s World Cup final against old foes New Zealand after withstanding a rousing second-half fightback by Argentina in yesterday’s semi-final. A hat-trick from wing Adam Ashley-Cooper added to an early a touchdown from second-row Rob Simmons and that proved sufficient for the two-time [...]
Australia coach Michael Cheika labels Wallabies Rugby World Cup final underdogs after semi-final victory over Argentina October 25, 2015 Australia coach Michael Cheika immediately installed his side as overwhelming longshots for Saturday’s World Cup final against old foes New Zealand after withstanding a rousing second-half fightback by Argentina in yesterday’s semi-final. A hat-trick from wing Adam Ashley-Cooper added to an early touchdown from second-row Rob Simmons and that proved sufficient for the two-time tournament winners [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Gatland frets over injury count as attention turns to England September 20, 2015 WALES 54 URUGUAY 9 Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted that a number of his walking wounded are in danger of missing Saturday’s showdown with England after injuries blighted their bonus-point victory over Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium yesterday. Centre Cory Allen, who became the fifth Welsh player to score a Rugby World Cup hat-trick, is [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England v Australia game is now a final, says Ben Youngs September 27, 2015 Pre-tournament chatter centred on England emulating the World Cup-winning class of 2003, but scrum-half Ben Youngs admits Saturday’s must-win showdown against Australia represents the current vintage’s moment of destiny. England’s 28-25 error-strewn Twickenham surrender to an injury-plagued Wales at the weekend means Stuart Lancaster’s side are running the risk of becoming the first host [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England’s disappointing loss to Wales summed up in six sorry stats September 27, 2015 England's World Cup future hangs on a knife-edge after Stuart Lancaster's men let a 10 point lead against Wales shrivel into a three-point deficit and devastating loss at Twickenham last night. The tournament's host nation must now beat Group A opponents Australia next Saturday to have a realistic chance of progressing to the quarter-finals. Wales' [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015 final New Zealand v Australia preview: Five stats that could decide the All Blacks’ showdown with the Wallabies October 30, 2015 It's been billed as the dream final: Antipodean neighbours New Zealand and Australia, the two best teams in the world, duking it out over 80 minutes for the Rugby World Cup. It's the No1 ranked side in the world and reigning world champions up against this year's resurgent Rugby Championship winner for the chance to [...]
Kyran Bracken: RFU review into England Rugby World Cup shambles an embarrassing whitewash – but whole northern hemisphere needs to do some soul searching November 4, 2015 Northern hemisphere rugby has a lot to worry about because on the basis of this World Cup the Six Nations appears to be a long way off the Rugby Championship. The brilliant final between Australia and New Zealand wasn’t just settled by penalties or drop goals but also included five tries from two of [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Steve Hansen demands New Zealand ditch their arrogance September 10, 2015 New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen believes his side have ditched an arrogant attitude which has blighted previous World Cups as they prepare to defend their crown when the tournament gets underway next week. Since taking charge of world champions New Zealand in 2012, Hansen has overseen 42 victories from 47 Test matches, having lost [...]