Sale launch strong defence of Curry as England star handed 50th cap amid Mbonambi race row October 25, 2023 Sale Sharks have issued a strong statement in support of their England international Tom Curry, who is at the centre of a race row involving South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi. In a powerful statement, Sale said: “Sale Sharks’ owners, players, coaches and staff are absolutely appalled by the nature and level of disgusting abuse directed [...]
Rugby World Cup expansion welcome but err on the side of caution October 25, 2023 In the depths of the destructive World Rugby announcement that is set to partition the best rugby teams from the aspiring ones there was one shining light: the 2027 World Cup will have 24 teams rather than 20. It is a move that has been long called for and should at least ease the pain [...]
World Rugby’s new two-tier competition has been branded “ridiculous, shameful, farcical and scandalous” by a former US coach October 24, 2023 World Rugby’s new two-tier competition has been branded “ridiculous, shameful, farcical and scandalous” by a former United States international coach after the sport’s major nations voted in a closed-shop system until 2030. A new global competition due to begin in 2026 will see the six Six Nations teams, four Rugby Championship sides, Fiji and Japan [...]
England Rugby lodge complaint over South Africa alleged “White C***” slur October 24, 2023 England Rugby have officially filed a complaint over Bongi Mbonambi’s alleged racial “white c***” slur against Tom Curry, City A.M. can reveal. Sources close to the situation have confirmed that the Rugby Football Union have officially filed a complaint. The move takes the issue beyond the realms of disciplinary and citing commissioners and into the [...]
England captain Stokes turns down multi-year contract with country, reports October 24, 2023 England Test captain Ben Stokes has reportedly turned down a multi-year central contract and instead taken a one-year one. The move questions his commitment to the national cause given the draw of the potential franchise circuit. Reports this year have suggested that Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have enquired about signing players, such as those [...]
Premiership Rugby: Saracens slow off the mark, Bath heating up October 24, 2023 The knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup have largely allowed for the start of the English Premiership to go under the radar. But after two rounds the defending champions are bottom, a trio of West Country teams occupy the top three spots and internationals are slowly returning to action after their escapades across the [...]
Curry race row: Mbonambi given glowing reference by coach October 23, 2023 A South African coach has praised the character hooker Bongi Mbonambi after he was accused of pointing a racial slur at England’s Ben Curry in the Springboks’ 16-15 World Cup semi-final win. Mbonambi was accused of calling Curry a “white c***” in audio picked up on the microphone of referee Ben O’Keeffe on Saturday night [...]
Former Premiership side Wasps moving to KENT but will play in Worcester October 23, 2023 Wasps rugby are to set up shop in Kent but play and train in Worcester in the short term as the former Premiership rugby side look to rebuild having gone bust last season. The club failed to pay a number of valuable bonds taken out to fund their move to Coventry a number of seasons [...]
Rugby race scandal: Morning deadline to report alleged slur to England player by South Africa hooker October 23, 2023 England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa on Saturday has descended into a race scandal after Red Rose flanker Tom Curry accused Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi of using a racial slur against him. South Africa fought back to beat England 16-15 in Paris on Saturday to book themselves a spot in the World Cup [...]
England: Where does team go now after Rugby World Cup exit? October 23, 2023 England produced their best performance of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday but fell to a 16-15 defeat at the hands of reigning champions South Africa in Paris. Here are three takeaways from the hard-fought semi-final. Beef with O’Keeffe Scrums are difficult things to understand at the best of times but on occasion the dark [...]