England coaches forced to explain surprise decision to drop in-form wing Semesa Rokoduguni for Argentina match November 23, 2016 Wing Semesa Rokoduguni’s surprise England axing is because he is less suited to facing Argentina than Gloucester’s Jonny May, says defence coach Paul Gustard. Bath flyer Rokoduguni has been left out of the squad to face the Pumas on Saturday at Twickenham despite scoring two tries in a man-of-the-match display against Fiji last weekend. May, [...]
Axe falls on Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni despite his try-scoring antics for England against Fiji November 22, 2016 Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni has been omitted from England’s squad to face Argentina in the latest instalment of their autumn programme despite his man of the match showing against Fiji on Saturday. Rokoduguni marked his international recall and first England appearance since his debut against New Zealand during the autumn of 2014 with two tries as [...]
Supporting a Pacific Islands Super Rugby franchise – not simply handouts – is a better way of thanking Fiji November 21, 2016 Much has been made of the disparity in earnings between the England players’ £22,000 match fee and the £400 with which the Fijians were remunerated following their meeting at Twickenham on Saturday, which the hosts won 58-15. The Rugby Football Union will be making a £75,000 token payment to the Islanders and should not feel [...]
Eddie Jones insists England fly-half George Ford can be better than New Zealand’s world player of the year Beauden Barrett November 20, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones has tipped fly-half George Ford to prove himself a classier operator than newly-crowned world player of the year Beauden Barrett, while at the same time issuing a withering put down to the New Zealand No10. Ford was an inspirational presence for England as they inflicted a nine-try demolition on Pacific [...]
Rugby is still missing a trick in way it engages with commercial partners if it is to become more relevant to the next generation November 17, 2016 Rugby is a great sport at a critical point in its development. The international game is very popular in a small number of countries, from the six and tri nations plus a few others, such as Japan and Fiji, who play at Twickenham on Saturday. The rugby economy is skewed toward a few major media [...]
Northern hemisphere success suggests tectonic shift in rugby’s balance of power could be in progress November 14, 2016 The last two weekends of international rugby might well have indicated that the prolonged period of southern hemisphere dominance is beginning to draw to an end, at least in the form to which we have become accustomed. With the Irish overpowering the All Blacks, England dismantling South Africa and an under-strength Scotland unlucky to have [...]
Eddie Jones tips Ben Youngs to have same inspirational effect on England as South Africa great did for Springboks November 14, 2016 Head coach Eddie Jones has tipped scrum-half Ben Youngs to have the same influence on England as South Africa great Fourie du Preez had on the Springboks as his side bid to become the world’s No1-ranked team. Youngs sparkled at No9 on Saturday as England ended a 10-year hoodoo by running in four tries and [...]
How much do rugby players get paid? New RFU deal with England players boosts match fee to £22,000 November 11, 2016 England rugby captain Dylan Hartley said the national team's players had got a "fantastic deal" after the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Rugby Players' Association (RPA) agreed a new four year contract from 2016 to 2020. The contract between players called up to Eddie Jones' England's Elite Player Squad (EPS) is believed to be worth £22,000 per [...]
South Africa hold no fear for my England team, insists head coach Eddie Jones November 10, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones insists his side have the weapons to disarm South Africa’s much-vaunted physicality and outwit the Springboks in other facets of the game during their autumn showdown on Saturday. Jones showed his hand on Thursday and, as expected, centre Elliot Daly is set to make his first England start in place of Jonathan [...]
Betting: Bet on England to end Springbok hoodoo in style November 10, 2016 ENGLAND will be looking to end a winless run that has lasted since 2006 as they host the Springboks at Twickenham on Saturday in the first of their Autumn internationals. The Red Rose are unbeaten in 10 internationals under Aussie coach Eddie Jones and will be looking to remain unbeaten for a full calendar year for [...]