Six Nations: Warburton on Wales, Gatland, England, Sinfield and Borthwick January 20, 2023 Former Wales captain Sam Warburton is “excited” to see what the return of head coach Warren Gatland can bring and says that Kevin Sinfield is a “masterstroke” for England ahead of the Six Nations. Gatland returned to the Welsh fold at the end of last year when his predecessor Wayne Pivac was sacked following a [...]
Sports TV: What’s on, what time is it on, where to watch? January 20, 2023 European rugby groups conclude this week as the sports schedule begins to look towards February. There’s free-to-air football on the television while the Australian Open continues. Here’s what you need to add to your sporting calendar this weekend. Rugby: Harlequins v Sharks, Saturday This weekend sees the final round of the group stages of rugby [...]
European rugby: How do you qualify in the Champions and Challenge Cup? January 20, 2023 This weekend sees the final group stage matches in the European Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup. With a number of sides still able to make it into the respective rounds of 16 due to the new competition format, there’s a lot on the line. So with fixtures kicking off this evening, what are the [...]
England squad can give the Six Nations a good go January 20, 2023 I’m not saying I didn’t expect it from a coach like Steve Borthwick but it’s great to see an England Six Nations squad picked on form at the moment. There are a few choices and calls I disagree with but off the back of what I read on Monday, I think England can give the [...]
Rugby tackle changes: ‘I will not play again’ says grassroots player January 19, 2023 The majority of rugby players in England will now be forced to reduce their tackle height to waist height or below. The controversial call will come into force from 1 July this year and will apply to England’s third division – National 1 – and below. This change in tackle height will therefore result in [...]
Former England captain Robshaw says Jones will want a win over old side January 18, 2023 Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw has said former Red Rose coach and now Australia head honcho Eddie Jones will definitely want to get one over his former side at this year’s World Cup. Jones took the Australia job just a month after being sacked as England manager and his Wallabies side could face England [...]
Scotland and Wales name their Six Nations squads January 17, 2023 Scotland and Wales have today confirmed their squads ahead of the Six Nations Championships, which begin next month. Scotland’s 40-man training squad includes four uncapped players, one of whom – Ruaridh McConnochie – has previously played for England. Jamie Ritchie will captain the Scots in the Six Nations, whose first match will see them travel [...]
Borthwick on his England Six Nations squad of new faces and veterans January 17, 2023 Steve Borthwick’s first squad announcement as England coach has seen him take a chance on potential debutants in some areas while reverting to once again trusted veterans of the game in others. The announcement – made yesterday at Twickenham Stadium, the location for Borthwick’s first match as head coach on 4 February – saw the [...]
Premiership and English rugby chiefs accused by MP of ‘inert leadership’ January 17, 2023 The acting chair of a government committee this morning accused the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby of “inert leadership”. Damian Green MP made the comment in response to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s ‘Current issues in rugby union’ report, which said that the fall of Premiership clubs Wasps and Worcester [...]
Steve Borthwick vows to find England’s lost clarity in Six Nations January 16, 2023 England rugby coach Steve Borthwick says the team lacked “clarity” towards the end of predecessor Eddie Jones’s tenure but has vowed to revive them at the Six Nations. Speaking after his first squad announcement since taking the England job in December, Borthwick drew a line under a dire autumn campaign and said the next 18 [...]