Autumn Nations Series: How will England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales get on? November 1, 2024 The Autumn Nations Series can be a super tonic for the sport as titans clash from both hemispheres across Europe, writes Ollie Phillips. November internationals are always an odd time of year: you have neither the bitter rivalries the Six Nations and Rugby Championship generate over their own two hemispheres, nor is there the excitement [...]
Argentina can humiliate establishment with Rugby Championship win September 28, 2024 As the Rugby Championship reaches its climax, can Argentina upset the apple cart and topple the Springboks? What constitutes a world class rugby team? Is it World Cup wins alone or is in an era of dominance year in, year out? How about a team with fewer resources than the others going into the final [...]
Are the All Blacks feeling the pressure ahead of Eden Park showdown? July 12, 2024 There has been a lot of talk this week about the history of playing the All Blacks at Eden Park being a heavy burden for Steve Borthwick’s England team to shoulder. But I actually believe that the weight of being unbeaten at one ground for 30 years, as the All Blacks are at the Auckland [...]
England showed promise against All Blacks ahead of Eden Park finale July 7, 2024 Weirdly for England, Saturday’s 16-15 loss to New Zealand in Dunedin was their first match in three against the All Blacks that ended in defeat. In their last trio of games against the three-time world champions – in Japan at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, at Twickenham in 2022 and down in New Zealand at [...]
Cunningham-South, Baxter and Freeman: England players to watch in New Zealand July 5, 2024 The next fortnight will be one which could end up defining Steve Borthwick’s tenure as England manager. For their two-Test series against New Zealand could be the difference between establishing a winning side to take through to the next World Cup – in Australia in 2027 – or the realisation that England are not up [...]
England vs New Zealand: When did we last beat the All Blacks and when is kick-off? July 5, 2024 This weekend marks the first of two Tests between England and the New Zealand All Blacks as part of the summer rugby union tours. Steve Borthwick’s men head down to Dunedin this weekend and then Auckland in seven day’s time to face one of world rugby’s most ferocious teams. So when is kick-off, where are [...]
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 [...]
England ‘determined’ to change losing habit in New Zealand June 10, 2024 England coach Steve Borthwick said he is “determined” to change a poor showing in New Zealand as he named his 36-man squad for the summer rugby tour. England will head to Tokyo later this month for a game against Eddie Jones’s Japan before two matches against New Zealand, where England have not toured since 2014. [...]
George Ford out of England’s tour to New Zealand June 9, 2024 England’s first-choice No10 George Ford has been ruled out of his side’s summer rugby tour to New Zealand this month. The Sale Sharks fly-half is still recovering from a pre-existing injury to his Achilles and will miss the two Tests against the All Blacks and the one against Japan in Tokyo. England head to the [...]