Premiership needs stability to build on competitive foundations October 13, 2023 Though there are fears of the Premiership’s return on Friday being overshadowed by the World Cup quarter-finals, it is good to see the domestic season back again. Saracens will go in as favourites because they are the holders but each squad seem to have developed well in the long off-season that a World Cup year [...]
‘It’s all on the line this weekend at the Rugby World Cup’ October 6, 2023 This is the crunch point, where those nations who have not yet secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup find out whether they’ve got any bottle. Because when everything is on the line, and there is no get-out-of-jail-free card in the following week, you really see what you are made of. [...]
Wales momentum could take them to Rugby World Cup final September 29, 2023 If you’d have asked me two months ago whether Wales would get out of their Rugby World Cup pool, I’d have been sceptical. But having watched them in Lyon on Sunday as they dismantled Australia by a record score, I genuinely think there’s a possibility of them making the final this year. Their quarter-final will [...]
Wales can leave Australia on brink at Rugby World Cup September 22, 2023 So many pairs of eyes are on the battle between South Africa and Ireland at the Rugby World Cup this weekend given it is world No1 versus world No2, and a match many are predicting to be a warm-up for the final. But I am fascinated by Sunday’s meeting between Wales and Australia. The Wallabies [...]
England can’t kick to glory but Marseille was incredible to witness September 15, 2023 I have to say, sitting amongst the 65,000 fans at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday as England got their Rugby World Cup campaign off to an incredibly resilient – and winning – start was genuinely next level. I have never witnessed an atmosphere like it, as George Ford slotted his three drop goals and helped [...]
Ollie Phillips: France needs Les Bleus to get party started at Rugby World Cup September 7, 2023 If I could turn back time and play more of my career in France, I would do it in a heartbeat. The country is rugby mad and you’re put on a pedestal by fans. That’s why this could be one of the great World Cups – the country is about to descend into two months [...]
England need to channel spirit of 2007 at Rugby World Cup September 1, 2023 England could, realistically, be knocked out of the Rugby World Cup in France by 10pm on 17 September. The car crash that is the national team head across the Channel in the coming days to play Argentina and Japan in their opening two matches. After that they take on Chile and Samoa, but by then [...]
Ollie Phillips: Farrell and Vunipola bans are almighty World Cup headache for England August 23, 2023 The banning of England pair Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola for the start of the Rugby World Cup has thrust tackling into the spotlight, and on that topic I share the view of Shaun Edwards. As the France defence coach says, it is a contact sport so accidental collisions are inevitable. That is made more [...]
Rugby’s disciplinary process betrays the very reason tough rules are in place August 17, 2023 Utterly ridiculous. Hugely embarrassing. Total disaster. These are some of the thoughts that have crossed my mind this week when I should instead be getting excited for the Rugby World Cup next month. Why? Because with the overturning of Owen Farrell’s red card from last Saturday, all of the sport’s decision makers have put the [...]
Owen Farrell is the only world class player in England’s Rugby World Cup squad August 11, 2023 Let’s address the fact staring us in the face that there’s only one current world class player in the England World Cup squad named by Steve Borthwick on Monday. The 33-man squad is largely experienced and capable, but it’s not a side I see lifting the William Webb Ellis Trophy come the end of autumn. [...]
