Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Team GB star Dan Bibby calls RFU cuts to Sevens funding ‘a joke’ July 29, 2021 Team GB Rugby Sevens star Dan Bibby has criticised funding cuts to the sport’s programme, calling the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) plans “a joke”. Bibby’s comments come after GB narrowly missed the podium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics yesterday, losing to Argentina 17-12 in the bronze medal match. The team’s central contracts ended last August [...]
Ineos strikes deal with New Zealand Rugby to add All Blacks to sporting stable that includes Formula 1, cycling and football teams July 28, 2021 New Zealand Rugby has announced Ineos is to become its official performance partner in a six-year deal beginning in 2022. The deal sees New Zealand Rugby’s national teams, including the All Blacks and the Black Ferns, join the growing Ineos sporting stable, which is owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe. They will join Mercedes-AMG [...]
Saracens and Ulster to clash in the City at iconic Square Mile venue the Honourable Artillery Company on eve of new Premiership season July 27, 2021 Saracens will return to the City in September for a pre-season match against Ulster. The teams will clash on the lawns of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) on Thursday 9 September, six days after they meet in Belfast. The fixture comes a week before Saracens resume life in the Premiership, having been promoted back to [...]
Why the British and Irish Lions have never been more popular with players, rugby fans and sponsors July 24, 2021 “It shouldn’t work,” former England captain Lewis Moody says of the British and Irish Lions. The concept of a band of disparate players from the four Home Nations thrown together, shipped to the other side of the world and tasked with beating rugby’s strongest nations does feel anachronistic, a relic from the game’s amateur days. [...]
Ollie Phillips: I’m predicting a British and Irish Lions victory in the first Test – and the series – in South Africa July 23, 2021 I’m really intrigued by the upcoming British and Irish Lions Test series with South Africa, which starts this weekend. The Springboks are the world champions but have barely played together in the last 18 months because of Covid-19’s impact on sport. They are not totally wet behind the ears, of course, but any lack of [...]
English rugby chiefs to offer mouthgard technology to all clubs and open brain clinic as part of concussion action plan July 22, 2021 English rugby chiefs have today announced a new action planned aimed at reducing concussion risk within men’s and women’s professional rugby. The move comes amid mounting pressure on the The Rugby Football Union (RFU), World Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union as concerns grow over the impact of contact sports on the brain. Nine former [...]
Lions Tour: AWJ back to captain XV just weeks after being ruled out of tour July 21, 2021 British & Irish Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland has announced his team to battle South Africa this weekend at Cape Town Stadium. Only 24 days ago, Alun Wyn Jones suffered a dislocated shoulder during the Lions first game of the tour against Japan on home soil. The Osprey will lead the Lions this weekend pairing [...]
Lions Tour: Rassie Erasmus picks established Springboks XV featuring 21 of World Cup final squad for first Test with British and Irish Lions July 20, 2021 South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has announced his matchday 23 to face the British and Irish Lions in the first Test on Saturday at Cape Town Stadium. Handre Pollard will make his return to the international stage earning his 50th cap in a momentous opening test. The playmaker, who has spent much of the last 12 [...]
British and Irish Lions Tour: Warren Gatland’s three big selection headaches ahead of first Test July 19, 2021 After months of concerns over whether the series would go ahead, the British and Irish Lions will finally face South Africa in the first Test in Cape Town on Saturday. Lions coach Warren Gatland has given all of his tourists a chance to impress and must now pick 23 men to face the world champions. [...]
Covid-19 outbreak in British and Irish Lions camp threatens tour match against Sharks and plunges tour deeper into doubt July 7, 2021 The British and Irish Lions have been hit by a Covid-19 case in their camp in South Africa. One unnamed member of the management tested positive in a round of testing carried out on Wednesday. He and four other people – two players and two staff – are isolating and the rest of the squad [...]