Challenge Cup offers struggling clubs shot at Champions Cup hope July 2, 2024 Most clubs have been in a rut, unable to win in their domestic competition and with their season looking like a failure, at some point in their lifetime. But the Challenge Cup – for clubs who did not qualify for the Champions Cup, plus invitational teams – offers a chance to reach the top flight. [...]
Investec Champions Cup: Pool draw shows competition is best of the best July 2, 2024 It may only be July but the Investec Champions Cup season got underway on Tuesday with the pool draws in Cardiff. The 24 clubs taking part – who qualified through their league position or by winning the second tier EPCR Challenge Cup – will compete across four pools of six in December and January before [...]
EPCR Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup pool draw in full July 2, 2024 This morning in Cardiff the draws were completed for the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. The European competitions will see 42 teams battle it out for two trophies, with this year’s finals taking place in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Teams will play two teams in their pool at home and two teams away. Teams [...]
Michael Cheika: Who is he and where has the Leicester Tigers boss coached? June 28, 2024 Leicester Tigers this week announced that Australian Michael Cheika will become the new head coach after parting ways with Dan McKellar. But who is he, where has he coached, and what has he said about his appointment? Who is he? Cheika, 57, is an Australian rugby coach who spent his career at Randwick in his [...]
New Zealand favourites but England can cause issues June 28, 2024 The start of next month marks the start of England’s true test of strength, progression and ability as Steve Borthwick’s men look to topple the mighty New Zealand across two matches in the Land of the Long White Cloud. First in Dunedin and then in Auckland, England take on the All Blacks looking to win [...]
England looked much improved against Japan but All Blacks different beasts June 23, 2024 England’s 52-17 victory over Japan in Tokyo on Saturday marked a milestone for Steve Borthwick’s side. For it was the first time since 2017 an overseas summer tour has seen England victorious in the opening game – a 34-38 win over Argentina in San Juan back then. So already England are on a positive pathway [...]
Summer rugby tours: Where are the home nations going this summer June 21, 2024 This summer the home nations – England, Wales, Scotland and the island of Ireland – will tour far-flung rugby nations. Traditionally the home nations head to the southern hemisphere but this season the tours have been expanded ahead of a new men’s global competition, set to start in 2026. So who is playing who, and [...]
Why is Borthwick playing it safe for England’s historic Test match in Japan? June 21, 2024 England should beat Japan but at a time when the All Blacks are looming there seems to be little adventure.
School of Hard Knocks announce roster of ambassadors June 11, 2024 Charity School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) have announced a roster of new ambassadors as the leading sport-for-development organisation targets growth and expansion. Rugby referee Hollie Davidson will join the likes as professional boxer Johnny Fisher, former internationals Fraser Brown and Nick De Luca, and GB 7s player Amy Wilson-Hardy in representing the charity. Over the [...]
Northampton deserved Premiership title as Lawes leaves a legend June 11, 2024 Congratulations to Northampton Saints on winning the Premiership final. The East Midlanders’s 25-21 victory over Bath was a reflection of just how good they have been all season. They finished the Premiership top of the pile, level on points with their final opponents, and came out on top in a thriller at Twickenham to win [...]