Coronavirus: The impact on the sporting world as numerous events are disrupted March 12, 2020 In the space of a week the coronavirus pandemic has gone from having a minimal impact on the world’s sporting events to causing vast swathes of postponements and contests played out behind closed doors. This week saw the first Premier League game postponed due to Covid-19, Champions League matches played in empty stadiums and two [...]
England show grit to hold off late Wales surge and win Triple Crown March 8, 2020 England sealed the Triple Crown and kept their Six Nations hopes alive – in theory, at least – with victory against Wales on Saturday, but they were made to work for it. The hosts had to cling on as they finished the match with 13 men despite being the better side for long periods and [...]
Six Nations organisers had no choice but to postpone Italy v England over coronavirus but Saracens’ handling of Vunipola is ill-considered March 5, 2020 Coronavirus is all over the news at the moment and rugby is no exception after it emerged that England’s final Six Nations game against Italy had been postponed as a precaution. It is a shame for the tournament, which has been bubbling up nicely ahead of its conclusion next weekend, but organisers really had no [...]
England must rediscover creative spark in Triple Crown showdown March 5, 2020 England’s victory over Ireland in the last round of the Six Nations saw them take a significant step forward in performance. But in truth it came from a standing start. Eddie Jones’s men had been torn apart by the flair of the French before they stumbled to a win at Scotland in the swirling wind [...]
England’s Six Nations rugby game against Italy postponed amid coronavirus outbreak March 5, 2020 England’s Six Nation match against Italy in Rome next week has reportedly been postponed due to the outbreak of coronavirus. The 14 March game was due to take place behind closed doors after Italian authorities ordered all sporting events to be held without fans because of the coronavirus outbreak which has led to more than [...]
Six Nations: Ireland’s Andy Farrell could learn something from France’s fresh approach under Fabien Galthie February 27, 2020 Watching last weekend’s Six Nations games I was struck by a huge contrast between two of the teams on display. Once again France provided the highlight of the weekend, beating Wales 27-23 in a thrilling contest in Cardiff which kept the youthful visitors’ Grand Slam hopes alive. On Sunday it was a different story, as [...]
England 24-12 Ireland: Johnny Sexton’s struggles help England record confidence-boosting win at Twickenham February 23, 2020 The build-up to England’s Six Nations clash against Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday was dominated by one storyline. England captain Owen Farrell coming up against his father, Ireland head coach Andy, was an understandable focus, given the importance of both figures. But before England’s 24-12 win was over it was clear that particular aspect had [...]
Home advantage will see England overcome Ireland in the Farrell family showdown at Twickenham February 20, 2020 The Six Nations returns this weekend after a break and Sunday brings a mouth-watering contest at Twickenham, where England host Ireland. As ever, it’s set to be a huge game between two of the world’s top five teams and there’s plenty at stake, too. Ireland are eyeing a Triple Crown and are still on course [...]
Ireland’s attack is evolving under English duo Andy Farrell and Mike Catt ahead of Twickenham showdown February 20, 2020 Ireland found out the hard way last year that standing still in rugby is tantamount to going backwards. The heroics of 2018’s Grand Slam and a win over New Zealand were quickly forgotten as their Six Nations crown slipped and Joe Schmidt’s side crashed out of the Rugby World Cup at the quarter-finals. It made [...]
Adding South Africa into the Six Nations is a controversial move but it makes commercial sense in the long run February 13, 2020 The Six Nations is in a rest week at the moment but there has been no shortage of things for fans to talk about after it emerged that South Africa could join the tournament. The potential introduction of the Springboks in 2024 is an emotive subject and I can certainly see both sides of the [...]