World Rugby wades into tackle height debate with new recommendations March 13, 2023 World Rugby has waded into the debate over tackle height by asking national unions to trial “belly tackles” at grass roots level in a bid to make the sport safer. England’s Rugby Football Union provoked a fierce backlash earlier this year when it announced plans to ban tackling above the waist in the community game [...]
Six Nations: Humiliation at HQ is food for thought for Borthwick and England March 13, 2023 England’s 53-10 loss to France on Saturday in the fourth round of the Six Nations can only be described as a complete and utter humiliation. Steve Borthwick’s side were outplayed, outmuscled and out-thought. They weren’t even in the fight. So as the dust settles on the biggest ever loss suffered by an English team in [...]
Six Nations: Ireland set up Grand Slam decider against England with Scotland win March 12, 2023 Ireland kept their Six Nations Grand Slam and Triple Crown hopes alive in a 7-22 victory over Scotland yesterday in Edinburgh. Scotland centre Huw Jones and Ireland winger Mack Hansen traded tries in a tight opening 40 which saw the hosts return to the dressing room with a one-point deficit at 7-8. But it was [...]
Sport on TV: What to watch, when is it on and what channel is it on? March 10, 2023 The huge golfing tournaments return to the sports calendar this weekend with the Players, while there’s the continuation of domestic and international sport. Here are five events you need to mark ahead of this weekend. Golf: Players Championship, Thursday – Sunday Reigning champion Cameron Smith is absent for this year’s Player Championship due to his [...]
No10 Russell can win Six Nations Triple Crown for Scotland March 10, 2023 Mercurial talent Finn Russell can drive Scotland to their first ever Triple Crown in the Six Nations era on Sunday when his side host Ireland. I would go as far as saying the fly-half is a genius, while his opposite number at Murrayfield – Johnny Sexton – is world class in his own ways. Scotland [...]
England captain Farrell DROPPED for Six Nations clash with France March 9, 2023 Owen Farrell has been dropped for the first time since 2015 with England head coach Steve Borthwick naming Marcus Smith at No10 for his side’s Six Nations clash against France. Smith was released back to his club for last weekend’s fallow week and impressed in Harlequins’ Big Game at Twickenham. His reward is a first [...]
So you want to go to… Six Nations Super Saturday? Here’s how March 9, 2023 This time next week millions of Brits will be preparing to tune in to Super Saturday, the final round of Six Nations action involving three games back-to-back. This year’s finale sees Scotland host Italy before Wales travel to France, with Ireland’s match against England on St Patrick’s weekend closing the show. Here’s how to be [...]
Exodus Chiefs: How Exeter, a modern dynasty of English rugby, lost its aura March 7, 2023 If in any normal season Premiership side Exeter Chiefs announced the mid-season departure of a brilliant young winger such as Facundo Cordero there would have been a slight feeling of disappointment among the fanbase. But the Argentinian’s move north to Scotland’s Glasgow Warriors instead heaped further dismay on supporters of Exeter, because Cordero’s exit represents [...]
Lawes out of England side to face France in Six Nations clash March 7, 2023 England vice captain Courtney Lawes has suffered yet another injury set back as head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed the back-row would not be in contention to play in his side’s Six Nations clash with France on Saturday. Lawes, of Northampton Saints, is out of the 27-man side named by Borthwick yesterday with a shoulder injury. [...]
Magic Marcus Smith performance vindicates Borthwick call to release him March 6, 2023 With a ball as his baton, a rugby kit as his tuxedo, and Twickenham his symphony hall, Marcus Smith demonstrated what it means to orchestrate a sports team at the weekend. His pivotal, leading role in Harlequins’ 40-5 win over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday not only reminded the rugby community of what the No10, born [...]