Why the Rugby World Cup could force up player wages and bring legal challenges to the sport’s salary cap October 31, 2019 When Japan and South Korea hosted football’s World Cup in 2002, it precipitated a significant increase in Asian investment in the sport. Takeovers of high-profile European clubs followed, as did multi-million pound Asia-only sponsorship deals with star players. With the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia about to conclude, this milestone could [...]
England v South Africa: Rugby World Cup final victory can top the achievement of 2003 October 31, 2019 It’s the eve of the Rugby World Cup final and I could hardly be more confident. England come into their clash with South Africa on the back of a near-perfect performance in the semi-final, while their opponents did the bare minimum to reach the showpiece in Japan. England were sensational in beating New Zealand 19-7 [...]
England v South Africa: What previous meetings can tell us about this weekend’s Rugby World Cup final October 30, 2019 When pondering England’s Rugby World Cup final against South Africa on Saturday there is one obvious point of reference to consider. The two teams met in the 2007 tournament showpiece in Paris, where the Springboks kicked five penalties to England’s two in a 15-6 win remembered for Mark Cueto’s disallowed try. But whether Cueto’s foot [...]
Ben Spencer’s late call-up for World Cup final raises the stakes after Eddie Jones’ gamble October 28, 2019 Eddie Jones admitted it was a “gamble” back in August and, on the eve of his biggest match as England head coach, the stakes have duly increased. Jones raised some eyebrows when he named only two scrum-halves in his 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup and, with Saturday’s final against South Africa on the [...]
Door’s open for Tiger Woods to break more records – and he won’t shrink from it October 28, 2019 For years he achieved things that we couldn’t have imagined. Then, when it looked as though injuries would keep him on the sidelines for good, he came back and won another Major. Tiger Woods never ceases to surprise us. Now, following his wire-to-wire victory at the Zozo Championship in Japan on Monday, Woods has equalled [...]
England should not fear South Africa’s physical but one-dimensional style in World Cup final October 27, 2019 Back in the pool stage, the consensus was that England would be taking the hardest path to the Rugby World Cup final. Finishing top of Pool C meant being in the same side of the draw as New Zealand, the No1 side in the world and winners of the last two tournaments. Now, having overcome [...]
Ollie Phillips: England can beat the All Blacks and win World Cup October 24, 2019 This is the big one. Eddie Jones has always said to judge him on this World Cup, and England’s semi-final with New Zealand tomorrow is the biggest match of his tenure. The best two sides in the world meet in Yokohama and if Jones’s team win it will be absolutely enormous for England and for [...]
What areas can England exploit in their World Cup semi-final with New Zealand? October 23, 2019 It has been a while since England beat the All Blacks – seven years to be precise – but last year’s narrow 16-15 defeat at Twickenham was the first time they had played since 2014. In the 11 months since, both teams have come a long way. On Saturday, ranked as the No1 and No2 [...]
England’s win over Australia vindicates Eddie Jones as he gets big calls correct October 21, 2019 A number of questions hung over England and Eddie Jones ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Australia on Saturday. Were they undercooked? Was dropping George Ford a mistake? Were Mako Vunipola and Henry Slade ready to start? Could Owen Farrell be a decisive leader during the heat of battle? All of those questions [...]
The outsider: England coach Eddie Jones ready for Rugby World Cup showdown with homeland that divorced him October 17, 2019 There can be few matches that stir as many emotions for Eddie Jones as tomorrow’s. On Saturday in Oita, Jones will lead his adopted nation of England into a Rugby World Cup quarter-final against his native Australia, a tie being staged in his mother’s homeland, Japan. But the match is more than just a collision [...]