Danielle Waterman: ‘We’ve done it because it needed doing’ December 13, 2021 “We’ve done it because it needed doing,” says World Cup winning former England full-back Danielle Waterman of her decision to establish the Women’s Rugby Association. “During the last part of my international career, I was supported by the RPA [Rugby Players’ Association]. They stepped in with some critical advice around support and contracts. “A catalyst [...]
Champions Cup kick-off has been tainted by Covid complications December 10, 2021 Cardiff and Munster’s youngsters and fringe players may be dreaming of famous upsets this weekend in the Champions Cup but, for me, the situation has tainted European club rugby’s big kick-off slightly. It’s nobody’s fault that the two teams have dozens of players unavailable after being caught up in the omicron breakout while playing in [...]
Challenge Cup rugby gives teams the chance to hit reset December 7, 2021 A weird quirk of top flight European rugby is that in the big three leagues – England’s Premiership, France’s Top14 and Scotland, Italy, Ireland and Wales’s United Rugby Championship – every northern hemisphere team gets continental action. For the sides who finish in the bottom half of their league, except those who are relegated, are [...]
All eyes turn to Europe as rugby’s Champions Cup gets underway December 6, 2021 Come winter every season, European rugby halts its domestic competitions and looks towards the Champions Cup – the premier international club rugby competition in the world. This season, in a revised format, it’s imperative that teams get off to a flying start. Here’s what to look out for. Fast Start Last season saw a new [...]
Ollie Phillips: Chiefs vs Saracens could be the match of the season… so far December 2, 2021 The international players are back at their clubs and so is the Premiership, and in this blockbuster weekend of games we have the hottest match-up of the season so far. Chiefs vs Saracens There is no love lost between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens. Tony Rowe was shouting from the rooftops about Sarries deserving relegation after [...]
Rugby chaos: Further nine Munster personnel test positive for Covid-19 November 30, 2021 Munster rugby club have announced that nine more of their personnel have tested positive for Covid-19. The province are currently stranded in South Africa, having traveled to the country for United Rugby Championship fixtures. Having been given clearance to travel home, on the basis Munster players would isolate upon return to Europe, the positive cases [...]
Omicron: New Covid-19 strain could scupper sport further November 28, 2021 The Omicron variant of Covid-19 could derail the upcoming sports calendar, having already been the cause of chaos over the weekend. The strain, prominent in Southern Africa but also appearing elsewhere, has put governments across the world on red alert. And sports organisations are no different. International sports events in the southern hemisphere are prominent [...]
Get tested: Fears for 80,000 rugby fans after England game as rules tightened over Omnicron variant November 28, 2021 Tens of thousands of rugby spectators have been urged to take a Covid test following the England versus South Africa match at Twickenham Stadium amid alarm over a new variant. Spectators have been advised to get a test if they are showing Covid symptoms while the UK readies to tighten its international travel and mask [...]
Ollie Phillips: My autumn internationals team of the tournament November 26, 2021 I have been really impressed with how the northern hemisphere in general has performed across this autumn, and I truly believe we’re on top now. I had a pop at picking my Six Nations-based XV based on this November. Forwards 1 CYRIL BAILLE – FRA The power Baille possesses is simply incredible. He is very [...]
Can fans truly have a bigger role in sports clubs? November 26, 2021 The recommendations within the Crouch review will be, quite simply, a symphony to many sports fans up and down the country. But they are just that… recommendations. So just how can real-world examples of fans holding authority in sport push what are currently ideals into actions. Long have sports clubs been toys for owners: left [...]