I am still the right man for the job, insists sacked Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill January 2, 2017 Sacked Leicester director or rugby Richard Cockerill insists Tigers chiefs have made the wrong decision in terminating his long association with the club. Leicester acted on Monday just hours after the 16-12 New Year’s Day defeat to Saracens – a third loss in four games for the 10-time champions, who have slipped out of the [...]
Double let-off for Northampton Saints over George North concussion inquiry and European Champions Cup team selection December 21, 2016 Northampton have escaped punishment despite being told they were wrong to allow wing George North to resume playing a Premiership match after he suffered a head injury. North, who has a history of concussions, was cleared to continue this month’s fixture against Leicester, amid concerns he may have been knocked out again, after being assessed by [...]
Johan Goosen: Players retiring from rugby early should not be a shock December 21, 2016 Last week, Racing 92 announced the “shock” retirement of 24-year-old fly-half Johan Goosen, the reigning Top 14 player of the year – a significant achievement in a league boasting multiple superstars. Goosen reportedly decided to leave the club to become a commercial director in his native South Africa, although one might be forgiven for wondering [...]
Joe Marler interview: All players should see a psychologist December 16, 2016 Reinvigorated England prop Joe Marler has urged every professional rugby player to consider seeing a psychologist, having reaped the rewards himself. The 26-year-old revealed in May that he was seeking professional help from a sports psychologist, former Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire and England spin bowler Jeremy Snape, to address a “lack of professional control”. Marler’s admission followed [...]
England captain Dylan Hartley free to play in Six Nations after receiving six-week ban December 14, 2016 England captain Dylan Hartley is free to play in the Six Nations after receiving a six week ban for striking Sean O'Brien in Northampton Saints' European Champions Cup clash with Leinster last week. Hartley will be permitted to play from 23 January — just under a fortnight before England begins their Six Nations defence against France at [...]
RFU boss Ian Ritchie backs Dylan Hartley as England captain despite latest brush with the law December 13, 2016 Rugby chief Ian Ritchie has defended Dylan Hartley’s conduct since being England skipper and believes he has sufficient credit in the bank to remain as captain despite the threat of a Six Nations ban. Northampton hooker Hartley is set to face an independent disciplinary hearing on Wednesday after being shown the third red card of [...]
Anthony Watson interview: Bath and England star on why he’s not letting himself think about the British Lions tour to New Zealand just yet December 13, 2016 Bath star Anthony Watson insists he has put thoughts of travelling to New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions next year to the back of his mind following three months out injured. The winger has been consigned to the opposite side of the touchline he is so used to hugging for England and Bath, [...]
Why Warren Gatland’s decision to hire Rob Howley could come back to haunt the British and Irish Lions on next summer’s tour to New Zealand December 12, 2016 The British and Irish Lions coaching set-up was finalised last week with the trio of Rob Howley, Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell appointed to assist Warren Gatland on next summer’s tour to New Zealand and there must have been an interesting conversation between Gatland and Howley, given that the latter was only recruited as “option [...]
British and Irish Lions: Warren Gatland and Andy Farrell say autumn internationals prove New Zealand can be toppled on 2017 tour December 7, 2016 Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions coaching team for the 2017 New Zealand tour have been given renewed belief that the All Blacks can be toppled by the northern hemisphere teams' performances in the Autumn internationals. Gatland has reunited with interim Wales coach Rob Howley and Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell, veterans of the 2013 tour of Australia, and [...]
England’s forward dominance against Australia ensures last laugh for innocent Dan Cole December 5, 2016 It’s not often that attention is focused on the burly beasts of the front row, but in the run-up to Saturday’s match proppery was the talk of the town. Not only did Dan Cole find himself at the centre of accusations of alleged illegal technique by Australia coach Michael Cheika, but elsewhere guilty verdicts were [...]