Vile abuse that drove Farrell away from Test rugby a sad reflection of society December 1, 2023 Rugby columnist Ollie Phillips writes this week on the news that England Test captain Owen Farrell is walking away from international rugby for the Six Nations to manage his and his family’s well-being. How serious does abuse to our sporting stars need to get before real, severe and meaningful action is taken against mostly anonymous [...]
Gaucho’s Martin Williams interviews England rugby star Simon Shaw November 27, 2023 Martin Williams, founder of M Restaurant and owner of Gaucho, invites former England rugby player Simon Shaw for lunch at his newly refurbished Gaucho City
Rugby must capitalise on Dupont playing sevens at the Olympic Games November 24, 2023 Antoine Dupont playing rugby sevens – it sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? News this week of the France scrum-half, one of the sport’s few global stars, turning his attention to sevens in order to play at the Paris 2024 Olympics is superb for rugby. And it is now on the sport to make sure that they [...]
Two lasting legacies from England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph? Marginal gains and brain injuries November 22, 2023 At around 10:30 am UK time, 20 years ago today in 2003, England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson caught a pass from his No9 Matt Dawson, dropped it on his foot and dissected the uprights of Stadium Australia in Sydney to win his side the Rugby World Cup. It was the first, and remains the only, victory [...]
Why sponsorship at the 2023 Rugby World Cup offered hope for a troubled sport November 10, 2023 For once, it wasn't more of the same brands doing the same things.
‘Men don’t cry’: Wallabies legend Campese blasts Australia Rugby World Cup tears November 8, 2023 Australia rugby legend David Campese has lambasted Wallaby World Cup stars as cry babies in an uncensored, explosive interview. Speaking to City A.M. this week the 1991 World Cup-winner insisted that he’d never cried and blasted Australia’s worst performance at the tournament, in France last month. “The thing that really surprised me was that after [...]
South Africa race row hooker Mbonambi says England “unprofessional” November 7, 2023 The South African hooker who was at the centre of a Rugby World Cup race row Bongi Mbonambi has accused of England of being “unprofessional”. The Springbok forward was accused by England flanker Tom Curry of calling him a “white c***” during South Africa’s 16-15 semi-final win in Paris last month. World Rugby investigated the [...]
World Rugby accused of neglecting new fans after Squidge World Cup video removed November 6, 2023 The man behind one of rugby’s biggest fan video content producers, Squidge Rugby, has hit out at World Rugby after his satirical take on the World Cup final became the latest bit of content relating to the tournament to be struck down by copyright claims. The video, an analytical look at the final between South [...]
‘Best ever’ Wayne Barnes to stand up against referee abuse November 2, 2023 Retiring referee Wayne Barnes has insisted he will stand up for other officials after the Englishman received death threats during the Rugby World Cup final. Barnes refereed the showpiece match between South Africa and New Zealand last month and retires having officiated in five World Cups. “I will work closely with the International Rugby Match [...]
Ed Warner: Why IOC is worst of both worlds for sporting democracy November 2, 2023 Thomas Bach is in Ed Warner's crosshairs this week.