Autumn Nations Series offers glimpse into future of global calendar November 2, 2022 In rugby circles, the month of November is synonymous with international action. It’s when some of the world’s best teams travel to Europe to play other top-level sides in what has now become the Autumn Nations Series. Broadcast via Amazon Prime Video, it is hoped the series could be a stepping stone towards a new [...]
Premiership rugby: Saracens on top as Gloucester close in October 30, 2022 The weekend’s Premiership action saw a battle at the top, a dominant West Country performance and major controversy. Here are four takeaways from the four matches in round eight. Master versus apprentice Yesterday’s match between Saracens and Sale Sharks had a multitude of storylines running through it. It was first versus second, the master – [...]
Red Roses remain favourites for World Cup, insists former winner Burford October 28, 2022 Former England centre and World Cup winner Rachael Burford has insisted the Red Roses remain favourites to win the showpiece rugby tournament in New Zealand despite being ranked third seeds for the quarter-finals. Though unbeaten in the pool stages, England sit behind hosts New Zealand and Canada in the ranked table and will face Australia [...]
Former Worcester Warriors coach leading consortium to buy club October 27, 2022 Former Worcester Warriors coach Steve Diamond has announced plans to lead a consortium with the aim of buying the financially stricken club who are in the hands of administrators and have been expelled from Premiership Rugby. Under his plans, announced yesterday with an early afternoon visual presentation, Diamond would become chief executive of a project [...]
Ed Warner: My advice to aspiring youngsters is to do your homework October 27, 2022 I never imagined I’d end up spending half my working week immersed in the world of sport. I stumbled into it via a serendipitous alignment of the stars in my mid 30s and have been privileged to parlay my enthusiasm for sport and my business knowledge into emotionally rewarding experiences for the past fifteen years. [...]
BUCS the trend? Why Uni rugby should be at the core of English reformation October 25, 2022 University rugby (BUCS) has all the capabilities to be the next generator of internationals should the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership Rugby restructure its pathways. A week ago, the RFU’s chief executive Bill Sweeney stated that the “once nuclear” option of central contracts for England internationals was on the table in order to solve [...]
Red Roses ranked third in Rugby World Cup last eight October 24, 2022 England’s rugby union women have, unsurprisingly, reached the last eight of the Rugby World Cup. They were, and remain, overwhelming favourites for the tournament – yet they’re only ranked third out of the eight quarter-finalists. Ahead of them are New Zealand and Canada, who topped their respective pools, with the rankings handing Simon Middleton’s Red [...]
Premiership rugby: Drop goals, Sharks harpooned and Bath rejoice October 24, 2022 With the current financial woes facing the English domestic game, there were only four matches in play in this week’s Premiership. We saw a stunning drop goal and a last-minute win, but here are our four takeaways from round seven. Quins make Sale jokers Marcus Smith scored 24 points yesterday as Harlequins ended Sale Sharks’ [...]
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 [...]