Ollie Phillips: Premiership turmoil, Bangkok and Russell finished? October 20, 2022 I have steered clear of talking about Premiership clubs Wasps and Worcester Warriors thus far given the uncertainty surrounding the futures of the players, but I feel like I should offer some thoughts. Look at the talent across the two clubs: Ollie Lawrence, Jack and Tom Willis, Alfie Barbeary and the rest. The players are [...]
Oxbridge rugby duo on for date with Twickenham for Varsity Matches October 20, 2022 The spring of next year will see Twickenham Stadium host Oxford and Cambridge’s Varsity Matches once again. The men’s and women’s teams for the two renowned universities will clash at the home of rugby on 25 March 2023 – the second consecutive time the match has moved to a Saturday after the Six Nations in [...]
Six Nations set for Netflix show as rugby union seeks Drive to Survive effect October 19, 2022 Six Nations chiefs are hoping to develop their fanbase through a new series set to be shown on streaming site Netflix. Rugby bosses have held talks with programme makers and a deal is thought to be close, paving the way to start at next year’s edition of the international tournament. The programme is expected to [...]
Jamie George: Premiership turmoil ‘darkest week in rugby history’ October 18, 2022 England hooker Jamie George has described recent days in the Premiership as the “darkest week in rugby history” after Wasps joined Worcester Warriors in administration. The Saracens front rower is out of England’s Autumn Nations Series with metatarsal damage but says watching domestic rugby’s financial crisis worsen is concerning. Wasps plunged into administration on Monday [...]
Wasps enter administration with MPs set to question rugby’s chiefs October 18, 2022 Wasps, one of English rugby’s most decorated clubs with a history dating back 155 years, has gone into administration as the Premiership yesterday lost its second team in a month. The Coventry-based side admitted last week that they were likely to be handed over to administrators within days and that came to pass on Monday [...]
Rugby chief suggests French-style governance can save game in England October 16, 2022 England rugby chief Bill Sweeney has insisted the Premiership and Championship should look across the Channel to France for inspiration as the domestic game faces a crisis unlike anything it has seen in the professional era. Two clubs – Worcester Warriors and Wasps – have been suspended from the league after going into administration, with [...]
Wasps teeter on the brink as Premiership club suspended October 12, 2022 One of the Premiership Rugby’s most successful and historic clubs has become the second English side within a month to be suspended from the top flight after Wasps announced that they would likely fall into administration in the coming days. The Coventry-based outfit today said that they had withdrawn from their Premiership fixture against Exeter [...]
Sharks circling: Sale’s unbeaten start testament to mixing talent October 11, 2022 In Sale’s post-Steve Diamond era, no one really knew what to expect from a rugby union outpost written off season after season. But in their third year under former Saracens coach Alex Sanderson, Sale are one of two unbeaten sides in the Premiership and motoring along nicely. With four wins from four, including over the [...]
Former Wasps chief executive interested in bid for club October 9, 2022 Financially troubled Premiership rugby club Wasps could be taken over by a bid headed by former chief executive David Armstrong. The club, who moved to Coventry from High Wycombe in 2014, are facing money woes in relation to tax owed to HMRC, bond repayments and other debt. Sources close to the auction of the club [...]
Ed Warner: F1 needs to fast track its cost cap procedures October 6, 2022 The headhunter was calling me about a CEO role at a top six Premier League club. He was building his long list of possible candidates. One of the lures was that half the salary would be paid outside the UK in a low tax jurisdiction, ostensibly for services rendered directly to the club’s overseas owners. [...]