Bryan Habana: South Africa’s World Cup win has already had a huge impact on the country and will give the 2021 Lions’ Tour extra spice December 11, 2019 Five weeks have passed since South Africa won the Rugby World Cup but the impact that the achievement will have on the nation is only just beginning. The Springboks beat England 32-12 in Yokohama last month to claim their third World Cup, with each triumph having come 12 years apart. But this latest trophy, which [...]
Northampton Saints’ clash with Leinster will be a real test of their credentials this campaign December 5, 2019 Northampton’s double-header against Leinster in the Champions Cup, starting on Saturday, will provide a great test of where they really stand this season. The Saints have had a flying start to the campaign and smashed Leicester 36-13 last weekend in the East Midlands derby to go top of the Premiership. It has always been a [...]
Bristol Bears have the potential to become Premiership big-hitters under Pat Lam and Steve Lansdown November 28, 2019 Bristol Bears turned heads on Wednesday when they announced the signing of Fijian international Semi Radradra on a three-year contract from next season. It is a huge statement from Bristol – one which shows their growing reputation and position within the Premiership’s hierarchy. They may have to pay over the odds for him, but Radradra [...]
New Zealand coaches still the most sought-after as Wales and Australia turn to Kiwis to lead November 26, 2019 Less than a month after standing down as Wales head coach, Warren Gatland is set to return to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff this weekend. This time, however, he will be leading out the Barbarians as life after 12 years with Wales officially begins. The exhibition match will also be the first of Wayne Pivac’s [...]
Premiership Rugby: Bristol Bears continue to go from strength to strength under Pat Lam as they lead the chasing pack November 26, 2019 Top of the Premiership at the first European break and with two wins from two in the Challenge Cup, Bristol Bears are starting to reap the rewards of years of patience and hard work behind the scenes. The domestic campaign is just four games old but victories over last year’s finalists Exeter Chiefs and local [...]
Exeter Chiefs are underdogs no longer – they must step up and end their European hoodoo in the Champions Cup November 21, 2019 This season is a big one for Exeter Chiefs. They are no longer an up-and-coming side who can rely on their underdog status to temper ambition. Saracens’ 35-point deduction in the Premiership means they are hindered both domestically and in the Champions Cup and Exeter really should be the team to benefit. Understandably, the Chiefs [...]
Leicester Tigers’ stuttering start to the season highlights familiar concerns November 20, 2019 Just four games into a new Premiership campaign that promised to be a turning point for Leicester Tigers and they appear no nearer to ending the “worst period in the club’s history”. That was head coach Geordan Murphy’s brutal assessment of last season. But despite an intense 12-week pre-season designed to get the players in [...]
Saracens’ Premiership points deduction leaves the Champions Cup wide open for challengers November 14, 2019 Saracens’ 35-point deduction for breaching Premiership salary cap rules has dominated the news in recent weeks and I think it will have a big knock-on effect in the Champions Cup, which starts this weekend. After Sarries’ impressive away win at Gloucester at the weekend, head coach Mark McCall said that he would prioritise league games [...]
Eddie Jones has enriched English rugby but the RFU should try and hire Steve Hansen November 7, 2019 Firstly, I want to hold my hands up: I called the Rugby World Cup final completely wrong. I have rewatched the match since to try to make sense of it, and although Kyle Sinckler’s early injury helped give South Africa the ascendancy in the scrum, it was far from the biggest factor in England’s 32-12 [...]
Saracens could challenge legality of Premiership Rugby’s salary cap if review falls through November 7, 2019 Saracens could seek a legal challenge to Premiership Rugby’s salary cap if they fail in their bid to overturn a 35-point deduction and £5.4m fine, according to a leading sports lawyer. The English and European champions could argue that the salary cap framework is anti-competitive, says former World Rugby head of legal Darren Bailey. However, [...]