Rob Horne: Former Northampton Saints centre on life after his career-ending injury and “bittersweet” testimonial against Leicester Tigers October 3, 2018 Five and a half months ago Rob Horne was leading his side, Northampton Saints, out to face rivals Leicester Tigers at Welford Road. With three games left of a poor season for Saints, Horne had been newly-elected captain. The trip to Leicester, it was hoped, would mark a fresh start. The side, in Horne’s words, [...]
Ollie Phillips: Joe Marler’s international retirement is a huge loss and raises questions about the England set-up September 27, 2018 Nobody should discredit Joe Marler for his decision to retire from international rugby at a relatively young age so that he can spend more time with his family. Marler doesn’t want to be a dad who never sees his children and you have to respect that. Joe’s upfront and will say if he doesn’t [...]
Ollie Phillips: Will Spencer red card highlights complicated nature of rugby’s high tackle laws September 20, 2018 Will Spencer’s red card and subsequent four-week ban for a high tackle during Leicester’s 41-35 defeat by Wasps last weekend has sparked a perennial debate in rugby. High tackles are a complicated subject. The focus of rugby’s administrators is to reduce concussions and they’re understandably hot on the issue at the moment. The law change [...]
Ollie Phillips: Will Spencer red card highlights complicated nature of rugby’s high tackle laws September 20, 2018 Will Spencer’s red card and subsequent four-week ban for a high tackle during Leicester’s 41-35 defeat by Wasps last weekend has sparked a perennial debate in rugby. High tackles are a complicated subject. The focus of rugby’s administrators is to reduce concussions and they’re understandably hot on the issue at the moment. The law change [...]
Ollie Phillips: Cipriani not the only Gloucester stand-out, Bath struggling for identity and Wasps’ hole at fly-half September 13, 2018 The Premiership season moves so quickly and we’re already approaching the third round of fixtures – and the third west country derby. Before you know it the The Champions Cup will roll around and November’s internationals will be upon us. England have not been playing well of late, so this period is a chance for [...]
Ollie Phillips: Cipriani not the only Gloucester stand-out, Bath struggling for identity and Wasps’ hole at fly-half September 13, 2018 The Premiership season moves so quickly and we’re already approaching the third round of fixtures – and the third west country derby. Before you know it the The Champions Cup will roll around and November’s internationals will be upon us. England have not been playing well of late, so this period is a chance for [...]
Premiership takeover: A sports lawyer explains the questions rugby union clubs are pondering September 12, 2018 The shareholders of Premiership Rugby Ltd agreed on Tuesday that the sale of a majority stake to global private equity firm and former Formula One owners, CVC Capital Partners, is not their “preferred option”. The deal would have seen CVC purchase a 51 per cent stake in the Premiership for a reported £275m. The result [...]
Premiership takeover: A sports lawyer explains the questions rugby union clubs are pondering September 12, 2018 The shareholders of Premiership Rugby Ltd agreed on Tuesday that the sale of a majority stake to global private equity firm and former Formula One owners, CVC Capital Partners, is not their “preferred option”. The deal would have seen CVC purchase a 51 per cent stake in the Premiership for a reported £275m. The result [...]
Ollie Phillips: Leicester need to manage expectations after O’Connor’s departure, Lam has Bristol aiming high and Cipriani pulling strings for Gloucester September 6, 2018 Anyone who plays Exeter away from home first game of the season are always going to be in for a rough ride. But Leicester Tigers’ crushing 40-6 defeat last weekend had far-reaching consequences, with head coach Matt O’Connor sacked just 48 hours later. Typically after one game you don’t change coach. It’s unusual behaviour and [...]
Ollie Phillips’ Premiership preview: Saracens still the side to beat but Gloucester and Leicester are on the rise August 30, 2018 The Premiership kicks off tomorrow evening when new boys Bristol take on west country rivals Bath and I’m excited as ever for a new campaign. While it’s Bristol getting things under way, it is likely to be Saracens and Exeter who duke it out at the top of the table again. Last season’s champions Saracens have [...]