Cole didn’t expect Marler retirement ahead of Autumn Nations Series November 4, 2024 Tighthead prop Dan Cole admitted he was surprised by the timing of the international retirement of his fellow front rower Joe Marler. Marler decided to hang up his international boots just days after he caused a furore with his comments describing the New Zealand haka as “ridiculous”. “Did I think he would go last Sunday? [...]
Autumn Nations Series: How will England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales get on? November 1, 2024 The Autumn Nations Series can be a super tonic for the sport as titans clash from both hemispheres across Europe, writes Ollie Phillips. November internationals are always an odd time of year: you have neither the bitter rivalries the Six Nations and Rugby Championship generate over their own two hemispheres, nor is there the excitement [...]
Haka ‘ridiculous and needs binning’, England star taunts All Blacks October 30, 2024 England rugby star Joe Marler has inflamed tensions ahead of their clash with New Zealand on Saturday by branding the haka “ridiculous” and saying that the All Blacks’ traditional pre-match dance “needs binning”. Harlequins prop Marler, 34, made the comments on social media just days before the teams meet in Twickenham this weekend and deactivated [...]
No surprises England squad wastes precious opportunity October 18, 2024 It is very sensible, that England squad, isn’t it? There are no thrills or spills, no rogue actors or dazzling potential debutant. It is very Steve Borthwick. And that is no bad thing. This 36-man training squad will be tasked with taking on the southern hemisphere’s big three nations in New Zealand, Australia and South [...]