THREE KEY CLASHES | WITH KYRAN BRACKEN March 17, 2011 MATT BANAHAN v BRIAN O’DRISCOLL Ireland’s talisman hasn’t been at his match-winning best of late, but England will know what O’Driscoll is capable of come the big occasion. Banahan will add something to England’s midfield and despite the experience he brings, I can’t see Mike Tindall being missed hugely. SHONTAYNE HAPE V GORDON D’ARCY England’s Kiwi-born [...]
Spirited England can secure a clean sweep with narrow win in Dublin March 17, 2011 IRELAND vs ENGLAND TOMORROW – 5.00PM BBC1 GRAND Slam, Grand Slam, Grand Slam. These words will be skipping through the minds of every England player before tomorrow’s clash gets underway at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. Their last two performances against Scotland and France tempered a lot of the hyperbole about this England XV being a great [...]
Controversial Wales try sickens Ireland March 13, 2011 IRELAND winger Keith Earls has joined his team-mates in condemning the wrongly awarded try that cost them victory and handed Wales a 19-13 win in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash. Mike Phillips’ 50th-minute touchdown was allowed to stand despite three offences in the preceding line-out, and it proved decisive as the hosts ended on top [...]
England the chief threat to France’s title defence February 2, 2011 But don’t expect another grand slam, says former England scrum-half FOR RUGBY fans February means one thing, and that’s the mouth-watering prospect of another RBS 6 Nations Championship. It’s shaping up to be a two-horse race, but don’t expect to see yet another grand slam. England go into this year’s competition as favourites, a status [...]
THE FAMOUS FIVE – ENGLAND’S FOES February 2, 2011 Italy NICK MALLETT’S Italy remain a work in progress, and will have their work cut out again to not collect the wooden spoon, as they have done for the past three years. But there are some positives, and the Azzurri are becoming more competitive, thanks in part to domestic powerhouses Benetton Treviso and Aironi Rugby’s [...]
Williams: We’ll spoil the O’Driscoll party March 10, 2010 STAND-IN Wales captain Martyn Williams has vowed to spoil Brian O’Driscoll’s home party at Croke Park on Saturday. Irish skipper O’Driscoll will make his 100th international appearance in the crunch Six Nations clash with the Welsh. But Williams, who himself wins his 95th cap ?– a new record for a Wales forward – claims to [...]
Williams handed Wales captaincy March 9, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Martyn Williams will be rewarded for breaking Colin Charvis’s Welsh Test forward cap record against Ireland on Saturday by leading his side out as captain at Croke Park. The 34-year-old will win his 95th cap and wear the armband in the absence of No8 Ryan Jones, who has a calf injury. Coach Warren [...]
Kearney blow for Ireland as Wales lose key forward trio February 18, 2010 IRELAND have been dealt another major blow ahead of next weekend’s Six Nations clash with England after full-back Rob Kearney was ruled out with a knee injury. The Leinster star suffered the injury in the 33-10 defeat by France in Paris last Saturday and is expected out for between three and five weeks. It is [...]
Azzurri aggression no match for Johnno’s men February 11, 2010 ITALY VS ENGLAND Sunday – 2.00pm BBC1 MARTIN Johnson must be a relieved man. After at least a couple of aimless performances in November, his side looked progressive and threatening – all that he’d promised when he took the job. Both the victory and the way in which they withstood plenty of pressure from Wales [...]
Who can conquer Ireland to land the greatest prize? February 4, 2010 England Manager: Martin Johnson Captain: Steve Borthwick Last season: Italy (h) won 36-11; Wales (a) lost 15-23; Ireland (a) lost 13-14; France (h) won 34-10; Scotland (h) won 26-12 = 2nd. Where they stand: Endured a disappointing autumn international campaign when they lost to Australia and New Zealand and looked unconvincing in their narrow victory [...]