Ollie Phillips: The Premiership is just so competitive October 28, 2021 The Premiership is producing some of the best rugby that it ever has, and the lack of England internationals over the coming weeks will make games even more unpredictable. Eddie Jones’s autumn squad is already at a training camp in Jersey, meaning a host of stars are unavailable for selection on a weekend full of [...]
New stadium in Cornwall could change the sporting landscape October 27, 2021 For a region boasting a population of 550,000, it has long been an anomaly that Cornwall lacks a large-scale sports stadium. That could begin to change today, however, as a decision at today’s Budget could set in motion a series of events resulting in a major shift of Cornwall’s sporting landscape. The Stadium for Cornwall [...]
Why sport is playing against the clock when it comes to the climate crisis October 26, 2021 It is becoming increasingly apparent that the climate crisis touches everything and sport – often played outdoors and shaped by the weather – is, not surprisingly, no exception. Winter sports are in serious trouble. Alpine glaciers and skiing seasons are rapidly shrinking. Not a single event on last year’s biathlon circuit could proceed without using [...]
Premiership: Five things we learned as Saracens shine October 25, 2021 Premiership rugby’s Saracens’ fast and loose play is producing very attractive rugby and Irish finally get their long-awaited win. Sale, though, struggled against undefeated Leicester while Bath were valiant in their loss. Here’s five things we learned from the weekend’s Premiership action. Silky Saracens Saracens backed up their rampant 71-17 victory over Bath last week [...]
Ollie Phillips: Bath’s senior players need to step up October 22, 2021 If last week’s 17-71 mauling taught Bath anything it’s that they need to step up. They were totally outclassed by a Saracens side boasting a full starting XV of internationals, but that’s no excuse. Though they were without their bulldozing No8 Taulupe Faletau through injury, Bath were still able to field Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson, [...]
Premiership Rugby attendances fall by a quarter October 20, 2021 Premiership rugby clubs are struggling to attract supporters back to matches, with attendances down by a quarter so far this season. After five rounds of fixtures, the average attendance for a game in England’s top division has been 10,748. That is a 25.9 per cent decrease on the average for the last full season played [...]
London Irish’s home comforts aren’t enough. They need a win October 20, 2021 Exiled from the capital for over two decades but now finding their feet back in the Big Smoke, there is a charm to the London Irish story. Moving home is never easy, but in the Brentford Community Stadium they have a more permanent base. Now they need to show they can make it work on [...]
Eddie Jones backs Marcus Smith to handle England role October 19, 2021 Eddie Jones has backed Marcus Smith to handle the pressure of being England’s fly-half after naming the exciting Harlequins prospect in his Autumn Nations Series squad. Smith made his debut in the summer against the US before being picked as a late call-up for the British and Irish Lions’ tour to South Africa. “First of [...]
Premiership: Five things we’ve learned as Leicester rumble on October 18, 2021 Premiership clubs Saracens and Leicester completed demolition jobs, Bristol continued their struggle to match the highs of last season and Harlequins lost their first game. Worcester, meanwhile, cannot do anything but lose. Here’s five things we learned this weekend from the weekend’s Premiership action. Sarries Rec Bath Saracens’ English contingent put on a show for [...]
Ollie Phillips: Marcus Smith can be the catalyst for a new England team October 15, 2021 Marcus Smith is the name on everyone’s lips as Eddie Jones prepares to name his England squad for the Autumn Nations Series on Monday. The Harlequins fly-half was on fire on his first Premiership appearance of the season last Friday, coming off the bench to help Quins surge from 21-0 down to beat Bristol 52-24. [...]