Kat Merchant on England crop, World Cup favourites and strong women October 4, 2022 On Saturday, England Women will begin their Rugby World Cup campaign against Fiji at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. They are overwhelming favourites, and it’s a tag they haven’t been able to shake in recent years. Simon Middleton’s Red Roses head to the Land of the Long White Cloud on a 25-match winning run [...]
Worcester Warriors: Departures confirmed as club crisis continues October 3, 2022 The crisis gripping Worcester Warriors has begun to bite after the top-flight rugby club had two fixtures cancelled by Premiership Rugby and saw the beginning of a possible player exodus. On Monday morning the financially stricken club were informed that their previously postponed match against Gloucester Rugby and their upcoming game against Harlequins have both [...]
Premiership rugby: Quintuple of home victories as Sale show up October 3, 2022 It was a quintuple of home victories in the Premiership this weekend, with Harlequins, Saracens and Sale in particular showing what they are capable of. Here are four themes from round four of the action. Quins the kings It’s exciting, it’s thrilling and it always goes down to the wire; that’s the description that tends [...]
Ollie Phillips: England should embrace Premiership’s rugby style September 30, 2022 Last Sunday’s storming contest in which Exeter Chiefs edged Harlequins 43-42 was, in my opinion, a perfect example of where the tectonic plates of rugby are starting to move. Gone are the days of overly structured play and coming in are sturdy defences paired with incredible counter-attacking moves. I think that’s where we have seen [...]
Roc Nation Sport president: ‘Change in rugby needs to happen now’ September 29, 2022 Rugby is at a crossroads between growth and crisis point ahead of next year’s World Cup, according to Michael Yormark, president of Jay-Z’s agency Roc Nation Sports. Amid a series of financial woes threatening the sport – not least in England, where Premiership clubs are fighting for survival – there is a consensus among new [...]
Harlequins stars Lend An Ear for portraits to support new mental health campaign September 29, 2022 Harlequins stars have posed for a series of intimate portraits in support of a new mental health campaign, Lend An Ear. Players and coaches from the London rugby club’s men’s, women’s, academy and wheelchair teams sat for a series of images which focus on their sometimes gnarled ears to promote better listening skills. England internationals [...]
Saracens CEO: “Innovation and desire push people to think differently” September 27, 2022 When Saracens earned a last-second victory over Gloucester on Saturday, they did so in front of a semi-full new West Stand at their Stone X Stadium. The north London club have been one of the few looking towards expansion, modernisation and development at a time when domestic rugby in England is struggling to support itself. [...]
Worcester Warriors placed into administration after suspension September 26, 2022 Premiership rugby club Worcester Warriors have been placed into administration by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) after failing to provide proof of a “credible” financial plan. The financially stricken West Midlands outfit had until 5pm on Monday to provide the sport’s governing body, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), with detailed assurances [...]
Premiership rugby: Five things as barmy weekend comes to close September 25, 2022 Round three of the Premiership saw monstrous comebacks, outstanding clashes and what could be the last ever match for one particular club. The league is in full swing and you cannot take your eyes off of it. Here are five talking points from the weekend’s action. Sunday Funday Exeter’s 43-42 win against Harlequins perfectly rounded [...]
Ollie Phillips: Bath will sneak win against troubled Wasps September 23, 2022 I’m going to call it: I think Bath will pick up their first Premiership win of the season this weekend against Wasps. While they struggled against Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks in their opening two matches, I get a sense that they could be about to snap out of their losing habit. There’s an opportunity [...]